ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

 The English Department of Medford High School provides continuing opportunities for each student to develop the following:

1.       The mental discipline and the academic skills necessary to understand and appreciate literature and the humanities;

2.       The communication skills necessary for effective reading, writing, speaking, listening, thinking and presenting; and

3.       The motivation necessary to foster increasing curiosity and creativity, traits that contribute to the development of the personality and that will help the student in whatever field he/she enters after high school.

Although the emphasis placed on specific skills varies for each grade and level, the total program provides continuity in the student’s educational program over four years.  The English Department is committed to the presentation of materials and skills-acquisition through a broad range of study: the reading of quality literature; the development of writing skills that ensure an appropriate finished product; spelling and vocabulary development; oral language; listening; grammar and usage, and reasoning.  Since writing is a reflection of thinking, students are expected to respond to literature, as well as to generate writing from their own ideas.

Every student must take and pass English 9, 10, 11 and 12.  In addition, a summer reading requirement exists for all students entering Standard, Honors and Advanced Placement courses in Grades 9 through 12.  Titles are assigned by grade; students are assessed in early September; many summer reading titles are pat of an introductory teaching unit in the fall.  Therefore, completion of required summer reading is critical.  Assessment in September may assume various modes: e.g., a multiple-choice test, essay, project (often assigned in June), oral report, etc.

Five-Credit Courses

ENGLISH 9:  FUNDAMENTALS OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

In order to help Grade 9 students to adjust to the high school program, special attention is given to training in library and study skills.  By building on the basic tools of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking (skills presented in both the elementary and middle school grades), the student is provided with continued opportunities for developing these communication skills.  The study of literature focuses on analysis of the short story, novel, and poetry.  Required reading includes selections from Shakespeare.

Basic –5 Credits – 5 Periods per Cycle – Full Year

Standard – 5 Credits – 5 Periods per Cycle  – Full Year

 

ENGLISH 10:  BRITISH LITERATURE

The British Isles has continually offered great contributions to world literature.  Through class discussion, readings, informal essays, critical essays, independent research, etc., students explore the major themes that the authors themselves explored.  From this concentration on British literature, it is expected that students will develop higher critical/analytical reading and thinking skills in order to evaluate data and to respond appropriately.  In addition, all other communication skills are included.  Specific titles, including the works of Shakespeare, are designated as required reading.

Basic –5 Credits – 5 Periods per Cycle – Full Year

Standard – 5 credits – 5 periods per Cycle – Full Year

 

ENGLISH 11:  AMERICAN LITERATURE

With American literature as the focus for study, Grade 11 students develop a deeper knowledge and greater respect for the American heritage: its history, its complexity and its literary contributions.  Thematic units (e. g., the Puritan conscience, the American search for identity, the American ideal, etc.) are studied through representative writers: e.g. Jonathan Edwards, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and others.  The letter form, precis writing, critical analysis, and the essay comprise the principal amount of writing in English 11.  Specific titles, including the works of Shakespeare, are designated as required reading.

 Basic –5 Credits – 8 Periods per Cycle – Full Year

Standard – 5 Credits – 8 Periods per Cycle – Full Year

 

ENGLISH 12:  WORLD LITERATURE

Reading in mythology and epic lore explores the roots of literary tradition.  A survey of world literature from the fourteenth through the twentieth centuries affords students the opportunity to challenge the thinking of the great minds of Western Civilization.  Discussions are based on textual analysis and related material.  The focus for the research paper originates from course readings.  Specific titles, including the works of Shakespeare, are designated as required reading.

Basic – 5 Credits – 8 Periods per Cycle – Full Year

Standard  –  5 Credits – 8 Periods per Cycle – Full Year