English Department

  • CHS English Department Course Offerings:
     
     SAT/ACT Preparation, Verbal and Writing   401101CH (Must also register for SAT/ACT Preparation, Math)

    Grades 10 – 12  •  ½ unit  •  Prerequisite: English I

    This course explores the strategies for taking the verbal portion of the SAT/ACT.  This course is for college-bound sophomores, juniors or seniors who want vocabulary enrichment, concentrated word study, and writing.  Students will study synonyms, antonyms, word relationships, roots, prefixes, and suffixes in this study of words and items similar to those found on college entrance exams.  This course must be combined with SAT/ACT Preparation, Math.

    Secondary Literacy:  Pre-English I   309901CW

    Grade 9  • 1 unit • Prerequisite: None

    This is an elective course for selected students who scored “Not Ready” on ACT ASPIRE, who are involved in the Freshman Transition Program, or who did not meet standards in English 8.  Although student interests and needs will drive a portion of the curriculum, all students will receive the same core curriculum and will demonstrate competence on common major assessments, including the EOC style final exam. 

    SCCC English I     302463CW

    Grade 9   •  1 unit   •  Prerequisite: None

    This course emphasizes writing compositions and studying literary works in depth. It is for students who may attend college or technical school. Course covers composition and literature interrelated with language study, including mechanics, usage, vocabulary, grammar, library study, and SAT skills.  Summer reading is required.  The End-of-Course exam counts as 20% of a student’s final grade. 

    SCCC Honors English II     302564HW

    Grades 9 – 10    •  1 unit      •     Prerequisite: English I or Referral

    This course is for high-achieving students with advanced and mature study habits. It covers English 2 requirements and also involves additional reading, writing, interpretation, and evaluation of literature, research skills, and SAT preparation.  Summer reading is required. 

    SCCC English II     302563CW

    Grades 9 – 10  •  1 unit   •  Prerequisite: English I

    This course is designed for students who may attend college or technical school.  Students will be introduced to literary forms such as the short story, the novel, drama, and poetry.  The student will develop his language skills by learning to adapt his writing skills to a variety of purposes.  Initial emphasis will be placed on writing the longer paper.  The course will also focus on grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary development to improve the student's reading, writing, and speaking abilities.  Summer reading is required.

    SCCC Honors English III       302661HW

    Grades   10 – 11   •   1 unit     •    Prerequisite: English II or Honors English II

    This course is designed for the highly motivated, exceptionally talented language arts student who enjoys reading and is willing to put extra time and effort into English studies.  The student should also be able to work independently and demonstrate above average grade-level proficiency in writing.  This course concentrates on developing the student's ability to study and read literature critically and analytically through the study of major themes and writers of American literature from 1600 to the present.  Critical analysis of works of literature as well as documented critical papers on literary topics will be required.  Summer Reading is required.

    SCCC English III       302663CW

    Grades 10 – 11  •   1 unit   •    Prerequisite: English II

    This course requires students to write compositions and study American literature. It continues to build on the language study described in English II.  This level enhances skills for college work.  Special emphasis is placed on the SAT/ACT preparation.  Summer reading is required.

    SCCC Honors English IV    302761HW

    Grades 11 – 12   •  1 unit     •     Prerequisite: English III or Honors English III or AP English Language Composition

    This course continues the more intensified language study for high-achieving, highly motivated students. The reading program and the application process are also requirements, as described for Honors English III.  This level focuses on British literature and continues preparation for the SAT/ACT and AP English.  At CHS, this course will be taken in conjunction with AP English Literature and Composition.  Summer Reading is required.

    SCCC English IV   302763CW

    Grades 11 – 12   •  1 unit   •    Prerequisite: English III

    This course is for college-bound students who will study British literature and write compositions, continuing to develop language skills essential for college work, as with previous levels of English.  Summer reading is required.

    AP English Language and Composition (Advanced Placement)        307171AW

    Grades   11 – 12   •  1 unit    •    Prerequisite: Honors English III

    This AP course is designed for students who have been enrolled in the honors English program.  The course focuses on sophisticated literary analysis and on the critical reading and writing skills expected of college level literature courses. Summer reading is required. Students are required to take the AP exam. 

    AP English:  Literature and Composition (Advanced Placement)      307071AW

    Grade 12   •  1 unit    •     Prerequisite: Honors English IV or AP English Language and Composition

    This course is an intensified, in-depth study of literature and the process of analysis.  Emphasizing advanced writing and discussion skills, this course will enable students to perform analytical close readings in preparation for advanced academic study in college.  Reading selections include established works of literary merit.  Summer reading is required. At CHS, this course should be taken in conjunction with Honors English IV.  Students are required to take the AP exam.

    Electives
     
    Speech (Public Speaking)      304060CW

    Grades 10 – 12   •   1 unit    •    Prerequisite: English 1

    This course is designed as an elective for any student who wishes to improve his competency in speaking and in the related skills of listening, composing, and reasoning.  The selection of subjects, audience analysis, techniques of research, organization of materials, effective presentation skills as well as instruction in critical thinking and listening skills will be included.  All state PACT standards pertaining to the use of spoken language will be addressed.

    Newspaper Production/Journalism I    305364CW

    Grades 9 – 12   •  1 unit    •    Prerequisite: None

    This course provides an in-depth study of the responsibility of journalism in our system of mass communications and focus on the technical aspects of the media.  Instruction emphasizes management, public relations, finance, and photography.  Students will also have an opportunity to study other areas of the media which may interest them.

    Yearbook Production      305664CW

    Grades 10 – 12   •    1 unit    •     Prerequisite: Newspaper Production/Journalism I 

     This course provides an in-depth study of the responsibility of journalism in our system of mass communications and focus on the technical aspects of the media.  Instruction emphasizes management, public relations, finance, and photography.  Students will also have an opportunity to study other areas of the media which may interest them. 

    Note: Three units of elective credit in journalism will apply toward graduation. 
     
    English Sequencing 

     

    8th Grade

    Freshmen

    Sophomores

    Juniors

    Seniors

     

     Grade of less than 77 in English 8 and/or Not Met on PASS ELA

    English I*

    English II

    English III

    English IV

    College Prep

    8th Grade English

    English I

    English II

    English III

    English IV

    College Prep

    8th Grade English I Credit

    English II

    English III

    English IV

    English 101/102

    Honors Pathway

    8th Grade English I Credit

    Honors English II

    Honors English III

    AP Language

    AP Literature (recommended)

    or

    English 101/102