English Dept

Explore literature
Be Empowered to be a better reader and writer
Achieve a better understanding of yourself and your world
The English Language Arts Program provides students with opportunities to explore literature by reading and interpreting literature, to apply and to integrate skills and knowledge through speaking and writing, and be empowered to become life-long readers and learners.

2009 SUMMER READING

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For Summer Reading Packets which include:

Letter to Parents
Summer Reading Lists for Grades 9-12
Signature Form
Grading Rubric

Summer Reading Program
As part of our commitment to improving student achievement through the practice of reading and writing, East Haven High School’s English Department requires all students to complete summer reading. Students are provided with a grade-level list, and are asked to read one book of their choice from the appropriate list. Students are tested on their knowledge and understanding of the book during the first week of school.

Students enrolled in Honors English courses are required to read a second book chosen by the teacher for the whole class. This book is the basis of the first unit of study for the school year and is evaluated through class discussion and written assignments.

HONORS FRESHMAN ENGLISH
Course No. 0010 Weight: H Credit: 1.0 (FY) Grade 9
Prerequisite: Grade 8 English/minimum grade of 90 or better;
teacher recommendation; writing sample/placement test
This course incorporates grammar, vocabulary, oral expression and process writing into the study of literary genre including the short story, drama, the novel and poetry. This course explores literature thematically. The Honors Freshman English Course will be recommended for students who are capable of sophisticated reading for a variety of purposes and have demonstrated a good grasp of writing and analytical skills. Independent reading and two process papers will be required. CAPT strategies will be part of the course.

FRESHMAN ENGLISH
Course No. 0020 Weight: 1 Credit: 1.0 (FY) Grade 9
Prerequisite: Grade 8 English
This course integrates grammar, vocabulary, oral expression and process writing into the study of literary genre including the short story, drama, the novel and poetry. The objective of this course is to improve reading comprehension, vocabulary and writing skills. Students will be required to read some materials independently, and complete two process papers. Reading and writing strategies, including those which are assessed on the CAPT test will be emphasized.

HONORS SOPHOMORE ENGLISH
Course No. 0040 Weight: H Credit: 1.0 (FY) Grade 10 Prerequisite: Honors Freshman English/ minimum grade of 85 or better;
Freshman English/minimum grade of 90 or better; Teacher recommendation
This course continues the integrated study of grammar, vocabulary, oral expression and process writing through the study of the short story, drama, the novel and poetry. The Honors Sophomore English course will be recommended for students who are prepared for a more rigorous program requiring sophisticated reading skills, independent thinking and initiative. Independent reading and the writing of two process papers, including a formal literary analysis with MLA documentation is required. Reading and writing strategies, including those which are assessed on the CAPT test will be emphasized.

LEVEL 1 SOPHOMORE ENGLISH
Course No. 0060 Weight: 1 Credit: 1.0 (FY) Grade 10
Prerequisite: Freshman English/minimum grade of 80 and/or teacher recommendation
This course continues the integrated study of grammar, vocabulary, oral expression and process writing through the study of the short story, drama, the novel and poetry. The Level 1 Sophomore English course will be recommended for students who exhibit proficient reading skills, independent thinking and initiative. Independent reading and the writing of two process papers, including a formal literary analysis with MLA documentation is required. Greater emphasis will be placed on reading and writing strategies, including those which are assessed on the CAPT test.

LEVEL 2 SOPHOMORE ENGLISH
Course No. 0080 Weight: 2 Credit: 1.0 (FY) Grade 10
Prerequisite: Freshman English
This course continues the integrated study of grammar, vocabulary, oral expression and process writing through the study of the short story, drama, the novel and poetry. The Level 2 Sophomore English course will be recommended for students who are working towards developing stronger reading, writing and independent thinking skills. The writing of two process papers, including a formal literary analysis with MLA documentation is required. Intensive focus will be placed on reading and writing strategies, including those which are assessed on the CAPT test.

HONORS AMERICAN LITERATURE
Course No. 0120 Weight: H Credit: 1.0 (FY) Grade 11
Prerequisite: Honors Sophomore English/ minimum grade of 85 or better;
Level 1 Sophomore English/ minimum grade of 90 or better; Teacher recommendation
This course continues the integrated study of grammar, vocabulary, oral expression and process writing into the study of American Literature. The Honors American Literature course will be recommended for students who are preparing for the rigors of a four-year college experience. This course requires a significant amount of independent reading and application of sophisticated reading skills to the study of major American literary works; the student will demonstrate these understandings in well-written compositions. Writing requirements will include a minimum of two process papers, including a formal literary analysis with MLA documentation. Reading and writing strategies assessed on the SAT will also be emphasized.
Juniors and seniors may use this course to earn college credit through the Tech-Prep Program.

LEVEL 1 AMERICAN LITERATURE
Course No. 0140 Weight: 1 Credit: 1.0 (FY) Grade 11
Prerequisite: Level 1 Sophomore English/ minimum grade of 80 or better; Teacher recommendation
This course continues the integrated study of grammar, vocabulary, oral expression and process writing into the study of American Literature. The Level 1 American Literature course will be recommended for students who are preparing for the demands of continuing education. This course requires independent reading and application of increasingly sophisticated reading skills to the study of major American literary works; the student will demonstrate these understandings through writing assignments. Writing requirements will include a minimum of two process papers, including a formal literary analysis with MLA documentation. Reading and writing strategies assessed on the SAT will also be emphasized.
Juniors and seniors may use this course to earn college credit through the Tech-Prep Program.

LEVEL 2 AMERICAN LITERATURE
Course No. 0160 Weight: 2 Credit: 1.0 (FY) Grade 11
Prerequisite: Level 2 Sophomore English
This course continues the integrated study of grammar, vocabulary, oral expression and process writing into the study of American Literature. This course requires some independent reading and application of reading skills to the study of major American literary works; the student will demonstrate these understandings through writing assignments. Writing requirements will include a minimum of two process papers, including a formal literary analysis with MLA documentation. Reading and writing strategies assessed on the SAT will also be emphasized.
Juniors and seniors may use this course to earn college credit through the Tech-Prep Program.
Grade Twelve
21st Century Learning Expectations: 4, 5

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH
Course No. 0200 Weight: AP Credit: 1.0 (FY) Grade 12
Prerequisite: Honors American Literature/ minimum grade of 85 or better; Level 1 American Literature/minimum grade of 95 or better; Writing sample required
This course provides a college-level experience in preparation for the AP English exam. Selections are chosen for their stylistic, cultural, and intellectual value, and for their relationships to one another. All are by renowned authors, from Shakespeare, Donne, Chaucer, and Dante to Heller, Garcia-Marquez, Ibsen, and Austen. Students should possess strong analytical and composition skills, which will be further refined throughout the year. Summer reading, class participation, and six to ten hours of homework per week are absolutely required.

Students may also take this course for four UCONN credits for a small fee. The following is the UConn Registrar’s description of this course:
ENGL 1011: Seminar in Writing Through Literature
Instruction in academic writing through literary reading. Assignments emphasize interpretation, argumentation, and reflection. Revision of formal assignments and instruction on grammar, mechanics and style.

Grade Twelve Electives
The following course offerings may be taken by grade twelve students to fulfill their senior English requirement. Each grade twelve student must select a minimum of two .5-credit courses to meet their one-credit English requirement. Students will have selections approved by their grade eleven English teacher. To address the most comprehensive range of skills and content, the English Department strongly recommends that all seniors select one communication-based elective and one literature-based elective. Seniors may opt to take more than the two required electives. Juniors may opt to take these courses for elective credit with departmental permission; however, enrollment preference will be given to seniors requiring the credit for graduation. Juniors taking these courses will not be able to apply earned credit toward their senior English requirement.

COMMUNICATING IN THE REAL WORLD
Course No. 0285 Weight: 1 Credit: .50 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11)
Resumes, etiquettes, Facebook-Oh my! Are you ready for writing in the real world? When you leave high school you’ll be faced with many different challenges and many of them involve writing. This class can be your ticket to success. Do you want to learn how to write a resume to make you stand out? How about discovering the dos and don’ts of how to conduct yourself during an interview? Social networking sites are on the rise and this class will teach you how to market yourself successfully. Other topics this class will deal with include: understanding differences between casual and professional electronic mail, letter and note writing, and how to write business memorandums. If you want to be successful in the real world, this class is for you!

(ME)DIA: Us Weekly to Facebook
Course No. 0400 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
The average American spends more than four and half hours per day in front of a screen, viewing over two million television commercials alone by age 65. (ME)dia is a media literacy course that teaches active inquiry and critical thinking about the messages we receive daily from the media. The course explores the topics of violence, gender, sexuality, racism, and stereotyping by examining all forms of media. From print magazines like People and US Weekly, to film and television like The Daily Show and The Simpsons, we will expand the concept of literacy to develop into informed, reflective, and engaged consumers of media. Students will critique forms of mass media to support and draw conclusions about how media impacts our daily lives and decisions.

SPEAK UP!
Course No. 0320 Weight: 1 Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11)
Do you dread having to speak in front of groups of people? Do you struggle giving presentations in class? This course is designed to help students become more confident and effective speakers. Through the preparation (reviewing and writing of different types of short speeches) and delivery of a wide range of oral presentations, students will overcome their fears of speaking in public and ready themselves for “real life” speaking situations. Juniors and seniors may use this course to earn college credit through the Tech-Prep Program.

WRITING FOR COLLEGE
Course No. 0481 Weight: H Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Course No. 0480 Weight: 1 Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11)
Do you want to be better prepared for the demands of college writing? This course is for you. Beginning with the college application essay, students will progress in their development of advanced composition and grammar skills. Through this course, students will explore and develop skills required for college writing success including answering the essay question, completing a close reading and writing a literary research paper.

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE: SHAKESPEAREAN COMEDY AND ROMANCE
Course No. 0301 Weight: H Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Course No. 0300 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Honors Prerequisite: Honors American Literature/ minimum grade of 80 or better;
Level 1 American Literature/minimum grade of 90 or better; Teacher recommendation
Level 1 Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
This course is designed for the student who has a love of Shakespearean drama beyond the tragedies! Students will become immersed in the world of the Elizabethans: The Globe Theater, entertainment beyond the stage, the goings-on behind the scenes – access your inner Bard! Students will study representative comedies, romances, and sonnets. If possible, students will experience a live performance of a Shakespearean play and enjoy viewing film versions of some of the plays. Texts: Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, As You Like It, the Sonnets.

BORN OR CREATED: THE STRANGE AND THE PSYCHOTIC IN LITERATURE
Course No. 0302 Weight: H Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Course No. 0303 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Honors Prerequisite: Honors American Literature/ minimum grade of 80 or better;
Level 1 American Literature/minimum grade of 90 or better; Teacher recommendation
Level 1 Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
This course focuses on the monstrous and the demented in the world of literature and film. Are monsters born or created? Has modern society created new monsters (technology, drugs, the powerful, etc.)? Students will study some of the most famous, and infamous, monsters, madmen, and madwomen in literary history including but not limited to: Grendel, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll, and vampires. An independent reading project implementing the students’ choice of contemporary ‘monster’ is a key component. This course is designed to encourage the student to think deeply and critically about what psychological and philosophical beliefs drives one to the brink of madness and destruction.

BRITISH AND WORLD LITERATURE
Course No .0221 Weight: H Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Course No. 0241 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Honors Prerequisite: Honors American Literature/ minimum grade of 80 or better;
Level 1 American Literature/minimum grade of 90 or better; Teacher recommendation
Level 1 Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
This course provides a challenging curriculum in British and World Literature. The on-going development of student’s writing skills, student-led discussions, essays, presentations and two major papers (research and/or literary) will be the central components of this course.
Juniors and seniors may use this course to earn college credit through the Tech-Prep Program.

CLASSICS OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM: CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE
Course No. 0550 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
Surviving in a fallen world requires behavior that some may consider unthinkable. In this course students will explore how human nature is affected by unthinkable acts and a sense of desperation. Contemporary titles may include: The Kite Runner, The Road and The Book Thief. Students will also be required to complete an independent project on a novel of their choice. Students will analyze the effects of turmoil on humans, as well as the influence these contemporary pieces have on our views of society.

FILM STUDY II
Course No. 0525 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); Film Study I; teacher recommendation
Using the knowledge gained in Film I, this course will focus on the analysis of specific films both American and foreign, relations to the representation of subcultures in film. Students will analyze cinematography, editing techniques and narrative structure in the context of psychology, sociology, and philosophy. Emphasis will be placed not only on thinking about film, but organizing thoughts into well-formulated and focused analysis.

IN ANOTHER WORLD: FANTASY FICTION FROM KING ARTHUR TO HARRY POTTER
Course No. 0560 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
In this course, students will explore fantastical literature, identifying the elements that define it, the cultural influences it has, and its role in modern society. Readings in this course include selections from Arthurian Legend, The Little Prince, The Princess Bride, Alice in Wonderland, and a book from the Harry Potter series. Written assignments will be both creative and analytic in nature.

THE JAZZ AGE TO THE DIGITAL AGE: THE AMERICAN MASTERS
Course No. 0570 Weight: H Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Course No.0571 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Honors Prerequisite: Honors American Literature/ minimum grade of 80 or better;
Level 1 American Literature/minimum grade of 90 or better; Teacher recommendation
Level 1 Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
This course will examine various writers from this extremely rich period in American Literature. Writers covered in the course will include: F.Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, John Steinbeck and American poets including Langston Hughes, Billy Collins, and Maya Angelou. Short papers, projects and a final independent author paper will be required.

LITERATURE OF WAR
Course No. 0580 Weight: H Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Course No. 0581 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Honors Prerequisite: Honors American Literature/ minimum grade of 80 or better;
Level 1 American Literature/minimum grade of 90 or better; Teacher recommendation
Level 1 Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
The Literature of War course will use literature and film to gain insights into core questions about war and peace and cultures' fascination with and attraction to war. We will investigate a broad variety of perspectives on war from poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, as well as examine the handling of war and conflict in several films. The course will encompass writing from many conflicts including World Wars I and II, Vietnam, the Cold War, those between Israel and Palestine, and the Iraq War. The ideas of nationalism, insurgency, trauma, censorship, and war “lessons” will also be explored. Assessments will include discussions, group work, and at least one analysis paper.

LYRICS AS POETRY
Course No. 0590 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
Do you actually pay attention to the words when you listen to your favorite music? This course will examine the techniques of poetry such as rhythm, rhyme, figurative language, and theme through the exploration of music lyrics. Students will explore lyrics as a reflection of cultural values and as political and social commentary. Students will also create their own song lyrics applying their own knowledge of poetic devices.

A MODERN FICTION SAMPLER
Course No. 0595 Weight: 2 Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12 Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
Want a little bit of everything? Sports, mystery, and contemporary conflict in fiction are just some of the topics which will be covered in this course. This course is recommended for the student who wants to explore different types of modern fiction to examine what makes a great story. The course will focus on the improvement of critical reading skills and written response to text. Written assignments will be both creative and analytic in nature.

MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE
Course No. 0530 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
In this course students will develop first-hand knowledge of different cultures by reading texts written by Latino, African-American, Asian and Native American writers. They will be analyzing the texts in relation to the historical, cultural, and societal backgrounds of the characters and the authors of the texts, as well as connecting the texts to their own lives, culture and society. Students will be writing a literary analysis and participating in whole class discussions, group activities, and projects.

MYTHOLOGY
Course No. 0420 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12 Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
This course includes an overview of the myths of the ancient Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. Various mythological literature will be read. The course provides an introduction to mythological allusions and studies the definition and application of classical tragedy.

PRINT TO POPCORN: BOOKS INTO FILM
Course No. 0600 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grade 12
Prerequisite: American Literature (Grade 11); teacher recommendation
Was the book better? Through this course, students experience both books and their film interpretations and explore similarities and differences between the two mediums. Through the exploration of literature and film, this course empowers students to critically and analytically answer the question: ‘So, was the book better?’
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CAPT READING ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES
Prerequisite: Students will be placed into this course based on CAPT score, portfolio review
Course #0510 Weight: P/F Credit: .25(1/4 YR) Grade 12
This is a required course for any student who did not meet proficiency on the Reading Across the Disciplines portion of the CAPT administered in the 10th grade. Students must pass this course to meet graduation requirements. If a student reaches proficiency on the junior year retake or through portfolio evaluation, they will be exempted from this course.
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CREATIVE WRITING
Course No. 0280 Weight: I Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Freshman English
This course seeks to develop the essentials of writing poetry (using a variety of forms), the short story, and the one-act play. Students are encouraged to experiment in the form most compatible with individual tastes and abilities. This course is recommended for the student interested in developing an individual writing style.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Course No. 0440 Weight: 2 Credit: 1 (FY) Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Recommendation from ELL Coordinator
This course is designed for students with limited English proficiency. Emphasis will be on oral communication, listening skills, reading, writing and vocabulary development. It is a program that immerses the student in the English language.

FILM STUDY I
Course No.0520 Weight: 2 Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Freshman English
In this course students will study the history of film and its development. It will be an overview of key periods in film history, including early attraction films, the silent period, the arrival of sound and color, up through contemporary film including drama and comedy. Films will be selections from both American and foreign film classics as well as less well-known films. Students will analyze cinematography, editing techniques, and narrative structure in these films. Assessments will include class discussion, class work, and at least two analysis essays.

INTRODUCTION TO DRAMA/THEATER ARTS
Course No. 0350 Weight: 1 Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Freshman English
This course provides an overview of acting exercises, improvisation, vocabulary, theater history, acting methods, character development and performance criticism. Students will read and practice activities from the Drama Projects text as well as teacher designed activities. Students are expected to participate in activities on a daily basis and will be required to memorize several monologues and scenes to be performed for the class.

JOURNALISM/NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS
Course No. 0460 Weight: 1 Credit: 1 (FY) Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Freshman English/minimum grade of 80 with teacher recommendation
In this course students will learn all aspects of newspaper/newsletter publication including news writing, feature writing, editorial writing, editing, proofreading, design and layout. This course is designed for students interested in journalism or communication. Students will produce an actual school newspaper in this course.
Prerequisite for second year journalism students (editors): minimum grade of 90 in Journalism PLUS journalism teacher's recommendation.

READING LAB
Course No. 0500 Weight: P/F Credit: 1 (FY) Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation; guidance referral
This course is designed for students seeking to improve their reading skills. Small group and individual instruction will help students improve their reading comprehension skills, vocabulary and test- taking strategies. This course will focus on preparing students for the reading demands of their content area classes.

SAT PREP
Course No. 0380 Weight: 1 Credit: .5 (1/2 YR) Grades 10-11
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation/Guidance referral
This course is for the college-bound student who would like to review all aspects of the verbal portion of the SAT: the critical reading section which includes sentence completions, short passages, and long passages and the critical writing section which includes the grammar section and the essay. Strategies for taking the test and working through the three types of verbal questions are covered as well as vocabulary development.

Jacqueline Albis	Ms. Albis' webpage
Christine Bauer
Ashley Bogart
Douglas Gardner	Mr. Gardner's webpage
Katherine Hungerford	Ms. Hungerford's webpage
Haley Lutar	Ms. Lutar's webpage
Sara Marquis	Ms. Marquis' webpage
Lisa Nuzzolillo	Ms. Nuzzolillo's webpage
Kelly Ottenbreit
Linda Peduzzi
Themi Valsamis
Lisa Veleas, Reading Specialist, Team Leader