Everything we think, do, plan or hope occurs in the context of language. Our language is English, and our students are already quite proficient in its use. Because communication is an essential human function, touching all parts of an individual’s world, our goal is to refine our students’ skills in using their language as a communications tool. We see English language arts skills not only as both prerequisite and corequisite to all other learning areas, but also to the overall growth and development of the whole child.
Class lessons may include the full population or may involve small group work. Individual student-teacher conferences are encouraged. Students may use their laptops for note taking, researching, writing, test taking, and internet enrichment of class lessons. Homework assignments and assessments are varied; they include regular reading and analysis, grammar drills, vocabulary exercises, short writing tasks, longer essays and term papers, and oral presentations.
Our literature curriculum is theme based and sequentially developed. Ninth and tenth grade students learn fundamentals. In the junior and senior years, electives are offered. At every level, students are encouraged to read–constantly. We regularly assign summer reading to our students.
Students are encouraged to consider writing as a process with many steps, beginning with thinking and leading to an end product that has a purpose. Standards for scholarly writing, as well as alternatives for creative writing, are provided. The department sponsors a number of ways students can write for publication, many of them actively promoted by the Writing Center. North Shore Notes, the Book Trials, etc. provide students with venues for articulating and publishing their ideas.
Students take an English course every year. At every level, we want to instill in our students a love for language. We want them to develop positive attitudes about reading and writing, to incorporate those activities in their daily lives, and to experience pleasure when engaging in them.
This second-year foundation course focuses on issues of self-identity through a study of novel, drama, memoir, poetry and short story. Students do an intensive unit on writing the academic research paper, learning techniques of topic formation, note taking, outlining, as well as organizing and writing the paper. The focus is on primary sources. Documentation issues are thoroughly addressed. Students write for self-expression as well, using different genres. Grammar and vocabulary study are integrated into the curriculum as weekly features of instruction. Based on teacher and administrative input, students may be placed in sections that are specialized in order to address their needs for enrichment or remediation.
In this course, 11th grade students trace the roots of American Literature from the 17th century to the present. A major project involves them in putting a noteworthy, but somewhat controversial literary work “on trial.” Public performances by the winning teams are viewed by the entire school and invited guests. Academic research is extended to secondary sources. Students also read and write about news articles on current events that connect to curriculum as well as poetry that connects to texts. Vocabulary is culled from works studied and incorporated into writing. Supplementary poetry, short fiction and non-fiction essays are also addressed.
An advanced section will highlight rhetorical strategies and stylistic techniques that authors use in order to create their messages. Students who choose to do so will be prepared to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in May. A skills section will also be available to those students who will benefit from assistance with writing tasks and reading comprehension. Placement will be based on department approval with input from administration.
This twelfth grade course is a preparatory course for the Advanced Placement Examination in English Literature and Composition. Students read and reflect on their reading through extensive discussion, reading sample essays and writing essays using the templates provided by the College Board. The primary focus is on close reading and both verbal and written critical analysis of imaginative literature in terms of the individual work’s narrative structure, style, theme and its use of smaller scale elements such as diction, irony, figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone. Students must become extremely familiar with a few chosen works of recognized literary merit and must also develop the skill to analyze pieces they have never seen before. Primarily, this is a skills development course. Students are not evaluated on the basis of their mastery of specific texts they have already studied. Instead, they are required to demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate works that are new to them. Teacher recommendation and administrative approval are required for enrollment.
One of the most popular genres of literature is the mystery story. People love to pit their wits against an author who creates a mystery and challenges the reader to solve it before the correct solution is presented at the end of the text. The professional detective came into his own in the 19th century, and today, the best seller lists abound with titles in the genre, with exotic settings, plot twists and creative variations being especially popular. This course will cover some early mystery stories and move quickly into the 20th and 21st centuries. We will explore the common tropes that readers expect to encounter in a mystery story (clues, the assistant, red herrings) by reading a variety of short stories and full-length texts. Take this class if you would like to know “Who Done It?” In the second term, students will work in groups or singly to create their own mystery stories that will be set in NSHAHS.
In this first semester of this course, students will explore a curated selection of bestselling novels, examining the elements that contribute to their widespread popularity. Students will gain a deeper understanding into why these works resonate with a broad audience through an in-depth study of plot, character development, theme, and genre. Class discussions and writing assignments will encourage critical thinking about narrative structure, character motivations, and the cultural impact of these texts. Students will also engage in comparative analysis, considering how bestselling trends reflect societal values and shifts over time.
The second semester of this course will include an examination of literature written by survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust with a focus on memoirs, diaries, biographies and testimonies. There will be an emphasis on the importance of knowledge and remembrance as a vehicle to prevent the past from repeating itself.
In this first semester of this course, students will explore the history and controversy surrounding banned and challenged books, examining why certain works have sparked public outcry and censorship. Through readings, discussions, and research, students will analyze the themes, characters, and social issues in these texts that lead to their banning. The course will also explore the role of censorship in society and its impact on freedom of
expression, intellectual growth, and cultural change. Students will critically evaluate the arguments for and against book banning, considering historical and contemporary examples.
The second semester of this course will include an examination of literature written by survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust with a focus on memoirs, diaries, biographies and testimonies. There will be an emphasis on the importance of knowledge and remembrance as a vehicle to prevent the past from repeating itself.
This course will explore the intersection of literature and film, analyzing how stories are adapted across mediums. Students will examine cinematic techniques used in filmmaking, such as visual storytelling, editing, and sound design, and how these elements influence narrative structure and meaning. Discrepancies between the original texts and their film adaptations will be explored, including discussions about how changes in plot, character and theme reflect different artistic and cultural interpretations as well as potential political motivations.
The second semester of this course will include an examination of literature written by survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust with a focus on memoirs, diaries, biographies and testimonies. There will be an emphasis on the importance of knowledge and remembrance as a vehicle to prevent the past from repeating itself.
Utopian literature has long been a lens through which writers explore ideal societies, political philosophies, and human aspirations. This course traces the evolution of utopian thought in literature, examining key texts that have shaped and challenged visions of a perfect world. Discussions will focus on the social, political, and philosophical foundations of utopian literature; we will also consider how these works reflect and respond to historical contexts. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how utopian literature has influenced and been influenced by diverse cultural and ideological movements.
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