English (Humanities)

ENGLISH 9 S1 & S2                                         Weight 1.00                              (2301A & 2301B)

            HONORS                                              Weight 1.05                              (2401A & 2401B)

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each

This course is open to students in Grade 9.  The English 9 course goals are to familiarize the motivated student with a cross-section of literature, to help the student express him/herself creatively and coherently, and to teach the student to think critically.  In addition, this course provides instruction in the first part of a four year writing program.  To help achieve these goals, the English department introduces the student to short stories and contemporary and classic novels.  Outside readings, compositions, vocabulary, and speaking skills supplement the course, giving the student the background necessary for future experiences in the language arts.  Preparation for the PSAT is provided.  Ninth English focuses on improvement in basic reading and writing skills.  Units of study are provided in literature, composition, and vocabulary, with an emphasis on organization and study skills.  The honors level will include a more in-depth exploration of units by greater sampling of related materials and an increased pace.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS - S1 & S2                  Weight 1.00                  (2302A & 2302B)

            HONORS                                                          Weight 1.05                  (2402A & 2402B)

            One Semester each                  Credit 0.50 each

*Formerly English 10*

This course is open to students in Grade 10.  The course is designed to provide students with a variety of modes of essential effective communication.  Students will build on reading and writing skills honed in previous English classes.  Mentor texts include short-form narratives, long-form realistic fiction novels, stage drama, poetry and persuasive speech. Students will also learn to craft their own written pieces in a variety of forms including narrative, argumentative and informational writing, and learn to present their ideas in non-traditional forms of communication such as debate and prepared presentations. Preparation for the PSAT is provided.  The honors level will include a more in-depth exploration of units through more challenging texts, more nuanced and rigorous writing assignments and an increased pace.

AMERICAN LITERATURE - S1 & S2                             Weight 1.00                  (2303A & 2303B)

                        HONORS                                              Weight 1.05                  (2403A & 2403B)

            One Semester each                  Credit 0.50 each                       

*Formerly English 11*

This course is open to students in Grade 11 and 12 who have not previously taken English 11.  This American Literature course broadens the student’s horizons and prepares them for advanced study in Humanities. Students will explore a wide range of American authors and playwrights, ranging from the Native American tradition of storytelling to foundational documents, as well as classic and contemporary pieces.  Students will continue to hone their craft as writers in long-form including narrative, argument and informative writing. Preparation for the PSAT and SAT is provided.  The honors level will include a more in-depth exploration of units by greater sampling of related materials, more nuanced and rigorous writing assignments and an increased pace.

AMERICAN STUDIES ECE – ENGLISH S1 & S2                                               (2504EA & 2504EB)
AMERICAN STUDIES ECE – HISTORY S1 & S2                                               (8503EA & 8503EB)

            University of Connecticut Early College Experience*

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.10

Successful completion of English 9 or 10 is recommended.  Upon successful completion of this course, students will earn one (1) credit for English and one (1) credit for Social Studies (United States History).  American Studies-ECE will be a two successive-block class encompassing an integrated study of American history and literature, enriched by exposure to American art, music, and research from the historian’s as well as the writer’s perspective.  It will develop in students an in-depth understanding of key themes and an overview of the chronological development of history and literature which will be reflected in the humanities approach.  Challenging college-level reading and writing assignments will be required throughout the course.  Both the English and History sections must be elected at the same time for this course.

American Studies ECE will have summer work that will need to be completed prior to the start of the class.

*The ECE American Studies course is the AMST 1201 Seminar in American Studies course offered at the University of Connecticut.  Students earning a grade of C or better in both the History and English components of the course will earn 3 college credits from the University of Connecticut.  Students are charged per UCONN credit plus a processing fee per course.  Billing is handled by UCONN.

EXPLORING SOCIETY THROUGH LITERATURE AND FILM  S1 & S2                          (2304A & 2304B)

One Semester Each                  Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.00

*Formerly English 12*

This course is open to students in Grade 12.  This course provides students with an opportunity to evaluate and analyze the perspectives of authors from a wide range of literary works, nonfiction pieces and films. Students will use a variety of texts as a springboard for developing and articulating their own perspectives on universal themes and societal issues, and composing their own arguments.  There is an emphasis on synthesizing ideas from multiple sources as students continue to develop their critical thinking skills and writing craft.

CREATIVE WRITING III - S1 & S2                                                                                 (2318A & 2318B)

            One Semester each                              Credit 0.50 each Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 10, 11 and 12.  Prior successful completion of Creative Writing I and II is required. Creative writing III will provide the opportunity for committed students who have successfully completed Creative Writing I and II to write fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry within a workshop setting.  This workshop will have an interest-based consensus curriculum.  Students will be encouraged through writing and discussion to question, to refine, and to expand their craft.  During this course students will learn precise guidelines on how to write well and how to contact publishers for possible publication.  This course will also provide focused critique and meaningful dialogue.  In addition, there will be an authentic audience participation requirement.  The major focus of this class will be the analysis of student writing in the classroom as well as frequent individual conferences.  This course may be used as an English credit for 11th and 12th grade students who have successfully taken Creative Writing I & II.  Tenth grade students enrolled in this course must take the required 10th grade English class, Effective Communications.

CREATIVE WRITING IV ECE - 1 & S2                                                                           (2327EA & 2327EB)

Eastern Connecticut State University Early College Experience*

            One Semester each                              Credit 0.50 each Weight 1.10

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12.  Prior successful completion of Creative Writing III is required.  Creative Writing IV will provide the opportunity for committed students who have successfully completed Creative Writing III to write fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry within a workshop setting.  This workshop will have an interest-based consensus curriculum.  Students will be encouraged through writing and discussion to question, to refine, and to expand their craft.  During this course students will learn precise guidelines on how to write well and how to contact publishers for possible publication.  This course will also provide focused critique and meaningful dialogue.  In addition, there will be an authentic audience participation requirement.  The major focus of this class will be the analysis of student writing in the classroom as well as frequent individual conferences.  This course may be used as an English credit for 11th and 12^th grade students who have successfully completed Creative Writing III.

*Students who successfully meet the expectations of the Early College Experience requirement will earn 3 college credits (ENG 201 Creative Writing for Non-Majors) from Eastern Connecticut State University.  Students are charged a fee per ECSU credit.  This fee will be collected at Rockville High School in September.

PUBLIC SPEAKING - ECE S1 & S2                                                 (2305EA & 2305EB)

            Eastern Connecticut State University Early College Experience*

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grade 11 or 12.  Effective Communication is a course designed to enable students to understand, to practice, and to demonstrate the skills of effective communication.  There is also a non-fiction reading and writing component to the course, in line with entry-level college English courses.  Summer reading is required.

*Students who successfully meet the expectations of the Early College Experience requirement will earn 3 college credits (COM 230 Public Speaking) from Eastern Connecticut State University.  Students are charged a registration fee by ECSU, with money being collected at Rockville High in September/October.

ENG 125 – ECE S1 & S2                                                                                   (2505EA & 2505EB)

            *Eastern Connecticut State University Early College Experience

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.05

This course is open to students in Grade 11 or 12. English 125 is designed to introduce students to “the language of the academy” – that is, to the complex literacies of reading, writing, thinking, and speaking required of college students regardless of their area of specialization.  ENG 125 also introduces students to the specific requirements and standards of academic writing, including essay format, voice, and organizational strategies.

*Students who successfully meet the expectations of the Early College Experience requirement will earn 3 college credits (ENG 125 Introduction to Literature) from Eastern Connecticut State University.  Students are charged per ECSU credit plus a processing fee per course.  Billing is handled by ECSU.

SEMINAR AND STUDIO IN WRITING AND MULTIMODAL COMPOSITION – ECE S1 & S2                                         (2502EA & 2502EB)

            University of Connecticut Early College Experience*

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.10

This course is open to students in Grade 11 or 12 who have passed English 10 or 11 -Honors or Advanced Placement Language and Composition or who have earned a grade of 88 or higher in English 10 or 11.  This course involves instruction in academic writing through interdisciplinary reading.  It is designed for academically-driven students who want to be challenged with college coursework.  Instruction will focus on helping students hone their academic writing skills to be better prepared for college.  There will be a strong emphasis on the revision process.  Assignments will emphasize interpretation, argumentation, and reflection.

* Students who successfully meet the expectations of the Early College Experience requirement will earn 4 college credits      (ENGL 1007 Seminar and Studio in Writing and Multimodal Composition) from the University of Connecticut.  Students are charged per UCONN credit plus a processing fee per course.  Billing is handled by UCONN.

INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS ECE                                                      (8504E)

University of Connecticut Early College Experience*

            One Semester                           Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.10

This course is open to students who have successfully completed American Studies ECE or United States History.  In this course, students will examine the causes and results of prejudice and study the roles of propaganda and censorship through a complementary mix of literary and historical works.  Students will engage in an exploration of central human rights institutions, selected human rights themes, and key political challenges of contemporary human rights advocacy.

* Students who successfully meet the expectations of the Early College Experience requirement will earn 3 college credits (HRTS 1007 Introduction to Human Rights) from the University of Connecticut.  Students are charged per UCONN credit plus a processing fee per course.  Billing is handled by UCONN.

MULTICULTURAL VOICES IN AMERICA                      Weight 1.00                              (2330)

            HONORS                                                          Weight 1.05                  (2406)

            One Semester                           Credit 0.50

This course is open to students in Grades 11 and 12, upon successful completion of English 9 and Effective Communications or its equivalent.  The Multicultural Experience in America provides students with an opportunity to explore the experiences of a wide variety of Americans through authors of multicultural descent.  Students will read contemporary and classic novels, plays and poetry, as well as nonfiction and historical texts that lend context to an author’s work.  Through reading and writing, students will explore current and historical events, and popular culture phenomena that impact their lives.

CREATIVE WRITING I                                                                                      (2308)

            Fall Semester               Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.  This one semester course is devoted to a study of short story writing, script writing, and poetry writing with emphasis on the study of professional authors’ techniques and on student creations.  The study of professional techniques encourages students to use critical analysis of their own work and to make revisions.

Note: This course may be used to fulfill the Humanities requirement for graduation.

CREATIVE WRITING II                                                                                     (2309)

            Spring Semester           Credit 0.50                    Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.  Prior successful completion of Creative Writing I is required.  This one-semester course is an extension of fiction and poetry writing with the addition of nonfiction writing such as biography, autobiography, and the familiar essay.  A unit on children’s literature will also be included, and students will be creating their own samples.  Students who elect to take the course for both semesters can extend and perfect their previous writing.  Models by established writers will be examined for writing technique and style.

Note: This course may be used to fulfill the Humanities requirement for graduation.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE S1 & S2

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.00

This course is open to students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 whose English proficiency is determined to be in need of development.  The ESL program is designed to assist English language learners in adapting to American culture and in acquiring English for both communicative and academic purposes.  Individual needs in the four skills areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are addressed.

READING EFFICIENCY S1 & S2                                                                       (9103A & 9103B)

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.00

This intervention course is open to students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.  It is designed to work on students’ individual needs with a focus on active reading strategies and study skills.  General skills developed through this course include note taking, vocabulary development, study skills, and test-taking skills.

FOUNDATIONS OF READING S1 & S2                                                             (2206A & 2206B)

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.00

This intervention course is open to students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. This multi-sensory course is designed to address students’ deficiencies in reading rate, listening, reading comprehension, and vocabulary development.  The use of individualized reading exercises along with independent silent reading using leveled paperback books and on-level audiobooks, enable students to increase their reading rate, vocabulary knowledge, and comprehension.

READING ESSENTIALS S1 & S2                                                                      (2210A & 2210B)

            One Semester each      Credit 0.50 each            Weight 1.00

This intervention course is open to students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.  This multi-sensory course provides readers with individualized, adjusted instruction to improve their decoding and encoding skills.  Reading instruction provides comprehensive instruction in the areas of phonological and phonemic awareness, sight word recognition, vocabulary knowledge, reading rate, and spelling.  Reading strategies supports and motivates students to become lifelong readers and learners by providing high-interest, leveled paperback books and on-level audiobooks.