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Academics
- English
English
The following
courses are English offerings for the next school year. Please
read the course descriptions carefully. Note that all selections
include reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening
activities. Every course is a unit and all the necessary tools
for success in a course are taught as particular assignments
arise. For example, students will be taught writing skills
as they pertain to a given writing assignment or discussion
techniques as they are required for each exercise. Some courses
will also use audio-visual materials.
This year, freshmen, sophomore, juniors, and seniors must
take a regular or scholar level full year course to meet their
annual one credit minimum in English. Because the program
is sequential, no student will be permitted to take two levels
of English in the same year. For example, if a student fails
sophomore English this year, he will not be permitted to take
both sophomore and junior English next year. His failure to
complete sophomore English successfully will extend his projected
graduation date an additional year unless he successfully
completes a full credit in English in an approved summer school
or correspondence program.
Scholar level courses will be demanding. Only students who
can cover more materials at an accelerated rate should consider
scholars level English. Scholar level courses will carry additional
quality point average (QPA) weight because of their challenging
nature.
In addition to the required full year courses, the department
will offer a few elective courses for enrichment based on
the availability of staff to teach these classes.
Phase Level Descriptions
To help you make a wise choice when selecting a regular or scholars
level for your required English course or in selecting an English
enrichment elective, the following descriptions of the phase
levels have been stated in general terms:
Phase 1. Students
who need to attack the basic skills of reading, writing, and
discussing through structured lessons of varying difficulty
at a rather deliberate pace.
Phase 2. Students
who do not have difficulty with basic skills but need to improve
and refine them and can do so best by learning at a somewhat
slower pace.
Phase 3. Students
who learn rapidly, are in good command of basic language skills,
and desire to work at normal pace.
Phase 4. Students
who learn rapidly, are in good command of basic language skills
and desire to work at an above average level.
Phase 5.
Advanced students who have excellent control of basic
skills and who are looking for stimulating academic learning
experiences.
Full Year Required
English Courses
Freshman English
Grade 9 - Phases 1-4 - 1 Unit
Freshman English focuses on organizing and presenting oral communications,
writing good sentences, paragraphs and essays, and on learning
preliminary research techniques. A class paper involving research
techniques will be written. Course credit will be denied if
this research project is not satisfactorily completed. Literature,
including the genres of short story, poetry, drama, novel, and
non-fiction, will be used as background for the written and
oral portions of the course. Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation
will be emphasized in all writing activities.
Freshman English Scholar
Grade 9 - Phases 4-5 - 1 Unit
The ninth grade English scholar curriculum assesses and develops
language skills in preparation for the other scholar level English
courses at Bradford Area High School. It will be assumed that
students electing this scholar level course will have a mastery
of basic writing and reading skills. Review of grammar, spelling,
and punctuation will be conducted on an as-needed basis. Established
classics in the genres of short story, drama, poetry, the novel,
and non-fiction will provide a background for developmental
writing and oral exercises. Students enrolled in this course
will be expected to take the study of literature beyond the
recall level of learning. The course will teach preliminary
research techniques. Course credit will be denied if this research
project is not satisfactorily completed.
Sophomore English
Grade 10 - Phases 1-4 - 1 Unit
Sophomore English serves as a bridge between Freshman English
and the junior year curriculum in both literature and writing.
The main focus of the literature of this year-long course is
diversity in cultures and themes. Students will read short stories,
poetry, drama, a novel, and non-fiction. Writing and grammar
will be studied in conjunction with the literature whose themes
are decision making, destiny, success, conflict, and justice.
Writing types will include narrative, informative, and persuasive
with emphasis on the writing process. Students will develop
more advanced research techniques to write a research paper
of 5 to 8 text pages. Topics will reflect some of the literary
themes and issues of the literature. Course credit will be denied
if this research project is not satisfactorily completed. Both
the literature and writing program will be used to further enhance
oral skills of students.
Sophomore English Scholar
Grade 10 - Phases 4-5 - 1 Unit
Sophomore English Scholar also serves as a bridge between Freshman
English and the junior year curriculum in both literature and
writing. In the scholar level of this course, students will
be required to do more analytical and critical writings and
literary interpretations to a proficient level. The main focus
of the literature of this year-long course is diversity in cultures
and themes. Students will read short stories, poetry, drama,
a novel, and non-fiction. Writing and grammar will be studied
in conjunction with the literature whose themes are decision
making, destiny, success, conflict, and justice. Writing types
will include narrative, informative, and persuasive with emphasis
on the writing process. Students will develop more advanced
research techniques to write a research paper of 5 to 8 text
pages. Topics for the paper will reflect some of the literary
themes and issues of the literature. Course credit will be denied
if this research project is not satisfactorily completed. Both
the lite rature and writing program will be used to further
enhance oral skills of students.
Junior English
Grade 11 - Phases 1-4 - 1 Unit
American writers have created a rich literary history. During
the junior year, students will explore the development of American
Literature from the time of Columbus to the present. Speaking
and writing activities generated from the literature study will
help students meet the PA standards. Additionally, a multimedia
research project must be prepared and successfully presented
to earn course credit.
Junior English Scholar
Grade 11 - Phases 4-5 - 1 Unit
Junior English Scholars will also study American writers who
have created a rich literary history. During this study, students
will explore the development of American Literature from the
time of Columbus to the present. Speaking and writing activities
generated from the literature study will help students meet
the PA standards. Additionally, a multimedia research project
must be prepared and successfully presented to earn course credit.
Because this is a scholar level course that has been assigned
supplemental quality point value, students should expect activities
in writing, speaking, and literary analysis to be more intensive.
They should also expect to cover more material at a faster pace
and in more depth than in regular junior English. Additional
readings and projects will be utilized.
Senior English
Grade 12 - Phases 1-4 - 1 Unit
Senior English will concentrate on a study of British literature
and its influence on our present-day language and writing. The
forces of history that have been responsible for such writing
will also be considered. Students will study British literature
from the Anglo/Saxon Period to the present. Time will be allotted
during this course for students to prepare and refine the written
and oral portion of their senior projects.
Senior English Scholar
Grade 12 - Phases 4-5 - 1 Unit
Senior English Scholars will also concentrate on a study of
British literature and its influence on our present-day language
and writing. The forces of history that have been responsible
for such writing will also be considered. Students will study
British literature from the Anglo/Saxon Period to the present.
Time will be allotted during this course for students to prepare
and refine the written and oral portion of their senior projects.
Because this is a scholar level course that has been assigned
supplemental quality point value, students should expect activities
in writing, speaking, and literary analysis to be more intensive.
They should also expect to cover more material at a faster pace
and in more depth than in regular senior English. Additional
readings and projects will be utilized.
Basic English I, II, III, IV
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 - Course admission
based on recommendation and reading level scores. - 1 Unit
This basic English course helps students to develop existing
language skills and to strengthen reading skills that are necessary
for success in high school courses. As the student progresses
through levels I, II, III and IV, he/she will work on individual
deficient skill areas as well as strengthen established reading
and writing skills. Skill building exercises utilized in this
course will help students expand the communication techniques
necessary for success in today's world. Materials from the currently
adopted English department literature series will provide the
basis for reading and analysis in this course.
Applied Communications I (F)
Grade 12 - 1 Unit
Communication skills needed on the job and in the business world
will be taught. Topics will include workplace communication,
listening and speaking in the workplace, workplace writing,
information in the work place, reading in the workplace.
Applied Communications II (S)
Grade 12 - 1 Unit
Communication skills needed on the job and in the business world
will be taught. Topics will include self-management, negotiating
to solve problems, communicating with co-workers, communicating
with customers, communicating in teams.
Applied Communications Prerequisites
The Applied Communications Courses are only available to students
enrolled in a vocational career program or the technical prep
program, and only after those students have successfully passed
the Pennsylvania State School Assessment in reading and writing
in their junior year. If all of these criteria are met, a vocational
or tech prep student can select Applied Communications I &
II as his or her senior required English offering. It must be
noted, however, that no provision is made in these courses to
allot time for students to prepare and refine the written and
oral portion of their senior projects.
Supplemental English Electives
The Bradford Area High School English Department will offer
five elective courses for enrichment only. Students carrying
a 70% average in their regular grade level English class will
be eligible to select from these five elective courses to supplement
their regular study in English. Since the number of seats will
be limited in each of these courses, seniors will have priority
for enrollment followed by juniors, sophomores, and freshmen
respectively.
Elective courses are for enrichment only. You cannot supplant
your full year required English course with fall and spring
electives. The elective courses will only be offered if sufficient
staffing exists after the department has determined the staffing
needs for the full year required English courses. The likelihood
of more than one section of any given elective being offered
will depend on staff availability and student enrollment requests.
Staff availability will be the main determining factor. Every
effort will be made to keep class size at an optimum number
for the best educational experience.
PSSA Intervention Studies in Reading
and Writing
Offered as needed
Students who fail to receive a proficient score on the Pennsylvania
State School Assessment in the areas of reading and writing
will be required to take this course in preparation for a retest
of the PSSA during their senior year. Credit for this course
will be based on the number of nine week periods students need
to demonstrate proficiency in writing and critical reading and
the retest date assigned by the state. If scheduling problems
exist, this course may only be offered in the evening.
Creative Writing (F)
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 - Phases 3-5 -
0.50 Units
This is a course for those who enjoy experimenting with words
and ideas. Here you can let loose and express yourself. You
will be encouraged to think deeply of happenings in your own
experience, to invent characters, to stick your neck out and
to discuss and write poetry, short stories, and short plays.
"No one knows who he is until he has tried to describe it."
Drama
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 - Phases 4-5 -
1 Unit
Are you interested in acting? Do you think you might be if you
had a chance to do some acting? This year-long course will begin
with exercises and projects to prepare students' bodies, minds,
and voices to create acting roles. Students must be ready and
willing to perform before the class and to work independently
of and cooperatively with classmates and teacher. Students will
also learn about technical aspects of theater. The culmination
of the class will be a theatrical production. Students must
be prepared to give some time outside of class for the completion
of this project.
Independent Reading (S)
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 - Phases 1-5 -
0.50 Units
Do you like to read? Are you interested in expanding your horizons
by reading and discussing great literary works? This course
will give students a chance to select approved readings to study
and discuss. Individual as well as group presentations in the
forms of book reports and book talks will be utilized. Students
will be expected to demonstrate excellent independent study
habits to complete individual assignments.
Speech and Debate (S)
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 - Phases 4-5 -
0.50 UnitS
This is a course directed toward public speaking and debate.
The student is required to research, outline, and deliver a
variety of speeches before the class and to participate actively
in debate activities assigned. Students should develop a presence
of speaking situations and learn the basics of formal debate.
Sports Literature (F)
Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 - Phases 1-5 -
0.50 Units
If you have always enjoyed reading, watching, and discussing
sports, then this course may be for you. You will read and write
about a wide variety of sports topics, past and present, ranging
from the violent sports of boxing, hunting, and football to
the areas of sport satire, the importance of winning, and the
value of sports in our society. You will be expected to keep
up with the current sports happenings and to take an active
part in class discussion. Your speaking and listening skills
should improve as you present individual reports and as you
view several literature-related movies. Both oral and written
work will give you the opportunity to draw upon personal experience
and to present your opinions.
Yearbook Graphics
Grade 10, 11, 12 - Admission by application
and recommendation only - 1 Unit
Yearbook Graphics is a course for students who have an interest
and a desire to learn yearbook production skills. The course
is designed to give the selected students a chance to explore
some of the principles of good journalism and to apply these
principles to their staff work on the high school yearbook.
Interested students must complete an application which includes
writing samples and/or photography samples, plus teacher recommendations.
All application material must be submitted to the advisers before
registering for the course. A limited number of students
will be chosen for the staff. |
