COURSES BY GRADE LEVEL

ENGLISH I (HONORS)

[GRADE 9]                                                        5 CR.

Freshman Honors English is a challenging course that traces the evolution of the hero from Ancient Civilizations up to the Modern Period of literature. This course is paired with the Freshman Honors World History class so that both the literature and historical events are taught chronologically. Emphasis will be placed on the following: Ancient World Literature, Ancient Greek Literature, Medieval Literature, Renaissance Literature, Victorian Literature and Modern Literature. The syllabus includes multiple pieces of fiction, non-fiction, literary criticism, poetry, drama and other ancillary materials. Formal and time essays will focus primarily on the analysis of texts. Socratic Seminar discussions will be based on texts, literary criticism, and ancillary materials. This rigorous course will help students develop critical reading and writing skills to help prepare for their transition to Sophomore Honors English. The English I Honors curriculum offers students their first exposure to the rigors of an advanced English program. Honors English is designed for those that have the work ethic and time management skills to handle a heavier course load, including homework and extended assignments. Prerequisites including middle school assessments, final grades, reading and writing samples, and middle school teacher recommendations. Students who choose to start in CCR English I, still have the opportunity to move up to Honors in their sophomore year. The expectation is that all incoming freshman who commit to taking Honors I remain in the course for the entire school year. All students are required to complete their summer reading assignments before the first day of school. Assignments are posted online.

ENGLISH I (CCR)

[GRADE 9]                                                          5 CR.

English I CCR continues students on their path to developing College and Career Readiness skills in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing. This course focuses on reading literary and non-fiction selections from around the world, various forms of informal/formal writing opportunities and Socratic Seminar to help students explore essential questions and enduring understandings throughout each unit. All courses infuse technologies relevant to 21st century learners and are aligned with the New Jersey State Learning Standards. Students will keep a Literacy Portfolio to showcase their efforts in this course. All incoming Freshman are required to complete a summer reading assignment before the first day of school. Assignments are posted online.

ENGLISH II (HONORS)

[GRADE 10]                                                    5 CR.

The sophomore honors English curriculum offers students their second installment in a four year sequential program of studies which will improve their skills of communication in: reading (novels, podcast, documentary, short stories, poems), writing (literary analysis, expository, argumentative and narrative), listening, viewing, and speaking (seminars). The focus this year is on the development of identity. Students will study all the factors that influence a person’s identity. Independent summer reading is also required. Assignments are posted online.

ENGLISH II (CCR)

[GRADE 10]                                                       5 CR.

English II CCR builds on College and Career Readiness skills in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing. This course focuses on identity related to both the individual and society through essential questions, enduring understandings and Socratic Seminar requirements in each unit. The course continues to infuse technologies, critical reading development and independent writing skills that are aligned to the New Jersey State Learning Standards. Students will keep a Literacy Portfolio to showcase their growth in this course. All sophomores are required to complete a summer reading assignment before the first day of school. Assignments are posted online.

ENGLISH III (HONORS)

[GRADE 11]                                                      5 CR.

The junior honors English curriculum offers students their third installment in a four year sequential program of studies which will improve their skills of communication in: reading (novels, historical documents, short stories, poems), writing (literary analysis, expository, argumentative and narrative), listening, viewing, and speaking (seminars). The focus this year is American literature. There is a course requirement of a research paper which is done independently. *Credit will not be awarded if the required research paper is not completed with a passing grade. Independent summer reading is also required. Assignments are posted online.

ENGLISH III (CCR)

[GRADE 11]                                                       5 CR.

English III CCR continues the sequential English program that further develops College and Career Readiness skills in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing. The course puts emphasis on the American Dream through essential questions, enduring understandings and Socratic Seminar requirements for each unit. All courses are aligned to the New Jersey State Learning Standards and infuse reading, writing and technology critical to our 21st century learners. Students continue to keep Literacy Portfolio to showcase their progress in English. This course has a required summer reading assignment AND Grade 11 Research Paper requirement for all juniors. *As per our MRHS Board of Education Policy, credit will not be awarded if the required research paper is not completed with a passing grade.

ENGLISH IV HONORS/GREAT BOOKS

[GRADE 12]                                                        5 CR.

Great Books is an Honors upper level course with the option for Seton Hall credit through Project Acceleration (earn 3 college credits!). This credit is transferable to other schools. Cost per credit is $100. Registration for this credit occurs in the fall semester. This is an Honors level English elective which focuses on introducing students to college level theoretical analysis of fiction including topics like Postcolonialism, Psychoanalysis, Marxism, New Historicism, Gender, and Multiculturalism. Students are invited to enter into collegiate academic discussion about these topics and will be asked to choose one as the focus of their research-driven paper. A passing research paper is required for credit in the course. Students will read a variety of poignant fictional works and will be asked to consider why they are called “Great”, titles include: Frankenstein, Brave New World, and Handmaid’s Tale (like the Hulu series!). Authors from the class include Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, William Shakespeare, Bharati Mukherjee, Sylvia Plath, Zora Neale Hurston and more! You get to read top critics like Sigmund Freud and Karl Marx. Perfect for students ready to really prep for college. Independent reading is required. Students should be organized, open-minded, and savvy with digital classrooms. All students are required to complete a summer reading assignment before the first day of school. Assignments are posted online.

ENGLISH IV (CCR)

[GRADE 12]                                                        5 CR.

Twelfth grade CCR is the capstone course of our sequential English program. As part of their transition out of high school, students will prepare college essays, resumes and applications. Whether continuing to a post-secondary education or work, students will develop College and Career Readiness skills through four units of formal and informal writing that compliments both literary and non-fiction study. Students will leave MRHS having mastered New Jersey State Learning Standards for ELA aligned to a curriculum that best prepares them for the 21st century. All students are required to complete a summer reading assignment before the first day of school. Assignments are posted online.

COLLEGE ACCREDITED ENGLISH COURSES

(JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR OPTIONS)

COLLEGE CREDIT OPTIONS AT MONMOUTH REGIONAL FOR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR ENGLISH CLASSES ARE OFFERED THROUGH SETON HALL UNIVERSITY AND BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: 

AP English Humanities A/B, AP English Composition, and Great Books (English IV Honors) are currently available for college credit from a nationally accredited four year university program. Seton Hall University offers three credits for AP Composition, three credits for Great Books and 6 credits for AP English Humanities. This credit is transferrable nationally through Seton Hall’s Project Acceleration Program. The current cost is $100.00 a credit. Registration is scheduled each September.

AP ENGLISH HUMANITIES A/B [GRADE 12]  10CR

The English and Social Studies departments collaborate in the instruction and design of this course which offers daily classes and a double AP grade multiplier. A hands–on approach merges knowledge from several fields of world culture: literature, history, philosophy, music and the arts of selected historical periods. Combined with the individual expertise of the social studies and English teachers, an interdisciplinary approach to culture is the goal. Students examine the context in which various works of literature were produced. As the year progresses, students will complete academic research including an annotated bibliography on a culture of their choice to successfully complete the course requirements. In addition, this course prepares students for the AP English Literature and Composition exam providing them with another way to earn college credit while in a high school classroom. All students are required to complete a summer reading assignment before the first day of school. Assignments are posted online.

AP COMPOSITION [GRADE 11: AP ENGLISH] or

[GRADE 12: AP ENGLISH]

AP Composition provides a comprehensive study of the facets of written language. Students will acquire sophisticated writing skills while practicing analysis, synthesis and expository essays included in the AP English Language and Composition Exam. Students will also be instructed in strategies for success in the multiple-choice part of the exam. This course primarily uses non-fiction texts. The study of formal rhetoric provides a foundation and enhances the reading and writing skills of students. Anthologies of non-fiction essays provide varied models for writing and questions for close reading. A term paper based upon the analysis of a non-fiction text is required to complete the course. Credit will be awarded when this requirement is successfully completed. Students taking this course will be prepared to take the AP Language and Composition Exam in May. This provides these students with another way to earn college credits while in a high school classroom. All students are required to complete a summer reading assignment before the first day of school. Assignments are posted online.

ENGLISH IV HONORS/GREAT BOOKS

[GRADE 12]                                                  5 CR.

Great Books is an Honors upper level course with the option for Seton Hall credit through Project Acceleration (earn 3 college credits!). This credit is transferable to other schools. Cost per credit is $100. Registration for this credit occurs in the fall semester. This is an Honors level English elective which focuses on introducing students to college level theoretical analysis of fiction including topics like Postcolonialism, Psychoanalysis, Marxism, New Historicism, Gender, and Multiculturalism. Students are invited to enter into collegiate academic discussion about these topics and will be asked to choose one as the focus of their research-driven paper. A passing research paper is required for credit in the course. Students will read a variety of poignant fictional works and will be asked to consider why they are called “Great”, titles include: Frankenstein, Brave New World, and Handmaid’s Tale (like the Hulu series!). Authors from the class include Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, William Shakespeare, Bharati Mukherjee, Sylvia Plath, Zora Neale Hurston and more! You get to read top critics like Sigmund Freud and Karl Marx. Perfect for students ready to really prep for college. Independent reading is required. Students should be organized, open-minded, and savvy with digital classrooms. All students are required to complete a summer reading assignment before the first day of school. Assignments are posted online.

BROOKDALE DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM FOR ENGLISH

[GRADE 12]

This course is an option for students who show ability and ambition to earn 6 college credits in their senior year of high school. This dual enrollment course achieves the mandatory 4th year of English for MRHS seniors as well as six college credits for completing two Brookdale courses. The class is a two-for-one class in which students earn 6 college credits for their 4th year of English. MRHS English staff with a Master’s degree and the approval of Brookdale Community College teach the class. Requirements for admission to this option for senior year is a passing score on the Brookdale Accuplacer Test. Students sit for the test at Monmouth Regional High School in the spring of their Junior year.

Interested seniors will have the opportunity to enroll in a Brookdale dual enrollment course for English. Seniors who elect to take and successfully pass this course will earn 6 Brookdale English credits before they graduate high school. This is an opportunity for college bound seniors to sit for college level courses a year early. In addition to saving on college tuition costs and getting a jump start on Brookdale’s required courses, students will also be preparing themselves for an easier transition to the college after graduation. Senior study for this course combine the following two Brookdale English courses:

ENGL 121- English Composition: The Writing Process

Description: English 121 is an introductory writing course where students compose and revise narrative and expository essays and prepare the study of literature by using writing to analyze texts. Through a writers’ workshop approach, students explore the writing process, respond to a variety of texts and learn to communicate their ideas effectively and confidently in writing. ENGL 121 is a mandatory course for all students who attend Brookdale. MRHS students who pass ENGL 121 their senior year can then schedule for ENGL 122 when they start at Brookdale. (3 credits)

ENGL 155-The Short Story

Description: Students will read and discuss short stories drawn from the literature of many cultures and countries. They will analyze the stories for theme, form, relationship to their own lives and reflection of various cultures. The relevance of these short stories for the modern reader will be examined. ENGL 155 is a mandatory General Education requirement for any degree program at Brookdale.(3 credits)

IMPORTANT: Interested candidates must submit a Dual Enrollment Application prior to the deadline and sit for the Accuplacer. Brookdale requires that only seniors who pass the Accuplacer be eligible for this Dual Enrollment opportunity. Please keep in mind that you are agreeing to one full year of TWO semesters, total 6 credits. Students are responsible for the cost of books and tuition for each of the 3 credit classes. Book prices will vary, but the current rate for three credits is $135.00. Students are required to pay $135.00 for tuition by the Fall deadline for the Fall semester class, and you need to pay $135.00 for tuition for the Spring semester class in December of senior year. At the end of the school year, students will have an official Brookdale Community

College transcript with 6 earned credits. Students can choose to continue at Brookdale in the following year or apply to transfer these college credits at another college or university of their choosing. All students are required to complete a summer reading assignment before the first day of school. Assignments are posted online.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ELECTIVES

JOURNALISM (CCR) [GRADES 9,10,11,12]           5 CR.

The primary objective for this course is to create a readable, interesting, student generated school newspaper. With   the guidance of a teacher facilitator, students are responsible for the supervision of staff reporters as well as editorial, layout and general composition of The Falconaire. Students will interact with student editors and create 8 issues of the school paper which is published in two ways, hard copy and word press website.  Additionally, students will be required to keep and submit a classroom portfolio that provides proof of the writing process as they write articles on news, features, sports and opinion stories. Students also design the layout in InDesign and Word Press as well as take photographs for the paper. This student-centered workshop requires the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively for the good of the team.

JOURNALISM HONORS (Editorship)

[GRADES 10, 11, 12]                                                        5 CR.

Honors Journalism is designed to guide the student who has taken the prerequisite course into the realm of leadership. In the newsroom setup, the student is given a title of “Editor,” either a page editor or Editor In Chief and is housed within the regular journalism class. His/her role in the classroom dramatically increases from the previous experience in journalism. He/she will make decisions in all aspects of the Falconaire, hard copy and website, both of which are published at least eight times a year. Editors are responsible for knowing the Falconaire and the school on an intimate level: activities, sports, guest speakers and the concerns of students. Editors are also  responsible for guiding the writers, both in the class and in the club, in the researching, interviewing, archiving, and reflective processes. Editors will use the Associated Press Style Guide and will make content decisions that meet the legal requirements while providing a forum for the freedom of speech and expression. Prerequisites: Journalism portfolio B or higher, teacher/advisor interview.

VIDEO/FILM STUDY (VA)

[GRADES 9, 10, 11, 12]                                                    5 CR.

A mix of critical viewing and a/v  production enabling students to review current and important visual media such as films, webisodes, commercials, and music videos to emulate narrative conventions in video production using Adobe Creative Suite, cellphones, and emerging production media. Students have the opportunity to exhibit work through Film Festivals, MR News, and MRHS approved websites, and Teen Arts.

ADVANCED VIDEO/FILM STUDY (VA)

[GRADES 10, 11, 12]                                                       5 CR.

Advanced critical study combined with student centered projects that can encompass Capstone projects, school-wide and class projects, documentaries, short films, and MR News segments. Students have the opportunity to use production equipment including boom mics, Canon cameras, and Adobe Creative Suite. Exploration of film festivals, a/v production and public service, etc.  Differentiated instruction and production provided for students taking class for more than two years.  Opportunities to participate in Teen Arts and Garden State Film Festival.

CREATIVE WRITING

[GRADES 9,10,11,12 ]                                                      5 CR.

This is a creative workshop class in which students discover their writerly style - in other words, their particular voice. They will work to refine the topics, styles, and genres which will best amplify that voice. Practice consists of creative journaling, memoir, creative nonfiction, fiction, screenplay, plays, and poetry. Students will develop a creative portfolio in which their work and work-in-progress will highlight their writing talent. Students will work alone or in groups, depending on the assignment. The only requirement for entree’ into class is a desire to write. Students will have the opportunity to be editors and publishers in the MRHS Literary Arts magazine, Images, which has published since 1964. (Students have access to Adobe Creative Suite, Word, and Celtx.com)

MINDFULNESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

[GRADES 9,10,11,12]                                                      5 CR

Mindfulness is a nonjudgmental, moment by moment awareness of ourselves and the world around us. It other words, it involves paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, and reactions as well as being mindful of the way our environment and choices affect our thoughts, feelings, and reactions. As a result, this class offers an in-depth study of the self through the reading of ancient philosophical texts and modern texts, the study of various documentaries/film, daily journaling, weekly meditation/yoga, lecture, discussion, projects and community service.