ENGLISH DEPARTMENT The English Department recognizes that each student learns through rational and logical thinking, and through the creative and intuitive process. Learning becomes meaningful and integrated when a balance of educational experiences is offered to students. We aim to balance verbal with visual, creative with logical, and intuitive with rational experiences. A concentrated and developmental sequence of writing skills for all levels of instruction is presented as a thorough preparation for college writing standards. The department offers a four-year emphasis on the study of grammar, vocabulary, speech, literature, and composition. These components are considered essential to a program which aims to develop student skills in using and appreciating language and its various expressions. In addition to the regular scope and sequence of our departmental curriculum, each student will be required to read at least one selection over the summer which will be evaluated in the first weeks of the new school year. 100
COMMUNICATION I Grade: 9 Prerequisite: Placement Test Scores/Concurrent Placement in English 9 (112)
1 Credit
This course is designed for the freshman student whose entrance test scores indicate a need to develop better skills and strategies to master efficiently and effectively the daily challenges of high school studies. The course aims to build the reading skills of comprehension and reading rate, enrich vocabulary, and improve study skills by using a variety of methods and materials incorporated into the reading curriculum. It is the goal of this course to improve student performance in all content courses by focusing on the study skills needed for success across the curriculum. This course does not satisfy the English Department graduation requirement. 112
ENGLISH 9 Grade: Prerequisite:
1 Credit 9 Placement Test Scores/Concurrent Placement in Communication I (100)
This course is designed to give Signum Fidei students continued and intensive practice in the skills of reading and composition. A focus on the improvement of annotation skills, grammar, paragraph writing and application of reading strategies.Literature study includes an introduction to a variety of literary forms as well as vocabulary development. This course is designed to complement the Communication I course in the Signum Fidei program. 114
ENGLISH 9 Grade: Prerequisite:
1 Credit 9 Placement Test Scores
Ninth grade English begins with a concentration on the writing process where students will apply the steps of this process to a variety of paragraph modes such as narrative, expository, informative and persuasive. A strong emphasis is placed on the study of grammar as the rules apply to the students’ writing. Literature is studied as it familiarizes the students with the elements and vocabulary of literary genres. Components of the literature program include the study of the short story, novel, drama, poetry, mythology, and non-fiction. Emphasis is applied to the art of active reading techniques. Vocabulary study is an integral part of the program.
Curriculum Guide 2022-23 9
