english The English Department at St. Sebastian’s has three distinct goals: first, to help students read with understanding, appreciation, and insight; second, to encourage incisive thinking through involved discussion; third, to enable students to write clearly, logically, and personally about the issues and ideas of literature and of their lives.
of English language with their students and provide guidance and comments that develop proficiency in writing. At the same time, students in these classes learn to find their own voices both in their written work and in the daily discussions central to every English class in the School. In grade twelve, qualified students have an opportunity to pursue AP courses in English Literature and/ or Writing. All upper school English courses are offered on honors and standard levels.
All three goals are intrinsic to the program. The selection of required canonical and nontraditional literature and the expectation of independent reading contribute to the development of sound comprehension skills and analytical ability. The quality and range of discussion possible in small classes generates increased depth of thought as it places a premium on the ability to present ideas with clarity and focus. An emphasis on frequent writing at every grade level works toward the establishment of refined and persuasive writing ability. As it works to produce effective readers, thinkers, and writers, the Department also seeks to develop each student’s intrinsic love of literature and increase his understanding of cultures different from his own. The goals and diverse methodologies of the Department depend heavily upon collaborative involvement and participation of both teachers and students rather than dissemination of facts. In their classes, English teachers embrace an active student model, where each member of the class is both engaged in and responsible for his own learning. Students sit face to face with one another and with the teacher, creating a fertile environment for shared discussion and genuine learning. In grades seven through eleven, students participate in full-year, comprehensive English courses in which they study literature in its major forms: short story, novel, poetry, drama, and nonfiction. The Department’s teachers examine the fundamentals
ENGLISH 7
In this course, students undergo their initial preparation for advancement through the English program. The emphasis is upon writing skills and basic grammar, as well as an expanded view of literature. Additionally, students read a variety of short stories, plays, poems, and novels. Students learn to express in writing their responses to the works they read. Texts include Peck, A Day No Pigs Would Die; Hackett, The Diary of Anne Frank; McDougal, Littel Literature, Green Level; Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet; and Vocabulary Workshop, Level C. ENGLISH 8
In this course, students continue their study of language and literature, and they engage in more comprehensive writing. Students continue the reading and study of novels, short stories, and plays, and they develop a familiarity with language that is essential to the appreciation of serious thought. As they progress from the writing of paragraphs to well-structured compositions,
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