PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION Each student’s course of study includes English, history and global studies, language (Chinese, French, Latin, Spanish), mathematics, science, art, music, theater, and health (8th grade). Brief outlines of each of the required courses follow.
YEARLONG COURSES ENGLISH 2000 ENGLISH 7 In this course, students explore and strengthen the communication skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening, all in a respectful and supportive environment. The development of critical thinking skills is stressed and supported continuously, as students acquire the building blocks for analyzing literature and for communicating their ideas effectively in a wide variety of contexts. The analytical writing process is introduced and practiced throughout the year in response to classroom texts. Students also enjoy many opportunities to work with the material creatively. Students read fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, and short stories. Foundational grammar and mechanics are formally introduced and practiced, and students continue building their vocabularies through the readings. 2005 ENGLISH 8 This course fosters intellectual and personal growth, academic independence, and personal confidence through a close study of literature, writing, and speaking. Students develop new skills as they read and write with a purpose in mind. These skills are cultivated in analytical and creative writing
assignments as well as in class discussions based on the selected literature. In our analyses we focus on how to write an effective thesis with supporting textual points to develop persuasive critical arguments in essay form. In creative writing assignments, students are responsible for presenting clear and meaningful fiction through point of view, dialogue, narration, and description. Along with regularly scheduled work on vocabulary and grammar, we closely study the various genres of English. We challenge students to go beyond their own expectations in a passionate pursuit of deliberate reading, literary analysis, and effective writing. Throughout the course of the year, with teacher oversight, each student authors a lengthy and creative Humanities Project based on a personal passion or interest. Students may supplement their projects with audio and visual technology or a performance if desired. The culmination is a unique and well-constructed literary piece in which the student demonstrates intellectual independence, creativity, and sound writing skills.
2021-22 COURSE OF STUDIES 49
