English

Year Course

 

Fulfills “B” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

 

This class is aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for grades 9-10. It introduces world literature, focusing on exploration of novels, short stories, drama, mythology, and non-fiction. Writing instruction includes expository essays, business and technical writing, and autobiographical/biographical essays. Grammar instruction focuses on the parts of speech and sentences, phrases, punctuation, and sentence construction. There is a specific technology focus at each high school. Summer reading is assigned for all students.

Year Course

 

Fulfills “B” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

 

This is an intensive honors level class designed to meet the needs of students performing at an advanced level for their grade. Extensive reading and writing are required. Students are expected to have strong critical analysis, reading, and writing skills. Students can expect to complete all parts of the summer assignment, read a minimum of four novels or plays over the course of the year, write a minimum of two essays per quarter, and adhere to high expectations for meeting deadlines, communicating with teachers, and displaying academic responsibility and maturity.

Year Course

 

Fulfills “B” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

 

This course bridges ninth grade world literature with eleventh grade American literature in classes aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). It focuses on multicultural literature that reflects the culturally diverse population in our school community. Other novels/plays are selected by the instructor from the district reading list for tenth grade. Writing instruction focuses on expository essays, biographical narratives, character sketches, persuasive essays, and a career research report. Grammar instruction builds upon basic skills taught in ninth grade with an emphasis on subject verb agreement and effective sentence construction and variation. Summer reading is assigned for all students.

Year Course

 

Fulfills “B” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

 

This is an intensive honors level class designed to meet the needs of students performing at an advanced level for their grade. Extensive reading and writing are required. Students are expected to have strong critical analysis, reading and writing skills. Students can expect to complete all parts of the summer assignment, read a minimum of four novels or plays over the course of the year, write a minimum of two essays per quarter, and adhere to high expectations for meeting deadlines, communicating with teachers, and displaying academic responsibility and maturity.

Year Course

 

Fulfills “B” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

 

This course includes a survey of American literature in classes that are aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Teachers use both chronological and thematic approaches. Grammar focuses on the correct use of verbs, phrases and clauses. Writing focus areas include responses to literature, narrative writing, compare/contrast essays, and multimedia presentations. Basic research skills are reviewed. Summer reading is assigned for all students.

Year Course

 

Fulfills “B” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

 

This class was developed by the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems and is designed for college-bound seniors who want to prepare for the rigors of college-level reading and writing across subject matter. The emphasis is on rhetorical reading and writing, argumentative writing, critical thinking, and author argument. Extensive writing and reading is done throughout the year with an emphasis on expository reading.

Year Course

 

Fulfills “B” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

 

In this college-level course, students will complete all parts of the summer assignment, write at least one essay every 1-2 weeks, read 5-6 books of fiction and nonfiction over the course of the year, and learn to compose and closely analyze a variety of nonfiction text including: exposition, narration, persuasion, speech, film, art, and advertisement. Students will examine the purposes, audience expectations and subjects of a variety of written forms. Close attention will be paid to the conventions and constructions of language as they contribute to effectiveness in writing.

Year Course

 

Fulfills “B” of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

 

This college-level course includes an intensive study of British and American Literature. The course covers 9-10 novels, an average of 1-2 weekly essays, critical analysis of poetry, and a focus on literary interpretation. Students are prepared for and are expected to take the AP test in the spring. Passing the AP test makes a student eligible for college credit for this course. Critical thinking and analytical writing skills are emphasized. Extensive reading and writing are assigned throughout the year. Students are required to complete summer reading.

Year Course

 

Fulfills “G” (English) of UC/CSU A-G admission requirements

 

Creative Writing is an English elective course that focuses on the exploration of short fiction, poetry, writing for a visual medium (Script), and memoir. The course will culminate in a written portfolio that includes one revised short story, three to five polished poems, a three-act manuscript, and a short memoir. Students draft, revise, and polish fiction and poetry through writing exercises, developing familiarity with literary terms and facility with the writing process as they study elements of creative writing.

 

Elements of fiction writing (both short and in script form) explored in this course include attention to specific detail, observation, character development, setting, plot, and point of view. In the poetry units, students learn about the use of sensory details and imagery, figurative language, and sound devices including rhyme, rhythm, and alliteration. They also explore poetic forms ranging from found poems and slam poetry to traditional sonnets and villanelles.

 

The course will engage the students in writing exercises so they may explore the central theme: Identity. As the course progresses, students will be asked to explore the essential questions: Who am I? How do I learn who I am? How does my identity develop as I grow? How is my identity influenced by AND separate from my family, my friends, and my community? How do my identities, culture, and society shape my experiences in the world? Does my individual identity contribute to or conflict with our society at large? How do elements of identity intersect with elements of voice and power?

Year Course (SSFHS only)

 

Fulfills SSFUSD graduation requirement only

 

This is a one-year course introducing students to the field of journalism. This class covers newsgathering techniques, press law and ethics, new trends in journalism, printing methods, different types of newswriting, photography, layout and design, and advertising. The course covers the first steps of newsgathering to the final stages of production.

Year Course

 

Fulfills SSFUSD graduation requirement only

 

This class is responsible for the production of the school yearbook. Students are instructed in basic journalistic skills involving the areas of layout, design, writing, business, and photography. MBRFC