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DEVELOPMENTAL READING
GRADE: 9-11 CREDITS 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? NO
PREREQUISITES: Recommendation of 8th grade English teacher
or Capuchino Counseling Department
This class is an English elective for students
who need additional work on reading skill such as literal
comprehension, vocabulary development, inferential comprehension,
and critical-applicative comprehension. 9th grade students
are enrolled in Developmental Reading on the basis of their
reading test (Gates) scores in 8th grade; 10th, 11th, and
12th grade students are recommended on the basis of their
CAHSEE scores, Gates scores, and by teacher recommendation.
Students use a state-of-the-art computer assisted instruction
program to work on specific reading skills as well as on other
topics such as social studies and science when the teachers
recommend help in these areas. Study and organizational skills
and assistance with reading-based curriculum in other subject
areas are also emphasized.
ENGLISH 1 CP
GRADE: 9 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITIES: Freshman standing
Students in CP English 1 work on the skills
they need both in high school and in college. They develop
their writing skills by studying and practicing the writing
of sentences and paragraphs, leading up to essay writing in
various styles. During the first semester they cover parts
of speech, parts of the sentence, and simple, compound, and
complex sentences. In the area of literature, students will
study elements of fiction and a variety of literary devices
and genres. Works studied include a short works unit, a novel
unit, selections from the McDougal Littell Anthology, and
individual works chosen by the instructor.
ENGLISH 1 AS
GRADE: 9 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Recommendation of eighth grade teacher and/or
counselor.
Freshman English AS focuses on classical literature.
During the first semester students are exposed to literary
genres such as short stories, epic poetry (The Odyssey), classical
mythology, and a Shakespearean play (Julius Caesar). Students
also learn to identify and work with a variety of literary
and figurative terminology and devices such as metaphor, simile,
personification, and symbolism. In addition to reading, honors
students are asked to write extensively the first semester.
For example, students research cultural mythology and folktales.
ENGLISH 2 CP
GRADE 9 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Freshman standing
Students in English 2CP build upon the writing,
literature and additional language arts skills introduced
in the first semester. Grammar instruction continues to stress
correct sentence and paragraph writing. Students learn to
avoid writing run-on sentences and fragments and to write
more sophisticated and interesting sentences. Literary works
studied include Romeo and Juliet, a drama unit, a novel unit,
selections from the McDougal Littell Anthology, and individual
works
chosen by the instructor
ENGLISH 2 AS
GRADE: 9 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of English 1-AS or recommendation
of instructor.
Second semester Freshman English AS continues
the focus on genre studies from the first semester. Students
will read from a variety of literary genres, including poetry,
a Shakespearean play (Romeo and Juliet), and novels written
in translation. This core literature will be supplemented
with students’ extended reading of other recommended
multi-cultural works. Students will also explore a variety
of writing experiences, including original poetry writing
and two particular kinds of essays, observational and autobiographical.
Expository essay writing in response to literature read will
also continue from the first semester. Students will continue
to review grammar and vocabulary, especially in context with
the works read in class. There will also be several class
presentations to focus on presentation skills.
ENGLISH 3 CP
GRADE: 10 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing
In this semester, students continue to practice
skills introduced during freshman year; students are exposed
to persuasive and analytical essays, as well as responses
to nonfiction. Students will read several short stories and
Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Additionally, students will
be exposed to non-fiction texts and media awareness. Students
will also give a formal persuasive speech. Students are expected
to read 900 pages of outside reading per semester, and develop
and use new vocabulary words.
ENGLISH 3/4 AS
GRADE: 10 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of English 2AS or recommendation
of teacher.
The Pre-IB course promotes an appreciation
of literature and a knowledge of a student's own culture and
that of other societies. The course is designed to develop
students' powers of expression, both in oral and written communication
by emphasizing the skills involved in writing and speaking
one's native language in a variety of styles and situations.
Students read several texts grouped by themes or genres. The
texts are chosen from a broad list of prescribed authors and
works representing different literary genres and styles in
the target language, as well as literature from other languages
and cultures read in translation. Oral and written examinations
are used to assess students' individual language skills, their
ability to critically analyze and comment upon familiar and
unfamiliar texts, and their ability to express a personal
and independent response to literature.
ENGLISH 4 CP
GRADE: 10 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing
During this semester, students will read works
such as Bless Me Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya, The Bean Trees,
by Barbara Kingsolver, The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger,
and an intensive poetry unit. Students will be responsible
for comparative and interpretive essays. Students are expected
to read 900 pages of outside reading per semester, and develop
and use new vocabulary words.
ENGLISH 5 CP
GRADE: 11 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Junior standing
English 5 CP is a Junior English
class designed to enable students to prepare for either a
college or business career. In writing, students learn to
research a topic, using primary and secondary sources, and
to report their findings. Students will continue to improve
their writing skills by concentrating on clear and concise
essays. Essay genres emphasized are the Autobiographical-Reflective
Essay and the Response to Literature Essay. MLA formatting
of all essays is required. Major Literary Units include: Early
American Voices, Classicism, Transcendentalism, Romanticism,
and Realism. Selections will be drawn primarily from well-known
works in American literature such as Arthur Miller’s
The Crucible, Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence,
Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience,”
and Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. Students will build
on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure skills learned
in 9th and 10th grades and work toward mastery of grade level
sentence and paragraph structure. Students are required to
learn 80 new vocabulary words and read 975 pages per semester.
ENGLISH 6 CP
GRADE: 11 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Junior standing
English 6 CP is designed to
further the skills of Juniors who have completed English 5
CP. The essay genres assigned are the Response to Literature
Essay and Research Paper on a well-known American author.
It continues with the study of 20th Century American writers.
Literary selections include: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The
Great Gatsby, Richard Wright’s Black Boy, the American
Poetry Unit, and the 20th Century Short Story Unit. Students
will build on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
skills learned in 9th and 10th grades and English 5 CP and
complete mastery of grade level sentence and paragraph structure.
Students are required to learn 80 new vocabulary words and
read 975 pages per semester.
ENGLISH 7 CP
GRADE: 12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Senior standing
Students in English 7 CP further
develop the skills introduced in their previous English classes.
In writing, students learn to compose essays in new rhetorical
patterns. To enhance their listening and speaking skills,
students practice delivering speeches and other presentations.
Literary works studied include Oedipus Rex, A Doll’s
House, and Siddhartha, as well as other works selected by
the instructor.
ENGLISH 8 CP
GRADE: 12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Senior standing
Students in this course perfect
the writing, literature and additional language arts skills
studied in their previous semesters of English. In writing,
they continue working on writing applications such as persuasive
writing and research. Literary works studied include Hamlet
and additional works selected by the instructor.
INTERNET PUBLICATIONS/JOURNALISM
GRADE: 10-12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? NO
PREREQUISITES: None
Journalism is a basic introduction
to journalistic style writing and its various forms, particularly
in the realm of newsprint. Methods of reporting, gathering
information and interviewing are discussed and put into practice.
These classes produce the school newspaper, The Stampede.
Students also gain experience in the layout and design of
a newspaper and the overall production process. Work is done
on Macintosh computers, thus familiarizing students with computer
usage and technology.
JOURNALISM 2 AND ADV
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? NO
PREREQUISITES: JOURNALISM 1
Journalism 2 is a continuation
of Journalism 1. Writing styles and forms including news writing,
feature writing and editorial-style writing are more emphasized
and evaluated more critically. This class, along with Journalism
1 and Advanced Journalism, produces the school newspaper,
The Stampede. Students are encouraged and expected to contribute
more in the production process. Their abilities in using Macintosh
computers are refined as they use more computer programs for
layout and design.
YEARBOOK 1-2
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? NO
PREREQUISITES: NONE
Publications has one objective:
to produce an excellent yearbook. Accomplishing this goal
can only be achieved if students develop a variety of publishing
skills. Another important aspect of the class is learning
how to work together successfully in groups. Skills learned
in the class which carry over into life after high school
include taking, evaluating, cropping, and arranging photographs
in layouts. Students also develop writing, editing, and proofreading
skills which are useful in careers such as journalism, photography,
or any field where it is necessary to write reports or plan
and develop group projects.
IB ENGLISH HL 1
First year of a two year sequence which includes a semester
of American literature followed by a semester of works in
translation, this course engages students in critical reading,
writing, and thinking about how authors use literary techniques
to achieve their purpose. Assignments include three (one oral
and two written) of the six required by the International
Baccalaureate Program. There is heavy emphasis on close reading
and discussion of text.
IB ENGLISH HL 2
Second year IB students will read works by William Faulkner,
William Shakespeare, Alice Walker, Bessie Head and many others.
We will examine these works closely in preparation for two
formal papers and one formal oral assessment. Students will
be expected to engage in many activities designed to serve
as scaffolds in preparation for these assignments. The IB
Program prepares students for college level study by examining
concepts such as author intent, style and audience.
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