English I: Fundamentals
Instructor: Abby Tuttle
This class prepares students for success in future courses by strengthening their foundational language arts skills through reading, writing, discussion, storytelling, and film. We read short stories as well as one short novel each semester. Vocabulary is explored from a word-parts perspective, building meaning from roots, suffixes, and prefixes. By focusing on fluency, fragments, and run-ons, this class helps students improve sentence, paragraph, and short essay writing. Students will learn mnemonic devices to improve the organization of their written work and enjoy fun activities to master basic parts of speech. Both descriptive and persuasive writing are emphasized.

English II: Literary Connections
Instructor: Jason Leach
In this academic course, students will be introduced to analytic writing and reading to deepen their understanding of the material. This course is meant to build a strong foundation that will help students be successful in future English classes. The class will read a short novel followed by an analytic essay. In another section, students will be responsible for writing and delivering a 3-5 minute persuasive speech. Students should expect 3-4 hours of homework each week.

English III: Composition
Instructor: Rikki Edelman
In this course, students will improve their narrative voice and acquire a tool belt of new techniques through the act of representing themselves and their own perspectives in the playwriting genre. Students will also read, process, and discuss a variety of contemporary plays. Students will write collaboratively, attempting to create a full-length play by the end of the semester.

English III: Composition
Instructor: Daniel Lemke
In this course, students will continue to improve their understanding of the English language, building on grammar, vocabulary, fluency, writing skills, and reading comprehension. Students will read short stories and a novel, and can expect homework to be assigned at the end of each class, as well as at least two quizzes per month.

English IV / V: Metaphor & Meaning / Literary Analysis
Instructor: Kate Knox
Students will read two or three novels per semester, usually writing an essay for each. We explore author message and intent, themes, background, metaphor and symbolism, among many other topics, through discussions and journal writing. Students have 15 minutes of in-class journal writing for every class meeting. On a weekly basis, students will hone grammar skills and learn new vocabulary. Vocabulary words are culled from the novels and correlated to SAT vocabulary lists. Students will also create art pieces such as dioramas and collages for each novel. Themes and books vary by semester. Examples of past novels/authors are: The Handmaid’s Tale; Life of Pi; The Mists of Avalon; A Clockwork Orange; 1984; H.G. Wells; Kurt Vonnegut; Alice Walker; and Octavia Butler, among many others.

Spelling
Instructor: Daniel Dickinson
Hate spelling? Love spelling? This class is designed to help any level of speller improve and refine his or her accuracy. This system is proven to work, and has helped many past students improve their spelling abilities. (Class meets 3 times a week, for 3 credits.)