English Courses

All students must complete eight (8) credits in English for graduation.

The following courses are open to students who have not yet passed the ELA Regents. Students are required to take the Literary Response course (one term) prior to taking the Regents. Here is some online help.

Foundations of Reading,Writing, and Literature (Jackie)

The course is student-directed regarding the specific themes. The class will be reading and writing about students' concerns. Some suggested readings are:
- No Easy Answers - Moral Choices by Don Gallo
- Parts of Wild Cowboys
- A Boy Called "It"
- Hatchet
- House on Mango Street

Literary Analysis

This course will focus on reading, writing, listening and speaking. The plan of study will include: non-fiction for information and understanding; fiction (poetry and short stories) for literary responses and expression, both verbally and in writing; and critical analysis and application. Attention will be directed to narrators'/characters' internal and external conflicts and application of literary elements and techniques in the writing process. There are several sections of this course offered and each teacher will focus on different themes.

Literature (Rochelle)

The themes of the individual in society, man's search for values, will be read, discussed and analyzed in Camus' The Stranger, Hemingways's A Farewell to Arms, Golding's Lord of the Flies and William's A Streetcar Named Desire. Classwork will be augumented by viewing and analyzing the works on videotape.

Writing from A-Z (Charyl)

This is a composition course that focuses on writing as a tool for critical thinking. It is designed to develop the student's ability to write effectively and critically. Consistent with a unified and integrated approach to learning, the course incorporates verbal and reading skills into the development of writing. In addition, students will be encouraged through peer interaction and evaluation.

Elective Courses

The following courses are primarily for students who have passed the ELA Regents. Students are also permitted to take these courses, with the permission of their advisor, if they are concurrently taking a Literary Analysis course.

Classics (Rene)

CLASSICS SECOND SEMESTER, AS THE DEFINITION OF CLASSIC STATES, WE TOO SHALL VISIT MOSTLY CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE THAT HAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS, THAT HAS STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE AND MOST DEFINATELY IS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS LITERARY VALUE.
WE SHALL EXPLORE THE WRITINGS OF CHARLES FULLER TO MUMIA. THE GENRE IS MAINLY NONFICTION WITH A MISSION NOT ONLY TO CREATE AWARENESS BUT ALSO TO OPEN THE SOUL. TO HAVE EMPATHY FOR THE CHARACTERS AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT EVOLVE.
OUR FIRST BOOK WHICH IS TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE GREAT AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN ON February 4TH IS SISTAH SOULJAH’S – COLDEST WINTER EVER. THIS NOVEL WRITTEN IN THE URBAN VANACULAR IS HARDCORE LITERATURE THAT RINGS TRUE TO MANY OF ITS READERS. STUDENTS REGISTERING FOR THIS CLASS SHOULD ACQUIRE A BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST: BLACK HOLLYWOOD AND ITS MEDIA INFLUENCE ON AMERICAN CULTURE AND POLITICS.
REQUIREMENTS: CLASS SUPPLIES—RESPONSE WRITER’S NOTEBOOK—PENS—HIGHLIGHTER— STANDARD SIZE PAPER.
ACTIVE DAILY PARTICIPATION
COMPLETION OF ASSIGNMENTS
EVERY STUDENT MUST HAVE A DAILY PLANNER!

Mysteries and Tales of Suspense (Helene)

This course will examine possible early courses to the "whodunit." Themes will begin with "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles, then fast-forward to an Edgar Allan Poe tale with Msr. Auguste Dupin and a tale by Conan Doyle featuring Sherlock Holmes. This two-cycle course will conclude with post-modern writers in this genre, which include: Agatha Christie, Stephen King and others.

Peoples' History-Literature (Jackie)

This course is in conjunction with George's History of the American People. The students must be registered for both classes. This semester the course will cover two different themes, immigration, and Native Americans. Topics covered during the immigration will be comparing early immigration from late 1800s to early 1900s with present immigrants - Issues that will be discussed will be their struggles, their acceptance, their hopes, and their function in our society. Materials used to develop concepts will be the computer, interviews and a trip to Ellis Island. One of the reading materials will come from Tapestry - a multicultural anthology that contains first-hand accounts and poems.

The second half of the semester the students will follow the historical destruction of the Native Americans through primary sources. The course will also encourage the students to explore today's Native American's issues. Trips to the museum of Native American and Museum of Natural History, interviews with Native Americans will be some resources used. There will also be an art component, to help develop an appreciation for Native American everyday materials.

Another feature of this course is the exchange program. Students from Pearl River (Urban H.S.) exchange ideas over real teen issues through letters and videos. There are two visitations to the schools.

Research Writing (Katherine)

Students will choose their own research topic using a variety of sources such as: primary - historical documents, interviews and letters; and secondary - books, magazines, newspapers and documentaries.We will engage in different research techniques, including the Internet. Students will address solutions to problems, determine cause/effect relationships, and gather evidence to prove or disprove their thesis statements. This course will help students to analyze information and write a five page typed paper with bibliography.

Shakespeare (Ed B.)

The themes of jealousy, greed, ambition and love will be read, discussed and analyzed in Shakespeare's tragedies. Plays read will include "Othello", "King Lear", "Merchant of Venice" and "Hamlet". Class work will be augmented by seeing the plays on videotape and live performances at the Public Theatre. Professional actors will assist in directing scenes from the plays.

The Short Story (Herb)

Throughout the course our reading will come from a variety of authors - Mark Twain, Edgar All Poe, O. Henry, Ernest Hemingway, Langston Hughes, James Thurber, and Shirley Jackson.

The objectives of the course are:

- To increase the students' awareness and appreciation of literature by reading a variety of stories by outstanding authors.
- To increase the students' understanding of human nature by relating the experiences of fictional people to the students' experiences.
- To recognize the elements of short stories, such as plot, characters, setting, point of view, tone and theme.
- To achieve student growth in vocabulary, language and reading ability.

Social and Political Issues in Literature (Katherine)

This course examines the way in which novelists, dramatists and poets have treated major social and political questions. Students explore such issues as the impact of the Vietnam War on individuals, groups and society, the relationship between freedom (personal and universal) and authority; the connection of inner conflicts with self, family and community; the connection of external conflicts with the larger community (government). Students will explore distinct, multicultural points of views pertaining to the individual, family community and nation. Writers that will be studied may include Zora Neal Hurstron "Their Eyes were watching God", Nicola Machiavell "The Prince", Juia Alvarez, "In the Time of the Butterflies", short stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and 10 poems by Nikki Giovanni.

Women's Literature (Jackie)

Through selected literature and students' first hand stories, we will explore the struggles and victories of past and present women. We will examine society's attitudes toward women, the effects of poverty and racism, and the effects of oppression and sexual stereotypes have on women's dreams and their self-esteem. At the end of the semester, a literary magazine will be published consisting of their writings. Students will have demonstrated a sense of empowerment and self-awareness.

The following are examples of some of our readings:
- Black-eyed Susans Midnight Birds by Mary H. Washington
- Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey by Lillian Schlissel
- A Circle of Women (Stories of Sisterhood) by Icarus World Issues
- In the Company of My Sisters (black women and self-esteem) by Julia Boya
- Poetry: Maya Angelou
Tangled Vines by Lifshin
American Dreams by Sapphire
- Women's Voices a Literary Reader
- Acting Scenes and Monologs for Yong Women by Maya Levy
- No Easy Answers - (Moral Choices) by Dan Gall0o
- Krik, Krak by Edwidge Danticat
- The Prisoner's Wife by Asha Bandele
- Possessing the Secret of Joy by Alice Walker

Writing Workshop-Write On! (Rochelle)

A journey in writing creatively for the more advanced student. Students will be reading and responding to various genres of literature. Based upon the readings in class, students will write their own fiction, poetry or dialogue. Attention will be paid to basic writing skills. The culminating activity will be a Literary Journal published by the students.