Ninth grade students are required to pass English 1. Tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade students are required to pass English 2, English 3 and English 4 and may take semesterized courses in addition to those courses. New Jersey Student Learning Standards  are addressed in all English courses.

English 1                                                           HON, ACC, CP, PR
This course is a thematic exploration of universal experiences, perspectives, emotions, and attributes of the human condition: windows and mirrors, empathy and understanding, conflicts and consequences, and the power of words. Students will examine and analyze short stories, the novel, drama and poetry, as well as non-fiction and other various media using (podcasts, TED Talks, etc.). Independent Reading is required throughout the year. Students are also introduced to basic rhetoric as well as several writing modes, including research. As students write more extensively, they become more critical readers, and as they read more, they learn to identify and incorporate the tools of master writers. PR level is available through the Child Study Team.

English 2                                                          HON, ACC, CP, PR
This course is the thematic study of American literature as represented through "Voices of Rights and Equality,” "Voices of Identity," "Voices of Responsible Citizenship," and "Voices of Community." Coursework expands upon the teachings of English I, with continued emphases on the development of writing, research, documentation, comprehension, critical thinking, technology, and presentation skills. PR level is available through the Child Study Team.

*AP English Language and Composition         HON
This course allows students to write in many forms -narrative, exploratory, expository, and argumentative -on many different subjects from personal experiences to public policies, from imaginative literature to popular culture. Equivalent to a first year college course, students taking this course will be prepared to take the College Board's Advanced Placement test in Language and Composition. Students may receive college credit or advanced standing depending upon their test scores and individual college policy. *Offered as RCBC Cap Course.

English 3                                                           ACC, CP, PR
Focuses on philosophical themes (heroism, leadership, societal pressure, the nature of humanity), as portals to strengthening writing, reading and speaking skills.  Literature studied includes non-fiction in addition to poetry, drama and fiction from a diverse and global selection of writers.  Rhetorical analysis and research skills are emphasized.  Students will create a rough draft of a personal narrative to use for their college application essay. PR level is available through the Child Study Team.

*AP English Literature and Composition         HON
This course is equivalent to a first year college English course, students taking this course will be prepared to take the College Board's Advanced Placement Test in Literature and Composition. Students may receive college credit or advanced standing depending upon their test scores and individual college policy. *Offered as RCBC Cap Course.

English 4                                                            ACC, CP, PR
This course explores the connection between literature and identity formation. The literature focuses on different genres of American, British, and world literature as they relate to intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. It continues to stress critical thinking and applies writing skills previously developed in English 1, 2, and 3 to a college application essay, an argument, and a rhetorical analysis. A literacy research unit ​​leading up to or during the 4th marking period represents a culmination of skills in reading, writing, and research.​ This course is currently under revision. Upon Board approval, the description of the course will be modified to align with the revised curriculum and current New Jersey Student Learning Standards. PR level is available through the Child Study Team.

Humanities Seminar                                         ACC
Designed to teach students to develop their ability to see art, listen to music, and read literature. In addition to developing criteria for aesthetic judgment, the course emphasizes evaluation of the historic, social, and philosophical significance of ideas, institutions, and works of human expression. The course will demonstrate the evolution of crucial themes and ideas and relate them to current issues and attitudes. Students will develop skills necessary for communication of ideas to others.

Individual Studies                                             PR
Designed for students in need of individualized or small group instruction in study skills. Areas of study include note- taking, outlining, test taking skills, organization, listening skills, following directions, career exploration, post-secondary preparation, civic duties and life skills when appropriate and use of technology to complete research. Students will develop self-advocacy portfolios to provide insight and reflection about their learning styles and personality traits. Students will write resumes, prepare for CST senior exit meetings and practice interview techniques.   These students will also receive support in their academic classes. Available through the Child Study Team.

Reading                                                               PR
Designed for students in need of individual, small group, and direct instruction in the area of reading. Individualized instructional approaches are utilized based on the identified needs of the students. This is a pass/fail course.  Available through the Child Study Team.

SEMESTERIZED ENGLISH COURSES

Celebrating Diversity                                        ACC
Focuses on the belief that all people have inherent qualities that can be used to make positive contributions to society. Emphasis will be placed on learning and understanding the importance of tolerance and respect for people regardless of culture, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, body image, or disability. Students will read various genres of literature, watch media presentations, participate in class discussions, and complete projects.

Creative Drama                                                 ACC
Creative Drama focuses on three aspects of theatre - technique, communication, and cultural context. Students will examine movement, expression, characterization, and staging. They will read a number of plays from different time periods and cultures, and they will participate in pantomime, monologues, and scene writing, performance and evaluation.

Creative Writing                                                ACC
Designed for students who like to write and wish to learn more about how to express themselves imaginatively in the short story, the poem, and the one-act play. In addition to the study of particular literary devices and techniques, there is much reading and keeping of personal journals as sources of ideas. Students are encouraged to submit their work in contests and in publications. A command of basic writing skills is necessary.

Discussion and Debate                                      ACC
Utilizes current issues as a vehicle for the exchange of ideas, attitudes, and beliefs. Discussion of issues is based on logical thinking, research, and proofs. Research, critical thinking, speaking and listening are stressed. Students will learn how to formally debate using policy and Lincoln/Douglas formats. Students are taught to weigh evidence, use logical judgment, and arrive at unbiased conclusions. Students prepare collaborative arguments with partners as well as rebuttals against opponents. The components of Mock Trial are taught and enacted within the classroom setting.

Introduction to College Writing                        ACC
Prepares the student for the college-level composition requirement. Each student will create a number of paragraphs and essays of various types based on personally selected and teacher selected topics. Oral presentations may be required. Students in this course must be interested in improving their writing ability.

Journalistic Writing                                           ACC
Journalistic writing will show students how to write and evaluate different types of journalism, making them more conscious consumers of news, while also teaching a foundation of skills and forms used in journalistic writing. Topics will vary from world news to school events, politics to sports. Students will learn how to evaluate news sources, identify the manipulation of facts within news writing, and evaluate bias in news reporting by examining news reports from print, online, and television sources. Students will also learn to write for both print and television news. The class relies heavily upon projects as a resource for both learning and applying newly acquired knowledge. Journalistic writing is designed not only for the aspiring journalist, but also the discerning viewer.

Holocaust and Genocide Studies                    ACC
Educates students about the period of time called the Holocaust from 1933 to 1945. Students will get an overview of the time period and will read personal accounts in a variety of genre. Fiction as well as non-fiction will be included. Students will also work on projects, see videos, participate in class discussions, and write essays and reports. Emphasis will be placed on learning to accept others and tolerance of different cultures in order to eliminate future genocides.

Mass Media                                                       ACC
Probes the nature of communication: why people need to communicate and how they do it. Students examine newspapers, magazines, radio, television programs, and film to assess the media's influence on daily lives. They investigate techniques used to sway individual decisions, and also evaluate how public and individual opinions are formed.

Musical Theater                                                ACC
Explores the purposes and creators of musicals. The course involves many individual readings, written research, and possible field trips. Students may write and perform in their own musicals. Form as an indicator of social changes is studied. Musicals ranging from the past to the present are analyzed in regard to type, intent, and structure.

Mythology                                                         ACC
Concentrates on various world mythologies demonstrating universal archetypes and themes and how they connect to each other and to modern society. These themes are reviewed and discussed through various readings as well as writing assignments, speaking assignments, and projects. Works will include worldwide multicultural, and classical creation and hero myths.

Poetry                                                                ACC
Includes many forms of poetry: narrative, descriptive, sonnet, ode, limerick, riddle, etc. Students interpret poems orally and in writing. The writing of original poems may be required.

Public Speaking                                                ACC
Helps students acquire confidence and poise before an audience. Emphasis is on organization, structure, research, and delivery of speeches. Techniques for effective speaking are stressed. Students are encouraged to develop original thoughts into effective public messages.

SAT Prep
Prepares students for the verbal and math sections of the SAT. Nine weeks will be spent on verbal and nine weeks on math. The critical reading, writing, vocabulary, and logical reasoning skills needed on the SAT will be addressed. Specific test-taking strategies for the SAT will also be presented. Completing this course is in no way a guarantee of desired results on the SAT. Open to second semester sophomores, all juniors, and first semester seniors. Credits will not count toward English or Math requirements for graduation. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis.  Students will complete a portfolio of practice tests, work samples, and skill sets which will be assessed by the instructor using a pre-established rubric. This is a pass/fail course.

Science Fiction - Fantasy - Horror                   ACC, CP
Fiction based in imaginary worlds whose rules, with regard to magic or technology, are different than our own. The course explores concepts such as magic, the rise of dystopian societies, the effects of technology on civilization, various creatures and aliens, time travel, and even the zombie apocalypse. This course will encourage students to apply the theories, concepts and themes of science fiction, fantasy, and horror in order to better understand the present, as well as to grasp both the possibilities and the pitfalls of the future.

Seminar in Ideas                                                ACC
This course gives students the opportunity to discuss, argue and evaluate issues in philosophy, culture, religion, psychology, and education, in literature, film, and other media. Topics frequently studied include war, animal rights, and the role and value of art in society.

Shakespeare                                                      ACC
Why is Shakespeare the world's most popular playwright? This course attempts to answer that question by enacting, discussing, and analyzing his plays: their themes, conflicts, and characters. Students will be required to research the Elizabethan time period, so they will understand the plays as if they are a part of Shakespeare’s audiences.  They will also watch films of the plays and modernized reboots to get the "feel" of Shakespeare.

Sports Literature                                               CP
Continues to build English skills by using stories about athletic competition and sports figures. Reading selections will include short stories, newspaper and magazine articles, and biography.

Strategies for Success in High School and Life                                        ACC, CP
Offered to freshmen and sophomores only, this course is designed to foster appreciation for cultural diversity and individualism as well as to teach study skills at an early stage to be applied throughout high school and higher learning. Taught by English and history departments. Credits will not count toward English or history requirements for graduation.

Women in Literature                                          ACC
Examines writing by and about women. Selections are taken from British and American literature and represent all genre. A variety of critical approaches will be used. Students will be expected to respond both orally and in writing to the reading selections assigned.

English as a Second Language (ESL)
The three year program of study presented by the Lenape District is designed to meet the needs of all students whose first language is not English and who qualify as limited English proficient according to state guidelines.

ESL 1/2
All theme-based content and activities are centered around improving listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. The emphasis is on students becoming communicative and able to function in everyday situations.  Conversational skills, expansion of vocabulary, use of Standard English, improvement of reading and listening comprehension, and the process approach to writing are emphasized as students are increasingly exposed to academic language and language applications. 

ESL 3
Advanced ESL addresses the needs of those students who are competent enough in English to excel in high content level courses but have not been exited from ESL. While emphasis is placed on writing, students will continue language extensions through literature reading. Students who exit ESL through multiple measures and state requirements will continue to be followed for successful performance in the general classes. This course is currently under revision. Upon Board approval, the description of the course will be modified to align with the revised curriculum and current New Jersey ESL program requirements.