Upper School English

The Standard level of English is appropriate for most students with good skills and motivation.  The Honors level of English may be offered in grades nine, ten, eleven, or twelve, and is recommended for those students who excel in reading and writing, are highly motivated, and have superior study skills.  These courses cover a greater depth and breadth of the standard curriculum at a significantly faster pace.  Advanced Placement courses are available to students in grades eleven and twelve.  Students are recommended for AP based on their performance in previous honors level English courses, PSAT/SAT scores indicating superior proficiency, or teacher recommendation.

Ninth Grade English: The first trimester of this course focuses on a comprehensive review of grammar to ensure that all students have the tools they need to write effectively in all of their classes.  In addition, the students study the short story and review literary terminology, as well as the techniques necessary for close and analytical reading of texts.  Most writing assignments are designed to comment upon the literature.  In the second trimester the students venture into a study of mythology and read classical texts, including epic and drama.  In the final trimester, the literary focus shifts to the study of the novel, and the students are required to write essays of varying length, once again based on the works read.  Formal vocabulary study is an integral part of the curriculum in every trimester.

Tenth Grade English:  Tenth grade English is a year-long course sampling literature from non-American cultures. Because of the amount of material available for study, only works of major importance will be covered. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles will be an early work studied, but the course will also include Cervantes, Dante, Tolstoy, and Ibsen. Shakespeare’s Othello will be studied in depth. Poetry from European, Asian, African, and South American sources will be compared. Students will have weekly vocabulary quizzes, regular formal essays, and occasional creative writing exercises.

Eleventh Grade English: This course, American Literature, provides the students with a survey of the American literary canon, beginning with 16th-century works and culminating with a study of modern American writers. Students will explore the variant perspectives that form an American identity.  Students are expected to write critically and analytically about all forms of literature throughout the year and will develop the art of orally defending their claims. Grammar is reviewed quickly and with increasing complexity. Formal vocabulary study remains integral to the curriculum with specific emphasis upon SAT preparation.

Advanced Placement English Language and Composition/Grade 11:  This course focuses on precise and effective use of the English language, both the students’ and that of professional authors.  Specific attention is given to rhetorical analysis, argumentation and synthesis.  Although it includes a brief unit covering some classic works of British literature, most reading consists of modern literary nonfiction: essays, speeches, letters, etc.  This is a writing-intensive course, combining in-class and well as out-of-class essays, speeches and creative writing assignments.

Twelfth Grade English: The first trimester of this course focuses on composition. Students will continue to develop and refine critical reading skills as well as persuasive writing for a variety of audiences. Through the study of different forms of writing, we will emphasize how writers can achieve focus and organization, support their claims with evidence, adapt to particular audiences and for specific purposes, and cultivate an effective writing style. Students will also have the opportunity to focus heavily on the writing process and to engage in various modes of writing, which include personal narratives, argumentative essays, compare/contrast, and blog writing. During this trimester, we will also review SAT techniques and dedicate time to the college essay writing process.
In trimesters two and three, students will study British Literature, which provides a survey of the major literary periods, beginning with Chaucer and ending with modern day authors. We will emphasize historical background, cultural context, and literary analysis of selected texts. Students will engage in close reading techniques, synthesis, and evaluation of literary works, in both discussion and written formats.

Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition/Grade 12:  This course is designed for the exceptional student who has thrived in the honors and AP levels of preceding years. The focus is on challenging literature and includes novels, drama, poetry, and literary criticism. While there are several long papers and reports assigned during the year, timed in-class essay writing is emphasized. Analytical skills are honed, and the student emerges prepared to tackle the most challenging levels of college work in literature studies. Successful completion of the advanced placement examination at the end of the academic year often results in college credit and placement out of freshman composition courses.

Additional English Courses

(Electives are offered on a rotating basis based on faculty availability and student interest.)

Public Speaking:  This is a hands-on course, focusing on the most fundamental and practical speaking techniques, rather than parliamentary procedure, debate, or other specialized speaking skills.  Initially, we will isolate the primary vocal, visual and verbal skills, exploring articulation, pitch and inflection, gestures, eye contact, speech formats, and organization.  Students perform several exercises that are pertinent to each area.  Following this introduction, students will deliver several common types of speeches, including demonstration, informative, persuasive, and impromptu. PUBLIC SPEAKING CAN BE USED AS A PERFORMING ARTS CREDIT.

Creative Writing:  The goals of this course are to discover creative writing through the use of different techniques and genres and to aid students in their creative expression, as well as delivery of one’s writing. Students will engage in an intensive study of the qualities of “good writing”, including figurative language, content, focus, organization, and style, through an examination of different forms of professional writing. Out of these studies, students will produce their own writing in a number of forms. By engaging in a wide variety of writing exercises, students will learn how to express themselves in a way that develops and reflects their unique voice and style. Class members will routinely workshop their work with peers. Students will also be expected to make their work public through presenting oral readings in class and submitting writing to various contests and publications, such as Sanford’s own literary magazine.

Upper School Curriculum

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