High School English
The English Language Arts Department of Bellport High School offers students a comprehensive and innovative education that prepares students for lifelong reading and writing practices. Our primary goal is to develop the 21st Century skills of Bellport students through literature, research, writing and speaking. While deep analysis of text for learning about the world is an important component of instruction, students should also read and write for enjoyment and personal interest.
Our program is aligned to the NYS Learning Standards and through instruction prepares students for all state assessments. The curriculum places a focus on reading both literary and informational texts, as well as writing for the purposes of persuasion, explanation, and narration. There is an emphasis on research and media skills which are an important part of the standards. Students will successfully complete a classroom curriculum that includes readings from a variety of genres, an array of writing assignments, class presentations, and vocabulary and grammar instruction.
To achieve the goals set forth in the New York English Language Arts Standards, all students will closely read literature and informational texts for understanding, critical analysis and evaluation. Students’ writing will focus on asserting and defending claims and expressing ideas and information. Students will speak and listen for comprehension and utilize digital media as a means of presenting information. Students will also demonstrate a command of the conventions of Standard English, understand how language functions in different contexts, and determine the meaning of words and phrases.
REGENTS ENGLISH 9 Full Year, 1 credit (A102) English 9 is aligned to the NYS Learning Standards and prepares students to take the English Regents Examination at the end of their junior year. The curriculum addresses texts that are both literary and informational in origin, and reflect a range of genres, cultures and centuries. Students will read, both inside and outside of class, to understand key ideas and details and interpret how the craft and structure of texts shapes meaning while determining and evaluating claims and themes within a text. Students will write to assert and defend claims, while informing and explaining ideas and information. Students will focus on the production of writing and incorporate development, organization, style, purpose and audience. This will be accomplished through teacher-guided planning, revising, editing, rewriting and publishing. Students will continue in their understanding and mastering of the conventions of Standard English, which includes, but is not limited to: grammar, usage, punctuation and spelling.
PRE-AP ENGLISH 9 Full Year, 1 credit (A102PAP) Pre-AP English 9 focuses on the close reading, analytical writing, and language skills that have immediate relevance for students and that will be most essential for their future coursework. Texts take center stage in the Pre-AP English 1 classroom, where students engage in close, critical reading of a wide range of literary and nonfiction works. The course trains the reader to observe the small details within a text to arrive at a deeper understanding of the whole. It also trains the writer to focus on crafting complex sentences as the foundation for writing to facilitate complex thinking and to communicate ideas clearly.
REGENTS ENGLISH 10 Full Year, 1 credit (A104) Students will continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through close reading and analysis of texts, class discussions, oral presentations, and written tasks with targeted teacher feedback. Informational and literary texts such as: poems, short stories, essays, art, speeches, and media will be analyzed. Additionally, students will build on their knowledge/skills of MLA research by producing research papers that require both secondary and primary resources and that require students to manipulate multiple sources while utilizing appropriate peer-reviewed databases. Students will demonstrate sophisticated language skills including proficient use of academic vocabulary. As in their 9th grade course of study, students will evaluate the role of audience, purpose, and genre and will develop multi-genre projects.
AP SEMINAR Full Year, 1 credit (A112AP) AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments. AP Seminar can be used to satisfy NYS English credit for students in grades 10 & 11 only. Prerequisites: Successful completion of English 9, 10 and/or 11 AP Examinations are required in order to receive AP course weighting and AP credit. Please see page 14 of the course guide for more information.
REGENTS ENGLISH 11 Full Year, 1 credit (A106) The Regents English 11 course allows students to engage in the study of the American Literary greats while highlighting the themes of Humanity in Conflict and the American Dream. The rigor of this course prepares students for the New York State Common Core English exam. Students will read and explore multiple genres with an emphasis on both fiction and nonfiction pieces such as political statements and court decisions. Within each genre, students will identify textual evidence, analyze the development of a text, identify a writer’s point of view, determine the meanings of content area and academic vocabulary, and develop strategies for reading increasingly complex texts. As writers, students will write a synthesis essay, comparative genre essay, and a position paper. Students will continue to hone their ability to write arguments, informative/explanatory texts, and narratives using more sophisticated techniques. Furthermore, students will complete a grade level research project.
ENGLISH 12: COMPOSITION AND LITERATURE Full Year, 1 credit (A135) Students will write assignments of different lengths and styles in order to meet the challenges of today’s technological and communications-oriented society. Numerous essays, including College Essays and short readings will be included in the curriculum to model the writing techniques. The course deals with short fiction, novels, drama and poetry. Students will encounter some of the world’s greatest authors and will be challenged by the relevance of their works and the values inherent in them. The skills learned in English 12 Composition will be used in the analysis of literature, culminating with the writing of a documented essay.
HONORS COLLEGE ENGLISH 101 Fall Semester, ½ credit (A131H) COMPOSITION & RHETORIC LIU POST/SCALE 0451DS This course teaches various forms of college level writing, including standard rhetorical modes such as: narration, argumentation, definition, comparison/contrast and cause and effect. In addition, emphasis is placed on the form and purpose of the research paper and College Essay. This is a one semester fall offering which carries three college credits upon successful completion of the course requirements. Students will be charged tuition for this course, if they choose to earn college credit from LIU Post. Credit in this course is predicated upon payment of tuition. Students are responsible for requesting official transcripts from LIU Post to be sent to post-secondary institutions for admission and/or credit. Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 9, 10 & 11
HONORS COLLEGE ENGLISH 102 Spring Semester, ½ credit (A132H) COLLEGE ENGLISH 102 SURVEY OF LITERATURE: LIU POST/SCALE 0452DS This course covers various forms of college level reading including poetry, short stories, novels, and plays. Emphasis will be placed on literary analysis and the analysis of literary criticism. This is a one semester spring offering which carries three college credits from LIU Post. Students receive both high school and college credit upon successful completion of the course requirements. Students will be charged tuition for this course, if they choose to earn college credit from LIU Post. Credit in this course is predicated upon payment of tuition. Students are responsible for requesting official transcripts from LIU Post to be sent to postsecondary institutions for admission and/or credit. Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 9, 10 & 11
AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION Full Year, 1 credit (A111AP) AP Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines and rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. This course stresses narrative, exploratory, expository and argumentative prose on a variety of subjects from personal experiences to public policies, from imaginative literature to popular culture. Students will read complex texts for understanding and write sophisticated prose for mature communication. Students will be well prepared for the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language which will be offered in May. NOTE: Novels will also be assigned during vacations. Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 9 & 10 AP Examinations are required in order to receive AP course weighting and AP credit. Please see page 14 of the course guide for more information.
AP ENGLISH LITERATURE Full Year, 1 credit (A110AP) The Advanced Placement English course intended for seniors only is a college-level, introductory course in reading and analysis of literature. Through critical analysis of great works of literature, students will become acquainted with some of the chief artistic, mythological and philosophical concerns which have contributed to Western Civilization. Major works by Conrad, Shelley, Woolf, Stoppard, Shakespeare, Faulkner, and other writers will be considered. Students will be well prepared for the Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature which will be offered in May. NOTE: Novels will also be assigned during vacations. Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 9, 10 & 11 AP Examinations are required in order to receive AP course weighting and AP credit. Please see page 14 of the course guide for more information.
CREATIVE WRITING Full Year, 1 credit (A118Y) This course provides opportunities for written expression through poetry and short fiction, as well as understanding the limits and possibilities of these forms. Students taking this course will be provided an unusual opportunity to develop their interests and skills in written expression. Note: Students can choose this course as their English 12 credit requirement or as an additional elective.
PHILOSOPHY/ CRITICAL THINKING Semester, ½ credit each (A129/A130) Philosophy: Do you like to argue? Have people told you that you would make a good lawyer? Have you ever wondered “Who am I?” “Why am I here?” “What is the right thing to do?” These are some of the questions that people ask themselves throughout their lives. By examining puzzles, logic exercises, jokes, and literature, students will have an enjoyable environment in which to refine and answer these questions. Critical Thinking: Every day students are confronted by information in television, newspapers, and the internet. But how much of this information is true? Critical thinking is a course in verbal self-defense. In this course students will learn to recognize the appeals used in advertising, the media, the internet, and politics. Topics such as urban legends, television psychics, Atlantis, and Big Foot will be explored. Note: Students can choose this course as their English 12 credit requirement or as an additional elective.
PUBLIC SPEAKING/DEBATE Semester, ½ credit each (A120/A121) Public Speaking: Students will learn speaking skills useful to them in both informal and formal situations. They will learn how to inform, to amuse, and to persuade an audience. They will learn to speak both with and without notes. Listening skills will also be sharpened. Some work will also be done in oral interpretation of literature. Some reading and writing are required. Debate: Debate is perhaps the most challenging form of oral communication. It is used daily in courts and legislatures as a means of arriving at decisions about important issues. It has also been used in schools for centuries as a means of training for responsible decision making. Students will be charged tuition for this course, if they choose to earn college credit from LIU Post. Credit in this course is predicated upon payment of tuition. Students are responsible for requesting official transcripts from LIU Post to be sent to post-secondary institutions for admission and/or credit. Note: Students can choose this course as their English 12 credit requirement or as an additional elective.
BROADCAST JOURNALISM Full Year, 1 credit (A113) This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of journalism through the use of electronic technology and laboratory production experiences. Units of study include iPhoto/iMovie Digital Storytelling, Television Studio Production Techniques, Copyright laws, Digital Camera Operation, Basics of Final Cut Pro Editing, Broadcast Scripting, Journalistic Styles, and Specialized Stories (News, Features, Sports, etc.). Students will experience the components of pre-production, production, and post-production techniques and protocols. This includes participating in the three major components of broadcast production (scripting, production and anchor). This course is recommended for students interested in exploring the fields of communications or journalism. Students are permitted to take this course more once. Prerequisite: Students in grades 10-12 who are highly motivated and willing to work beyond the regular school day to meet the demands of this course. Note: This course does NOT count as the English 12 credit requirement.
Lifelong Practices of Readers and Writers 9 and 10/11 and 12 Full Year, Alternate Day, 0.5 credit (A107 and A108 and A109) This course is designed for students who need extra time and support to accomplish Regents-level work. Placement in this class is determined as a result of teacher evaluation and recommendation using reading scores, skills measurement, and assessments. This additional period--every other day--along with prescriptive instructional strategies will help students accomplish Regents-level work. The class will be designed around the concept of student choice and 21st-century Literacy skills. By increasing student engagement, we will successfully increase student volume and stretch their complexity as lifelong readers and writers. Open to students in grades 9-11. Prerequisite: This class is assigned to students that did not pass English Language Arts in their prior year’s courses, as well as other performance measures.
Real-world Communication and Writing Skills Full Year, Alternate Day, 0.5 credit (A136) Has the thought “how will I ever use this?” crossed your mind? Do you ever wonder how you will take what you’ve learned in your high school years and use it in your actual life? This course focuses on teaching you real-word reading and writing skills that will help prepare you for college, the work force and real-world. We will dive into literature that addresses crucial life-habits, create meaningful resumes and cover letters for the work-force, practice interviews, discussion habits, presentation approaches and more to get you ready for your future. In an everchanging world of technology, we will explore the media bias we’re exposed to and learn how to navigate our algorithms by becoming news-literate. This course is for your future; so let’s get started.