DEVELOPMENTAL READING
GRADE: 9-11 CREDITS 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? NO
PREREQUISITES: Recommendation of 8th grade English teacher or Capuchino Counseling Department

This class is an English elective for students who need additional work on reading skill such as literal comprehension, vocabulary development, inferential comprehension, and critical-applicative comprehension. 9th grade students are enrolled in Developmental Reading on the basis of their reading test (Gates) scores in 8th grade; 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students are recommended on the basis of their CAHSEE scores, Gates scores, and by teacher recommendation.
Students use a state-of-the-art computer assisted instruction program to work on specific reading skills as well as on other topics such as social studies and science when the teachers recommend help in these areas. Study and organizational skills and assistance with reading-based curriculum in other subject areas are also emphasized.


ENGLISH 1 CP
GRADE: 9 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITIES: Freshman standing

Students in CP English 1 work on the skills they need both in high school and in college. They develop their writing skills by studying and practicing the writing of sentences and paragraphs, leading up to essay writing in various styles. During the first semester they cover parts of speech, parts of the sentence, and simple, compound, and complex sentences. In the area of literature, students will study elements of fiction and a variety of literary devices and genres. Works studied include a short works unit, a novel unit, selections from the McDougal Littell Anthology, and individual works chosen by the instructor.

ENGLISH 1 AS
GRADE: 9 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Recommendation of eighth grade teacher and/or counselor.

Freshman English AS focuses on classical literature. During the first semester students are exposed to literary genres such as short stories, epic poetry (The Odyssey), classical mythology, and a Shakespearean play (Julius Caesar). Students also learn to identify and work with a variety of literary and figurative terminology and devices such as metaphor, simile, personification, and symbolism. In addition to reading, honors students are asked to write extensively the first semester. For example, students research cultural mythology and folktales.

ENGLISH 2 CP
GRADE 9 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Freshman standing

Students in English 2CP build upon the writing, literature and additional language arts skills introduced in the first semester. Grammar instruction continues to stress correct sentence and paragraph writing. Students learn to avoid writing run-on sentences and fragments and to write more sophisticated and interesting sentences. Literary works studied include Romeo and Juliet, a drama unit, a novel unit, selections from the McDougal Littell Anthology, and individual works
chosen by the instructor

ENGLISH 2 AS
GRADE: 9 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of English 1-AS or recommendation of instructor.

Second semester Freshman English AS continues the focus on genre studies from the first semester. Students will read from a variety of literary genres, including poetry, a Shakespearean play (Romeo and Juliet), and novels written in translation. This core literature will be supplemented with students’ extended reading of other recommended multi-cultural works. Students will also explore a variety of writing experiences, including original poetry writing and two particular kinds of essays, observational and autobiographical. Expository essay writing in response to literature read will also continue from the first semester. Students will continue to review grammar and vocabulary, especially in context with the works read in class. There will also be several class presentations to focus on presentation skills.


ENGLISH 3 CP
GRADE: 10 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing

In this semester, students continue to practice skills introduced during freshman year; students are exposed to persuasive and analytical essays, as well as responses to nonfiction. Students will read several short stories and Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Additionally, students will be exposed to non-fiction texts and media awareness. Students will also give a formal persuasive speech. Students are expected to read 900 pages of outside reading per semester, and develop and use new vocabulary words.


ENGLISH 3/4 AS
GRADE: 10 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of English 2AS or recommendation of teacher.

The Pre-IB course promotes an appreciation of literature and a knowledge of a student's own culture and that of other societies. The course is designed to develop students' powers of expression, both in oral and written communication by emphasizing the skills involved in writing and speaking one's native language in a variety of styles and situations. Students read several texts grouped by themes or genres. The texts are chosen from a broad list of prescribed authors and works representing different literary genres and styles in the target language, as well as literature from other languages and cultures read in translation. Oral and written examinations are used to assess students' individual language skills, their ability to critically analyze and comment upon familiar and unfamiliar texts, and their ability to express a personal and independent response to literature.

ENGLISH 4 CP
GRADE: 10 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Sophomore standing

During this semester, students will read works such as Bless Me Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya, The Bean Trees, by Barbara Kingsolver, The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger, and an intensive poetry unit. Students will be responsible for comparative and interpretive essays. Students are expected to read 900 pages of outside reading per semester, and develop and use new vocabulary words.

ENGLISH 5 CP
GRADE: 11 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Junior standing

English 5 CP is a Junior English class designed to enable students to prepare for either a college or business career. In writing, students learn to research a topic, using primary and secondary sources, and to report their findings. Students will continue to improve their writing skills by concentrating on clear and concise essays. Essay genres emphasized are the Autobiographical-Reflective Essay and the Response to Literature Essay. MLA formatting of all essays is required. Major Literary Units include: Early American Voices, Classicism, Transcendentalism, Romanticism, and Realism. Selections will be drawn primarily from well-known works in American literature such as Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, Henry David Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience,” and Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. Students will build on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure skills learned in 9th and 10th grades and work toward mastery of grade level sentence and paragraph structure. Students are required to learn 80 new vocabulary words and read 975 pages per semester.

ENGLISH 6 CP
GRADE: 11 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Junior standing

English 6 CP is designed to further the skills of Juniors who have completed English 5 CP. The essay genres assigned are the Response to Literature Essay and Research Paper on a well-known American author. It continues with the study of 20th Century American writers. Literary selections include: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Richard Wright’s Black Boy, the American Poetry Unit, and the 20th Century Short Story Unit. Students will build on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure skills learned in 9th and 10th grades and English 5 CP and complete mastery of grade level sentence and paragraph structure. Students are required to learn 80 new vocabulary words and read 975 pages per semester.


ENGLISH 7 CP
GRADE: 12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Senior standing

Students in English 7 CP further develop the skills introduced in their previous English classes. In writing, students learn to compose essays in new rhetorical patterns. To enhance their listening and speaking skills, students practice delivering speeches and other presentations. Literary works studied include Oedipus Rex, A Doll’s House, and Siddhartha, as well as other works selected by the instructor.

ENGLISH 8 CP
GRADE: 12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? YES
PREREQUISITES: Senior standing

Students in this course perfect the writing, literature and additional language arts skills studied in their previous semesters of English. In writing, they continue working on writing applications such as persuasive writing and research. Literary works studied include Hamlet and additional works selected by the instructor.

INTERNET PUBLICATIONS/JOURNALISM
GRADE: 10-12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? NO
PREREQUISITES: None

Journalism is a basic introduction to journalistic style writing and its various forms, particularly in the realm of newsprint. Methods of reporting, gathering information and interviewing are discussed and put into practice. These classes produce the school newspaper, The Stampede. Students also gain experience in the layout and design of a newspaper and the overall production process. Work is done on Macintosh computers, thus familiarizing students with computer usage and technology.

JOURNALISM 2 AND ADV
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? NO
PREREQUISITES: JOURNALISM 1

Journalism 2 is a continuation of Journalism 1. Writing styles and forms including news writing, feature writing and editorial-style writing are more emphasized and evaluated more critically. This class, along with Journalism 1 and Advanced Journalism, produces the school newspaper, The Stampede. Students are encouraged and expected to contribute more in the production process. Their abilities in using Macintosh computers are refined as they use more computer programs for layout and design.

YEARBOOK 1-2
GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? NO
PREREQUISITES: NONE

Publications has one objective: to produce an excellent yearbook. Accomplishing this goal can only be achieved if students develop a variety of publishing skills. Another important aspect of the class is learning how to work together successfully in groups. Skills learned in the class which carry over into life after high school include taking, evaluating, cropping, and arranging photographs in layouts. Students also develop writing, editing, and proofreading skills which are useful in careers such as journalism, photography, or any field where it is necessary to write reports or plan and develop group projects.

IB ENGLISH HL 1
First year of a two year sequence which includes a semester of American literature followed by a semester of works in translation, this course engages students in critical reading, writing, and thinking about how authors use literary techniques to achieve their purpose. Assignments include three (one oral and two written) of the six required by the International Baccalaureate Program. There is heavy emphasis on close reading and discussion of text.


IB ENGLISH HL 2
Second year IB students will read works by William Faulkner, William Shakespeare, Alice Walker, Bessie Head and many others. We will examine these works closely in preparation for two formal papers and one formal oral assessment. Students will be expected to engage in many activities designed to serve as scaffolds in preparation for these assignments. The IB Program prepares students for college level study by examining concepts such as author intent, style and audience.

Pre- International Baccalaureate Literature
GRADE: 9 and 10       CREDITS: 5    COLLEGE RECOMMENDED: YES
Prerequisites : Students can self select.
It is our intention to expose students to myriad genres, such as poetry, drama, prose, ficiton and non-fiction.  They will also interact with texts from a wide range of time periods and interact with these texts through reading, writing and speaking. We will work to develop student utilization of academic language while speaking and encourage the transfer of this to writing. Finally, we seek to engender in students a love for literature and the ability to adapt to rigorous practices that will prepare them for college. These courses are designed to prepare students for Junior and Senior International Baccalaureate Literature.