English
The Suffield High School English Department recognizes the individual needs and abilities of our students. We offer a diversified program that teaches thinking, reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
Four (4.0) full credits of approved English courses are required for graduation. They are taken in the typical sequence and must be passed.
- English I
- English II
- English III
- AP English Language and Composition
- UConn ECE English
- AP English Literature and Composition
- Journalism and Literature
- Literature Through the Graphic Novel
- Modern Communications and Career Writing
- Writing the Natural World: Inquiry & Exploration
- Creative Writing
English I
This course introduces students to the expectations of high school-level work, including a review of grammar and vocabulary, the essentials of research, the basics of writing, and exposure to various literary genres. Students will engage in independent reading, student-led discussions, multimedia projects, and book clubs. Themes a first-year student will encounter in this class are the Hero Within, Justice, and Self-Identity. Students will read fiction and nonfiction pieces of American and global authors to practice building their reading stamina, self-reflection skills, collaboration skills, and independent work engagement.
The academic-level English course fosters growth in reading, writing, active listening, and speaking as well as core literacy skills for college and career readiness. Academic-level courses are designed to support all learning styles.
Honors-level courses are designed to challenge the advanced learner. Students should expect to reach a deeper scope of skills than the academic class: a higher reading stamina, the motivation to revise work, critical thinking skills, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students in honors-level classes are expected to have a solid foundation of skills from previous courses, an ability to connect these skills to new learning, and the ability to apply them in problem-solving. Students taking an honors-level class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These students should consistently aspire to achieve higher-level quality work through self-reflection and self-advocacy. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
English II
This course builds on the reading, writing, and communication skills developed in English I and deepens students’ ability to analyze complex texts and express ideas clearly. Students engage in independent reading, collaborative discussions, and a range of writing experiences designed to strengthen critical thinking and communication skills.
The course places increased emphasis on literary nonfiction, drama, and the novel. Students read modern American novels and drama, Shakespearean plays, selections from world literature, and thought-provoking nonfiction that explores how writers use their craft to examine the challenges and questions of their time. Through discussion, analysis, and writing, students consider how authors use language, structure, and perspective to shape meaning and influence readers.
This academic-level English course continues to develop students’ skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening while preparing them for the analytical and communication demands of upper-level English courses and future college and career work. Academic-level courses are designed to support all learning styles.
Honors-level courses are designed to challenge the advanced learner. Students should expect to reach a deeper scope of skills than the academic class: a higher reading stamina, the motivation to revise work, critical thinking skills, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students in honors-level classes are expected to have a solid foundation of skills from previous courses, an ability to connect these skills to new learning, and the ability to apply them in problem-solving. Students taking an honors-level class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These students should consistently aspire to achieve higher-level quality work through self-reflection and self-advocacy. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
English III
In this course, students will trace the development of American Literature and how writers highlight the American Experience. A representative selection of plays, short stories, essays, poems, biographies, and novels will be considered for discussion, reading enjoyment, and audio-visual presentation. Critical discussions and writing assignments, such as rhetorical and argumentative, are integral to this course.
This academic-level English course continues to develop students’ skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening while preparing them for the analytical and communication demands of future college and career work. Academic-level courses are designed to support all learning styles.
Honors-level courses are designed to challenge the advanced learner. Students should expect to reach a deeper scope of skills than the academic class: a higher reading stamina, the motivation to revise work, critical thinking skills, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students in honors-level classes are expected to have a solid foundation of skills from previous courses, an ability to connect these skills to new learning, and the ability to apply them in problem-solving. Students taking an honors-level class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These students should consistently aspire to achieve higher-level quality work through self-reflection and self-advocacy. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
AP English Language and Composition
Students will read, write, speak, and listen to construct meaning of written, visual and oral texts; read with understanding and respond thoughtfully to a variety of texts; write and speak English proficiently to communicate ideas clearly; create works using the language arts in visual, oral, and written texts; choose and apply strategies that enhance the fluent and proficient use of language arts; understand and appreciate texts from many literary periods and cultures; and employ the language arts for lifelong learning, work and employment. This is a course where students can earn college credit so students should have the expectation that much of the work will be completed outside of class time with strict deadlines. There is a deeper level of analysis required for texts and an openness to critique and improve upon their own writing craft. Students are expected to take the AP Language and Composition examination at the end of the course.
Students taking an AP class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
UConn ECE English
ENGL 1007 introduces students to the work of college writing, which includes posing questions, developing sustained intellectual projects, and generating knowledge that invites engagement with wide and varied audiences. Writing, here, is project-building - a practice of making something, composing - and the course reflects this attention to purposeful engagement and meaningful contribution. As a prerequisite to many University courses and all Writing Competency courses, First-Year Writing seminars foreground collaborative, student-driven inquiry developed in the context of a shared course investigation. Students work on projects in which they select and define places where they might advance the class conversation across various media.
AP English Literature and Composition
The purpose of this course is to prepare students for literary analysis, inquiry, and writing at the college level while fostering their love of literature. The course itself is designed to engage students in the reading, interpretation, discussion, and critical analysis of literature. Through the intense reading of diverse texts, students will enhance their understanding of the ways writers use their craft to reflect on social concerns and how they communicate their ideas about the world. There is a deeper level of analysis required for the works studied and an openness to critique for students to improve upon their own writing craft. This is a course where students can earn college credit, so students should have the expectation that much of the work will be completed outside of class time, with strict deadlines. At the end of the course, students will take the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Exam, and students who are successful will be prepared to excel in college-level writing and literature courses.
Journalism and Literature
In this semester-long elective, students will gain essential background knowledge regarding American journalism to familiarize themselves with the role of news media in a democratic society. This course explores journalism across various forms of literacy, including narrative-driven writing such as novels and biographies, as well as social media and current events. Through analysis and discussion, students will assume roles as readers, journalists, critics, and marketers, exploring the evolving field of journalism. Assignments will extend beyond the classroom, encouraging students to conduct interviews, research local events, and report on issues relevant to their community. The course emphasizes creative and critical thinking, providing tools for interpreting the world through the lens of journalism and media.
Senior English electives have the option to contract for Honors level. Contract Leveling allows students the opportunity to earn honors credit. Honors students will be required to explore a sustained independent project in addition to the work expectations of the class.
Literature Through the Graphic Novel
This semester-long elective provides a study of the genre of the graphic novel to explore diverse, global perspectives. Students will analyze images and text with this unique format of storytelling in order to draw a critical understanding of the purpose of the text. Through reading, writing, and discussion, students will create their own understanding of thematic elements that are presented in a different style of narrative. Additionally, students will utilize interdisciplinary understanding of the texts that create social and historical commentary from authors and illustrators around the world. This course is designed to engage students with an alternative format of the novel while maintaining academic rigor that expands upon recognition of the blending of text and images in our ever expanding visual world.
Senior English electives have the option to contract for Honors level. Contract Leveling allows students the opportunity to earn honors credit. Honors students will be required to explore a sustained independent project in addition to the work expectations of the class.
Modern Communications and Career Writing
Students learn effective communication skills for college, business, and personal success. Students will approach reading and writing through the lens of their future selves, who have a significant stake in learning to communicate quickly and efficiently with a variety of audiences and for different purposes. This shift in perspective, from current high school student to future responsible adult, will require them to plan, imagine, create, and reconsider their previously held beliefs about the utility of reading and writing. Career-ready students require the confidence not only to fulfill the general duties of their jobs but also to communicate their ideas, to find solutions to problems, and to participate in conversations. Through reading and writing experiences focused on real-world scenarios, students will have adequate practice writing with practical and authentic purposes.
Senior English electives have the option to contract for Honors level. Contract Leveling allows students the opportunity to earn honors credit. Honors students will be required to explore a sustained independent project in addition to the work expectations of the class.
Writing the Natural World: Inquiry & Exploration
In this senior elective, students will be introduced to many authors who have expressed themselves through the medium of the short story, poetry, science writing, and narrative nonfiction. The focus is on developing skills and practicing techniques for fiction and nonfiction composition as well as reading diverse texts on topics inspired by and about the environment. Students will be asked to consider the world around them in new ways through direct interaction with the natural world. The class will focus on field studies in order to watch, feel, listen, and experience the world around them, to appreciate and engage with local nature, and to document their experiences as a resource for the coursework. In addition, students will read works by nature writers and interact with local scientists and naturalists to consider the relationship between writing and sustainability.
Senior English electives have the option to contract for Honors level. Contract Leveling allows students the opportunity to earn honors credit. Honors students will be required to explore a sustained independent project in addition to the work expectations of the class.
Creative Writing
Creative writing is designed for students in all grades interested in refining their imaginative skills in the composition of memoir, short and long-form fiction, drama, speculative fiction, poetry, and other creative compositions. Daily exercises will emphasize the development of creative writing techniques such as structure, imagery, theme, form, and genre specifications for each type of writing project. Assessments will include the reading and analysis of master texts to be used as a model for student writing, individual consultations with the instructor, and writing workshop-style peer editing and conferencing. The completion of a Student Portfolio and Reflection at the semester’s end is required.