Welcome to the English Department

Wyandanch Memorial High School

Prepared by:Coordinator - Deven Kane

Mission StatementThe Wyandanch Memorial High School English Department is committed to a developmental English program which promotes intellectual autonomy and scholarship for all students. The primary goal of the program is to produce reflective, critical, and creative thinkers through the language experiences of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Therefore, the English classroom is an interpretive community in which students are engaged in transforming information and experience into knowledge and understanding. The English Department encourages students to be active learners who accept both the challenge and the responsibility for their own learning.

EnglishCourses in the English Department are designed to prepare students for College & Career Readiness.We focus primarily on literary, non-fiction, and informational texts to help students strengthen their skills in

• Critical Thinking & Analysis• Reading• Writing• Speaking• Listening

Regents Exam: 11th Grade

Class Expectations1. Actively participate in learning by taking notes,

studying for all assessments, and reading all assigned texts prior to class

2. Come to class prepared for instruction and class discussion

3. Meet all assignment deadlines (including homework), and take personal responsibility for academic behavior

4. Be a positive, respectful, responsible, and considerate member of the class

5. Ask for help when needed (in class and extra help)

Next Generation Learning Standards (NGLS)

To ensure all students are ready for success after high school, the English Next Generation Learning Standards establish clear, consistent guidelines for what every student should know and be able to do in English Language Arts from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Next Generation Learning Standards focus on developing the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills students will need to be successful in college and/or career endeavors.

9th Grade Theme:Individual Self-Identity

We explore the theme of Self-Identitythrough a close analysis of some of thefollowing Essential Questions:• How do I define myself as an individual?• How should a person deal with conflict?• What are the characteristics of a valuable

relationship?• How do my decisions impact my life?

Exciting 9th Grade Texts!

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The Odysseyby Homer

To Kill a Mockingbirdby Harper Lee

Romeo & Julietby William Shakespeare

10th Grade Theme:Individual vs. Society

We explore the theme of Individual vs. Societythrough a close analysis of some of the followingEssential Questions:• What is power? • How is power gained, used, and justified? • How are governments created, structured,

maintained, and changed? • What happens in the absence of government? • Why do we have rules & laws; and what would

happen if we didn’t?

Exciting 10th Grade Texts!

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Fahrenheit 451by Ray Bradbury

Animal Farmby George Orwell

Macbethby William Shakespeare

11th Grade Theme:The American Dream

We explore the theme of The American Dream througha close analysis of some of the following EssentialQuestions:

What is the American Dream and to what extent is it achievable for all Americans? In what ways does the American Dream mean different things for different Americans? How has the American Dream changed over time? What is the perspective of a given nature, culture, or region in regard to the American Dream, and what factors create those perceptions?

Exciting 11th Grade Texts!

The Crucibleby Arthur Miller

A Raisin in the Sunby Lorraine Hansberry

The Great Gatsbyby F. Scott Fitzgerald

Death of a Salesmanby Arthur Miller

12th Grade Theme:Global Awareness

We explore the theme of Global Awareness througha close analysis of some of the following EssentialQuestions:

How does what we know about the world shape the way we view ourselves? How do our personal experiences shape our view of others? What does it mean to be an insider or an outsider? What is the relevance of studying multicultural texts? How does the media shape our view of the world and ourselves?

Exciting 12th Grade Texts!

Beowulfby Anonymous

The Kite Runnerby Khaled Hosseini

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley

Julius Caesarby William Shakespeare

Special Education

Same texts, standards and skills, andRegents Exams as general educationclassesMore one – one targeted instructionSmall class size/small group instructionExtended timeResource RoomLife Skills

E.N.L. (English as a New Language)

Curriculum is based on student language proficiency levelENL/ELA classes are combined by grades 9-10 and 11-12 and grouped by proficiency levelsProficiency levels are Entering/Emerging and Transitioning/Expanding Same standards and skills, and Regents Exams asgeneral education classes

English Prep Workshop

• Intervention resources based on performance • Renaissance Star 360 - Star Reading Online

Assessment (3 times per year)• Achieve 3000• Provides immediate performance feedback• Predictive information about future performance on

state tests• Monitor student growth

LOTE (Languages Other Than English)

Spanish I, II, IIIHome Language Arts I, II, IIIF.L.A.C.S. Exam

College Research

College Research is a one year course in research and college preparation.Helps students navigate the college research and application processProvides goal setting and college portfolio Provides experience in ALA/MLA writing formats

Thank you!