Core Requirements: 12th GradeCollege Prep.
Textbook: World Literature
I. Vocabulary
A. Reading-related vocabulary
B. Greek and Latin roots
II. Writing Mechanics
A. Reinforce elements of standard English through writing and speech
B. Reinforce sentence variation through use of phrases & clauses
C. Review transitions within paragraphs and between paragraphs
D. Exhibit coherence and unity within paragraphs and longer written pieces
E. Refine personal style and tone in written pieces
III. Written Expression
A. Four publishable pieces of writing including the following:
1. 500-750 word persuasive essay
2. 500-750 word personal narrative
3. independent research project (s) (Either one 1200-word or three
shorter)
- literary analysis using documentation, background research, &
support to develop a sociological, historical, or scientific theme
B. Eight additional writings which may include (but are not limited to) the
following:
1. resume
2. business letter
3. poetry
4. creative writing
5. in-class writing prompts
6. journals
7. essay tests
8. creative responses to readings
9. Scholastic Writing Entry
10. college essay
IV. Literature
A. Four required novels from World Literature
1. Things Fall Apart
2. Invisible Man
3. The Good Earth
4. One Day in the Life of Ivan Dinisovich
B. Three other novels from the list below:
Sidhartha
Crime and Punishment
The Plague
Dracula
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Dubliners
Antigone
Cyrano DiBerginac
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Notes from the Underground
The Sound of the Mountain
Don Quixote
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
C. Two Shakespearean plays:
Hamlet
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Core Requirements: 12th Grade Career
Textbooks: World Literature
School to Work
School to Work Source Book - Level 2
I. Vocabulary
A. Reading-related vocabulary
B. Business/career-related vocabulary
II. Writing Mechanics
A. Reinforce sentence variation through use of phrases & clauses
B. Review types of phrases & clauses
1. gerund phrase
2. participial phrase
3. adverb clause
4. adjective clause
C. Review sentence flaws & practice proofreading for specific problems:
a. wordiness
b. meaningless words
c. overused verbs (replace with more descriptive verbs)
d. incorrect use of “you” or “they” in general reference
e. run-ons & rambling sentence construction
f. fragments
D. Review & reinforce effective use of all types of punctuation
E. Review and reinforce transitional expressions to connect ideas
F. Review correct punctuation & documentation of cited sources
G. Business writing mechanics:
1. capitalization
2. abbreviations
3. numbers
4. punctuation
III. Written Expression
A. Reinforce good paragraph structure & review methods of development
B. Reinforce clear writing using the PSSA writing rubrics
C. Updating of resumes and letter writing
1. letter of application to college or trade school
2. letter of inquiry for job
3. updating of resumes
- Research and presentation (written and oral) of career possibilities offered
locally. Presentations should include training and/or education
available positions, salary ranges, and pro’s and con’s of the actual jobs. Sources may include armed forces, technical institutes, state government agencies, and high-profile local employers such as Blue Cross, Tyco, Sprint, Verizon, Hershey, Harley-Davidson, Automobile Dealerships, etc.
E. Historical research project in conjunction with required reading
F. Personal experience essays (two 500-word essays)
G. Other types of writing may include (but are not limited to) the following:
Business writing
1. note taking from oral dictation
2. writing minutes
3. writing memos with emphasis on clarity & conciseness
4. business letters
5. essay tests
6. personal narratives based on themes
7. journals
8. poetry
9. analyzing characters, plot, and theme in reference to a current situation
10. editorials
IV. Literature
A. Two required novels:
1. Things Fall Apart
2. One Day in the Life of Ivan Dinisovich
B. Choice of at least two other novels from the following list:
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
2. Invisible Man
3. Their Eyes Were Watching God
4. The Good Earth
5. Sidhartha
6. Antigone
7. The Epic of Gilgamesh
8. Don Quixote
C. Hamlet - Shakespeare
D. Newsweek unit (6-8 weeks)
Key Changes in English Curriculum
1. Novel-based approach to literature
2.a. Ninth & tenth career classes are now called Ninth Grade English & Tenth
Grade English.
b. Both ninth and tenth grade English classes (formerly career) will basically
follow the college prep. curriculum, but different novels are read, shorter
pieces of writing are required, a
nd more emphasis is placed on basic grammar and writing skills.
c. This similarity between the basic English and the college prep. curriculum in
ninth and tenth grade will allow students who are excelling in basic English to move into College Prep. - Level I. This is important because
students moving from the junior high often have not determined what
path they wish to pursue.
3. Two levels of College Prep. English will be provided for all grade levels. Level I
will be traditional college prep; Level II will offer more enrichment and a faster
pace for students whose analytical and writing skills are more proficient.
4.a. Honors classes will follow the same literature course as regular college prep. classes (ex. 9th - survey course; 10th - American Literature; 11th - British
Literature; & 12th - World Literature).
b. Aligning the same course of literature with college prep. classes will
allow students to move up to Honors from College Prep. II or drop
to College Prep. II
from Honors (a process not currently available without
missing one of these three literature courses).
5. Eleventh and Twelfth Grade Career English will truly be geared toward business
and career choices. Students will do research projects based on career choices in both 11th and 12th, in addition to a senior business-oriented
project and presentation. This will make Career English a choice rather
than a stigma. In addition, college prep. students will not be tempted to
drop to career classes to avoid a research project. Students electing this
class will be prepared to enter a technical school, a two-year college, or the
work force.
6. Teachers will recommend students for a particular level
Dbased on their success in the present year plus an objective check list of skills. This will begin with this
year’s eighth-grade teachers for those moving to the senior high, and for all
subsequent grades within the senior high. Teachers will sign off on this check-
list recommendation sheet for the next year.