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Buchanan High School

Part of the Clovis Unified School District

English Language Arts

n English language arts lessons, with books, papers, and creative projects scattered around


For more information visit our
English Department Website

English Staff
 
Learning Director: Francis Bishop
LD Secretary: Jennifer Holterman
 

A group of people wearing red shirts with 'Bear Nation' printed on them, posing on bleachers.

The English Department offers the following courses to our students:

  • English 9 
    English 9 is a standards-based survey course that provides a foundation for the four-year language arts program in high school. It requires students to continue to apply and refine the skills learned in middle school. The areas of study continue to focus on reading and comprehension of grade level works of literature. In addition, there is an emphasis on reading informational materials applicable to research. Writing instruction advances students to more sophisticated levels of exposition and research. Standard English grammar, punctuation, and usage are reinforced. 
     


    Honors English 9
    This course is designed to meet the needs of the accelerated freshman. Sophisticated levels of literary forms and types as well as style and structure are emphasized in addition to advanced essay writing skills. Curriculum covers a combination of the English 9 and 10 courses which guides the student through the process of literary analysis, vocabulary development, and critical thinking skills. The writing process and language skills are emphasized.

     

    English Language Development 1

    English Language Development 1 AB provides English Language Development for Beginning English Learners. The course develops speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English that align with the English Language Development Standards. Use of visuals, hands-on activities, gestures, and concrete activities are part of the everyday classroom. The goal of this course is to advance students from Emerging to Expanding language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 2

    English Language Development 2 AB provides English Language Development for Expanding English Learners. English Language Development Standards expand the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English. The goal of this course is to advance students from Expanding to Bridging language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 3

    English Language Development 3 AB provides English Language Development for high Expanding to low Bridging English Learners. English Language Development Standards expand the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing and literacy skills in English. The goal of this course is to transition students from Expanding to Bridging language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 4

    English Language Development 4 AB provides English Language Development for Bridging to Fluent English Proficient English Learners. English Language Development standards expand the development of literacy skills and academic language in English. The goal of this course is to advance Bridging English Learners to meet the criteria for reclassification. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

  • English 10
    English 10 is a standards-based survey course that reinforces and extends the skills and knowledge acquired in 9th grade. The areas of study include reading for the universal themes in literature and reading to synthesize information. Writing instruction advances students to more sophisticated levels of analysis, persuasion, and research. Standard English grammar, punctuation, and usage is reinforced. 
     


    Honors English 10
    This course is an integrated literature and composition program designed to meet the needs of accelerated sophomores. It guides the student through the process of literature appreciation and analysis, vocabulary development and critical thinking study skills, and research skills. The writing process and language skills are emphasized. Curriculum covers a combination of the English 10 and 11 courses in order to prepare for the Advanced Placement classes taken in the junior and senior years. With an emphasis on an integrated approach to literature and writing, the student is asked to make mature stretches as a thinker, reader, and writer. 

     

    Exploration of Child and Adolescent Literature

    Exploration of Child and Adolescent Literature is a grade 10 English Language Arts college preparatory course integrated with the Education Pathway standards. This course allows students to utilize Language Arts skills to investigate and evaluate the value and purpose of world literature for children and adolescents. Students synthesize their knowledge of the developmental stages of physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development an understanding of appropriate teaching materials and readings for each of the stages.

     

    English Language Development 1

    English Language Development 1 AB provides English Language Development for Beginning English Learners. The course develops speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English that align with the English Language Development Standards. Use of visuals, hands-on activities, gestures, and concrete activities are part of the everyday classroom. The goal of this course is to advance students from Emerging to Expanding language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 2

    English Language Development 2 AB provides English Language Development for Expanding English Learners. English Language Development Standards expand the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English. The goal of this course is to advance students from Expanding to Bridging language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 3

    English Language Development 3 AB provides English Language Development for high Expanding to low Bridging English Learners. English Language Development Standards expand the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing and literacy skills in English. The goal of this course is to transition students from Expanding to Bridging language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 4

    English Language Development 4 AB provides English Language Development for Bridging to Fluent English Proficient English Learners. English Language Development standards expand the development of literacy skills and academic language in English. The goal of this course is to advance Bridging English Learners to meet the criteria for reclassification. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

  • English 11
    English 11 continues the development of composition and literature skills. Contemporary fiction and non-fiction are utilized for both reading comprehension and essay writing. This course is centered around high interest writing assignments (topics) and contemporary texts to motivate students to improve their reading and writing skills.


     
    Contemporary Issues in Education
    Contemporary Issues in Education is a college preparatory eleventh grade English course integrated with the Education pathway standards of the Education, Child Development, and Family Services sector, which allows students to see where the skills of English intersect with the elements of education. Students conduct research, closely read and analyze complex texts, evaluate instructional methodology and philosophy, and create a portfolio of reflections, activities, and compositions that, when synthesized, serve as the foundation for three capstone projects. Students will present a standards-based lesson plan, research a contemporary issue in education, and participate in a mock job interview, all of which prepare them for further education and career opportunities in the field of Education, Child Development, and Family Services.
     


    AP English Composition
    AP Language AB (HP) covers a syllabus equivalent to entry level college composition and necessary for students to pass the College Board exam in May for college placement and/or credit. Topics include diction and language analysis, forms of discourse, and refinement of rhetorical style.
     

    Experiences in Lit and Comp

    Experiences in Literature and Composition 1AB examines high interest literary works in the form of novels, short stories, essays, and poems. It develops basic and practical writing skills in response to literature and gives individualized instruction that prepares students for successful completion of other courses in their junior and senior years. (The course focuses on students who have struggled academically during their freshman and/or sophomore years or students mainstreamed through the Special Education Department. A Special Education teacher assists the instructor.)

     

    English Language Development 1

    English Language Development 1 AB provides English Language Development for Beginning English Learners. The course develops speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English that align with the English Language Development Standards. Use of visuals, hands-on activities, gestures, and concrete activities are part of the everyday classroom. The goal of this course is to advance students from Emerging to Expanding language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 2

    English Language Development 2 AB provides English Language Development for Expanding English Learners. English Language Development Standards expand the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English. The goal of this course is to advance students from Expanding to Bridging language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 3

    English Language Development 3 AB provides English Language Development for high Expanding to low Bridging English Learners. English Language Development Standards expand the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing and literacy skills in English. The goal of this course is to transition students from Expanding to Bridging language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 4

    English Language Development 4 AB provides English Language Development for Bridging to Fluent English Proficient English Learners. English Language Development standards expand the development of literacy skills and academic language in English. The goal of this course is to advance Bridging English Learners to meet the criteria for reclassification. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

  • Sports Writing and Lit

    Sports Writing and Literature is an intensive writing course that focuses on Sports Writing and examines sport-themed literature and contemporary expository topics in the world of sports. Students will use a variety of writing structures and analyze timely topics in the sports arena. This course is approved for CSU/UC admissions purposes and is NCAA approved; however, it is not an approved senior English course for placement into GE A2 English at CSU campuses. Students who do not meet placement requirements may be required to enroll in supported instruction and participate in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program during the summer before their first term. 

     

    Bible as Literature/Contemporary Issues in Literature
    This class is comprised of two semester-long courses that are taught over the course of one school year.

    Bible as Literature explores selected stories from the Old and New Testaments from a literary standpoint. The course focuses on literary analysis, authors, and parallel themes that have influenced Western civilization since the time of Moses. Literature-based writing assignments refine writing skills. 

    Contemporary Issues in Literature is designed to encourage students to make connections between literature and contemporary issues. Students will discuss and debate these issues and address modern writers and thinkers in addition to ones from the past. The course will focus on expository writing by teaching students to think through issues in order to support their views. International, national, and local issues will be discussed and analyzed. 

     

    Expository Reading & Writing Course (ERWC)
     The Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC) is a a full-year college preparatory English course. The ERWC addresses critical reading and writing problems identified by the CSU English Placement Test Committee and prepares students to meet the expectations of college and university faculty. Course assignments, organized into 14 modules and based mainly on non-fiction texts, emphasize the in-depth study of expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing. The University of California has approved the ERWC for area "b" credit (from the "a-g" requirements), and the Course meets college preparatory requirements for both the UC and CSU systems.

     

    Rhetoric and Composition
    Rhetoric and Composition AB (P) is designed for college-bound seniors who are eligible for the Dual Enrollment course, English 1A/1B. Students will read and write academic prose effectively and increase their mastery of academic language. This rigorous course is built around in-depth studies of nine rhetorical strategies and the rhetorical analysis and synthesis of a variety of texts, with an emphasis on rigorous nonfiction texts. Essential to the curriculum is the deepening of students’ critical reading, writing and thinking skills about both expository and literary prose, with an emphasis on expanding their ability to argue and extend their understanding of complex text. Students examine relationships between an author’s thesis or theme and an author’s audience and purpose; they analyze the impact of structural and rhetorical strategies and examine the social, political, and philosophical assumptions that underlie the text.
     
    AP English Lit

    AP Literature AB (HP) covers a syllabus necessary for students to pass the College Board exam in May for college placement and/or credit. Topics include in- depth literary analysis, diction and language-style analysis, forms of discourse, and refinement of rhetorical-style.

     

    English 12

    English 12 AB (P) emphasizes literary analysis, vocabulary development, and critical thinking skills. It continues the development of composition and literary skills through the study of classic, contemporary, and world literature. This course is approved for CSU/UC admissions purposes and is NCAA approved; however, it is not an approved senior English course for placement into GE A2 English at CSU campuses. Students who do not meet placement requirements may be required to enroll in supported instruction and participate in the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students Program during the summer before their first term. 

     

    English Language Development 1

    English Language Development 1 AB provides English Language Development for Beginning English Learners. The course develops speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English that align with the English Language Development Standards. Use of visuals, hands-on activities, gestures, and concrete activities are part of the everyday classroom. The goal of this course is to advance students from Emerging to Expanding language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 2

    English Language Development 2 AB provides English Language Development for Expanding English Learners. English Language Development Standards expand the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English. The goal of this course is to advance students from Expanding to Bridging language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 3

    English Language Development 3 AB provides English Language Development for high Expanding to low Bridging English Learners. English Language Development Standards expand the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing and literacy skills in English. The goal of this course is to transition students from Expanding to Bridging language skills. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.

     

    English Language Development 4

    English Language Development 4 AB provides English Language Development for Bridging to Fluent English Proficient English Learners. English Language Development standards expand the development of literacy skills and academic language in English. The goal of this course is to advance Bridging English Learners to meet the criteria for reclassification. . This course does not count for English high school graduation requirements.