• English

    As mandated by the GFPS School Board, all students must earn proficiency in writing, formal speaking, and interpersonal communication before receiving English credit.

    English 1-2

    Length of Class:  Year
    Prerequisite:  None
    Grade Level(s):  9
    The study of literature, grammar and composition, a potpourri of general subjects gives a basic background in reading, writing, listening, viewing, and speaking. Students will learn to identify parts of speech as well as parts of sentences and their usage, identify major elements of literature, write multi-paragraph personal and literary essays as well as complete two timed writes.

    English 1-2  Honors

    Length of Class:  Year
    Prerequisite:  English Teacher Recommendation
    Grade Level(s):  9
    Students must have an English teacher's recommendation. Successful completion of the summer reading assignment(s) is mandatory for entry into the honors program.  English 1-2H primarily follows the same curriculum as English 1-2, but at an accelerated pace with more multi-draft essays, additional novels, and independent work.  Class revolves around active participation in discussion, individual and group work, and some student-led activities.

    English 3-4

    Length of Class: Year
    Prerequisite:  English 1-2
    Grade Level(s):  10
    The study of literature, grammar, and composition expands understanding and utilizes basic concepts from English 1-2. Grammar focuses on sentence types, their punctuation and capitalization. Literary, creative, technical and timed writes make up composition offerings.  A variety of speaking assignments, formal and informal, are required.

    English 3-4 Honors

    Length of Class: Year
    Prerequisite: English 1-2 H (or English 1-2 with teacher recommendation & approval)
    Grade Level(s):  10
    This course requires successful completion of summer reading project prior to fall semester.  Transfer students (from another school or from English 1-2) may be required to do additional preparatory work/reading at teacher’s discretion.  English 3-4H covers the same basic curriculum as English 3-4, but at an accelerated pace and with additional reading and writing opportunities.  This class provides an expanded study of reading selections from world literature (fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry), including in-depth discussion and analysis of the readings.  Writing concentrates on structures and organization in the form of literary response, autobiography, formal and informal essay, creative writing, style analysis (imagery, point of view, diction), research requirements, timed writes, and poetry.  Students work on improving their writing skills to higher adult level; they also master the use of grammatical phrases and clauses in their writing through analysis and diagramming.  Students continue to improve their public address skills through exercises in autobiographical, how-to, and expository speeches.

    English 5-6

    Length of Class:  Year
    Prerequisite:  English 3-4
    Grade Level(s):  11
    English 5-6 is a study of literature and composition emphasizing American literature through reading, writing, listening, viewing, and speaking. It is a continuation of regular writing program with a focus on pronoun usage and review of previously taught concepts. The course stresses research, including controversial issues, essays, literary analysis, formal research projects and presentations, and resume writing.

    English 5-6 Honors

    Length of Class:  Year
    Prerequisite:  English 1-2H, 3-4 H (or English 3-4 with teacher recommendation & approval)
    Grade Level(s):  11
    The course requires successful completion of the summer reading project prior to the fall semester. Transfer students (from another school or from English 3-4) may be required to do additional preparatory work/reading at teacher’s discretion. Entrance for those not previously in Honors must include a consultation. English 5-6H is an in-depth study of major American authors through reading, writing, viewing, listening and speaking. Students continue the honors writing program with a focus on literary analysis, analytical and persuasive writing, and research techniques. Organizational skills are emphasized along with critical thinking, a review of the style elements of diction, imagery, and point of view, and an introduction of style, organization, and syntax. Grammar studies include effective sentence construction, pronoun usage and punctuation.

    English 7-8

    Length of Class:  Year
    Prerequisite:  English 5-6
    Grade Level(s):  12
    English 7-8 is a study of literature and composition emphasizing world literature through reading, writing, listening, viewing, and speaking. Students continue with the regular writing instructional program with a focus on sentence types, punctuation, parallelism, and active/passive voice. The course stresses research, literary analysis, and the use of figurative language.

    AP English 7-8: Literature and Composition (Dual Credit)

    Length of Class:  Year
    Prerequisite:  See Below
    Grade Level(s):  12
    This course is open to all seniors with an interest in and dedication to in-depth study of literature. AP English, a challenging experience, requires more effort, gives opportunity for individual accomplishment, and penetrates deeper into both the content of world literature and the analysis of that content. While the AP examination given every May by the College Board is an important benefit of the course, the course focuses on developing additional intellectual discipline. With close reading and intensive study of works of recognized literary merit, writing as a developed discipline and discussion of material that intellectually mature students find engaging, students refine their critical thinking skills by becoming more aware of the nuance of language and more appreciative of the creative process. This course includes an intensive study of the analysis of authors’ styles. Summer reading and assignments begin the fall coursework.  Students will have multiple options of earning college credit:

    • Dual Credit: Earn Dual Credit from Montana Tech in two courses: Lit 112 (3 credits) fall semester and Writing 101 (3 credits) spring semester
    • AP Exams: AP Language and Composition & AP Literature and Composition- Credits granted vary according to the university.
    • Both: In some cases, students are granted additional credits for completing both options. Check with the registrar’s office. 

    READ 180 - Tier 3 English