English Department - The Greater Amsterdam School District

Students must earn four credits of English to meet New York State’s requirement for high school graduation. All English courses are designed to meet the Next Generation English standards with specific focal points on further developing students’ reading (via literary and informational texts), writing (exposition, narration, and argument), listening, speaking (in collaborative discussions with their instructors and peers), and critical thinking skills. Courses will cover a variety of genres, time periods, and themes.

English 9-12 classes at Amsterdam High School are taught at Regents and Honors levels, with consultant teachers working with students in the former level. Honors and elective courses may be taken for college credits through Fulton Montgomery Community College’s College in the High School Program. Additionally, 11th and 12th grade honors classes offer the opportunity to earn College Board’s Advanced Placement credit.

All students are mandated to take the NYS Regents examination in English Language Arts by the end of their junior year. Students must pass this exam to meet graduation requirements.

English 9 Honors

1 Year | 1 Credit

This is the first honors course in a series of four accelerated English courses. This course focuses on preparing students for the NYS Regents Examination in English given at the end of grade 10. Further, it prepares students to succeed in AP level courses.

This course includes a survey of major literary genres (novel, nonfiction, short story, drama, poetry) emphasizing literary elements and techniques and specific instruction in various kinds of writing (narrative, expository, and informational). Instruction is given in spelling, vocabulary, and the conventions of standard written English. Library research/technology skills are developed in accordance with MLA format. Students will be expected to participate in a range of conversations and collaborations; as such, listening and speaking are also an integral part of this course.

Students will have to complete a teacher-selected summer assignment. It is recommended that students enrolling in this course have already taken Accelerated English 8 at Lynch Literacy Academy.

English 9 Regents

1 Year | 1 Credit

Close readings of a wide variety of literature (novels, short stories, dramas, essays, nonfiction, poems) assist students in becoming critical readers and writers. A process approach to writing emphasizes the author’s use of literary elements and techniques and argument. The use of technology is also required for this course (Google Classroom, Google Documents, etc.).

Instruction is also given in spelling, vocabulary, and the conventions of standard written English. Library research/technology skills are developed in accordance with MLA style.

English 9 PBL

1 Year | 1 Credit

Instruction is given in spelling, vocabulary, and the conventions of standard written English. Library research/technology skills are developed in accordance with MLA style.

This course is co-taught alongside Global I, and uses a Project-Based Learning model in which students engage with the cross-curricular content in real-world projects.

English 10 Regents

1 Year | 1 Credit

Instruction is also given in spelling, vocabulary, and the conventions of standard written English. Library research/technology skills are developed in accordance with MLA style.

English 10 PBL

1 Year | 1 Credit

Emphasis throughout the course is placed on vocabulary development, nonfiction as well as the improvement of writing style by blending the study of literature with the teaching of writing and library research/technology in accordance with MLA style. Speaking and listening are also an integral part of this course.

This course is co-taught alongside Global II, and uses a Project-Based Learning model in which students engage with the cross-curricular content in real-world projects.

English 10 Honors/FMCC ENG 103 + 104

1 Year | 1 Credit | FMCC 103 + 230 (6 Credits)

This is the second course in the honors level of the English curriculum.

This accelerated course offers students an in-depth approach to reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking in preparation for the NYS Regents Examination in English Language Arts at the end of the year. A process approach to writing emphasizes the author’s use of literary elements and techniques and argument. The use of technology is also required for this course (Google Classroom, Google Documents, etc.).

ENG 103 is designed to improve effective college level communication in writing and oral presentations. Assignments include argument development and analysis and current research techniques and procedures for documenting sources. Students plan, draft, and revise original texts and oral presentations.

ENG 104 expands on the written and oral communication skills learned in ENG 103. Assignments focus on students’ understanding, research, and interpretation of such literary genres as short stories, poetry, and drama.

Students enrolled in this course must pass the NYS Regents Examination in English Language Arts to fulfill state graduation requirements and move on to the third honors course in the sequence.

It is recommended that students enrolling in this course have already taken English 9 Honors.

Students will have to complete a teacher-selected summer assignment.

English 11 Regents

1 Year | 1 Credit

This course offers students an in-depth approach to reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking in preparation for the NYS Regents Examination in English Language Arts at the end of the year. Close readings of a wide variety of literature (novels, short stories, dramas, essays, nonfiction, poems) assist students in becoming critical readers and writers. A process approach to writing emphasizes the author’s use of literary elements and techniques and argument. The use of technology is also required for this course (Google Classroom, Google Documents, etc.).

Students enrolled in this course must pass the NYS Regents Examination in English Language Arts to fulfill state graduation requirements.

English 11 Honors/AP Language and Composition

1 year | 1 credit

This is the third course in the honors level of the English curriculum.

The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text—from a range of disciplines and historical periods.

It is recommended that students enrolling in this course have already passed the Regents Exam in English Language Arts at the end of 10th grade.

Students will have to complete a teacher-selected summer assignment.

English 12

1 Year | 1 Credit

This course is designed for high school seniors who are embarking on various paths – college, the military, and/or workforce. It includes a survey of literature and involves works by various major authors’ writing across genres. Global citizenship is the focus; the major objective of this course is to prepare students for life beyond high school by nurturing their independence, while still providing the guidance necessary to achieve higher level thinking.

The class will focus on foundational works of American and British literature including those by Native Americans and other diverse cultures. Through close examination of these works, students will continue to develop their analytical reading and critical thinking skills. Throughout the school year students will conduct research on various relevant topics to develop analytical responses that conform to the MLA style for research and documentation.

An end of the year departmental examination is required.

English 12 Regents Recovery

1 Year | 1 Credit

Students enrolled in this course must pass the NYS Regents Examination in English Language Arts to fulfill state graduation requirements in either January or June.

English 12 Honors/AP Literature and Composition/FMCC 150 + 230

1 Year | 1 Credit | FMCC’s 150 + 230 (6 Credits)

This course culminates the honors level of the English curriculum.
The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works.

Students will have the opportunity to earn 6 college credits through FMCC’s College in the High School Program.

It is recommended that students enrolling in this course have taken 11 Honors/AP Language and Composition.

Students will have to complete a teacher-selected summer assignment.

Literature and Film

1/2 Year (ED) | 1/2 English Credit

This course will delve into how classic literature has continually influenced popular film and television for many decades. The course will focus on the examination of how effective movies follow the same structure and elements of the literature that they are recreating and/or influenced by. Students will not only read and discuss classic novels, short stories and essays, but they will also critique films as literature by exploring a film’s use of literary elements and techniques and/or commentary on society and humanity. A variety of directors and genres of films will be analyzed. An emphasis will be placed on the idea that knowledge and insight can be acquired through the exploration and enjoyment of the literature and films that encompass American pop culture.

This is a college preparation course that is highly dependent upon video presentations; therefore, attendance is of the utmost importance.

Mock Trial

1/2 Year | 1/2 Credit

This English course would be a combination of public speaking, theater, and debate. A unique opportunity for a close examination of our country’s legal system, this class charges students with the task of preparing for a case provided by the New York State Bar Association. Students will analyze, research, and role play in preparation to compete against students from other schools in Montgomery County. This dynamic course will hone students’ critical thinking, public speaking, and writing skills.

Public Speaking

1/2 Year | 1/2 Credit

This course is designed for students who are interested in gaining the public speaking skills that are crucial for college and career readiness. Students will learn the importance of effective public speaking as it plays an important role in their academic, professional, and social lives. Students will hone their oratory skills through a variety of approaches that focus on three major types of speeches: informative, persuasive, and special occasion. Students will have the opportunity to critique a variety of speeches through video and print format. Students will also be required to develop and present several types of speeches throughout this course which will be evaluated by the teacher using specific rubrics and criteria.

This course offers students FMCC credit for ENG 132.

Writing Center Theory and Practice

1/2 Year | 1/2 Credit

This course is a grade 10 -12 English elective designed for students who have completed Writing Center Theory and Practice and want to work as a writing center consultant helping peers with their writing. Students will refine their effective writing tutoring techniques and improve their own writing through an advanced study of writing styles, genres, and grammatical structures. Students will have the opportunity to present at regional/national conferences and submit work for professional publication. Students will hone their critical reading, analytical thinking, and revision and editing writing skills through a variety of approaches that focus on self-reflection and peer interaction.

Advanced Writing Center Theory and Practice

1/2 Year | 1/2 Credit

This course is a 10 -12 English elective designed for students who have completed Writing Center Theory and Practice and want to work as a writing center consultant helping peers with their writing. Students will refine their effective writing tutoring techniques and improve their own writing through an advanced study of writing styles, genres, and grammatical structures. Students will have the opportunity to present at regional/national conferences and submit work for professional publication. Students will hone their critical reading, analytical thinking, and revision and editing writing skills through a variety of approaches that focus on self-reflection and peer interaction.