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English Department

To graduate from Randolph Union High School, students must have successfully completed four (4) credits in the required English sequence and must be enrolled in an English course each semester. A student may, however, earn elective credits in English by adding elective courses.

Teachers plan all required English Department courses using the skills listed in the RUHS Language Arts Curriculum Guide for the grade level listed. In addition, teachers use the skills listed in Vermont’s Framework of Standards for Arts, Language, and Literature and the Vital Results. All English classes will add the following Vermont Field of Knowledge Standards: Critique and Revision, Audience Response; Literate Community. All English classes will expect students to write in the following genres: narrative, report, procedures, persuasive, and personal essay.

Humanities 9: Freshman Exploring the Community (Grade 9) 1 credit English & 1 credit Social Studies
This course combines both ninth grade English and Social Studies requirements into one team taught program. The program will examine the concept of community, civics, literature, and history and the role of the individual in society. The emphasis in class is on experiential learning through reading, writing, and listening as outlined in the Vermont Framework. Students may earn a college preparatory (CP) designation on their transcript by successfully demonstrating advanced levels of performance on the identified course standards. The course focuses on Vermont Field of Knowledge Standards in Civic Responsibility and on the Vital Results Standards.

Humanities 10 (Grade 10) 1 credit English and 1 credit Social Studies
What does it mean to be "human?" Through an integrated study of selected literary works, historical events and social issues, students will explore possible answers to this question. Vermont Field of Knowledge standards include: Investigation and Critical Evaluation; Historical Connections; Meaning of Citizenship; Diversity and Unity; Conflicts and Conflict Resolution; and Identity and Interdependence; Critical Response; Literature and Media; and the Artistic Process. Additional Vital Results standards include: Writing Reports; Writing Dimensions; Writing Conventions; Persuasive Writing; Speaking; Problem Solving; Making Decisions; Human Diversity; and Change. Students may earn a college preparatory (CP) designation on their transcript by successfully demonstrating advanced levels of performance on the identified course standards.

American Experience (Grade 11) 1 credit
Students in American Experience will examine cultural themes such as childhood, community, racial and ethnic experience, war, work, or government through reading literature and experiencing other American artistic forms of expression. Students may read works such as Ethan Frome, The Things They Carried, Native Son, Fallen Angels, Spoon River Anthology and The Grapes of Wrath. Students will work on improving their communication skills as listed in the Language Arts Curriculum Guide and the Vital Results and Arts, Language and Literature Standards in Vermont’s Framework. Vermont Field of Knowledge Standards include: Universal Themes; Point of View; American Literature, and Vermont Vital Results Standards Reading Comprehension; Writing Dimensions; Writing Conventions. Prerequisite: successful completion of a required 9th and 10th grade English course.

C.P. American Literature (Grade 11) 1 credit
American Literature is a college preparatory course in which students will examine the growth of American literature from colonial times to the present to see how literature reflects and influences life during the different eras of American history. Students will read works such as The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, The Red Badge of Courage, Our Town, The Great Gatsby and Spoon River Anthology. Students will write formal essays, creative papers and present oral reports and persuasive speeches. Vocabulary focuses on SAT preparation. Vermont Field of Knowledge Standards include: Point of View; Types of Literature; American Literature; Literate Community, and Vermont Vital Results Standards Writing Dimensions, and Responses to Literature. Prerequisite: successful completion of a required 9th and 10th grade English course.

Senior English (Grade 12) 1 credit
Senior English will help students improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The curriculum will reinforce the value of lifelong learning. As members of a literate community, students will read, discuss, and respond to various genres of classic and contemporary literature. One focus of the course will be to provide instruction, guidance, and support for Senior Project requirements (i.e. proposal letter, exploring essential questions, thesis statement, outline, note-taking, drafting, format, MLA citation, and oral presentation). The curriculum will also stress other practical skills that will be useful in students’ post-secondary experiences.

C.P. British Literature (Grade 12) 1 credit
Students in British Literature will follow the growth of the literature of the British Isles from the dark ages to the present. The curriculum will focus on eras and styles, times and cultures, and changes in language as British literature has evolved through the centuries. Exemplary works such as Beowulf, Shakespearean plays, and A Tale of Two Cities may be included in the reading requirements for this class.

writing portfolio that contains responses to literature and narrative, expository, and persuasive pieces which demonstrate knowledge of writing dimensions and conventions. Vermont Field of Knowledge Standards will address: Eras and Styles; Times and Cultures; Changes in Language, and Vermont Vital Results Standards in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Prerequisites: successful completion of three years of English.

AP Literature and Composition (Grade 12) 1 credit
Advanced Placement Literature and Compostion is a college level course designed to prepare highly motivated students for success on the AP Literature exam. Following the College BoardTM syllabus, students in AP Literature will study representative works from various genres and periods at a collegiate level to sharpen their awareness of language and their understanding of the writer’s craft. Frequent writing assignments will focus on the critical analysis of literature. Additional writing includes creative and expository pieces in personal essay, narrative, and poetry, as well as a research paper. Upon successful performance on the Advanced Placement exam, students may earn up to three college credits and/or advanced placement in college English. A significant summer reading and writing assignment is required for this course. As reading selections vary from year to year, students will need to acquire their own copies of many of the major works studied. This course stresses mastery of a variety of VT Field of Knowledge Standards: Literary elements and devices, English language structure and Drama, as well as Vital Results in reading, writing, speaking and personal responsibility. Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation, pre-course contract, successful completion of summer assignment.

ENGLISH ELECTIVE OFFERINGS

Public Speaking (Grades 10-12) I, II 1/2 credit
Students in this course will study public speaking, listening, interpersonal communication, radio announcing and commercials using the text, 38 Basic Speech Experiences. Students will work on improving their research skills as part of speech preparation.

Creative Writing (Grades 10-12) I, II 1/2 credit
Students who elect this course enjoy writing as a creative endeavor. Through a journal, the students sets goals for a personal best in writing poetry, the narrative, the personal essay and the persuasive editorial. Students will share their writing through publication or reading. The class may plan events such as a "Poetry Slam" or writing contest.

Students on an Individual Educational Plan, 504 Plan or who have been identified by the English/Special Education Departments as needing work in the Vital Results Communication skills, may earn up to one (1) English credit per year through individually designed remedial programs in Basic Skills areas.