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From Shakespeare to transitive verbs, making facts live in the study of English is crucial. Yet, since the study of English or Language Arts as most educators refer to it – is the foundational subject for all other study it is vital that these facts “live.” Could we study mathematics without an understanding of language? Of course not! Language Arts is the key to all other learning, and should be treated with corresponding importance.
High School English includes the study of literacy, the study of literature, and the study of language for both public and private use. Throughout the study of highschool English, courses should build upon one another with each year consequently bringing the student closer to mastery. In fact, English is the only subject in which 4 years of high school study is required. It is universally accepted that if a student can grasp the fundamental concepts of reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation they will have tools that will serve them for life.
Yet, for our practical purposes, it is sometimes difficult to know what to teach and when. Here is a sample of a basic high school English course of study.
Freshman English |
Free Resources |
Basics of the writing process/thesis statements/writing essays | The Five Paragraph Essay |
Essay Scoring | |
Grammar rules/spelling and vocabulary | Guide to Grammar and Writing |
English Grammar and Mechanics | |
Vocabulary and Spelling City | |
100 Most often misspelled words | |
Novel study (classic literature indepth/Anthology study (overview) | Novel studies – Sparks NotesProject |
Learn out loud (audio recordings of classics) | |
Gutenberg – free classic ebooks | |
Research and public speaking skills | Free public speaking course |
Sophomore English |
Free Resources |
Expanding forms of written expression | Essentials of Good Writing Course |
Comparing and contrasting | |
Compare and Contrast Essays | |
Grammar/expand vocabulary | Free Holt Grammar |
Grammar Worksheets | |
Vocabulary and Spelling City | |
Word Lists – can put these in Spelling City | |
Classic Literature study indepth(Shakespeare)Anthology study overview | Signet Literature guides |
Classics online and a Classic Lit Book List | |
Research and oral presentation | Public Speaking Class outline |
Junior English |
Free Resources |
Formal and informal forms of writing/poetry | Start Writing Fiction Free course |
Types of Poetry | |
Voices and Visions poetry course | |
Elements of a Short Story | |
American Literature/Literary Analysis | American Literature Guide |
En 102: American Literature | |
Literary Analysis |
|
Grammar/Spelling and Vocab | Prentice Hall online exercise bank |
Printable English worksheets | |
SAT Grammar Practice | |
Vocabulary and Spelling City | |
Research Paper/essays | Time4Writing |
A+ Research and Writing | |
Narrative Essay | |
Final Exams | Final Exams for Download |
Senior English |
Free Resources |
Focus on formal written expression | Thinking and Writing |
Grammar – Spelling and Vocabulary | Grammar quizzes -great for CLEP prep |
Online Grammar quizzes | |
5000 Collegiate Vocabulary Words | |
English Literature/Literary Analysis | English Literature course |
The Legacy of England | |
Literary Analysis Plan | |
Research paper/oral presentations | Writing a Research Paper |
How to Write a research Paper (Georgetown) |
This is a good place to start when formulating your English course for high school, however, remember that each child has different strengths and weaknesses. You may want to add various courses that your young person is passionate about. Here are some awesome additions…
Required Reading Books for High School
You also might want to check out….
January 23, 2013
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