Honors+Communication+9,+The+Basics

=Honors Communication 9  =

 PURPOSE: Honors English 9 is a semester-long college preparatory course designed for freshmen who want to begin preparation for English Advanced Placement exams or for advanced students who want to take an accelerated English course. It is integrated with Honors Social Studies, which is also a semester-long course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course emphasizes an American humanities approach, which ties together literature, history, culture, and the arts of the twentieth century. Honors Communication 9 also stresses the basics: development of reading, writing, speaking, and vocabulary skills. Because the course uses a historical and humanities approach, the curriculum demands that applying students think, interpret, and respond both globally and analytically.

REQUIREMENTS: Students must be willing to challenge themselves to think and communicate on high levels. All students will complete at least one research project, including in-text citations and works cited, on some aspect of American society. Course assignments include frequent compositions, projects, and oral presentations for various purposes and audiences. Students read major works of American literature including novels, plays, short stories, and poetry, in addition to selected excerpts from an American literature text.

PREREQUISITES: Students with a 93% or above in eighth grade English are eligible to apply; however, a comprehensive assessment of the following criteria will determine placement in this course: previous courses taken/grades earned; teacher recommendation; PSSA reading and writing scores: Advanced; eighth grade classroom reading and writing pre- and post-test scores: Advanced; reading stanines: 7-9; required entrance essay submitted within timeline specified by Honors American Studies and communication teachers: Superior performance. //Students enrolled in Honors Communication 9 must also enroll in Honors Social Studies 9. Students must complete the summer reading assignments which will be assessed by performance on projects, online activities and discussion. //