Curriculum
The mission of the English program at Greenwood Laboratory School is to provide the students with the necessary English skills (i.e. grammar, punctuation sentence structure, etc.), as well as providing them with the writing skills necessary to voice their ideas in a creative manner.
The Curriculum consists of 9 different classes, one at each grade level (7-12) and 3 electives. Questions may be directed to: Kathy Gibson, Vicki Dunlop, Candace Fisk.
2008 - 2009 Description of Courses
English 7 (Gibson) (1 unit) -- This class is a writing and reading intensive workshop, which emphasizes individualized instruction. The course is presented by genre with students studying poetry and drama, short story, novel, essay, and research. The course includes an oral storytelling/dramatic interpretation unit. Language mechanics, vocabulary and spelling are integrated with student writing and reading.
English 8 (Gibson) (1 unit) -- The workshop course continues the development of individual reading and writing. Literature is presented by genre with readings from novels, stories, poems, essays and research. Students will begin an introduction to Shakespeare with the study of Midsummer's Night's Dream. This course includes a study of Greek mythology. Vocabulary, language mechanics, and spelling will be integrated into student writing.
English I (Dunlop) (1 unit, grade 9) -- Ninth grade literature includes the study of all genre with an in-depth analysis of the novels, Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm. Students study organization in writing, speaking, emphasizing the thesis statement, and subsequent development of a composition. The course, Vocabulary for College Bound, will be used. Grammar and mechanics will be re-emphasized as needed.
English II (Dunlop) (1 unit, grade 10) -- This class emphasizes the development of communication skills needed by college bound students. They should learn to recognize and avoid communication breakdowns, learn language processes, and further develop skills in structuring and organizing a paper. Exercises in oral communication emphasize preparation, structure, and presentation of speeches. At this level, students review mechanics and grammar, and continue the vocabulary program. A survey of types of literature includes drama and the novels, To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men.
English III (Dunlop) (1 unit, grade 11) -- Students study the chronological development of American literature and do in-depth studies of the works of Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway. Further work in writing includes paragraph development and compositions related to literature studies. Students give informative speeches, continue their vocabulary studies, and prepare Junior Exhibitions.
English IV (Fisk) (1 unit, grade 12) -- This class addresses the development of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the 20th century. Students will study a variety of literary genres including poetry, drama, satire, and novels. Composition, vocabulary, and public speaking skills will be refined. A major component of this course is the research paper required for the Greenwood Graduation Exhibition.
Humanities (Fisk) (1 unit, grades 10-12) -- The course will investigate the connections between literature, music, art, theater and film. Activities include: film study, performance, production of a video, writing in all forms, drawing/painting, reading and critical interpretation.
Speech (Dunlop/McIntosh) (1 unit, grades 7-12) -- Speech students will develop skill, poise, and confidence in oral communication situations. Students learn the process of assembling information, organizing ideas, developing a speech, and presentation in a formal situation. Students will also become acquainted with oral interpretation techniques and apply them to a variety of materials for presentations in class and to selected audiences.
Debate (McIntosh) (1 unit, grades 9-12) -- Debate is a competitive course that is beneficial to any student interested in a career in business, law or politics. It will also benefit any student desiring to improve speaking skills and gain poise and confidence in front of a group. The class will work on developing skills in cross-examination debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate, extemporaneous speaking, original oratory, and interpretation. Participation in tournaments is a requirement of the course. It is research intensive and will involve writing cases and speeches, completing performances and receiving critiques by peers, judges, and the instructor. This course may be taken for credit more than once.