2 Semesters / 1 Credit
Recommendations: Class grade of 90 or higher in Honors English 8 or a class grade of 95 or higher in English 8. Students must have a minimum percentile score of 80% or higher in the Reading Comprehension or the Verbal Reasoning section of the ERB or equivalent standardized test scores.
This course is designed for students who are truly gifted in reading and writing. Honors classes move at a faster pace with less time in class spent on direct instruction. Since we expect that students are already excellent readers and writers, class time is spent honing those skills and moving into more rigorous pacing, reading assignments, and expectations. Elements of fiction are taught using short stories, plays, poetry, and novels. Vocabulary is taught in context through Membean, an online vocabulary program. Students develop and practice basic speech skills by presenting various projects and essays. An introduction to Shakespeare includes a study of Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar. Multicultural studies are woven into the curriculum throughout the year, focusing on authors of different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.