8TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT 2014 Karla EversJocelyn Fassett English DHSocial Studies DH

English Graduation Requirements  20 credits (English 9,10,11,12)  4 Years of English  Grade 9 Unleveled

COURSE LEVELS  Unleveled = foundation course or designed to increase student competence in grade 9 or an elective course.  Level 1 = college-bound or work-bound students, concentration on skill development and proficiency in reading and writing. Focus includes concentration on enhancement of skills, comprehension and aptitude, and ability to deal with abstract concepts.

COURSE LEVELS  Honors 10, 11, 12 For students who would like to achieve college level work in high school. Demanding course work, fast pace, high expectations.  AP Language & Composition For students who are highly self-motivated and self-directed. A college-level course in effective writing and critical reading.  AP Literature & Composition For students who are highly self-motivated and self-directed. A college level survey course with a focus on literary analysis.

COMMON CORE STANDARDS

WHAT IS THE COMMON CORE?  Adopted in 46 states  Goal is college and career readiness in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language as well as in mathematics by the end of high school  All disciplines help students meet the particular challenges of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language in their respective fields. Source:

COMMON CORE IN ELA  Complexity: The standards require regular practice with complex text and its academic language.  Evidence: The standards emphasize reading and writing grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational.  Knowledge: The standards require building knowledge through content rich non-fiction.

COMMON CORE IN THE ELA CLASS ROOM  Skills-based focus that increases in depth an complexity as student progresses through high school.  Consistent higher-level critical thinking skills promoted with broader exposure to non-fiction and informational texts in conjunction with fictional texts.  Major focus is for students is the ability to analyze and synthesize information from a variety of sources.

FRESHMAN  English 9 Unleveled  Required by NEASC (  Designed to provide all entering freshman with solid skills foundation in ELA.  Goals include developing reading comprehension in fiction and non-fiction sources, literary analysis, and writing for multiple audiences.

SOPHOMORES  English 10  Honors  College Prep (level 1)  MCAS Taken in March

JUNIORS  English 11  AP Language and Composition  Honors  College Prep (level 1)  SAT/ACT – Taken in Spring and Summer of junior year

SENIORS  English 12  AP Literature and Composition  Honors  College Prep (level 1)

ELECTIVES  College Writing (semester) Level 1, open to grades 11 & 12  Creative Writing (semester) Level 1, open to grades 9-12  Gothic Literature (semester) Level 1, open to grades  Acting & Drama Level 1, open to grades 9-12

GHS WEB PAGES - YOUR RESOURCE  GHS Web Page Your Resource GHS Web Page Your Resource   Classroom Web Pages  Student & Parent resource for what ’ s going on in class (homework, due dates, handouts)  Example: English 9English 9  GHS FORMS and PUBLICATIONS TAB  Has many documents of use including Course of Studies and Student/Parent Handbook.  d=90260&sessionid=78c07f9b9d2cb6f439e428f241b47b24 d=90260&sessionid=78c07f9b9d2cb6f439e428f241b47b24

SOCIAL STUDIES CORE REQUIREMENTS (15 CREDITS)  Every student is required to take the following courses:  World Civilization II  American History I  American History II

WORLD CIVILIZATION II  Grade 9 requirement  Offered at two levels  Honors  (Prerequisite: Instructor approval)  Level 1

AMERICAN HISTORY I  Grade 10 requirement  Offered at two levels:  Honors  (Prerequisite of “B” average in previous course or instructor approval)  Level 1

GRADE 11 REQUIREMENT 2 OPTIONS:  Offered at 2 levels:  Honors  Prerequisite “B” or Instructor approval  Level 1  Advanced Placement course taken in lieu of American History II  Prerequisite: “B” or Instructor approval AP American HistoryAmerican History II

UNDERSTANDING COURSE LEVELS  Level 1:  College preparatory course  Comprehensive program of study that focuses on World or American History from 18 th century to the present  Students are required to read, think and write critically  For Example:  Develop and support a thesis using textual evidence from varied sources  Analyze documents and compare and contrast point of view  Analyze motives and establish causal relationship between events  Compare and contrast primary and secondary sources or historical events

HONORS The honors level is for students who:  Have a genuine interest in history  Want to work at an accelerated pace and explore topics in greater depth and scope  Are self-motivated and independent learners  Have well developed critical reading and writing skills  Meet the prerequisite “B” or have a teacher recommendation

AP  Advanced Placement course accredited by the College Board  Assumes rigor equivalent to an intermediate or advanced introductory college course  Students must be highly motivated and independent learners

ELECTIVES: THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT ALSO OFFERS 6 ELECTIVES. Elective Offered to grades Only  Psychology (Level 1) Elective Offered to grades 9-12  Law  Sociology  American Government  Echoes and Reflections: The Holocaust  These electives are level 1 courses. AP Elective Offered to grades Only  AP European History

QUESTIONS?  After today, you can find this presentation on the English and Social Studies Home Web Pages  Contact Information  Karla Evers, English –  Jocelyn Fassett, Social Studies –  PHONE:

THANK YOU FOR COMING!