Offered as an elective course to tenth graders, and as an alternative World History credit to ninth graders, World History II continues where the Third Year Program ended, providing an overview of World history from the nineteenth century to the present day. The course begins with an exploration of the 19th century social movements of nationalism, socialism, and communism. As they become familiar with the parameters of each movement, students begin to assess how each social philosophy affected the course of modern history.

Next, students will study the periods of World War I, the 1930's and the rise of fascism in Europe, and World War II in depth. Students will acquire excellent note-taking and outlining skills as they learn to prepare for exams which focus on cohesive, coherent essay writing.

Primary source readings will supplement readings from the World History textbook, and will be completed prior to class lectures; students will learn to use a "learning journal" approach to class preparation. Group study strategies, time management skills, and a thorough understanding of how to prepare good questions for class discussion are paramount in World History II.

Units on Africa in the twentieth century and a historical analysis of the present crisis in the Middle East are incorporated into the study of modern European history. The course will conclude with a study of the rise of terrorism and its effect on our world today.

For ninth and tenth graders, English I explores various literary genres through short stories, drama, essays, poetry, and novels. English I combines literature selections (novels, essays, poems, plays) by American authors with analysis of short stories, creative and analytical writing, and SAT- prep Grammar, Vocabulary, and Usage.

In Literature, students learn to take notes as they read, looking for evidence that supports their own personal interpretations of a text. Later in class, students will explore the many possible interpretations of the same text, learning, as they hear other points of view, to expand upon, support, or even change their ideas of textual meaning.

By writing summaries of their ideas, and learning to organize their arguments into longer, cohesive essays as the year progresses, students gain a gradual knowledge of clear, focused, essay-writing skills. Novels in the Second Year include: The Outsiders, The Red Pony, and The Alchemist. Short Stories are taken from two anthologies: Perrine's Story and Structure, and Wayside Publishing's Little Worlds.

Over the course of the year, students will also write a research paper on a topic of personal significance to their lives. Through this process-based research project, students will be introduced to effective research techniques. By learning how to sort information and select valid sources, both from print media and from the internet, students will begin to understand the significance of honest, thorough research. Students will also learn interview techniques to use as they pursue their search for information from primary and expert sources.

Students also read short stories, poems, and nonfiction essays as writers in Writing Workshop. Since writers learn to write well by reading what other writers have written, the literature component of Writing Workshop is essential. Along with essay-writing in English I, students begin to explore writing fiction with guest author, Nicholas Hershenow. By working on fiction pieces and on poetry, students discover that their developing skills of organization, logic, and grammatical usage are as essential to creative writing as they are to literature analysis.

In addition to SAT-prep vocabulary, English I students will spend significant time on grammar skills, including identifying grammatical errors in writing, and diagraming sentences.

High school students are engaged in the process of discovering individual paths to the adult world. As they leave the restrictive boundaries of home and adult authority, they begin to synthesize a world-view that is uniquely their own. This course will explore literature in which characters leave the protected environment of home to find their own way in the world.

Students will be expected to write several essays relating and comparing various works, and to develop their own essay questions & theses as themes emerge in the reading throughout the year. A section on the poetry of Robert Frost and e.e. cummings further challenges students' ideas of place, and allows them to begin the process of connecting poetic themes through analytical writing.

In addition to analytical writing, tenth graders will explore creative nonfiction (memoirs, travel pieces, interviews, and technical brochures). In this course, students also spend significant time learning how to write, edit, and grade SAT II-type essays under timed conditions. In addition to SAT-prep vocabulary, English II students spend time on reviewing grammar skills, including identifying grammatical errors in writing, and diagraming sentences.

A careful study of both Strunk & White's The Elements of Style and William Zinsser's On Writing Well helps students begin to grasp the uses of excellent grammar & style in constructing their own prose. We will also begin to explore publishing opportunities, especially those which provide editing response on returned pieces.

PLEASE NOTE: The AP English & AP/Honors American Literarure classes are for students who choose to be in them & who want to do the work on time. Simply attending class without being able to participate in our learning is not enough.

If your parents are making you take either of these classes, you should not sign up for them. Students who do not do the reading on time, or who do not have assignments ready by the due dates, will be asked to leave that class.

A study of Poe, Hawthorne, Melville, James, Steinbeck, Cather, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, O'Connor, & Faulkner. This course integrates the needs of students who have acquired basic skills in NFS programs with those of students who have little background in literary analysis.

A challenging, personalized preparation for the MDHS course in Advanced Placement English that will add depth to students' understanding of their MDHS American Government & History classes. Students will read several works by each author, including short stories and novels, and will learn to take lecture notes on the both the backgrounds of authors, and on elements of the authors' individual themes & writing styles.

By examining several stories and novels, students discover patterns of theme and style in an individual author's work. The study of each author culminates with a 1000-word paper analyzing themes in various pieces; students will learn how to develop their own essay questions and theses as the year progresses.

English III requires an intense schedule of reading, involving a significant book list. Due to these reading requirements, writing assignments will be fewer, but more rigorous and in-depth. Writing skills for English III include:

In addition to SAT-prep vocabulary, English III students will spend time on reviewing grammar skills, including identifying usage errors, and diagraming sentences. A careful study of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style helps students refine the uses of excellent grammar & style in constructing their own prose.

A challenging, personalized preparation for the Advanced Placement exam in English Literature & Composition. Class is in development, but will include significant portfolio writing of AP-type essays, which will be graded and reviewed for strengths and weaknesses, but will not be revised in the manner of previous NFS courses.

Students should expect challenging reading, which they will prepare in order to lead discussions; immersion in essay-writing and in oral exercises of essay development; poetry analysis; extensive grammatical review; and grades which reflect motivation, tenacity, and performance.

1st Semester reading will include: