English

The English Department offers diverse elective courses. All courses teach the following basic academic skills: reading, listening, speaking, writing, viewing, and thinking.

To ensure a common foundation in writing skills, critical reading skills, communication skills and literary analysis skills, all students are expected to pass a one-year course, Essentials of English in grade 9, and a one year course Sophomore English, in grade 10.

In grade 10, students will be able to choose between two focused areas of writing: Expository Writing or Journalism Writing. The English Department strongly suggests that the student fulfill ½ credit from each of the following skills-based groups: communication, literature, and writing before taking another course in any emphasis area.

The Oyster River English Department believes that, in order to develop critical thinking skills and personal growth in our students, we must approach both reading and writing as a process. This process must be individualized to meet the needs of all learners which is achieved through the elective system as well as the emphasis on choice within each course.

We further believe that it is through the study of diverse and complex literature and the process of writing and speaking that students learn to challenge their intellectual, social, and cultural boundaries.