English
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” |
Our ProgramThe BHS English Department serves all BHS students. Full year courses are offered at two levels of difficulty in all grades; seniors may also choose unleveled courses.
All students must take English throughout their four years at Brookline High School, accumulating a total of four full credits (in proper sequence) to graduate. Students should read course descriptions carefully and attend to teacher recommendations to determine which level of difficulty -- standard, honors, or non-leveled-- suits their needs. Honors level courses require more reading than standard level courses, and texts are often more difficult. Teachers in honors level courses also assume more independence on the part of students, whereas teachers in standard level courses often break assignments down in order to give students more structure and support. Senior year, the department offers several non-leveled electives which seek interested students across the academic spectrum. Students at all levels write at least twelve drafted papers a year. Students who choose the most challenging English courses will find themselves prepared for Advanced Placement examinations at the end of their junior or senior years. Make-up credit for English courses may be obtained by doubling courses the following year or by completing courses in summer school. Seniors wishing to graduate early must complete two full semesters of Senior English and the Senior Paper before leaving school and have the written consent of the English Department Curriculum Coordinator by September 15th of their senior year. Correspondence credit is not granted. Failure to meet the Senior Paper requirement precludes graduation, and the student must take an appropriate summer school course to complete the Senior Paper. |
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By Year
FRESHMAN PROGRAM: The Freshman Program introduces students to the major literary genres and to reading and writing at the high school level. Both freshman courses offer focused instruction in reading strategies, ample practice in writing and revising, systematic study of grammar and vocabulary, and an emphasis on narrative point of view.
SOPHOMORE PROGRAM: Sophomores read traditional and contemporary works from World Literature as they explore identity and culture. Students sharpen their writing and reading skills; they identify and interpret motif, theme, and figurative language in poetry and prose. Sophomore courses include a systematic study of grammar. New sophomore courses introduce more student choice into the English curriculum beginning in 2013-14.
JUNIOR PROGRAM: The Junior Program highlights important works in American Literature to explore American culture and point of view. In the spring, students compare two works of literature in the Junior Paper as preparation for their Senior Paper the following year.
SENIOR PROGRAM: A variety of year-long courses gives seniors the opportunity to pursue a particular area of interest in English. To gain final English credit, all seniors must successfully complete a Senior Paper related to the content area of their senior course. The Senior Paper is a multi-step process which requires a minimum of 500 pages of independent reading and culminates in an 8-10 page analytic essay.
SOPHOMORE PROGRAM: Sophomores read traditional and contemporary works from World Literature as they explore identity and culture. Students sharpen their writing and reading skills; they identify and interpret motif, theme, and figurative language in poetry and prose. Sophomore courses include a systematic study of grammar. New sophomore courses introduce more student choice into the English curriculum beginning in 2013-14.
JUNIOR PROGRAM: The Junior Program highlights important works in American Literature to explore American culture and point of view. In the spring, students compare two works of literature in the Junior Paper as preparation for their Senior Paper the following year.
SENIOR PROGRAM: A variety of year-long courses gives seniors the opportunity to pursue a particular area of interest in English. To gain final English credit, all seniors must successfully complete a Senior Paper related to the content area of their senior course. The Senior Paper is a multi-step process which requires a minimum of 500 pages of independent reading and culminates in an 8-10 page analytic essay.
Publications and Opportunities |
Off-Brand
Off-Brand is a feminist zine created by and for BHS students and staff. This publication was inspired by student work about teenage girlhood and toxic masculinity, as well as the feminist concerns of the SHARP Warriors. We strive to provide a platform for those who feel constrained by gender expectations in a cishet male-dominated society. We hope you find solace in relating to teens of all genders and their experiences maturing in a patriarchal world. Submit work to: [email protected] GreenZine GreenZine Brookline is a district-wide webzine that highlights news, views and more about climate change, outdoor education and environmental issues. Run by students, parents and staff, GreenZine Brookline will publish online twice per year. Find the zine here; submit articles at this link. Questions? Write to: [email protected]. Refractions Refractions is a BHS literary magazine focused on sharing the creative writing and artwork of students. Our publication accepts any form of writing and artwork from BHS students to publish in our biyearly magazine. Submissions are open at all times so submit your work to BHS Refractions! Any questions about submitting work can be sent to [email protected]. 2019-2020 Winter Publication of Refractions Submit work to Refractions here. Instagram: @refractionsbhs Slam Poetry Club The purpose of the Slam Poetry Club is to learn and inspire people through poetry, as well as to fight battles through art. Club Advisor: Mr. Rothstein Meetings: Tuesday X Block BHS Room 387 The Cypress The Cypress is an independent, school-affiliated publication published monthly in print and updated daily online by the students of Brookline High School. It is written primarily for the approximately 2,000 students attending Brookline High School and is distributed free of charge to all members of the school community. The Cypress is an accessible public forum which provides information and entertainment in addition to various viewpoints on debatable issues in the form of editorials and opinions columns. Funds for production come from advertising and subscriptions only. Click the logo to the left to visit The Cypress' online website. |
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