Ninth grade Honors English emphasizes higher level thinking skills and problem solving. In grammar the students are expected to master identification and use of nouns and pronouns, verbs, verbals, and noun, adjective and adverb clauses. In literature the students analyze selected short stories, interpret Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and compare it to West Side Story. Students read various novels which may include The Pearl, To Kill a Mocking Bird and Animal Farm. Opportunities to develop oral communication skills are provided through impromptu speeches, as well as planned and researched oral presentations.
Vocabulary development is stressed and encouraged in both expository and creative writing.
The students keep journals to record their reactions, feelings and opinions. The students are exposed to a wide variety of activities aimed not only at reinforcing basic skills, but also at enabling them to understand themselves better. Grades are weighted. The class required two or more novels for summer reading. English 10A is a course designed for students who want a greater challenge in their English classes, or who are functioning at a very high level in Language Arts.