Welcome to the High School English Department!
The English Department at The Morgan School is dedicated to fostering a love for literature, critical thinking, and effective communication. Our mission is to empower students with the skills to analyze, interpret, and express ideas thoughtfully and creatively. Through a diverse range of texts, writing opportunities, and discussions, we aim to cultivate a deep appreciation for the power of language and its role in shaping our world.
We are committed to nurturing every student's potential, helping them grow as confident readers, writers, and thinkers. Our passionate team of educators works closely with students to cultivate a lifelong enthusiasm for reading and to develop skills that extend across all disciplines. By fostering both academic and personal growth, we aim to prepare our students for success in high school and beyond.
Curriculum and Courses:
English I:
In English I, students explore literature organized by genre: short story, poetry, novel, and drama. Applying a variety of reading strategies, students will analyze fiction as well as non-fiction texts. In addition to employing several writing strategies, students will participate in the writing process, responding to various texts and strengthening their skills in English conventions. Students will also work to enhance their abilities in cooperative group work, class discussion, and oral presentation. Text-based vocabulary as well as the department’s vocabulary program will develop students' fluency.
English I Honors:
Students will use the archetypal approach to explore early Western literature, such as classical Greek and Roman epics, plays, and speeches. The course will explore the connections between ancient texts and their more modern equivalents. In addition, students will receive instruction in a variety of expository and narrative writing techniques, and students will practice close reading skills as well as writing about texts critically while reading modern, classic, and contemporary texts.
English II:
This course is designed to challenge students with readings that test and develop their critical reading, thinking, and writing skills. Students will review and deepen their knowleIdge of the Elements of Fiction with a focus on the different character types and how they contribute to revealing the theme of a text. Students will be able to distinguish between mood, tone, and style while exploring author's craft. They will engage in whole class read aloud and discussion, ultimately examining thematic topics such as the effects of ambition, greed, guilt, power and gender roles in society. Students will embark on a dynamic exploration of non-fiction literature to develop critical reading, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills.
English II Honors:
Students in this course will explore classic and modern world literature. Units of study are centered around "culture," with a focus on world literature as a means of broadening students' literary landscapes. An emphasis will be placed on a close reading of text and on developing a thoughtful, critical, personal reaction to texts. Students will continue to improve their ability to engage with challenging material through reading, writing, and discussion.
English III:
This course is a thematic study of “The American Dream.” Students will explore a wide variety of diverse texts, both past and present, and consider varying conceptions of the American Dream. Emphasis will be placed on literary analysis of themes such as the struggle for identity, conformity versus civil disobedience, and the contrast between idealism and reality. Students will examine their own ideas of identity and consider how their backgrounds impact what they constitute as “The American Dream.”
AP Language and Composition:
The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text— from a range of disciplines and historical periods. Students will gain understanding of how language functions while deepening their understanding of the world. Through class discussions, individual and group projects, and a variety of writing assignments, this course will prepare students for the AP English Language exam and for college level coursework.
English IV:
Students in this course will work to gain competence and confidence in a range of language arts skills. During the first semester, students will examine different rhetorical patterns evident in college-level essays and stories. Using these as models, students will learn a variety of strategies to help them develop a clear, cogent style in their written work. While most students recognize the basics of good writing, in this course, they will build on that knowledge, and through coaching and practice, learn to communicate more effectively. During the second semester, students in this course will build on previous learning to further develop their ability to analyze complex texts and to communicate what they learn from those texts in a variety of ways. Instruction will focus on how an author constructs an argument. Students will work both independently and cooperatively to hone their research, speaking, listening, and collaboration skills in preparation for the rigors of college-level work.
UCONN ENGLISH 1007: SEMINAR AND STUDIO IN ACADEMIC WRITING & MULTIMODAL COMPOSITION:
UConn English 1007 introduces students to the work of college writing, which includes posing questions, developing sustained intellectual projects, and generating knowledge that invites engagement with wide and varied audiences. Writing is project-building- a practice of making something, composing through collaborative, student-driven inquiry. Through inquiry and exploration, students determine how they will advance and further develop the class conversation across various media. Modes of composition may include videos, images, podcasts, editorials, or social media campaigns. This course is a prerequisite to many university courses and all UConn writing competency courses. Students who pass this course will earn 4 UConn credits.
Electives:
Creative Writing:
This comprehensive writing course exposes students to various types of creative writing including creative nonfiction, short story, mystery, poetry, children’s story, and the one act play. Students must be prepared to share their work with the class and to support the efforts of their classmates.
Film Study:
Students will examine a variety of films from both an analytic and creative perspective. Students will explore coming-of-age films, film history, film techniques, and genre. Students will utilize electronic media as well as traditional media to reflect and articulate their ideas. Students are exposed to visual literacy strategies as well as critical thinking activities.
Humanities:
In this course, students investigate the art, architecture, music, and literature of various cultural periods. Students will gain an understanding of the philosophical perspectives and historical context which helped to shape the cultural output of these periods. Students’ ability to express themselves creatively will be challenged as they explore the creative expression of our civilization’s greatest artists, writers, and thinkers.
Journalism:
Students will learn about the world of journalism by taking on the role of a journalist and creating content for The Morgan PawPrint, the digital news source of The Morgan School. Students will write, take photos, create videos, report on school events and keep people informed through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Roles students fill will include reporter, photographer, videographer, editor, writer, and publicist. The emphasis will be on the principles of clarity, accuracy, and fairness. Any student of any grade may take this course. Students may also earn honors credit. With approval, students may take the course multiple times for credit. This course satisfies a Humanities or STEM requirement. Note - This course is offered with the honors challenge.
Speak, Engage & Influence:
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of public relations, advertising, and promotion! Throughout the course, you will develop a wide range of skills, including public speaking, social media promotion, graphic design, and video creation. Imagine being able to deliver morning and event announcements with confidence or creating captivating content to promote school and community events. This hands-on class will provide you with the tools and knowledge to do just that. You will get to work on exciting projects like promoting Dodge for a Difference, Spirit Weeks, the Morgan PawPrint, and the Multicultural Fair. You will have the freedom to express your creativity through graphic design, video creation, written announcements, social media campaigns, and in-person presentations. By the end of this course, you will have a deep understanding of public relations, public speaking, advertising, and promotion, and you will have the confidence to tackle any challenge that comes your way. Get ready to unleash your creativity and make a real impact!
Student Opportunities:
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The Literary Magazine Club is a creative community for passionate writers, poets, and artists who want to share their voices and talents with the school. We provide a platform for students to express themselves through a variety of forms—short stories, poetry, personal essays, photography, digital art, and illustrations. Club members collaborate to curate and design an annual publication that showcases the diverse talents of our student body.
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Each year our English teachers strive to provide enrichment opportunities for students. In the past we have taken students to the Yale Art Museum, live performances at Ivoryton Playhouse and Hartford Stage and local news stations. We encourage students to enter their creative work to local contests and publications.