Classics I - Page Fletcher, Instructor
This is the essential middle-school English course emphasizing literature, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Classical teaching methods and materials will be utilized as students put together “the notebook” – nuggets from some of the best resources: Shurley, IEW, Jensen’s, MLA handbook, and Teaching the Classics.
Using an extensive multi-aged classical reading list, students will select books to read according to genre (adventure, allegory, biography, western, history, mystery, comedy, science fiction, romance, animals) each month. From these books students will write critiques and draw plot outlines while learning to apply increased literary analysis and terminology. There will be an emphasis on grammar, writing, poetry, and literature. Additional outings, events, and movie nights will be encouraged so as to further foster the love of literature and learning.
Requirement: access to a library or bookstore
Textbooks: Sadlier Oxford Vocabulary (This will be ordered by the teacher.)
Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus (the one with the thesaurus at
the bottom of each page)
ISBN 0-7645-6545-1 paperback; 0-7645-6339-4 hardcover.
The Grammar of Poetry: Imitation in Writing by Matt Whitling, ©2000
Classics II - Page Fletcher, Instructor
Course description coming soon.
Honors English I – General Literature – Betsy Montgomery, Instructor
Prerequisites: If the student has never taken an English course at the MHSRC, then an English placement test will be required. If a placement test is necessary, please call the MHSRC at 358-9282 or send an e-mail message to mhsrc2@gmail.com to schedule an appointment to take a placement test in April or May.
Primarily designed for ninth graders, but suitable for advanced eighth graders, this class will cover all key elements of a high school English course: vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, composition and literature.
Keyboarding skills and access to a PC and printer are essential.
Course Objectives
--A thorough review of introductory grammar principles and a systematic study of advanced vocabulary, along with reading comprehension exercises designed to strengthen critical reading skills.
--Appreciation of short stories, poetry, plays, essays and novels. Identification of basic literary elements and terms; beginning skills in interpretation, comparison, and analysis of literary works will be covered.
--Composition of descriptive, narrative, and expository essays, creative writing responses to literature.
This course will be taught at the college preparatory/ honors level, although extra independent reading will be required of those who want to receive the additional credit for an honors course. Parents may contact the instructor for individual student accommodations.
Honors English II – World Literature – Betsy Montgomery, Instructor
Prerequisites: English I or its academic equivalent is required. Students will be expected to have a confident grasp of basic grammar and essay composition principles. A placement test will be required of students who have not completed English I with Mrs. Montgomery. If a placement test is necessary, please call the MHSRC at 358-9282 or send an e-mail message to mhsrc2@gmail.com to schedule an appointment to take a placement test.
Primarily designed for tenth graders, this class is also suitable for advanced ninth graders, or eleventh graders needing review in writing skills. This class will cover all key elements of a high school English course: vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, composition and literature.
Keyboarding skills and access to a PC and printer are essential.
Course Objectives:
--A thorough review of grammar principles, a systematic study of advanced vocabulary, and reading comprehension exercises designed to prepare the student for the college entrance exams in critical reading.
--Appreciation of short stories, poetry, plays, essays and novels, as well as a formal study of literary modes, devices and rhetorical strategies.
--Composition of expository, persuasive and analytical papers, some creative responses to literature. Primarily, however, this class focuses on formal essay writing and a research paper.
This course will be taught at the college preparatory/honors level, although extra independent reading will be required of those who want to receive the credit for an honors course. Parents may contact the instructor for individual student accommodations.
Prerequisites: English I and II, or equivalent coursework, is required. If the student has never taken a language arts course with Mrs. Montgomery, then an English placement test will be required. If a placement test is necessary, please call the MHSRC at 358-9282 or send an e-mail message to mhsrc2@gmail.com to schedule an appointment to take a placement test.
Designed primarily for eleventh graders, but suitable for advanced tenth graders, this academically rigorous course will cover all key elements of a high school English course: vocabulary, grammar, critical reading, composition and literature.
Keyboarding skills and access to a PC and printer are essential.
Course Objectives:
--A systematic study of advanced vocabulary, a thorough review of grammar, and reading comprehension exercises designed to prepare the student for college and entrance exams in writing and critical reading.
--A chronological study of non-fiction and fiction pieces in the American literary tradition. Appreciation of short stories, poetry, plays, essays and novels, as well as identification of literary elements and terms. Some interpretation, comparison, and analysis of literary works will be covered.
--Composing primarily analytical papers in response to literature, this course assumes a solid background in expository writing. The writing portion of this class focuses on analytical and persuasive essay writing, timed essays, and a research paper. Rhetorical devices for effective writing and speech will be studied extensively. During spring semester, students will do business writing, career assessment, job interview training, and introduction to the college application process.
This course will be taught at an honors/AP level, although extra independent reading will be required of those who want to receive the credit for an honors course. Teacher will make recommendations after the first semester to those she feels confident will pass the Advanced Placement Language and Composition exam, if this is a desired path. Parents may contact the instructor for individual student accommodations.
Honors English IV – British Literature - Betsy Montgomery, Instructor
Prerequisites: English III or equivalent coursework is required. A confident knowledge of literary terminology and advanced composition skills will be expected. If the student has never taken a language arts course with Mrs. Montgomery, then an English placement test will be required. If a placement test is necessary, please call the MHSRC at 358-9282 or send an e-mail message to mhsrc2@gmail.com to schedule an appointment to take a placement test.
Designed primarily for twelfth graders, but suitable for advanced eleventh graders, this honors/AP level course will cover all key elements of a high school English course: vocabulary, grammar, composition and literature.
Keyboarding skills and access to a PC and printer are essential.
Course Objectives:
--A systematic study of advanced vocabulary, a thorough grammar review, and an in-depth study of literary terminology and rhetorical strategies.
-- A chronological study of non-fiction and fiction pieces in the British literary tradition. Appreciation and analysis of short stories, poetry, plays, essays and novels from British literary tradition, as well as investigation of author background and historical influence on literature, will be emphasized.
--Review of creative, persuasive and analytical writing principles, a college application project in the fall assists student in preparing for college admissions; during the spring semester, a unit of journalism will also be covered. Research paper writing skills will be assumed.
This course will be taught at the honors/AP level, although extra independent reading will be required of those who want to receive the credit for an honors course. Teacher will make recommendations after the first semester to those she feels confident will pass the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition exam, if this is a desired path.
Parents may contact the instructor for individual student accommodations.
Creative Writing - Betsy Montgomery, Instructor
Course description coming soon.
Communication Studies – Betsy Montgomery, Instructor (Second Semester 2012-2013)
Recommended for tenth-twelfth graders as an academic elective in language arts, the course is one-half credit and will meet twice weekly during the spring semester. No honors option is available for elective courses.
This course seeks to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of interpersonal communication, small group dynamics, and public speaking. Students will investigate topics of interest and present them in class. The goal of the class is to improve the students’ personal communication skills and to make public speaking a fun and non-threatening idea. This course will be especially helpful for those aspiring to leadership positions or careers in ministry, teaching, or business.
Methods of evaluation: regular attendance and active participation in class, completion of reading and homework, quizzes and tests, outlines and speeches and in-class projects.
Students will also need notebook paper, index cards, and a notebook or folder to keep materials in an orderly fashion.
Prerequisite: Some expository and research writing experience is helpful.
Textbooks: Sound Speech: Public Speaking and Communication Studies for Christian Schools,
BJU Press, 2002. ISBN #1-57924-620-6. (This book costs about $21.50 Call BJU Press at 1-800-845-5731).
How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.
A classic book on communication success. ISBN #0-671-02703-4.
SAT Preparatory Workshop – Betsy Montgomery and Katherine Schilling, Instructors (2012-2013) fall and spring semesters)
Prerequisites: English I or equivalent, Algebra I and Geometry
Recommended for tenth-twelfth graders as test preparation, or as an academic elective in language arts, the course is offered twice a year and will meet for six Fridays during the both the fall and spring semesters. No honors option is available for elective courses.
Review of material that will be covered on all three components of the PSAT and SAT exams is the primary goal of this course. Test taking strategies will also be covered. Students may attend as a workshop only, or may take the class as a one-half credit course. To earn the .5 credit for taking this class on a pass/fail grading scale, students must:
--Pay an additional $30 fee, $15 additional to each teacher.
--Sign up for both the English and Math sections of this course and attend all 6 weeks of the course. (No make-up classes will be provided.)
--Be responsible for completing all homework assigned. Homework will include practice problems assigned from The Official College Board SAT Study Guide and/or handouts provided by the teacher. Parents will be responsible for oversight of homework hours completed.
--Complete all in-class assignments and participate willingly in class activities.
--Students must sign up for and take the College Board SAT Reasoning Test. A printed test ticket must be provided
for the course evaluation to be completed.
--70 hours of coursework completed:
12 hours of Language arts review class
9 hours of math class
4 hours of SAT test administration
50 hours of home study (5 days per week, 1.5 hours per day, 6 weeks = 45 hours)
A certificate signed by both Mrs. Montgomery and Mrs. Schilling will be awarded when requirements are met, including parent-verification of homework hours completed.
Textbook: Students will need to purchase a book for this class, whether seeking course credit or not. Book title: The Official SAT Study Guide, CollegeBoard. ISBN-13: 978-0-87447-852-5. The 2009 edition has a bright, light blue and green cover. Cost: approximately $21.99 at Barnes and Noble (less with your educator's discount). Students must have this version of the book for the first day of class, as well as a supply of lined notebook paper, a straight edge, pencils or pens, and a calculator (preferably graphing, but at least scientific, TI-83 or 84 or higher is preferred).
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