Grade level: 11–12 

Prerequisite: None

 

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: CAHSEE English is designed to assist students in preparation for passing the English portion of the California High School Exit Exam. Students will learn test-taking strategies that will increase their performance on the exam. Students must pass this exam in order to graduate from high school. Regular attendance is required.  

 

Major Projects/Assignments: None

Approximate homework assigned daily: None

 

Graduation Requirement: Elective Credit

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: None

 

Grade Level: 9

 

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: None 

 

Course Description: ACCESS prepares students to successfully navigate the demands of high school curricula. This course is organized around units of study that provide students with multiple opportunities to practice and master reading and study skills that are applied across content areas. In addition to such units of instruction, students learn from guest speakers, develop public speaking skills, take college fieldtrips, and explore possible vocational paths.  

 

Major Projects/Assignments: Curriculum focuses on practicing reading skills and their application to writing and speaking assessments across content areas.

Approximate homework assigned daily: Homework is rare; students are encouraged to focus on the homework for their core classes.

 

Graduation Requirement: Elective Credit

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: None

 

Grade Level: 10 

 

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: None 

 

Course Description: ACCESS prepares students to successfully navigate the demands of high school curricula. This course is organized around units of study that provide students with multiple opportunities to practice and master reading and study skills that are applied across content areas. Each student will learn about his/her learning style and apply those strengths as study skills to their classes. Every week a goal is set, a plan put into action. At the end of the week, the goal is assessed. Students will also be responsible for one outside reading book per month. In addition to such units of instruction, students learn from guest speakers, have the opportunity to be reading buddies to students at a local elementary school, and to explore possible vocational paths.  

 

Major Projects/Assignments: Curriculum focuses on practicing reading skills and their application to writing and speaking assessments across content areas.

Approximate homework assigned daily: Homework is rare; students are encouraged to focus on the homework for their core classes.

 

Graduation Requirement: Elective Credit

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: None

 

Grade level: 9

 

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: Reading Comprehension: Identify and evaluate the author's main purpose and the strategies the author uses to achieve that purpose. Writing Skills: Literary Response and Analysis Vocabulary: know and use academic language, contextual and roots-based vocabulary to succeed when reading, writing and taking tests.

 

Course Description: First semester, students will begin with numerous short stories from The Language of Literature published by McDougal Littell. Students will then read Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and excerpts of The Odyssey by Homer. In the spring, students will also read Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Second semester, expository essays are a strong focus. 

Throughout the year, a strong emphasis is placed on participation in class, discussion and public speaking.  

There is also an outside reading component for each classroom; the exact assignment and page requirements vary slightly from teacher to teacher.

 

 Major Projects/Assignments: Expository essays, response to literature, biographical/autobiographical essay, projects related to the major works of literature and the district assessment

Approximate homework assigned daily: 30 min. – 1 hour

 

Graduation Requirement: English

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: b

 

Grade level: 9 

Prerequisite: Students are recommended to have a strong A or B in their 8th grade English class; have strong reading and writing skills; and have a strong background in grammar, syntax vocabulary. Students must also complete the summer reading assignment for AS students. 

 

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: Students must have strong reading and writing skills, as well as a firm background in grade-appropriate grammar, syntax and vocabulary. Students must also complete the English AS summer reading assignment by the first week of class. 

 

Course Description: First semester, students will read The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles in its entirety. They will also read Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya and numerous short stories from the anthology, The Language of Literature, published by McDougal Littell. Students in English 1-2 AS are required to read extensively outside of class -- at least 1000 pages per semester -- in addition to the required core works. Advanced grammar and vocabulary skills will be modeled and practiced. Students respond to literature and other topics using a variety of writing genres: assigned essays include expository, persuasive and literary analysis and criticism. During the second semester, students will read Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and a novel selected by the course teacher. Other short stories and poems from the anthology will also be read. A research paper is also a strong focus. Throughout the year, emphasis is placed on participation in class development of effective discussion and public speaking skills. Major Projects/Assignments: Essays, research paper, literature-based group and individual projects.

Approximate homework assigned daily: 1 – 2 hours 

Graduation Requirement: English

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: b

 

Grade level: 10  

Prerequisite: No official prerequisite, as per open-enrollment policy.  

 

Suggested Course Preparation: Students are recommended to have a strong A or B in English1-2; have strong reading and writing skills, along with a strong background in grammar, syntax and MLA style rules. Students must also complete the summer reading assignment for AS students, which includes Catcher in the Rye by Salinger.

 

Course Description: During the first semester, students will read Lord of the Flies by William Golding. They will also read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and numerous short stories from the anthology, The Language of Literature published by McDougal Littell. Students in English 3-4 AS are required to read extensively outside of class in addition to the required core works. Students will write for a variety of purposes: to analyze reading selections, to persuade, and to express original ideas. During the second semester, students will read Macbeth and a novel selected by the course teacher. Other short stories and poems from the anthology will also be read. Also during the second semester, a research project is a strong focus. Throughout the year, a strong emphasis is placed on participation in class discussion and public speaking. 

 Major Projects/Assignments: Persuasive essay, character analysis, formal literature response, research

paper, persuasive essay, and literature analysis

Approximate homework assigned daily: 45 minutes - 1 hour

 

Graduation Requirement: English

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: b

Grade Level: 11 

 

Prerequisite: Completion of English 3-4.. Students must complete the summer reading assignment.

Suggested Course Preparation: a grade of A or B in a sophomore English class Reading: Students should read independently and critically so that they can bring insight to class discussions, to writing assignments, and to future readings. Writing: Students should write essays that defend a complex thesis and contain thoughtful commentary. Writing should be free of grammatical and mechanical errors.

 

Course Description: American Individualism and the American Dream   English 5H and 6H continue to prepare students for the AP examinations and advanced placements studies in English. In the fall, the students will study the American character as it appears in American expression. They will read such titles as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, “Civil Disobedience” and East of Eden. They will also study related American essays and non-fiction works.   In the spring, the students will continue to study the American experience in such books as Beloved, The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman. Students will study rhetorical strategies and

American poetry.

 

Major Projects/Assignments: American Culture Project: In English 5H, the students will conduct a semester-long research study of a self-selected topic in American culture, culminating in an essay and a multi-media presentation.  

Approximate homework assigned daily: 1 hour  

Graduation Requirement: English

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: b

Grade level: 12 

 

Prerequisite: Enrolling students should have successfully completed English 5-6 (CP or Honors). Students should also be fluent and competent in reading and writing skills, analytical comprehension in reading and writing, as well as developed strategies in each. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and presentations.

 

Course Description: Students will engage in fiction and non-fiction reading and writing, demonstrating abilities in analytical processing through lectures, readings, class discussions, written assignments, and projects. Students will complete projects in both semesters, which is discussed in the major projects/assignments section. Students will write narrative, creative, précis, expository, persuasive and research essays. The Hero in World Literature and Modern Man in the Absurd World are themes students will explore through the school year in the following texts: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Hamlet, Oedipus Trilogy, Metamorphosis, Brave New World, 1984, The Stranger, and Their Eyes are Watching God. 

 

 

Major Projects/Assignments: Students will engage in writing essays on books, articles, and concepts discussed in class. Students will keep a reflective journal that addresses conceptual questions, and free writes on topical issues and current events. As stated in course description, students will complete and participate in the Fall Senior Resume Project that includes: an updated resume, a business letter of application, and a senior essay for college. Students will complete, in the spring semester, a project on a contemporary issue in today’s world. This project will include a lengthy research paper and a Power Point presentation. Each student will present his/her project at the end of the semester. Students will be responsible for writing a cohesive reflective essay touching on all of the presentations. 

Approximate homework assigned daily: 60 minutes

 

Graduation Requirement: English

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: b

 

Grade Level: 12 

Prerequisite: Passing grade in Honors or Junior English 5-6.

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: Enrolling students should have successful completion of Honors English 5-6, with a grade of “B” or better.

 

Course Description: Senior AP English Literature prepares students to take the Advanced Placement exam in May. This course is organized around units of study that explore questions such as “Who am I/Whose am I?” During these units, students read a range of literary texts from different genres, all of which are appropriate to college-level classes. All texts demand college-level reading abilities and close reading during which the students are expected to annotate and take notes on texts.  

 

Analytical reading of all literary texts is essential to success in this class.

 

All units culminate in expository essays, which students learn to write both for college as well as for the AP exam in the spring. In addition to such required texts as Hamlet, Oedipus The King, Antigone, Crime and Punishment, and Heart of Darkness, students read three novels they choose themselves during each semester. All students who enroll must take the AP Literature exam in the spring.

 

Major Projects/Assignments: In-class and process essays assessed with the AP Rubric.

Approximate homework assigned daily: 1-2 hours a night, 5 days a week

 

Graduation Requirement: English

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: b

 

Grade Level: 10-12

Suggested Course Preparation: None

Course Description: Public speaking students will acquire skills necessary for the planning, rehearsing, and delivering oral presentations that reflect a clear purpose. Students will also develop the ability to evaluate a speech based on the speaker’s ethos. Students will also learn strategies for improving vocal and physical expression.   The public speaking class is designed to help students overcome speech anxiety so that they can address any group of people in any setting.

 

Major Projects/Assignments: Three major speeches (introduction, informative, demonstration, persuasion, debate, group discussion, panel presentation, oral interpretation of literature).   Some speeches require a technology component. 

Approximate homework assigned daily: 30 minutes

 

Graduation Requirement: Elective 

UC/CSU a– g: Requirement: g

 

Grade Level: 9-12

 

Prerequisite: A strong desire to produce an outstanding photo journalistic product, strong computer skills, and, in most instances, a “B” or higher in English classes. Freshmen must be recommended by their 8th grade English or yearbook teacher. Sophomore, junior and senior students must apply for and be interviewed and approved by the Publications advisor and yearbook staff for enrollment in this class.

Suggested Course Preparation: see above description.

 

Course Description: 

The primary activity of the students in this class is to produce the Burlingame High School Yearbook, PANTHER TRACKS. This activity includes the planning of sections and pages in our annual; the scheduling, shooting and preparation of yearbook photographs; the writing and editing of copy; the production of cover designs and other artwork; and the submission of all materials to the publisher via the Internet. The production of PANTHER TRACKS involves the use of sophisticated desktop publishing programs and photography processing software. Class members meet daily but are also expected to be available to work during lunchtime and after school when demands and deadlines make it necessary. 

Publications can be repeated up to eight semesters for elective credit.

 

Grade Level: 10-12

 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of the Instructor

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: Critical reading and writing skills, knowledge of current events, and social skills.

This introductory course in journalism is designed to equip students with basic journalism skills. Heavy emphasis is placed on writing and on the ability to work independently. (Students with difficulties in English are not advised to take this course.) In the first semester, students learn how to write news stories, feature stories, sports stories, editorials, and headlines. Students learn about the rudiments of page makeup, newspaper style, copy reading and proofreading. During the second semester, emphasis is placed on  page editing and learning Quark XPress. The students study student and commercial newspapers, as well as magazine and television journalism. Qualified students write stories and plan page layout for the student newspaper, THE BURLINGAME B.

 

Major Projects/Assignments: Producing the school newspaper: writing articles, analyzing newspapers,

discussing current events, keeping a portfolio, learning to page edit and design layout.

Approximate homework assigned daily: Varies according to deadline dates, some after-school time

required.

Graduation Requirement: Elective

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: g

 

Grade Level: 10-12

 

Prerequisite:  Journalism 1-2 and recommendation of the Instructor.

Suggested Course Preparation/Critical Skills: Successful completion of Journalism 1-2, strong writing and designing skills, knowledge of current events, and leadership skills.

 

Students enrolled in this course are assigned to THE BURLINGAME B staff. The B staff publishes an eight-to-sixteen page printed newspaper six to seven times during the year. Students begin as reporters and work up to higher positions such as page editors and editor-in-chief. Since this newspaper is student run, students are expected to follow journalism ethics and standards. Students may take Advanced Journalism more than once for credit.

 

Major Projects/Assignments: Page editing, article writing, and producing the school newspaper.

Approximate homework assigned daily: Varies depending on the needs of the newspaper, after-school

commitment at deadline time (crunch week).

 

Graduation Requirement: Elective

UC/CSU a-g Requirement: g