Curriculum Detail

Browse La Salle Academy's Curriculum

English

  • Advanced Placement English III

    This course offers students the opportunity to prepare for the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Examination. The course is intended for Juniors who have developed their writing skills and awareness of style and rhetoric outside a study of imaginative literature. Students’ main concern will be the writing and careful reading of expository prose, although consideration may be given to a few masterworks of British literature. Taught as a seminar, this course will emphasize the study of a variety of texts and a variety of writing tasks. Weekly essays are required. Note: Students in this course must contract to take the Advanced Placement Examination. Prerequisite: 
    Admission into AP English Language 3.1+ is based upon PSAT scores and semester grades. Those students who do not automatically qualify for placement will be given the opportunity to do so through the administration of a supplemental test.

  • Advanced Placement English IV

    This course is one which concentrates on the reading and analysis of literary works and the writing of critical essays. Since it is a college level course, extensive reading is assigned, and this is combined with the intensive, in-class study of works from several genres and periods. The class is presented as a seminar, with the teacher serving as a discus- sion leader. Weekly papers or essays are required. Prerequisite: Approval of department chair based on the attainment of sufficiently high standardized test scores, such as PSAT and Terra Nova, and sufficiently high grades in English. Students in this course must contract to take the Advanced Placement Examination.

  • English I: Literary Types And Composition (.1)

    This course is designed to develop the students’ communication skills through the study of literature, vocabulary, grammar, and composition. The literature includes the study of the literary types: short story, novel, essay, poetry and drama. Grammar and usage will be given a different emphasis on each ability level in order to accommodate the individual student’s need to review conventional rules, a need which will become apparent in his or her errors in written composition. The goals for composition will be the traditional ones: unity, emphasis, and clarity. In all classes frequent exercises in vocabulary study will occur in order to ensure a notable growth in each student’s own vocabulary.

  • English I: Literary Types And Composition (.2B)

    This course is designed to develop the students’ communication skills through the study of literature, vocabulary, grammar, and composition. The literature includes the study of the literary types: short story, novel, essay, poetry and drama. Grammar and usage will be given a different emphasis on each ability level in order to accommodate the individual student’s need to review conventional rules, a need which will become apparent in his or her errors in written composition. The goals for composition will be the traditional ones: unity, emphasis, and clarity. In all classes frequent exercises in vocabulary study will occur in order to ensure a notable growth in each student’s own vocabulary.

  • English I:Literary Types And Composition (.2)

    This course is designed to develop the students’ communication skills through the study of literature, vocabulary, grammar, and composition. The literature includes the study of the literary types: short story, novel, essay, poetry and drama. Grammar and usage will be given a different emphasis on each ability level in order to accommodate the individual student’s need to review conventional rules, a need which will become apparent in his or her errors in written composition. The goals for composition will be the traditional ones: unity, emphasis, and clarity. In all classes frequent exercises in vocabulary study will occur in order to ensure a notable growth in each student’s own vocabulary.

  • English I:Writing Seminar

    This college prep course focuses on reading and writing strategies. It is designed as a writing course to help students with the required skills necessary to begin the study of a world language. Vocabulary building, grammar applications and punctuation rules will be emphasized. In addition to the tools of writing, students will learn the various types of writing which are necessary for success on essays, tests and research papers

  • English II: American Literature And Composition (.2)

    This course is designed to continue the development of communication skills through the study of literature, vocabulary, grammar, and composition. The study of literature will trace the development of American themes and styles. As was true in English I, grammar and usage will be given a different emphasis on each ability level, according to evaluations of the students’ composition work. The study of vocabulary again will have as its chief purpose the development of the student’s own vocabulary. Honors students (.1) must successfully complete a research paper in sophomore year as a requirement for the course.

  • English II: American Literature And Composition (.2b)

    This course is designed to continue the development of communication skills through the study of literature, vocabulary, grammar, and composition. The study of literature will trace the development of American themes and styles. As was true in English I, grammar and usage will be given a different emphasis on each ability level, according to evaluations of the students’ composition work. The study of vocabulary again will have as its chief purpose the development of the student’s own vocabulary. Honors students (.1) must successfully complete a research paper in sophomore year as a requirement for the course.

  • English II:American Literature And Composition (.1)

    This course is designed to continue the development of communication skills through the study of literature, vocabulary, grammar, and composition. The study of literature will trace the development of American themes and styles. As was true in English I, grammar and usage will be given a different emphasis on each ability level, according to evaluations of the students’ composition work. The study of vocabulary again will have as its chief purpose the development of the student’s own vocabulary. Honors students (.1) must successfully complete a research paper in sophomore year as a requirement for the course.

  • English II:Critical Reading And Writing Seminar

    This college prep course provides additional sophomore level reading and writing strategies to enhance students’ language acquisition skills before moving on to their world language requirement. Critical reading and writing in academic contexts will be the primary focus of this course. Attention to grammar and conventions of standard written English will also be emphasized, necessary for strengthening the quality of students’ writing.

  • English III: British Literature And Composition (.1)

    This course is designed to build upon the communication skills developed in English I and II. The study of literature will present a chronological survey of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present. As in other years, the stress given to grammar and usage, composition skills, vocabulary skills and speaking skills will be determined by the perceived needs of the students on each level. For .2 students, the successful completion of a research paper/project is a requirement regardless of the student’s grade in the English course. (.1 students should have completed this requirement in their sophomore year.)

  • English III: British Literature And Composition (.2)

    This course is designed to build upon the communication skills developed in English I and II. The study of literature will present a chronological survey of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present. As in other years, the stress given to grammar and usage, composition skills, vocabulary skills and speaking skills will be determined by the perceived needs of the students on each level. For .2 students, the successful completion of a research paper/project is a requirement regardless of the student’s grade in the English course. (.1 students should have completed this requirement in their sophomore year.)

  • English III: British Literature And Composition (.2b)

    This course is designed to build upon the communication skills developed in English I and II. The study of literature will present a chronological survey of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present. As in other years, the stress given to grammar and usage, composition skills, vocabulary skills and speaking skills will be determined by the perceived needs of the students on each level. For .2 students, the successful completion of a research paper/project is a requirement regardless of the student’s grade in the English course. (.1 students should have completed this requirement in their sophomore year.)

  • English IV: World Literature And Composition (.1)

    The format and design of this course are intended to give the student a grasp, and sense of the entirety, of a limited number of prominent literary works. Selections from ancient literature to twentieth-century master- works are represented. Introductions to the works serve to place them in the context of their historical settings. Literary analysis attempts to draw the student’s attention to techniques and recurrent themes throughout literary history that make some literature ageless. As always, the stress given to grammar and usage, composition skills, vocabulary skills and speaking skills, will be determined by the perceived needs of the students on each level.

  • English IV: World Literature And Composition (.2)

    The format and design of this course are intended to give the student a grasp, and sense of the entirety, of a limited number of prominent literary works. Selections from ancient literature to twentieth-century master- works are represented. Introductions to the works serve to place them in the context of their historical settings. Literary analysis attempts to draw the student’s attention to techniques and recurrent themes throughout literary history that make some literature ageless. As always, the stress given to grammar and usage, composition skills, vocabulary skills and speaking skills, will be determined by the perceived needs of the students on each level.

  • Journalism (.1)

    This full-year elective will provide students an overview of the storied his- tory of journalism, introducing them to basic elements of the craft, including interviewing techniques and researching stories. Students will learn to write news stories, features, editorials, and columns, as well as how to cover sporting events, and theater or musical performances. The course will also introduce students to online journalism, as well as writing for venues such as television, radio, and public relations. Professionals, who make their living in print and broadcast journalism, as well as public relations, will visit the class. Always, an emphasis will be placed on succinct, yet lively writing. As part of the course, students will contribute to the Maroon and White and provide stories and other materials for the school to use — both online and in print.

  • Journalism (.2)

    This full-year elective will provide students an overview of the storied his- tory of journalism, introducing them to basic elements of the craft, including interviewing techniques and researching stories. Students will learn to write news stories, features, editorials, and columns, as well as how to cover sporting events, and theater or musical performances. The course will also introduce students to online journalism, as well as writing for venues such as television, radio, and public relations. Professionals, who make their living in print and broadcast journalism, as well as public relations, will visit the class. Always, an emphasis will be placed on succinct, yet lively writing. As part of the course, students will contribute to the Maroon and White and provide stories and other materials for the school to use — both online and in print.

  • Writing and Rhetoric (.1)

    This course is designed to engage students in honing skills as writers and communicators. The course will further prepare students for writing and speaking in college and in various careers. It will challenge students’ creativity and build empathetic communicators. There will be opportunity for individualized projects based on student interest and future aspirations. Special guest speakers such as local writers, professors, and business professionals will add their expertise to several units. Semester one will culminate in the submission of a written portfolio. Semester two will culminate in several presentations.

  • Writing and Rhetoric (.2)

    This course is designed to engage students in honing skills as writers
    and communicators. The course will further prepare students for writ-
    ing and speaking in college and in various careers. It will challenge students’ creativity and build empathetic communicators. There will be opportunity for individualized projects based on student interest and future aspirations. Special guest speakers such as local writers, professors, and business professionals will add their expertise to several units. Semester one will culminate in the submission of a written portfolio. Semester two will culminate in several presentations.

Faculty

612 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI 02908  Phone: 401-351-7750
La Salle Academy is a high school rich in history and grounded in the person and teachings of Jesus and the Catholic faith, which are core to the school's life and culture. The De La Salle Middle School provides a strong holistic foundation for students to transition into high school. The high school and middle school provide students of diverse ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds, a community to foster growth in the tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle’s ideals of faith, service, and community.