English

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think." — Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman and novelist

The English department is committed to guiding students to become better thinkers and writers through inquiry-based lessons that offer exposure to classic and contemporary literature, non-fiction, analytical discussion, and quality writing instruction.

In the freshman and sophomore English survey courses students study various short stories, poems, dramas, and novels from a wide range of authors and time periods. They explore how literature of the past and present are connected by universal concepts. These concepts and ideas of past thinkers and writers add to the richness of the human experience.

Book club groups that center on genre-based reading selections also are used to both further develop student’s critical reading and discussion techniques, and to sharpen their analytical and creative writing skills. Language study will include looking at exemplary language usage within various forms of classic and modern writing.

Freshman and sophomore students will not only examine how authors’ lives and times influence the author, but also will examine how the reader's life and times influence his/her perceptions. It is the English department’s goal to help students to appreciate the messages from the past, to adapt those messages to today’s ever-changing world, and to be active, participating contributors to their world.

Classes Offered 

English I
In this course, students learn to apply their understandings of reading and writing processes to a variety of genres including literary (poetry, drama, imaginative stories) and informational (expository and persuasive).   Students will study both classic and contemporary texts with an emphasis on theme development, epic characteristics, creative non-fiction, and the relationships between classic texts and contemporary ideas.  The use of writing and reading notebooks, the development of research questions and source gathering, and frequent opportunities for teamwork and collaboration are also key components of this course.

English I Honors
This course is designed for students who wish to have a more challenging and rigorous English I experience.  In addition to the emphasis areas listed above, English I Pre-AP students will be afforded opportunities to engage in lengthier and more challenging reading and writing experience with more sophisticated levels of instruction and more advanced skill work.

English II
In this course, students learn to apply their understandings of reading and writing processes to a variety of genres including literary (poetry, drama, imaginative stories) and informational (expository and persuasive).   Students will study both classic and contemporary texts with an emphasis on author’s purpose and motivations, archetypal patterns, and critical lenses for text studies.  The use of writing and reading notebooks, the synthesis and presentation of researched ideas, and frequent opportunities for teamwork and collaboration are also key components of this course.

English II Honors
This course is designed for students who wish to have a more challenging and rigorous English II experience.  In addition to the emphasis areas listed above, English II Pre-AP students will be afforded opportunities to engage in lengthier and more challenging reading and writing experience with more sophisticated levels of instruction and more advanced skill work.

Academic Literacy I and II
Academic Literacy is designed for students who need an additional year in focused literacy to ensure success in high school and beyond. This class provides opportunities for classroom extension time and focuses on helping students grow into critical thinkers/readers. Students who fail to receive a satisfactory score on English STAAR/EOC or fall below district criteria may be required to take this course.

Yearbook I and II
Yearbook I and II provides students with an opportunity to create and publish Jasper High School's yearbook. Students in this class take the process from an idea to reality--selecting a theme, photographing school events, interviewing fellow students, creating marketing materials, and organizing sales and distributions of the final product.