7th Grade: Perspectives in Composition

In this course, students will learn critical thinking and writing skills in order to analyze, question, and ... Continue Reading]]> Go Back to English Page

7th Grade: Perspectives in Composition

In this course, students will learn critical thinking and writing skills in order to analyze, question, and reconstruct the world around them through writing. We will closely study many different forms of composition, with the intention of producing our own literary creations in response to the text we encounter. This will allow us to gain greater insight into the creative, as well as the mechanics, of good writing. Which will in turn help to inspire us to try new ways of communicating our thoughts and ideas through a variety of writing styles. We will read and write poetry, short stories, prose, memoirs, film and music reviews, as well as essays. Some of the works we may read are Ayn Rand’s Anthem and Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street. Also, in conjunction with the 7th grade Social Studies curriculum, which covers U.S. History from the Civil War to present, we will read literature that reflects the time period. MLA format will be introduced and students will be asked to complete an annotated bibliography of at least two sources and complete a research paper of at least three pages.

8th Grade: Perspectives in Literature

To begin to examine the world in which we live, no matter how large or small our communities may be, we must start by listening. Learning to listen to our own ideas, as well as the ideas of others, will then allow us to begin to write and think critically about the world around us. Collective and independent learning will assist us in our development as critical writers and thinkers. We will Focus the first part of the year on the reading of literary texts that reflect the realities of people from other cultures within a social and historical context. This will help us to gain insight into the lives of these people, and allow us to step outside of our own realities. We will also be taking a close look at how the lives of many of the characters in the literature we read, are profoundly impacted by colonialism, religion and war. The second part of the year will focus on the reading, in conjuncture with the Social Studies 8th grade curriculum which focuses on early world history and religion, works such as The Odyssey, The Book of Job and Shakespeare’s Julius Cesar. Students will be asked to complete an annotated bibliography of at least four sources and complete a research paper of at least 4-6 pages.

English 9-10: World & European Literature

As a survey course that builds on the skill foundation of both 7th & 8th grade “Perspectives of Composition” & “Perspectives of Literature”, this course will use a thematic approach to studying literature from both Europe and around the world. We will start with the oral story telling traditions from a multitude of cultures and then loosely follow the timeline of world literature, from classical Greek mythology all the way to modern times.

Much of our focus will be driven by the philosophy of Reading as a Writer, which asks its participants to collaborate in the reading, reflection, analysis, and exploration of the conventions and elements of literature as an art form. The purpose of this philosophy is to experience, in order to transform the experience into creative genius. The students will use mimicry, apprenticeship, experimentation, and independent thought in order to create their own beginnings for a life long writing practice.

SPECIALIZED COURSES: Half Semester Courses for Juniors

Research requirements at the specialized level include an annotated bibliography of at least 12-15 sources and a research paper of 10-14 pages in MLA format.

1st Semester – Race, Class, and Gender in Literature

In this course, we will read and discuss a variety of literary works and supplemental material that challenges our thinking about race, class, and gender in our personal and budding political lives. Students will exercise their ability to think aloud in discussions and engage their peer’s points of view. Students will ponder how privilege, power, and difference manipulate the world around them and write, write, and write. Some of the topic questions will be assigned, some to be announced. Much of the reading material will be decided upon by the students.

2nd Semester – Philosophy in Literature, and Composition

This course is designed to teach a college level introduction to literary interpretation and analysis, formal and informal essay writing, strategies on how to construct original thought, close reading skills, and an appreciation of literature as an art form. We will engage in daily discussions on a variety of literary and poetic elements and how they are practiced through encounters with the authors and poets we read while emphasizing the importance of “typography” as a “graphic representation of thought”. Melopoeia (the art of forming melody), Phanopoeia (“the throwing of a visual image into the mind”), and Logopoeia (the verbal impact of poetic language) will be our bread and butter amongst other aspects of writing, such as: form, structure, and plot, point of view and narrative perspective, character construction and portrayal, setting, diction, syntax, imagery, symbolism, figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification, and allusion), ironic devices (verbal, situational, dramatic, paradoxical, oxymoron, euphemism, hyperbole), tone, theme, and whatever else comes to the table. Special attention will also be paid to the social, historical, political, and cultural importance or the work we read.

This course is subject to change at any time based on the direction the class takes. Each thematic unit is open enough to encompass a variety of different works and will be dependent on the students to help provide direction.

Senior Poetry/Senior Research Paper Seminar

This course will be divided into two parts and taught by two separate teachers. Half of the course is designed to deepen a student’s knowledge and appreciation of the poetic literary genre. The other half of the course is designed to assist students with both their college essays and the written aspect of their year long research projects.

English Electives: Semester Offerings

1st Semester: The Short Story (7-8)

2nd Semester: Poetry and the Spoken Word (7-8)

1st Semester: Serial Writing (9-12)

This elective focuses on creating a written work of extended length and with common themes. Students will investigate a number of serial creative works from the likes of William Carlos Williams, T.S. Eliot, and Ezra Pound, to name a few, and be asked to read, discuss, investigate, emulate, and draw inspiration from them. Students will also have the chance to bring their own knowledge to the table through personal investigations and presentations of authors they stumble over in the process of finding their own voice. A final manuscript of completed poetry and/or prose is required. Open to all students. 10 student cap.

2nd Semester: Writing for Publication

All poets and writers desire for their voice to be heard and this elective will focus on getting just that. Students will take a look into the literary world of small press publishing, literary journals and magazines, zines, web journals, magazines and newspapers, and much, much more. The students will be encouraged to submit their work to multiple places and write to adhere to specific submission guidelines.

Literary Journal: The Battering Ram (Fall Edition)

This course will create the fall edition of The Battering Ram literary journal. The journal’s main goal is to unite the many different schools in the greater Hudson Valley area through poetry, fiction, art, photography, and all things creative under the sun. It requires creative and self-motivated students who enjoy working in a democratic setting. Students are in charge of the entire publishing process from raising funds to constructing the final layout to be sent to the printers.

Literary Journal: The Battering Ram (Spring Edition)

This elective will create the spring edition of The Battering Ram literary journal.

Brandon Sawhill-Aja, 10th Grader and Student Council President is a man of many talents. In addition to being an actor and singer, he is becoming an ... Continue Reading]]>

Brandon Sawhill-Aja, 10th Grader and Student Council President is a man of many talents. In addition to being an actor and singer, he is becoming an accomplished Photographer as well. He has performed at WDS as Nathan Detroit in “Guys ‘n’ Dolls”, Captain Hook in “The Lost Boys” and the vocal group “Miralante”.

Outside of WDS he is a founding member of New Genesis Youth Theater of Woodstock and West Shokan. His current project is Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” at the Byrdcliffe Theater in Woodstock, NY.

Below you will find some examples of his work:

For a printable registration form, click on the link below:

LAX.Summer.Reg-Form-201314