English Courses at EXCEL Boarding Schools with Therapy
English I - The focus of the first semester is familiarity with the writing process. We begin with sentence structure, basic paragraphs and short compositions. Each student keeps a writer's journal and vocabulary notebook, which are checked weekly. The second semester is devoted to grammar, usage and the mechanics of English. This includes an overview of the basics of punctuation, vocabulary, and spelling.
English II - The writing process is reviewed in the first semester. Students write compositions with a focus on expository and persuasive writing and explore the history and development of the English language. They keep a writer's journal notebook. The second semester reviews basic grammar and usage and spends time on the correct usage of verbs, modifiers and analogies. Writing business letters is also a part of this semester's work.
English III - The writing process is again reviewed, but the focus is on specific types of writing such as critical reviews, literary analyses, and a twenty-page research paper. Second semester grammar and usage are reviewed with a concentration on phrases, clauses and proper sentence structure. Students are also required to keep a writer's journal and a vocabulary notebook where they must enter a minimum of one new word each day. Good test-taking and study skills are also reviewed in the second semester. This curriculum includes preparation for the ACT and SAT.
English IV - The concentration in the first semester is a thirty-page, typed research paper that follows the accepted guidelines for writing such a paper. This includes thesis statements, outline, footnotes, bibliography, appendices, and the correct use of resources and references. Second semester focus on a general review of grammar and usage, completing forms, writing business letters, effective diction and mechanics of the English language. Students also construct a visual display showing the main ideas in their research paper. They also keep a writer's journal and a vocabulary notebook. This curriculum includes preparation for the ACT and SAT.