Assabet ValleyRegional Technical High School

Freshman students

• read mythology, includingThe Odyssey
• study the structure of short stories
• analyze poetry
• read and performA Raisin in the Sun
• readThe House on Mango Street
• review grammar concepts
• prepare for the MCAS test
• learn basic research techniques

Sophomore students

• read novels, likeHatchetandTo Kill a Mockingbird
• continue to read and analyze short stories and poetry
• read and perform Shakespeare'sJulius Caesar
• continue to study grammar concepts
• prepare for the MCAS test, administered in the spring
• learn more advanced research techniques

Junior students

• focus on American Literature
• study the history and background of the Salem Witch Trials, often while reading and analyzingThe Crucible
• read and analyze Native American poetry
• read and analyze classic and contemporary American novels, short stories, plays, and poetry
• review research techniques; choose a topic and devise a thesis for a research paper; research, using print and non-print sources; follow the MLA rules for proper citation andbibliographyformat; and write a cohesive, thesis-based researchpaper of five or more pages
• prepare to take the Accuplacer test
• have the opportunity to take the AP English Language Composition course and exam if they meet the prerequisites

Senior students

• focus on British Literature
• prepare the written portion of the Senior Project
• read and analyze ancient texts such asBeowulfand "The Wanderer"
• read and analyze Middle English texts such asThe Canterbury Tales,Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,and King Arthur and Camelot tales
• read and perform Shakespearean plays such asMacbethorHamlet
• prepare resumes and cover letters
• practice writing college application essays
• have the opportunity to take theAP English Literature Composition course and exam if they meet the prerequisites

Other Offerings

Students who need additional work to reach grade-level reading skills will be enrolled in Reading A, B, or C.

Students who fail to pass the MCAS as sophomores will be expected to attend MCAS English Preparation, held after school on Wednesdays in B200.

Our department also sponsors a variety of electives, including Creative Writing I and II; Sports Literature; Novel and Film; Journalism, Publications; and Television, the Internet, and You.

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