In Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), literacy launches thriving futures. The PWCS strategic mission emphasizes preparing students to be critical thinkers, responsible digital citizens, innovators, visionaries, and resilient individuals. Guided by evidence-based, student-centered literacy practices, PWCS students develop independent reading, writing, and critical thinking strategies across various content areas. In every class, every day, PWCS students engage in critical reading, writing, speaking, and thinking.
Department Chair
Chelsea Cripps
[email protected]
Staff
| Coleman, Christina [email protected] |
| Cripps, Chelsea [email protected] |
| Ermler, Justin [email protected] |
| Hernandez, Liz [email protected] |
| Hyde, Greg [email protected] |
| Lem, Chris [email protected] |
| Miller, Tess [email protected] |
| Pickhardt, Kristy [email protected] |
| Snyder, Moira [email protected] |
| Stearman, Tori [email protected] |
| Sterne, Lori [email protected] |
| Strakosch, William [email protected] |
| Weinblum, Sam [email protected] |
Advanced Middle Years Programme English 9
Advanced Middle Years Programme (MYP) English 9 prepares students planning to enroll in the IB Sequence of English classes. Students will complete all objectives of English 9 in an accelerated program. Students expand speaking skills by creating presentations from group and individual research. In class studies, emphasis is placed on the reading and analysis of complex texts, and independent reading is expected. Students develop both grammar and vocabulary skills in conjunction with frequent writing in all expository modes. Development of critical analysis and support in thinking and writing are emphasized. This course will incorporate the MYP global contexts, strategies, and assessments. Credits 1
Advanced Middle Years Programme English 10
Advanced Middle Years Programme (MYP) English 10 prepares students planning to enroll in IB English courses in Grades 11 and 12. Students will complete all English 10 objectives through an accelerated program using challenging in-depth readings. Grammar and vocabulary studies are structured to support reading and writing levels. Oral skills are honed in group and individual presentations and discussions. Formal writings are evaluated for close analysis, elaboration of details, and fluid articulation of ideas. This course will incorporate the MYP global contexts, strategies, and assessments. Credits 1
IB English Language and Literature 1 (SL)
In this course, students study a wide range of literary and nonliterary texts in a variety of media. By examining communicative acts across literary form and textual type alongside appropriate secondary readings, students will investigate the nature of language itself and the ways in which it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture. Approaches to study in the course are meant to be wide-ranging and can include literary theory, sociolinguistics, media studies, and critical discourse analysis among others. Students study four works from a representative selection of literary forms, periods, and places. Credits 1
Grades 11
IB English Language and Literature 1 (HL)
In this course, students study a wide range of literary and nonliterary texts in a variety of media. By examining communicative acts across literary form and textual type alongside appropriate secondary readings, students will investigate the nature of language itself and the ways in which it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture. Approaches to study in the course are meant to be wide-ranging and can include literary theory, sociolinguistics, media studies, and critical discourse analysis among others. Students study six works from a representative selection of literary forms, periods, and places. Credits 1
Grades 11
IB English Language and Literature 2 (SL)
In this course, students study a wide range of literary and nonliterary texts in a variety of media. By examining communicative acts across literary form and textual type alongside appropriate secondary readings, students will investigate the nature of language itself and the ways in which it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture. Approaches to study in the course are meant to be wide-ranging and can include literary theory, sociolinguistics, media studies, and critical discourse analysis among others. Students study four works from a representative selection of literary forms, periods, and places. Credits 1
Grades 12
IB English Language and Literature 2 (HL)
In this course, students study a wide range of literary and nonliterary texts in a variety of media. By examining communicative acts across literary form and textual type alongside appropriate secondary readings, students will investigate the nature of language itself and the ways in which it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture. Approaches to study in the course are meant to be wide-ranging and can include literary theory, sociolinguistics, media studies, and critical discourse analysis among others. Students study six works from a representative selection of literary forms, periods, and places. Students submit a 1200-1500 word essay on one of the works or bodies of works studied. Credits 1
Grades 12
English - Standard
In grade 11, students will be enrolled in IB English Langauge and Literature I (HL or SL).
English 9
In ninth grade English, students compare fiction and nonfiction texts, with an emphasis on nonfiction. Students make inferences and draw conclusions using explicit and implied textual evidence and use literary terms to analyze a variety of genres. Students use the structural analysis of roots and affixes to analyze complex words. This course engages students in a recursive writing process, with an emphasis on analysis and persuasion. Students gather, analyze, and evaluate information from diverse sources and cite both quoted and paraphrased information. Students analyze and interpret the motives behind media messages. Students use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in collaborative groups. Credits 1 Grades 9
English 10
In 10th grade English, students compare fiction and nonfiction texts, with an emphasis on nonfiction. Students analyze the cultural and social function and universal themes of fictional texts from different cultures. Students analyze and synthesize information from nonfiction texts. Students use context, structure, and connotations to determine meanings of complex words and phrases. This course engages students in a recursive writing process, with an emphasis on analysis and persuasion while showing relationships among claims, reasons, and evidence from reliable sources. Students create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students use multimodal tools to create presentations both independently and in collaborative groups. Students use research skills to present information gathered from diverse sources, identify misconceptions and possible bias, and credit sources. Credits 1 Grades 10
English 12
In 12 grade English, students critically analyze and evaluate relationships among British literature, history, and other cultures. Students review multiple texts to identify and evaluate resources to make decisions and solve problems. Students use context, structure, and connotations to determine meanings of complex words and phrases. This course engages students in a recursive writing process with an emphasis on persuasion/ argumentation to a standard acceptable to both the workplace and to postsecondary education. Students create media messages and analyze the cause and effect relationships between mass media coverage and public opinion trends. Students produce a research product, such as a multimodal presentation, that addresses alternative perspectives, synthesizes information from primary and secondary sources, and maintains ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information. Credits 1 Grades 12