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English

English

WHS English Department Mission Statement

The mission of the English program is to help students use language to facilitate their thinking while learning to understand and respect the ideas of others.  By doing so, they deepen their awareness of themselves and their world.  The department strives to empower students with habits that lead to coherent, critical, and creative thinking.  We believe that participation in this process makes our students’ lives more personally rewarding.

Our students:

  • Understand, analyze, and interpret the ideas found in significant and diverse literary works
  • Express their ideas using all forms of communication
  • Engage in the writing process
  • Appreciate literature

Learning Expectations

English students are expected to be:

Effective communicators who:

  • Formulate clear, logical, and organized arguments using evidence
  • Use a variety of media
  • Apply standard conventions of spoken and written English
  • Listen actively

Critical thinkers and problem solvers who:

  • Develop lifelong intellectual curiosity
  • Demonstrate self-reliance
  • Exhibit creativity
  • Research effectively
  • Analyze literature both in discussion and writing
  • Approach issues with a kaleidoscopic perspective
  • Accept mystery and ambiguity
  • Develop comprehension of literature

Responsible citizens who:

  • Understand and respect themselves
  • Understand and respect difference
  • Make informed choices
  • Work successfully individually and in groups

Efficient users of technology who:

  • Select technology appropriate to their purpose
  • Consider their audience and apply a variety of tools to support clear and effective communication
  • Research on the Internet, finding and recognizing valid sources
  • Critically evaluate information conveyed by various media
  • Use technology to facilitate and enhance the writing process

9-12 English Curriculum Documents

Cheryl Tucker

Teacher ELA, Department Head