English

Our mission is to teach interesting and meaningful lessons everyday for all students. Our curriculum is designed to empower students to read critically, write compellingly, think logically, and solve problems creatively so that they can be successful adults.  

When students choose to attend college, enter the workforce, or enlist in the military, they will be ready with the essential knowledge and skills to excel in life.   

Please contact us for a course syllabus that provides details on our state standards, our tutoring hours, classroom policies, grading guidelines, etc.  

Students need four years of English coursework to graduate, so we ask for assistance to monitor your student’s grades and attendance. Progress reports are issued every three weeks and report cards are sent out at the end of the semester. Please review these formal notices for behavior reports and information about your student’s academic growth.  

We look forward to working with you and your student. Go Hornets!  

Dear Parents/Guardians,

A central goal of our English courses is to develop and maintain a reading habit in the lives of all our students. Reading is a foundational skill for leading a fulfilling and literate life. There are a number of reasons why students should become avid readers: 

• They become better writers with stronger skills in fluency, vocabulary, idea development, and sentence structure. 
• Literacy opens doors to higher education and beyond, preparing students for the intellectual demands of adulthood.
• There are financial benefits because the more you learn the more you earn.
• Arms oneself against oppression because knowledge is power.

All in all, reading is a rewarding experience for any lifelong learner.

One way we try to get the right books into our students’ hands is to grant them access to our classroom mini-libraries, which contain texts of all levels and genres. Research shows that a wide variety of available books is a major motivating factor in getting teens to read. 

We want you to know that we are attuned to having appropriate reading material in our curriculum and classroom mini-libraries. We understand that what is considered “appropriate” may vary from one parent/guardian to another. Some may see the value in reading a book that delves into sensitive topics while others might disagree.

Please be assured that our intention is to inform students and you of any texts we teach that may include sensitive topics. However, if there is a class novel or story we teach directly or a book your child selects from our classroom mini-libraries that you have concerns about, please let us know. There are alternate titles for you and your child to explore in our school and community public library. 

We look forward to working together to capture the pleasure and passion of reading. Your support is appreciated!

Sincerely,

The English Teachers of East Central High School

Adapted from “180 Days” by Penny Kittle & Kelly Gallagher