The English Department at Covina High strives to inspire an appreciation for literature, to cultivate effective use of language in creative, academic, and day-to-day situations, and to promote the ability to read, write, and think critically. In keeping with the vision of Covina High School and the Covina-Valley Unified School District, the CHS English Department implements standards-based lessons designed to optimize the academic excellence of all students, strengthen our college-going culture, and help close the achievement gap.

Courses Offered

1110/
11102 Composition and Literature I (P) - Grade 9 - UC, CSU Year

This course offers an in-depth study of core literary works. Students will read, analyze, and respond to a variety of genre from American and world literature. Using literature, writing, technology, and work-based/public documents, this course is designed to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and appreciation of language, encourage analysis and critical thinking, and develop and extend speaking, listening, and writing skills as they relate to the English/Language Arts Content Standards.

1280/
12802 Composition and Literature II (P)-Grade10-UC, CSU Year

Prerequisite: Composition and Literature I. Sophomore Standing
This course offers an in-depth study of core literary works in the thematic units "Conflict of Cultures and Values" and "Challenges of Life." The themes will be explored on a personal level in which students read, analyze, and respond to a variety of literary genre. Using literature, writing, technology, and work-based/public documents as the core of the integrated English program, this course is designed to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and appreciation of language, encourage analysis and critical thinking, and develop and extend speaking, listening and writing skills as they relate to the English/Language Arts Content Standards.

1860 Composition and Literature I (H) - Grade 9 - UC, CSU Year

Prerequisite: Instructor and counselor approval.
This course is designed to provide differentiated learning and enrichment through depth, complexity, novelty, and acceleration, while adhering to the freshman college prep course description. This will be achieved through critical observation and analysis; objective, rational problem solving; and creativity and invention. This course is intended to provide the advanced student with opportunities to function at increasingly complex levels of thinking and production, and to assume greater responsibility for his or her own learning. While this course is not a prerequisite to enrollment in AP English, it is designed to prepare students for that level of work.

1870 Composition and Literature II (H) - Grade 10 - UC, CSU Year

Prerequisite: Instructor and counselor approval.
This course is designed to provide differentiated learning and enrichment through depth, complexity, novelty and acceleration, while adhering to the sophomore college prep course description. This will be achieved through intensive critical observation and analysis; objective, rational problem-solving; creativity and invention. This course is intended to provide the advanced student with opportunities to function at increasingly complex levels of thinking and production, and to assume greater responsibility for his or her own learning. While this course is not a prerequisite to enrollment in AP English, it is designed to prepare students for that level of work.

1290 Composition and Literature III (P) - Grade 11 - UC, CSU Year

Prerequisite: Composition and Literature II. Junior Standing
This course offers an in-depth study of core literary works from American literature that focuses on the colonial period to the present. Students read, analyze, and respond to a variety of literary genre. Through extensive discussion and group work, students develop a background in their literary and cultural heritage. Using literature, writing, technology, and work based/public documents as the core of the integrated English program, this course is designed to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and appreciation of language, encourage analysis and critical thinking, and develop and extend speaking, listening and writing skills as they relate to the English/Language Arts Content Standards.

1570 Composition and Literature IV (P) - Grade 12 - UC, CSU Year

Prerequisite: Composition and Literature III. Senior Standing.
This course offers a literature-based study of rhetorical elements which contribute to the effectiveness of written, spoken, and electronic communication. It focuses upon the themes of "Good and Evil" and "The Individual and Society". Students will compile portfolios which will demonstrate completion of the required tasks and acquisition of the designed writing competencies.

1571 Expository Reading and Writing Grade 11,12 - UC, CSU Year

Prerequisite: Composition and Literature III. Senior Standing.
This course consists of a template that organizes and guides 14 course modules and is composed of a sequence of integrated reading and writing experiences, beginning with pre-reading activities, moving into reading and post-reading activities, and continuing through informal and formal writing assignments.

1910 Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition (H) - Grades 11, 12 - UC, CSU Year

Prerequisite: Instructor/counselor approval.
This course trains students to examine linguistic and rhetorical conventions through examples of literature that range from the Greek classics to the late 20th Century. During the course of the year, students study various modes of discourse related to a particular topic, period, and theme and will also develop some of the same flexibility in their own writing. This understanding is measured by the complexity and depth, not necessarily the quantity, of the student's oral and written expression. Students may expect to be prepared, at the conclusion of this course, to take with confidence the Advanced Placement Examination in the field of Language and Composition. (Fee for AP Exam TBA)

1920 Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition (H) - Grades 11, 12 Year

Prerequisite: Instructor/counselor approval.
This course is primarily concerned with understanding and responding analytically to works of recognized literary merit which reflect cultural and ethnic diversity. This understanding is measured by the complexity and depth, not necessarily the quantity, of the student's oral and written expression. Students may expect to be prepared, at the conclusion of this course, to take with confidence the Advanced Placement examination in the field of Literature and Composition. (Fee for AP Exam TBA.)

1590 Literacy Enhancement Year

This course offers an opportunity for students to become lifelong readers. Students will learn strategies to increase comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, and motivation.

1997 HSEE Prep ELA 2 – Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Year

Prerequisite: Instructor/counselor approval.
Students will improve their reading and writing skills. Specifically, students will improve their reading comprehension skills and will master the five-paragraph essay. In addition, students will review and master the key elements of the California Content Standards in language arts as they relate to the HSEE.

17009 Introduction to Theater Arts (P) - Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Year

This course introduces students to all aspects of theatre, acting, stage techniques, and the functional roles of the actor, director, and stage support personnel. All aspects of theatre arts are introduced, including make-up, set design, and crew and performance skills. A history of theatre will be included in the course work through the reading of plays from different historical periods. This course is a CTE course of study, Arts, Media, and Entertainment Industry Sector as an "introductory" course.

1710 Play Production - Grades 10, 11, 12 - UC, CSU Year

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Introduction to Theater Arts and instructor approval.
This course concentrates on refining acting and stagecraft skills. Emphasis will be on character analysis and interpretation. Play Production differs from Introduction to Theatre Arts in that it requires students to become totally involved in all aspects of producing a play. With permission of the drama instructor, this course may be taken more than once for elective credit to develop advanced skills. May be repeated for credit.

1820 Yearbook - Grades 10, 11, 12 Year

Prerequisite: Good English and typing skills. Instructor approval.
Students enrolled in Yearbook shall have attained at least a 10th grade standing and demonstrated basic skills in typing, or exhibited artistic skills needed in Yearbook production to the satisfaction of the instructor. Students must have the skills required to express themselves clearly and creatively. Elective credit only.

The following courses are designed for English Language Learners (ELL) students only:

1068 ELL Tutoring- Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Year

Prerequisite: Teacher or Counselor recommendation.
Students enrolled in ELL Tutoring are provided with additional resources to support English Language Development and improve necessary study skills to be successful in their regular course work. Students will receive elective credit for this course. (may be repeated for credit)

1069  ELD IA – Beginning English Language Development - Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Year
1070  ELD IB – Beginning English Language Development - Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Counselor placement. These courses are designed to provide ELLs with the skills identified in the California ELD Standards that are needed to progress to the intermediate state of ELD. Completion of 1069 provides elective credit. Completion of 1070 provides English credit. These courses must be taken simultaneously.

1071 ELD IIA - Intermediate English Language Development—Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Year

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Early Intermediate Level of the ELD Standards or counselor placement. These courses are designed to provide ELLs with the skills identified in the California ELD Standards that are needed to progress to the Early Advanced stage of ELD. Completion of 1071 provides elective credit. Completion of 1072 provides English credit. These courses must be taken simultaneously.

1078 ELD III – English Language Development - Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Year

Prerequisite: Completion of ELD II and California English Language Development Test (CELDT) proficiency level of Early Advanced (EA) or higher. Concurrent enrollment in grade-level composition/literature course. This course is designed to provide ELLS with the skills identified in the CELDT to progress to Fluent English Proficiency (FEP). This course provides elective credit.

The following courses are designed for students identified through the I.E.P. process:

Courses bearing the 01, 02, or 03 designation in the course title will be held to the same content and standards of excellence as courses without this designation. Students enrolled in these courses may receive instructional and testing accommodations and/or ASL to meet special needs as defined in Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.

1115 01 Composition and Literature I (P) – Grade 9 Year

This course offers an in-depth study of core literary works. Students will read, analyze, and respond to a variety of genre from American and world literature. Using literature, writing, technology, and work-based/public documents, this course is designed to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and appreciation of language, encourage analysis and critical thinking, and develop and extend speaking, listening, and writing skills as they relate to the English/Language Arts Content Standards.

1285 01 Composition and Literature II (P)- Grade 10 Year

This course offers an in-depth study of core literary works in the thematic units "Conflict of Cultures and Values" and "Challenges of Life." The themes will be explored on a personal level in which students read, analyze, and respond to a variety of literary genre. Using literature, writing, technology, and work-based/public documents as the core of the integrated English program, this course is designed to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and appreciation of language, encourage analysis and critical thinking, and develop and extend speaking, listening and writing skills as they relate to the English/Language Arts Content Standards.

1295 01 Composition and Literature III (P) - Grade 11 Year

This course offers an in-depth study of core literary works from American literature that focuses on the colonial period to the present. Students read, analyze, and respond to a variety of literary genre. Through extensive discussion and group work, students develop a background in their literary and cultural heritage. Using literature, writing, technology, and work-based/public documents as the core of the integrated English program, this course is designed to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and appreciation of language, encourage analysis and critical thinking, and develop and extend speaking, listening and writing skills as they relate to the English/Language Arts Content Standards.

1573 01 Composition and Literature IV (P) – Grade 12 Year

This course offers an in-depth literature-based study of literary works from British literature covering a period of time from roughly 500 AD to the present. Using literature, writing, and technology as the core of the integrated English program, this course is designed to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and appreciation of language, encourage analysis and critical thinking, and develop and extend speaking, listening, and writing skills as they relate to the English/Language Arts Content standards.

1118 English Essentials I - Grades 9,10 Year

This course offers a targeted study of core 9-10th grade California State Standard through the use of accessible content. Students will be given access to the core curriculum and will read, analyze and respond to a variety of literary genre with teacher support. This course is designed to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and usage of language, encourage critical thinking and develop and extend speaking, listening, comprehension and writing skills. The goal of this course is to help students close the achievement gap and advance into an A-G accredited course while achieving individualized transitional goals.

1287 English Essentials II - Grades 10, 11, 12 Year

This course offers a targeted study of core 9-10th grade California State Standard through the use of accessible content. Students will be given access to the core curriculum and will read, analyze and respond to a variety of literary genre with teacher support. This course is designed to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and usage of language, encourage critical thinking and develop and extend speaking, listening, comprehension and writing skills. The goal of this course is to help students close the achievement gap and advance into an A-G accredited course while achieving individualized academic and transition goals.

1298 English Essentials III - Grades 11, 12 Year

This is a diploma bound course offering an in-depth study of core literary works from American/British literature. Students read, analyze, and respond to a variety of literary genre. Through discussion and group work, students develop a background in their literary and cultural heritage. Using literature, writing, technology, and work-based/public documents as the core of the integrated English program, to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and use of language, encourage analysis and critical thinking, and develop and extend speaking, listening and writing skills as they relate to the English/Language Arts Content Standards.

1578 English Essentials IV – Grades 11, 12 Year

This is a diploma bound course offering an in-depth study of core literary works from American/British literature. Students read, analyze, and respond to a variety of literary genre. Through discussion and group work, students develop a background in their literary and cultural heritage. Using literature, writing, technology, and work-based/public documents as the core of the integrated English program, to develop and reinforce literary concepts, enhance knowledge and use of language, encourage analysis and critical thinking, and develop and extend speaking, listening and writing skills as they relate to the English/Language Arts Content Standards.

1975 Applied Reading and Writing - Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Year

This four-year course emphasizes the development and practical application of basic reading and writing skills as they relate to effective independent daily functions in the home and in the community.