English Department

The English program, grades 7 through 12, integrates all the language arts strands: reading, writing, speaking, listening, research, grammar usage, and vocabulary study. Evaluation is based on classroom participation, assignments, projects, quizzes, papers, essays, and tests.

Curriculum

7th Grade Literature and Language Arts – This course, an introduction to the major content areas of secondary school English, builds skills in reading, writing, vocabulary, speaking, critical thinking, and language study. It focuses on the history, structure, and vocabulary of literature.

8th Grade Literature and Language Arts – This course expands the major content areas begun in seventh grade, focusing on reading, writing, listening, speaking, critical thinking, and language study. Emphasized are journal writing, character and theme analysis, essay test questions, and formal essays. Literature continues the study from folk tale to modern literature, including the novel The Outsiders and the nonfiction The Diary of Anne Frank.

9th Grade Introduction to Literature and Composition - This course provides a holistic approach to English language and literature. Major units include short stories, novels (To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men), drama (Romeo and Juliet), poetry, study skills, writing, grammar, and independent reading projects (Until They Bring the Streetcars Back and other works of fiction and non-fiction).

10th Grade World Literature and Composition – This course integrates a Media Center research unit and the writing of essays that include personal narrative, literary analysis, and compare and contrast through the study of selected world literature. Literature studied includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Meta-morphosis, Oedipus, and excerpts from The Odyssey.

11th Grade American Literature and Composition- This composition and literature course introduces students to analyzing and evaluating the literature of America through such novels as The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye, Into the Wild, poets such as Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, as well as dramas and a broad collection of non-fiction essays. Students examine the historical context and philosophical foundations of the American literary landscape through readings, class discussions, and formal critical writing. In addition, students write an extensive research paper on an American novel of their choice.

12th Grade British Literature and Composition – Senior English begins with writing college applications and essays. It then examines epic, lyric, and dramatic poetry and literature, in the British tradition. Novels and plays include Frankenstein, 1984, and Hamlet. Proper grammar usage, vocabulary, and writing skills are developed throughout the year.

Advanced Placement and Honors English - The four-year AP/Honors English program gives greater opportunity for individual accomplishment, requires more effort, and penetrates deeper into both the content of literature and the analysis of that content than do the regular English classes. An honors entrance exam is offered in early May for students who demonstrate superior skills in writing, speaking, listening, and reading. If a student is not accepted, he/she may test again in May of the following year, provided that an A average is maintained in the non-honors English course. At the 11th and 12th grade, the Advanced Placement college level courses are offered, and students have the opportunity to take the AP Exam in May for possible college credit.

9th Grade Honors Introduction to Literature and Composition - The first year of the Honors English program provides a holistic study of all major facets of English language and literature. Essay writing and vocabulary building are major components of the language study. Literary studies cover the four major genres of novels, drama, short stories, and poetry. Major works include To Kill a Mockingbird, Black Boy, Romeo and Juliet, and The Chosen.

10th Grade Honors World Literature and Composition - The second year of the Honors English program focuses on world literature, mythology, archetypes, and “the hero’s journey.”  Major works include The Odyssey, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Crime and Punishment, and Our Town. The course includes a personal narrative composition, a media research unit, a compare/contrast essay, and literary analysis and explication.

11th Grade AP Language and Composition/Honors American Literature - This rigorous class includes both composition and American Literature and is comprised of six units: early American, colonialism, nationalism, American Renaissance, industrialization and expansion, and modernism. All periods are studied intensively using a college-level textbook and novels such as The Scarlet Letter and The Great Gatsby. The class is heavily focused on composition: compare/contrast, rhetorical devices and strategies, analysis of writing styles, research paper, and several timed essay writings. Students in this course have the opportunity to take the national Language and Composition Advanced Placement exam in the spring.

12th Grade AP Literature and Composition/Honors British Literature - Within the fourth year of the Honors English program, students will continue rigorous college level studies with a heavy emphasis on British Literature. Major works include Beowulf, excerpts from The Canterbury Tales, Everyman, The Awakening, Things Fall Apart, Macbeth, and A Doll’s House. Other major units include poetry analysis and analytical writing about literature. Timed writing will also be a component of this course. AP English 12 students will have the opportunity to take the national Literature and Composition Advanced Placement exam in the spring. Students may contract for credit through St. Mary's University.

Middle School Electives

Creative Writing - For Middle School students, this elective will introduce the writing process through journal writing as well as the writing of short stories and poetry. Techniques for brainstorming and idea development will be emphasized. One-act plays, internet activities, and descriptive and persuasive writing are some of the assignments that students will explore.

Mass Communications - In this course, Middle School students will be empowered with the tools needed to understand mass media. They will recognize and explore marketing ploys that seek to manipulate consumers. The students in the course will analyze the benefits and drawbacks of various media. Students will use critical thinking skills, prepared speeches to explain and persuade, impromptu speeches in discussion, creative projects, and interactive listening.

Study Skills - This course is designed to support middle school students in attaining academic success. Students will learn and practice reading strategies as well as study skills and strategies.

High School Electives

Creative Writing - For students in grades 10-12, the Creative Writing elective will focus on the writing and creative processes: pre-writing/brainstorming, drafting, and editing/revising. Although the final product is important, emphasis is also placed on how writers arrive at the final product. Large group discussions on topics such as plot conflicts, voice, language usage, and audience, as well as large group editing of students’ works are important in this class. Required assignments include short stories, autobiography, poetry, and plays. Students who are seriously committed to improving their writing and who possess creativity and self-discipline are encouraged to apply for this course.

L. to R. (front) Elizabeth Jaeger, Laurie Fritzinger.  Second row:  Mary Meysenburg, Kevin Kennedy, Doug Phillips.  Standing:  Regina Dow, Julie Anderson, Tiffany Deziel.  Not pictured: Susan Hentges, Jenny Markert.

Yearbook - Students in this course will study and implement basic journalism principles including writing, reporting, photography, composition, and layout and design using current industry desktop publishing software. Students registering for this class will serve as part of the yearbook staff and will gain practical experience, as coursework will be used for publication in The Omega.

Faculty

Julie Anderson received her B.A in English from Concordia College and her M.A. in English from the University of Saint Thomas. She has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 1997. Her favorite book is the Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson.

Tiffany Deziel received her B.A in English from the College of Saint Benedict and her M.A. in Education from Hamline University. She has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 2000. Her favorite book is Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.

Regina Dow received her B.A in English from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and she received her teaching license from the University of St. Thomas. She has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 1989. Her favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Ms. Dow also coaches the Hill-Murray Speech Team and is the advisor for Student Council.

Laurie Fritzinger received her B.A in communication and theatre from the College of Saint Catherine and her M.A. in teaching from the University of Saint Thomas. She has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 2000. Her favorite book is Holes by Louis Sachar. Ms. Fritzinger is also the Junior Class Advisor.

Susan Hentges received her B.A. in English from St. Cloud State University and her M.A. in education from St. Mary's University. She has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 2003. Her favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Elizabeth Jaeger received her B.A from Marquette University and her Post-Bacc. and M.A. in English education from the University of Minnesota. She has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 1998. Her favorite book is Waterlily by Ella Cara Deloria. Mrs. Jaeger is also an advisor for the CARE group.

Kevin Kennedy received his B.A in theatre from Notre Dame and a B.S. and M.A. in English from Saint Cloud State University. He has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 2001. His favorite book is The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.

 Jenny Markert received her B.A in English from the College of Saint Benedict. She has returned to teachingat Hill-Murray after a leave of absence to finish a novel.  Her favorite book is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Mrs. Markert is also the editor of Hill-Murray Happenings.

Mary Meysenburg received her B.A in history and English from the College of St. Mary in Omaha, NE, and she has done graduate work in theology and pastoral studies at St. Thomas. She came to Hill-Murray in 1996, and, after a four-year hiatus in Denver, CO, returned in 2004. Her favorite book is The Capote Reader. Mrs. Meysenburg is also the yearbook advisor.

Doug Phillips received his B.A. in English from the University of Alabama and his M.A. in English from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 2003. His favorite book is Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being.