by C.J. Wells
Staff Writer
Seniors can take four English classes which consist of Senior Literature and Modern Media, CP English 4, Ap English 4 and Expository Reading and Writing. Each class is based on British literature with the exception of Expository Reading and Writing. CP is the most basic aspect that focuses on the basics of British literature. Senior Literature and Modern Media, also known as SLaMM, focuses on the media aspect. AP English 4 is the advance course that preps students for the AP English exams in spring, while Expository Reading and Writing or E.R.W.C. is a class focused on getting students at college-leveled writing.
Photo by C.J. Wells
SLaMM is a CP level senior class that is directed more towards British literature so seniors read stories from Beowulf to George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. SLaMM uses those as a foundation, but the focus becomes the idea of media, which is the different forms of communication. Students in SLaMM look at how the evolution of stories shape stories today. Stories like Superman and The Avengers are rooted from the story Beowulf and even extend post-modern heroes like DR. Who. This class is aimed at artistic students because it gives students more opportunities to show their creative side. Students have to select this class during registration and have a certain EAP score.
“SLaMM is a bit bordered in its focus,” said English teacher, Scott Ragan. “Especially for students who are artistically oriented because we use a lot of film, culture, and pop culture that ties in with British literature.”
In E.R.W.C., modules about health, juvenile justice and writing are the main focus. E.R.W.C. is a CP level class that benefits students who plan to go to college. It internalize strong writing practices that colleges look for and teaches students how to be persuasive. This class will benefit those who plan to take English 100 when they get into college. Even though its the same level as a college prep class, one will get in with a certain test score. According to Ragan, if students received basic or below basic on the essay portion of the EAP test, they will be placed into this class.
“Expository Reading and Writing, instead of British literature, we read nonfiction text primarily in the E.R.W.C. class” said E.R.W.C. teacher, Amy Hollingsworth. “It has a bad rep because its new, but when you take it it’s going to be very beneficial towards you.”
AP is to prep students for the AP exams taken in spring. AP is similar to the CP British Literature class as far as the text goes, but the main difference between the two curriculums is that AP preps you for exams and moves at a faster paced. AP focuses on the literature and composition so its good for those who enjoy reading and discussing literature.
“If you love reading and literature this is the class for you,” said AP 4 English teacher Amy Futagaki. “The main focus is literature and composition, so you read a lot of literature based work like British and Scandinavian literature.”
“I don’t want students to believe CP English 4 is a less of a class; it’s just a different way to look at the same material,” said Ragan. “Sometimes appeals to students who need a different way to approach things.”
