English

ENGLISH 7: Language Arts and Literary Elements I

Seventh grade English is designed to focus on writing and the analysis of literature while covering grammar, vocabulary, and spelling in depth. Literary studies empower the students to analyze, synthesize, and enjoy multiple genres and to be able to identify the five elements of the story. The writing process is reinforced by developing expository and creative pieces such as short essays, poetry, and personal reflections. Grammar studies include a sequential review of basic concepts, the eight parts of speech and four types of sentences, and an introduction to complex sentences, adjective and adverb clauses, and appositive phrases.

ENGLISH 8: Language Arts and Literary Elements II

Eighth grade English continues the reinforcement of critical thinking skills as well as the sequential mastery of basic grammatical and mechanical skills, including the eight parts of speech. The writing process is reinforced by creative and expository writing exercises. Literary studies thematically explore the responsibilities of personal relationships while reinforcing the recognition of the five basic story elements. In addition to the five basic literary elements, students will study the five steps in the plot and points of view. Poetry terminology is also introduced. Vocabulary and spelling studies continue with words derived from the literary texts.

ENGLISH 9: Introduction to Literary Genres

This course introduces students to works representing a variety of cultures and literary genres: short story, novel, poetry, and drama. Emphasis is on careful and accurate reading and comprehension of the material. Students master vocabulary through vocabulary lists derived from the text. They also continue their study of grammar. Students work on their writing skills through frequent essays and a research paper.

ENGLISH 9 HONORS: Introduction to Literary Genres

This course introduces students to works representing a variety of cultures and literary genres: short story, novel, poetry, and drama. Emphasis is on careful and accurate reading and comprehension of the material. Students master vocabulary and continue their study of grammar. Students work on their writing skills through frequent essays (one every two weeks) and a research paper.

ENGLISH 10: American Literature Survey

This survey of American literature focuses on texts dating from early America to the contemporary periods and on key themes such as the American Dream, Individuality/Alienation, and Coming of Age.  Students read short stories, plays, novels, poems, and other forms of literature and additionally compose analytical essays on texts studied.  This course also includes instruction on grammar, vocabulary, and the research process.  A research paper on immigrants in the United States builds on previous skills of reading and writing, enabling students to engage in independent research and to review the techniques of writing a coherent and honest research paper.

ENGLISH 10 HONORS: American Literature Survey

This chronological survey course in American literature allows the student to see the literary progression of and influences upon American writers from the Puritan age to the contemporary era, and to relate these developments to American history, a course most take concurrently.  Shorter selections and poems are used to teach the necessity of close reading skills, the usefulness of literary terms, and the rigors of critical thinking; longer works enable the students to discuss structure, narrative voice, character development, and image patterns. Discussion and oral interpretation are daily activities.  Vocabulary lessons promote understanding of connotation, denotation, and usage.  Writing continues to be a major focus, with most emphasis placed on critical analysis of works read, although students may write creatively in imitation of or in homage to the writers.  A research paper builds on previous skills of reading and writing and also enables students to engage in independent research and to review the techniques of writing a coherent and honest research paper.

 

Mrs. Gildow's class

ENGLISH 11: Survey of British Literature

This survey of British Literature is a chronological study of works drawn from the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romantic, Victorian, Modern, and Contemporary periods. The primary emphasis in the study of literature is to encourage students’ critical thinking, speaking, and writing skills. A secondary emphasis is to trace the development of the British literary tradition as it reflects social shifts and historical events. Students analyze the differences between oral and written literature, develop their knowledge and understanding of literary terms, engage in close reading, and continue to develop their research and critical writing skills through a variety of papers. Vocabulary helps to refine the students' reading, writing, and oral skills, as do discussions and oral interpretations. Primary emphasis is placed on oral discussion through literary analysis.  College writing requirements are addressed through both out-of-class papers and timed in-class essays demanding the use of research, argument, comparison/contrast, character sketch, and cause and effect. Grammar and style topics are reviewed and taught as needed, based on students' writing needs.

ENGLISH 11 HONORS: Survey of British Literature (Pre-AP)

This course is a comprehensive survey tracing the development of the British literary tradition as it reflects social, cultural, and historical shifts. Works are organized chronologically and represent the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romantic, Victorian, Modern, and Contemporary periods. The primary emphasis is on enabling students to develop critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills on a more advanced level. Students entering the course are expected to possess above-average reading, writing, and speaking skills, which are further refined through daily practice and frequent, challenging assignments. Most days, students sharpen their analytical skills by engaging in oral discussions of assigned readings. In-class (timed) and out-of-class essay assignments focus on literary analysis demanding the use of close reading, definition, comparison/contrast, argument, character sketch, and causal analysis. Students also complete at least one research project. This class is a precursor to the 12^th grade AP class in English Literature and Composition; as such, the assignment schedule is rigorous.

Kat Barr teaches 7th and 9th grades

ENGLISH 12: World Literature

This course is a comprehensive survey of World Literature focusing on various cultures in context. Students will consider literature from a wide range of cultures originating in Europe, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East. The primary emphasis is to enable the students to develop critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills and to understand the relevance of cultures from all over the world. Students will trace the enduring presence in contemporary culture of the texts that they study. Another goal is to show the relevance of great writers of the past to the thinking of today's students. Expository writing skills are further developed through the writing of out-of-class analysis papers, as well as in-class essays. College writing requirements are also addressed through both out-of-class papers and timed in-class essays demanding the use of argument, comparison/contrast, character sketch, and cause and effect. Grammatical skills are included as needed based on students' writing needs. Primary emphasis is placed on oral discussion and students' questions through close reading and analysis of the literature read.

ADVANCED ENGLISH 12: World Literature

This course is a comprehensive survey of World Literature focusing on various cultures in context. Students will consider the literatures of a wide range of cultures originating in Europe, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East. The primary emphasis is to enable the students to develop critical thinking, writing, and speaking skills and to understand the relevance of cultures from all over the world. Students will trace the enduring presence in contemporary culture of the texts that they study. Another goal is to show the relevance of great writers of the past to the thinking of today's students. Expository writing skills are further developed through the writing of out-of-class analysis papers, as well as in-class essays. College writing requirements are also addressed through both out-of-class papers and timed in-class essays demanding the use of argument, comparison/contrast, character sketch, and cause and effect. Grammatical skills are included as needed based on students' writing needs. Primary emphasis is placed on oral discussion and students' questions through close reading and analysis of the literature read.

Ms. Lawler with her seniors

AP ENGLISH As an AP course, this is a rigorous college-level course. The reading is challenging; the writing is frequent and requires an independent mind. Every day students will talk about writing and literature. In class discussions, students will address structure, style, diction, imagery, symbolism, metaphor, motif, tone, theme, syntax, and more. They will learn how these literary elements make a work unique. Course participants will be reading from an intensive and extensive reading list including works by British writers, American writers, and writers from all over the world. Students will read drama, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry from both the past and the present. Class discussions of literature will emphasize the social, cultural, and historical values a work reflects and embodies. Students will also learn about literary criticism and how to look at literature through different lenses, internalizing and making their own connections.

English Electives

ELECTIVE: Creative Writing

This class will function as the organizer of Kaleidoscope, a student generated creative magazine. Together with the other English classes, student work will be collected and published in this springtime publication. This is a one-semester course.

Crafting written material requires a combination of imagination and skill. With an eye on each of these, students will exercise free play of mind while trying to gain precision, clarity, and freshness in their writing. Course participants will pay close attention to arrangement, voice, and originality while experimenting with different genres and forms. Most classes will be in workshop form. This means students must bring to each discussion the utmost respect for each others writing as they work together through the revision process to sharpen their written art. Students will be expected to maintain a daily journal, participate actively, and produce a portfolio of six pages for a final grade. Students will also write one three-page, critical paper, and give a presentation on the techniques and peculiarities of the craft of an author.

ELECTIVE: Journalism

Crafting a work of nonfiction requires a blending of imagination, skill, and attention to detail. As in fiction workshops, students in this class will be asked to write stories from everyday life, to construct vivid scenes and gripping dialogue, and to create characters that resonate with detail and depth. During the semester, students will pay close attention to form, voice, and originality while experimenting with various forms. Our main focus will be to publish Griers own newspaper, the Green and Gold. This is a one-semester course.

ELECTIVE: Philosophy

This course introduces participants to the major questions of philosophy, drawn from areas including metaphysics, epistemology (theory of knowledge), ethics, logic, politics, religion, and aesthetics. Students exercise careful, critical thinking skills to explore others and their own responses to the eternal questions philosophy poses.

ELECTIVE: Women's Studies

This course introduces participants to the fundamental questions of Women's Studies in particular and Gender Studies in general. Students will take an interdisciplinary look at topics related to biology, psychology, sociology, history, economics, art and literature, and media/popular culture. Success in this course requires active, engaged participation and careful, critical thinking. Assessment will be based on informed contribution to class discussion; short, frequent written responses; and larger, long-term projects.

Kara Lawler is currently the English Department Chair at Grier. She spent a few years as the Assistant Director of Admissions; however, she returned full-time to the classroom after her son was born in 2009. She now teaches world literature in both 12th grade Honors English and 12th grade AP English. Kara majored in English with a minor in International Politics at The Pennsylvania State University. In conjunction with her coursework, Kara studied abroad in a concentrated British Literature program at The University of Manchester, England. Kara has her Master's of Arts in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. She has also completed graduate work at LaSalle University and Oxford University, England. Before coming to Grier, Kara taught in Virginia Beach, Virginia at Cape Henry Collegiate School and in the Virginia Beach Public Schools. She also spent a year at St. Leo the Great School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania as the school's Director of Development and English teacher. A native of Alexandria, Pennsylvania, Kara moved back to this area in August of 2006, as her husband, Mike Peachey, was attending The Pennsylvania State University, and Kara was anxious to come to Grier! Mike has since completed his program in civil engineering and they have decided to stay in the area. Kara married Mike in 2002, and they had their first child, Matt Lawler Peachey, on July 22, 2009. They also have a Golden Retriever, Cedar. Kara, Mike, Matt, and Cedar live on campus in Campbell Cottage.

Kathryn Barr is the 8^th and 9^th grade English teacher and also teaches a journalism elective. She is a 2007 graduate of Lock Haven University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education English. During the summer of her junior year of college, she studied Shakespeare in London, and developed a love o f travel and theatre. Katt grew up in a rural portion of central Pennsylvania near Huntingdon. She comes from a very large family that is spread out in the state of Pennsylvania. She can always be found with a book in her bag, and she is thrilled to be teaching at Grier.

Josie Gildow teaches all 11th grade English, 11th grade Honors English, Philosophy and Women's Studies electives at Grier. Josie earned a BA in English along with minors in Spanish and Theatre from The Pennsylvania State University's Schreyer Honors College. After college, Josie worked as a content manager for a web consulting firm, and then began her teaching career at John Hanson Middle School in Waldorf, Maryland. She returned to Penn State to earn a Master's degree in English while teaching English 15 for five semesters. Josie then spent a year interning in the State College Area School District as she completed a Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She then spent two years at State College Area High school teaching English 10, Advanced English 10, and Honors Advanced English 10. A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Josie now considers Central PA her home. She came to Grier in September of 2007. She lives in Phillipsburg with her husband, Nick, a math teacher in State College, and two eccentric tortoise-shell cats: Hester and Hypatia.

Jennifer Neely joined Grier School’s English department in 2007 and currently teaches part-time as the honors and college preparatory American literature instructor to tenth grade students. In the fall of 2009, Jennifer assumed the position as Assistant Director of Admissions and has since been named Associate Director of Admissions. Jennifer is currently studying at The Pennsylvania State University and plans to complete her M.Ed. in 2011 with certification as a Reading Specialist. She also majored in secondary education with a focus in English literature at The Pennsylvania State University and completed her final year of undergraduate work as part of the Professional Development School, a year-long teaching internship in State College, PA. After completing her initial university studies, Jennifer worked in the Philadelphia Public School system as an English teacher in the Creative and Performing Arts Academy at Strawberry Mansion High School. Jennifer returned to central Pennsylvania following her July 2007 wedding to Hollidaysburg native Andrew Neely, a fellow English teacher at Hollidaysburg Area High School. Together, they reside in Hollidaysburg with their cat, Calphurnia, and saint bernard, Scout.

Jessica Lehmann Clark teaches 8th and 10th grade English and Journalism. Jessica was born in a small town outside of Reading, Pennsylvania. Because her mother was a flight attendant, Jessica grew up traveling the world, and she still enjoys visiting new places. She majored in English at Bloomsburg University, but transferred to The Pennsylvania State University at the start of her junior year. Immediately after graduating with her B.A. in English in 2009, Jessica began graduate studies at Penn State University majoring in Curriculum and Instruction. She achieved her M.Ed. in August, 2010. Jessica's one true passion besides teaching is writing. She also enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Dave, and her Australian Shepherd, Penny, and taking long walks around Grier School's campus.