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Merrol Hyde Magnet School...Home of the Hawks
 

 

 

English Overview

Merrol Hyde Magnet School
English Department Overview

The English/Language Arts program at Merrol Hyde Magnet School follows the Paideia philosophy of Mortimer Adler and therefore focuses on great classical literature as well as student writing and presentation. It is our goal to not only expose students to literature but also to help them in finding their own voices so that they learn to effortlessly communicate their own ideas. Students take advanced honors level classes in their freshmen and sophomore years which are on an AP vertical track leading toward the AP exam in literature during their senior year. Students do have the choice to complete dual enrollment classes through Volunteer State Community College during their junior year. This is an honors level class in which students can gain college credit.
Following the Paideia philosophy of educating the whole child, students will participate in seminars and coached projects. Also they will create an MLA or APA formatted research paper each year, and all classes are rich in SAT vocabulary. Literature for each year is arranged chronologically so that classes build upon each other and incorporate history and philosophy into the study of literature. Students will have a better understanding of the purpose of communication as literature is presented within context rather than as a separate entity. While the content of classes may vary from year to year based upon teacher discretion, the arrangement of courses is as follows:*

9th grade
English I Foundations of Western Civilizations
Through this introduction to such great authors as Plato, Homer, Virgil, and Dante, students will discover the Greek and Roman influences upon modern methods of speaking and writing as well as culture. They will come to understand the effect of the development of Christianity upon the western canon as well as the progression and development of the English language.

10th grade
English II Foundations of British Literature
Students move more deeply into the progression of the English language as they study the development of old and middle English and move on to the modern English of Shakespeare. They also learn of the progression of the English people and gain a greater understanding of the effects of political and social events on literature.

11th grade
English III Foundations of American Literature
Although students will not take the AP exam until their senior year, this class is considered an AP level class, and while students continue to develop SAT vocabulary and test taking skills, the focus shifts towards success on the AP exam in literature. This class is an in-depth look at what makes American literature American. Students will look at the growing pains of our young country through its literature. Students will take sample AP exams and focus on writing technical essays on literary topics.

12th grade
English IV Introduction to 20th century World Literature
Like English III, this class focuses on the AP exam in literature and writing for that exam. In an attempt to better understand our increasingly shrinking world and the new much discussed “globalized economy”, students will survey works from around the world. Translations will be utilized, but also, many students in upper level language classes may take the opportunity to read a classic in its original French or Spanish. Some authors to be studied my include Allende, Joyce, Yeats, Neruda, and Camus. As in English III students will take sample AP exams and focus on writing technical essays on literary topics.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 


Merrol Hyde Magnet School
128 Township Drive
Hendersonville, TN  37075
Tel:  615.264.6543
Fax:  615.264.6546
Email:  ContactUs
Web:  http://www.sumnerschools.org/mhm/