Going Green!

English at Woodstock Acacemy

At the heart of the Woodstock Academy English program is the belief that through the skilled use of language, an individual understands, interprets, enjoys, and in part creates the world. The sequence of English courses at Woodstock Academy augments students’ cultural and functional literacies and strengthens the language arts skills: reading, writing, speaking, critical viewing and critical thinking.

Through literature-based curricula, both English 1 and 2 enhance reading, writing and speaking skills. However, English 2, Sophomore Writing Workshop, emphasizes student writing in various genres. Students continue in English 3, a thematic study of classic and contemporary American literature and its cultural contributions. Seniors must complete at least one credit in English chosen from subject or genre-specific courses. Shakespeare, mythology, science fiction, and poetry name just a few. Additional electives include Creative Writing, Introduction to Theatre, and Theatre Workshop.­ With departmental approval and supervision, seniors may also arrange independent studies in areas of special interest.

What Sets Woodstock Academy English Apart

  • 2 AP Courses – English Literature & Composition and English Language & Composition
  • 2 Early College Experiences Courses through UConn
  • 3 Writing Labs
  • Annual performance of Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA
  • 4 Co-curricular activities – The Centaurion (student newspaper), The Spire (yearbook), From the Deep End (student literary magazine), and Theatre Club
  • Annual theatrical student performances in Bates Auditorium
  • Annual Robertson Essay contest, a competition for seniors, the winner of which receives a monetary prize and the honor of reading his/her essay at graduation.

Post High School Experiences

POST HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCES ENHANCED THROUGH ENGLISH EDUCATION:

  • Broadcasting
  • Business and Retail Industry    
  • Editing and Copy Writing
  • Education                                  
  • Filmmaking and Script
  • Fine Arts
  • Journalism
  • Law and Law Enforcement
  • Political Science
  • Publishing
  • Technical Careers
  • Theater and Dramatic Arts
  • Writing

Benefits of Studying English

BENEFITS OF STUDYING ENGLISH:

Development of writing skills:

  • Effective writing in a variety of forms required beyond high school, including narrative, persuasive, expository and descriptive forms
  • Appropriate use of the English language, mechanics and conventions
  • Knowledge of word processing for writing and revision
  • Effective informal and formal correspondence
  • Use of appropriate format for documentation of research

Development of reading skills:

  • Comprehension of a wide variety of published materials
  • Use of appropriate reading strategies to enhance comprehension
  • Analysis and interpretation of a variety of literary genres
  • Critical judgment of literature in written and oral discourse

Development of appropriate speaking skills:

  • Effective oral presentation of project conclusions, in large and small groups and independently
  • Impromptu and prepared speeches in a variety of settings to a variety of audiences
  • Debating
  • Effective interviewing

Development of critical thinking skills:

  • Questioning as a means of clarifying, understanding and discovering meaning
  • Examination of evidence to validate an assertion
  • Critical viewing of various media, including film and journalism

Development of life skills:

  • Efficient note-taking
  • Research skills, including summarization, sorting, classification and reporting of information
  • Library use
  • Productive work in teams, small groups and large groups
  • Goal-setting
  • Preparation of resume and other workplace readiness skills
  • Career exploration