English | Fine Arts | Foreign Language | History | Math | Performing Arts | Science | Religion
2008 Summer Reading & Foreign Language Assignments

Curriculum

English Department

Simply put, the philosophy of the English department is to provide students a meaningful experience with literature and language. Classes must be dynamic and student-centered. Writing is extensive at all levels. All communication skills are taught and refined. The reading list is mostly classic in nature, though electives and independent projects offer a student the chance to develop his or her own readings. The curriculum in the first two years establishes a firm grounding in all grammar, punctuation and sentence construction principles and practice, while also presenting literature by genre. The eleventh grade course design places writing and American literature at its center and includes extensive prep for standardized tests. Senior year offers an elective program based on themes for the first half of the year. During the second half, students are immersed in writing courses (journalism, screen writing, creative writing) or elect a self-designed tutorial that allows them to do intensive reading. In this eight-week period, students meet with a faculty mentor, a member of the department or other faculty and discuss the various readings. All seniors finish their Blair careers with a 10-week public speaking course. This course includes two school-wide contests and provides a significant opportunity for students to write and speak to a greater audience. The senior program is designed to foster independence and intellectual ownership of the course material. Honors courses are offered during the tenth through twelfth years, and AP Language and AP Literature are popular and challenging upper school options. The School also hosts a biennial poetry festival, sponsored by the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Association and the Dodge Foundation.

The Edyth Jeffrey Shakespeare Prize is awarded to the student most proficient in Shakespeare studies. This prize was established by Dr. Alan Jeffrey, parent of Aron ’94, in 2004 in memory of his mother to support an annual prize. The prize is awarded to a Blair Academy student based on an essay related to the work of William Shakespeare; the prize will support the study of Shakespeare in the curriculum. The corresponding winning essays are published here.

return to top