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• Grade 9th & 10^th  Grade English - Mrs. Schmit
• The 9^th Grade English Class is currently working on a research unit that will end with a final research paper. The freshmen have chosen their own topics, which gives them the opportunity to learn about something they're already interested in. Chosen topics range from the NFL Draft to genetic engineering to Abraham Lincoln's assassination. After their research papers, we will move on to Romeo and Juliet, a career project, and finish the year out with Greek Mythology.
• The sophomores have been breaking in our new English textbooks this semester with a variety of short stories written by various authors, but we will soon be starting a career planning unit in which they will create resumes and cover letters for a possible career path they have researched. They will use SDMyLife and other sources to determine career aspects such as pay, education/training requirements, and job descriptions. After the career projects, we will do a  study of Julius Caesar in which each class will create a modern adaptation of the drama, and we will finish out the year with John Steinbeck's The Pearl.
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• Junior English - Mrs. Hanten
• Junior English involves the study of American literature - from the beginning of the American tradition through the modern era.    Juniors are currently studying some of the great American authors of the American Romanticism period; some of these authors include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Washington Irving, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Edgar Allan Poe.  In addition to their literature studies, they continue working to improve their vocabulary usage and writing skills throughout the school year.   Daily Oral Language is a part of each class period; students are practicing their proofreading skills which are so important on the Dakota Step and ACT tests.   Juniors are also required to independently read Accelerated Reader novels throughout the school year as part of their class requirements.  After completing the novel they take a computerized test to check their comprehension of the literature.  The students are now using the newest online version of Accelerated Reader at the high school, so the book lists can be accessed on the school web page  (www.grotonarea.com) by using the academics tab and choosing AR book finder.

• Senior English - Mrs. Hanten
• "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  I remember back to my own kindergarten graduation ceremony, when we talked about our future career goal - many of my current seniors may have similar memories.  It seems quite appropriate

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