English

For a full list of English classes available to LHS students, please click here to get to the course catalog.

NOTE: Teachers may vary depending on how many sections there are of each class.

Course Name:  College Prep Journalism 1

Teacher:  Mrs. DeWinkeleer

• Open to grades 9-12.
• May be used as a senior English for grade 12, but it is an elective for grades 9, 10 & 11. 
• This is a full-year class.
• Once you have taken J1, you can apply to be an editor in journalism 2 then continue taking journalism 3 & 4.

When you take Journalism 1 as a class, you are automatically a reporter, an important staff member of the award-winning print and online news publication The Lancer Spirit.

What the class is like: As a reporter, you will learn how to interview sources and how to write a variety of articles: news, features, sports, opinion, reviews, etc.

Get published & produce multimedia content: Plus, since we have both an online AND print version of the publication, you will not only be able to produce written work, but also multimedia elements like photo galleries, podcasts, videos, social media posts, etc.  You’ll also learn how to write for and design the magazine as well, using programs like InDesign, Photoshop, Canva, etc.

We run Mr. LHS: The Lancer Spirit also runs Mr. LHS, so as a reporter, you will get the chance to help with this much-loved LHS tradition!

Awards: Lancer Spirit Online was awarded a Silver Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) in 2022. The Lancer Spirit has also been recognized as an “All New England” top publication by the New England Scholastic Press Association (NESPA) for the past several years. CSPA and NESPA have also recognized individual students for their articles, and these awards are proudly displayed in room 411.

Please see Mrs. DeWinkeleer or any Lancer Spirit staff member in room 411 with questions. To see what The Lancer Spirit is all about, click on www.lancerspiritonline.com.

AP English classes are FULL-YEAR classes and require summer reading.

Course Name: AP English Language and Composition

Teacher: Mrs. Giguere

This course focuses on college level work and teaches you to deconstruct arguments and rhetorical strategies in mostly non-fiction works.  You will learn to maximize your argument and/or effectiveness across different forms; you can expect a wide variety of writing.  In short, you will read a range of materials and focus on making your writing effective and clear.  The skills you learn in this class are broadly applicable to not only the humanities, but the social sciences as well.

Course Name: AP English Literature

Teacher: Mrs. Wooding

This reading intensive course focuses on college level work and teaches you to read and analyze works of literature with different lenses.  You will work to discover a work’s theme or intent, as opposed to analyzing its argument or effectiveness.  Your essays for class will be mainly analytical and you will be expected to use literary devices as evidence.

*Students in AP Classes are strongly encouraged to participate in the Advanced Placement examination administered by the College Board in May.

Course Name: CP Sophomore Humanities

Teacher: Mrs. Jarzabek & Mrs. Borgatti 

Sophomore Humanities– an alternative for sophomores that blends your U.S. History and English requirements together in one project-based class.

If you enjoy discussion, art, music, drama, and group projects this is the class for you.

All classes listed below are ONE-SEMESTER classes and worth .5 credits.

Seniors: You will need to select TWO of these classes to fulfill your English credit for senior year.

Dual Enrollment college courses are offered for college and high school credit through SNHU and LHS for a fee.  All courses are aligned with SNHU requirements.

Course Name: CP Public Speaking 

Teachers: Mrs. Standbridge

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

“Most importantly, I overcame my biggest fear and proved to myself that I could do something that I once thought was impossible.” – Julia K.

​Approximately 75% of the population suffers from speech anxiety, the fear of public speaking. You are not alone! Come develop the tools and skills that you need to overcome this fear and become a better, more confident, and effective speaker. This is THE class that every student should take before leaving high school!​

Course Name: Honors College Composition

Teacher: Mrs. McCabe

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

All first-year college students must take a College Composition class. Why not take it in high school? Not only will the class help to refine your skills for college-level thinking and writing, but it may also save you money! Come be a part of a writing community that will ensure you are ready for college while learning more about who you are as a writer.

What former students have said about this class:

“This class enabled me to be passionate about what I’m writing, and the better part is, I got to read other’s works on their own passions. I learned that there is strength in having a voice, as well as to take time and revise, and listen to feedback.” (N.S.)

“To write was a long and grueling process for me and I hated it…I took this class so I could improve my writing skills and be a better writer. However, the endless drafts, peer reviews, and discussions of writing elements made me realize that I was never a bad writer. I just had a terrible writing process. “ (N.W. )

Course Name: Honors Creative Writing

Teacher: Mrs. Shank

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

“For me, receiving an assignment with no guidelines that simply said “write,” was terrifying. I was used to strict instructions and harsh guidelines when it came to writing…the lack of rules has become my favorite thing about creative writing. I have been able to write freely, out of my comfort zone, and with no restrictions.”  (H.H.)

“I was finally able to release the part of me that would rather live in a fantasy-thank you for that opportunity…I absolutely loved the freedom we were given to expand our individual imaginations. It taught me how to listen to my own ideas for stories…this course was really just a great outlet for stories I had had in my head since I first started attending the school.” (S.M.)

Do you want an amazing opportunity to finally write freely the stories you have always wanted to tell?  HCW will give you that and more! This class exposes students to the craft of creative writing as well as in-depth personal revision. We move at a great pace, with lots of freedom, but still fulfilling the high expectations of an honors course.

Course Name: Contemporary Literature

Teacher: Ms. Hoffman

Course Level: CP

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

Description: Are you tired of reading books written by dead guys? In this course, we read NEW books written by living authors! We’ll discuss what it means to be a teenager in America today as we read memoir, slam poetry, current news, and young adult fiction. Discover books and authors you enjoy and take good reading habits into your future!

Course Name: World Literature

Teacher: Ms. Hoffman

Course Level: CP

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

Description: Are you a budding world traveler? Start exploring without leaving the classroom as we read NEW works of literature from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Build an understanding of other cultures and new ways of life as you write your travel bucket list!

Course Name: The Art of Storytelling

Teacher: Ms. Hoffman

Course Level: Practical

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

English isn’t just about reading and writing! In this class, we’ll explore different forms of creative expression. This might mean you tell a story through film or podcast, or it might mean you perform a spoken word or movement-based poem. This class gives you the opportunity to express yourself in ways that are authentic to you. Come tell your story!

Course Name: CP Writing Workshop

Teacher: English teacher may vary

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

This course is designed for students who desire to express their ideas and feelings creatively and analytically through disciplined writing.  Emphasis will be placed on developing previously learned skills.  Students will improve their writing through peer conferencing, editing, and student/teacher evaluation.

Course Name: Honors Writing Workshop

Teacher: English teacher may vary

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

This course is designed for students already proficient in writing who wish to extend their proficiency through advanced styles of creative and analytical writing. They will improve their writing skills through peer conferencing, editing, and self-evaluation.  Recommendation of current instructor is required.

Course Name: Dramatic Literature

Teacher: English teacher may vary

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

This course will look at many popular musicals and plays on Broadway. How does a show get into a theatre, what is the business of show business?  What about local regional theatre? How could a show like BRING IT ON have 36 previews before opening? What is a preview? Can I actually understand opera? Great performances, lots to learn and enjoy.

Course Name: Classic Film 

Teacher: Mr. Brand

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

In this course, you will watch movies and write about relevant themes. It’s an English class for kids that don’t like to read, or students that love movies.

Course Name: CP Women in Literature

Teacher: Mrs. Shank

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

“I really enjoyed starting my day off with this class. I was able to learn a lot about literature, and it was a small class so I was able to get to know everyone. I loved how we could be honest and open with each other and then bond over common experiences. My eyes were opened to the fact that we all have stories to share, burdens to bear, and advice to give. We honestly had a blast! (B.N.)

“Take this class!  It’s nice to talk about real-life situations and connect with girls you wouldn’t normally befriend. I learned a lot about myself and life in general. Trust me-you won’t regret it.”(O.S.)

Have you wanted an opportunity to connect with other ladies on a different level? Do you have an interest in current events? Want to engage in round table discussion about literature that you can relate to?  Try this course out…the atmosphere and curriculum is unique and one that will leave a lasting impression.

Course Name: Media Literacy and the Digital Age (Practical and College Prep levels available)

Teacher: English teachers may vary

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

Students develop media literacy skills through discussions, projects, and critical thinking to understand the motivation behind the messages constructed by media. The focus will be on how these messages impact the way we communicate, interpret the world around us, and what puts our privacy at risk in today’s digital age.

Course Name: CP Science Fiction 

Teacher: Mr. Demas & other English teachers who may vary

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

Are UFO’s real? Did you know the first documented alien abduction happened in NH? Who or what built the pyramids? How does everyone know vampires can be killed with a wooden stake – it isn’t taught in school. These questions, and classic works you will refer to in college papers again and again, are all a part of this college prep course. C’mon in.

Course Name: Science Fiction Experience

Teacher: English teachers may vary

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

This course is designed to stimulate the imagination through reading, writing, and investigation of science-fiction phenomena.

Course Name: Sports Journalism

Teacher: Mr. Brand

Note: This class qualifies as a general elective only.

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

Discuss current events, read Friday Night Lights, and watch a sample of some of the best sports films ever made.

Students will write a letter to a sports figure, conduct interviews for stories, and cover an event if time allows.

Female students welcome!

If you hate sports and hate to read & write, this might not be the best class for you…

Course Name: Reading for Success

Teacher: Mrs. Downing 

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

Course Description: Do you like to read but have no time?  Would you like more voice and choice in your education? Did you know that reading for pleasure is one of the biggest influencers in academic achievement?  Join us in this new elective where you can relax, read and talk about a good books that you choose!

Course Name: College Prep Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Teacher: Mrs. Giguere

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

Course Description: This college prep, one-semester elective is open to juniors and seniors who are interested in furthering their depth of knowledge of the Holocaust and other modern-day genocides.  Students will use interdisciplinary approaches to analyze case studies of genocide to better understand what genocide is, and to build their own definition and concept of this complex topic.  Guests lecturers as well as Holocaust and genocide survivors affiliated with the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies will be part of the student experience.

Course Name: Writing Out Loud 

Teacher: English teacher may vary

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

This one semester course is a practical level hands-on class where students produce content to be published in The Lancer Spirit. Specific activities and assignments are created to meet the needs of the specific students in the class.  Students will have the opportunity to express themselves in written, oral, digital and/or artistic forms and work toward a shared goal of producing content to be published.  Students will have the opportunity to be creative in what they produce and the medium in which they produce to evaluate sources and information.

Students will need perseverance to work through obstacles they may encounter as they learn new skills, technology, etc., will be encouraged to feel ownership of the content they produce, will be provided numerous ways to practice what they have learned and reflect on their work to find ways to keep improving.  Students will be engaged citizens by selecting topics to cover that are relevant to them, and to cover events, issues and people in the Londonderry community.

Course Name: Children’s Literature 

Teacher: English teacher may vary

This semester class is open to grades 11 & 12

In this one semester course, students will examine popular works of children’s literature to examine world-building and narrative structure, historical context, and the value of escapism for children.