Please click on this link to find out about summer reading:
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 2021
Department Information
The English department believes all engaged citizens need critical literacy skills and to develop lifelong learners. English classes provide students with a deep foundation of writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills. English classes range from focusing on reading and understanding fiction and non-fiction text, conducting original research, and writing and speaking for a variety of audiences. Additionally, there are a number of courses that offer college credit as part of successful course completion through both Advanced Placement tests as well as through dual-credit with Oakton Community College.
The major goals of English classes are that students will engage in critical language practices:
- explore key ideas through ‘all-in,’ democratic classroom discussions.
- acknowledge the dignity of all students, teachers, and community members that belong to our Maine West community.
- read books, stories, and non-fiction that represent all students through ‘mirrors’ in which they see themselves and ‘mirrors’ in which they can see and empathize with others.
- read with understanding and fluency.
- understand the expressed meaning in literature representative of various societies, eras, and ideas.
- write in order to communicate for a variety of purposes.
- write with language control with an understanding of usage and mechanics for various settings and purposes.
- listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.
- use reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills to research and apply information for specific purposes.