High School ELA

Literacy Vision

Wicomico County Public School’s literacy instruction is relevant, purposeful, and explicitly taught with high expectations for all students. Each student is provided the opportunity to develop foundational skills, build knowledge and vocabulary through interacting with complex texts, and engage in evidence-based writing to become lifelong readers, writers, and communicators.

High School Reading Curriculum Overview

Grades 9-12

Students will develop literacy skills through the integration of reading, writing, listening, speaking, language, and vocabulary.  Instruction is aligned to Maryland’s College and Career Readiness Standards.  Each quarter, students will read a variety of literary texts (such as novels, short stories, poetry, etc.) and a variety of information texts (such as: articles, autobiographies, websites, etc.).  Students will write argumentative, informational, and narrative pieces.  Program implementation involves direct, explicit instruction of reading and writing skills and strategies.

We are currently using two research-proven intervention programs in Middle School and High School. The programs are Read 180 and Achieve 3000.  

Grades 9-10: English, Accelerated English, Honors
Grade 11-2: English, Honors, AP
Text: StudySync
Units of Study: Each unit is centered around an Essential Question(s).

Grade 9: English, Accelerated English 9

  • Unit 1 Title: Divided We Fall

  • Essential Question: Why do we feel the need to belong?

  • Unit 2 Title: The Call to Adventure

  • Essential Question: What will you learn on your journey?

  • Unit 3 Title: Declaring Your Genius

  • Essential Question: How do you define intelligence?

  • Unit 4 Title: The Art of Disguise

  • Essential Question: How do we perform for different audiences?

Grade 10: English and Accelerated English 10

  • Unit 1 Title: The Power of Communication

  • Essential Question: Why do words matter?

  • Unit 2 Title: Moving Forward

  • Essential Question: How does culture influence your goals?

  • Unit 3 Title: The Persistence of Memories

  • Essential Question: How does the past impact the future?

  • Unit 4 Title: The Ties That Bind

  • Essential Question: What brings us back to one another?

Grade 11: English and Honors English 11

  • Unit 1 Title: Breaking Away

  • Essential Question: How does independence define the American spirit?

  • Unit 2 Title: The Highway

  • Essential Question: How do journeys influence perspective?

  • Unit 3 Title: No Strangers Here

  • Essential Question: How does place shape the individual?

  • Unit 4 Title: Living the Dream

  • Essential Question: What does home mean to you?

Grade 12: English and Honors English 12

  • Unit 1 Title: What’s Next?

  • Essential Question: How can we transform the future?

  • Unit 2 Title: Uncovering Truth

  • Essential Question: How do challenges cause us to reveal our true selves?

  • Unit 3 Title: Fractured Selves

  • Essential Question: What causes individuals to feel alienated?

  • Unit 4 Title: Times of Transition

  • Essential Question: How are we shaped by change?

Approved Novel List for HS English
Curriculum Documents

Resource Links

Writing Contests