Dr. Tom Trengove

The ACT Corporation recently released the average composite ACT scores for high schools across the country, and for the second straight year, Lemont High School has the opportunity to celebrate a record-setting performance by its students. The Class of 2010 posted an average composite ACT score of 22.7, the best in school history. Read More

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Home > Academics > Academic Departments > Humanities

Humanities Department

Lemont High School's Humanities Department includes both English and Foreign Language.

English

While providing fair, constructive and critical assessments of students’ work, the Lemont High School English Department believes students should develop the following characteristics:
• Competence in language skills commensurate with ability
• Understanding of significant concepts and ideas pertinent to successful oral and written language use, and to successful reading and interpretation of texts
• Appreciation for written and spoken discourse and their various subordinate elements
• Competence in the utilization of higher order thinking skills as they relate to various language studies, especially synthesis, analysis, interpretation and problem solving
• Competence in digital learning

Courses offered within the English curriculum help students develop competence in oral and written language skills, which leads to successful reading and interpretation of literature. Additionally, students learn to utilize higher order thinking skills, specifically synthesis, analysis, interpretation and problem solving.

Based on their abilities and course level, students shall:
• Express themselves accurately and clearly in written and spoken discourse that is holistic, authentic and varied
• Interpret and evaluate written and spoken discourse
• Utilize published and non-published materials in a research process
• Identify various cultures expressed in literature and explain their influence on literature
• Work cooperatively and successfully in group settings

Grading Standards: Student grades are determined based on their performance in composition, classroom participation and on the final examination. Teachers have the option of accepting or not accepting unexcused late assignments with an appropriate penalty, and may also provide extra credit opportunities. Students enrolled in an Honors English course must attend four Great Books sessions, which are held either before or after school, throughout the course of the year, and are assessed on their participation in these sessions.

Foreign Language

The Lemont High School Foreign Language Department believes that students should develop the following characteristics:
• Proficiency in writing and speaking skills
• Increasing ability in reading and listening skills
• Recognition and use of the structure and style of the language
• Understanding of the culture and civilization

Courses offered within the Foreign Language curriculum help students develop competence in oral and written language skills and learn to utilize higher order thinking skills, specifically synthesis, analysis, interpretation and problem solving. Additionally, students acquire improved listening skills, recognition of the structure and style of the language, and knowledge of different cultures and civilizations. All courses offered by the Foreign Language Department are appropriate for college-bound students.

Based on their abilities and course level, students shall:
• Recall grammatical conventions, conjugate verbs and work toward word accuracy
• Read, understand and translate written passages
• Communicate through conversation and respond to oral interrogation
• Communicate through written responses to prompts
• Demonstrate understanding of the culture and civilization

Grading Standards: Student grades are determined by their performance on homework and examinations, as well as communicative proficiency. Students enrolled in third- or fourth-year courses are given honors credit; those students enrolled in the highest level of a language may have the opportunity to earn college credit.