English Course Descriptions

Choosing a Path for Success

REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

LA 9

This language arts course develops reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing skills. Reading material covers all genres novel, short story, poetry, drama and non-fiction. Readings include: To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies, Romeo and Juliet and portions of the Odyssey.

LA 9

Skills Developed: Literary Analysis, Paragraph and Essay Writing, Basic Knowledge of Grammar and Mechanics, and Presentation Skills.

REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

LA 10

Year long course required for sophomores Combines reading, writing, speaking skills into a integrated study of language arts Major pieces of reading include The Crucible, Of Mice and Men, with poetry, short stories, and nonfiction reading Students will write several formal essays, in-class writing, business letters, etc.

A research presentation on a topic of students’ choosing is the end of the year project

LA 10 Honors

Honors Language Arts 10 provides highly motivated sophomore students with an in-depth study of a wide variety of language skills. The course objectives include the basic tenth grade curriculum and: 1. provision for an in-depth analysis of American literature through more demanding reading assignments; 2. provision for advanced writing skills in both topic and style; 3. development of logical, critical and creative thinking skills as measured through reading, speaking and writing; 4. development of leadership skills; 5. required summer reading.

LA 10 Honors

On a more personal note, tenth grade Language Arts will focus on American Literature. We will be examining the American experience both through the eyes of others writers and literature and our own thoughts and writing as well. As our nation has developed and grown through diversity, we will concentrate on celebrating that diversity by using pieces of writing that touch on the American experience for all people. We all add different perspectives based on who we are and our backgrounds, and we will attempt to create a place of individuality along with common experiences in our curriculum.

LA 10 Honors Summer Reading

LA 10 Honors students read The

Scarlet Letter, Autobiography of

Frederick Douglass, and A House on Mango Street over the summer and complete a summer reading journal.

Students also have a nonfiction reading requirement over the summer as that is a point of emphasis for the class.

Focuses for LA 10 Honors

More Nonfiction Reading More Close Reading Passages Huck Finn and Inherit the Wind are added to the reading list.

More emphasis on rhetorical devices and how they are used.

Focuses for LA 10 Honors

As we are trying to align the honor curriculums, LA 10 Honors will build on skills in LA 9 Honors and we will continue to build skills that will help them be successful in AP Language and Literature.

Students for LA 10 Honors

Students should be motivated and have high abilities in reading and writing.

Students should have done well in LA 9 Honors Students should have a recommendation from their LA 9 teacher if not from honors section.

YEARLONG WRITING COURSES

If you take these classes, you do not have to chose another English class.

Elements of Composition and Literature

Year Long Class 11 th Grade Same curriculum, novels, lesson objectives as Applications of Composition and Literature~ just spread out over a whole academic year.

Elements of Composition and Literature

Focus on: – Argumentative writing, research paper, literary analysis – Read and explore different genres of literature

Elements of Composition and Literature

This class is for 11 th grade students who need a longer time to process and complete the writing process. Students who struggle with grammar concepts and reading comprehension would also be a great fit for this class. We will be breaking down projects, papers and literature into a step by step process, as well as beginning the year with a in depth look into grammatical elements of writing.

AP Language and Composition

Year-long class open to both 11 12 th graders Summer reading and writing before taking the class th Focuses on nonfiction writing and and component required the summer speaking, in-depth analysis of texts, elements of argumentation, intensive research paper and presentation, etc.

AP Language and Composition

Students should be prepared for frequent AP practice tests, extensive writing, and up to 1 hour of homework per night or longer amounts of time on larger projects Students must be motivated, independent learners to be successful in this class

An agreement form must be signed by both parents and students

AP Literature and Composition

SEMESTER WRITING CLASSES

If you take these classes, you MUST choose another semester literature elective to make a full year of English.

Applications of Composition

Writing isn't just writing! It's thinking, reading, and writing to gain confidence and ability in communication with a variety of audiences. Students will learn to master the writing process, and will be writing and revising papers constantly while extending and refining their arguments, thinking, and organizational skills.

Applications of Composition

Applications of Composition Includes: The Argumentative Essay The Research Essay The Literary Analysis ACT Prep And More

12

th

Grade Composition and Literature

Rhetorical Analysis and Logic: – Students will analyze the effectiveness of an opinion/editorial text for method of development, logical appeals, and rhetorical style.

12

th

Grade Composition and Literature

Close Reading (Shakespeare) Literary Criticism (As I Lay Dying, short stories) Multimedia Research – Students will develop a multimedia presentation based on a theme

12

th

Grade Composition and Literature

Satire: Mark Twain Style and Voice (Throughout semester) – Students will create paragraphs, journals, or blogs.

12

th

Grade Composition and Language

Personal Reflection Writing (The

Glass Castle)

Rhetorical Analysis and Logic – Students will analyze the effectiveness of an opinion/editorial text for method of development, logical appeals, and rhetorical style – Logical fallacy project or rhetorical analysis essay

12

th

Grade Composition and Language

Literary Criticism – More modern than Composition and Literature Multimedia Research Satire – Hypertext analysis – The Onion, Daily Show

SEMESTER LONG LITERATURE ELECTIVES

The following classes can be taken with the semester long writing classes.

British Literature

Various types of readings at various difficulty levels- short stories, poetry, nonfiction, drama, novels of students’ choosing Requires individual and group presentations, timed in-class and some formal writing, class discussions, group work

Shakespeare

In this college-bound elective, students consider the Shakespearean drama in relation to the Elizabethan age and its theater.

Shakespeare

Students study selections from the author's comedies and tragedies.

Shakespeare

The focus of this class will be on enriching the experience of reading Shakespeare through classroom discussions, lectures, and the viewing of performances.

Shakespeare

Literature of the Strange

11 th and 12 the genre. th grade level elective for students who have passed LA 9 and LA 10 Explores the characteristics of science fiction, fantasy, horror, suspense, and mystery and examine the similarities and differences among them. Students will analyze short stories and novels for author’s purpose and understanding of how the literature fits in Reading intensive- homework can include up to 30 pages of reading per night.

Literature of the Strange

Students do creative projects to show understanding of the texts.

There is an emphasis on reading strategies and how texts fit into a genre.

This course is a literature based course: Instruction is focused more on reading than writing and few formal essays are given

British Literature

Semester Elective for 11 th graders and 12 th Survey of English literature from 449 A.D/C.E. through modern literature, organized by the progression of literary eras Connects the history of England to its literature

20

th

Century Literature

This discussion based elective is for juniors and seniors who like to read, write, and talk about classical literature of the last century. Sitting quietly in your seat won’t do! Students read at least six novels including Siddhartha, The Great Gatsby,

The Chosen, and The Stranger.

20

th

Century Literature

Participation, journals, and tests/projects are each worth one third of the quarter grade, with a final exam and presentation at semester’s end. Creative expression is strongly encouraged.

Mythology

Mythology is an English elective that benefits many high school, college bound students. During the course of the semester we read many myths ranging from contemporary mythologies to classic mythologies. We touch on Greek, Roman, Egyptian and other ancient mythologies as well more contemporary myths, such as, Frankenstein, the Loch Ness monster, ghosts, folk lore, and fairy tales.

Mythology

Students who succeed in this class are ones who engage in class discussions, and who keep up with the reading, homework, papers, and projects. In addition to the steady and frequent workload, students are asked to study for tests and quizzes.

Exploring Literature

ELECTIVES TO BE TAKEN AFTER REQUIRED CLASSES

These electives are for students who want to take additional English credits.

Journalism 1

Designed for 9 th -11 th graders who love to write Students should be interested in working on The Talon or yearbook staff in the future Students will learn how to write a variety of articles (news, student life, entertainment, opinion, columns, sports, etc.)

Journalism 1

Students will interview, write drafts, and take photos outside of class time Students will learn how to use Photoshop and InDesign to create newspaper pages

Journalism 2

Students will produce eight issues of a school newspaper each month, plus a senior issue Students will need to strictly follow a deadline calendar and understand that they will earn a zero if they miss a deadline

Journalism 2

Students will conduct interviews, write 2-3 stories, take photos, and design pages for each monthly issue Students may need to stay after school for Layout Week (the week before deadline)

Yearbook

Yearbook

Introduction to Film

Introduction to Films is a class that helps students who wish to explore their creative sides and who take a genuine interest in contemporary films, historical films, and screenplay writing.

Introduction to Film

Students are asked to engage in group and individual activities that center around reviewing and critiquing films, presenting a movie project, taking quizzes and tests centered around the history of films and screenplay writing, writing in class and take home essays, and finally, creating their own 15-20 page screenplays.

Introduction to Film

Students who do not have an interest in films or screenplay writing should not take this course. This is an English elective designed to help students appreciate and gain more knowledge about films and screenplay writing.

Introduction to Film

Often times, students take this course based on their perception that it will be easy and there will be little work involved. This is false.

Students need to be aware that papers and tests are the norm.

Poetry

This course gives students the opportunity to explore the genre of poetry through both reading and writing in a way that is personally meaningful. Students are introduced to traditional forms and contemporary innovations in poetry with texts from around the world.

Poetry

The structure of the course is a workshop in which students develop their own voice and authentic style through individual, group and electronic conferencing and revision and self-directed reading of various authors.

Creative Writing

Using an integrated approach, students explore the elements of creative writing through research, reading and analyzing short stories and poems. Students will write their own short stories, memoirs, poetry, etc.

Students identify the characteristics of various genres as models for their own writing.

Creative Writing

Students periodically present their written pieces to the class.

Students experiment with developing voice throughout the semester. Students practice editing their writing, giving attention to correct conventions of language. Students critique their own and their classmates’ creative pieces.

Oral Communication

This course will empower you with the ability to effectively speak, listen, and improve communication skills in many different settings, and for many different audiences and purposes. There will be an emphasis on intrapersonal (you) and interpersonal (person-to person) communication for formal and informal settings.

Oral Communication

LEARN TO: Win Arguments Speak with Confidence Tell if someone is lying Conquer America’s greatest fear

Elective Offerings in Theatre

Theatre I Theatre II Stagecraft

Theatre I

Introductory course Focus on ACTING Skills Covered: Physical Expression, Concentration, Voice, Improvisation, Character Development, Scene Study Prerequisite: None Recommended for: All

Theatre II

Advanced course in all aspects of theatrical production Ten hours of production work required Skills covered: Auditioning, Acting, Directing, Set Design, Lighting, Costuming, Production Prerequisite: Theatre I Recommended for: SERIOUS Theatre students/grades 11 & 12

Stagecraft

Intensive study of technical theatre Training in all auditorium systems Prerequisite: Theatre I Recommended for: SERIOUS Theatre students

Forensics

An Advanced Speaking Class Focuses on 12 MIFA categories.

Among the 12 are: *Dramatic Interpretation *Humorous Interpretation *Sales Speaking *Informative Speaking *Storytelling *Impromptu Speaking

Forensics

Perfect for student who enjoys performance based classes like Theatre