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Language Arts Courses

GRADE NINE

Required courses: Two one-term courses required:
  1) English Strategies and
    Choose one of the following:
    a) Introduction to Literature
    b) Speech
  or
  2) Freshman Honors English
  3) English Foundations (four-term course)

Note: It is strongly recommended that students planning to take Public Speaking in Grade 10 take Speech in Grade 9.

Introduction to Literature (100511) This one-term course is designed to provide all students an integrated experience in all forms of communication. This course focuses on longer works of literature and also offers experiences in listening, speaking, writing, and viewing. Students read a classic or quality young adult novel, a play, as well as shorter works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Student response to literature includes both oral and written activities. Introduction to Literature includes journal writing and instruction in language skills and concepts, in the process approach to writing, and in thinking strategies.

English Strategies (100111) This one-term course is designed to give all students practice in using specialized techniques for various learning situations now and in the future. The course provides an integration of speaking, reading, writing, and viewing. Areas of study include media, study skills, reading strategies, individualized reading, information retrieval, research strategies, writing and reading in the content areas, and thinking strategies. English Strategies offers varied writing activities ranging from personal to expository. Literature studied includes popular and young adult novels and emphasizes the process approach to writing.

Freshman Honors English (100131) is a two-term course designed to challenge the highly-motivated student who has demonstrated advanced skills in critical reading and composition. Students must meet established criteria to enroll in this course. Successful completion of this course will satisfy English Strategies and Introduction to Literature requirements. This course provides an intense study of literary forms, and students will read challenging classic and modern texts from various genres, including poetry, short story, nonfiction, and drama. Students will enhance their speaking and students demonstrate their understanding and interpretation of literary selections though varied oral and written presentations. Students’ writing will demonstrate strong proficiency within a variety of writing modes. Students will use research to deepen their critical reading abilities and develop a comprehensive paper/project. Prospective students will be given a summer reading list of three titles to finish before the course begins. Students who are successful in this course are expected to enroll in additional honors English Courses and Advanced Placement English courses.

English Foundations is a precursor to Introduction to Literature and English Strategies and takes an applied approach to learning. Students are introduced to a variety of new approaches for learning course content. Students are expected to read and write daily. They will work both in study teams and independently. There will be a very little lecture and a great deal of class discussion and problem solving. The class meets for four terms, and incorporates Introduction to Literature and English Strategies into it. Enrollment in this class is by permission only.

GRADE TEN

Required courses: Two one-term courses required.
  1) Sophomore Writing and
    Choose one of the following:
    a) Writing Today
    b) Journalistic Writing
    c) Writing Experiences
  2) Choose one of the following:
    a) Introduction to Literature (must be taken if not taken in Grade 9)
    b) Speech (must be taken if not taken in Grade 9)

*A term of the year-long Public Speaking offering may be substituted for Speech; however, this substitution requires obtaining special permission from the Public Speaking instructor.

Writing Today (101111) Employing the process approach, the course focuses on writing that grows out of the student's personal experience and on writing necessary for success in the world of work. Areas of instruction include journal writing, listening skills, letter writing, reading and responding to literature, information retrieval, and thinking strategies.

Journalistic Writing (190211) This course offers specialized journalistic writing experiences which include news, sports, editorials, columns, biographies, feature articles, human interest stories, survey polls, and interpretive reports. Students should have high interest in writing such articles and stories as those found in newspapers and magazines. Students have the opportunity to write for the school newspaper and yearbook.

Writing Experiences (101121) This course focuses on developing student writers by use of the process approach. Writing assignments of varying lengths and types include expository, descriptive, and narrative writing. This includes journal writing; writing based on literature; and speaking, listening and viewing activities. Attention is given to organization, unity, coherence, sentence variety, and information retrieval.

Speech (108111) (Note: Students must complete this course in either the ninth or the tenth grade.) This is a beginning course aimed at developing poise and confidence in group speaking situations. The course deals with the fundamentals of speaking and listening in everyday life. The student learns to organize and to present speeches before class audiences. Emphasis is placed on speaking, using different forms of organization and delivery. An introduction to group discussion, debate, media, and parliamentary procedure may be included, as may various types of special occasion speeches.

GRADES 11 AND 12

Three one-term courses are required. AP English is a three-term course; it is open to seniors and meets both the General Literature and the Communication requirements. The other courses listed are open to either juniors or seniors. While students can meet the American Literature, General Literature, and Communications requirements in the sequence that works best for their individual needs and schedules, it is recommended that students complete the American Literature requirement prior to enrolling in a General Literature course.

American Literature (Choose one)   American Literature   American Readings   American Authors General Literature (Choose one)   Classical Literature   Contemporary Ideas   Guided Literature Projects   U. S. Cultural Tapestry   In the Spirit of Poetry   AP English (A 3-term offering for seniors– meets Communications requirement also) Communications (Choose one)   Advanced Writing   Communications Studio   Guided Writing Projects

AMERICAN LITERATURE

American Literature (101021) In this course, the student explores a variety of American literature by authors from our multicultural heritage. Students experience the chronological development of American literature as well as study selected types and themes reflecting the diversity of human experience. In addition to reading stories, plays, and poetry, students complete a comparative film/novel study. Writing and class discussion are also part of this literature course.

American Readings (101011) This course employs the reading workshop approach to American literature. Through guidelines provided by the teacher, students have the opportunity to select from a wide range of literature reflecting America's multicultural heritage. The course incorporates mini-lessons on such topics as authors, background, themes, and language. This approach requires active involvement of readers through selection of literature, independent reading, and regular oral and written response to selections read.

American Authors (101031) This course focuses on selected longer 19th and 20th century works of American authors, such as Hawthorne, Dickinson, Whitman, Twain, Fitzgerald, Frost, and Hansberry. Selected works reflect enduring concerns of the individual and society. Reading and studying a combination of forms such as the novel, short story, poem, and play lead to discussion, writing activities, and special projects.

GENERAL LITERATURE

Classical Literature (101071) This course is designed for the student interested in a wide orientation to British and world literature. Classical Literature provides an in-depth study of selected works by major Eastern and Western world authors encompassing the Biblical, classical, medieval, Renaissance, and modern eras. Written and oral responses are used to enhance the student's reading and analytical skills.

Contemporary Ideas (101051) This course is designed thematically so that matters of current concern are examined in contemporary short stories, biographies, poems, dramas, articles and essays. Magazines, newspapers, novels, television and film are also incorporated in the study of current ideas. Writing experiences varying from journal entries to expository writings, small and large group discussions, and individual and group projects help students explore such themes as the nature of our world, human relationships, and awareness of self.

Guided Literature Projects (101041) This course is open to students who desire to extend their reading in special interest areas. Students complete at least four reading projects such as the exploration of several books by one author, the exploration of a meaningful idea or theme, or the exploration of an interest area. Students should expect to plan with the teacher a meaningful sequence of books to be read. Readings are selected from teacher-prepared projects and from teacher-student planned projects. Evaluation of students includes book conferences, written and oral, or other creative projects.

AP English (101211/101312) Advanced Placement English, for twelfth grade students, is a three-term, college level course that emphasizes composition and literature. Special emphasis is critical writing. Literature is examined for its structure and meaning, with emphasis being placed on independent analysis. To enroll in AP English, a student must meet specific requirements. Students in AP English may elect to take the CEEB Advanced Placement Exam. The first term of AP English satisfies the Communications requirement; the second term satisfies the General Literature requirement.

U.S. Cultural Tapestry 1 (101061) This course weaves together cultures that enrich the United States. The course allows students to earn Language Arts and /or Social Studies credit. U.S. Cultural Tapestry showcases the historical, literary, musical, artistic, and scientific contributions of various ethnic groups such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans.

In the Spirit of Poetry (102121) This course focuses on reading, writing, and reciting poetry with an emphasis on writing poetry in a workshop setting. Students benefit academically and artistically by looking at popular poems sometimes missed in other courses and by having a chance to write similar poems and recite them during in-class readings. Units include, but are not limited to, old favorites, occasion poems, voice, form, and image poems.

COMMUNICATIONS

Advanced Writing (101151) This advanced level course is recommended for students who wish to refine their writing skills. Instruction and practice in the writing of expository themes, personal narratives, descriptive writings and a research paper are provided. Advanced Writing also includes journal writing, some assignments based on literature, and a writing workshop experience. Students have the opportunity to develop style and refine editing skills.

Writer's Studio (102111) This course is designed for the student who is interested in producing a variety of creative written works. Through guidelines provided by the instructor, students participate in creative writing projects, resulting in the development of a personal anthology. This course involves individual as well as group learning experiences/projects.

Guided Writing Projects (101141) This course employs the workshop approach to writing and evaluation including conferences. Through guidelines provided by the teacher, students have the opportunity to select several writing projects and to write in a variety of forms. The course incorporates journaling, personal essay, fiction writing, writing based on literature, and business writing. This course requires students to become actively involved in the various phases of the writing process: selecting their own topics, sharing, responding, and publishing.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

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