Course Offerings The English Department

Composition

Unit 1: Literacy Review (6 weeks) Unit 1: Literacy Review (6 weeks) 9 th &10 th grade grammar 9 th &10 th grade grammar diagnostic essay; workshop format; revision techniques diagnostic essay; workshop format; revision techniques Unit 2: Research (6 weeks) Unit 2: Research (6 weeks) 3-5 pages; research process, MLA, note cards, outline 3-5 pages; research process, MLA, note cards, outline Common assessment Common assessment Unit 3: Memoir with Literary Analysis (6 weeks) Unit 3: Memoir with Literary Analysis (6 weeks) Night by Elie Wiesel Night by Elie Wiesel Literary Analysis Essay Literary Analysis Essay Second Semester Begins with ACT prep Second Semester Begins with ACT prep Unit 4: Argumentative Essay (5 weeks) Unit 4: Argumentative Essay (5 weeks) 2-3 page paper, research process & outline 2-3 page paper, research process & outline presentation of speech/debate of argumentative piece ~ oral presentation presentation of speech/debate of argumentative piece ~ oral presentation ACT writing prompts/review ACT writing prompts/review Unit 5: Creative Writing and Fiction (5 weeks) Unit 5: Creative Writing and Fiction (5 weeks) Characterization, voice, literary elements Characterization, voice, literary elements Novel option: Catcher in the Rye Novel option: Catcher in the Rye Creative writing piece Creative writing piece Unit 6: Genre Study: Myths, Mystery, Non- Fiction, Poetry (8 weeks) Unit 6: Genre Study: Myths, Mystery, Non- Fiction, Poetry (8 weeks) Since students were not able to take an English elective, the purpose is to introduce many genres through short, high interest pieces Since students were not able to take an English elective, the purpose is to introduce many genres through short, high interest pieces Unit 1: Literary Analysis Novel: 1984 or Catcher in the Rye or A Lesson Before Dying or The Color of Water (teacher prerogative) Unit 2: Research 4-6 pages; research process, MLA, note cards, outline Unit 3: Argumentation ACT writing prompts/review 3-5 page paper, research process, outline Elements of Composition and Literature (40 weeks) Applications of Composition (20 weeks)

Comp 12 Literature Comp 12 Language 1 semester writing and critical thinking class 1 semester writing and critical thinking class Several kinds of college essay writing, including a multimedia research project Several kinds of college essay writing, including a multimedia research project Writing assignments based on classic plays and novels, modern short stories, and non-fiction texts Writing assignments based on classic plays and novels, modern short stories, and non-fiction texts 1 semester writing and critical thinking class 1 semester writing and critical thinking class Several genres of composition, including essays and interactive texts, including a multi-media research project Several genres of composition, including essays and interactive texts, including a multi-media research project Assignments based on nonfiction, media, and short stories. Assignments based on nonfiction, media, and short stories.

How are they alike? Both classes require students to read challenging texts Both classes require students to read challenging texts Both classes build your college writing skills Both classes build your college writing skills Both classes build your critical thinking skills Both classes build your critical thinking skills Both classes demand a lot of work!! (Sorry, but it’s true!) Both classes demand a lot of work!! (Sorry, but it’s true!)

How are they different? Comp 12 Literature includes more literature (duh) (but does have some nonfiction) Comp 12 Language includes more media and nonfiction (but does have some literature) Comp 12 Literature focuses on traditional essay writing Comp 12 Language focuses on composition skills in several genres, including electronic media

Which one should I take? We recommend: Comp 12 Literature if you are on a English/ language/ humanities/ pre-law/ history career track Comp 12 Literature if you are on a English/ language/ humanities/ pre-law/ history career track Comp 12 Language if you are on a media/ communications/ technology/ graphic design path Comp 12 Language if you are on a media/ communications/ technology/ graphic design path Both are good preparation for college and career Both are good preparation for college and career

Literature

Exploring Literature This is a one semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th graders This is a one semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th graders Students will read a variety of high interest 20 th and 21 st century texts including Killing Mr. Griffin, Monster, The Chocolate War, and self-selected novels Students will read a variety of high interest 20 th and 21 st century texts including Killing Mr. Griffin, Monster, The Chocolate War, and self-selected novels This is primarily an activity and discussion based course This is primarily an activity and discussion based course

Literature of the Strange and Mysterious Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Dracula by Bram Stoker Sherlock Holmes Mysteries by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien And various short stories and videos may also be used to supplement the novels

Mythology One semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th graders One semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th graders Students will read, analyze, and discuss myths from different cultures Students will read, analyze, and discuss myths from different cultures Students will explore creation myths, god- teacher myths, loss of innocence myths, and hero myths Students will explore creation myths, god- teacher myths, loss of innocence myths, and hero myths Popular myths students will read: Hercules, Beowulf, King Arthur, The Iliad, Jason and the Argonauts, Greek Theogony, and more! Popular myths students will read: Hercules, Beowulf, King Arthur, The Iliad, Jason and the Argonauts, Greek Theogony, and more!

20 th Century Literature One semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th graders One semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th graders Students will read and analyze various novels and short stories to determine their significance as being representative of the universal themes, conflicts, and characters of the period Students will read and analyze various novels and short stories to determine their significance as being representative of the universal themes, conflicts, and characters of the period Students respond to literature through discussions, presentations, and writing assignments Students respond to literature through discussions, presentations, and writing assignments Major Texts: Siddhartha The Chosen One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest The Great Gatsby One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich The Stranger The Bean Trees Major Units of Study: Search for Identity Triumph of the Human Spirit Man vs. Civilization Alienation and Absurdity

Shakespeare 11 th and 12 th grade Literature Elective 11 th and 12 th grade Literature Elective Students will study approx. 6 of Shakespeare’s major plays from each of the recognized categories: history, comedy, tragedy, and romance. Students will study approx. 6 of Shakespeare’s major plays from each of the recognized categories: history, comedy, tragedy, and romance. Students will explore enough of the culture and history of the time in which Shakespeare wrote so that students better understand his plays and the theater of his day. Students will explore enough of the culture and history of the time in which Shakespeare wrote so that students better understand his plays and the theater of his day. Students will watch film excerpts from the plays studied, and in between assigned plays, view a play in full which they do not read. The viewing experience is an important part of the course. Students will watch film excerpts from the plays studied, and in between assigned plays, view a play in full which they do not read. The viewing experience is an important part of the course. Students will be graded on class participation, tests/quizzes, projects, performances and a few very short writing assignments. Students will be graded on class participation, tests/quizzes, projects, performances and a few very short writing assignments. Students will actually UNDERSTAND and LIKE Shakespeare in this class Students will actually UNDERSTAND and LIKE Shakespeare in this class

One semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th grade students One semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th grade students This is a reading, discussing, and thinking based course This is a reading, discussing, and thinking based course Students will read PROSE and POETRY from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Renaissance period to the Victorian period to the present period Students will read PROSE and POETRY from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Renaissance period to the Victorian period to the present period Students will also learn about language and culture from Old English to Middle English to Modern English Students will also learn about language and culture from Old English to Middle English to Modern English Beowulf--Chaucer--Shakespeare--Pope--Swift--Dickens-- And More!

Poetry One semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th grade students One semester literature course for 11 th and 12 th grade students Students will read, analyze, and discuss classic, contemporary, western, and world poems Students will read, analyze, and discuss classic, contemporary, western, and world poems Students will explore form, meter, musicality, and other poetic devices Students will explore form, meter, musicality, and other poetic devices Students will have an opportunity to participate in a writing workshop where they will write, revise, and even publish their own poems Students will have an opportunity to participate in a writing workshop where they will write, revise, and even publish their own poems “Poetry is a search for syllables to shoot at barriers of the unknown and the unknowable.” --Carl Sandburg

Intro to Film 11 th and 12 th grade literature course 11 th and 12 th grade literature course Students will understand and appreciate the aesthetic and technical aspects of film Students will understand and appreciate the aesthetic and technical aspects of film Students will read screenplays, view films, write reviews, analyze scenes, research topics, make multimedia presentations, and create their own screenplays Students will read screenplays, view films, write reviews, analyze scenes, research topics, make multimedia presentations, and create their own screenplays

Elective

Creative Writing Genres of Study Short Stories Short Stories Creative Nonfiction Creative Nonfiction Children’s Literature Children’s Literature Playwriting Playwriting Poetry Poetry Journaling Journaling Autobiography / Memoir Autobiography / Memoir Project Based Writing Contests and Scholarship Opportunities Opportunities for Publication Workshop / Peer Editing Emphasis on Reading

Journalism This class is an elective semester course open to students interested in learning to work on the school newspaper and/or yearbook. This class is an elective semester course open to students interested in learning to work on the school newspaper and/or yearbook. In this course, the writing will focus on the four major categories, including news, editorials, features, and sports. Special attention will also be given to student press law, designing pages, managing business, staffing, reporting techniques and headlining. In this course, the writing will focus on the four major categories, including news, editorials, features, and sports. Special attention will also be given to student press law, designing pages, managing business, staffing, reporting techniques and headlining. By the end of the class, students will be confident in writing for the school newspaper or working on the yearbook. By the end of the class, students will be confident in writing for the school newspaper or working on the yearbook. Students will be able to individually work on projects, with partners, or small groups. Students will be able to individually work on projects, with partners, or small groups.

Journalism II NEWSPAPER Work on the national and state award- winning newspaper, The Source! Get published, win awards, go on fun field trips, defend the First Amendment, eat a lot of food! Looking for writers, photographers, graphic designers, and artists—will train! Open to sophomores through seniors (Journalism I nice, but not required) One full year Counts as English elective OR visual/applied arts credit

Yearbook Full year class Full year class Visual, Performing, Applied Arts credit and/or General Elective credit Visual, Performing, Applied Arts credit and/or General Elective credit No prerequisite No prerequisite Simple application process – see Mrs. Millard in room C283 Simple application process – see Mrs. Millard in room C283 Students receive guided instruction in the fundamentals of journalistic writing, desktop publishing, photojournalism, graphic design, and organizational skills in order to produce an award winning yearbook Students receive guided instruction in the fundamentals of journalistic writing, desktop publishing, photojournalism, graphic design, and organizational skills in order to produce an award winning yearbook

Oral Communication Oral Communications is a basic course in interpersonal communication and public speaking. Oral Communications is a basic course in interpersonal communication and public speaking. Students will speak a minimum of once a week, either individually or in a group. Students will speak a minimum of once a week, either individually or in a group. They will develop self-confidence, listening skills and an awareness of the characteristics of effective interpersonal and public speaking. They will develop self-confidence, listening skills and an awareness of the characteristics of effective interpersonal and public speaking. They will perform a variety of speeches using different formats and strategies (e.g. Manuscript Speech, Demonstration speech, History speech). They will perform a variety of speeches using different formats and strategies (e.g. Manuscript Speech, Demonstration speech, History speech).

Theatre Students will learn how to perform in front of an audience Students will learn how to perform in front of an audience Students will develop confidence and maintain confidence while in front of an audience Students will develop confidence and maintain confidence while in front of an audience Students will study Pantomime, Dialogue, Scene Work, Prop Work, Improvisation, Monologue, and Group Scene Students will study Pantomime, Dialogue, Scene Work, Prop Work, Improvisation, Monologue, and Group Scene Most of all, the students will have fun doing it! Most of all, the students will have fun doing it!

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement Language and Composition Open to juniors and seniors Must take AP Language and Composition before AP Literature and Composition Full year class May earn college credit depending on score on AP Language and Composition test Class focuses on non-fiction reading (current events, social studies, science, pop culture, etc.), argumentative writing, and language study Mrs. Martin isn't really scary

AP Literature and Composition This is a year-long course open to 12 th grade students who already have taken AP Language This is a year-long course open to 12 th grade students who already have taken AP Language Participation in the course presumes a seriousness of purpose that must be demonstrated in visible efforts toward the improvement of reading, writing, and analytical skills Participation in the course presumes a seriousness of purpose that must be demonstrated in visible efforts toward the improvement of reading, writing, and analytical skills The units of study include poetry, prose, and drama The units of study include poetry, prose, and drama Students may earn college credit at the end of the year after taking the AP Lit Exam Students may earn college credit at the end of the year after taking the AP Lit Exam

Make good selections! See your English teacher for more information See your English teacher for more information