1. English Course Descriptions
Choosing a Path for Success

2. REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

3. 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.

4. LA 9
Skills Developed: Literary Analysis, Paragraph and Essay Writing, Basic Knowledge of Grammar and Mechanics, and Presentation Skills.

5. REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. YEARLONG WRITING COURSES
If you take these classes, you do not have to chose another English class.

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

15. Elements of Composition and Literature
Focus on:
Argumentative writing, research paper, literary analysis
Read and explore different genres of literature

16. Elements of Composition and Literature
This class is for 11th 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.

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

18. 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

19. AP Literature and Composition

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

21. 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.

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

23. 12th 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.

24. 12th 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

25. 12th Grade Composition and Literature
Satire: Mark Twain
Style and Voice (Throughout semester)
Students will create paragraphs, journals, or blogs.

26. 12th 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

27. 12th Grade Composition and Language
Literary Criticism
More modern than Composition and Literature
Multimedia Research
Satire
Hypertext analysis
The Onion, Daily Show

28. SEMESTER LONG LITERATURE ELECTIVES
The following classes can be taken with the semester long writing classes.

29. 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

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

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

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

33. Shakespeare

34. Literature of the Strange
11th and 12th 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 the genre.
Reading intensive- homework can include up to 30 pages of reading per night.

35. 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

36. British Literature Semester Elective for 11th and 12th graders
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

37. 20th 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.

38. 20th 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.

39. 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.

40. 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.

41. Exploring Literature

42. ELECTIVES TO BE TAKEN AFTER REQUIRED CLASSES
These electives are for students who want to take additional English credits.

43. Journalism 1 Designed for 9th-11th 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.)

44. 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

45. 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

46. 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)

47. Yearbook

48. Yearbook

49. 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.

50. 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 page screenplays.

51. 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.

52. 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.

53. 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.

54. 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.

55. 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.

56. 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.

57. 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.

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

59. Elective Offerings in Theatre
Theatre I
Theatre II
Stagecraft

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

61. 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

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

63. 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

64. Forensics
Perfect for student who enjoys performance based classes like Theatre