The ability to communicate well with others is one of man’s most important assets.  In the English/Language Arts Department, teachers strive to develop communication through reading, writing, speaking, viewing, and listening.  Without the ability to communicate well verbally and on paper, a student’s success in other classes and in the working world may be reduced.

The School Board has required that students must earn (4) credits in English in order to satisfy graduation requirements.

COURSE
NUMBER                COURSE NAME                                    GRADE LEVEL                       CREDIT              PREREQUISITE

1023    ENGLISH 9                                        9                                  1.0            

Through the integration of critical thinking, reading, and writing, students in this year-long required course will study literary forms including poetry, drama, short stories, and the novel.  In addition to refining spelling and vocabulary skills, students will create written and spoken works that are organized and grammatically correct.

 1033    ADVANCED ENGLISH 9                  9                                  1.0           Qualifying score on entrance exam

In this honors level class, students will complete all of the standard requirements of the ninth grade curriculum but will add several additional pieces of literature and writing opportunities.  Students move at a faster pace and should have a strong work ethic as well as advanced reading skills and excellent writing ability to take this class.  This course fulfills the English 9 requirement.

1053    ENGLISH 10                                      10                                 1.0            

Using a thematic approach, students will study major American authors and literary movements.  Several novels will be taught, along with short stories, poetry, and nonfiction.  An important focus will be activities to build student writing abilities and fostering growth in language usage and vocabulary. 

1073    ADVANCED ENGLISH 10

                                                                               10                          1.0             Qualifying score on entrance exam

The same works studies in English 10 are covered in this advanced class.  The difference is the accelerated pace at which a larger amount of material is covered.  The course is designed to challenge the best students of English.  This course fulfills the English 10 requirement.

 1113    ENGLISH  11                                     11                                 1.0

In this required class, students will read a variety of selections from world literature, with an emphasis on the literature of Great Britain.  In composition, a variety of skills including narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive writing will be taught.  In preparation for the state’s ACT/MME, vocabulary, language usage, and composition skills will be stressed with special emphasis on the persuasive essay.

1123    ADVANCED ENGLISH 11   (AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE STATUS PENDING) 11                    1.0              Qualifying score on entrance exam and Department approval

As in regular English 11, students will study a variety of selection from world literature, with an emphasis on the literature of Great Britain, only at a faster pace, requiring more independent reading.  In composition, a variety of skills including narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive writing will be taught.  In preparation for the state’s ACT/MME, vocabulary, language usage, and composition skills will be stressed with special emphasis on the persuasive essay.  The course will also require some additional literary terminology associated with close reading.  This course fulfills the English 11 requirement.                                                                                                 

1133    ENGLISH 12                                     12                                 1.0              

In this required one-year course, students will study a range of works from world literature, starting with Greek mythology.  A main component of first semester is a unit completing the Educational Development Plan, including setting post-graduation goals.  In addition to literary essays, students will write college and scholarship essays.  Two major projects second semester include an individual research project and multi-media senior exit presentation.

1463    ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH (LITERATURE)         12                                1.0                     3.5 GPA or   Department  Approval                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
This year-long college-level course emphasizes critical reading in both imaginative and discursive literature from the classical, British, and American traditions.  Advanced writing instruction will emphasize analysis of literature and related ideas.  An early assessment will recommend which students prepare for the Advanced Placement English literature and which would be better preparing for the AP language exam, since most colleges will only award credit for one OR the other.  The instructor will follow the AP College Board-approved syllabus and use pre-approved materials.  This course fulfills the English 12 requirement.   

1493  VISUAL/VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS       11,12                            1.0

This course will provide the students with experiences in the operation of video cameras, editing software, and editing equipment.  Each student will have the opportunity to participate in various phases of broadcast communication from planning, writing and producing video projects to on-camera personality and post-production editing.  Students will produce news programs, public service announcements, interviews, and various other video projects.

1410    CREATIVE WRITING                      11,12                            0.5                          

This creative writing course provides an opportunity for students to explore different fields of writing and to share efforts with the group.  The students independently set goals and schedules for their particular interests and needs.  THIS COURSE DOES NOT FULFILL THE ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.

1480     JOURNALISTIC WRITING              11,12                             0.5

This beginning class in journalistic writing will focus on both news and feature articles.  In addition, other aspects such as editorial writing and photography will be explored.  The goal of the class is to create a group of students who, in an advanced course, would create a student newspaper.  THIS COURSE DOES NOT FULFILL THE ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.

1453    YEARBOOK                                      11,12                            1.0                     Instructor Approval                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Students learn through photography and writing to record the history of the school with the publication of the yearbook.  Students will develop life skills such as:  communication, writing, photography, team building and time and project management; layout; technology skills such as:  online design, photo editing software, and online research; and business skills such as:  marketing, budget planning, promotion and advertising, selling and customer relations.  Students must submit a completed application and be accepted into the program.