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.

 *4 YEAR PROGRAM

COURSE

NUMBER                COURSE NAME                                    GRADE LEVEL                       CREDIT                  PREREQUISITE

1023    ENGLISH 9                                        9                                  1.0            

Through the integration of critical reading, writing, and thinking, the students will study various literary forms including short stories, poetry, drama, and the novel.  Composition and speaking assignments will be varied and will stress organization and proper grammar.

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 strong comprehension skills in reading and excellent writing ability to take this class.

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 enhance student writing abilities.  Another emphasis will be fostering student growth in language usage and vocabulary.

1073    ADVANCED ENGLISH 10

                                                                               10                          1.0             Qualifying score on entrance exam

The same literary pieces studied 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 and prepare them for Advanced English 11.

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 March ACT experience, vocabulary, language usage, and composition skills will be stressed with special emphasis on the persuasive essay.

COURSE

NUMBER                COURSE NAME                                    GRADE LEVEL                       CREDIT                  PREREQUISITE

1123    ADVANCED ENGLISH 11                                                                                  

                                                                          11                               1.0     3.5 GPA or Departmental Approval                                                                                                      

In this honors-level class, students will complete all of the literature required in the English 11 class, but they will add several additional pieces of literature and longer compositions.  These students are expected to be college bound, and all will need a strong work ethic.  The year’s goal is proficiency in writing and reading at a level which exceeds the regular English 11 class.                                                                                                           

  1133    ENGLISH 12                                     12                                 1.0            

The Class of 2010 will be the last SCHS students to study British literature in their senior year.  Students will study iconic authors of the British tradition.  A major first semester unit is the Educational Development Plan to help students prepare for their lives after graduation.  Throughout the year, other areas of study will be a variety of speaking activities, mythology, and research projects.  Students will end second semester by completing the senior exit presentation.

 1463    ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH (Literature)                                                                                                                                                                12                                1.0        3.5 GPA or Department Approval

 This one-year course, open to seniors, emphasizes the development of skills in critical reading of imaginative and discursive literature and in writing about literature and related ideas.  It is for students capable of doing college-level work in English while they are in secondary school.  Authors studied will mainly be American and British though a few selections will come from the classical tradition.  A student survey of reading and writing strengths will be completed early in the semester.  Based on the outcome of the survey, students will prepare for either the Advanced Placement English literature or language exam. An important goal of the class is to strive to prepare students for successfully writing an advanced placement examination in order to achieve college credit.  This course fulfills the English 12 requirement.

  1210    ACTING AND DRAMA                   9,10,11,12                      0.5

 In this semester course students will deal with Improvisation, Pantomime & Mime, Theatre History, the Structure of a Play, The Varieties of Drama, and the Voice.  The students of this course must understand there will be some performing required which will be done in front of the class.  It is further understood that among the projects required, one of the choices will be participation on some aspect of the school play.   THIS COURSE DOES NOT FULFILL THE ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.

 1220    ADVANCED ACTING AND DRAMA                     

                                                                            9,10,11,12                  0.5                    Acting/Drama

This semester course will take an in depth look at performance aspects of theatre.  Chapters in  Voice, Movement and Acting will be the focus.  Students will be required to memorize and perform monologues and scenes throughout the course.  Other topics include how to audition, stage combat, what to include on a performance resume and what to typically prepare for auditions outside of high school.  It is further understood that among the projects required, one of the choices will be participation on some aspect of the school play.  THIS COURSE DOES NOT FULFILL THE ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.

 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     JOURNALISM                                  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 WILL 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.  This course does not fulfill the English requirements for graduation.    STUDENTS MUST APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO THIS CLASS WITH THE YEARBOOK ADVISOR.