LANGUAGE ARTS

LANGUAGE ARTS

2008-2009

English 9 Grammar and

Composition

Course Number: 4301

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 9

Prerequisite: Eighth-grade English

English 9 Grammar and Composition strengthens and expands students’ practical knowledge of English grammar and usage through an intensive program of writing. Students learn advanced proofreading and revision skills that they apply to a wide range of multi-paragraph compositions. Additionally, students learn the elements of vocabulary development, literary analysis, and critical reading by reading and responding to a variety of texts in both formal and informal ways.

English 9 Grammar and

Composition Pre-AP

Course Number: 4303

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 9

Prerequisite: Eighth-grade English

Recommended: Pre-AP 8^th Grade English

This course of study is a rigorous, introductory course to Advanced Placement English courses and is available to the student interested in taking the Advanced Placement Examinations in English upon completion of the AP program.

English I Pre-AP engages students to dissect and discuss advanced literary techniques, concepts, and skills. Students become adept at identifying and analyzing the techniques of various authors and how those techniques contribute to the overall purpose and meaning of the works. Students are expected to create a composition portfolio and an extensive research paper/project. Fused with the study of literature is the refinement of composition skills, usage skills, and research skills. Practice in listening/speaking and viewing/representing occurs throughout the course.

Summer Reading Assignment – have The Outsiders read by September 19.

English 10 Literature and Composition

Course Number: 4305

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 10

Prerequisite: English 9

English 10 Literature and Composition students read, discuss, and write about selected works of literature from a variety of genres and cultures. English 10 Literature and Composition focuses on strengthening students’ critical reading skills, literary analysis skills, and higher-order thinking skills, and composition skills. The course utilizes an intensive program of process-based writing which emphasizes vocabulary development , sentence construction, and standard usage and grammar.

English 10 Literature and Composition Connections

Course Number: 4305

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 10

Prerequisite: English 9

Additionally, Connections uses an interdisciplinary approach combining Literature and Composition with World History/World Geography. Literature is organized according to historical era, theme, or geographical location emphasizing the relationship between the two courses.

English 10 Literature and Composition Pre-AP

Course Number: 4304

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 10

Prerequisite: English 9

Recommended: English 9 Pre-AP

This course of study engages students to dissect and discuss advanced literary techniques, concepts, and skills. Students become adept at identifying and analyzing the techniques of various authors from a variety of cultures and how these techniques contribute to the overall purpose and meaning of the works. Emphasis is placed on understanding of the historical implications of each work.

This course emphasizes refinement of composition skills, usage skills, and research skills. Practice in listening/speaking/notetaking occurs throughout the course.

The College Board who regulated the AP courses describes the suitable AP student as: “Academically talented, imaginative students who read with finesse and write with clarity and style, who are curious and responsive to academic risk-taking and who are not deterred by hard work.”

Summer Reading Assignment – have Moliere’s Tartuffe read by September 19.

English 11 American

Literature

Course Number: 4297

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 11

Prerequisite: English 10

English 11 American Literature consists of a study of representative literature from the Colonial period to the present. Emphasis is placed on improving reading comprehension and developing the student's ability to think by exposure to the challenging ideas of great writers. A major part of the student's grade is based on writings of multi-paragraph, literature-based compositions with an emphasis on expository development. Compositions are graded closely for content, organization, and mechanics. A vocabulary program is included. A short research paper will be assigned.

English Language and

Composition AP (11^th grade)

Course Number: 4309

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 11

Prerequisite: English 10

Recommended: English 10 Pre-AP

This course of study is equivalent to an introductory college English course and is available to the student interested in taking the Advanced Placement Examination in English Language and Composition.

English III AP engages students in becoming skilled readers of a variety of prose selections and skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Students become adept at identifying and analyzing the various rhetorical features used in writing as the features contribute to purpose and meaning. This course provides an overview of American literature, including samples of traditional and multi-ethnic selections. Fused with the study of literature is the refinement of composition skills, usage skills, and research skills. Practice in listening/speaking and viewing/representing occurs throughout the course.

Summer Reading Assignment – have Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald read by September 19.

English 12 British Literature

Course Number: 4299

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 12

Prerequisite: English 11

This course consists of a study of representative British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to modern writings. Emphasis is placed on developing independent reading, writing, and thinking skills. A major part of the student's grade is based on writings of multi-paragraph, literature-based compositions with an emphasis on expository development. Compositions are graded closely for content, organization, and mechanics. Students will complete a documented research project. A vocabulary program is included.

English Literature and

Composition AP (12^th grade)

Course Number: 4310

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 12

Prerequisite: English 11

Recommended: English Language and Composition AP

English IV engages students in close reading and written analysis of imaginative literature. Students become adept at identifying and analyzing varied literary techniques as the techniques contribute to purpose and meaning of a selection. Selected writings from the literature of other countries, with an emphasis on British literature from varied time periods, serve as the basis for reading and for writing literary analysis. Fused with the study of literature is the continued refinement of composition skills, usage skills, and research skills. Opportunities for practice of listening/speaking and viewing/representing are inherent in the course.

Summer Reading Assignment – have A Prayer for Owen Meany read by September 19.

LANGUAGE ARTS

ELECTIVES

Literacy Plus

Course Number: 4242

Semesters: 1

Grade Level: 9

Prerequisite: Below 8th grade reading level

This course concentrates on assessing and targeting areas for growth in reading. This will be a required elective (one semester) for students who have not achieved eighth-grade reading proficiency. This course is available to a limited number of students who have achieved eighth-grade proficiency but continue to demonstrate difficulties in reading. Students receiving special services are evaluated individually for placement.

Speech

Course Number: 4221

Semesters: 1

Grade Level: 11, 12

Prerequisite: None

This is an introduction to oral communications. Students will learn basic public speaking, stage fright control, research, and outlining. Students will prepare and perform various types of speeches throughout the semester.

Competitive Debate

Course Number: 5026

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: None

The class will cover debate, oratory, extemporaneous speaking, and student congress. A majority of the grade will be based on participation in tournaments. Tournaments are scheduled on Friday afternoons and all day on Saturdays. This course may be taken each year for credit. This is a full year course. The student must also have completed the Alcohol and Illegal or Performance Enhancing Drug Contract.

Journalism and Mass Communications

Course Number: 4111

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 9, 10

Prerequisite: None

Journalism and Mass Communications class is designed as an introduction to the world of the media. Students will explore the realm of newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks and the effect they have on society. Basic skills needed to become a well-rounded journalist will be studied in depth. These basic skills include interviewing, news, feature, sports and opinion writing and editing. Students will become familiar with photography and word processing and desktop publishing computer programs. Students will publish their work in school-related and community publications and projects.

Electronic and Digital Media

Course Number: 4112

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Application required for admittance

This class is designed as an advanced study of the media. Students will study advanced forms of writing, as well as electronic media, desktop publishing, photography, advertising, public relations, radio/television journalism, journalism history, journalism law, magazine writing, and media problems. Students will put their journalistic skills to the test by applying those skills to the production of school-related and community publications.

Media Study and Production

Course Number: 4151

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Previous experience and/or teacher permission; application required for admittance

Mid-High: Media Study and Production is the official course name for The Paladin staff. The students will work together to produce the monthly edition of the Mid-High newspaper. Student duties include following a beat (getting all news from an assigned area), writing and typing stories, writing headlines, and designing pages. Production work is done on a computer (writing, designing pages, etc.). Good writing skills are necessary.

High School: Media Study and Production is the official course name for The Fourth Estate staff. The students work together to produce the monthly edition of the high school paper. Student duties include following a beat (getting all the news from an assigned area), writing stories, selling ads, typing copy into the computer, taking pictures, writing headlines, and designing pages and advertisements.

Magazine and Visual Media

Course Number: 4240

Semesters: 2

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Previous experience and/or teacher permission; application required for admittance

Magazine journalism and visual media will put theory to practice through the production of the yearbook. This encompasses financing the yearbook, learning the process for publishing a yearbook, developing the theme, and distributing the completed book. The course includes cropping and proportioning pictures, planning layout, creating typography and graphic designs, editing and proofing all material, evaluating costs of production, learning responsibility by meeting deadlines, creativity, and communication with the publisher.

Reading for Personal

Pleasure

Course Number: 4243

Semesters: 1

Grade Level: 11, 12

Prerequisite: None

This class is designed to foster enjoyment of reading and literature as well as improving reading skills for students. Reading improves your vocabulary and your comprehension, therefore providing a boost for ACT and SAT testing. The focus of the class will be providing more opportunities for students to read, discuss, evaluate, and analyze literary works. The majority of reading occurs during class. A journal may be required.