7TH GRADE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Aligned with the Common Core State Standards for 7th grade English, this course focuses on multiple genres of literature and writing styles that will be taught and practiced throughout the year. Students wil work independently and collaboratively at developing reading, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, writing, listening, questioning, research and presentation skills. All of these skills will be embedded in a variety of activities, projects and discussions that will both incorporate and carry over into all subject areas.
8TH GRADE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
This course adheres to the Common Core Standards for 8th grade English. The course has goals for the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language in an effort to enable students to read and write confidently in all subject areas. After completing this course, students should be able to read and understand various types of literature appropriate for their grade level. In the area of writing the students will become adept at writing argumentative, informative, narrative, and research essays in order to prepare for the expectations of high school level writing.
YEARBOOK COURSE
Yearbook provides students with a unique educational opportunity. Yearbook is a way to have fun, be involved and gain many valuable skills. Besides being involved with the workings of the entire school through the creation of the yearbook, students develop skills and character traits. They participate in a hands-on, real world activity - the production of a publication. Students will learn how to design, write copy for stories and captions, gather information from various sources, edit information and take photos. They will also have opportunities to work with the business end of yearbook by selling books and ads. A multitude of computer skills are learned through the various programs used to create the publication. The class meets all year; however, students may take this course in ½ credit increments. PLEASE NOTE: This course does not count as an English credit toward graduation.
ENGLISH I (REQUIRED OF ALL FRESHMEN) COURSE (CAN ALSO BE TAKEN BY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS)
This course is an introductory course exploring different types of literature: the short story, non-fiction, poetry, drama, and mythology. Students will learn to identify several literary elements that appear in each genre. The course also focuses on reading comprehension and analysis, vocabulary, grammar and will emphasize writing a well-developed paragraph and essay utilizing the Six Traits of writing.
ENGLISH II (REQUIRED OF ALL SOPHOMORES) COURSE
This course focuses on reading from a variety of literary genres including informational text, historical fiction, and mythology. English II will also focus on composition such as crafting theme analysis, poetry, argument development, historical fiction, and podcasts. Throughout the composition process we will continue to develop specific writing skills through active revision lessons; furthermore, we will focus on understanding that writing is a craft and that technical aspects must be sound in order to develop strong and engaging composition that has voice. Students will apply their reading, research and writing to real world situations.
ENGLISH III: A (REQUIRED OF ALL JUNIORS) COURSE
This course will focus on American Literature from 1600 – Civil War. Students will be required to write essays incorporating the Six Traits of writing, present speeches/presentations, advance their vocabulary, complete reading both in and out of the classroom, think critically, enhance comprehension skills, work effectively in groups and discuss their interpretations both formally and informally.
ENGLISH III: B (ELECTIVE) COURSE
This course will focus on American Literature from Romanticism-Present. Students will be required to write essays incorporating the Six Traits of writing, present speeches/presentations, advance their vocabulary, complete reading both in and out of the classroom, think critically, enhance comprehension skills, work effectively in groups and discuss their interpretations both formally and informally.
SENIOR ENGLISH COURSE
This course will emphasize using English skills to function in the world. Students will learn about writing outlines, paragraphs and reports. Students will also learn to write and follow instructions, present ideas in creative ways and increase writing, speaking and listening skills. The following elements will be covered in this class: writing for the workplace (technical and business writing), Modern American Literature and a variety of mode of communication skills.
JOURNALISM COURSE
Journalism is offered as a communications course in the English department that offers students the opportunity to work within a wide variety of formats. Curriculum is based off of communication, writing and technology standards; however, students will be afforded the opportunity to customize the focus of their learning activities. Students will produce material in written, audio, and video formats and deliver this material to audiences as a media outlet. This will equate to contributions to our web page, YouTube channel, school newspaper as well as local media outlets as part of experiential learning.
CREATIVE WRITING COURSE
This course focuses on writing as a form of artistic expression. Students will read, discuss, write and evaluate pieces from multiple writing formats and genres. Students will experience creating drafts, peer evaluating, collaborating on assignments and creating portfolios. Word processing and basic computer skills are necessary for completion of this course. The Six Traits of writing and assessment will be applied.
ADVANCED SPEECH COURSE
This advanced speech course will focus on the reading, writing and performing of various genres of communication including the following: expository and persuasive speaking, drama, forensics, and debate.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION COURSE
This college prep course focuses on reading and writing nonfiction. Students will write various expository essays such as definition, compare/contrast, and persuasion. Students will also write a research paper. Through critical readings, discussions, and writing, students will develop college level proficiencies in reading and writing. Students who take this AP course are eligible to take the AP Language and Composition exam. A fee is required to take the AP Exam.
SPORTS LITERATURE COURSE
Sports Literature explores themes in literature such as competition, sportsmanship, endurance, and equity through different types of sports literature. Students will read a broad sampling of literature, both fiction and nonfiction, and students will also write analytical, personal, and research papers in the sports genre.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION COURSE
British literature will be the basis for this course; however, students will read essays, short stories, poetry, novels and plays from all cultures. Written interpretations and analyses, relationships to other works of literature, and exploration of personal values will provide a strong foundation for any college literature course. Students who take this AP course are eligible to take the AP Literature and Composition exam. A fee is required to take the AP Exam.
COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH (CPE) COURSE
This college prep course combines necessary college-level reading and writing skill development to prepare students for the technical colleges, four-year colleges or focused post-secondary program environment. Students will develop critical reading and analysis skills with college level literature and technical writing materials. Corresponding writing and speaking skills will be developed throughout the course. Skills will include formal writing style, argument presentation, technical writing, and note-taking and pre-writing skills that lead to quality composition.
AFRICAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE COURSE
This course will focus on the cultural structure and social situations of these prominent cultures. As a college prep style course students will read some of the most emotional and reflective writing contemporary literature offers. Students will utilize the reading material to structure debates, compose a variety of essays and presentations for the purpose of understanding cultural interaction and impact, and to further develop their ability dissect meaning from literature. Reading material will mostly be in the form of essays and poetry; however, we will also utilize blues and jazz music, and Native American storytelling. Web quests will be used to explore each culture through internet resources such as museum, journalism and government document sites. Students can also expect to participate in an “online” discussion forum throughout the course.
INDIVIDUALIZED ENGLISH COURSE
Developed and assigned by a committee.
