Language Arts
Language Arts Department Philosophy
To meet the Language Arts requirements for graduation, students must complete a year-long course in the ninth, tenth, and the eleventh grades. During the twelfth year, students may choose from several electives. College-bound students are encouraged to take at least one elective English class each semester of their senior year in order to meet admission requirements to four-year colleges.
Approximately one third of the total Language Arts program is devoted to the study of writing, one-third to the study of literature, and one-third to the study of the English language and oral communication. The program is sequenced, which enables learning to continue and build on what has been taught before. The basic curriculum provides students with the opportunity to gain a strong traditional high school English education. The senior elective program includes further enrichment and college prep work. Senior electives may not be substituted for required coursework in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade.
9th Grade English A, B (Required for all 9th graders)
Credit: English
Prerequisite: None
Length: 1 year
Grade level: 9
This is a skills-based course that will focus on writing in a variety of modes through the study of plays, novels, short stories and poetry. Research and public speaking skills will also be addressed.
Reading Essentials A, B
Credit: Elective
Prerequisite: None (placement based on 7th grade WASL scores and teacher recommendation)
Length: 1 or 2 semesters
Grade Level: 9
The course is designed to identify and address specific reading skills that students need to meet standard on the 10th grade WASL and to increase success in high school courses and beyond. Targeted skills include reading fluency, comprehension, synthesis, and vocabulary development. Students will take this course in addition to 9th grade English. There will, however, be links to the student’s English class to provide extra support in that course as well. Reading Essentials will not require homework, but will involve students in class activities where they have multiple opportunities to demonstrate achievement of specific reading skills. The student who signs up for Reading Essentials will stay in the course until he/she demonstrates mastery of skills after which he/she may exit out and select another elective course.
10th Grade English A, B
Credit: English
Prerequisite: None
Length: 1 year
Grade level: 10
This survey course gives students an overview of world literature, drama, creative writing, and expository writing. Included is Greek drama, one or more plays by Shakespeare, a selection of international short stories, modern drama, and further exploration of poetry. The class emphasizes literary analysis and the continued development of critical thinking, speaking/discussion skills, and written compositions.
10th Grade Honors English A, B
Credit: English
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 9th grade English or by permission.
Length: 1 year
Grade level: 10
This course involves in-depth analysis of world literature; a focus on understanding difficult literature; participation in seminar discussions; the completion of a number of papers, group projects and presentations; and completion of required additional outside reading.
11th Grade English A, B
Credit: English
Prerequisite: None
Length: 1 year
Grade level: 11
Junior English is a required two-semester course that stresses reading, research, writing, and oral communication skills with emphasis placed on American literature that complements the themes studied in U.S. History.
11th Grade IB English A, B
Credit: English
Prerequisite: Approved IB Program application and student must complete a summer assignment.
Length: 1 year
Grade level: 11
This course is the first in a two -year sequence necessary to satisfy the requirements of the IB Language A1 Program. Students will complete an extensive study of several literary works, several of them in translation. Projects will include preparation of a world literature paper based on two translated works, several other compositions, oral presentations, seminar discussions and creative pieces.
Debate
Credit: Elective (One semester may count as a senior English credit if taken in the 12th grade year.)
Prerequisite: Instructor's approval
Length: 1 semester (May be repeated)
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12
It’s not just about arguing. In this course, students learn the fundamentals of academic debate, from research to argumentation. They will give speeches that persuade, inform, entertain and interpret drama, poetry and literature. This course also provides the opportunity for speech and debate competition at the local, state, and national level. (Students do not have to be in the class to compete).
Newspaper A, B
Credit: Elective (one semester may count as a Senior English if taken in the 12th grade year) or Occupational
Prerequisite: Instructor Approval
Length: Student must be enrolled in Newspaper the entire year.
Grade level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Journalistic writing allows students to write for the school newspaper and meets the writing requirements for college preparatory writing. The topics vary and include news, opinion, sports, and general interest articles. Along with writing at least three articles per issue of The Outlook students work with PageMaker and various other computer programs while assisting in the overall production of the paper.
12th GRADE ENGLISH ELECTIVE CLASSES: Offerings will vary each semester. Students may choose one elective per semester. Exception: 12th Grade IB English is a year-long course.
12th Grade IB English
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: Approved IB Program application and 11th IB English or have permission to enroll from the instructor
Length: 1 year
Twelfth grade IB is the second in a two-year sequence necessary to satisfy the requirements of the IB Language A1 Program.
Students will complete an extensive study of poetry, plays, and novels, some of which are translated from the original works. Written and oral work will be vigorously pursued with an emphasis on critical thinking. Students will complete all assignments required by the International Baccalaureate Program and will prepare for the IB exam given in May.
Creative Writing
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 year
Students are given the opportunity to study and compose poetry, short stories, nonfiction and drama. Self-expression is emphasized
Drama as Literature
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
This course will focus on the study of a variety of plays from a literary perspective, exploring how this genre is unique from other types of literature
Great Writers
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
Significant writers from the 19th, 20th and 21st century are studied. Students will read, discuss and write about a variety of writers and their varying approaches to literature. Close reading, reflection, analysis and critical thinking will be emphasized.
Introduction to Film Study
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
Students learn the skills necessary to understand the medium of film. Class units will include a history of film from silent movies to today's films, a basic-techniques unit on how films are put together, and in-depth analysis of film genre and individual film classics. Students will learn to write in an analytical/expository form and will be required to write 20-25 pages based upon individual films. A second requirement is a 10-15-page research paper on a specific film genre
Popular Culture
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
Popular Culture is a cross-cultural study of the artifacts and cultural beliefs of American world societies. Through the study of myths, icons, heroes, stereotypes, rituals, and formulas, students gain an appreciation of and control of popular culture in their lives. Students will analyze artifacts and look for their meaning and significance in society. There is heavy emphasis on writing, speaking and research.
Senior Reading
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
Students have the opportunity to broaden their literary background and to read works of literature recommended for the college-bound student. Students will be expected to confer with the instructor about their reading on a regular basis.
Senior Writing
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
Students will explore a variety of writing skills in preparation for college and the work place.
Shakespeare
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
This course will take an in-depth look at several Shakespeare plays using texts, films, and in-class performances. Special focus will be given to the dramatic elements such as costumes, settings, character and staging.
Short Story
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
This course will consist of reading and studying stories from a variety of genres such as mystery, science fiction, sports, adventure and romance.
Speech
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
This course emphasizes public speaking as a channel to more effective communication in our lives and helps alleviate the anxiety associated with it. Students present and analyze several different types of speeches.
World Mythology
Credit: English Elective
Prerequisite: none
Length: 1 semester
While most students know many of the Greek and Roman myths, few students know the great myths and epics of other cultures. Students gain an overview of the role of mythology in human history as well as an introduction to the myths of Greece and Rome, the Middle East, northern Europe, the British Isles, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Each student is required to choose one of the above cultures to do additional research and reading; the results of this study are presented to the class.