English 9
This course is designed to help students explore themselves and their
environment through literature. Students create personal odysseys,
relationship webs, and keep a daily journal. They master the literary terms
necessary to understand literature and their lives. Those following this
course express themselves through personal and collaborative projects such
as newspapers, short plays, posters, and maps. Throughout the course, there
is an emphasis on literature's connections with other disciplines. Students
investigate potential careers and develop the reading, writing, listening,
viewing, speaking, and thinking skills necessary to do well in life.
English 9: Challenge
These sections of English are designed for students who exhibit specific
needs in the area of language arts. Material covered prepares students for
the world-of-work. The pace varies and students receive more individualized
methods of instruction because of smaller class sizes. Students will be
placed in this class by test scores and/or teacher recommendation.
Sophomore Strategies: Reading, Writing and Media Literacy
This course will cover writing techniques, poetry, short stories,
language arts, test-taking skills and media literacy as a foundation for
second semester electives. Students will enhance their learning experiences
by choosing and completing various projects, writing newspaper articles and
creating poetry booklets. The mechanics of grammar, including usage sentence
structure and punctuation are stressed. Note-taking and summarizing skills
are taught to benefit the students across the curriculum.
Sophomore Strategies Challenge: Reading, Writing and Media
Literacy
This course will cover much the same material as Sophomore Strategies, but
is intended for students that experience difficulty reading. Students will
improve efficiency in following written and oral directions, adjusting
reading rates and using effective study techniques.
Students are placed in this
course based upon test scores and/or teacher recommendation.
Creative Writing
Creative writing will give students the opportunity to develop creative
writing skills and practice a variety of descriptive and narrative
techniques as they write poems and short stories. Character and plot
development, as well as different forms of poetry will be emphasized.
Shakespeare: Will in the World
This course concentrates on the best known of English writers: William
Shakespeare. Students will study a variety of his plays including tragedy,
comedy, romance and history and will look at the connections between his
life and works.
American Skin: Ethnic Literature in the US
What is black and white and re(a)d all over? Skin color should not matter,
but the American experience is that it does matter. This course takes a look
at our country’s long discussion about ethnicity. We will examine ethnicity
and its consequences for all Americans. This course will prepare you for the
multicultural society and workplaces of America.
The Literature of War
From time to time, societies decide to go to war against their enemies,
calling upon their young men and women to serve in battle. This course looks
at the effects of war on soldiers and civilians, as explored in literature.
Short Stories
Short story writers know they have limited time to develop plots and
characters. Readers appreciate getting to the point of the story right away.
This course brings together writers, readers and a wide variety of short
stories. Materials are chosen to accommodate for the reading skills of
students. Students are placed
in this course based on their test scores and/or teacher recommendation.
18th-19th Century American Literature
This course takes on the questions, "What makes a piece of writing
American?" and "How did we get here?" Students will study American
Literature from first contact between Europeans, Africans, and Native
Americans through the nineteenth century. The approach will be historical
taking a look at the major literary periods: Exploration, Puritan, Colonial,
Revolutionary, Transcendental, Romantic, Realistic, and Naturalistic. The
course includes examples from fiction, non-fiction, novels, short stories,
poetry, and drama.
18th-19th Century American Literature: The Challenge
This course takes on the questions, "What makes a piece of writing
American?" and "How did we get here?" Students will study American
Literature from first contact between Europeans, Africans, and Native
Americans through the nineteenth century. The approach will be historical
taking a look at the major literary periods: Exploration, Puritan, Colonial,
Revolutionary, Transcendental, Romantic, Realistic, and Naturalistic. The
course includes examples from fiction, non-fiction, novels, short stories,
poetry, and drama. This course will cover much of the same material as
18th-19th Century American Literature but is intended for students who
experience difficulty reading. Students will improve efficiency in following
written and oral directions, adjusting reading rates, and using effective
study techniques. Students are placed in this course based on their test
scores and teacher recommendation.
Myths, Legends and Urban Tales
Areas of instruction include American literature from the areas of fiction,
non-fiction, novels, short stories, poetry, and drama. Emphasis is on
written and oral communication skills for school-to-work or two year college
campuses. Students are placed in this course based on their test scores and
teacher recommendation.
Twentieth Century American Literature
This course is a continuation of 18th-19th Century American Literature as it
traces the development of American Literature in the last century and into
the present century. The course includes examples from fiction, non-fiction,
novels, short stories, poetry, and drama.
College Composition
This course for college-bound seniors improves individual writing by
studying the techniques of recognized authors and by writing formal and
informal college papers. Students learn the proper research procedures
necessary for writing formal term papers. Students learn methods of process
writing, peer editing, and word processing to improve papers. The course is
designed to prepare students for the transition from high school to college
composition.
Speech
This course offers instruction in a variety of speaking situations. Skills
are developed through various exercises designed to build confidence. Areas
explored include demonstrations, pantomime, TV and radio broadcasting,
advertising, and persuasive speaking. Career paths are emphasized for the
tech prep/vocational and college bound student.
British Literature: Stories of English
This course traces the stories of English from the arrival of the
Anglo-Saxons in Britain in 449 to the diffusion of English across our planet
in our own times. Students will gain an appreciation for the historical
events that have shaped our language. Students will view the major works of
British literature as a "distant mirror," gaining insights into the values
and concerns of our predecessors so that our own times and lives may be
better understood.
Humanities
While the major focus of the course is literature, it includes the
chronological study and research of art in its various forms, music, and
philosophy. In addition, the major literary works of each period are
studied. Students explore their particular interests in literature, art,
music, and philosophy. The students develop a basic knowledge and
appreciation of all cultural aspects of society. It adds a new dimension to
their lives.
General Communications
The course covers the communications process and how to use English as a
communication tool, qualities of effective messages, application of these
qualities, effectively interpret oral and nonverbal communications, prepare
job-winning resumes and letters of application, successfully interview for
employment, and plan and prepare informal reports. Newspaper and magazine
analysis and reading, writing, and listening skills are focal points. Career
paths emphasized are school-to-work and school-to-technical college.
Modern Literature
This modern world literature class focuses on extensive reading of required
and individually chosen contemporary works. Written and spoken communication
skills are emphasized through reports, discussion, and individual
interviews. The course is designed for school-to-work or two year college
campuses.