ENGLISH I: This yearlong course is designed to give all freshmen a basic background in the language arts area. Learning activities throughout the year incorporate grammar and composition skills, independent reading, short stories, poetry, novels and speech.
ENGLISH II: This yearlong course builds upon the skills emphasized in English I. Much of the year will be spent on learning activities that stress grammar and composition skills; independent reading; and the study of literature, including short stories, classic literature, drama, and non-fiction. A number of books will be read as a class. Also on tap for students will be research projects and speeches. Emphasis will be given to performance tasks that fulfill CIM requirements.
AMERICAN LITERATURE: The emphasis of Junior Core English is to bring together the skills of analyzing literature and developing short expository essays of critique or interpretation. The literature study emphasizes an examination of how literary elements contribute to artistic Credity. The writing emphasizes application of the writing process. A particular focus of the literature will be a close examination of realistic writing and a cultural awareness of the more significant American writers and books.
BRITISH LITERATURE/WORLD CLASSICS: A yearlong course for seniors. It will include literature, essay and creative writing, grammar, vocabulary, and critical reading skills. Literature Credits include early British Literature up to Shakespeare, Mythology (Greek and other), World Literature, and various Modern Literature. Different genres of literature will be covered (i.e., poetry, novels, short story, fiction, non-fiction, drama, myth, etc.) Various novels will be read as well. A Credit on College and scholarship essays will also be covered.
CREATIVE WRITING: This course will focus on multiple genres and styles of writing. Students will look at both fiction and non-fiction works and will study various modes of delivery and presentation. The class is project based and writing intensive. Junior or Senior Level Standing
CREATIVE WRITING/JOURNALISM: This course will focus on multiple genres and styles of writing, including journalism. Students will look at both fiction and non-fiction works and research various modes of delivery and presentation. A quarterly school newspaper will also be published based on the writings of this class. The class is project based and writing intensive. Junior or Senior Level Standing – unless approved by instructor. (May be offered during Publications class).
A.P. COMPOSITION: This course is designed for advanced-level juniors and seniors wishing to engage in a writing-intensive course based on literature. Literature selections will be taken from the college-bound reading list, and will vary in type. Students will be exposed to American, Russian, British, and multicultural literature. The course will serve as preparation for students intending to take the AP Composition exam in the spring; a passing score on this exam will earn qualifying students college credit in Language Arts. Students taking this course will be required to do extensive reading, as well as regularly respond to literature in timed situations designed to simulate the AP exam. Students will be granted admission to the course pending instructor consent and permission from parents. Students who are not passing by the second week of classes will be removed from the course.
MEDIA LITERACY: The aim of this course is to provide the student with a general knowledge of the history of cinema and introduce some of the most influential films and film makers of the modern film period. We will also study film genres and the Hollywood narrative of film criticism to develop skills in analyzing film. In addition to cinema, we will also study the phenomena of advertising in the mass media. We will focus on target marketing, stealth advertising, product placement, and positioning. Students will develop an understanding of the strategies and influence of advertising on consumers.
E.S.L. - English-Second-Language: (May be used for Language Arts requirement for a Mac Hi Diploma for maximum of one (1) year.) ESL is a course designed to give intermediate non-native speakers of English the proficiency and skills required to succeed in regular academic and vocational courses. This class focuses on academic and communication skills for students learning English as a second language, or additional language. Content will focus on a variety of literature, poetry, short stories, speeches, and original sources. Topics focus on improving language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Topics also included are grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. This course is a prerequisite to Eng. 1 for LEP students seeking a State Diploma.
READING I: This course is designed to develop and advance reading fluency and comprehension skills such as predicting outcomes, making inferences, identifying main ideas, understanding paragraph development, and thinking strategies. It not only focuses on comprehension, but written expressions, vocabulary, and literature (analysis and appreciation). This course is used to prepare students for the state reading comprehension benchmarks and their reading content area course work. Reading is aligned with district and state standards and supports the school wide efforts in increasing student achievement, while focusing on the individualized graduation plan developed for each student based on his/her academic needs and styles of learning.
READING II: This course is designed to develop and advance reading fluency and comprehension skills such as predicting outcomes, making inferences, identifying main ideas, understanding paragraph development, and thinking strategies. It not only focuses on comprehension, but written expressions, vocabulary, and literature (analysis and appreciation). This course is used to prepare students for the state reading comprehension benchmarks and their reading content area course work. Reading is aligned with district and state standards and supports the school wide efforts in increasing student achievement, while focusing on the individualized graduation plan developed for each student based on his/her academic needs and styles of learning.
COLLEGE PREP READING: This semester course is designed to help college bound students meet the burdensome vocabulary required of them in college. This will be achieved through an in-depth study of Etymology (morphemes). Students will also work on improving their speed and comprehension.