English 7
Required: 3 trimesters
In 7th Grade English, students develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The emphasis is on the basic principles of grammar, mechanics, spelling, and punctuation. Students demonstrate these skills through paragraph writing and other longer reports. Several novels are read and analyzed throughout the year by practicing strategies used by good readers. Vocabulary lessons are also an integral part when reading the novels.
English 8
Required: 2 trimesters
This course continues the basic study of grammar and composition by combining literature units that center around universal themes. The themes help students understand themselves and the world around them. Literature units include short stories, novels, plays, poetry, and mythology. Students learn and use reading strategies that help them become effective readers. These strategies include predicting, questioning, making connections, inferring, visualizing, and synthesizing.
English 9
Grade Level: 9
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: None
The goal for English 9 is for students to refine their reading, thinking, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing skills. They will use these skills and strategies to learn and reflect by reading and analyzing a variety of texts. The texts include short stories, novels, plays, poetry, and nonfiction in both classic and contemporary literature. By exploring a variety of texts, students will understand and appreciate literature as ways to discover one’s inter-relationships and self-reliance. Students will consider how they build relationships, how their relationships impact others, and their responsibility to society.
English 10
Grade Level: 10
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: English 9
Students continue to build proficiency in writing, reading comprehension, the basics of grammar, mechanics and usage. Selections from classic and modern world authors provide a thematic approach in interpretation and analysis of literature. The short story, drama, novel, poetry, and nonfiction serve as the basis for integrating the literature, writing, research and language study. Along with major works of literature, tenth graders will connect with and respond to texts through Critical Response and Stance. They will learn to evaluate for validity and quality, as well as make assertions about relevant topics. Critical Response and Stance offers students the lens to asses and modify their beliefs, views of the world, and how they have power to impact them. Those who have demonstrated success in this course will find themselves prepared for courses in their junior year.
English 11
Grade Level: 11
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: English 10
Students continue to build their foundation and proficiency in writing, reading comprehension, the basics of grammar and mechanics, and preparation for the American College Test (ACT). Selections from classic and modern American authors provide a thematic approach in interpretation and analysis of literature. The short story, drama, novel, poetry, and nonfiction serve as the basis for integrating the literature, writing, research and language study. Along with major works of literature, writing projects will be given that include research and literary analysis. The course will analyze different genres in American literature and focus on college preparatory writing skills, which include an annual research paper and multiple analysis reports. Those who have demonstrated success in this course will find themselves prepared for college bound courses in their senior year.
Applied English
Grade Level: 12
Elective: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: English 11
This course is designed for the senior who is not going to college. The focus is on all forms of communication in real-world situations. Students will learn to fill out job applications, create cover letters and resumes, and write business letters. Students will interview and be interviewed by others. If possible, job shadowing will be conducted in the student’s area of interest.
English 12
Grade Level: 12
Required: 2 trimesters - 1 credit
Prerequisites: English 11
This course is a college preparatory course where students will refine, apply, and extend the solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and strategies developed in English 9, 10, and 11. Students study the literature of the British Isles as they read selections from Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales to MacBeth and other modern works. Twelfth graders will synthesize information, ideas, and themes to understand the past, the present, and to think innovatively about the future. They will apply their own leadership skills by working as a mentor through the High Five Mentoring Program.
Speech Communication
Grade Level: 10-12
Elective: 1 trimester- 1/2 credit
Prerequisites: None
This course emphasizes verbal and physical expression by learning presentation techniques and effective use of visual aids. Students engage in improvisational speeches, interviews, informative speeches, persuasive speeches, demonstrative speeches, and multimedia/technology aided speeches. Students learn fundamental speech techniques and devices while also examining contemporary and classic speeches.
Creative Writing
Grade Level: 10-12
Elective: 1 trimester - 1/2 credit
Prerequisites: None
Creative writing is a one-semester course for those students who wish to express themselves imaginatively through short stories, poems, songs, and creative nonfiction. Students will build their skills in areas of word choice, sentence structure, and organization. Writing improvements will be made through peer and teacher feedback. A journal focusing on thoughts and feelings will be kept by students as well.
Good Books
Grade Level: 10-12
Elective: 1 trimester - 1/2 credit
Prerequisites: None
This course will cover a variety of novels. Selections will vary from year to year, but may include the following: A Time to Kill, The Lovely Bones, The Five People You’ll Meet in Heaven, The River King, and The Autobiography of a Face. Students will explore and discuss themes and issues found in the books. The class will engage students in a variety of whole class, small group, and individual activities. Activities may include projects, essays, tests, reviews, journal writing, and group discussions.