English 9 

Intended Audience:  Grade 9 

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit 

Major Outcomes: 

• Read and analyze a variety of texts, focusing on the development of themes across multiple texts, and citing textual evidence to demonstrate understanding

• Write daily, with a wide variety of writing experiences, including an exploration of argumentation and personal narratives

• Develop language skills (including expanding vocabulary and identifying biased language) as they relate to reading, writing and speaking.

• Develop skills in listening, speaking, media literacy, and argumentative speeches 

Projects, Activities, etc.: Book clubs, Socratic seminars, narrative writing, research to support reading and writing, argumentative speeches, and independent reading

Instructional Focus: Teachers will create daily reading, writing, and discussion activities as students explore thematic units. Language work will be embedded within authentic reading, writing, and speaking experiences. Teachers will offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning. 

Honors English 9 

Intended Audience: Grade 9 students who are interested in reading, writing, and language; students who read and write well above grade level 

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit 

Major Outcomes: 

• Read and analyze a variety of challenging texts, focusing on the development of themes across multiple texts, and citing textual evidence to demonstrate deep understanding

• Write daily, with a wide variety of writing experiences, including an exploration of argumentation, personal narratives, and audience-driven writing

• Develop language skills (including expanding vocabulary and identifying biased language) as they relate to reading, writing and speaking

• Develop skills in listening, speaking, media literacy, and argumentative speeches. Examine themes across different media, and create podcasts/newscasts and share information 

Projects, Activities, etc.: Book clubs, writing portfolios, Socratic seminars, narrative writing, research to support reading and writing, argumentative speeches, and independent writing. 

Instructional Focus: The course will move at a faster pace than English 9. This will allow students to explore topics in greater depth. Teachers will create daily reading, writing, and discussion activities as students explore thematic units. Language work will be embedded within authentic reading, writing, and speaking experiences. Teachers will offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning.

Course Syllabus

English 10 

Prerequisite/Selection Process: English 9 or Honors English 9 

Intended Audience: Grade 10 

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit 

Major Outcomes: 

• Read and analyze texts from a variety of viewpoints, focusing on the author’s choices, and citing textual evidence to demonstrate understanding. Examine the elements of effective arguments

• Write daily, with a wide variety of writing experiences. Focus on choices that impact the overall writing

• Develop language skills (including expanding vocabulary and examining voice and style) as they relate to reading, writing and speaking. 

• Develop skills in listening and speaking. Explore the impact of media, and create a digital work.

Projects, Activities, etc.: Book clubs, Socratic seminars, argumentative writing, research to support reading and writing, digital works, and independent reading 

Instructional Focus: Teachers will create daily reading, writing, and discussion activities as students explore thematic units. Language work will be embedded within authentic reading, writing, and speaking experiences. Teachers will offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning 

Honors English 10 

Prerequisite/Selection Process: English 9 or Honors English 9 

Intended Audience: Grade 10 students who are interested in reading, writing, and language, students who read and write well above grade level.

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit 

Major Outcomes:

• Read and analyze a variety of challenging texts, focusing on the author’s choices, and citing textual evidence to demonstrate deep understanding

• Write daily, with a wide variety of writing experiences, including literacy analysis. Focus on deep revision and prepare work for publication.

• Develop language skills (including expanding vocabulary and examining voice and style) as they relate to reading, writing and speaking

• Develop skills in listening and speaking.  Explore the impact of media, and determine the appropriate style of communication

Projects, Activities, etc.: Book clubs, Socratic seminars, argumentative writing, research to support reading and writing, digital works, and independent reading 

Instructional Focus: The course will move at a faster pace than English 10. This will allow students to explore topics in greater depth. Teachers will create daily reading, writing, and discussion activities as students explore thematic units. Language work will be embedded within authentic reading, writing, and speaking experiences. Teachers will offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning.

Course Syllabus

Honors English 10 Biomed and Engineering

Intended Audience: Grade 10 

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit 

Major Outcomes: 

• Rhetorical analysis

• Interpretation and evaluation of literature and informational texts

• Understanding of fiction and nonfiction

• Public Speaking

• Technical Writing 

Instructional Focus: Connection between rhetoric, medicine, and engineering including medical or engineering texts options and technical writing.

Course Syllabus

Grade 11 students have 2 options to fulfill their English 11 graduation requirement:

1. English 11: Humanities: Creation and Expression + English 11: Impact of Media

2. AP Language and Composition

English 11: Humanities: Creation and Expression

Prerequisite/Selection process: English 10, Honors English 10, Honors English 10 Biomed and Engineering

Intended audience: Grade 11

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major outcomes:

• Read and view a wide variety of artifacts from different societies and time periods to examine how an author’s purpose, bias, or perspective impact those artifacts

• Explore what the artifacts reveal about the human experience, as well as how those artifacts have influenced later creations

• Write daily, with a wide variety of writing experiences, especially focusing on reflection and connections

• Develop language skills (including expanding vocabulary and examining voice and style) as they relate to reading, writing, and speaking

• Develop skills in listening and speaking in small groups, full-class seminars and presentations

Projects, activities, etc.: Book clubs, Socratic seminars, group research projects, presentations, and personal museum capstones

Instructional focus: Teachers will create daily reading, writing, and discussion activities as students explore essential questions related to different forms of expression and how they connect to cultures and societies. Language work will be embedded within authentic reading, writing, and speaking experiences. Teachers will offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning.

English 11: Impact of Media 

Prerequisite/Selection Process: English 10, Honors English 10, Honors English 10 for Biomed and Engineering

Intended Audience: Grade 11 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Note: This is one of four possible trimester courses students can select to fulfill one half of the English 11 or English 12 requirement this year. Students will complete any two of the four choice courses for full English 11 or English 12 credit. Note that eight different trimester courses will be offered on a rotating basis, with four choices available each year.  

Major Outcomes:

• Evaluate how the author’s purpose, stated identities, biases, and perspective shape the content and style of a text

• Write to reflect how personal perspective, identity, and voice have developed and changed over time, in relation to the global community

• Create and present a piece of digital work or digital communication

• Communicate effectively in print through media

Projects/Activities: Analysis of production and consumption of media, digital portfolio of media posts with reflection

Instructional Focus: Teachers will create daily reading, writing, and discussion activities as students explore essential questions related to media consumption and production. Teachers will offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning.

AP English Language and Composition

AP exam is in May each year

Intended Audience: Highly skilled readers and writers in grade 11

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit

Major Outcomes:

• Reading texts from a variety of periods, disciplines and rhetorical contexts

• Build skills in analyzing writer’s purpose and use of rhetorical techniques

• Approach the AP exam with confidence

Projects, Activities, etc.: Various challenging writing and reading assignments

Instructional Focus: Faster pace and independent work; College credit may be earned based on AP exam score and institution

Course Syllabus

Grade 12 students have 3 options to fulfill their English 12 graduation requirement:

1. English 12: Real World English: Technical Reading & Writing + English 12: Graphic Novels 

2. Coll Introduction to Literature & Coll University Writing 

3. AP Literature and Composition

English 12 Real World English: Technical Reading and Writing

Prerequisite/Selection process: English 10, Honors English 10, English 10 with College Foundations

Intended audience: Grade 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major outcomes:

• Read complex technical and informational texts effectively

• Write daily, with a wide variety of writing experiences, especially focusing on writing for the workplace and daily life

• Develop language skills (including expanding vocabulary) as they relate to reading, writing, and speaking

• Communicate effectively in print and through media

Projects, activities, etc.: Book clubs, resumes and cover letters, research about a chosen career path, presentations, and Socratic seminars.

Instructional focus: Teachers will create daily reading, writing, and discussion activities as students explore essential questions related to technical reading and writing. Language work will be embedded within authentic reading, writing, and speaking experiences. Teachers will offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning.

English 12: Graphic Novels

Prerequisite/Selection process: English 10, Honors English 10, Honors English 10 Biomed and Engineering

Intended audience: Grade 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit

Major Outcomes:

• Read and analyze a variety of graphic novels, comics, and traditional prose texts, focusing on the impact of author’s choices on a text

• Write to create and engage the reader, employing a variety of purposeful literary techniques

• Create and present digital communications

• Develop language skills (including expanding vocabulary and examining voice and style) as they relate to reading, writing, and speaking

Projects, activities, etc.: Book clubs, Socratic seminars, digital graphic memoirs, presentations, and reflection

Instructional focus: Teachers will create daily reading, writing, and discussion activities as students explore essential questions related

to graphic novels and the human experience. Language work will be embedded within authentic reading, writing, and speaking

experiences. Teachers will offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning.

Coll Honors Introduction to Literature

College credit [University of Minnesota]

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Meet university entrance requirements [see counselor] or by teacher recommendation

Intended Audience: Highly skilled readers and writers in grade 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 English credit and 0.5 elective credit

Major Outcomes:

• Discussion and interpretation of literary forms

• Personal response to literature

• Experience with literary analysis composition

• Reader’s notebook

Projects, Activities, etc.: Reader’s notebook, textual Discussions

Instructional Focus: Rigorous and higher level critical thinking, multiple perspectives, seminars, some independent study

Course Syllabus

Coll Honors University Writing

College credit [University of Minnesota]

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Meet university entrance requirements [see counselor] or by teacher recommendation

Intended Audience: Highly skilled readers and writers in grade 12

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 English credit and 0.5 elective credit

Major Outcomes:

• Knowledge of variety of writing assignments

• Defining purpose, organizing, developing content

• Skill development in the writing process, including a focus on pre-writing, drafting, and revision

Projects, Activities, etc.: Writing portfolio may include: personal narrative, synthesis of given sources, researched inquiry, and multimodal design

Instructional Focus: Some independent study, discussion, seminars, writing workshops, and presentation

Course Syllabus

AP Literature and Composition

AP exam is in May each year

Intended audience: Highly skilled readers and writers in grade 12

Credit: Two trimesters = 1.0 credit

Major outcomes:

• Reading selected pieces of world literature from a variety of periods

• Analyze literature for structure, style, theme, and use of language

• Acquire skills necessary to succeed in college

• Approach the AP exam with confidence

Projects, activities, etc.: Writers notebook, small and large group discussions, individual reports, panels, and oral reading of plays

Instructional focus: Faster pace and independent work; college credit may be earned based on AP exam score and institution

Course Syllabus

ARTS 

Acting I 

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit Note:  Course does not meet the Arts course requirement 

Major Outcomes: 

• Foundations of Theater

• Creativity

• Techniques for improvisation

• Beginning scene work

• Leadership and communication skills 

Projects, Activities, etc.: Writing and performance, individual and group performance 

Instructional Focus: Active participation and collaborative group work 

Acting II 

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Acting I or teacher permission 

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes:

• Original scripts

• Character analysis

• Collaborative scene work 

• Acting styles and forms 

Projects, Activities, etc.: Perform scenes from a variety of styles, write and perform original work 

Instructional Focus: Active participation and collaboration 

Acting III 

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Acting II or teacher permission 

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: Course may be taken multiple times.  One trimester = 0.5 credit; students may enroll for one, two, or three trimesters

Major Outcomes:

• Prepare an audition piece

• Experience in blocking

• Analysis of dramatic literature

• Acting experience

• Scene work 

Projects, Activities, etc.: Perform scenes from musicals, dramas, and comedies 

Instructional Focus: Active participation 

Creative Writing I 

Intended Audience: Grades 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes:

• Learn strategies to improve as a writer

• Development of writerly voice

• Collaborate with a community of writers

• Freedom to write innovatively 

Project, Activities, etc.: Project-based learning: fiction, poetry, plays, and creative non-fiction 

Creative Writing II 

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Creative  Writing I 

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12 [grade 10 with special permission of teacher] 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes: 

• Continue to develop a writer voice

• Experimentation with genre and style

• Collaborate with other student writers 

Project, Activities, etc.: Project-based learning: fiction, poetry, plays, and creative non-fiction 

JOURNALISM 

Introduction to Journalism

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes: 

• Reporting techniques

• News and feature writing

• Editorial and review writing

• Layout and photography

• Journalistic ethics 

Projects, Activities, etc.: Students may write news stories, feature stories, sports stories, and opinion pieces. Students may create photography portfolios and page design layouts. [Articles submitted may be included in the school newspaper.] 

Instructional Focus: Computer and hands-on activities 

Yearbook Lab I 

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: Course may be taken multiple times.  One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes:

• Copy writing

• Interviewing techniques

• Layout design 

• Photo composition and development 

• Advertising 

• Time management 

Instructional Focus: Hands-on activities 

Yearbook Lab II 

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Yearbook Lab I 

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: Course may be taken multiple times.  One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes:  

• Copy writing

• Interviewing techniques

• Layout design

• Photo composition and development 

• Advertising 

• Time management 

Instructional Focus: Hands-on activities 

Yearbook Lab III 

Prerequisites/Selection Process: Yearbook Lab II or teacher permission 

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: Course may be taken multiple times.  One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes:   

• Further development of skills learned in Yearbook Lab I and II 

Instructional Focus: Hands-on activities 

Television Journalism 

Intended Audience: Grades 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: Course may be taken up to three times.  One trimester = 0.5 credit; students may enroll for one, two, or three trimesters

Major Outcomes:  

• Improve speaking skills 

• Improve journalism and interviewing skills 

• Write human interest stories, opinion pieces, and general announcements to be broadcast 

• Work as reporters, news writers, news  anchors, editors, camera operators, and technicians 

Instructional Focus: Using journalism and broadcast skills to create informational news for schoolwide announcements 

SPEAKING 

Debate I 

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes:    

• Basic research skills 

• Public speaking 

• Understanding basic debate formats 

Projects, Activities, etc.: Research and deliver major debates 

Instructional Focus: Active participation, research and group work 

Honors Debate II 

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Debate I or teacher permission 

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes:    

• Advanced research skills 

• Argumentation theory 

Project, Activities, etc.: Research and deliver major debates and utilize argumentation theories 

Instructional Focus: More rigorous challenges, for example, types of research materials 

Course Syllabus

Public Speaking 

Intended Audience: Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes:  

• Confidence in public speaking situations

• Speaking skills

• Presentation skills 

Projects, Activities, etc.: Interpretive speeches, informative presentation, persuasive speeches 

Instructional Focus: Non-threatening course designed to help overcome fears 

Coll Honors Public Speaking 

College credit [North Hennepin Community College] 

Prerequisite/Selection Process: Minimum GPA of 2.0; additional criteria set by NHCC 

Intended Audience: Grades 11 and 12; for students who want to improve speaking skills and earn honors and college credit 

Credit: One trimester = 0.5 credit 

Major Outcomes: 

• Practice and improve public speaking skills 

• Critically analyze own and others’ speeches 

• Explore advanced research techniques and organizational strategies 

• Analyze audience and evaluate communication choices 

• Participate effectively in groups with emphasis on critical listening and responding 

Instructional Focus: Create and deliver speeches

Course Syllabus