English
Core 24 requires --> 4.0 Credits
Clarification:
To help ensure student success three of these credits involve successful completion at each grade level in sequential order (English 9, English 10, and English 11). The senior year involves choosing from several electives offered. Students who consider themselves college-bound should incorporate as much writing in their choices as possible. Additionally, students who know they are heading for a four-year university may take advantage of the Advanced Placement (AP) program and take the AP Exam. Students can receive up to ten college credits depending on how well they do on the exam. College in the High School credit is available for Junior AP English Language and Composition, Senior College Writing and AP English Literature and Composition.
9th - 11th Core Courses Options
English 9 - 1.0 credit
Grade: 9
Students will continue to develop and reinforce communication skills taught in the eighth grade. In addition, they will:
Begin to work on speaking and listening standards
Learn and develop critical reading strategies through interactions with selections from the My Perspectives text and additional longer texts from a district-approved list to increase competency of reading and writing standards
Focus on expository and argumentative writing standards
Independently read books of their choice in and outside of class
English 10 - 1.0 credit
Recommendation: a passing grade in English 9 term 1 and 2
Students will continue to develop and reinforce communication skills taught in English 9. In addition, they will:
Continue work towards proficiency in expository and argumentative writing standards
Work on speaking and listening standards
Interact with selections from the My Perspectives text and additional longer texts from a district-approved list to increase competency on reading and writing standards
Independently read books of their choice in and outside of class
English 10 (Advanced) - 1.0 credit
Prerequisite: C or better in Advanced English 9 - 1st & 2nd Semester. Students who did NOT take Advanced English 9 may take this class with their English 9 teacher’s recommendation.
Advanced English 10 is the second class in a sequence leading to Senior Advanced Placement Literature and ultimately the AP Exam.
Students will continue to develop and reinforce communication skills taught in English 9 including a strong focus on expository and persuasive writing skills but with a more analysis and collegiate approach.
They will learn basic debate skills and be involved in a debate using the AHS presentation scoring guide. THIS COURSE REQUIRES A SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT.
1st Semester
Interact with literature that may include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Frankenstein, The Bluest Eye, Animal Farm, and various short stories and/or poetry; two outside reading texts
Begin a year-long research project
2nd Semester
Prerequisite: C or better in Advanced English 10 - 1st Semester, students below a C might be placed in an English 10 class
Interact with literature that may include: 1984, All the Light We Cannot See, How Does it Feel to be a Problem, Hamlet, The Tempest and various short stories and/or poetry; two outside reading texts
Complete a year-long research project with a culminating presentation
English 11 - 1.0 credit
Grade: 11
Recommendation: a passing grade in English 10 terms 1 and 2
Students will continue to develop and reinforce communication skills taught in English 10.
In addition, they will:
Interact with selections from the My Perspectives text and additional longer texts from a district-approved list focusing on American Literature to increase competency in reading and writing standards
Write in a variety of formats including analysis, reflective, and descriptive.
Write the scholarly paper, a persuasive research-based paper.
Deliver a lengthy presentation
College in the High School: EvCC English Composition I (ENGL101) - 5 credits (college credit is granted in June for the full year of the class)
A junior English course…this is instead of English 11
This class is designed for those who want a college-level course in high school that is focused on current events and nonfiction.
Students will:
Write a college-level research paper.
Develop critical thinking, literary analysis, and composition skills
Experience a rigorous reading and writing curriculum (in and out of the classroom) is similar to what students will encounter in college.
Focus on current issues and your role/place in society
Read American literature
Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the class for the entire year, and they are expected to take the AP English: Language and Composition exam given in May.
Senior English Core Options
Please note that some courses have prerequisites. Students with junior credits may take these electives if they have passed the Reading and Writing portions of the SPA or have the instructor’s permission. Students should be enrolled in an English class EACH semester.
Literature of Social Justice - 1.0 credit
This course is an introductory study of nonfiction and fiction exploring issues of social justice.
In this year-long course, students will study a variety of books, memoirs, articles, essays, and documentaries about the historical and structural elements of oppression.
Topics studied include race, gender, ethnicity, culture, class, and ability.
Highly recommended for students entering the workforce after high school and/or students who seek to strengthen their literacy skills for success in college.
Students will:
Develop skills for engaging and addressing issues of diversity and social justice.
Understand how structural inequities in society are shaped by historical, psychological, social, and political factors.
Demonstrate knowledge of social identities and the diversity within identities, as well as an understanding of the many ways that our multiple identities intersect at the individual and institutional levels.
Develop methods for continuing this life long process of recognizing our biases, learning how to change oppressive systems, and building a more socially just, equitable
Media Studies - 1.0 credit
This is a year-long course with a different focus each semester (Mass Media/Media Literacy 1st and Literature In Film 2nd).
1st Semester
This course will develop your understanding of what mass media (news, books, magazines, radio, movies, television, advertising, video games, the internet, social media, et. al.) was, is, and might be in the future--as well as the importance of its role and influence on your life and perspectives, and on American society today and historically.
Students will develop their critical thinking and media literacy skills by: investigating, analyzing, and discussing a variety of media sectors (see above), including news and news/media bias, teen advertising and marketing, representations of gender in media, the culture of celebrity, media consolidation, and the rise of independent media.
2nd Semester
Focus is Literature In Film, providing a unique exploration of American, British, and European literature by viewing film versions of classic novels, plays, short stories, and then reading short selected excerpts from them.
Film selections include The Grapes Of Wrath, Hamlet, Smoke Signals, Pride and Prejudice, and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, among others.
Develop critical thinking, analytic, writing, reading & communication skills
Analyze how a novel is adapted for the purposes of the film
Build appreciation for literature and film in a discussion-oriented environment
Produce group projects, presentations, and debates.
ENGL 111: English 12 Literature & Composition (A.P.) - 1.0 credit
Grade: 12
College in the High School: EvCC Intro to Literature (ENGL 111) - 5 credits (student pays tuition)
HIGHLY recommended before enrolling: C or better in Advanced English 11 - 1st & 2nd Semester or a teacher's recommendation IF the student was not in Advanced English 11
Advanced Placement English is part of a nationally-recognized program in which students may earn college credit by taking an accelerated class while still in high school. This college-level class provides:
A “professional student” environment that assumes those entering the course have strong organizational skills and work ethics, the ability to make deadlines and balance multiple assignments–both short and long term–at the same time, and high academic integrity.
A background in literary analysis and composition, preparing students for the Advanced Placement English examination given each May, as well as college English literature courses after high school. Registering for the AP Exam is optional
Literature studies include all major genres, including short prose, poetry, drama (plays, including works from the ancient Classical tradition, Shakespeare, and the modern theatre), novels, literary theory, and history.
An emphasis on small group and whole-class discussion and analysis
An emphasis on critical thinking and written expression
An emphasis on the writing process; students will write around 3-4 essays a semester
Attention to both in-class and outside reading and writing assignments, similar to those that the student is likely to encounter on the AP English examination and in college writing
A more informal class environment with an expectation for student-led discussions
A rigorous curriculum and pacing similar to what students will encounter in college
Elements of Literature Short Stories - 1.0 credit
This senior elective is a year-long course that is designed for those interested in attending education after high school.
We will spend the first semester focusing on fundamental literacy and writing concepts.
We will then spend the second semester applying these concepts to pieces of literature, and more specifically different forms of music and song - primarily rock and roll and blues music.
Students will expand on knowledge in the Six-Traits writing program
Grammar, and other mechanics of writing expected of students beyond high school
An extensive amount of instruction on literary concepts and terms will take place. Some of these include the following: characterization, plot, mood/tone, theme, symbolism, and the five classic genres
Students will also focus on key events in history that had a direct impact on literature and American culture
Analyze rock and roll, country, blues, and jazz music
Write papers analyzing songs, research musicians, and focus on other literary elements found in music
Focus on key events and performers in musical history that had a direct impact on the music industry and society
Utilize technology and visual aids to provide a presentation to peers and instructor
This is not a creative writing class
ENGL 101: College Writing - 1.0 credit
College in the High School: EvCC English Composition I (ENGL101) - 5 credits
Prerequisite: Successfully completed English 11 - 1st & 2nd Semester.
Recommended for college-bound students who are not in AP English
Students will …
Learn and practice the writing skills necessary for college success in English and other content area courses
Examine critical college reading and study skills
Develop confidence in writing through attention to all aspects of the writing process including prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing
Participate in writing groups to build trust, share ideas and constructive comments, and develop a personal writing style
Explore the versatility of the essay form
Write the college application essay and scholarship essays
Develop college research skills
Other creative forms may be considered
Students who wish to earn College in the High School credit (EvCC English 101) must complete the entire year of College Writing
Bridge to College English Language Arts - 1.0 credit
This course is ideal for students seeking a post-secondary education (trade schools, two-year, or four-year programs) that feel as though their English language skills need improvement prior to admission.
The course emphasizes modes of analysis and composition that mirror those they will encounter in their first year in any educational program.
The course curriculum focuses on the English language arts key readiness standards from the Washington State K-12 Learning Standards for English language arts (the Common Core State Standards).
It is designed to prepare students for entrance into post-secondary credit-bearing courses and will develop students’ college and career readiness by building skills in critical reading, academic writing, speaking & listening, research & inquiry.
This course is highly recommended for seniors who scored a “Level 2” on the Smarter Balanced 11th grade assessment and/or who seek to strengthen their literacy skills to successfully engage in college-level coursework.
Students will:
Learn to evaluate the credibility of information, critique other’s opinions and construct their own opinions based on evidence.
Use strategies for critical reading, argumentative writing, and independent thinking.
Engage with rigorous texts and activities that support a deepening appreciation of other cultures, valuing evidence and increasing skills used to respond to varying tasks across content areas.
Additional focus on:
Developing essential habits of mind necessary for student success in college.
Engaging flexible thinking and growth mindset.
Important Note: Students completing the course with a B grade or better will be considered college-ready by Washington community and technical colleges and permitted to enroll in an entry college-level English course (English Composition or equivalent) with no remediation or additional placement testing required.
Mythology - 1.0 credit
Senior English with a mythology focus is a yearlong course designed to prepare seniors to be career and college ready.
We will be focusing on reading and writing and dividing the course into four major units:
Reflective Writing
Personal Writing
Research
Presentations
Students will:
Use Mythology, primarily Greek and Roman mythologies mixed with other cultures throughout the school year to engage in learning
Gain an understanding of the ancient people of Greece by learning about their storytelling and culture
Study Joseph Campbell’s theories about the Hero’s Quest and how it applies to modern and ancient mythology
JOURN170: Student News Media - 1.2 credits
Grades: 9 - 12
Inter-curricular Student Organization: Washington Journalism Education Association
CTE Equivalency: Fine Art or Senior English
College in the High School: EdCC Introduction to Journalism (JOURN170) - 3 credits available (student pays tuition)
Prerequisite: Students MUST have instructor permission to register for this course
Students will:
Create the school yearbook
Write and photograph to publish on the school news website
Develop skills in layout and design
Understand press rights and responsibilities
Interview students both in and out of school
Outside hours required each month; tons of options of how to get them.
Develop photography skills and take pictures at events
Explore career options and expectations in journalism and graphic design
Learn Adobe InDesign and Photoshop