Language Arts

Grade Level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

*This course meets the English 1 requirement for graduation. The course is designed to present a wide range of reading experiences with print and non-print texts for literary, informational, argumentative, analytical, and practical purposes. Students use writing-to-learn and writing-to-demonstrate-learning strategies, as well as the writing process and criteria for effective writing, to comprehend and analyze complex texts and write in a variety of forms and for multiple audiences and purposes. Receptive and expressive skills are used to communicate information for a variety of authentic purposes, situations, and audiences. The integration of inquiry skills and technology with the other strands allows students to continue to discover and communicate ideas and information.  Pre-AP English I is strongly recommended as preparation for other classes in our AP English program including Pre-AP English 2.

Grade Level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

*This course meets the English 1 requirement for graduation.  Pre-AP English 1 focuses on reading, writing, and language skills that are relevant to students’ current work and essential for students' future to future high school and college coursework. 

Texts take center stage, preparing students for close, critical reading and analytical writing. The course trains readers to observe small details in a text to arrive at a deeper understanding of the whole. It also trains writers to create complex sentences—building this foundational skill en route to sophisticated, longer-form analyses. 

The Pre-AP English areas of focus are vertically aligned to the practices embedded in high school and college English courses, including AP. This gives students multiple opportunities to prioritize and strengthen key literacy skills throughout their course of study. 

• Reading closely: Students read closely and analyze a range of complex literary and informational texts. 

• Valuing evidence: Students evaluate textual evidence and incorporate it effectively in writing and speaking. 

• Noticing language choices: Students understand how writers and speakers use specific words and sentences to move the thoughts, emotions, and actions of readers and listeners.

Pre-AP English I is strongly recommended as preparation for other classes in our AP English program including Pre-AP English 2.

https://pre-ap.collegeboard.org/courses/course-descriptions/english-1

Grade Level:  10

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  English 1/Honors English 1

*This course meets the English 2 requirement for graduation.  The course is designed to present a wide range of reading experiences with print and non-print texts for literary, informational, argumentative, analytical, and practical purposes. Students use writing-to-learn and writing-to-demonstrate-learning strategies, as well as the writing process and criteria for effective writing, to comprehend and analyze complex texts and write in a variety of forms and for multiple audiences and purposes. Receptive and expressive skills are used to communicate information for a variety of authentic purposes, situations, and audiences. The integration of inquiry skills and technology with the other strands allows students to continue to discover and communicate ideas and information.  Pre-AP English 2 is strongly recommended as preparation for other courses in our AP English program.

Grade Level:  10

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  English 1/Honors English 1

*This course meets the English 2 requirement for graduation. Pre-AP English 2 builds on the foundations of Pre-AP English 1. While English 1 introduces the fundamentals of close observation, critical analysis, and the appreciation of author’s craft, English 2 requires students to apply those practices to a new array of nonfiction and literary texts. 

As readers, students become aware of how poets, playwrights, novelists, and writers of nonfiction manipulate language to serve their purposes. As writers, students compose more nuanced analytical essays while never losing sight of craft and cohesion. 

The Pre-AP English areas of focus are vertically aligned to the practices embedded in high school and college English courses, including AP. This gives students multiple opportunities to prioritize and strengthen key literacy skills throughout their course of study. 

• Reading closely: Students read closely and analyze a range of complex literary and informational texts.

• Valuing evidence: Students evaluate textual evidence and incorporate it effectively in writing and speaking. 

• Noticing language choices: Students understand how writers and speakers use specific words and sentences to move the thoughts, emotions, and actions of readers and listeners. 

Pre-AP English 2 is strongly recommended as preparation for other courses in our AP English program.

https://pre-ap.collegeboard.org/courses/course-descriptions/english-2

Grade Level:  11

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  English 2

*This course meets the English 3 requirement for graduation.  This course is designed to present a wide range of reading experiences with print and non-print texts for literary, informational, argumentative, analytical, and practical purposes. Students use writing-to-learn and writing-to-demonstrate-learning strategies, as well as the writing process and criteria for effective writing, to comprehend and analyze complex texts and write in a variety of forms and for multiple audiences and purposes. Receptive and expressive skills are used to communicate information for a variety of authentic purposes, situations, and audiences. The integration of inquiry skills and technology with the other strands allows students to continue to discover and communicate ideas and information. Course adheres to Kentucky Academic Standards requirements and is required for students entering high school before 2019-20.

Grade Level:  11

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  English 2 and Teacher Signature

*This course meets the English 3 requirement for graduation. The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text— from a range of disciplines and historical periods. College credit is earned with a qualifying score on an AP exam.  *Please note that there is an additional exam fee that is set by the College Board every year.  The test fee will be anywhere from $80-$95 per AP exam. 

Grade Level:  12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  English 3

*This course meets the English 4 requirement for graduation.  This course is designed to present a wide range of reading experiences with print and non-print texts for literary, informational, argumentative, analytical, and practical purposes. Students use writing-to-learn and writing-to-demonstrate-learning strategies, as well as the writing process and criteria for effective writing, to comprehend and analyze complex texts and write in a variety of forms and for multiple audiences and purposes. Receptive and expressive skills are used to communicate information for a variety of authentic purposes, situations, and audiences. The integration of inquiry skills and technology with the other strands allows students to continue to discover and communicate ideas and information. Course adheres to Kentucky Academic Standards requirements and is required for students entering high school before 2019-20.

Grade Level:  12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  English 3 and Teacher Signature

*This course meets the English 4 requirement for graduation.  This course is designed to present a wide range of reading experiences with print and non-print texts for literary, informational, argumentative, analytical, and practical purposes. Students use writing-to-learn and writing-to-demonstrate-learning strategies, as well as the writing process and criteria for effective writing, to comprehend and analyze complex texts and write in a variety of forms and for multiple audiences and purposes. Receptive and expressive skills are used to communicate information for a variety of authentic purposes, situations, and audiences. The integration of inquiry skills and technology with the other strands allows students to continue to discover and communicate ideas and information. Course adheres to Kentucky Academic Standards requirements and is required for students entering high school before 2019-20.

Grade Level:  9-12

Credit:  .50 - 1

Prerequisite:  None

Special Topics: focused on a specific genre

Mythology  - Greek and Roman myths will be the primary focus of this portion of the course, with some emphasis given to Norse-myths.  The allusions to mythology in modern art, literature, music, and everyday vocabulary will be explored.  The material selected for study will include the more familiar myths and those that have had a profound influence on Western culture.

Sports Literature - This will cover magazine articles, biographies, autobiographies, films, and novels related to sports topics.

Grade Level:  9-12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

Content for this course may vary but should provide students an opportunity to analyze and create works such as short stories, one-act plays, poetry and/or personal, expressive pieces.

Grade Level:  9-12

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

Content for this course may vary. Possible topics may include research, preparation, delivery, and analysis of extemporaneous, demonstrative, persuasive (including debate and forensic techniques) and informative oral communication. 

Grade Level:  9-12 CCHS; 10-12 HHS

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

Content for this course may vary. Possible topics may include: information gathering, writing, editing/proofreading, layout and production in print, digital and online formats.