English
Students in every grade have choices about which class they take to meet their English requirement. Please read the course descriptions below and check out the embedded slide deck for more information.
9th Grade Options
English 9
Grades: 9
Credit: 1.0
Graduation requirement: English
Description: This course for freshman focuses on the concept of “Coming of Age,” as well as presenting a traditional genre study. The units begin with an introduction to the idea of “Coming of Age” and then follow this topic by presenting units focused on short stories, poetry, drama, film, non-fiction, and novels that include significant milestones in the lives of young people. Specific elements of genre study and writing skills are emphasized. Students are expected to learn and apply reading, writing, oral, and collaborative strategies to their own learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses.
English 9 Honors
Grades: 9
Credit: 1.0
Indicators of success: Students should demonstrate strong critical thinking skills; i.e., the ability to analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from text, and be willing to accept and act upon constructive criticism.
Graduation requirement: English
Description: English 9 Honors is a fast-paced, rigorous course designed for highly motivated, growth-minded students interested in pursuing an advanced English pathway. The course combines the most essential standards and assessments from both the 9th and 10th grade Pre-AP courses, using the SpringBoard curriculum. Students read, discuss, and analyze a variety of literary genres including novels, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and academic research. A wide range of writing tasks with a focus on literary analysis and research/argumentation are central to the curriculum. Students develop public speaking skills through both independent and group projects. The goal of the course is to prepare students with the foundational skills to continue into an advanced English option in their 10th grade year.
English 10
Grades: 10
Credit: 1.0
Graduation requirement: English
Description: This course for sophomores focuses on world literature in order to broaden the literary landscape of high school students. The units begin with an investigation of culture, working towards a definition and an understanding of the commonalities and differences among human cultures as presented in literature, media, and non-fiction from around the world. Students read widely and deeply, and are asked to write about and research ways cultures communicate and the conflicts that sometimes arise among them.
AP Seminar English
Grades: 10-11
Credit: 1.0
Indicators of success: This class is open to all students who want a greater challenge in their thinking. Recommended for students who earned a high proficiency score in 9th/10th grade English (and for those wanting to move on to AP Research).
Graduation requirement: English
Description: AP Seminar is the first of the two-part AP Capstone program that is based on academic research and argumentation. It is a fast-paced, rigorous course that engages students in the exploration of academic and real-world issues. Students will learn to engage in college-level research and academic writing, critically evaluate news and academic sources, and employ valid reasoning to build convincing arguments. Students will write multiple research-based essays and present multiple arguments using effective visual media, both individually and as part of a team. AP Seminar provides a challenging, in-depth research experience that prepares students for other advanced courses, including AP Research and AP Composition and Language, while simultaneously providing them with critical thinking, research, writing, and presentation skills that are transferable to other content areas in high school and beyond. For more information on the AP Capstone diploma, visit this link.
Note: Due to the unique structure of the course, it is expected that students who enroll in the course intend to take the exam. Financial aid is available to assist with exam fees.
English 11
Grades: 11
Credit: 1.0
Graduation requirement: English
Description: In junior year, the units of study focus on American literature within its historical context, from the 1600s to the present, in order to understand the complexities of American culture today. Students will explore American art, music, and film. Writing will include both intensive analysis of literature, historical texts, and personal reflection. Students will explore current social issues and complete and present a multimodal research project and write and deliver a speech.
Comparative Media Studies
Grades: 12
Credit: 1.0
Graduation requirement: English
Description: Comparative Media Studies is a year long English course devoted to the comparative analysis of texts in a variety of genres and forms. This course utilizes the basic structure of a traditional English course, but in addition to reading novels, plays, essays, poetry, and short fiction, students will analyze art, music, and feature length films, documentaries and short subject films connected by theme, structure and/or style to the various literary and informational texts read, discussed and analyzed in class. Students who successfully complete this course will be well prepared for post-secondary level analysis, synthesis, writing, reading, and speaking tasks and will be able to more critically consume the various media that they interact with regularly.
AP Research Methods
Grades: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Seminar or a letter of recommendation from a teacher in a core subject area from the previous year.
Graduation requirement: English
Description: AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone program, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Throughout the year, students learn the elements of effective research study design in order to conduct a yearlong investigation that addresses a gap in existing research on a topic of their choice. In addition to their individual project, students will conduct team-based action research projects for real-world audiences. The AP Exam consists of an academic thesis paper of approximately 5,000 words and a presentation, performance, or exhibition with an oral defense. Students who receive a score of 3 or better on both the AP Seminar and AP Research exams will qualify for the AP Capstone Certificate and can be eligible for the AP Capstone Diploma upon successful completion of 4 additional AP exams.
Note: 11th or 12th grade students who enroll in AP Research without taking the prerequisite AP Seminar course will be ineligible for both the AP Capstone Certificate and AP Capstone Diploma. 10th grade students cannot be enrolled in AP Research without first taking AP Seminar.
AP Language & Composition
Grades: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Indicators of success: Highly motivated, self-starter, independent learner
Graduation requirement: English
Description: In AP Lang and Comp students learn to read, understand, and respond to short, primarily non-fiction texts. The identification and application of an author’s use of rhetoric is a concentrated focus. Students will master writing rhetorical analysis, argument, and synthesis essays in a timed environment. They will build and develop a more sophisticated vocabulary, learn to research and compile supportive documentation, and critically analyze timed writings. Furthermore, students will develop close reading skills applicable to responding to timed multiple choice questions. The focus of this course is to prepare students to take the AP Exam in the spring. Most work is completed in class. Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP Exam in the spring.
AP Language and AP Literature courses will be offered on alternating years. Registration in PowerSchool will show the available for course for the upcoming school year.
AP Literature & Composition
Grades: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Indicators of success: Students should have earned a high proficiency score in prior English courses, think critically, love reading literature, work independently, and manage time effectively.
Graduation requirement: English
Description: This course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature from a variety of time periods and genres. Through close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers.
Students consider a work’s structure, style, and universal themes as well as smaller-scale elements such as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Students focus on texts of literary merit, both classics and contemporary texts. Students will be prepared to take the AP Literature Exam by practicing timed writes, along with self and peer assessments.
AP Language and AP Literature courses will be offered on alternating years. Registration in PowerSchool will show the available for course for the upcoming school year.
UWHS English 111
Grades: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Indicators of success: Highly motivated, passionate, self-directed, independent learner. This is an excellent choice following AP Language and Composition or AP Seminar or Research; it offers a different college credit than AP.
Graduation requirement: English
College in the High School dual credit:
Composition: Literature Univ. of Washington ENGL 111 5 credits
Description: This course understands writing as social action and emphasizes language as tied to identity, culture and power. Students' diverse language resources, knowledge and goals are centered and provide a starting point as they learn to engage writing, reading, research and rhetorical skills to compose ethically, critically and impactfully across different contexts, audiences and genres both within and beyond the university. Topics and projects vary in English 111, which engages literature (novels, film, poems, short stories, narrative, graphic novels, memoir, etc.), among other texts and contexts, as a vehicle for teaching writing. Students must earn a 2.0 or higher to receive the UW Composition credit.
UWHS English 111 and UWHS English 131 courses will be offered on alternating years. Registration in PowerSchool will show the available for course for the upcoming school year.
UWHS English 131
Grades: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Indicators of success: Highly motivated, passionate, self-directed, independent learner. This is an excellent choice following AP Language and Composition or AP Seminar or Research; it offers a different college credit than AP.
Graduation requirement: English
College in the High School dual credit:
Composition: Exposition Univ. of Washington ENGL 131 5 credits
Description: UW in the High School lets you take University of Washington English 131 and earn college credit. There is no final exam, instead, you will complete a final portfolio. The most difficult requirement is that you must submit every assignment all year.
This course focuses on the study and practice of good writing, the kind of writing you may have never done before! Topics are derived from a variety of personal, academic, and public subjects. In the end, you will complete a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in the 4 Course Outcomes:
1. RHETORIC: To demonstrate the strategies that writers use in different writing contexts.
2. SYNTHESIS: To read, analyze, and synthesize complex texts and incorporate multiple kinds of evidence purposefully in order to generate and support writing.
3. ARGUMENT: To produce complex, persuasive arguments that matter in academic contexts.
4. REVISION/ PUBLICATION: To develop flexible strategies for revising, editing, and proofreading writing.
UWHS English 111 and UWHS English 131 courses will be offered on alternating years. Registration in PowerSchool will show the available for course for the upcoming school year.
English Electives
Competitive Speech & Debate I
Located at GHHS campus
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: CTE and English (dual requirement)
Description: This course is designed for students who want to pursue competitive debate, speech, and interpretation events and also is helpful for those who want to learn how to be effective communicators–a skill that is useful in every career. You will learn the essentials of argumentation and organization in debate as well as complementary presentation skills. Additionally, the course offers instruction in the development of both prepared and extemporaneous speeches and humorous and dramatic interpretation. A principal focus of the class is preparation for the twelve WIAA speech and debate events for class presentation and tournament competition is strongly encouraged. Interested students should check out this course flier.
Competitive Speech & Debate II
Located at GHHS campus
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Teacher permission and completion of Competitive Speech & Debate I
Graduation requirement: CTE and English (dual requirement)
Description: This course is designed for students who wish to further pursue the skills and the talents learned in the introductory class. The course instructs you in advanced techniques of debate case writing and presentation, speech writing and presentation, and oral interpretation. The principal focus of the course is preparation for, and participation in speech and debate tournaments. Tournament participation is integral to success in the class. Interested students should check out this course flier.
Non-Competitive Speech & Debate
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: English
Description: This course is designed for students who want to learn the skills of debate, argumentation and speech but do not wish to compete in tournaments outside of school. Students learn the essentials of argumentation and organization in debate as well as complementary presentation skills. Additionally, the course offers instruction in the development of both prepared and extemporaneous speeches and humorous and dramatic interpretation.
Journalistic Publishing: Newspaper
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Graduation requirement: CTE and English (dual requirement - some universities might not recognize this as English)
CTE dual college credit:
Electronic Publishing & Layout Clover Park TC GTC 143 5 credits
Description: Be part of a team that writes, designs, edits, and publishes the award-winning student-run newspaper. Experiences include creative and journalistic writing, producing art, photography, image editing, and graphic design. You will develop greater responsibility, time management, teamwork, and communication skills. Students will also promote the newspaper through social media.