113018 LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 9

Language & Literature 9 seeks to develop students' ability to be critical thinkers and skilled communicators who use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self-expression, analysis, and social interaction. The course will integrate reading, writing, and study of a variety of literary and non-literary texts - particularly the major genres of literary expression - along with instruction in grammar, writing, and literary terminology. Students will focus on the composition process (prewriting, writing, editing, rewriting) to compose their own essays, research projects, oral presentations, poetry, and performances. This course prepares the student to choose between L&L 10 and L&L 10, Honors.

113009 HONORS LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 9

Recommended: A grade of “B” or better in Lang & Lit 8, Honors or a “B+” or better in Lang & Lit 8

Language and Literature 9, Honors follows the same basic format and curriculum as Language and Literature 9 but is taught at a more accelerated pace. The course features a higher level of sophistication and rigor in terms of literary and non-literary texts, writing assignments, and class discussions. Writing will be a primary focus of the course and students will work toward gaining independence in the writing process. L&L 9, Honors prepares students for L&L 10, Honors.

114018 LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 10

Language & Literature 10 seeks to develop students' ability to be critical thinkers and skilled communicators who use language and literature as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self-expression, analysis, and social interaction. The course primarily focuses on American literature that highlights this country’s major literary movements and its representative authors. Students also focus on non-literary rhetoric and informational texts. Interspersed throughout the year will be units on writing instruction, creative writing, and vocabulary improvement. This course is designed to enhance students’ cultural literacy and critical thinking to adequately prepare them for the IB Language & Literature (SL) or IB Literature (HL) courses.

114009 HONORS LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 10

Recommended: A grade of “B” or better in Lang & Lit 9, Honors or a “B+” or better in Lang & Lit  9

L&L 10, Honors follows the same basic format and curriculum as L&L 10 but is taught at a more accelerated pace. The course features a higher level of sophistication and rigor in terms of texts, writing assignments, and class discussions.  L&L 10, Honors most adequately prepares students for IB Literature (HL).

115155 IB ENGLISH A: LANGUAGE and LITERATURE 11 SL

First-year of a two-year program

IB English Language & Literature 11 SL is a course that promotes an active engagement with language and culture and, by extension, how we see and understand the world in which we live. A key aim of the course is to encourage all students to question the meaning generated by language and texts. Students develop the skills of textual analysis and the understanding that texts, both literary and non-literary, can be seen as autonomous yet simultaneously related to culture. It encourages students to think critically about the interactions with and among texts, the audiences, and their purposes.

This course is unlike the IB English Literature 11 HL course in that it has a broader definition of “text,” does not solely focus on literary analysis, has fewer texts studied, and promotes the cultural understanding of language.

Students are expected to complete the IB assessments. The IB Language and Literature 11 SL course is the first year of a two-year course. In addition, during the second semester, students will take both Virginia State End of Course SOL exams in reading and writing.

115056 IB ENGLISH A: LITERATURE 11 HL

First-year of a two-year program

The IB Language A: Literature course spans the 11th and 12th grade years. It is offered at the Higher Level, and students will focus exclusively on literary texts, exploring and developing an understanding of factors that contribute to the production and reception of literature. Through close analysis of literary texts in a number of forms and from different times and places, students will consider their own interpretations, as well as the critical perspectives of others. With its focus on literature, this course is particularly concerned with developing sensitivity to aesthetic uses of language and empowering students to consider the ways in which literature represents and constructs the world and social and cultural identities. The course relies heavily on class discussion and participation, drawing on students’ independent reading, writing, analyses, and contributions. In addition to fulfilling the first year requirements for the IB Language and Literature program, this course also fulfills the eleventh grade English Standards of Learning for Virginia. During the second semester, students will take both Virginia State End of Course SOL exams in reading and writing. Students must complete the IB internal assessment in order to continue in IB Language A: Literature HL in 12th grade.

116095 IB ENGLISH A: LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE 12 SL

Second-year of a two-year program

Prerequisite: IB English A: Language & Literature 11 SL, completion of external and internal IB assessments.

The IB Language & Literature 12 SL course is the second of a two-year course, and students who wish to enroll in the IB 12 SL course must have satisfied the IB assessments completed in eleventh grade and have successfully completed the first year of the two-year SL course. The course is designed to develop students’ power of expression in both oral and written communication. All students will critically analyze and interpret written communication and spoken texts from a wide range of literary and non-literary genres. Students develop skills of literary and textual analysis and the ability to present their ideas effectively. A key aim is the development of critical literacy. Students who are registered for the SL program are required to complete all IB assessments in addition to the assigned assessments and examinations for the course.

116096 IB ENGLISH A: LITERATURE 12 HL

Second-year of a two-year program

Prerequisite: IB English A: Literature 11 HL

Recommended: A grade of “B” or better in IB English A: Literature 11 HL; completion of external and internal IB assessments.

IB Language A: Literature HL students who wish to enroll in IB 12 HL must have completed the IB assessments conducted in IB HL 11. The course is designed to develop students’ power of expression in both oral and written communication to prepare them for the internal and external IB assessments. The HL classroom environment is student-centered and requires each student to be actively engaged in critical thinking and discussion. Oral and written examinations are used to assess students’ language skills, their ability to critically analyze familiar and unfamiliar texts and to offer a personal and independent response to literature. The emphasis of senior year is the detailed study of works and the conventions of genres.

117107 CREATIVE WRITING I

Grades 9-12

Elective

Creative Writing is devoted to the highly demanding art of writing in all its various genres, including poetry, drama, prose, prose fiction, and non-fiction. Students will gain instruction and inspiration from essays on writing and famous authors’ works. Creative Writing will focus on the generating and sharing of original material. Students will gain a greater understanding of the entire writing process from pre-writing through editing and revising. Participants should be prepared to share their own writing with their teacher and their peers. They are also encouraged to submit their work to the literary magazine. This class is for students who approach their individual lives, and society at large with humor, intelligence, sensitivity, and a thirst for language.

117207 CREATIVE WRITING II

Grades 10-12

Elective

Creative Writing II is for students who want to enhance, refine, and expand their writing portfolio. This course is for independent and motivated writers who are devoted to continual improvement in all genres of writing, including but not limited to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. It also encourages students to generate original material with a strong focus on writing workshop and revision, as well as an emphasis on publication. Creative Writing II students will lead classroom mini-lessons on various components of writing and be leaders and mentors for the Creative Writing I students, especially in the workshop environment.

120007 JOURNALISM I

Grades 9-12

Elective

Students in Journalism I develop basic skills in journalism. Students study and write news, feature, sports, editorial, and other forms of journalistic articles. They study interviewing, various types of research, legal rights and responsibilities, page design, photography, desktop publishing and advertising. They produce articles for publication in the online newspaper Lasso Online.

121007 JOURNALISM II

Grades 10-12

Elective

Prerequisite: Journalism I

Students refine and polish their skills as news, feature, sports and editorial writers. Students may apply these skills in leadership positions for Lasso Online. As second year journalists, students will be expected to contribute regular stories and manage a news section. In addition, students will continue to study such related topics as journalistic ethics, history and practices. The content moves in sync with the Journalism I course.

122007 JOURNALISM III

123007 JOURNALISM IV

Grades 11-12

Elective

Prerequisite: Journalism II

Students learn editorial leadership, develop a sense of professionalism, understand the role of the newspaper in our society, and develop more fully as productive members of the publication staff. Students serve as leaders, mentors, and peer tutors. They may also represent the newspaper staff in the community.

121507 YEARBOOK/ PHOTOJOURNALISM I:  INTRODUCTION TO YEARBOOK

Grades 9-12

Elective  

Yearbook/Photojournalism I is a year-long elective course in which students learn the publication, layout, design, organization and leadership skills necessary to produce a yearbook.  Substantial work outside of the class meeting time will be required of all students in the course.  Students learn technical skills as well as teamwork and time management skills.  All aspects of publication are covered, including: organization and planning, press law and legal issues, business management and sales, layout and design, time management, photographic and written communication, copy and proofreading, and the use of design software, photo editing programs and online tools for gathering and publishing information.  This course may be taken as a contract course with teacher approval.   

121607 YEARBOOK/PHOTOJOURNALISM II: ADVANCED STUDIES

Grades 10-12

Elective 

Prerequisite: Yearbook I

Yearbook/Photojournalism II is an extension of Yearbook I.  This is a year-long elective course in which students learn the publication, layout, design, organization, and leadership skills necessary to produce a yearbook.  Substantial work outside of the class meeting time will be required of all students in the course.  Students learn technical skills as well as teamwork and time management skills.  Students will apply these skills directly as they work on the school yearbook in leadership positions which they apply for.  All aspects of publication are covered, including: organization and planning, press law and legal issues, business management and sales, layout and design, time management, photographic and written communication, copy and proofreading, and the use of design software, photo editing programs and online tools for gathering and publishing information.  This course may be taken as a contract course with teacher approval.

121707 YEARBOOK/ PHOTOJOURNALISM III: PUBLISHING

Grades 11-12 

Elective 

Prerequisite: Yearbook II

Yearbook/Photojournalism III is an extension of Yearbook II. This is a year-long elective course in which students learn the publication, layout, design, organization and leadership skills necessary to produce a yearbook. Substantial work outside of the class meeting time will be required of all students in the course. Students learn technical skills as well as teamwork and time management skills. Students will apply these skills directly as they work on the school yearbook in leadership positions such as Editor, Business Manager etc. which they apply for. All aspects of publication are covered, including: organization and planning, press law and legal issues, business management and sales, layout and design, time management, photographic and written communication, copy and proofreading, and the use of design software, photo editing programs and online tools for gathering and publishing information. This course may be taken as a contract course with teacher approval. 

121807 YEARBOOK/ PHOTOJOURNALISM IV: PUBLISHING

Grades 11-12 

Elective 

Prerequisite: Yearbook III

Yearbook/Photojournalism IV is an extension of Yearbook III. This is a year-long elective course in which students learn advanced techniques for publication, layout, design, organization and leadership skills necessary to produce a yearbook. Substantial work outside of the class meeting time will be required of all students in the course. Students learn technical skills as well as teamwork and time management skills. Students will apply these skills directly as they work on the school yearbook in leadership positions such as Editor, Business Manager etc. which they apply for. All aspects of publication are covered, including: organization and planning, press law and legal issues, business management and sales, layout and design, time management, photographic and written communication, copy and proofreading, and the use of design software, photo editing programs and online tools for gathering and publishing information. This course may be taken as a contract course with teacher approval.