English Language Arts

READ 180/English 1-2 Grades 9 2 Semesters 1 Elective Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Placement based on 8th-grade assessment, 9th grade RI testing, and teacher recommendation. Concurrent enrollment in English Language Arts 1-2 class is required. 

READ 180 is a reading intervention program designed to meet the needs of students whose reading achievement is below grade level. This program directly addresses individual needs through adaptive and instructional software, high-interest literature, and direct instruction in reading skills. Emphasis is on the skills of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The class is blocked with English Language Arts 1-2. 

English Language Arts 1-2 Grades 9 2 Semesters 1 Credit

Composition units focus on writing explanatory, narrative, and argument essays, summaries of an informational text, and research. Students learn to apply correct language conventions in their writing. Students are taught to read closely and analyze literary and informational texts. In addition, high school study skills, oral presentation skills, and test-taking strategies are taught; students are introduced to using the media center in a productive and efficient manner. Students will incorporate technology in their assignments. 

Honors English Language Arts 1-2 Grades 9 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation 

An intensified program of study, this course introduces the skills needed for critical reading and written analysis of literary and informational texts. Specific literary types such as the short story, non-fiction, the novel, drama, and poetry are studied. Composition instruction emphasizes mastery of explanatory, narrative, and argument essay forms. Emphasis is also placed on intensive review of usage and mechanics, vocabulary development, oral presentation skills, and the use of research skills. 

English Language Arts 3-4 Grades 10 2 Semesters 1 Credit

Composition units focus on writing explanatory, narrative, and argument essays, and the research report which includes a synthesis of informational texts. Students are taught to apply correct language conventions in their writing. A study by genre continues students’ exposure to literature. Students are taught to read closely and analyze poetry and the short story for literary elements. Other literary forms, including novels and drama, are also read and analyzed. A media center research unit is included, as well as a unit on oral presentation skills. In addition, students will incorporate technology in their assignments. 

Honors English Language Arts  3-4 Grades 10 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors English 1-2 or English 1-2 and teacher recommendation 

An intensified program of study, this course includes extensive practice in various essay forms and an introduction to media center research. Emphasis is placed on critical reading and analysis of a variety of literary forms which include the short story, novel, drama, and poetry. The students review correct language conventions, develop vocabulary skills as they relate to the study of world and American literature, and develop oral presentation skills. 

English Language Arts 5-6 Grades 11 2 Semesters 1 Credit

Composition units focus on explanatory, narrative and analytical essays. A research unit is included with instruction on the research process and documentation of sources. Students are taught to use the processes of revision and editing to apply correct language conventions in their writing. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of essays, biographies, poems, short stories, plays, and novels primarily from American literature. Students are also expected to improve their oral presentation and literary analysis skills. 

AP English Language  and Composition  S1-S2 Grades 11 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors English Language Arts 3-4 or English Language Arts 3-4 and teacher recommendation 

AP English Language and Composition provides the accelerated college-bound English student with three unique advantages: The student studies challenging college-level works of recognized literary merit, develops power and precision in organizing, expressing ideas in rhetorical analysis and analysis on argument, and takes the CollegeBoard’s AP English Language and Composition examination. Success on this exam may grant credit or advancement placement at many colleges and universities. All students are required to take the CollegeBoard’s examination for this subject. 

English Language Arts 7-8 Grades 12 2 Semesters 1 Credit

Composition units focus on a problem-solution essay and workplace documents. Students also focus on narrative and argument essays. A research unit is included with instruction on the research process and documentation of sources. Students are taught to use the processes of revision and editing to apply correct language conventions in their writing. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of essays, biographies, poems, short stories, plays, and novels primarily from English literature. Students are also expected to improve their oral presentation and literary analysis skills. 

AP English Literature and Composition S1-S2 Grades 12 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP English Language and Composition or English Language Arts 5-6 or and teacher recommendation 

AP English Literature and Composition provides the accelerated college-bound English student with three unique advantages: The student studies challenging college-level works of recognized literary merit, develops power and precision in organizing and expressing ideas in college-level essay writing, and takes the CollegeBoard’s AP English Literature and Composition examination. Success on this exam may grant credit or advancement placement at many colleges and universities. All students are required to take the CollegeBoard’s examination for this subject. 

Journalism 1-2 Grades 9-12 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Students learn newspaper production with special emphasis on the following areas: news, feature, editorial and sports writing, headline writing and typography, editing and copy reading, page makeup and design, advertising, press law and responsibility. Optional units of study include history of journalism and broadcasting. This course is designed to prepare students for the successful publication of the school newspaper.

Journalism 3-4 Grades 10-12 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Journalism 1-2 or teacher recommendation 

Journalism 3-4 students produce the school newspaper as a laboratory instrument. This class includes practical application of newspaper production skills such as planning, editing, financing and distributing the paper, writing headlines and stories, and designing pages. Other units of study include research techniques and analysis of current events and the professional communications media. Maturity, responsibility and willingness to work and meet deadlines are required personal attributes. At some schools’ students also publish newsletters, writing for local newspapers, produce a literary magazine and a 5-minute video newscast, and write and print a school calendar. 

Journalism 5-6 Grades 11-12 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Journalism 3-4 and teacher recommendation 

Journalism 5-6, with emphasis on advanced newspaper production, is offered to students who wish to explore the field of journalism for a third year, generally in management or editorial-level positions. Students learn procedures for submitting articles and photographs for professional publication and investigate career opportunities in the professional media or in journalism education. 

Journalism 7-8 Grades 12 2 Semesters 1 Credit

All except Online

Prerequisite: Journalism 5-6 and teacher recommendation

Journalism 7-8 emphasizes refinement of learned skills and is recommended to students who may be planning to pursue a career in the field. Additional units of study may include communication law, graphic design, and consumer surveying. Students are encouraged to submit work to professional publications.