ENGLISH

Graduation Requirements: English 9, 10, 11, & 12

Graduation Requirement: English 9

1011 English 9 1 credit

This course is designed to expose students to the background of skills needed to succeed throughout high school. It will cover various genres of literature and provide students with effective skills in reading, writing, grammar, and critical thinking. Students will work toward answering the essential question, “How can a person's decisions and actions shape their identity?”

1021 Humanities 9 2 credits (Global Studies and English 9)

Freshman Humanities is an integrated class combining both English and social studies. The class is taught by two teachers and focuses on raising awareness of the world around us and the accompanying global literature. To understand our world, it is vital to understand the viewpoints of different cultures. In order to understand the viewpoints of these cultures one must understand a people’s history, present situation, and future goals. During this class we will look at modern issues facing regions of the world, and look back into history to find the root causes of conflict. Skills focused on during this class will be critical reading, research, and geographical skills.

Prerequisites: None

Graduation Requirement: English 10

1012 English 10 1 credit

Students will develop writing and speaking skills through argumentative writing, class discussions, and presentations. This course will also cover coming of age novels, poetry, short stories, and various nonfiction texts focusing on several key topics and themes related to social issues. Students will explore the essential question, “To what extent does adversity affect an individual or their community?”

Prerequisite: English 9 

1022 Humanities 10  2 credits (English: 1 credit, U.S. History: 1 credit)

Sophomore Humanities is an integrated class combining both English and social studies. The class is taught by two teachers and focuses on U.S. history and the accompanying literature from colonization to modern day.  In addition to the text, students will read a wide range of primary source documents and fiction that are thematically and chronologically relevant to the time periods.  Major units of study in history will include Colonization, The Expanding Nation, The Civil War, Industrialization and Progressivism, Civil Rights, The American Presidency, Modern Commercialism, and major works of literature. 

Prerequisite: English 9 

Graduation Requirement: English 11

1013 English 11 1 credit

Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the study and practice of rhetoric and communication. Students will have an opportunity to develop their writing through rhetorical analysis, argumentative writing, and research papers.They will acquire and apply new vocabulary that can help them prepare for the SAT. Literature will be studied for style, content, and theme and will include both fiction and nonfiction. Students will explore the essential question, “How does one form an identity that remains true and authentic in an opinionated society?”

Prerequisite: English 10 or Humanities 10

1023 Humanities 11 2 credits (English: 1 credit, Government and Economics: 1 credit)

Junior Humanities is an integrated class combining both English and social studies. The class is taught by two teachers. Students are exposed to all the expectations of the traditional junior year English and social studies curriculum in a blended-content format. Content covered includes the study of government, economics, and rhetoric. Class readings include nonfiction texts as well as literature that aligns with the junior year social studies content.

Prerequisite: English 10 or Humanities 10

Graduation Requirement: English 12

1014 English 12 1 credit

This course prepares students to use communication skills successfully beyond high school.  Students explore the essential question, “How do external forces affect the human experience?” They will practice various styles of writing including analytical/argumentative, informational, and synthesis essays. Students will also participate in authentic writing which may include: college essays, resumes, cover letters, and job applications. Literature will be studied to support various research, writing, speaking, and listening skills in addition to increasing strategies for effective reading and interpretation.  

Prerequisite: English 11 or Humanities 11

ENGLISH ELECTIVES

1033AP AP English Language 1.5 credit

The AP English Language and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum, which requires students to develop evidence-based analytic and argumentative essays that proceed through several stages or drafts.  Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, students read and analyze the rhetorical elements and their effects in non-fiction texts, including graphic images as forms of text, from many disciplines and historical periods. Upon completion of this course, students will be ready to take the College Board Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Exam.  Students may earn college credit at many U.S. and foreign colleges and universities by performing satisfactorily on the AP Examination.  Taking the AP Exam is a required expectation of the course and expenses will be covered by LRHS.

Prerequisite: English 10 or Humanities 10

1034AP AP English Literature 1.5 credit

In AP English Literature students will be involved in the practice of writing and in the study of literature.  They will become more aware of the resources of language; connotation, metaphor, irony, tone, syntax, etc.  Writing and reading assignments in the AP English class will focus on the critical analysis of literature.  Although most of the writing assignments in exposition and argument will be about literature, speaking and writing about different kinds of subjects will further develop the student’s sense of how style and subject and audience are related.  The goals of the AP English class are the honest and effective use of language and the organization of ideas in a clear, coherent and persuasive way.  Upon completion of this course, students will be ready to take the College Board Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Exam.  Students may earn college credit at many U.S. and foreign colleges and universities by performing satisfactorily on the AP Examination.   Taking the AP Exam is a required expectation of the course and expenses will be covered by LRHS.

Prerequisite: English 11 or Humanities 11

1500 Fantasy & Science Fiction ½ credit

An introduction to science fiction and fantasy literature, this course will explore fantasy in general and science fiction as an insight into our values and perspectives. Course readings include Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Dracula, The Hobbit, Frankenstein, The Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland, The Martian Chronicles, A Princess of Mars, and Star Wars, amongst others.

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 9-12

1510 Creative Writing ½ credit

Introduction to the crafts and techniques of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction, while working on individual creative writing projects. Students interested in producing their own short stories, novels, essays, lyrics, podcast scripts, multimedia presentations, or poetry collections are encouraged to enroll.

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 9-10

1520 Creative Writing 2 ½ credit

This course is an expansion on the techniques and strategies learned and practiced in Creative Writing I.  Students will have the opportunity to independently craft their own work of fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry as well as to discuss the pieces and the writing of others with their peers.

Prerequisite: Creative Writing I or a sample writing piece submitted to the instructor prior to the course. Suggested grade levels: 11-12

1530 Mythology ½ credit

Students in this course will study the stories told by people around the world, stories that seek to answer life's essential questions. We will examine how cultures are similar and different in the answers they offer to these questions as we explore connections between the stories of various cultures and their distinctive conflicts or historical events. Daily readings will include creation myths, the hero’s journey, epic tales, ancient religious texts, and mythology.

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 9-10

1540 Yearbook 1 credit

Are you interested in being a part of Lake Region’s history?! Yearbook is a class for budding photographers, journalists, graphic artists, and entrepreneurs.  In this class, students will be designing the school’s yearbook while developing some fundamental skills in: writing, photography, elements of design, marketing, sales, and time management.  Students will be required to attend school events, sell advertisements, and meet deadlines. 

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 9-12

1550 Slam Poetry ½ credit

Slam poetry, with roots in the beat movement of the 1950s and modern hip hop, is poetry meant to be spoken out loud and performed in order to receive a score for a competition with other poets. This art is often referred to as spoken word or performance poetry. In this course  students and instructors will participate in a writing-workshop style atmosphere where we will read, watch, create,and perform slam poetry. Students will create four pieces to perform over the course of the semester.

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 9-12

1560 Film Studies ½ credit

Film Studies is a course where students analyze film elements such as cinematography, editing, and narrative structure, while studying genres, influential directors, and cultural contexts. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking skills and media literacy, enabling students to interpret and evaluate films within social, cultural, and artistic frameworks. By the end of the course, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of cinema as a powerful form of storytelling and expression, equipped with the tools to engage with cinematic works.

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 9-12

1561 Film Making ½ credit

This course covers the basic technical skills of filmmaking- from initial idea, through screenwriting, casting, pre-production, shooting, sound recording, and post-production. Students will develop their own student films which will be displayed publicly at the end of the course.

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 10-12

1570 Sport & Society ½ credit

Sport & Society is an elective course that focuses on the controversial sides of athletics in contrast to their frequently glorified stature in literature, film, and the media, as well as the role they play in driving social change. Texts will include various essays, articles, and documentaries. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on the ways in which athletics contribute to identity and legacy, ultimately allowing them to answer the question, “What does it truly mean to be a sports legend?”

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 9-12

1580 Public Speaking ½ credit

This public speaking course provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting. We will focus on research, delivery, and evaluation pertaining to the various types of speech: informative, persuasive, and special occasion public speaking. Students will be able to demonstrate the speaking, listening, and interpersonal skills necessary to be effective communicators in academic settings, in the workplace, and in the community.

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 9-12

1590 Epics and the Hero’s Journey through 80’s Film ½ credit

The Hero’s Journey, as described by Joseph Campbell in his analysis of epic tales and the experiences of our favorite heroes and heroines, is a 12 stage expedition that can be experienced throughout literature and film. In this course, students will explore the hero’s journey through the film of the 1980’s and determine how technological advancements in cinema impacted the film industries ability to portray the complex hero’s journey and capture the engagement of audience

Prerequisite: None Suggested grade levels: 9-12

1610 Unraveling Truths: True Crime, Conspiracy, and Mystery Literature ½ credit

Explore true crime, conspiracy theories, and mystery literature, delving into real-life cases, controversial conspiracies, and fictional mysteries. Through critical analysis, discussion, and investigation, students will explore the literary techniques used to depict criminal motivations, the impact of conspiracy theories on society, and the art of crafting suspenseful narratives.

Prerequisite: English 9 & 10 Suggested grade levels: 11-12

1620 Stephen King Seminar ½ credit

This course is a study of suspense in narrative featuring the works of the master of suspense, Stephen King. Students will complete literary analysis of King’s key works. Students will read novels and short stories such as The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Carrie, The Mist, 11.22.63, The Body, Blaze, Skeleton Crew, The Bazaar of Bad Dreams, Just After Sunset, The Man Who Loved Flowers, Night Shift, Cujo, Children of the Corn, Bag of Bones.

Prerequisite: English 9 & 10 Suggested grade levels: 11-12

1630 World Voices: Navigating Diversity through Literature ½ credit

Students will explore a wide range of literary works, including novels, short stories, and poems authored by writers from various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. The focus will be on building analytical skills while immersing students in the fascinating narratives that showcase the beauty of our interconnected world. Assessments will be based on the analysis and discussion of multicultural literature.

Prerequisite: English 9 Suggested grade levels: 10-12

1640 Debate: Research, Persuasion, and Argumentation ½ credit

This course is designed to introduce high school students to the exciting world of debate, focusing on essential skills for effective argumentation. Through interactive lessons and practical activities, students will explore how research, persuasion, and historical context shape compelling arguments. Topics include mastering research techniques, understanding social and political influences, and crafting persuasive speeches and essays.

Prerequisite: English 9 & 10, Global Studies & US History Suggested grade levels: 11-12