English
Students must earn four credits in English, including a survey of British literature and a survey of American literature, for both the Standard and Advanced Studies diplomas. Students in LCPS must take an English course each year of high school.
Near the end of English 11, students must take two Standards of Learning tests: Reading and Writing. Students in all English classes receive instruction to prepare them for the SOL tests.
Academic courses challenge students to master rigorous standards while providing individualized support. Honors courses are offered in Grades 9, 10, and 11. While they focus on the same skills as academic courses, honors courses are distinguished by a more rigorous and inquiry-based study of literature and nonfiction texts. All year-long honors courses receive a weight of 0.5. They move at an accelerated pace, cover a greater breadth and depth of textual study, and require more independent work.
Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses are offered at the higher grade levels and may allow students to earn college credit.
For course descriptions please see the LCPS Program of Studies or for more information refer to the LCPS Department of Instruction.
For more information about the Lightridge HS English Department, please see the Academics portion of our website.
English Electives
Introduction to Journalism (9)
Newspaper Journalism 1-3 (10-12)
Photojournalism 1-3 (10-12)
Creative Writing I:
Creative Writing is a year-long English elective that provides a supportive environment in which students write prose, poetry, and drama and read examples of various genres. This course focuses on the study of the fundamental elements of creative writing, including developing strategies for writing creatively, practicing aspects of narrative writing, using poetic devices, and developing voice. Students maintain a writing portfolio, collaborate to critique and improve their work for final review, and seek opportunities for publishing their writing.
Creative Writing II:
Creative Writing I is a prerequisite for Creative Writing II. The semester Creative Writing course counts as this prerequisite.
Creative Writing II is a year-long English elective that provides a supportive environment in which students enhance their skills at prose, poetry, and drama and read examples of various genres. This course allows students to explore their preferred genre to specialize their skills. This course focuses on the study of advanced elements of creative writing including voice, style, long-form projects, and revision. Students will have numerous opportunities to publishing their writing.
Introduction to Journalism:
This year-long elective is only open to 9th grade students. Intro to Journalism students will learn to use a variety of beginner journalism skills to write in journalistic style, recognize the role of mass communication, and practice publication practices to best prepare for the yearbook course. Students selecting this course should have strong writing skills or should have an interest in developing their writing skills. This course is predominately designed to prepare students to serve on the yearbook staff (Photojournalism I); however, they may choose another route in the publications-based course offerings.
Newspaper Journalism I (VIDEO):
Students learn the basics of newspaper production while serving as staff writers for the school newspaper. Units of study include school press law and ethics, layout and design, basic photography, basic publication technology, journalistic research, interviewing,and advertising. Students are introduced to publication software, which they will use to publish the online school newspaper. Students serve as staff writers and page editors for the school newspaper. Students serve as editors and writers for the school newspaper.
Photojournalism I (VIDEO):
This year-long elective is only open to 10th, 11th and 12th grade students. Students learn the basics of yearbook production while serving as staff members for the school yearbook. Units of study include school press law and ethics, layout and design, basic photography, basic publication technology, journalistic research, interviewing, unifying concept, plant preparation, and advertising. Students are introduced to publication software.
Photojournalism II:
Prerequisite: Photojournalism I. Students serve as staff members and page editors for the school yearbook. Units of study expand upon those introduced in Photojournalism I and add inclusion, accuracy, and fairness; polls and statistics; and yearbook management. Students use publication software to produce the school yearbook.
Photojournalism III:
Prerequisite: Photojournalism II. Students serve as editors for the school yearbook. Units of study expand upon those introduced in Photojournalism I and II and add press law, yearbook evaluation, video interviewing, and public relations. Students use publication software to produce the school yearbook.
Film Studies (VIDEO):
This course involves the study of a variety of films. Students critique both the artistic and technical merits of the films, and they study the development of theme, plot, characterization, and setting in each production. Students will learn the vocabulary associated with film and use this vocabulary when creating movies and analyzing films.
In this course you will:
Critically view important films from various historical periods and genres
E. g. Comedies, German Expressionism, Film Noir, Horror, Teens, Westerns
Write and discuss analytically about the films you watch and about topics related to film
E.g. Viewing Logs, Viewing Quizzes, Class Projects
Appreciate the artistic aspects of filmmaking and visual storytelling
E.g. Cinematography, Editing, Creating Emotional Cores, Pitching, Posters, Scriptwriting, Storyboarding
Learn and use the vocabulary of the filmmaker
E.g. Discussions, Projects, Quizzes, Viewing Logs
Learn about important people who have and do populate the movie industry
Directors, Actors, Academy Awards
Learn about how films move from idea to finished product
Writing Center (NEW):
Writing Center is a year-long English elective where students help other students become better writers. Over the course of the year, students will learn how to effectively critique a paper and how to effectively proofread so that errors are not repeated. Students will also market the course to their classmates and peers. Once papers start to be assigned in classes schoolwide, students in the Writing Center will help other students to find their voice, meet the standards of a variety of classes, fix repeated mistakes, and improve their writing overall.
Why should you take the Writing Center course?
If your English teacher has suggested that you take the Writing Center course, you are a leader in the English classroom and a good writer. Colleges love to see leadership and students supporting each other. This is a unique opportunity offered to only a few students at Lightridge High School, where you will able to show marketing, writing, and leadership skills while also making a significant contribution to the Lightridge community.