All core courses in English are designed to prepare students for success on state and national standardized tests as well as provide the communication skills essential for excellence in future endeavors. English elective courses are designed to enrich and expand upon certain skill sets and areas of specific interest that are tertiary to core course offerings.
0614 CAREER PREP ENGLISH 9
0624 CAREER PREP ENGLISH LITERATURE 10
0634 CAREER PREP ENGLISH 11
0644 CAREER PREP ENGLISH 12
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9 -12
Weight: 1 (CRP)
Pathway: ALL
Placement in Career Prep English is permitted only with administrative and teacher recommendation based on academic performance and standardized test scores. Emphasis will be on the teaching of fundamental language skills and usage. The major areas of this course include composition, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, a thematic study of literature, and an emphasis on addressing research skills.
0615 TECH PREP ENGLISH 9
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9
Weight: 2 (TP)
Pathway: ALL
The ninth-grade tech level course is designed for students who plan to attend a vocational/technical school, a two-year college program or a four-year college upon graduation from high school. This course integrates the communications skills of writing, reading, vocabulary study and problem solving. Summer reading is recommended but not required.
0616 COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH 9
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9
Weight: 3 (CP)
Pathway: ALL
The ninth-grade college preparatory course in English is designed for students who are planning to attend a college or university following graduation. The course consists of six major areas – composition, literature, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and speech, but primary emphasis is on composition in the various modes of writing. Summer reading is required. Students must secure a reading list from their eighth-grade instructor or counseling office.
0617 HONORS ENGLISH 9
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 9
Weight: 4 (H)
Pathway: ALL
The ninth-grade honors English course is designed for students who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in the language arts. The course consists of six major areas – composition, literature, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and speech. The literature and composition areas will be emphasized to develop focus, style, content, and mechanics in writing. A review of grammar and spelling will be addressed according to student needs. Summer reading is required. Students must secure a reading list from their eighth-grade instructor or counseling office or check LD’s district website in early June.
0625 TECH PREP ENGLISH LITERATURE 10
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 10
Weight: 2 (TP)
Pathway: ALL
This tenth-grade tech level course continues the technical preparation begun in grade nine with continued emphasis on preparation for a technical/vocational school, a two-year college program or a four-year college. Major areas of emphasis include a study of various types of fiction and nonfiction literature, writing and vocabulary. Summer reading is recommended but not required.
0626 COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH LITERATURE 10
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 10
Weight: 3 (CP)
Pathway: ALL
The tenth-grade college preparatory course focuses on interpretive and thinking skills necessary to students. A challenging variety of both fiction and nonfiction texts will be explored and utilized in order to prepare students for higher-order analysis of literature. Emphasis will also be placed on vocabulary necessary for college and standardized test preparation. Review of grammar, spelling, and speaking skills will also be included in course units of study. Summer reading is required. Students must secure a reading list from the instructor or counseling office prior to the school year.
0627 HONORS ENGLISH LITERATURE 10
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 10
Weight: 3 (H)
Pathway: ALL
The tenth-grade honors course is designed for students who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in the language arts. Literature study will focus on in-depth analysis skills and the language of literary discourse necessary to a fundamental understanding of fiction and nonfiction. Composition and vocabulary units will be in preparation for college entrance. Review of grammar and spelling will be included as required by student needs. Summer reading is required. Students must secure a reading list from the instructor or counseling office prior to the school year.
0635 TECH PREP ENGLISH 11
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 11
Weight: 2 (TP)
Pathway: ALL
The eleventh-grade tech level course is designed for students who plan to attend a vocational/technical school, community college, or possibly a four-year college upon graduation from high school. This course continues the development of practical and academic skills necessary for successful post-graduation training and education. Major areas of study include a chronological study of American literature, effective written and oral communications, vocabulary, and an emphasis on written expression. Summer reading is recommended but not required.
0636 COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH 11
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 11
Weight: 3 (CP)
Pathway: ALL
This course includes a chronological approach to the study of American literature from the colonial period to the twentieth century. Various works of major American writers are read with emphasis on significant historical trends and literary movements. The selections will include representative samples of the following literary genre – poetry, essay, oratory, short story, novel, and drama. Through reading, speaking, and writing, the student is directed toward appreciation, understanding, and critical evaluation of literature. Independent projects and book reviews may also be included in the course content. Summer reading is required. Students must secure a reading list from the instructor or counseling office prior to the school year.
0637 AP ENGLISH 11 -- LANGUAGE and COMPOSITION
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 11
Weight: 5 (AP)
Pathway: ALL
PREREQUISITE: Grade of 90% in 0626 Sophomore College Prep English or an 80% or better in 0627 Sophomore Honors English.
This course is designed to offer high school juniors an experience equivalent to a freshman college composition course. The course curriculum is based upon a syllabus approved by the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. The focus of the course is the study and analysis of rhetoric in works of non-fiction, and the development of writing skills in the expository, analytical, and argumentative modes. Summer reading is required. Students must secure a reading list from the instructor or counseling office prior to the school year. Students enrolling in this course also have the option of receiving 3 general education credits through Harrisburg University at a cost of $300.
0645 TECH PREP ENGLISH 12
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 12
Weight: 2 (TP)
Pathway: ALL
English 0645 is the culminating course designed for students who plan to attend a vocational/technical school, community college, or possibly a four-year college upon graduation from high school. Major areas of study include British literature, effective written and oral communications, and vocabulary. Summer reading is recommended but not required.
0646 COLLEGE PREP ENGLISH 12
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 12
Weight: 3 (CP)
Pathway: ALL
British Literature offers a traditional approach to a survey course designed to give college bound students an in-depth sampling of the major works and writers of England from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present. Critical reading, discussion, and written expression are integral parts of the course requirements. Vocabulary study and public speaking experiences are also included in the course content. Summer reading is required. Students must secure a summer reading list from the instructor or counseling office prior to the school year.
0638 AP ENGLISH 12 -- LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
Length of course: Full Year
Credit: 1.0
Grade 12
Weight: 5 (AP)
Pathway: ALL
PREREQUISITE: Grade of 90% in 0636 Junior College Prep English or an 80% or better in 0637 AP English 11.
This course is designed to offer high school seniors an experience equivalent to a freshman college literature and composition course. The course curriculum is based upon a syllabus published by the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. The focus of the course is major literary works and written responses. Summer reading is required. Students must secure a reading list from the instructor or counseling office prior to the school year. Students enrolling in this course also have the option of receiving 3 general education credits through Harrisburg University at a cost of $300.
0609 PERFORMING ARTS I
Length of course: Semester
Credit: .5
Grade 9-12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
Performing Arts I is designed to give students an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in acting and to explore the elements in theatrical production with a serious tone. Students will study and perform acting exercises such as pantomime, voice, improvisation, motivation, characterization, scenes, and monologues. Students will create their own scenes, as well as, study classic works. Students are required to participate in the Theatre experience outside of class by attending plays and getting hands on experience by being involved in productions. Students will finish the semester with a general overview of plays and with performance experience.
0610 PERFORMING ARTS II
Length of course: Semester
Credit: .5
Grade 9-12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
Performing Arts II is designed to give students an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in acting and to explore the elements in theatrical production with a comedic tone. Students will study and perform acting exercises such as pantomime, voice, improvisation, motivation, characterization, scenes, and monologues. Students will create their own scenes, as well as, study classic works. Students are required to participate in the Theatre experience outside of class by attending plays and getting hands on experience by being involved in productions. Students will finish the semester with a general overview plays and with performance experience. Prerequisite: Performing Arts I
0611 PUBLIC SPEAKING
Length of course: Semester
Credit: .5
Grade 9-12
Pathway: All
This course is designed to aid those students who want to overcome apprehension about public speaking situations and to further advance the skills of students who excel in this area. Students will learn about the essential components of the communication process. Students will develop skills in organization, research, audience analysis, speech writing, listening, nonverbal behaviors, visual forms, and delivery. Using various modes of delivery, students will practice and refine their skills. Evaluation will be based on individual performances during formal speech assignments. Students enrolling in this course also have the option of receiving 3 general education credits through Harrisburg University at a cost of $300.
0613 ADVANCED PUBLIC SPEAKING AND BROADCAST JOURNALISM
Length of course: Semester
Credit: .5 or 1.0
Grade 10-12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
PREREQUISITE: Public Speaking or English (CP or Honors or AP) with an 85% or better average; application/interview and two teacher Recommendations; students who excel in the Communications course will be considered as well.
This course will provide high school students possessing solid public speaking skills and technological abilities with the opportunity to plan, create, and produce promotional videos and broadcasts. Additionally, the course will provide opportunities for students to learn about and utilize digital communications in order to share important school information with the Lower Dauphin community. Students will have the opportunity to visit businesses and colleges, plus meet with career professionals in the fields of Communications and Journalism. Students can take this course for two semesters for 1.0 credit during a school calendar year.
0630 JOURNALISM (FALCON FLASH)
Length of course: Semester
Credit: .5
Grade 9-12
Pathway: Arts & Communications (AC)
A brief introduction to the historical birth of newspapers is included along with an in-depth analysis in overall newspaper production. This course may be taken more than once as it will be differentiated based on student experience. A pre-registration conference along with an approved application with the advisor is necessary.
0649 INDEPENDENT STUDY - ENGLISH
The Independent Study Course is designed to allow students to choose a specific subject area in English and pursue it on an intensive basis. Students receive approval from an appointed advisor. Independent Study is offered to provide individual students with the opportunity to explore special talents or interests. Students will work with a classroom teacher to set personal learning goals and to determine the type of project or learning experience they would like to pursue. The classroom teacher and student will agree upon and determine the credit value (.5, 1.0) and how a grade will be determined (percentage grade or Pass/Fail). Independent study is designed to supplement a student’s educational pathway but cannot exempt a student from Board approved core graduation requirements. Students must complete Independent Study paperwork and be approved for the course by a building administrator.