ENGLISH

Grade(s): 9 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 1.0 English Year Course

Students in English 9 will focus on reading, writing, thinking, and speaking while using a wide selection of materials. Poems, short stories, novels, plays, and various nonfiction pieces will be read and studied. English 9 will enable students to listen and think critically, develop skills in reading and interpreting literature, evaluate nonfiction, prepare for and deliver presentations and discussions, and employ full composition processes. Every section of English 9 will offer Earned Honors.

Grade(s): 10 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 0.5 English Semester Course                                                           

Students in English 10 will continue to build upon the skills practiced in English 9. As such, the focus will be inquiry and analysis through reading, writing, thinking, and speaking while using a wide selection of materials. Thematically, this course will focus on personal responsibility and the responsibility of community. Every section of English 10 will offer Earned Honors.

Grade(s): 10 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 0.5 English Semester Course

Students in Communication Studies 10 will develop their communication and rhetorical skills in a supportive and focused environment. Students will deepen their understanding of both verbal and non-verbal communication and the rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, and pathos). This course emphasizes speaking and listening through delivery of speeches and presentations to the class. At the completion of the semester, students will have developed critical thinking, research, writing, speaking, and listening skills to exercise their voices for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Grade(s): 11 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 1.0 English Year Course

Students in English 11 will explore the idea of what it means to have a voice and how to make that voice heard in a world that is becoming increasingly loud and chaotic. Ideas will be explored through a wide variety of texts and written assignments, as well as discussions and presentations. The themes of fairness, justice, and equality will be studied and by the end of the course students will be able to not only convey their own experiences, but will also be able to amplify the voices of those who are often held silent in society.

Grade(s): 11,12 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 0.5 English Semester Course

Students in Creative Writing will discover and develop their unique, personal writing voices. By studying professional and amateur authors, exploring various styles, genres, and techniques of writing, and interacting with the living world around them, students will learn to see the world through the eyes of a writer. Students will explore their thoughts, insights, and imaginations - sometimes through spontaneous composition and sometimes through a process approach - creating several pieces ranging from impromptu poems to revised works worthy of critique and publication. Writing will be shared daily in a variety of small and large group settings in order to seek feedback, to hear other writers’ voices, and to connect with each other’s thoughts, imaginations, and experiences.

Grade(s): 11,12 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 0.5 English Semester Course

Students in Science Fiction and Fantasy will explore the genres of Science Fiction and Fantasy by studying how our world issues are reflected in pieces of literature and media. Students study several works of Science Fiction and Fantasy in multiple formats. Genre-specific characteristics of the setting, plot, characters, and themes/tropes will be explored through iconic pieces. Progress in class objectives are displayed using all of the strands of English/Language Arts and Students will work individually and together to examine course texts, so texts must be read or viewed prior to class. The course gives students the opportunity to examine how these works have given society optimistic possibilities as well as alarming predictions about our world and human nature. Students will have the opportunity to build their own CAPS project in order to experience how the genres impact the real world if they so choose. This is NOT required for all students in the course. 

Grade(s): 11,12 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 0.5 English Semester Course

Students in Heroes, Villains, and Quests will start by looking at the complex definition of a hero, and then unlock the secrets of the hero's journey -- a recurring pattern in stories from around the globe spanning all of human history -- in contemporary literature, mythology, graphic novels, and modern film.  Armed with this critical reading strategy, students will consider the relevance of mythology and the hero's journey in understanding contemporary society and their own lives.

Grade(s): 11,12 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 0.5 English Semester Course

Students in Modern Midwestern Culture will explore the culture, environment, foods, music, and sports of Wisconsin and the Midwest through the issues and/or writers unique to these regions. They will examine the culture of the Midwest through literature by contemporary authors, columnists, and musicians. Students will select an area of study (environment, urban life, agriculture, etc.) and create a semester project that includes research, writing, reading, and analysis. Readings will be high-interest, thought provoking, and almost entirely chosen by students. Text selections will include informational text, poetry, biographies, and current events.

Grade(s): 11,12 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 0.5 English Semester Course

Students in Voices of Color will participate in an experience based on the belief that we are all better off when we have a chance to listen to and understand each other’s life stories. Books, stories, essays, and poems from a variety of voices will be read, analyzed, and discussed to enable students to view other perspectives, and gain knowledge and empathy. Students will learn from both mentor and choice texts, fiction and non-fiction; the semester will culminate in a synthesis research project and presentation. Curiosity and an open mind are essential for success in this course.

Grade(s): 11,12 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 1.0 English Year Course

Students in AP English Language and Composition will learn to write effectively and confidently in their academic, personal, and professional lives. The course will challenge students to read critically, think analytically, and communicate clearly in both writing and speech. Students in this college-level course will read and analyze a range of non-fiction prose selections, deepening their awareness of rhetoric and language. Students will improve their idea development, line of reasoning, and clarity of expression by following a recursive writing process of drafting, feedback, and revision. While AP Literature and Composition offers an intense study of fiction and poetry, this class, again, focuses on essays, argumentation, and rhetoric. Students who successfully complete the AP exam may earn college credit.

Grade(s): 12 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 1.0 English Year Course

Students in Intro to College Reading and Writing will learn about critical thinking, reading, writing, and study strategies for college-level readings (textbooks, essays, and articles). First semester topics include recognizing organizational patterns, highlighting and annotating texts, summarizing, and making inferences. During the second semester, students will focus on college-level writing strategies, such as grammatical competence, developing writing processes and styles, multiple revisions, self-advocacy skills, and researching skills.

Note: Qualified seniors may receive elective technical college credit for this class through ECAP. These potential six credits are free.  These college credits do not transfer to all colleges.

Grade(s): 12 Prerequisite: None 

Credit: 1.0 English Year Course

Students in AP English Literature and Composition engage in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts and writing about these works, students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. Students will consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, connecting craft to meaning. The reading in this course is wide and deep and reinforces ideas from literature spanning different genres and time periods. The writing will focus on critical analysis of the literature and will include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. While taking and passing the AP English Literature and Composition exam is not a requirement for students in this course, students will dedicate some time preparing for it. Students who successfully complete the AP exam may earn college credit.

Prerequisite: None Grade(s): 11,12 Semester Course: Two Blocks in a Single Semester

Credit: 0.5 Career & Tech Ed. + 0.5 English

Students (associates) in CAPS Business Solutions will engage in profession-based experiences in a dynamic business like setting working on authentic community partner-driven projects. Additional skills include application of business strategies, working in collaborative teams, and communicating results to business and industry partners in the Dane County region. Associates will learn fundamental concepts of economics, research best practices, persuasive techniques, public speaking and effective communication. In addition, skills will be gained in the following areas:  innovation, entrepreneurship & sales, project management, teamwork, and data analysis; all designed for preparation for 21st-century workplaces. Students will earn a 0.5 CTE credit and 0.5 English elective credit.

Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry Grade(s): 11,12 Semester Course: Two Blocks in a Single Semester

Credit: 0.5 Science (Life) + 0.5 English

Students (associates) in CAPS Science Research and Design will experience real-world, profession-based learning opportunities through collaborations with business and community partners;  preparing associates for college and career in a science laboratory field. Associates will also have an opportunity to develop industry networks, mentorships, and mini-site visits to different science focused facilities in the area. Curriculum will be built based on partner opportunities and student interest but will focus on how to properly execute a research project in a lab. Associates may spend part of their day off campus engaging with community partners and the other portion of their day at MHS.

Prerequisite: English 9, English 10 Grade(s): 11,12 Semester Course: Two Blocks in a Single Semester

Credit: 0.5 Elective + 0.5 English

Students (associates) in CAPS Foundations of Teaching will learn about the field of education by collaborating with teachers and classrooms in the elementary and middle schools. In addition to learning about education through our own district, students will also learn about diverse educational experiences of people in the United States and beyond. Coursework will include self-analysis, reflection, and communication skill building, as well as readings which explore both historical and contemporary school programming. Students may take this course as dual credit and earn college credits from Madison College.

Prerequisite: Biology, Chemistry

Recommended but not required: Medical Terminology, Intro to Medical Occupations, Principles of Biomedical Science, Medical Interventions

Grade(s): 11, 12 Semester Course: Two Blocks in a Single Semester

Credit: 0.5 Science (Life) + 0.5 English

Students (associates) in CAPS Medicine & Healthcare will experience real-world, profession-based learning opportunities through collaborations with industry and community partners to prepare associates for college and career opportunities in the healthcare field. Associates will also have an opportunity to develop industry networks, mentorships, and mini-site visits to different healthcare focused facilities in the area. Curriculum will be built based on partner opportunities and student interest. Student associates may spend some of their course time within industry partner sites, and some time at MHS.

Prerequisite: English 10 and One Art or Programming course

Grade(s): 11, 12 Year Course: 2 blocks per semester

Credit: 1.0 English, 0.5 Fine Arts (0.25 per semester), 0.5 Career & Tech. Ed (0.25 Computer Programming per semester)

Students in Game Design and Development will dive deep into the world of video game design! Working collaboratively with peers, they will have the chance to build a real-life game development team and blend their skills and expertise to make something amazing. Students will strengthen their skills of analysis, visual art, computer programming, and written communication. Together, we will discuss the purpose, impact, and social context of video games as students work to design interactive experiences. Students should be ready to challenge their assumptions about video games and bring their ideas to life.

Prerequisite: None Grade(s): 11,12 Semester Course

Credit: 0.5 English and/or 0.5 Fine Arts (students choose one or both)

Students in Audio, Visual, and The Narrative will spend an entire semester dedicated to film musicology. Students will use motion pictures to study the narrative and musical elements of storytelling. Learn how audio and visual elements move an audience in certain directions, as well as heighten our senses and emotional responses.  Students will experience the beginning of silent films, classics such as Jaws and Westside Story, and contemporary films such as Star Wars, Black Panther, Interstellar, and more. This course offers a deeper analysis of the films you already enjoy through discussion topics of sound design, music as a narrative, history of film, synthesis of narrative, and the psychology of storytelling across a variety of genres.  Qualified students may receive college credit for the music portion of the class for UW-Oshkosh. All dual credit options are dependent upon teacher certification.

Prerequisite: None Grade(s): 9,10,11,12

Credit:  1.0 Fine Arts and 0.5 English Year Course

Students in Publications (formerly Yearbook) will engage in all aspects of the creation of our school publications including the Yearbook and Literary magazine. They will actively decide theme and voice, have discussions on the appropriate place to feature each story, learn industry standard software, understand and practice the concepts of layout design, photojournalism, and writing for publications as they create the Yearbook and Literary magazine. Along with this work they will gain the real world soft skills that employers are looking for as we run our small business, giving them a leg up as they move into post high school life.