LANGUAGE ARTS

GRADE 9

LANGUAGE ARTS I: COMPOSITION AND INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY GENRES

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: None

Grade: 9 

This course emphasizes sequential, skill-based instruction in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing.  Through oral presentations, interviews, debates, research assignments, special projects, and discussions, students will have an opportunity to apply the skills learned in a variety of formats.  Writing styles such as descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive are taught to offer the students an understanding that people write for a variety of purposes and audiences. Throughout the course a strong focus will be placed on composition to prepare students to be effective communicators.  As students are exposed to various writing styles and skills, they will be introduced to a diverse range of literary genres including but not limited to: drama, short story, poetry, and novels. Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course. Independent reading is embedded in the course, in addition to core texts.

HONORS LANGUAGE ARTS I: COMPOSITION AND INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY GENRE

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

(This course receives honors weighting for the calculation of the GPA).

Prerequisite: Eighth grade ELA grade of 90 or higher, a MAP Reading RIT score of 232 or higher, and teacher recommendation. 

Grade:  9

This course, which is designed for the accelerated learner, stresses extensive reading and critical analysis of literature. As students are exposed to various writing styles and skills, they will be introduced to a diverse range of literary genres, including but not limited to: drama, nonfiction, short story, poetry, and novels. Research skills are taught through gathering reliable sources and completing a thorough research paper. Speaking skills are developed through Socratic seminars, in-class/digital discussions, and individual/group presentations. Independent reading is threaded throughout the course as students synthesize class texts with their own novels.

HONORS WORLD STUDIES   

CREDITS: 5 

(This course receives honors weighting for calculation of the GPA).

Full Year

Prerequisite: Concurrently scheduled for Honors World Studies Social Studies. Performance in 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies with a minimum average of 90 or higher for both sections; a MAP Reading RIT score of 232 or higher, and teacher recommendation.

Grade: 9  

World Studies is the first course in a series (World Studies, American Studies I & II), which presents students with a unique opportunity to explore interdisciplinary study through the integration of historical topics/concepts with literature and art prevalent of and/or set in the time period. Through this integration, students will actively participate in and collaborate on thematic projects, providing them with a holistic view of a variety of cultural, artistic, and literary movements. These studies will also encompass a strong emphasis on verbal SAT and writing skills as they relate to the various historical, economic, political, and social movements of the day. Speaking skills are developed through Socratic seminars, in-class/digital discussions, and individual/group presentations. Independent reading is threaded throughout the course as students synthesize class texts with their own novels. Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course. Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course.  Students enrolled in this course must select the complementary Social Studies course component.  It is strongly recommended that students continue in the series.

PRE-AP I

(This course receives honors weighting for calculation of the GPA)

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Placement Recommendation: a MAP Reading RIT score of 232 or higher

Pre-AP Language Arts I focuses on reading, writing, and language skills that are relevant to students’ current work and essential for students' future to future high school and college coursework. Texts take center stage, preparing students for close, critical reading and analytical writing. The course trains readers to observe small details in a text to arrive at a deeper understanding of the whole. It also trains writers to create complex sentences—building this foundational skill en route to sophisticated, longer-form analyses.

GRADE 10

LANGUAGE ARTS II – American Literature                                              

CREDITS:  5 

Full Year

Prerequisite: Language Arts I or Honors Language Arts I

Grade: 10

In the tenth grade students develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills while beginning the study of American literature.  They analyze and discuss the selections in each genre, produce a research paper/project, and hone their vocabulary and usage skills.  Language Arts II fulfills the second year of the four-year State requirement for graduation in English Language Arts and incorporates the NJSLS within its framework. Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course.

HONORS LANGUAGE ARTS II – American Literature              

CREDITS:  5 

(This course receives honors weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)

Full Year

Prerequisite: Language Arts I 90 or higher, Honors Language Arts I 85 or higher, a MAP Reading RIT score of 233 or higher, and teacher recommendation.

Grade: 10

This course, which is designed for the accelerated learner, stresses extensive reading and critical analysis of literature. The skills, which are developed, include grammar and vocabulary, group discussion, composition, and creative writing. Students begin the study of American literature and analyze novels, short stories, plays, and nonfiction. This course fulfills the second year of the four-year State requirement for graduation in English Language Arts and incorporates the NJSLS within its framework.  Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course.

HONORS AMERICAN STUDIES I – Language Arts   

CREDITS:  5

(This course receives honors weighting for calculation of the GPA).

Full Year

Prerequisite: Concurrently scheduled for American Studies I Social Studies. Performance in 9th grade World Studies Language Arts and World Studies Social Studies with a minimum average of 85; a MAP Reading RIT score of 233 or higher, and teacher recommendation.

Grade: 10

American Studies I is the second course in a series (World Studies, American Studies I & II), which presents students with an opportunity to explore an innovative, interdisciplinary study, linking topics from eighteenth and nineteenth century U.S. History with literature indicative of the time period.  The course is taught thematically, enabling students to make meaningful connections. Students are exposed to the same objectives taught in the traditional classes, yet course content is presented through a team-teaching, integrated approach. Throughout the course students gain insight as to why writers of various historical time periods wrote about specific subject matter and utilized particular styles as they study forces and movements in history.  Students taking this course will satisfy their Language Arts II graduation requirement.  Projects, readings, and activities are demanding, yet the course is designed for students who thrive in a creative, academic environment.  Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course.  Students enrolled in this course must select the complementary Social Studies course component.  It is strongly recommended that students continue in the series.

PRE-AP II

(This course receives honors weighting for calculation of the GPA)

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Placement Recommendation: a MAP Reading RIT score of 231 or higher

Grade: 10

Pre-AP Language Arts II builds on the foundations of Pre-AP Language Arts I. While Language Arts I introduces the fundamentals of close observation, critical analysis, and the appreciation of author’s craft, Language Arts II requires students to apply those practices to a new array of nonfiction and literary texts. As readers, students become aware of how poets, playwrights, novelists, and writers of nonfiction manipulate language to serve their purposes. As writers, students compose more nuanced analytical essays while never losing sight of craft and cohesion.

GRADE 11

LANGUAGE ARTS III – British and World Literature                     

CREDITS: 5 

Full Year

Prerequisite: Language Arts I and Language Arts II (any level)

Grade:  11

This course is designed to allow students to investigate and analyze the historical background of British and World literature.  Language skills are developed separately and in conjunction with the study of literature.  Various short stories, poems, novels, and other literary genre are read, evaluated, and analyzed in written and oral form. Specific skills, such as critical analysis, essays, group discussion, creative writing, grammar, and vocabulary are developed. This course fulfills the third year of the four-year State requirement for graduation in Language Arts and incorporates the NJSLS within its framework.  Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course.

HONORS LANGUAGE ARTS III–British and World Literature

CREDITS: 5

(This course receives honors weighting for the calculation of the GPA.)

Full Year

Prerequisite: Language Arts II Grade of 90 or higher, H Language Arts II 85 or higher; a MAP Reading RIT score of 235 or higher, and teacher recommendation.

Grade:  11

This course is designed to allow the accelerated student to investigate and analyze the historical background of British and World literature.  In-depth analysis in oral and written form is emphasized.  Specific skills are developed in research writing, technical analysis, essays, prepared oral presentations, group discussion, grammar, and vocabulary. This course fulfills the third year of the four-year State requirement for graduation in English Language Arts and incorporates the NJSLS within its framework.  Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course.

HONORS AMERICAN STUDIES II – Language Arts   

CREDITS:  5

(This course receives honors weighting for calculation of the GPA.)

Full Year

Prerequisite: Honors American Studies I and concurrent enrollment in Honors American Studies Social Studies. Performance in 10th grade American Studies I Language Arts and American Studies I Social Studies with a minimum average of 85 or higher; a MAP Reading RIT score of 235 or higher, and teacher recommendation.

Grade: 11

American Studies II is the third course in series (World Studies, American Studies I & II), which presents students with an opportunity to explore an innovative, interdisciplinary study, linking historical developments in the U.S. during the twentieth century with literature written during the time period. As with American Studies I, this course is taught thematically, enabling students to make meaningful connections.  Students are exposed to the same objectives taught in the traditional classes, yet course content is presented through an integrated approach. Students taking this course will satisfy their Language Arts III graduation requirement. Projects, readings, and activities are demanding, yet the course is designed for students who thrive in a creative, academic environment.  Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course.  Students enrolled in this course must select the complementary Social Studies course component.  It is strongly recommended that students continue in the series.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT LANGUAGE ARTS III - Language & Composition)

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

(This course receives advanced placement weighting for the calculation of the GPA).

Prerequisite: H Language Arts II or Pre-AP II grade of 90 or higher; a MAP Reading RIT score of 238 or higher, and teacher recommendation.

Grade:  11

This rigorous academic course engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines and rhetorical contexts and becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.  Students read British and World literature to gain an understanding of the richness and complexity needed to communicate effectively with mature readers.  Specific skills are also developed in researching writing, technical analysis and oral presentations. This course fulfills the third year of the four-year State requirement for graduation in English Language Arts and incorporates the State Language Arts Core Curriculum Content Standards within its framework.  Completion of a research paper is an integral component of this course.  

GRADE 12

LANGUAGE ARTS IV 

CREDITS:  5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Language Arts I, II and III (any level)

Grade: 12

This course is designed to introduce students to more recent works in fiction and non-fiction.  Students will have the opportunity to respond to these pieces through persuasive, expressive, research, and reflective writing. Independent choice reading and participation in book clubs are integral components of the course in order to support the habit of sustained reading. 

At the conclusion of this course, students will have the tools to effectively address these issues in verbal and written expression. 

HONORS LANGUAGE ARTS IV– Explorations in the Art of Fiction and Non-Fiction

CREDITS:  5

(This course receives honors weighting for the calculation of the GPA).

Full Year

Prerequisite: LA III grade of 90 or higher, H LA III grade of 85 or higher: a MAP Reading RIT score of 237 or higher, and teacher recommendation.

Grade: 12

This course is an intensive exploration of style and theme in several genres of literature, including poetry and essays.  Students will be expected to closely analyze texts and respond to these works with a high level of skill and sophistication.  Success in the course is contingent upon the students’ demonstration of excellence in language skills, motivation, and the ability to work independently.  This full year course will fulfill the final year of the four-year State requirements for graduation in English Language Arts.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT LANGUAGE ARTS IV (Literature and Composition)
CREDITS:  5

(This course receives advanced placement weighting for the calculation of the GPA).

Full Year

Prerequisite:  AP Language Arts III, LA III Honors, or Honors American Studies II -grade of 90; a MAP Reading RIT score of 240 or higher, and teacher recommendation. 

Grade: 12

The overarching goal of this course is to help students develop mature habits of critical thinking as independent readers of and writers about literature.  One of the focal points is the close, critical reading of complex poetry, drama, prose fiction, and expository non-fiction from the fifteenth through twentieth centuries.  Students are expected to acquire a familiarity with numerous structures, genres, movements, and styles and how they developed, expressed meaning, and impacted upon one another.  How is the operative question in this course; specifically, how authors developed their thematic visions artistically. While students will practice all modes of written discourse in this class, including descriptive, narrative, and poetic, the focus will be on expository, analytical writing.  Students will be required to successfully complete various assignments involving literary criticism.  Active engagement in this course will prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Literature and Composition offered by the College Board.  This course fulfills the fourth year of the four-year Language Arts requirements necessary for graduation.  

The following elective courses are available.  These courses are NOT acceptable substitutes for high school graduation Language Arts requirements.

INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING/MODES OF WRITING

CREDITS:  5

Full Year

Prerequisite:  None

Placement recommendation: None

Grades: 9-10

This course is a full year elective designed to introduce students to the realm of public speaking and strengthen students’ writing skills using an integrated approach.  Students will learn the fundamentals of public speaking including oratory, the use of gestures, inflection, word choice and performance.  Writing will focus on descriptive, narrative and persuasive forms, and help strengthen essential writing skills including grammar and usage.

DRAMA AND ACTING I (Performing Arts Credit)                                               

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite:  None 

Placement recommendation: None

Grades: 9-12  

This course is designed as a fundamental approach to acting and theater.  Acting skills are developed through a progression of units that explore basic stage movement, pantomime, improvisation, storytelling, extemporaneous speech, and the monologue form.  Selected plays are also studied from literary as well as dramatic standpoints, culminating in the performance of short scenes.  Students are introduced to the elements of script writing and theatrical terminology.  These are utilized as they write, adapt, and perform scenes.

DRAMA AND ACTING II (Performing Arts Credit)   

CREDITS:  5

Full Year

Prerequisite:  Drama and Acting I

Placement recommendation: None

Grades: 10-12

In this course skills acquired in Drama and Acting I are strengthened and further developed. The characterization process is extensively explored as students create original as well as fictional characters.  Techniques germane to the characterization process are further developed through the performance of advanced and sophisticated improvisations, as well as the creation of original scripts. Voice projection and diction are enhanced through exercises as well as the performance of scenes.  Contemporary monologues are studied and performed, as are classical and contemporary plays.  Students’ writing and analytical skills are enhanced through the study of notable cinematic performances.

JOURNALISM I    

CREDITS:  5

Full Year

Prerequisite:  None                          

Placement recommendation: None

Grades: 9-11

This course teaches the students all aspects of newspaper journalism.  The various types of writing, editing, and reporting are studied.  The techniques of interviewing and gathering information are emphasized.  In addition, students perform all of the activities necessary to produce a school newspaper.  Students learn about the early history of the newspaper, analyzing such important topics as yellow journalism, muckraking, the John Peter Zenger trial, libel, the Hazelwood Case, the Tinker Decision, attribution, Publick Occurrences, the Boston News-Letter, the first amendment, and the Inverted Pyramid style of writing.  

JOURNALISM II                           

CREDITS:  5

Full Year

Prerequisite: Journalism I

Placement recommendation: None 

Grades: 10-12

This course deals primarily with the writing and publishing of the school newspaper.  Students learn advanced techniques of writing, interviewing, and reporting.  The "laying out" of the paper is emphasized.  Students also have the opportunity to do field work.  Students will make use of software for paper layout.  

THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE:  CREATING THE YEARBOOK

CREDITS: 5

Full Year

Prerequisite: None

Placement recommendation: None 

Grades: 11-12

This course is a full-year elective, exclusive to seniors, designed to create the school’s yearbook, Reflections.  Members of the yearbook staff are expected to have a high level of maturity, excellent public speaking skills with the intent to lead class discussions, the ability to work well independently, organizational skills, intrinsic motivation, and the ability to deal with real-world deadlines, which means being available after school hours, as needed. This is a wonderful opportunity for the yearbook staff to exercise creativity through computer design, photography, creative writing, copy writing, and project management. Class participation through whole group and small group discussion and activities is an integral part of the course. The culminating project, the school’s yearbook, will demonstrate the highly creative talents of the students to tell the year’s captivating story at MTHS.

CREATIVE AND ARGUMENTATIVE DISCOURSE 

CREDITS: 5 

Prerequisite: None 

Placement recommendation: None

Grades: 11-12

This course will help students to develop their oral and written communication while also honing critical reading and listening skills. Students will have the opportunity to understand complex issues and express their ideas through creative and argumentative writing and speaking tasks. Students will work both independently and with peers to understand how critical literacy shapes our perception of society and participation in it.