ENGLISH
13330 ADVANCED WRITING
GRADE: 11 (prior approval), 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
Using the writing process, students will explore different types of writing within narrative, expository, and persuasive modes. As the course progresses from expository to persuasive, students will be introduced to effective research skills and techniques as well as skills in logic and persuasion. An extensive focus will be on research and college preparatory writing. Motivated students who can meet deadlines are encouraged to enroll.
13761 *^AMERICAN LITERATURE 1
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | FALL SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
COLLEGE CREDIT: 3 DMACC Credits - LIT 110
COURSE PREP RECOMMENDATION: 1.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.20 or above or 2.) The student has a 3.20 G.P.A. or above in previous related course work.
PREREQUISITE: Proficient scores in all content areas of the most recent ISASP assessment.
This course will take the place of the English 11 graduation requirement.
This chronological survey of American literature covers major and minor works of fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry from the Puritan era to 1865. The novel The Scarlet Letter will be studied. The curriculum demands writing literary analysis papers originating from works studied, and involves study of literary theory. There is weekly vocabulary work. Motivated, self-directed students who feel they would like to take a more active role in their learning and are capable of an additional challenge are encouraged to enroll. The course will cover more material more quickly than English 11.
College Credit Transfer Details: The high school offers college credit courses for students but remember, it is the students’ responsibility to request transcripts to be sent to their college of choice for transfer of credits. There is a form in the guidance office to assist you with this process. Important note: your GPA received in these courses MAY affect your college GPA. This will depend on which college you attend. Transcript Release Form
13762 *^AMERICAN LITERATURE 2
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SPRING SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
COLLEGE CREDIT: 3 DMACC Credits - LIT 111
COURSE PREP RECOMMENDATION: 1.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.20 or above or 2.) The student has a 3.20 G.P.A. or above in previous related course work.
PREREQUISITE: Proficient scores in all content areas of the most recent ISASP assessment.
This course will take the place of the English 11 graduation requirement.
This chronological survey of American literature covers major and minor works of fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry from 1865 through the late 1900's. The novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an option for study. The Great Gatsby and The Old Man and the Sea will be read by the entire class. The curriculum demands writing literary analysis papers originating from works studied, and involves study of literary theory. There is weekly vocabulary work. The semester includes a multi-genre project. Motivated, self-directed students who feel they would like to take a more active role in their learning and are capable of an additional challenge are encouraged to enroll. The course will cover more material more quickly than English 11.
College Credit Transfer Details: The high school offers college credit courses for students but remember, it is the students’ responsibility to request transcripts to be sent to their college of choice for transfer of credits. There is a form in the guidance office to assist you with this process. Important note: your GPA received in these courses MAY affect your college GPA. This will depend on which college you attend. Transcript Release Form
13770 ^COMMUNICATION SKILLS
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
COLLEGE CREDIT: 3 DMACC Credits - COM 703
PREREQUISITE: Proficient scores in all content areas of the most recent ISASP assessment.
This course is designed for the student who wishes to be better prepared for the world of work by improving thinking, speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. In addition to improving job communication skills, the course will help prepare the student for the process of applying for a job. Examples of specific skills learned are: resume writing, small group communication, business letter writing, oral presentations, and mock interviews. Communication Skills and Oral Communication courses are in parallel tracks at DMACC. Students who opt to take both courses may note overlap of material.
College Credit Transfer Details: The high school offers college credit courses for students but remember, it is the students’ responsibility to request transcripts to be sent to their college of choice for transfer of credits. There is a form in the guidance office to assist you with this process. Important note: your GPA received in these courses MAY affect your college GPA. This will depend on which college you attend. Transcript Release Form
13340 CREATIVE WRITING
GRADE: 11 (prior approval), 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
Creative Writing introduces students to the fundamentals of writing creative poetry and prose writing. Students will read and analyze published model texts in multiple genres. Genres explored include: short story, poetry,, spoken word, graphic novel, flash fiction, and. Students learn creative processes through writing exercises, workshops and conferences. Students will edit, workshop, and share their creative work in small and large group settings.
11330 DRAMA
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
Students enrolled in this one semester English elective will study multiple aspects of Drama. Performance units will include mime, improvisation, acting and interpretation. Plays studied will include Oedipus, Oklahoma, Trifles, A Marriage Proposal, Much Ado About Nothing, West Side Story and more. Students will also study various periods of Western theatre history, makeup and technical theater Course grades will be based on daily work, tests, projects and performance.
11311 & 11312 DIGITAL MEDIA
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE
Students in the class will be responsible for publishing the student website, pelladium.com and the student newspaper, the Pelladium. Students will hone reporting and researching skills in order to tell stories through photography, video, podcasts, social media, and/or traditional articles. Students will become proficient in digital photography and will learn basic photography and image editing principals. Students do not have to take Intro. to Journalism in order to enroll in the class. They may enroll with teacher permission.
11001 & 11002 ENGLISH 9
GRADE: 9 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | REQUIRED
English 9 is the required freshman level English course. The course includes developing reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, and vocabulary skills. Major works, including The House on Mango Street, Romeo and Juliet, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Odyssey, are studied, along with various short stories and nonfiction works.
11011 & 11012 ENGLISH 9 HONORS
GRADE: 9 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE
HONORS COURSE: Enrichment course
PREREQUISITE: 1.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.20 or above, or 2.) The student has a 3.20 G.P.A. or above in previous related course work. Exceptions to this prerequisite can be made via a written application process. Applications can be obtained at the Student Services Center.
Motivated, self-directed students who feel they would like to take a more active role in their learning and who feel they are capable of additional challenges in the area of English are encouraged to enroll. Students choosing to complete this coursework should have had high levels of success in their previous English courses and should possess strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, as well as a positive attitude toward challenges they face in English. The course builds upon skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, grammar, and vocabulary skills. Literature in the curriculum includes: Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, House on Mango Street, The Odyssey, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry.
12001 & 12002 ENGLISH 10
GRADE: 10 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | REQUIRED
English 10 is the required sophomore level English course. A year in length, the course includes developing speaking, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and listening skills. The course includes the study of Fahrenheit 451, Night, MacBeth and a variety of literary works, including the short story, drama, poetry and nonfiction.
12011 & 12012 ENGLISH 10 HONORS
GRADE: 10 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE
HONORS COURSE: Enrichment course
PREREQUISITE: 1.) The student has a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or above, or 2.) The student has a 3.20 GPA or above in previous related course work. Exceptions to this prerequisite can be made via a written application process. Applications can be obtained at the Student Services Center.
The English 10 Honors course is suggested for motivated, self-directed students who are capable of additional challenges in the area of English. Students choosing to enroll in this course should have had high levels of success in their previous English courses and should possess strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, as well as a positive attitude toward challenges they face in English. Course work is focused on building reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Literature studied includes Fahrenheit 451, Macbeth, Night, and various poems, short stories, and nonfiction works. Writing assignments will include literary analysis, argument, research, and narrative forms.
13001 & 13002 ENGLISH 11
GRADE: 11 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | REQUIRED
This chronological survey of American literature covers major works of fiction, non‐fiction, drama, and poetry from the Puritan era to Twentieth‐Century Literature. Discussion will focus on writing trends and societal influence on those writing trends. The curriculum includes literature‐based writing assignments originating from works studied. Writing assignments will also include the study of persuasive writing and literary analysis. In addition, students will work to develop vocabulary skills. Assessments include writing assignments, discussions, quizzes, tests, literary analysis papers, and projects.
11300 INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
Introduction to Journalism is open to all students interested in learning basic writing and editing techniques as they apply to publishing. The class emphasizes several writing disciplines as a foundation for scholastic journalism. Development of basic journalism writing skills includes, but is not limited to, news writing, editorial, and feature writing. Other areas to be covered in the semester-long class include: interviewing techniques, desktop publishing skills, photography skills, and the professional press.
••Students who have an interest in journalism should feel free to enroll in this class, even if they do not think they wish to participate as a staff member of the Pelladium, pelladium.com or Duchess in the future.
13350 NONFICTION
GRADE: 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
Students will think about, analyze, and produce nonfiction texts in various forms. Students will begin the semester by looking at the value of nonfiction storytelling. Next, student’s will examine the power of rhetoric and effective argument. Students will explore the importance of reliable sources and the danger of bias. Finally, students will put into practice their natural curiosity and experiment with using it and nonfiction texts to drive their own learning, practicing a model that can lead to lifelong learning.
13780 *^ORAL COMMUNICATION
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
COLLEGE CREDIT: 3 DMACC Credits - SPC 101
COURSE PREP RECOMMENDATION: 1.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.20 or above, or 2.) The student has a 3.20 G.P.A. or above in previous related course work.
PREREQUISITE: Proficient scores in all content areas of the most recent ISASP assessment.
This course includes studying a collegiate level text on human communication. Much of the time in class, however, will be devoted to public speaking: expository speeches, demonstration speeches , persuasive speeches and other presentations ranging from debate to oral interpretation. The main objective is improving communication and organization skills to become a competent extemporaneous communicator.
Communication Skills and Oral Communication courses are in parallel tracks at DMACC. Students who opt to take both courses may note overlap of material.
College Credit Transfer Details: The high school offers college credit courses for students but remember, it is the students’ responsibility to request transcripts to be sent to their college of choice for the transfer of credits. There is a form in the guidance office to assist you with this process. Important note: your GPA received in these courses MAY affect your college GPA. This will depend on which college you attend. Transcript Release Form
11340 SPEECH
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE
The emphasis of Speech is becoming a more effective communicator. The course covers the fundamentals of speech making. Students write and give multiple speeches throughout the semester, including speeches of introduction, demonstration speeches, informative speeches, impromptu speeches, special occasion speeches, review, and persuasive speeches. The course covers some of the basics of human communication including nonverbal communication, listening theory, and interpersonal communication.
11321 & 11322 YEARBOOK
GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE
Students in the class will be responsible for publishing the student yearbook, the Duchess. Students will develop photography, reporting, writing, researching, layout and design skills and become familiar with the general organization of a school yearbook. Students will have the opportunity to take photos at school events and improve their photo composition and image editing skills.