Freshmen/Sophomore Classes

COURSE: English I (year)

OPEN TO: Grade 9

PREREQUISITE: None

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

English I is a prerequisite for all other English courses. Students are introduced to the principles of paragraph and essay composition. Students will also be introduced to the literary genres of the short story, poetry, drama, and the novel. Writing assignments related to each of these genres will be required. The elements of fiction and nonfiction are also emphasized and writing assignments will call for an analysis of material read in class.

COURSE: Honors English I (year)

OPEN TO: Grade 9

PREREQUISITES: Teacher recommendation and test scores

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

Placement in Honors English I is based primarily on high school placement test results as well as eighth grade teacher and counselor recommendations. This course is designed to promote independent and self-motivated study in teacher guided activities. The course includes individual and group projects, tests, and writing assignments that involve higher level thinking skills as applied to the study of the short story, poetry, drama, and the novel.

COURSE: Freshman Reading (year)

OPEN TO: Grade 9

PREREQUISITES: Teacher recommendation, test scores and administration approval

CREDIT: 1 (non-English credit)

OVERVIEW:

This course is intended for students who need additional support in reading comprehension, general study skills and will aid the student in transitioning to high school. Students will focus on how to read textbooks, how to take notes effectively, how to read for understanding and how to read fluently. Students will be assessed regularly and progress will be monitored.

COURSE: English II (year)

OPEN TO: Grade 10

PREREQUISITE: English I

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

English II is a prerequisite for all other English courses at the junior and senior level. Students continue their study of the principles of paragraph and essay composition. Students will also continue their study of the literary genres of the short story, poetry, drama, and the novel. Writing assignments related to each of these genres will be required. The elements of fiction and nonfiction will continue to be emphasized and writing assignments will call for an analysis of material read in class.

COURSE: Honors English II (year) **Counts as an American Lit course for pre-reqs

OPEN TO: Grade 10

PREREQUISITES: Teacher recommendation and test scores

CREDIT: 1

OVERVIEW:

Placement in Honors English II is based primarily on high school placement test results as well as teacher and counselor recommendations. This course is designed to promote independent and self-motivated study in teacher-guided activities. The course includes individual and group projects, tests, and writing assignments that involve higher level thinking skills as applied to the study of the short story, poetry, drama, and the novel.

COURSE: Sophomore Strategies (semester)

OPEN TO: Grade 10

PREREQUISITES: English I, Teacher Recommendation

CREDIT: 1/2

OVERVIEW:

This English course is devised as a class to support students' reading comprehension, vocabulary development, study skills, writing skills, and language skills. This course will focus on units that are paralleled in English II, such as non-fiction, short fiction, and mythology; however, this class will read different texts than those that are read in English II. This class will focus on deepening students' skills needed to be successful in English II with a focus on the development of reading and writing synthesis skills. This class also serves as a bridge to the junior/senior level coursework, and will help students be more successful in upper-level courses. Students will be assessed regularly and progress will be monitored.

Junior/Senior Writing Electives

COURSE: Writing Foundations (semester)

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: English I, English II

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

Writing Foundations is intended for students who are pursuing a vocational job track for their high school career. It is not recommended as the only writing course for those students who plan on attending college. The mission of Writing Foundations is to provide students with a basic foundation of grammar and usage before entering the workplace. Emphasis will be placed on shorter writings and basic grammar necessary for communicating clearly and effectively. Students will read essays and stories related to work and the modern world and will write responses exploring their own chosen career paths. Students will complete a job packet including: letters of application, a resume, and follow-up letter. Students will become familiar with job search applications using technology and the internet. Students will also practice longer essays in preparation for the kinds of essay writing which will be helpful in preparing for the kinds of testing required for job placement, state-testing, and other writing assignments for other classes.

COURSE: Intermediate Composition (semester)

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: English I, English II

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

Upon completion students should be able to adapt their approaches and strategies as they engage in reading and writing tasks; analyze, evaluate, and synthesize while reading and writing; and demonstrate information literacy skills as an engaged reader and as a contributing writer. The course is delivered through an approach that integrates instruction across the competency domains and organizes the course pedagogy and selected texts around themes, critical issues, or concepts that foster critical thinking, reading, and writing skills.  Completion of this course with the grade of “B” or better is a prerequisite for placement into English 103 at Kishwaukee College. 

COURSE: Advanced Composition I (semester, Dual Credit)

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: English I, English II, Intermediate Composition OR Adequate SAT score

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

Advanced Composition I is a dual credit course for students who plan to attend college. The course stresses the composing process of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading. Basic writing skills such as mechanics, grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, as well as the structure of the formal essay will be emphasized and considered in the evaluation of at least five essays to be written during the semester. Units in this course will deal with the principles of effective writing, methods of development for different types of writing, and research steps for a formal, research paper. Students will be expected to formulate and develop thesis statements which are supportable with specific evidence and proof. Instead of traditional report writing, the focus of each of the students' projects will be on analytical, expository writing with specific attention given to developing introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions. The required essays will use Modern Language Association's (MLA) style of documenting a formal research paper.  This class is also known as English 103 at Kishwaukee College. Students can receive dual credit through Kishwaukee College with a grade of “C” or higher in this course.

COURSE: Advanced Composition II (semester, Dual Credit)

OPEN TO: Grade 12

PREREQUISITES: English I, English II, Advanced Composition I

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

Advanced Composition II is a continuation of Advanced Composition I. Students, however, will write extended essays with research components. Students will write an extended research essay. This course is designed to increase awareness of the writing process with specefic attention to writing for intention, using organization and revision. This class also will focus on reading and argumentation skills. This class is also known as English 104 at Kishwaukee College. Students can receive dual credit through Kishwaukee College with a grade of “C” or higher in this course.

COURSE: Creative Writing (semester)

OPEN TO: Grades 12

PREREQUISITES: Student must have already received credit for a writing course prior to taking Creative Writing. 

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

The mission of Creative Writing I is to provide a forum and creative outlet for students who love to read and write. Only serious students interested in an engaging semester of intensive writing should take Creative Writing I. Students will create original pieces of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, implementing a variety of different forms. At least one other writing course is required before taking Creative Writing I.

COURSE: Creative Writing II (semester)

OPEN TO: Grade 12

PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Student must have already received credit for Creative Writing I.

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

In this course students will review important concepts from Creative Writing I and practice various forms of writing including poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Students will also work independently on a major project of their design. Throughout the course emphasis will be placed on improving skills, enhancing an individual style, proofreading, and editing. Students in Creative Writing II may also be responsible for compiling, editing, evaluating and contributing material toward the production of an end-of-the-year literary magazine.

Junior/Senior Literature Electives

COURSE: Modern Fiction (semester)

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: English I, English II

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

As the name implies, Modern Fiction focuses on contemporary fictional literature. Students are expected to read several novels, write responses to their reading assignments, and participate in small group discussion. Current short fiction may also be included in reading and writing assignments. 

COURSE: Modern Nonfiction (semester)

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: English I, English II

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

As the name implies, Modern Nonfiction focuses on contemporary nonfiction literature. Students are expected to read extended nonfiction texts, write responses to their reading assignments, and participate in small group discussion. Current short nonfiction and news articles may also be included in reading and writing assignments. 

COURSE: Topics in Literature (semester)

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: English I, English II

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

This semester course is designed to continue the study of novels, short stories, poetry, and literary nonfiction introduced in English I and II. Students will focus on the works of a variety of authors,  including writers from various cultures. Works will be analyzed in terms of content, theme, and style. Course content will vary to include frequent reading opportunities, writing activities, and classroom discussion related to works read. The works selected will be challenging literary works. The course is recommended for those students planning on attending college.

COURSE: American Literature Before 1900 (semester)

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: English I, English II

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

This course is intended to introduce students to American writers who lived and wrote before 1900 and who have influenced our modern American literature and thought. This course will emphasize critical thinking and writing skills pertaining to literature. Student requirements will include the completion of reading assignments, essays, and one oral report.

COURSE: American Literature After 1900 (semester)

OPEN TO: Grades 11-12

PREREQUISITES: English I, English II

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

This course is a study of significant modern American literature, emphasizing the relationship between historical events and literature. Students study short stories, dramas, poetry, and novels. Students write paragraph responses about themes discussed in each genre. Students complete one individual study project that combines reading the works of and researching literary criticism about one American author. Out-of-class reading is required.

COURSE: Advanced Literature (semester, AP Course)

OPEN TO: Grade 12

PREREQUISITES: Advanced Composition I and II, and an American Literature course

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

This course is designed to be a transition into college literature. Students will read a variety of genres with the aim of understanding the historical and cultural role of literature. The course will emphasize critical thinking and writing skills pertaining to literature. Student requirements will include the completion of three major essays and a research paper. Upon successful completion of a placement examination and Advanced Composition, students can take this course as preparation for the Advanced Placement (AP) English Literature and Composition test.

Communication Offerings

COURSE: Speech (semester)

OPEN TO: Grade 12

PREREQUISITES: English I, II

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

The course consists of a series of classroom speaking activities designed to improve oral communications. Emphasis is placed upon the practical application of speaking skills and techniques. The course allows practice in preparing and presenting various types of speeches —informative, demonstrative, and argumentative. Speeches for special occasions, for entertainment, and speeches to convince will be considered. Some debate, discussion, interviews, and interpretive reading may be included. Extemporaneous delivery will be emphasized.

COURSE: Occupational Speech (semester)

OPEN TO: Grade 12

PREREQUISITE: Teacher recommendation

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

Emphasis is placed upon the practical application of speaking skills and techniques. The course allows practice in preparing and presenting various types of speech presentations—speeches to inform, to demonstrate, to persuade, as well as group discussion. Practical job skills such as letter writing, interviewing, and resume construction may also be emphasized. Placement in Occupational Speech is based on recommendations from the Counseling and English Departments.

COURSE: Dual Credit Speech (semester)

OPEN TO: Grade 12

PREREQUISITE: English I and II

CREDIT: ½

OVERVIEW:

An introduction to the fundamentals of oral communication and the roles of speech, speaker and listener in the broad concept of communication. This course emphasizes the composition and presentation of various oral messages. The course will include units in informative, persuasive, debate, extemporaneous, and group presentations. The course will focus on critical listening, non-verbal expressions, outlining and research skills.