English Language Arts

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Students will focus on instruction to improve their reading comprehension and writing skills. Through the use of sustained silent reading, the review of developmental spelling and vocabulary concepts, and practice with specific reading strategies, the students will work to increase their reading and writing performance and raise their reading levels to be closer to their on-grade level.

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Students will focus on instruction to improve their reading comprehension and writing skills. Through the use of sustained silent reading, the review of developmental spelling and vocabulary concepts, and practice with specific reading strategies, the students will work to increase their reading and writing performance and raise their reading levels to be closer to their on-grade level.

Prerequisite: None

Instruction is designed to reinforce and extend students’ skills in writing, reading, listening, and speaking. Improvement in specific composing skills is encouraged through the writing of paragraphs, informal essays, critical thinking, poetry, and literary analysis. Students receive instruction in library skills in preparation for an oral or written research report. Students’ study of spelling, parts of speech, sentence structure, usage, and punctuation is directed toward increasing accuracy in writing and speaking. Vocabulary activities include lessons from the study of words encountered in readings and content presentations. Students read from several types of literature and apply literary terms to the discussion of the works. Speaking skills are practiced through group discussions and oral presentations of literature. Students will prepare for the SAT through the study of vocabulary, writing, and critical reading.

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Students engage in a variety of activities designed to extend and improve skills in writing, reading, speaking, and critical thinking. Knowledge of specific composing skills is encouraged through the writing of poetry, paragraphs, and literary analysis. Students are given the opportunity to learn and practice library skills through the writing of a research paper. Literature includes extensive readings and the application of literary terms to analyze authors’ meanings and styles. Study of the parts of speech, elements of sentence structure, usage, spelling, and punctuation is directed toward increasing accuracy in students’ speaking and writing. Students increase their vocabulary through the study of words encountered in reading and content presentations. Speaking skills are practiced through oral presentation of literature, group discussions, and oral interpretations of poetry and prose. Students will prepare for the SAT through the study of vocabulary, writing, and critical reading.

Prerequisite: 1130

Students engage in a variety of activities designed to extend and improve skills in reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking. Writing experiences include literary analysis, practical documents, and paragraphs. Students practice library skills in preparation for a short oral presentation or written research paper. Instruction in grammar focuses on the achievement of correct usage in students’ speaking and writing. Students read from many types of literature for comprehension and the understanding of basic story elements. Students investigate consumer information and practice speaking skills through group problem solving. Students will prepare for the SAT through the study of vocabulary, writing, and critical reading.

Prerequisite: 1130; Teacher Recommendation

Students engage in a variety of activities designed to extend and improve their skills in writing, reading, speaking, critical thinking, and research. Mastery of specific composition skills is encouraged. The study of world literature is presented through an overview of the major genres with emphasis on applying the elements of fiction. Students will prepare for the SAT through the study of vocabulary, writing, and critical reading. Pre-course assignments will be required in the last nine weeks preceding the semester during which the student is enrolled.

Prerequisite: 1140

Instruction is designed to reinforce and extend students’ skills in writing, reading, speaking, critical thinking, and consumer information. Improvements in skills are encouraged through the writing of essays, literary analysis, the explication of poetry, and a research paper. Students review vocabulary, mechanics, usage, and elements of sentence structure in order to increase their effectiveness in writing and speaking. American literature is presented through a survey of the major literary periods, genres, and authors. Vocabulary activities will be included. Students will prepare for the SAT through the study of vocabulary, writing, and critical reading.

Prerequisite: 1140; Teacher Recommendation

Students may dually enroll with Laurel Ridge Community College's ENG 111 and ENG 112.*

This is a one semester course emphasizing American literature and non-fiction and students' development of critical reading and writing skills. It is designed for students capable of doing college level work in English while they are in high school and who are willing to devote the energy necessary to complete a course more rigorous and demanding than other high school English courses intended for the college-bound student. If students choose not to dually enroll, they may demonstrate their achievement in college-level work by taking the Advanced Placement English Examination in Language and Composition. Students should consult postsecondary schools to determine which AP exam scores are accepted for credit.

*No fees are required for students who do not dually enroll with Laurel Ridge Community College.

Prerequisite: 1150

Instruction is designed to reinforce and extend students’ skills in writing, reading, speaking, critical thinking, and College and Career Readiness. Improvement in specific composing skills is encouraged through the writing of essays, literary analysis, and a research paper. Students review mechanics, usage, and elements of sentence structure to increase their effectiveness in writing and speaking. English literature is presented through a survey of the major literary periods, genres, and authors. Vocabulary activities include lessons from vocabulary and the study of words encountered in reading and content presentations. Speaking skills are expanded and improved through the preparation and performance of a five-to-ten minute oral presentation. Students enhance critical skills by critiquing each other’s oral presentations.

Prerequisite: 1195

Students may dually enroll with Laurel Ridge Community College's ENG 245 and/or ENG 255.* Students interested in earning any certificate or degree program should consult a counselor about specific course requirements and options for completion.

This is a one semester course emphasizing a survey of British and world literature and students' development of critical thinking and interpretive skills. It is designed for students capable of doing college level work in English while they are in high school and who are willing to devote the energy necessary to complete a course more rigorous and demanding than other high school English courses intended for the college-bound student. If students choose not to dually enroll, they may demonstrate their achievement in college-level work by taking the Advanced Placement English Examination in Literature and Composition or Advanced Placement English Examination in Language and Composition. Students should consult postsecondary schools to determine which AP exam scores are accepted for credit.

*No fees are required for students who do not dually enroll with Laurel Ridge Community College.

Prerequisite: None

Students may dual enroll with Laurel Ridge Community College

The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the origins and meaning of myths, and the major themes, stories, characters, and archetypes present in the mythologies of several different cultures. The course will concentrate on Greek and Roman mythology, but will also include material from Norse, Celtic, Egyptian, African, Eastern, and Native American mythology. The course will be taught using an interdisciplinary approach that considers literary and artistic themes from diverse perspectives including theology, sociology, anthropology and history. Student work will be required outside of class time.

Prerequisite: 1195

Students may dual enroll with Laurel Ridge Community College

This course surveys the history, development and genres of children's literature, focusing on analysis of texts for literary qualities and in terms of audience.

Prerequisite: None

In Creative Writing, students’ writing skills will be enhanced in multiple genres. Experiences may be further enhanced in their collaboration with art and photojournalism classes.

Prerequisite: 1171

Students may dual enroll with Laurel Ridge Community College if they have passed ENG 111/112. In Creative Writing II, students select and work on their favorite genre and build a portfolio. Experience may be further enhanced in their collaboration with art classes and photojournalism.

Prerequisite: None

Students may dual enroll with Laurel Ridge Community College. Students will be engaged in becoming readers of nonfiction and fiction. Students will read rich literature and write prose and analyses that reflect the maturity of the adult thinker. The students will consider content, voice, purpose, and audience as their organizational focus for essays beyond the length of five paragraphs. In addition, students will examine and evaluate the relevance of key literary elements prevalent in the literature.

Prerequisite: None

Students may dual enroll with Laurel Ridge Community College. Instruction in this elective introduces students to many facets of newspaper production. Students learn to write news articles, editorials, and features; to use photography skills; to sell advertising; to understand the legal and ethical issues that affect journalists; and to improve communication skills. Students are also instructed in the use of publishing and design software, such as Adobe PageMaker and Quark Express. In addition to producing the school newspaper, the journalism class also designs and updates the school web page.

Prerequisite: None

This course is designed for students who want to improve their communication skills. Main areas of study may include storytelling, group discussion, TV/radio broadcasting, mass media, propaganda, video design and editing, speech writing, and forensics.

Prerequisite: None

Videography is an entry-level course that will introduce students to basic video, film, and audio production. The goal of the course is for each student to learn and develop skills for capturing captivating video images and audio and to be able to use technology to edit those two elements together to create a cohesive narrative.