English

ALL FRESHMEN Will Take:

English 9

Course Number(s): L402401

Length: 2 Semesters (4 Credits)

Prerequisites: None

Grade: 9

English 9 introduces students to the MN English Language Arts gr. 9-10 benchmarks for reading, writing, speaking, listening, media literacy, and language. This course establishes a foundation in the habits and skills for the critical thinking, analysis, argumentation, research, and writing types that will be expected of students throughout their high school years. Students will be able to select their own reading texts based on personal interests throughout the year, ensuring that every student is challenged and engaged.  In addition, writing assignments will focus on improving descriptive details, making claims and supporting them with textual evidence, integrating quotations, and citing sources.

ALL SOPHOMORES Must Enroll in One of the Following Two Courses:

English 10

Course Number(s): L402511

Length: 2 Semesters (4 Credits)

Prerequisites: English 9

Grade: 10

English 10 focuses on mastery of the MN English Language Arts gr. 9-10 benchmarks for reading, writing, speaking, listening, media literacy, and language. Students will refine their habits and skills for the critical thinking, analysis, argumentation, research, and writing types required in the upper grades of high school. Students will study collections of literature and informational texts, including voices from within and outside of the U.S. and MN American Indian perspectives.  In order to increase engagement, students will get to choose most novels they will be reading in this course. Students will  write texts for a variety of purposes and audiences including narrative, persuasive, research and literary analysis.

English 10 Accelerated (Honors)

Course Number(s): L432511

Length: 2 Semesters (4 Credits)

Prerequisites: Instructor approval

Grade: 10

English 10 Accelerated focuses on the mastery of the MN English Language Arts gr. 9-10 benchmarks for reading, writing, speaking, listening, media literacy, and language. Students will refine their habits and skills for the critical thinking, analysis, argumentation, research, and writing types and processes required in the upper grades of high school. Specific works studied in this class include Colson Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys, Shakespeare’s Othello, and Ayn Rand’s Anthem.  Students read a wide variety of literature through our independent reading focus which increases student choice and engagement in the literature. There is a special emphasis on syntax and vocabulary as students are expected to gain significant mastery of the former and expansion of the latter. This honors course is distinguished by an expectation for a greater degree of outside reading, self-directed learning, student participation, and overall academic leadership.

ALL JUNIORS Must Enroll in One of the Following Two Courses:

English 11

Course Number(s): L402601

Length: 2 Semesters (4 Credits)

Prerequisites: English 10

Grade: 11

English 11 focuses on American Literature, including authors such as Arthur Miller, August Wilson, Tim O’Brien, and Sherman Alexie. Students also read a wide variety of literature through our independent reading focus which increases student choice and engagement in the literature. Students will engage with MN English Language Arts gr. 11-12 benchmarks for reading, writing, speaking, listening, media literacy, and language. Students will practice critical thinking and analytical writing for fiction and non-fiction literature. Essays may include narrative, research and argumentation. Writings and classroom discussions are used to enhance college and career readiness skills. It is a primary objective that students gain a deeper understanding of literature.

CIS: Introduction to Literature: Poetry, Drama and Narrative (Honors)

Course Number(s): L493501/L453211

Length: 2 Semester (4 Credits)

Prerequisites: Top 50% of Class

Grade: 11

College in the Schools: Introduction to Literature, English 1001, is a University of Minnesota course that is taught in high school. It is offered for high school students who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in reading and writing. This course is nearly identical to the courses taught on campus at the University of Minnesota. Each Semester, students read seven or eight stimulating books of 20th Century Fiction, ranging from the traditional to the unconventional, by authors such as Rudolfo Anaya, Kate Chopin, Toni Morrison, and William Faulkner.

In this course, students read, interpret, discuss, and write about substantial examples of literature. Students will learn to apply literary theories in their reading experiences, theories that connect with race, sexuality, religion, gender, and colonialism. Students will expand their awareness of themselves and others through the literature they read, class discussions, and writing assignments.

Since College in the Schools: Introduction to Literature is not a high school course, students have more freedom than in other courses taught in high school – but they also have more responsibility for their own progress and work in this course. Upon successful completion of this course students receive four semester credits from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. 

ALL SENIORS Must Enroll in One of the Following Three Courses:

English 12

Course Number(s): L402701

Length: 2 Semesters (4 Credits)

Prerequisites: American Literature and Composition

Grade: 12

English 12 focuses on mastery of the MN English Language Arts gr. 11-12 benchmarks for reading, writing, speaking, listening, media literacy, and language. Students will deepen their critical thinking, analysis, argumentation, research, and writing skills in preparation for college and career level reading and writing. Examples include, but are not limited to, Sophocles, Shakespeare and various contemporary authors. Students read a wide variety of literature through our independent reading focus which increases student choice and engagement in the literature. Self expression, literary analysis, and research are three areas of emphasis in this class.

Technical Writing

Course Number(s): L406421

Length: 2 Semesters (4 Credits)

Prerequisites: English 11, AP Literature and Language, AP Language and Composition

Grade: 12

This course covers the English 12 requirements.

CIS: University Writing 

Course Number(s): L495501

Length: 1 Semester (4 Credits)

Prerequisites: Top 50% of Class

Grade: 12

In this college introductory writing course, students prepare for the wide variety of writing they will be expected to produce in college classes. Students focus on the writing process: brainstorming, organizing, drafting, revising, peer conferencing, proofreading and publishing. The possibilities of the journal as part of the writing process are explored. Students have conferences with their writing groups and individually with the teacher. Critical reading of a wide variety of texts is an important component of the class. Students develop and complete five major writing assignments: the personal essay, ethnography, persuasive, problem/solution and review/critique papers. Students also complete five minor writing assignments.

College in the Schools - Freshman Composition is a college course taught in high school; it is not a high school class. Students have more freedom than in other courses taught in high school – but they also have more responsibility for their own progress and work in this course. Upon successful completion of this course, students receive four semester credits from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

…

Elective Credit Classes Offered Every Year

Introduction to Theater 

Course Number(s): P405101 

Length: 1 Semester (2 Credits) 

Prerequisites: None 

Grade: 9-12 

This course is designed to help students discover the  powers of their artistic imagination through a variety of  theater-based activities. Students are introduced to  improvisation, script work, character development, play  writing, and a variety of skills that enhance creativity,  self-esteem, and cultural awareness. Students use this  knowledge to solve problems, communicate meaning,  and critically analyze and define their own personal  creative voices. 

Acting Intermediate  

Course Number(s): P405121 

Length: 1 Semester (2 Credits) 

Prerequisites: Introduction to Theater 

Grade: 10-12 

For students who have passed the introductory course,  Theater Arts 2 will provide more advanced instruction.  This course is designed to help students discover the  powers of their artistic imagination through a variety of  theater-based activities. The class has a final goal of a  play production to be performed at the end of the  Semester. Group collaboration is at the foundation of  the class. The actual level of instruction will vary  according to students' skills and interests. Acting,  producing and aspects of technical theater will be  included. Students will be required to participate in a  final public performance of the play selected. 

Horror, Mystery, Fantasy & Science Fiction  

Course Number(s): L403641 

Length: 1 Semester (2 Credits) 

Prerequisites: English 9 (can be taken concurrently)

Grade: 9-12 

In this course, students will read horror, mystery,  fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels. We  will focus on famous authors and directors who have  been deemed masters in their genres. Students will  analyze and discuss the distinguishing elements of each  genre. The reading list and focus is expected to vary  based on the interest of the students in the class.  Emphasis is on reading for pleasure. Students must  write and tell an original story

World Mythology  

Course Number(s): L403311 

Length: 1 Semester (2 Credits) 

Prerequisites: None 

Grade: 10-12 

Students explore mythology – the study of traditional  legends and stories passed down by oral tradition.  Students study the myths of a number of cultures as the  cultures struggled imaginatively with basic questions of  the origin of life, of evil, and of the universe itself.  Students investigate myths of the ancient cultures of  Greece, Rome, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Creative Writing & Poetry 

Course Number(s): L405401 and L404111

Length: 2 Semesters (4 Credits) 

Prerequisites: None

Grade: 10-12 

Students will be introduced to different types of creative writing: poetry, short stories, creative non-fiction and opinion essays. Students will also be directly involved in the assembly and publication of Johnson’s creative writing and arts magazine, The Mirror. Students will workshop their pieces and evaluate their peers’ work as well. Students will be introduced to publication aspects of writing by gaining familiarity with  Adobe InDesign’s suite. Writing routines and habits, contests and other means of maintaining motivation will be a part of the class as well. Students taking Creative Writing are strongly encouraged to also take Poetry during the second semester.

This course is a continuation of Creative Writing but may also be taken by students who have not taken Creative Writing. While general poetic forms will be taught, the main focus will be on publishing the school’s creative writing magazine, The Mirror. Arrangement, editing, and formatting entries for the publication will be taught. The course introduces students to a wide variety of creative expression. Students will also work with our community partners as a means to support our publication and its distribution. The course is an introduction to all that goes into making a creative writing and art magazine.

Public Speaking  

Course Number(s): L406411 

Length: 1 Semester (2 Credits) 

Prerequisites: English 9

Grade: 10-12 

This class is designed for anybody who wants to learn  to become a better speaker in front of groups. The class  will become a tight-knit group as students speak and  listen to each other on a daily basis. A variety of  speeches will be learned and performed, including  informative speeches, demonstration speeches,  persuasive speeches, and debate. This skill of knowing  what you want to say and saying it well will help you to  get what you want throughout your entire life! 

Debate

Course Number(s): L406301

Length: 1 Semester (2 Credits)

Prerequisites: None

Grade: 10-12

Debate teaches students the fundamentals of argumentation and public speaking. Students learn to research, construct, and present persuasive arguments on various topics. The course covers critical thinking, logical reasoning, and effective rebuttal techniques. Students participate in structured debates, gaining confidence and honing their communication skills. This class promotes analytical thinking, active listening, and respectful discourse.

Introduction to Journalism  

Course Number(s): L405311 

Length: 1 Semester (2 Credits) 

Prerequisites: None 

Grade: 9-12 

Students learn to research and narrow topics for writing  articles and using iPads to produce media. They will  practice the skills necessary for an accurate, responsible  and thoughtful publication and news video segments  with their iPads. Students will be taught the essential  skills related to gathering news, presenting the facts,  and respecting the integrity of responsible journalism.  

The changes in journalism throughout history will be  covered as well as objective and subjective writing.  Students will analyze journalistic publications such as  the New York Times, the Pioneer Press, and the Star  Tribune. The students will learn to evaluate different  forms of media. 

Broadcast Journalism  

Course Number(s): L405351 

Length: 1 Semester (2 Credits) 

Prerequisites: Intro to Journalism 

Grade: 10-12 

Broadcast Journalism introduces students to the principles and practices of news reporting and production for radio, television, and online media. Students learn to research, write, and deliver news stories, developing skills in interviewing, video editing, and audio production. The course covers topics such as ethics in journalism, media law, and the impact of digital technologies on news dissemination. Students gain hands-on experience, preparing them for further studies or careers in journalism and media.

Journalism/Yearbook (Honors)  

Course Number(s): L405352 

Length: 1 Semester (2 Credits) 

Prerequisites: Broadcast Journalism 

Grade: 10-12 

Advanced Journalism/Yearbook focuses on the production of the school's yearbook, emphasizing advanced skills in writing, design, and photography. Students take on editorial and leadership roles, managing the yearbook's content, layout, and publication schedule. The course covers theme development, graphic design, photojournalism, and project management. Students collaborate to create a cohesive and engaging yearbook, receiving feedback to refine their work. This class enhances creativity, teamwork, and professional journalism skills.