English Course Descriptions

Foundations of English I

Foundations of English courses are designed to assist students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in required English classes. These courses provide in depth instruction in basic language arts skills. Emphasis is on reading comprehension writing skills and strategies. Foundations of English classes serve as electives and provide supplemental instruction in the area of Language Arts literacy. They do not fulfill one of the four units of English required for graduation. Enrollment is based on teacher recommendation.

CREDIT: 1                TYPE: Standard

English I

This course provides students with an introduction to the different genres of literature; focus is placed on literary terms and elements. Writing instruction focuses on mechanics, usage, and structure. Special emphasis focuses on the integration of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing. Students may do a research project in this course.

CREDIT: 1              TYPE: Standard

English I Honors

This course provides challenges for the motivated student by concentrating on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills while focusing on literary types and appropriate oral and written responses. The importance of audience and purpose in communication is explored. The course provides a review of grammar, mechanics and usage as needed. Students may do a research project in this course.

CREDIT: 1           TYPE: Honors

Foundations of English II

Foundations of English courses are designed to assist students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in required English classes. These courses provide in depth instruction in basic language arts skills. Emphasis is on reading comprehension writing skills and strategies. Foundations of English classes serve as electives and provide supplemental instruction in the area of Language Arts literacy. They do not fulfill one of the four units of English required for graduation. Enrollment is based on teacher recommendation.

CREDIT: 1          TYPE: Standard

English II

This course provides students with a study of world literature and emphasizes the use of composition to analyze and evaluate time and culture. Students edit their work for mechanical correctness, fluency, and structure. Students may do a research project in this course.

CREDIT: 1         TYPE: Standard                   PREREQUISITE: English I or English I Honors

English II Honors

This course provides challenging written and oral response opportunities through an intensive study of world literature. Composition types, writing strategies and revision techniques are stressed. Frequent writing assignments are required. The course provides a review of grammar, mechanics, and usage as needed. Students may do a research project in this course.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors                PREREQUISITE: English I or English I Honors

English III

This course provides students with a study of American literature while improving reading and grammar skills, developing vocabulary and expanding effective writing strategies. Improvement of media center/research skills and competency in expository writing will be stressed. Students may do a research project in this course.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard                       PREREQUISITE: English II or English II Honors

English III Honors

This course provides highly motivated students an intensive study of selected American Literature with appropriate oral and written responses. The course concentrates on the development of complex thought processes and critical, literary analysis. Frequent writing assignments are required. Students will conduct research in this course.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors                        PREREQUISITE: English II or English II Honors

AP English - Language and Composition

The AP English Language and Composition course is a college curriculum composition course described by The College Board as “one of the most varied” in the AP course offerings. Students will read and respond to a wide variety of texts for the purpose of demonstrating rhetorical analysis, rhetorical writing, and critical thinking. Text selection is designed with the college course in mind, the primary goal being that students learn to respond across the college curriculum with confidence and effectiveness. This course satisfies the graduation requirement for English III.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Advanced Placement         PREREQUISITE: English II or English II Honors

English IV

This course provides a study of major British and western European works of literature as well as the history of the English language to its present form. Critical thinking skills with appropriate oral and written responses are developed. Oral communication and research/ media center skills are refined. Students will conduct research in this course.

CREDIT:  1 TYPE:  Standard                             PREREQUISITE:  English III or English III Honors

English IV Honors

This challenging course for highly motivated students provides an intensive study of British and western European Literature, past and present, in order to understand historical and contemporary issues. Critical thinking skills with appropriate oral and written responses are developed. Students will refine oral communication and research/media center skills as needed. Students will conduct research in this course.                

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: English III or English III Honors or English III AP - Language and Composition

AP English - Literature and Composition

This course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature from the 16th-21st centuries. Through the close reading of selected poetry, drama, and fiction, students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. Students consider a work’s structure, style and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone. This course satisfies the graduation requirement for English IV.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Advanced Placement                        PREREQUISITE: English III or English III Honors

ENGLISH ELECTIVES

The following elective courses will be offered depending upon sufficient enrollment and instructor availability.

Journalism I

In this course students are introduced to the fundamentals of newspaper and yearbook production. In the newspaper component, they learn the basics of news writing: interviewing techniques, editing and organizational strategies, and headline writing. In the yearbook component, they learn the basics of layout and design, including picture and copy placement.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Journalism II – Newspaper Honors

In this course students produce the student newspaper. All students sell and service ad accounts, investigate and report news, and plan pages. In addition to extensive news writing, course content includes newspaper production and computer assisted layout and design. This course may be taken for two semesters. Students may earn one unit per semester.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE:  Journalism I

Journalism II – Yearbook Honors

This course is for publication staff members. Students are required to have a leadership position on the publication staff. Students plan a yearbook ladder, complete various spreads and assignments, copy edit, and complete a portfolio of work. They master advanced layout and design of desktop publishing, digital imagery, and photo placement. Application required.

CREDIT: 2 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE:  Journalism I

Journalism III – Newspaper Honors

This course will focus on the development of the skills and abilities necessary to manage and operate a newspaper as a business with students working in managing editor roles. Students will learn to calculate production costs of a newspaper and to analyze sales and profit margins while acting in key leadership positions to insure the effective pursuit of quality oriented production results. Newspaper writing contributions will focus on column, feature, and or editorial submissions. Each student will design and produce one edition of a newspaper as a final project.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: Journalism II – Newspaper

Journalism III – Yearbook Honors

This course is for publication staff members. Students are required to have a leadership position on the publication staff. Students plan a yearbook ladder, complete various spreads and assignments, copy edit, and complete a portfolio of work. They master advanced layout and design of desktop publishing, digital imagery, and photo placement.

CREDIT: 2 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE:   Journalism II – Yearbook

Journalism IV – Newspaper Honors

This course is designed for students who are interested in exploring journalism as a profession. Students will design an independent study project in an area of their interest, conduct research during the entire semester, and submit an end-of-course product while at the same time producing editorials, columns, and feature stories for the newspaper. In order to further develop management skills, students will act as a board of directors for the newspaper staff.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors       PREREQUISITE:  Journalism III - Newspaper

Advanced Composition for the College Bound Student Honors

This course focuses on expository writings with emphasis on organization and application of ideas. Emphasis will be placed on solid paragraph development, proper mechanics, and grammar. Focus will be placed on the following writing strategies: narrative, descriptive, persuasive, reflective, compare/contrast, cause/effect, definition and literary analysis. Students will refine research and editing skills as they prepare a minimum of one written assignment each week. Technology, including computer-based research and MLA documentation, will be integrated throughout the semester.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors

African American Literature

This course is designed to give students insights into the history of African- American literature. Students will become acquainted with a variety of classic texts, writers, and themes that have fundamentally shaped the African-American literary tradition. The student will also recognize and appreciate contributions of selected authors through reading, speaking, and viewing selected works.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Contemporary Literature

This course is designed for students interested in exposure to more recent literary "greats". Students will study various pieces, such as Stephen King's The Green Mile, Iain Bank's The Crow Road, and Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife, and relate the texts to modern society. While working individually and in small groups, students will complete research projects on the books and explore what newer texts should be added to the literary canon.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Creative Writing

This course focuses on writing short stories, poetry and personal expression in other forms as well. Students read exemplary composition models, discuss the skills and structures, and write, read, and critique their own poetry and prose. In addition, students submit entries to literary contests.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard PREREQUISITE: English II or English II Honors is recommended

Film as Literature

Students will study film and other media as visual and auditory texts. Students will develop an understanding of the many dimensions (philosophical, ethical, and aesthetic) of the literature experience. Students will compare and contrast the written text with the visual text. Film as literature is an English elective with the aim of improving students’ critical thinking skills through analyzing various genres of film. By exploring social concepts, issues, and conflicts depicted in film, students will gain insight into their own character and surrounding environment. Students will be given both creative and critical writing assignments. Elements of grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and style will also be taught. Students will read classic and contemporary novels, short stories and plays, view the corresponding film, and utilize writing skills through critiques, analysis, response journals and compare/contrast essays.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Literary Publications

In this course students plan the theme, layout, and page design of literary publications. Attention is given to developing a business plan for meeting production costs.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Reading and Writing for College and Beyond Honors 

Students will read challenging texts and write about them. Teachers will foster passion for literacy and expand students’ reading and writing horizons before they go into specialized literacy in the upper high school grades and beyond. Examples of texts include fiction, nonfiction, social studies/psychology, allegory, poetry and drama.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors

Reading Competency

This course is designed to improve reading proficiency. Students who successfully complete this course will receive one unit of elective credit.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Science of Fiction

This course is a study of Science Fiction and the inventions of the Sci-Fi authors' work within the realm of scientific possibility based on contemporary scientific research. Specifically works and topics that will be covered will be Frankenstein and genetic engineering and organ farming; The Time Machine and the possibilities of time travel, as well as various multimedia contemporary works. The course will also explore how the writers of science fiction have influenced the development of technology that we know today.        

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Shakespeare Honors

Students will enlarge and expand their knowledge of Shakespeare’s plays by studying selected histories, comedies, and tragedies. Students will learn about the classical origins of Shakespeare’s work, his influence on Western literature and culture, and relevant contemporary criticism of his dramas.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: English I or English I Honors

Southern Writers

A survey of nineteenth-century Southern writers is followed by detailed study of the major writers of the Southern Renaissance including William Faulkner, Thomas Wolfe, Robert Penn Warren, Eudora Welty, Flannery O’Conner, and Walker Percy. Major contemporary figures such as Maya Angelou as well as more recent young writers are also included.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard PREREQUISITE: English I or English I Honors

Speech/Debate I 

Speech is the coordination of mind, body, and voice to communicate ideas. In this course students prepare speeches, deliver them to the class audience, observe and comment on TV and radio personalities, and participate in class discussions. The course enables students to develop poise and effective techniques for various speaking situations. Students learn how to present informative, persuasive and entertaining speeches. As they study nonverbal communication, develop listening skills, and build self-confidence, they learn to reduce the stress involved in presenting ideas in an open forum. In this comfortable class setting, students are supported and encouraged to excel as they prepare and present speeches for the class audience.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Speech/Debate II Honors

Students learn logical, emotional, and ethical methods of persuasion. The course emphasizes collection, organization, and presentation of material on current topics of interest. Teams present formal debates in preparation for interscholastic debating on the national high school topic.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE: Speech/Debate I

Structured Writing

Students will focus their writing on main idea, organization, support elaboration, style, and grammar, mechanics and usage. Students will work on expressive, narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative and persuasive writing.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard PREREQUISITE:  English I

Women in Literature

This course will analyze literature by and about women from the 1300’s through modern day. It focuses on women as characters within novels, short stories, poetry, etc., as well as those writings by women, even though there may be masculine, main characters. This course also explores feminist theory and how the lens of feminism can be used to interpret literature.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Creative Writing Honors 

This course focuses on writing short stories, poetry and personal expression in other forms as well. Students read exemplary composition models, discuss the skills and structures, and write, read, and critique their own poetry and prose. In addition, students submit entries to literary contests. Students in the Honors version of the course will have greater expectations for developing depth and complexity in their written expression and in their analysis of model texts. 

CREDIT: 1     TYPE: Honors PREREQUISITE:  English II or English II Honors

English as a Second Language

High schools in Lee County Schools provide the English as a Second Language program to all eligible students according to the county’s Language Instruction Education Program (LIEP) list of services. To be eligible for the ESL services, students must qualify for services based on scores from the state English language proficiency screener or annual test. The goals of the ESL program are 1) to help students obtain a college and career ready level of English proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening  in social and academic context and, 2) to meet academic achievement standards for grade promotion and graduation. ESL services are designed to meet the specific English language and learning needs of each individual student. Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) promotes academic achievement for English learners by developing English language proficiency as they work through academic course work. Students are  taught one or more content courses by certified teachers who are trained in sheltered instruction. These classes are available in a wide variety of English learners. Students should contact their school counselor for more information.

English as a Second Language I

This course is designed to assist students for whom English is not their native language. Students will focus on attaining skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English and the language related to high school content area subjects with an emphasis on speaking and listening. Enrollment in this course is by recommendation and demonstrated need only.

CREDIT: 1      TYPE: Standard 

English as a Second Language II

This course is designed to assist students for whom English is not their native language. Students will focus on improving their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English and the language related to high school content area subjects with an emphasis on reading and writing. Enrollment in this course is by recommendation and demonstrated need only.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

English Foundations for Newcomers

This course offers an introduction to ​social and instructional English for high school newcomer English learners. ​T​his class provides students with the basic tools they need to begin engaging in an English-speaking environment. Students will explore a variety of topics, including foundational grammar, vocabulary building, ​basic sentence structure, and everyday communication skills. Additionally, the course introduces cultural nuances to help students navigate the educational setting. This course fosters a supportive environment where students can progress at their own pac​e​. Enrollment in this course is by recommendation and demonstrated need only. 

CREDIT: 1      TYPE: Standard 

Skills in Academic English - Humanities Focus

Through an interdisciplinary approach, this course is designed to assist students in learning and refining the academic language needed for success in humanities courses such as English language arts and social studies offered at the high school level. The class will focus on improving skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in the humanities disciplines. Enrollment in this course is by recommendation and demonstrated need only.

CREDIT: 1 TYPE: Standard

Skills in Academic English - STEM Focus

Through an interdisciplinary approach, this course is designed to assist students in learning and refining the academic language needed for success in STEM courses such as science, technology and mathematics offered at the high school level. The class will focus on improving skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in the STEM disciplines. Enrollment in this course is by recommendation and demonstrated need only. 

CREDIT: 1     TYPE: Standard