Recommended English Sequence (4 credits required)
English I --> English II + Speech --> English III or AP Language--> English IV, AP Lang., or AP Literature
All students are required to take English I, English II and Speech. After those three courses, students may choose from English III or AP® English Language. Finally, students must choose an additional half credit of English from any of the remaining courses (excluding Reading Lab). It is recommended that all students take a full year of senior English, whether that is English IV, AP® Language, or AP® Literature, especially if they plan to attend a four-year university.
Grade: 9
Length: 1 year
Level: General
Credit: 1
This course is designed to expose students to a variety of styles of literature. These include short stories, plays, fiction, and nonfiction texts. Students will also study grammar, literary devices, and vocabulary. During this course students will learn organized writing techniques for both paragraph and multi-paragraph writing.
Grade: 10
Length: 1 year
Level: General
Credit: 1
This course is a general study in literature (prose, drama, poetry, and novels), grammar (usage and sentence structure), intensive writing, and vocabulary.
Grade: 10
Length: 1 semester
Level: General
Credit: 0.5
This course is designed to improve the student’s ability to select and narrow an appropriate topic for a public speaking situation. Intermediate library science and technology-based research skills will be introduced. Both formal and informal communication skills are discussed. Each student will prepare and deliver a minimum of six speeches ranging from informal communication to a formal informative, persuasive, and demonstrative speech. Proper documentation methods will be stressed.
Grade: 11
Length: 1 year
Level: General
Credit: 0.5
This course emphasizes the study of American literature, grammar and vocabulary. Writing skills are studied culminating with a research paper. This course will fulfill both graduation and college entrance requirements.
Grade: 12
Length: 1 year
Level: General
Credit: 1
This course is designed for any student who wishes to further develop skills in academic writing, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Students will be exposed to various pieces of British literature and will be expected to complete analytical essays using critical thinking skills. Writing skills learned in Honors English 3 and English 3 will be built upon including the review of MLA. Another important aspect of this course is the persuasive research paper in which students will learn the principles of APA documentation. Students should be prepared for a heavy literature based curriculum.
Grade: 11 or 12
Length: 1 year
Level: Honors
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: English III and Counselor or Teacher Recommendation
The AP® English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluated, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts--including images as forms of text--from a range of disciplines and historical periods. This course aligned to an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum. Students will be prepared to take the AP® English Language and Composition Exam in the Spring. A score of 3 or higher on the AP® Exam will earn students guaranteed credit at all public (and many private) postsecondary institutions in Illinois (and many other states). To find out how your future college accepts the AP® English Language and Composition Exam scores, go to the AP Credit Policy Search.
Grade: 12
Length: 1 year
Level: Honors
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: AP® English Language & Composition or Teacher Recommendation
The AP® English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis or imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works. Students will be prepared to take the AP® English Language and Composition Exam in the Spring. A score of 3 or higher on the AP® Exam will earn students guaranteed credit at all public (and many private) postsecondary institutions in Illinois (and many other states). To find out how your future college accepts the AP® English Literature and Composition Exam scores, go to the AP Credit Policy Search. This course will be taught as dual credit through LLCC as LIT 109 3 credit hours.
Grade: 9-12
Length: 1 year
Level: General
Credit: 1
Students who take this course will work on both the school newspaper and yearbook. Students will learn to collaborate by reporting and photographing the school year. The newspaper will be published on the school website. The yearbook will be completed throughout the school year with publication at the end of the year. Students who wish to take this course should be willing and able to attend after school events. This course will involve writing activities as well as multimedia opportunities.
Grade: 9-12
Length: 1 year
Level: General
Credit: 1
Students are placed into this course based on results from several academic assessments and data points. The course is designed to help students improve their reading skills to be successful in all other academic courses.
This course does not count as an English requirement for graduation.