WHS English Course Offerings

The Ohio Department of Education:

Requires that students earn four (4) credits in English Language Arts for graduation.

  • Yearlong courses and CCP courses equal one credit (1 CU)

  • Semester courses (with the exception of CCP courses) equal one half of a credit (½ CU)

  • Students (2023 class and younger) take an ELA EOC in English II only.

  • Class of 2021 and 2022 must earn a minimum of four (4) points on ELA tests, in total (ELA I and II), in order to graduate.

  • Students must earn 18 points on AIR tests (in total).

Suggested English Tracks

Year 1

English 1 (Regular, Inclusion, Honors)

English 1 is a year-long course with focus on reading, writing, oral expression, and critical thinking with an emphasis on becoming an independent learner.

Honors English 1 requires a recommendation from current teacher and/or accelerated or advanced score on previous end of course exam. It is expected that students are self-motivated and understand the rigors of an honors course. Students will be asked to complete daily reading and writing assignments, both in and out of class, utilizing critical thinking skills and working independently.

Year 2

English 2 (Regular, Inclusion, Honors)

English 2 builds upon the English 1 curriculum and is designed to prepare students for the junior and senior English courses.

Honors English 2 requires a recommendation from current teacher and/or accelerated or advanced score on previous end of course exam. This course will increase the rigor of reading selections and writing above the English II regular level course.

Year 3 and Beyond

English 3

English 3: an introduction to American literature and cultural development. This course will Explore the growth and change in American thought over time and examines what makes American literature distinctly American.

Language Seminar

Language Seminar addresses the needs of students who are interested in transitioning to the college experience track (CCP/AP level courses) here at Wooster High School. This seminar-based course is designed to be an introduction to the skills needed to thrive in any college program.

The content of the course will focus on American literature paying close attention to academic writing, how to analyze and discuss relevant literature, and clearly articulate ideas in a public forum.

AP Seminar

AP Seminar - Open to grades 10. 11. and 12. AP Seminar engages students in cross-curricular (different AP classes and different subject areas) conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives across different areas of study.

Ultimately, the course gives students the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments.

Potential College Credit Courses

AP Language and Composition

This college Level Course engages students in becoming skilled readers of nonfiction in a variety of rhetorical contexts.

Students will better develop awareness of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.

•A passing score on the AP Literature Exam = a semester of college credit at most universities.

AP Literature and Composition

This is college-level course for seniors who wish to achieve excellence in literary analysis. Students will evaluate works from several genres and periods – from the 16th century to the present.

Students will develop the ability to move beyond emotional reactions and respond to a work analytically and critically. Continual emphasis will be placed on style analysis, recognizing literary terms, vocabulary development, knowing narrative voice, critical reading, and analytical writing.

•A passing score on the AP Literature Exam = a semester of college credit at most universities.

The difference between AP Language and AP Literature:

—APE Language and Composition places more emphasis on rhetorical analysis and the ability to write and analyze persuasive arguments.

—APE Literature and Composition places greater emphasis on the analysis of literature; it includes poetry, fiction, and drama.

College Credit Plus (CCP)

CCP Eligibility Requirements

  • Must return declared intent form to guidance counselor by April 1

  • Must take the ACT in April 2020 if not taken previously

  • Must complete assessment exam and achieve scores indicating readiness for college-level coursework in at least one subject area

  • Must complete college/university application for admission by April 15 (fall) or October 15 (spring) and have taken ACT

  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA with a 21 ACT composite or combined SAT (Math & Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) of 1060

  • A minimum ACT English score of 18 or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 440

  • Must attend an orientation with the college/university

CCP Composition I

Semester Course (½ credit) *see below*

Composition I focuses upon essay writing fluency and choice of relevant topic and effective structure. In five (5) essays, students will explore successful methods to clearly and effectively express ideas in writing:

  • Description

  • Exemplification

  • Division-Classification

  • Process-Analysis

  • Definition

For one (1) semester of study, students meeting the CCP requirements and enrolled in the university will also receive:

  • One (1) full Carnegie Credit

  • Three (3) college credit hours (a $1500 value) with the University of Akron

CCP Composition II

Semester Course (½ credit)

Composition II focuses upon research and argumentation (building upon fluency). This course will focus on:

  • analysis of credibility, sufficiency, and reliability.

  • Evaluation and incorporation of sources and data.

  • Use of advanced research methods.

  • Analysis and application of argumentation structures.

  • MLA, APA, and CMS formats.

For one (1) semester of study, students meeting the CCP requirements and enrolled in the university will also receive:

  • One (1) full Carnegie Credit

  • Three (3) college credit hours (a $1500 value) with the University of Akron

International Baccalaureate (IB): 11th and 12th Grade Years

IB Literature is a college-level, two-year course of study. This Course is part of a rigorous, inclusive program that encompasses: IB English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language courses, in addition to TOK, EE, and CAS Requirements. The Tri-County International Academy (housed at Wooster High School) draws students from Ashland, Holmes, and Wayne counties. Students interested in this program must complete and submit an application to the IB Office.

During this 2-year course of study, students will approach works of literature (non-fiction and fiction) with a globally-minded focus. Similar to AP Language and Literature courses, emphasis will be placed on awareness of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as style analysis, recognizing literary terms, vocabulary development, knowing narrative voice, critical reading, and analytical writing.

•A passing score of 5 or higher at HL Level in IB English Literature = two semesters of college credit at many universities.

English Electives

Creative Writing

Semester Course (½ credit):This process based, workshop-based class encourages students to write on a daily basis.

The writing projects include a variety of assignments that will challenge and encourage students to take risks and further develop their creative thinking and writing skills.

Mythology

Semester Course (½ credit): This course is a general overview of the various cultural creation accounts and their heroes. The course will focus on the cultures of Greek/Roman, Hebrew, Native Tribes, Norse, and Mesopotamian.

Literature

Literature (½ credit): “Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored.” - Anne Lamott

Focusing on thematic units including love, death, and morality, students will explore the complexities of humanity through classic and contemporary literature. Students will select from a variety of units based on both teacher and student interest. Writing assignments will range from self-reflection and literary analysis to creative pieces.

British Literature

Semester Course (½ credit): This course will focus on the first half of British literary development. The focus for this course will center on how have cultural, historical, and societal beliefs and values of the past impacted the way we think and act in the 21st century?

Human Communications

Human Communications (½ credit) is designed to help students develop the skills needed to become effective communicators both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to the study of communication, students will develop skills in listening, viewing, researching, organizing, writing, revising, rehearsing, presenting, performing, and evaluating. This course will enable students to achieve success in the presenting of information in any content area and any course offered at the high school and beyond.

AP Research

Prerequisite: For students who have completed AP Seminar.

This class allows students to explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Students further their skills acquired in AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students explore their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio.

Media Productions

Introduction to Media

Semester Course (½ credit): Open to grades 9, 10. 11. and 12.
This media course serves as a survey course of media and journalism.

If you are a student who enjoys staying current with news, pop culture, or influence of the media on our decision making, THIS is a course for you!

If you are interested in joining The Wooster Blade newspaper staff or the Legacy yearbook staff, this course serves as a solid foundation to prepare you for what you will potentially be doing on staff.

Newspaper I,II, and III

Newspaper I (1 credit) This laboratory-type course produces the WHS student newspaper The Wooster Blade. Class size is limited and students must apply. Students will be involved in all the basics of planning, editing, reporting, writing, layout/design, circulation, advertising, sales of advertising, and photography. Intense participation on an active staff is expected and deadlines are a crucial element of the class. After school work and some evenings are required. Keyboard skills are encouraged. This course may be repeated for credit. This is a production class in which meeting deadlines and maintaining regular attendance are essential. Failure to do so could end in grade reduction or removal from class.

Newspaper can be repeated for elective credit. Instructor permission is required in order to register for Newspaper II and III.

Yearbook Production I, II, and III

Yearbook Production (1 credit)

Students will be responsible for the organization, production, and promotion of the school yearbook. Students will be exposed to journalistic photography and writing and will learn the basics of desktop publications. Class size is limited to 20 and students must apply. Applications are available in the high school guidance office.

Yearbook Production may be repeated for elective credit. Instructor permission is required in order to register for Yearbook Production II and III.