English

English 9

Course Code:

Prerequisite: None

Required: NCAA

1 Credit

This course emphasizes skills in oral communication, writing, and literary analysis.  Students will analyze a variety of texts including fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. Students will learn to cite sources and incorporate them in a research product. Word origins, derivations,  and figurative language study will enhance vocabulary.  Context clues and inference practice will be emphasized. The writing component will include blending multiple forms of writing including embedding a narrative while developing a central idea, tone, and voice with intention and purpose.  Mechanics and grammar with sentence, paragraph, and essay structure are a primary focus.   

Honors English 9

Course Code:

Prerequisite: None

Required: NCAA

1 Credit

This course will engage students in analytical reading, writing,  discussion, and research.  The course will focus on texts requiring annotative reading and contextual understanding.  Students will understand the importance of small decisions made by authors that significantly enhance literature.  Literature study will center around essays, short stories, novels, and poetry in both nonfiction and fiction.  Students will engage in Socratic discussion while learning to write analytical responses to literature. Students will produce, analyze, and evaluate a variety of media and extend vocabulary through study. Students will write recursively in a variety of forms using enhanced mechanics and structures.  Note that oral presentation and discussion are a coursework requirement.

English 10

Course Code:

Prerequisite: English 9

Required: NCAA

1 Credit

In this course, students will participate in varied learning activities.  Students will analyze, produce, and examine differences in visual, auditory, and written messages. Students will extend vocabulary through the study of word origins and derivatives. Reading will encompass the interpretation of non-fiction texts as well as literature from different cultures and eras. Students will research and organize ideas and evidence to support a well-written thesis that incorporates an embedded narrative.  Students will employ the recursive writing process to create a focused, organized, and coherent piece of writing to address a specific audience and purpose.  Students will construct persuasive, instructional, transactional and informational business writing for a work-based environment using examples, ideas, specific details, and word choice to support a clear and focused professional claim.  Students will be preparing for the state-mandated EOC Writing WorkKeys during this course. 

Honors English 10

Course Code:

Prerequisite: English 9

Recommended: Honors English 9

Required: NCAA

1 Credit

This course will engage students to think deeply and richly about both fiction and nonfiction texts. Skills from English 9 will be further developed as the course focuses on various forms of literary media and writing.  The study of different literature forms, such as poetry, novels, short stories, and non-fiction essays, will result in analytical writing and Socratic discussion.  The course places a heavy emphasis on a variety of writing skills, with a focus on persuasion, transactional, informational, and instructional business writing.  Instructional strategies and lessons will provide students with the vocabulary to begin the art of literature analysis. Because this course is a prep course for AP English courses, emphasis is placed on preparing students for success in the upcoming AP Language and AP Literature courses.  Note that oral presentation and discussion are a coursework requirement.  Students will be preparing for the state-mandated EOC Writing WorkKeys during this course. 

English 10 Intervention

Course Code:

Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 10 and non-passing score on the English 10 WorkKeys

Elective

1 Credit

This course is designed for students who passed English 10 but did not pass the state-mandated Writing WorkKeys assessment. It provides targeted instruction in persuasive, informational, and transactional writing, with a focus on preparing students for the WorkKeys retake. Through writing workshops, timed practice, and individualized feedback, students will strengthen key writing skills. Oral presentations and discussions will also support writing development. 

Students will retake the Writing WorkKeys. Note that credit from this course does not fulfill the English graduation requirement.

English 11

Course Code:

EL Self-Contained Course Code: 

Prerequisite: English 10

Required: NCAA

1 Credit

In this course, the student will read, comprehend, and analyze relationships among American literature, history, and culture while preparing for the SOL EOC reading test to be taken at the conclusion of the course. Utilizing the recursive process, students will focus on creating multiple reading-responsive compositions that include supporting evidence for expanded American literary themes. Through authentic texts, the student will learn word origins, derivations, and figurative language to expand vocabulary and enhance their understanding of the organic connections between culture and literature.  Bias, false premise, appeals, and media literacy will be studied and analyzed.

English 11 Intervention

Course Code:

Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 11 and non-passing score on the English 11 Reading SOL

Elective

1 Credit

This course is designed for students who passed English 11 but did not pass the state-mandated Reading SOL. The course focuses on strengthening reading comprehension, vocabulary, and analysis skills necessary for success on the Reading SOL retake. Students will engage with American literature and nonfiction texts, focusing on critical reading strategies, media literacy, and textual analysis. Through targeted instruction, practice assessments, and individualized support, students will be prepared to retake and pass the Reading SOL.

Students will retake the Writing WorkKeys. Note that credit from this course does not fulfill the English graduation requirement.

AP English Language and Composition

The appropriate course code (AP or AP/DE) will be used based on availability.

AP Course Code:

AP/DE Course Code:

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors English 9 AND/OR Honors English 10

Required: NCAA

1 Credit

This course is based on the AP English Language and Composition curriculum established by the College Board.  Students will read a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts meant to spark rich discussion about debatable real-world issues and how an author's rhetoric impacts what we believe about them. In addition, this course focuses intensely on academic writing with specific instruction relating to analysis and argumentation.  The skills taught in this course will thoroughly prepare students, not only for the associated AP exam but also for the classes they will take at the college level. 

This course may be dual-enrolled. A final grade and/or credit for this course will be earned at the end of each semester. Students may have the opportunity to earn six college credits through Laurel Ridge Community College (ENG 111 & 112), pending eligibility and meeting enrollment criteria. Additional fees may apply for college credit.

English 12

Course Code:

Prerequisite: English 11 or AP English Language and Composition

Required: NCAA

1 Credit

In this course, students will survey British literature while learning oral and written communication skills needed in the workplace and post-secondary training.  Students will develop and enhance their previous study of media literacy and evaluate sources including advertisements, editorials, blogs, Web sites, and other media for relationships between intent, factual content, and opinion.  Students will use the writing process to create essays, resumes, evaluations, and other workplace written and presentation material.  Students will synthesize the reading, writing, and thinking and develop a project focusing on an authentic worldly issue of importance while incorporating connections between literature and society.

AP English Literature and Composition

The appropriate course code (AP or AP/DE) will be used based on availability.

AP Course Code:

AP/DE Course Code:

Prerequisite: English 11 or AP English Language and Composition

Required: NCAA

1 Credit

This course is based on the AP curriculum suggested by the College Board as well as the British Literature course description at Laurel Ridge Community College. Students engage in the intensive study of literary works, and the study and practice of writing about literary works; they will continue writing essays in exposition and argument. 

This course may be dual-enrolled. A final grade and/or credit for this course will be earned at the end of the year. Students may have the opportunity to earn three college credits through Laurel Ridge Community College (ENG 245), pending eligibility and meeting enrollment criteria. Additional fees may apply for college credit.

African American Literature

Course Code:

Prerequisite: English 11 or AP English Language and Composition

Elective

1 Credit

This course explores the stories African American authors tell about themselves, their communities, and the world. Examines common and diverging themes within African American literary traditions through the study of diverse authors, genres, and literary movements from a variety of time periods. Emphasizes interpretive and critical analysis skills developed through close reading and consideration of historical and cultural contexts.

Debate

Course Code:

Prerequisite: None

Elective

1 Credit

In Debate, students must be articulate, argumentative, and willing to put forth the effort needed to be competitive in debate events in the Shenandoah Valley Forensics League, the Virginia High School League, and the National Speech and Debate League.  This is a performance-based course, thus it is anticipated that students taking the course will attend and perform in debate tournaments.  To that end, class time will be spent preparing for upcoming debate tournaments through research, writing, editing, and delivering speeches.  Progress towards objectives will be measured by both written and performance-based methods.  Instruction on the following events may be included in this class:  public forum debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, Student Congress, Class Policy, and Extemporaneous Speaking.   

Creative Writing and Miscellanea

The appropriate course code (General or DE) will be used based on availability.

General Course Code:

DE Course Code:

Corequisite for Dual Enrollment: AP English Language and Composition (ENG. 111 and 112)

Elective; NCAA

Grades 10-12

1 Credit

This course is for students in grades 9-12 interested in developing their creative writing skills. Students will get the opportunity to write in a variety of genres, receive feedback from their peers, and extensively revise a finished collection of their work. Students must be open to sharing their writings and critiquing the works of others. Students will also create and publish the literary/art magazine Miscellanea. 

This course may be dual-enrolled. A final grade and/or credit for this course will be earned at the end of the year. Students may have the opportunity to earn three college credits through Laurel Ridge Community College (ENG 211), pending eligibility and meeting enrollment criteria. Additional fees may apply for college credit.

Forensics Speech

Course Code:

Prerequisite: None

Elective

1 Credit

This course is for students who are creative and articulate and are interested in competing as a part of the Forensics Team. Students will be introduced to competition events approved by the Shenandoah Valley Forensics League, the Virginia High School League, and the National Speech and Debate League. For persuasive speeches used in original oratory, class time will involve researching topics using Modern Language Association (MLA) rules and format and learning effective speech delivery techniques. For those students interested in interpretation, the course will focus on selecting, cutting, editing and delivering interpretations of literary works in dramatic, humorous, poetry, prose and duo events. Impromptu speaking will also be a focus of the class. Assessment of progress may involve both writing- and performance-based methods. In addition to competing with the team, students will be expected to participate in one other event such as Poetry Out Loud, working as a judge at the middle school forensics event, or speaking at a school assembly. 

Yearbook - Fall

Course Code:

Prerequisite: Instructor approval

Elective

Grades 10-12

1 Credit

This course helps produce the annual student publication, The Handlian. In this phase of the course, students will design the style and theme of that year’s publication. They will provide journalistic and photographic coverage for fall athletics, events, and academics. Students will create layouts using graphic design techniques. They will gain skills in marketing, teamwork, time management, sales, and leadership. 

Yearbook - Spring

Course Code:

Prerequisite: Instructor approval

Elective

Grades 10-12

1 Credit

This course helps produce the annual student publication, The Handlian. In this phase of the course, students continue to provide journalistic and photographic coverage for winter/spring athletics, events, and academics. They will gain skills in copywriting, editing, publishing techniques, time management, teamwork, and leadership. Students are tasked with producing a timeless, creative, and innovative publication which will record our school’s community, memories, and events.