LANGUAGE ARTS

Language Arts 9:

This course will focus on the sentence and the paragraph as integral parts of the five-paragraph essay. Writing instruction will emphasize pre-writing, drafting and revising, as well as grammar skills. The literature canon for this course will include “Romeo & Juliet,” “Much Ado about Nothing,” “Animal Farm,” and “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” in addition to short stories and poetry. Literature will enhance reading comprehension, build vocabulary, complement grammar and writing instruction, and promote character education.

Language Arts 9 Honors - pre-requisites for admission:

• Students have received a minimum of a B+ grade in 8 th grade English
• Students must submit an application which includes a written paragraph explaining why they want to be considered for admittance to this course.
• Parents and students must sign a contract that demonstrates their understanding that this is an accelerated course that will require homework Monday through Thursdays and sometimes over the week-end.

Language Arts 9 Honors

: Admission by application only. This course will cover all standards for 9 th grade English, but at an accelerated pace. Students will receive instruction emphasizing the steps of pre-writing, drafting and editing the five-paragraph essay which will emphasize advanced critical analysis. Students will address carefully designed prompts aimed at enabling students to express complex and interrelated ideas with clarity and a mature, sophisticated style. Honors English will expand the quantity of literature covered as opposed to regular 9 th grade English, and there will be greater emphasis given to textual analysis. The course will include a written comprehensive final.

Journalism/Yearbook - pre-requisites for admission:

• Students must have a minimum of a B+ in their last English class
• Upper classmen will have first priority for placement
• Students must submit a teacher recommendation form
• Students must submit an application form

Journalism/Yearbook:

Admission by application only. Students will receive instruction in English, editing, photography, marketing, computer skills and organization. Students will largely work independently, or in small groups, on assignments for the yearbook and the school newspaper and must therefore be self-motivated, organized, punctual and hard working! Writing, editing and journalism assignments will be given in addition to yearbook and newspaper responsibilities.

Language Arts 10: (1 CREDIT)

This course encourages students to become familiar and comfortable with literature and writing in all forms. Academic and creative writing are emphasized and practiced throughout the year with a strong emphasis on the 5-7 paragraph traditional essay, journal writing, poetry, creative writing, and critical thinking texts through persuasive and informative writing. Students will participate in reading selected texts throughout the year such as Brave New World (Huxley), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare), and other short stories and poems. Students will also gain an understanding and an appreciation of literature in life through stimulating class discussions and individual study. A total of eight papers required for the year, not to include various in-class journal and essay writing. Grammar study and quizzes will complement all writing.

Language Arts 11:

This course focuses on American Literature from the Puritans to the modern short story and poetry. The literature canon for this course includes, “The Scarlet Letter,” “The Crucible,” “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Death of a Salesman,” and the works of Poe. Critical thinking and reading strategies will be emphasized in addition to writing and grammar instruction. Students should come with a working knowledge of the traditional five-paragraph essay so they can apply those skills to persuasive writing, literature critiques and a research essay.

Language Arts 12: (1 CREDIT)

Seniors enroll in this class with background knowledge of the ideas, skills and principles taught in English II and III. The senior year focuses on the British Tradition. We begin with the earliest literature recorded which taps into the oral tradition to include readings from Beowulf and the Canterbury Tales. A general overview of the Renaissance follows as we study the sonnet, Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, and then into the Romantic time period with readings from the Victorians like Carlyle, Mill, Ruskin, Newman, Wordsworth, and others. Novels include but are not limited to The Old Curiosity Shop (Dickens), Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen), and other novels selected for the year. Writing and grammar study complement the reading selections. Senior English is a college preparatory course, with over twelve academic papers required for the year, not to include in-class essay writing and journal writing.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT: LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION (1 CREDIT)

This course engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.  Both their writing and their reading will make students aware of the interactions among a writer's purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing

Language Arts Theatre Literature: (1 CREDIT)

This is a rigorous class that emphasizes reading, writing and analyzing plays, playwrights, and dramatic structure through the history of playwriting and screenwriting. This class will also engage students in playwriting and submission of original work to Young Playwriting contests. Because of the bulk of writing and reading that will occur in the class, students will earn English credit, not arts credit. Students will also study many of Shakespeare's works, Ibsen, Shaw, Williams, Wilson , and many others.

Language Arts Mythology: (1 CREDIT)

The Mythology course is a rigorous English class wherein students will study different cultures through their respective mythologies, applications of literary devices, origins of the journey of the hero and other related concepts. The class is designed at an honors level and will include four to five hours of homework per week. This class takes the place of Senior English. A”B” average in previous English classes is required to be eligible for enrollment. Instructor permission required.

Prerequisites: English I and II