Language Arts

Objectives English 8 English I English II English III English IV
English II Honors English III AP English IV AP

Goal:

The Language Arts Department contributes to the student’s development by aiding him with the tools to think critically about texts and other forms of media, and express his thoughts clearly in written and oral communication, while cultivating a greater understanding of himself and the world around him.

Objectives

Oral Communication – The student will present his thoughts accurately and audibly to an audience on an assigned topic with appropriate poise.
Written Communication – The student will communicate effectively in a variety of written formats. He will be able to present complex thoughts and supply appropriate evidence to support his opinions. Student will understand the difference between original work and plagiarism.
Vocabulary – The student will have a wide ranging appropriate and usable vocabulary in regards to definition, pronunciation, and mechanics.
Grammar (mechanics) – The student will be able to identify parts of speech and sentence types/structure. Student will be able to use punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviation according to Standard English.
Source Evaluations – The student will be able to evaluate a wide variety of sources relevant to the subject he is researching and be able to reasonably determine reliability of that source. Student will be able to identify bias and propaganda. These sources include various forms of media both in print and online. Students will know how to properly document a variety of sources to avoid plagiarism.
Critical Thinking and Predicting Outcomes – The student will be able to recognize the authorial voice and intended audience. Students will be able to analyze writing, literature, and media using the following: predict outcomes, draw conclusions, anticipate, make inferences, follow logic, create a logical argument using evidence, create analogies, and show relationships between facts and events.
Reading – The student will read and analyze a wide variety of literature from many periods and various genres in print and non-print forms to enable him to have a better understanding of himself and the world around him. The student will consider morality and civic responsibility through his reading and develop a sense of individual responsibility.
Identify Elements of Literature – The student will be able to identify, analyze, and critically consider elements of literature such as figurative language, sound devices, poetic devices, short story elements, etc. and how those elements function in the work.

English 8 & 8 Honors

Text:
Writer’s Choice Grammar and Composition 8 (SuccessnetPlus.com); Prentice Hall Literature

Supplemental Material: Novels: Death Watch and Romeo and Juliet

Course Description: Students are introduced to basic study skills. Initial emphasis is placed on organizational skills, note taking, outlining, etc.; additional skills and techniques are incorporated in progressive order in subsequent years. Students are also taught works of reference and general research. Instruction in grammar deals extensively with the parts of speech, phrases, clauses, and the mechanics of expression such as punctuation and capitalization. Composition skills are reviewed and developed further; students are also given practice writing a variety of sentence patterns ranging from simple to compound structures. Eighth grade Reading and Comprehension students will gain an understanding of the major classics as well as modern authors. The course will also focus on improving reading comprehension through the study of short stories, poetry, and novels.

English I

1 Unit – Grade Level 9

Text: Prentice Hall Literature CC Edition Grade 9 and Prentice Hall Writing Coach Grade 9

Supplemental Material: Four (4) paperback novels

Course Description: English I is designed to broaden the scope of the students’ reading and writing. While studying many different genres of literature, students will reinforce their ability to make predictions, draw conclusions, understand cause-and-effect, and analyze themes. Students will hone their writing style and versatility using the conventions of Standard English. Four (4) novels will be read in addition to selections from the textbook.

English I Honors

1 Unit – Grade Levels 8&9
Prerequisite: Department approval

Text: Prentice Hall Literature CC Edition Grade 9 and Prentice Hall Writing Coach Grade 9

Supplemental Material: Student Purchase- Six (6) paperback novels

Course Description: English I Honors is designed to broaden the scope of the students’ reading and writing. While studying many different genres of literature, students will reinforce their ability to make predictions, draw conclusions, understand cause-and-effect, and analyze themes. Students will hone their writing style and versatility using the conventions of Standard English. Six (6) novels will be read in addition to selections from the textbook.

English II

1 Unit – Grade Levels 9&10
Prerequisite: English I, Department approval

Text: Prentice Hall Literature CC Edition Grade 10 and Prentice Hall Writing Coach Grade 10

Supplemental Material: Student Purchase- Six (6) paperback novels

Course Description: This course continues with basic grammar skills with review of the basic parts of speech, subject-verb identification, an increased emphasis on the grammar of the verb and syntax. Attention is given to recognition of clauses and parts of the sentences. In composition, instruction continues regarding sentence development. Sentences are developed into a thesis sentence with a coherent topic and clinchers. Emphasis is focused on developing a five paragraph essay that contains an introduction, a body and a conclusion. The students produce six essays that are well written and grammatically correct reflecting an understanding of topical literature. Reading and comprehension skills are strengthened, while new vocabulary is learned through usage. Literature study focuses on the genres: poetry, short stories, drama, and novels.

English II Honors

1 Unit – Grade Levels 9&10
Prerequisite: English I, Department approval

Text: Prentice Hall Literature CC Edition Grade 10 and Prentice Hall Writing Coach Grade 10

Supplemental Material: Student Purchase- Six (6) paperback novels

Course Description: This course continues grammar skills with a fast-paced review of the basic parts of speech, subject-verb identification, and increased emphasis in the grammar of the verb, and syntax. Special attention is given to clauses and subject-verb agreement. In comparison, instruction focuses on the development of thesis statements, transitional elements, and supporting details essential for essay development. The students produce five essays of at least five paragraphs related to coursework or centered around a theme from novels read in class. Reading and composition skills are strengthened, while new vocabulary is learned through usage. Literature study focuses on the genres: poetry, short stories, drama, and the novel. Plot development and characterization are emphasized. Poetry includes a study of form and language. Six paperback novels are required.

English III

1 Unit – Grade Levels 10&11
Prerequisite: English II

Text: 6 novels, to be purchased at the beginning of the academic year.

Course Description: English III students will gain an understanding of the major works of many American authors throughout the history of the United States. The primary focus for the standards of this course is complex literary analysis. The course will also focus on improving writing skills by strengthening vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. Students will work toward the goal of writing college level essays. Students will strengthen their ACT grammar and reading skills through this course as they apply critical thinking skills to consider and discuss the texts that we read. Students can expect to read, write, and discuss a lot, using these three access points in a blend that, combined with the quality of literature being read, affords students an education in a truly dialogic classroom.

English IV

1 Unit – Grade Levels 11&12
Prerequisite: English III

Text: Prentice Hall Literature CC Edition: The British Tradition Grade 12

Supplemental Material: Student Purchase- Four (4) paperback novels

Course Description: Students in English IV will integrate all the language arts skills gained throughout their education. The content of the course both affirms these skills and equips the students to be life-long learners particularly prepared to successfully explore collegiate work. Students will explore expressive, expository, persuasive, argumentative and literary contexts with a focus on British Literature and on the rhetorical approach to improved oral and written communication skills. While the emphasis in English IV is argumentation and persuasion through reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using media sources, each student will study analytical narrative, analytical description, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, process, and critical evaluation techniques as well. Students will read four (4) novels outside of the provided textbook. The course will include a formal research paper based on an arguable assertion.

Advanced Placement and Dual-Enrollment Courses

English III AP

1 Unit – Grade Levels 10&11
Prerequisite: English II, Department approval

FEE: $105 (AP Test and online platform access)
Text: Ideas in Argument, BFW Publishers (textbook assigned at beginning of year); 4 supplementary novels, to be purchased at the beginning of the school year.
Course Description: Students in this introductory college-level course read and carefully analyze a broad and challenging range of nonfiction prose selections, deepening their awareness of rhetoric and how language works. Through close reading and frequent writing, students develop their ability to work with language and text with a greater awareness of purpose and strategy, while strengthening their own composing abilities. Course readings feature expository, analytical, personal, and argumentative texts from a variety of authors and historical contexts. Students examine and work with essays, letters, speeches, images, and imaginative literature. Course reading and writing activities should help students gain textual power, making them more alert to an author’s purpose, the needs of an audience, the demands of the subject, and the resources of language: syntax, word choice, and tone. By early May of the school year, students will have nearly completed a course in close reading and purposeful writing. The critical skills that students learn to appreciate through close and continued analysis of texts will serve them in their own writing. This course aims to create good writers ‘for life’.

An Advanced Placement course is mandated to have a limited number of students. Therefore, final placement is based highly upon student grades, student scores, and teacher recommendation. Students placed in AP courses will not have the option of dropping the course(s) after the August deadline. Advanced Placement courses merit additional quality points toward the student’s GPA, just as honors courses do. Students take the Advanced Placement Examination offered by the College Board and may receive college credit depending upon the score received and the university’s policy.

English IV AP

1 Unit – Grade Levels 11&12
Prerequisite: English III, Department approval

FEE: $95 (AP Test)

Text: 8 novels, to be purchased at the beginning of the academic year.

Course Description: The AP® English Literature and Composition course is designed and taught thematically with an emphasis on core readings along with modern and contemporary selections that illuminate and expand upon a variety of themes. AP English Literature and Composition closely follows the requirements described in the AP English Literature and Composition Course and Exam Description, including the fundamentals of literary analysis and introductory college composition. Each week students discuss and engage in a variety of writing activities focusing on argumentation, interpretation, analysis, rhetorical strategies, exposition, structure, and style. Students read and study a variety of novels, plays, poems, and short stories from the 16th century to the present. The course focuses on the experience, interpretation, and evaluation of literature, and on stylistically-conscious writing. Students practice their writing via numerous timed essays, which are revised several times, as well as longer essays that require outside research and MLA formatting. Students also practice oral communication skills through poetry presentations and graded discussions.

Language Arts

Goal:

Objectives

Advanced Placement and Dual-Enrollment Courses

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