HS Course Selection Guide - ENGLISH

  • Cyber Course  - this course is offered in the WC Cyber Program

    English 9 Career & College Prep/Honors 1 credit Cyber Course

    English 9 includes a balanced program of reading, written or oral response, language study, and vocabulary. Reading and writing takes place both in and outside of class, with personal response to a variety of literary works. The expectations differ from one level of the course to another as indicated by the level descriptions.

    English 9 Accelerated Honors 1 credit Cyber Course

    Students study literature in thematic units. Class discussions are based on readings, and students are expected to participate by contributing relevant, constructive and probing comments and questions. Students also complete process writing assignments as well as research pieces. Vocabulary and grammar study are also required. 

    English 10 Career & College Prep/Honors 1 credit Cyber Course

    English 10 is a balanced program of reading, written or oral response, language study, and vocabulary. Reading and writing takes place both in and outside of class. The expectations differ from one level of the course to another.  

    English 10 Accelerated Honors 1 credit Cyber Course

    Accelerated Honors 10 continues the study of thematic units in major literary works. Students write analytical responses to a variety of poems, short stories, and essays from the text, as well as other major literary works. Daily class discussions are based on the readings, and students are expected to participate by contributing relevant, constructive, probing comments and questions.

    English 11 Language or Literature Career & College Prep / Honors 1 credit Cyber Course

    Students read American literature written between the early 17th Century to the present, both in and outside of class, with vocabulary and comprehension activities tailored to accommodate different needs. A major emphasis is placed on research skills, reading and writing, independent studies, student responsibility, and meeting teacher expectations. The Honors level expands upon the core curriculum with supplemental readings and assignments.

    Advanced Placement 11: Language & Composition 1 credit Cyber Course

    Designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to the introductory year of college composition work, students strive to become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of disciplines and rhetorical contexts, and skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes, aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects. Students will develop research skills that will enable them to evaluate, use, and cite source material.

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    12th Grade English Course

    In 12th grade, students will enroll in either AP Literature(full-year) or they will take one semester of British Literature along with a semester selective.

    Advanced Placement 12: Literature & Composition 1 credit Cyber Course

    This course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to the introductory year of college literature work. The course engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of literature. Through the reading of literary texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. An integral part of the course is writing interpretations of literary texts based on careful observations of textual details such as structure, style, theme, figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.

    English 12 Language Career & College Prep/ Honors  1 credit Cyber Course

    English 12 Language Career & College Prep relates reading and writing to the language and themes represented by the core literature. Students produce writing assignments and explore langue study. Selections of texts provide the basis for composition, discussion, and reserach.

    English 12 British Literature Career & College Prep/Honors .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    English 12 British Literature Career & College Prep and Honors both relate reading and writing to the language and themes represented by the core literature. Students read British and world literature from the English language’s origins to the present. Students produce frequent writing assignments and explore language study. Selections for the core and supplementary texts provide a basis for compositions, discussions, and research. The Honors level expands upon the core curriculum with supplemental readings and assignments.

    *Students enrolled in British Literature will take one of the following courses*

    African American Literature .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    This course seeks to understand the Black experience through texts written by African American authors. Students will encounter a variety of literary genres, including novels, short stories, poems, and plays. Readings cover a wide band of history, from slave narratives to the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights movement, and the 21st Century Black experience. Issues of race, equity, and culture will be foregrounded as we investigate the historical struggle of African Americans.

    Conflict Literature .5 credit/semester course

    Fictional and non-fictional literature reflecting times of conflict and crisis are the focal point of reading.

    Contemporary Literature .5 credit/semester course

    This course includes literature and material from 1980 to the present.

    Human Endeavors .5 credit/semester course

    Students investigate the challenges and accomplishments of those who have attempted excellence. Different genres of literature, including novels and non-fiction, help to chronicle the perseverance of the human spirit.

    Humanities .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    Literature, history, entertainment, film, arts, fashion, and trends come together in a study of the decades and eras in literature. Writing analyzes the literature and cultural media as conjunctive components.

     

ENGLISH ELECTIVES

  • The following courses may be used for arts/humanities or elective credits for graduation.

    Film Studies .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    Neutrally Weighted
    Students in this class will analyze films of various eras and styles, considering the literary and cinematic techniques and perspectives which contribute to create meaning. This course will supplement and expand on skills practiced in other courses, including Language Arts and Video Production. Coursework will focus on critically viewing films, reading relevant texts, and writing both creatively and analytically. Class discussions will provide a forum for students to reflect on, theorize about, and evaluate films.

    Publications .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    Designed for students interested in fields such as social media, journalism, magazine design, and communications, students will explore “traditional” media (magazines and newspapers), as well as “emerging” media (websites, blogs, and popular social media). Publications will cover the techniques of design, graphics, and current trends in publishing, as well as identifying and communicating with an audience. This course will prepare students to compete in a global, digital publications market.

    Public Speaking 1   .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    Public speaking is a skill needed for success in communication, both in formal and informal situations. Students will examine techniques for writing and presenting persuasive, informative, interpretive, and entertaining speeches in addition to refining voice, poise, pronunciation, and gestures. Extemporaneous speeches, as well as speeches requiring research and preparation, are included. By developing self-confidence in front of a crowd, students will prepare themselves for various social and career opportunities.

    Public Speaking 2    .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted 
    Building upon the foundational speaking skills learned in Public Speaking, this course is for the student who desires to develop confidence and leadership skills. Students will seek opportunities to individualize their speeches and to speak outside of the classroom according to their interests and strengths.
    Prerequisite: Public Speaking 1

    Theatre 1 .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    An introductory course designed for students with an interest in drama, students are given opportunities to study and practice acting techniques. This course includes a background in theatre, including improvisation, movement, and pantomime; use of voice, diction, and oral interpretation.

    Theatre 2 .5 credit/semester course

    Neutrally Weighted
    Theatre Production is an exploratory course designed for students interested in drama. Students explore, develop, and synthesize the elements of the theatre through practical, hands-on experiences in acting and stagecraft. Through techniques like costuming, set design, and lighting, students will learn various elements of dramatic production.
    Prerequisite: Theatre 1 or permission of instructor

    Creative Workshop 1 .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    Neutrally Weighted
    Creative Workshop 1 provides student writers with opportunities to explore the foundations of good writing in both fiction and nonfiction. Students will develop their own unique style and take creative risks in a supportive workshop environment. Students and their teacher discuss, model, and practice various genres. The class will publish an anthology of student writing, and students are encouraged to find online publications venues.

    Creative Workshop 2 .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    Neutrally Weighted
    This self-directed course is for motivated student writers who frequently write on their own or are considering writing in their college/career plans. Students develop a contract with the teacher to individualize their writing goals. They can explore and research various genres of fiction and nonfiction, and investigate Internet-based writing forums, contests, and publications. Students will be encouraged to promote their own writing through blogging, publishing, and oral presentation.
    Prerequisite: Creative Workshop 1

     

  • Content Area Literacy (9) 1 credit

    In this course, participants will learn the cognitive and reflective processes that successful, independent readers use to comprehend text. They will become more competent readers and will improve their skills with the more challenging content texts they encounter at the high school level.
    Students will be selected into this course based on need as determined by multiple data.

  • Broadcast Journalism & Social Media Production Honors I (9, 10, 11, 12) 1 credit Cyber Course

    This course will develop the effective use of spoken and written communication for different media purposes and contexts. Students will demonstrate proficiency by creating multimedia products for our social media-centric culture. Students will produce a daily broadcast for school, and produce content for a school appropriate social media channel. Students will explore many topics such as: newsroom production, script writing, journalism ethics, news and social media judgment, interview, studio and remote shooting, production staging, directing, and editing. Students will be expected to work in front and/or behind the camera for this class, and will also demonstrate technical proficiency in the use of modern media production tools.

    Video Production 1 (9, 10, 11, 12) .5 credit/semester course Cyber Course

    Neutrally Weighted
    This course provides students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of video production using current industry standard equipment and software. Skills taught will include camera operation, audio recording, video editing, and digital age team collaboration and interpersonal skills. These skills are required and benefit students in high school and in all post-secondary settings. Students will create personal videos for a portfolio including -- but not limited to -- a personal narrative, storytelling, and a documentary.

    Video Production 2 Honors (10, 11, 12) 1 credit Cyber Course

    Students become content creators in narrative genres and documentary genres. Storytelling technique is emphasized in all projects as students continue to refine their use of equipment and editing techniques with increasing sophistication towards professionalization to match current industry practices. Emphasis is placed on collaboration to complete projects by leveraging the skills of the collective production team. Students will learn the different job roles of writer, producer, director, cinematographer, audio specialist, gaffer, and editor with successive projects, so that each student may start to articulate his/her individual film making voice.
    Prerequisite: Video Production and permission of instructor.

    Video Production 3 Honors (11, 12) 1 credit Cyber Course

    Individual expression is explored and encouraged in this year of study. Students will create a large-scale individual professional quality project or multiple smaller professional quality projects that are thematically or genre linked. Additionally, students are required to collaborate on at least two other student projects of similar rigor. The third year offers students the opportunity to create a professional portfolio of products that demonstrate independence and professionalism as content creators. The portfolio may address one or many content areas of video production. The portfolio may be used for: college applications, career applications, social activism, artistic expression, and/or entrepreneurial endeavors. While students work on larger scale individual projects they will learn organizational competence through project management techniques related to pre-production, production, post production, marketing, and stakeholder relations.
    Prerequisite: Video Production 2 and permission of instructor.

    Video Options* Up to 1 credit

    Neutrally Weighted 
    Individual expression is explored and encouraged in this course of study. This course is for the video student that is already signed up for a video class but would like to take additional video training in the same year. For that reason, the teacher and student will map out an individual area of focused study aimed at enriching the student further than they would be in any of the other video classes.
    *This course is based on availability and room within a student’s schedule and may only be selected after the school year begins.