Language Arts

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (0.5 credit). This course gives students the chance to read and relate to a piece of American literature that has been referred to by a critic in Atlanta in May 1885,  It presents an almost artistically perfect picture of the life and character in the southwest, and it will be equally valuable to the historian and to the student of sociology. Its humor, which is genuine and never-failing, is relieved by little pathetic touches here and there that vouch for its literary value. After studying and speaking about this great novel, students will have the opportunity to elaborate their knowledge and understanding through research, literary analysis, and essay.

English Language & Literacy (A & B) (1 credit). This course is a comprehensive study of reading comprehension skills and strategies. Upon completion of this course, students will have met many of the state standards for reading and writing. This course is designed to enhance students ability to read, understand and respond appropriately to texts ranging from poems to short stories to nonfiction essays.

First English/English for Success (1 credit). This course is only for students designated as an ELL student through the evaluation of the Stanford English Language Proficiency (SELP) test. This course is designed to enable a student to move in an accelerated manner from the absolute beginner (pre-emergent SELP designation) through the intermediate level (intermediate SELP designation). The course is a combination of one-on-one interaction and a state-of-the-art interactive computer program which includes advanced technology for voice recording and playback. The course will equip the ELL student to fully participate in and benefit from his or her other coursework.

Fundamentals of Reading (1 credit). This course is designed for students who are reading below grade level. The aim of this course is to help students develop the skills needed to rapidly increase their comprehension of grade appropriate texts. Lessons are organized to give the student practice in basic reading skills using reading materials that progress from the fourth grade level to the ninth grade level. Basic writing skills are also taught in the form of paragraphs that teach the student how to organize his or her thoughts about reading selections in a logical sequence. These activities supplement the reading lessons and give the student practical writing experience. (Formerly called Reading Fundamentals)

Grammar & Composition I-II (A & B) (1 credit). This course is designed as a comprehensive study of composition and grammar principles. The texts introduce grammar, basic types of essays, the writing process, and basic writing mechanics, and allow students to practice the principles in both short and extended writing assignments. Activities on the writing process include prewriting, organizing material, drafting, revising, and editing. Students learn and practice writing detail, example, comparison and contrast, and main idea sentences; introductions; body paragraphs; and conclusions.

Great Gatsby (0.5 credit). This course gives students the opportunity to read and learn from great American literature. Some of the areas the students will undertake are inner conflicts, tone of the story, explaining symbolism in the story, exploring characterization, making predictions, writing about setting, evaluating the use of flashbacks, and exploring the era for a better historical perspective. Students will have the chance to write two essays in which they explain themes, symbolism, characters, and the time period.

Harlem Renaissance Seminar (0.5 credit). In this course students will investigate elements of life in Harlem in the 1920 s including the art, music and literature that comprised the Harlem Renaissance. They will study the historical, social, and political environment that gave rise to and influenced the Harlem Renaissance. Students will analyze the contributions made to American art and culture by the Harlem Renaissance. They will study the impact the Harlem Renaissance had on African-American culture and American culture and society as a whole.

Honors Writing (1 credit). This course is designed as a comprehensive study of composition and grammar principles. The texts introduce grammar at an advanced level, utilizing Michael Thompson s  four level analysis of grammar that encourages student s to understand grammar as not only a foundation of language but of thought as well. This allows students to reflect on how language and grammar shape their cognitive processes, encouraging a metacognitive process in their study of English grammar and composition. The writing process, basic writing mechanics, and basic types of essays, which build on the grammar exploration, are then introduced and practiced, allowing students to practice the principles of grammar in writing assignments. Activities on the writing process include prewriting, organizing material, drafting, revising, and editing. Students learn and practice writing detail, example, comparison and contrast, and main idea sentences; introductions; body paragraphs; and conclusions. Students will write a documented essay and persuasive letter as part of this course.

An Introduction to Great Books (1 credit). This course is an introduction to the Great Books shared inquiry method. Students learn to think critically while analyzing literature.

Literature & Composition III-IV A (0.5 credit). This course is designed as a comprehensive study of literature and composition. The texts introduce literature, including poetry, short story, non-fiction, and novel excerpts from various cultures. Students are encouraged to actively read each piece of literature through guided reading exercises in the Daybook of Critical Thinking and Writing. Students take the active reading skills learned in the Daybook and apply them to the short stories they read in the Great Books text. After studying the elements of literature, students demonstrate their knowledge by writing their own short story utilizing those elements.

Literature & Composition V-VI A (0.5 credit). This course is designed as a comprehensive study of literature and composition. The texts introduce literature, including poetry, short story, non-fiction, and novel excerpts from various cultures. Students are encouraged to actively read each piece of literature through guided reading exercises in the Daybook of Critical Thinking and Writing. Students take the active reading skills learned in the Daybook and apply them to the short stories they read in the Great Books text. After studying the elements of literature, students demonstrate their knowledge by writing their own short story utilizing those elements.

Literature & Composition VII-VIII A (0.5 credit). This course is designed as a comprehensive study of literature and composition. The texts introduce literature, including poetry, short story, non-fiction, and novel excerpts from various cultures. Students are encouraged to actively read each piece of literature through guided reading exercises in the Daybook of Critical Thinking and Writing. Students take the active reading skills learned in the Daybook and apply them to the novel they read in the literature unit. Students demonstrate their knowledge by writing literary analyses, a poetry explication, their own poetry, and analyses of critical essays.

Macbeth (0.5 credit). When you think of British literature you immediately think of William Shakespeare. We have chosen Macbeth because of its outstanding depiction of power struggles, the tragic hero, suspense, emotional turmoil/madness, the unrelenting feeling of empathy by the reader, supernatural elements, and a touch of gore. When the student has completed this class they will have demonstrated their understanding of all these elements, and explored through essay their comprehension of the themes, characterization, and literary terms such as symbolism, imagery, irony, and metaphor.

Of Mice & Men (0.5 credit). This course gives students the opportunity to interact with a classic piece of American literature. Some of the areas the students will challenge themselves with are drawing on experiences that relate to the story, describing emotions and opinions, writing descriptive paragraphs, exploring the use of repetition, metaphor, simile, and foreshadowing, and drawing story charts. Students will embark on writing a final essay in which they explore theme, character comparisons, morals/ethics, researching the era of the story, or even writing a new ending to the book.

AIMS Reading Prep (0.25 elective credit). This is a preparation for the reading portion of the AIMS test. This course is designed to review strategies to comprehend any type of text . Students will predict text content using prior knowledge and text features, generate clarifying questions in order to comprehend text, use graphic organizers to clarify the meaning of a text, connect information and events in text to experience and to related text and sources, and apply knowledge of organizational structures of text to aid comprehension.

AIMS Writing Prep (0.25 elective credit). This is a preparation for the writing portion of the AIMS test. This course is designed to review concepts of writing including the six traits, the writing process, reading and answering writing prompts, and essay test taking skills. Additional information about the AIMS test is provided as well as multiple opportunities to practice the skills and concepts reviewed.

Test-Taking Skills: Language Arts (0.25 elective credit). This course is a review of language arts concepts likely to appear on a freshman standardized test.