This is the first year course in the high school language arts program. It provides the foundation in language, composition, literature, and independent reading that will form the basis for further study in language arts.

The purpose of Language Arts 9 is to provide students with a solid foundation in speaking and writing standard English and reading and evaluating basic forms of literature. Students should also master basic skills necessary to gather information and to solve problems that may be encountered in the work force and independent living circumstances.

Language Arts 10

Language Arts 10 is a class designed to develop and sharpen reading, writing, and grammar skills while expanding student vocabulary.  Students can expect to learn strategies and skills that will assist them as they read and analyze short stories, poetry, drama, myths, and novels.  Writing will begin with sentences and build to paragraphs and essays of various forms. Creative writing will also be required in the form of poetry and short stories (shorts).  Grammar will be studied using text, lecture notes, and exercises.  Students will then apply grammar skills to writing assignments.

Language Arts 11

Language Arts 11 is a class designed to develop and sharpen reading, writing, and grammar skills while expanding student vocabulary.  Students can expect to learn strategies and skills that will assist them as they read and analyze short stories, poetry, drama, and novels.  Writing will begin with sentences and build to paragraphs and essays of various forms. Creative writing will also be required in the form of poetry and short stories (shorts).  In addition, students will be required to write an MLA style term paper.  Grammar will be studied using text, lecture notes, and exercises.  Students will then apply grammar skills to writing assignments.

Creative Writing is a course designed to assist students in discovering ways to use language creatively; in analyzing methods of writing used in various forms of fiction, poetry, and dramatic writing; and in applying learned methods to their own original words of literature.  Creative Writing does not only provide students with an opportunity to express themselves, but also allows students to focus on word choice, form, editing, idea generation, character creation, imagery, and critical evaluation.  Students will read a variety of literary genres, such as fairy tales, songs, poetry, short stories, and other selections of fiction.  After analyzing the various methods used in the selections, students will have the opportunity to write their own literature in each of the genres.  Students will keep a journal and write from visual prompts as well.  Unlike a literature class, students will write most of the literature studied.  Students will become better writers by developing analytical/critical techniques and by applying them to their own as well as others' works.  The Six Trait Writing Guide is used to assess all essays.

British Literature

British Literature encourages students to develop their knowledge of the various genres of literature – the short story, the poem, the novel, and the drama.  In addition, students develop an understanding of the political influences in British literature from the following periods:  Ancient Britain; Medieval England; Renaissance prose, poetry, and drama; Restoration and the 18^th Century; Romantic period; Victorian prose and poetry, 20^th Century fiction, poetry, and drama.  Students will strengthen their understanding of language in literature through a practiced knowledge of themes, style, and structure as well as figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.  Students will learn a wide variety of vocabulary, sentence structures, and literary organization.  Students will use the knowledge they gain to write essays analyzing the literature that they read.

Prerequisites:  LA 9, LA 10, LA 11, or permission of the instructor

Language Arts 12

This course will expose students to a variety of writing styles and give them opportunities to express themselves through their own writing.    Nine major modes of writing including description, cause and effect, argument, narration and others will be studied and practiced. The Six-Trait Writing model will be used to aide in writing effectively and to assess the students’ work.   A portfolio of student work will be compiled.

Speech (one semester only)

Speech/Public Speaking is a basic oral communications course with emphasis on discovering the basics of human interaction in communication.  The speaker-audience format is practiced in theory and exercises.  Speech encompasses the fundamentals of public speaking, interpersonal communication, small group communication, informative speaking, persuasive speaking, listening, and rhetorical analysis.  Units will include theory as well as practical application.  Speech is designed to increase the awareness of the importance of speech communication in today’s society and develop the competency of speakers.