English

Prerequisite:  American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5

This course addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Writing, Speech, and Language Standards through the study of drama and theater. Analytical and interpretive writing skills will be developed. Students will perform selected theatrical works that may include monologues, dialogues and plays.

Prerequisites: Sophomore English
Grade Level: 11
Semester: 2
Credits: 1

Students will study American literature from a variety of authors, styles, and historical contexts. This course addresses the grade 11 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards. Students will further develop their ability to evaluate, critique, and compare philosophies, ideals, morals, and values as presented in this country’s literature.

Prerequisites: Sophomore English
Grade Level:11
Semesters:2
Credits: 1

Students will study American literature from a variety of authors, styles, and historical contexts. This course addresses the grade 11 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards. Students will develop their skills through an integrated study of literature, nonfiction, writing, research, and speech. Students will further develop their ability to evaluate, critique, and compare philosophies, ideals, morals, and values as presented in this country’s literature. Although the scope of this course is the same as American Literature, the instructional support is designed to build students’ skills to grade-level mastery, particularly in reading and writing.

Prerequisite: Sophomore English & American Government
Grade Level: 11
Semesters: 2
Credits: 2 (1 English, 1 Social Studies)

Students will learn the American historical timeline, the significance of major movements and changes in society reflected in the literary and fine arts, and lessons that can be learned in our own time by examining key eras and movements in America’s political, social and artistic history. This United States history class will be taken in conjunction with American Literature.

Prerequisites: Honors Sophomore English
Grade Level: 11
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

AP Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of American Literature 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 help students develop and understanding 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 the effectiveness in writing. This course is writing intensive; writing is an integral part of the AP Language and Composition course and exam. Students taking this course may be required to complete a summer reading assignment that utilizes skills in reading, writing and literature. Students may receive college credit by qualifying on an examination administered by the College Board.

Prerequisites: AP Language and Composition
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

AP Literature and Composition “engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways authors use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as such smaller-scale elements as figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.” This course is writing intensive; writing is an integral part of the AP English Literature and Composition course and exam. Students may receive college credit by qualifying on an examination administered by the College Board.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Credit: 0.5

This course addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Reading Standards through the study of British literature from the Anglo Saxon period to the present. The course incorporates practice in writing, research, listening, and speaking.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semester 1
Credits: 0.5

This course addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Writing, Speech, and Language Standards through the study and extensive practice of a variety of writing structures, including comparison/contrast and literary analysis. Works of literature and other prompts may be used for paper topics. The focus of the course is on improving, expanding, and understanding writing as a process. Extensive writing is required. The course incorporates practice in reading and literary study.

Prerequisite:  American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Credit: 0.5

This course addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Reading Standards through the study of American and world literature from 1960 to the present. Students will interpret and analyze a variety of issues presented in literature and will construct connections to the contemporary human experience. The course incorporates practice in writing, research, listening, and speaking.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semester 1
Credits: 0.5

This course primarily addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards through the study of a variety of debate formats while developing specialized vocabulary and research skills. Research will then be applied to the writing of cases and position papers that will be presented through formal debates. This performance-based course emphasizes organization and writing skills and in-depth research skills. Extensive writing is required. The course incorporates practice in reading.

Prerequisite: 8th grade placement process
Grade Level: 9
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

This course addresses the grade 9 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards. Students will develop their skills through an integrated study of literature, nonfiction, writing, research, and speech.

Prerequisite: 8th grade placement process
Grade Level: 9
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

This course addresses the grade 9 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards. Students will develop their skills through an integrated study of literature, nonfiction, writing, research, and speech. Although the scope of this course is the same as Freshman English (Academic), the instructional support is designed to build students’ skills to grade-level mastery, particularly in reading and writing.
Prerequisite: 8th grade placement process

Grade Level: IEP Decision
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Grade: 9

The course emphasizes use of the correct rules of grammar written expression; improvement of written composition; instruction in the components of literature; instruction in the use of the Media Center; demonstration of the proper use of reference materials, demonstration of independent study skills, and improvement of oral expression in structured and unstructured situations.

Prerequisite: 8th grade placement process
Grade Level: 9
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

In this rigorous course, students will increase their reading, writing, speaking, listening, research and thinking skills through the integrated study of literature, composition, and speech. The honors sequence prepares students to perform at the Advanced Placement English skill level by their junior year of high school.

Prerequisite:  8th Grade Placement
Grade Level: 9
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

Freshman Seminar is a year-long course designed to improve students’ reading skills across all content areas, as well as to help students understand and engage with reading strategies and practices. Students are recommended for the course based on assessment data and professional recommendations.  This class earns one elective credit.  This course is currently offered at Andrew and Sandburg.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semester 1
Credits: 0.5

This course primarily addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards through the study of information-gathering techniques that will lead to various types of journalistic writing. Students will learn about the laws and ethics that govern print media. Specific writing styles include news (expository), editorial (persuasive), feature (descriptive), sports (analysis), and the study of style rules that comprise the grammar of journalistic writing. Extensive writing is required. The course incorporates practice in reading and literary study.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semester 1
Credits: 0.5

This course primarily addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards through the survey of mass media in modern society. The student will read and write in the media of newspaper, advertising, and film. The course offers the student the opportunity to create a student newspaper, an original magazine, a radio show, and a television project. Extensive writing is required. The course incorporates practice in reading.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Credit: 0.5

This course addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Reading Standards through the study of mythologies from around the world. The course incorporates practice in writing, research, listening, and speaking.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Credit: 0.5

This course addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Reading Standards through the study of self-selected popular literature (subject to instructor approval). Among other skills, students will evaluate the interrelationships among reader, author, and form and support those assertions with textual evidence. The course incorporates practice in writing, research, listening, and speaking.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5

This course primarily addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards through the study of films, learning and applying appropriate technical terms to analytical essays directly related to cinema. The course incorporates practice in reading.

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation and Junior English
Grade Level: 12
Semester 2
Credits: 1

Students will read with greater comprehension, write with increased clarity, and be more technologically literate. This course focuses on a year-long study of literature that includes the reading and analysis of novels, poetry, and non-fiction selections, and composition supplemented with vocabulary study. This course addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Semesters: 1
Credit: 0.5

This course addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Reading Standards through the study of Shakespearean histories, comedies, tragedies, and sonnets. Among other skills, students will critique Shakespearean dramatic and poetic style and will study the convention of the Shakespearean theatre. The course incorporates practice in writing, research, listening, and speaking.

Prerequisite:  Freshman English
Grade: 10
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

The course includes reading, oral presentations, and writing essays. The skills are derived from literature, everyday experience and consideration for future goals. The development of thinking skills and problem solving will be a priority. The students will be expected to participate in group activities, give speeches, edit and proofread written language, use the computer and complete all assignments in an acceptable manner.

Prerequisite: Freshman English
Grade Level: 10
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

This course addresses the grade 10 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards. Students will develop their skills through an integrated study of literature, nonfiction, writing, research, and speech.. Although the scope of this course is the same as Sophomore Academic English, the instructional support is designed to build students’ skills to grade-level mastery, particularly in reading and writing.

Prerequisite: Honors Freshman English
Grade Level: 10
Semesters: 2
Credits: 1

In this rigorous course, students develop their reading, thinking, research, writing, speaking, and listening skills derived from the analysis of literature and the discussion of reader’s responses to that literature. The honors sequence prepares students to perform at the Advanced Placement English skill level by their junior year of high school.

Prerequisite: Recommended for Honors Placement for Both Social Studies and English
Grade Level: 9
Semesters: 2
Credits: 2 (1 English, 1 Social Studies)

Team Renaissance integrates Freshman Honors English and Honors World History while meeting the district and Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards for each individual course. The specific curriculum for the course is organized along both historical and thematic lines, allowing students to study literature connected to or related to each period of history as they study it. Students in this course meet for a two period block of time. This course is currently offered at Andrew and Stagg.

Prerequisite: American Literature
Grade Level: 12
Semesters: 1
Credits: 0.5

This course primarily addresses the grade 12 benchmarks of the Common Core State English/Language Arts Standards through the study of selected authors and representatives pieces of poetry and short fiction. The focus of the course is on improving, expanding, and understanding creative writing as a process. Extensive writing is required. The course incorporates practice in reading and literary study.