Language Arts, Middle School

<Sixth Grade English Language Arts

Sixth grade students master previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly complex presentations, reading selections, and written compositions. Students evaluate their own oral presentations. Sixth grade students continue to read widely in classic and contemporary selections and informational texts. Students can distinguish denotative and connotative meanings of words. They are able to select and use different forms of writing for specific purposes such as to inform, persuade, and entertain. Students produce written pieces with varied sentence structure and final, error-free pieces on a regular basis. They search out multiple texts to complete research reports and projects. They listen to, produce, and critique oral performances and visual representations.

<Seventh Grade English Language Arts

Seventh grade students refine and master previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly complex presentations, reading selections, and written compositions. Students analyze a speaker's persuasive techniques and credibility. Seventh grade students continue to read widely in classic and contemporary selections and informational texts. Students use knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes in reading. They are able to select and use different forms of writing for specific purposes such as to inform, persuade, and entertain. Students produce written pieces with varied sentence structure and final, error-free pieces on a regular basis. They draw data from multiple primary and secondary sources for use in research reports and projects. They listen to, produce, and critique oral performances and visual representations.

<Eighth Grade English Language Arts

Eighth grade students refine and master previously learned knowledge and skills. Students continue to read widely in classic and contemporary selections and informational texts. They are able to select and use different forms of writing for specific purposes such as to inform, persuade, and entertain. Students produce multi-paragraph compositions with varied sentence structure and final, error-free pieces on a regular basis. They use citations competently and write by following accepted formats for research reports. They listen to, produce, and critique oral performances and visual representations.

Language Arts Electives, Grades 7 & 8

<Journalism

This course provides students with the background and fundamentals of journalism from basic writing skills, proofreading and interviewing skills, graphics, layout design, advertising, computer usage, and design to video digitizing and video photography. Students in this course will develop and use these skills to produce a school newspaper and yearbook. Admission is by application. See the school counselor. This is a local credit course and is not available at all sites.

<Speech A

The basic purpose of this course is to assist the beginning speech student in overcoming stage fright through different types of performance situations. Included in the types of activities are communication games and skills, body language, impromptu speaking, public speaking, and oral interpretation of literature. Each student is provided opportunities to enhance a positive self-image, develop self-esteem, and self-confidence.

<Speech B

This course builds on the foundation of Speech A and includes advanced individual and group performance situations. Included are such activities as extemporaneous speaking, persuasive speaking, parliamentary procedure, group discussions, debate, and advanced oral interpretation. This course may include preparation for tournament competition.

Language Arts, Senior High

<English I Academic

Students enrolled in English I continue to increase and refine their communication skills. They will plan, draft, edit, and complete written compositions on a regular basis. Students write to persuade, report, and describe. They will read extensively in multiple genres from world literature. Students learn literary forms and terms and analyze literary works. They will listen to, present, and interpret oral presentations and visual representations.

<English I Honors

Students will accomplish all the English I knowledge and skills and will further read, write, and analyze in depth.

<English I Gifted/Talented Honors

Provides an expansion of the basic curriculum to accommodate needs of gifted students. The course of study using a multimedia approach stresses development of independent learning skills, the expansion of the basic curriculum, the use of higher level thinking processes in problem solving, the development of greater awareness of self and others, and the opportunity to develop unique abilities into potential career choices. Must be taken in conjunction with World Geography Studies.

<English II Academic

Students in English II increase and refine their communication skills. They practice all forms of writing on a regular basis with emphasis on persuasive forms such as logical arguments, expressions of opinion and personal writing. Students will read extensively in multiple genres from world literature; they will read critically and research self-selected and assigned topics. Students will produce, analyze, appreciate, and evaluate oral performances and visual representations.

<English II Honors

Students will accomplish all the English II knowledge and skills and will further read, write, and analyze in depth.

<English II Gifted/Talented Honors

Provides an expansion of the English II curriculum to accommodate the needs and learning styles of gifted students. An interdisciplinary approach to the study of literature is stressed and literary research is introduced. Must be taken in conjunction with World History Studies.

<English III Academic

Students in English III further increase and refine their communication skills. They practice all forms of writing on a regular basis with emphasis on business forms of writing such as the report, the business memo, the narrative of a procedure, the summary or abstract, and the resume. English III students read extensively in multiple genres from American literature and other world literature. They will analyze literary works and research self-selected and assigned topics. Students will prepare, organize, present, and interpret oral messages and visual representations.

<English III Honors

Students will accomplish all the English III knowledge and skills and will further read, write, and analyze in depth.

<English III Gifted/Talented Honors

Provides an expansion of the English III curriculum to accommodate the needs and learning styles of gifted students. In addition to literacy analysis, literacy criticism is emphasized and methods of scholarly presentation are studied. A cross discipline approach is stressed. Must be taken in conjunction with United States History.

<English III Advanced Placement (AP)

Students can be awarded one-half to one credit for successful completion of this course. Content requirements for Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition are prescribed in the College Board Publication Advanced Placement Course Description: English, published by The College Board. This publication may be obtained from the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Recommended prerequisites: English II and meets placement criteria.

<English IV Academic

Students in English IV continue to increase and refine their communication skills. In English IV students are expected to write on a regular basis in a variety of forms, including business, personal, literary, and persuasive texts. Students read extensively and intensively for different purposes in varied sources, including British literature and other world literature. They read critically to evaluate texts and use reading and research skills to develop self-selected topics. The students listen and speak effectively for a variety of purposes and produce and critique oral performances and visual representations.

<English IV Honors

Students will accomplish all the English IV knowledge and skills and will further read, write, and analyze in depth.

<English IV Gifted/Talented Honors

Provides an expansion of the English IV curriculum to accommodate the needs and learning styles of gifted students. An in-depth study of literature both in analysis and literary criticism is fostered and advanced skills in literary research and examined.

<English IV Advanced Placement (AP)

Students can be awarded one-half to one credit for successful completion of this course. Content rrequirements for Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition are prescribed in the College Board Publication Advanced Placement Course Description: English, published by The College Board. This publication may be obtained from the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Recommended prerequisites: English III or Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition and meets placement criteria.

Journalism

<Advanced Broadcast Journalism I-III

Provides opportunity for students to learn the laws and ethical considerations that affect broadcast journalism; to learn the role and function of broadcast journalism; to critique and analyze the significance of visual representations; and to learn to produce by creating a broadcast journalism product.

<Advanced Journalism: Newspaper Production I-III

Available for sophomores through seniors interested in planning, financing and implementing the writing, editing and producing of a newspaper using current computer technology. Courses must be taken sequentially.

<Advanced Journalism: Yearbook I-III

Available for sophomores through seniors interested in planning, financing and implementing the writing, editing and producing of a newspaper using current computer technology. Courses must be taken sequentially.

<Independent Study/Journalism

Available for highly motivated seniors interested in an advanced program tailored to specific needs and abilities of a newspaper, yearbook, or photography student.

<Journalism

Provides the student with the background and fundamentals of journalism including writing each of the four journalistic styles, graphics, layout and design, photography, desktop publishing, and computer technology.

<Journalism Honors

Develops higher order thinking and leadership skills for those in editorial positions who plan, write, edit, and produce the school newspaper or yearbook.

Reading

<Reading I-III

Students are offered instruction in word recognition and comprehension strategies and vocabulary. They are given opportunities to locate information in varied sources, to read critically, to evaluate sources, and to draw supportable conclusions. Students learn how various texts are organized and how authors choose language for effect. All these strategies are applied in texts that cross the subject fields.

<Reading Application and Study Skills

Students learn techniques for learning from texts including studying word meanings, producing effective summaries, identifying and relating key ideas, drawing and supporting inferences, and reviewing study strategies. Students will read widely as well as use cross-curricular content texts in preparation for post secondary schooling.

Speech

<Communication Applications

Students will send clear verbal messages, choose effective nonverbal behaviors, listen for desired results, and apply valid critical-thinking and problem solving processes. They will evaluate communication skills needed for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group interactions, and personal and professional presentations. Required for all students.

<Debate I-III

Students will use debate and argumentation are widely used to make decisions and reduce conflict. Students who use debate and argumentation will become interested in current issues, develop sound critical thinking, and sharpen communication skills. They will acquire life-long skills for intelligently approaching controversial issues and clashes of opinion.

<Debate III Honors

Highly motivated students will participate in an individualized program designed to expand higher-level competency in debate theory and application. May be taken only one time for Honors credit.

<Independent Study in Speech

Highly motivated and advanced students will plan, organize, produce, perform, and evaluate a project that enables them to develop advanced skills in communication, critical thinking, and problem solving.

<Public Speaking

Students will learn concepts and skills related to preparing and presenting public messages and to analyzing and evaluating the messages of others. Within this process students will gain skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking and will examine areas such as invention, organization, style, memory, and delivery.

<Speech Communication

Students will understand concepts and processes involved in sending and receiving oral messages, evaluating, and using nonverbal communication, and listening for a variety of purposes. They will develop communication competence in interpersonal, group, and public interaction to establish and maintain productive relationships and function effectively in social, academic, and citizenship roles.

Language Arts Electives

<Analysis of Visual Media

Students will interpret various media forms for a variety of purposes. They will critique and analyze the significance of visual representations and learn to produce media messages that communicate with others.

<Creative and Imaginative Writing

Students demonstrate their versatility as a writer and their skill in such forms of writing as essays, short stories, poetry, and drama. They effectively exercise the conventions of usage and mechanics of written English. The students evaluate their own writing as well as the writing of others to insure that they are able to analyze and discuss published and unpublished pieces of writing, develop and apply criteria for effective writing, and set their own goals as writers.

<Humanities

In this interdisciplinary course students recognize writing as an art form. Students read widely to understand how various authors craft compositions for various aesthetic purposes. This course includes the study of major historical and cultural movements and their relationship to literature and other fine arts. Humanities is a rigorous course of study in which high school students respond to aesthetic elements in texts and other art forms through such outlets as discussions, journals, oral interpretations, and dramatizations.

<Independent Study

Students write in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences and purposes on a regular basis. Students edit and evaluate their own and others' work. They continue to read extensively in increasingly difficult texts. They respond to texts through talking and writing in both traditional print and electronic formats.

<Literary Genres

Students will spend time analyzing the fictional and poetic elements of literary texts and read to appreciate the writer's craft. They will discover how well written literary texts can serve as models for their own writing. Students will respond to texts through such varied avenues as talk, print, and electronic formats to connect their knowledge of the world with the text being read.

<Media Literacy/Speech

Students will develop their skills in understanding, analyzing, using, and producing media intelligently. They will understand how media influence our tastes, our behavior, our purchasing, and our voting decisions. Students who are media literate understand television, radio, film, and other visual images and auditory messages.

<Practical Writing

Students compose business letters and requests for information, as well as completing job applications and resumes. Skill in the use of conventions and mechanics of written English and effective use of vocabulary are exercised. Students evaluate their own and others' writing.

<Research and Technical Writing

Students research a topic or a variety of topics and present that information through a variety of media. They write persuasive and informative texts such as essays, reports, proposals, and memoranda. Students effectively apply the conventions of usage and the mechanics of written English. All students evaluate their own writing as well as the writing of others and are able to analyze and discuss published and unpublished pieces of writing, develop and apply criteria for effective writing, and set their own goals as writers.

Theater Arts, Grades 7 & 8

<Theater Arts A

The student will be provided opportunities to develop sensory use of the body and voice, experiment with imitative and interpretive movement, utilize acting concepts and skills, practice audience etiquette, and attend live theatrical events.

<Theater Arts B

The student will explore acting concepts and skills through the development of basic acting techniques. The student will develop theater production concepts and skills through the production of a play, puppetry, and reader's theater. The student will develop an appreciation of theater by analyzing and evaluating theatrical experiences.

Theater Arts, Senior High

<Technical Theater I, II

Develops skills for designing and building sets and working with costumes, make-up, sound, and lights.

<Theater Arts I

Teaches acting techniques, theater production concepts and skills, and appreciation of theatrical events.

<Theater Arts II, III, IV

Advances knowledge and skill in acting, production, and appreciation of theater.