Freshman
Course Offerings
Core (Choose one):
English I:
This academic course is designed for the student who aspires to post-secondary college or career experience. A survey of literary types, this course focuses on reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. Students should expect homework assignments and/or compositions that reinforce classroom instruction. Writing instruction at this level focuses on mechanical correctness, fluency, and structure. The student is expected to function at grade level in communication and thinking skills.
English I Honors:
This honors course is designed to challenge students. It concentrates on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through an intensive survey of literary types and appropriate oral and written responses. The course provides a review of grammar, mechanics, vocabulary, and usage as needed. This college preparatory course focuses on the development of complex thought processes, independence in learning, and creative expression through discussion and frequent writing assignments. Homework is a reinforcement and extension of classroom instruction.
Electives:
African American Literature:
This course explores African American writing and its relationship to American history and culture. Students study critical theories of African American literature and the contexts of cultural criticism through selected works by African American writers.
Creative Writing (Honors):
This course is designed for the student interested in writing original poetry, plays, essays, and short stories. Students consider the elements of creativity - inspiration, form, and content - in relation to styles of representative authors. Self-criticism, group evaluation, contest entries, and publication of students' work are required activities. Projects may include entertainment of a poet-in-residence and publication of a literary magazine.
Intro to Communications and Mass Media:
This introductory course is designed for students interested in pursuing additional coursework in journalism, media, and communications. Students examine the basics of writing, design, and production as well as current industry issues.
Speech I (Honors):
This course, designed for the beginning and experienced public speaker alike, helps all students excel as it cultivates a positive and supportive classroom environment in which students become comfortable in front of an audience of their peers, giving a wide variety of speeches, practicing the virtues of constructive criticism, and learning the fundamentals of academic and legislative debate.
Trends & Movements in Young Adult Literature:
This survey course on the development and changing visions of Young Adult Literature examines themes and trends in literature that has been written specifically for teens. Students read young adult novels, drama, short stories, and poetry. They participate in literature circles, write analyses of work, do research, and develop projects.
English I:
This academic course is designed for the student who aspires to post-secondary college or career experience. A survey of literary types, this course focuses on reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. Students should expect homework assignments and/or compositions that reinforce classroom instruction. Writing instruction at this level focuses on mechanical correctness, fluency, and structure. The student is expected to function at grade level in communication and thinking skills.
English I Honors:
This honors course is designed to challenge students. It concentrates on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through an intensive survey of literary types and appropriate oral and written responses. The course provides a review of grammar, mechanics, vocabulary, and usage as needed. This college preparatory course focuses on the development of complex thought processes, independence in learning, and creative expression through discussion and frequent writing assignments. Homework is a reinforcement and extension of classroom instruction.
Electives:
African American Literature:
This course explores African American writing and its relationship to American history and culture. Students study critical theories of African American literature and the contexts of cultural criticism through selected works by African American writers.
Creative Writing (Honors):
This course is designed for the student interested in writing original poetry, plays, essays, and short stories. Students consider the elements of creativity - inspiration, form, and content - in relation to styles of representative authors. Self-criticism, group evaluation, contest entries, and publication of students' work are required activities. Projects may include entertainment of a poet-in-residence and publication of a literary magazine.
Intro to Communications and Mass Media:
This introductory course is designed for students interested in pursuing additional coursework in journalism, media, and communications. Students examine the basics of writing, design, and production as well as current industry issues.
Speech I (Honors):
This course, designed for the beginning and experienced public speaker alike, helps all students excel as it cultivates a positive and supportive classroom environment in which students become comfortable in front of an audience of their peers, giving a wide variety of speeches, practicing the virtues of constructive criticism, and learning the fundamentals of academic and legislative debate.
Trends & Movements in Young Adult Literature:
This survey course on the development and changing visions of Young Adult Literature examines themes and trends in literature that has been written specifically for teens. Students read young adult novels, drama, short stories, and poetry. They participate in literature circles, write analyses of work, do research, and develop projects.