COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
| BASIC COURSES AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS | ||
| BASIC ENGLISH 9 | Course Code: 1110 (9-12) |
2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| classes and strong emphasis on core language arts skills. | ||
| BASIC ENGLISH 10 | Course Code: 1210 (10-12) |
2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| This course is designed for sophomores who have been recommended by their teachers or counselors, and who have not passed the ISAT reading or language test and have shown a pattern of below grade performance on schoolwide language arts assessments. The Basic English 10 class will benefit from a reduced pace from that of other English classes and strong emphasis on core language arts skills, including grammar, composition and literature. Students will focus on writing complete thoughts and well structured paragraphs and will learn that punctuation is used to clarify writing. Vocabulary and spelling will be included. A variety of literary forms will be encountered and interpreted. | ||
| BASIC ENGLISH 11 | Course Code: 1310 (11-12) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| For students who have not met proficiency scores on the Spring ISAT during the 10th grade. The literature covered will include classical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction. Emphasis is placed on practical skills such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, critical thinking, problem-solving and technical writing. | ||
| BASIC ENGLISH 12 | Course Code: 1410 (12) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| Designed for students who have not met proficiency scores on the ISAT by the completion of their junior year. The focus of the class will be strategies to ensure success in the workplace including technical writing, reading, communicating, and collaborative problem-solving. The literature studied will reflect these concepts. Semester 2 requires completion of a Senior Project. | ||
| COURSES FOR PROFICIENCY(PREREQUISITES EXIST) | ||
| DEBATE 1 | Course Code: A 1531 Course Code: B 1532 |
1 Credit 1 Semester |
| Prerequisite for Semester 2: Students must pass Semester 1; Semester 2 credits fulfills Speech graduation requirement; Participation is required in exra-curriculur debate events; students must have passed English with a "C" or better | ||
| Basic skills in research, analysis, organization, and
refutation will be emphasized in a competitive environment.
The course will include study and practice in policy and
Lincoln-Douglas styles of debate as well as Mock Trial and
Student Congress. Students will also learn speech event techniques. Debate will fulfill the Speech requirement if taken for the 2 Credit/2 Semesters. This is an academically challenging course. |
||
| ENGLISH 9 | Course Code: 1120 (9-12) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| Emphasis will be on improving writing skills, vocabulary development, and reading literature. | ||
| ENGLISH 10 | Course Code: 1220 (10-12) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| Designed to help students improve in their basic language skills, the course of study will include the review and reinforcement of grammar fundamentals and standard English usage as well as reading short stories, poetry, a Shakespearean drama, and novels. At least one essay per six weeks is required. | ||
| ENGLISH 11 | Course Code: 1320 (11-12) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| The course is designed to improve skills in reading, writing and language through the study of themes and writers of American literature, past and present. | ||
| ENGLISH 12 | Course Code: 1420 (12) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| First semester requires completion of a Senior Paper. Second semester focuses on development and completion of a required Senior Project. Vocabulary studies enhance student ability to communicate effectively. Composition reinforces the six writing traits. A study of British and world literature provides a vehicle for analysis and discussion. | ||
| NEWSPAPER "THE VIKING VOICE" | Course Code: 1720 (10-12) | |
| Prerequisite: Instructor approval and application process | ||
| Instruction in journalistic writing, interviewing, photography, editing, layout and other steps leading to the production of the high school paper. Course requirements include writing, advertising, sales and a minimal amount of time after school hours to meet layout deadlines for publication. The newspaper is published eight times in the school year. This course is not recommended for freshmen. | ||
| SPEECH | Course Code: 1510 (11-12) | 1 Credit 1 Semester |
| This performance-based course is designed to develop communication skills through application of the communication model. Interpersonal skills, communication in the workplace, listening skills, critical thinking, time management, research skills, speech organization and presentation will be the focus. The controlled and supportive classroom environment is an ideal setting for students to practice and perfect those communication skills of effective speaking and critical listening valued in all professions, the community and personal relations. This course relies on a discipline of reading, writing, research and performance at the junior/senior grade levels and is tailored to help prepare students for their Senior Project presentations. | ||
| YEARBOOK | Course Code: 1730 (11-12) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| Prerequisite: Instructor approval and application process; freshman requesting Yearbook must provide an additional request in the event that placement cannot be made | ||
| Instructional focus will be on lay-out, design, photography, interviewing, writing copy, proof reading and other steps leading to the production of the high school annual. | ||
| ADVANCED COURSES FOR DEEPER/BROADER STUDY | ||
| ACCELEARTED DEBATE | Course Code: 1540 | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| Prerequisite: Instructor approval and application process | ||
| For students with at least one year of debate experience. Theory applied to the competitive setting is the primary focus. Students should anticipate preparation for and participation in various speech contests and debate tournaments. This is a class designed for the competitive debater/speaker. | ||
| ACCELERATED ENGLISH 9 | Course Code: 1130 (9) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| Prerequisite: Instructor approval | ||
| This course is intended to challenge the more academically able student. In addition to skills covered in the regular freshman English course, the content of this course will be accelerated and enriched to provide an extensive study of grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, composition, and literature. See information in this section regarding summer reading requirements. | ||
| ACCELERATED ENGLISH 10 | Course Code: 1230 (10) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| Prerequisite: Instructor approval | ||
| This course is designed to challenge the more academically able student. In addition to skills covered in the regular sophomore English course, the content of this course will be accelerated and enriched to provide an extensive study of grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, composition, and literature. See info below about summer reading. Testing and discussion will take place the beginning of the sophomore year. See information in this section regarding summer reading requirements. | ||
| AP ENGLISH 11 | Course Code: 1341 (11-12) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| Prerequisite: Instructor approval; AP examination required in May | ||
| This course prepares students for the AP Language examination, which will be taken in May. Preparation for the exam includes extensive reading, rhetorical analysis, writing and discussion. Students will learn close-reading and critical thinking skills, analyze how writers communicate effectively and then apply these skills to their own writing. Writing is the primary goal of the class and essays will be heavily weighted. The course moves at a rapid pace, will center on American literature (novels, short stories, poetry and a focus on non-fiction) and is equivalent to a 100 or 200 level college writing class. Summer reading is required (to be discussed the first week) and students should expect extensive homework. | ||
| AP ENGLISH 12 | Course Code: 1441 (12) | 2 Credits 2 Semesters |
| Prerequisite: Instructor approval; AP examination required in May | ||
| This course prepares students for the AP Literature examination, which will be taken in May. Preparation for the test includes extensive reading, writing, and discussion. Students not only learn how to understand the ideas of a work, but also how the write communicates the ideas to his or her audience. A variety of challenging and mature texts (classic and contemporary prose, poetry, and drama) are included in the coursework, which is comparative to that of a 200 or 300 level college literature class. Completion of the senior paper, project, and presentation are also a requirement of the course. | ||
| SUMMER READING REQUIREMENTS | ||
| (SEE THE NOTES SECTION ON THE TOP LEFT OF THIS PAGE)Students are encouraged to push themselves academically and this challenge should be embraced by the student who wishes to pursue the rigorous and relevant course of study that honors-level courses provide. The summer reading requirement is non-negotiable. Accelerated and Advanced Placement courses begin with assignments, class discussions, essays, and quizzes based on the assigned summer novels. Failure to read the assigned novels will affect student grades but should not be considered an irretrievable credit situation. Failing to complete the assignments will not necessarily be the determining factor in whether a student achieves a passing or failing grade, nor will it be considered a reason for schedule changes/dropping the course in August or September. Students must go online to get a copy of their reading list. Those students who enroll in the fall will be given the opportunity to read the novels and complete the related assignments over the course of the first quarter. | ||
