ENGLISH

Course: English 9 1 Term

Grade: 9 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Students will develop skills in various forms of writing, critical thinking, and analysis of literature, as well as a sound knowledge of English grammar and punctuation. Students are also familiarized with the availability and use of resource material. Tennessee EOC required.

Course: Honors English 9 1 Term

Grade: 9 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

This course includes classical literature, plays, poetry, mythology, short stories and novels. Several genres of writing are covered, culminating in the development of a research paper. Grammar is reinforced in the development of writing skills. Students will purchase additional novels and an MLA Handbook. High levels of reading comprehension and critical thinking skills are essential.

Tennessee EOC required.

Course: English 10 1 Term

Grade: 10 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English 9

This course builds upon the foundation of skills in grammar, vocabulary, composition, and appreciation of literature with attention to remediation as needed. The writing of various types of paragraphs and short themes will be emphasized. A research paper will be required. Tennessee EOC required.

Course: Honors English 10 1 Term

Grade: 10 1 Credit

Prerequisites: English 9

Focus is placed on both literature and composition. Types of literature include novels, Greek and Shakespearean drama, essays of nonfiction, poetry, and short stories. A five-source research paper and several smaller papers will be required. Tennessee EOC required.

Course: English 11 1 Term

Grade: 11 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English 10

This course is a study of American literary works. Students study language, character, plots, themes, and critical approaches. Before entering the class, all students are required to read The Old Man and the Sea by Earnest Hemingway, and one additional selection from the following: (selection varies from year to year). The study of literature also includes short story, poetry, and drama. Emphasis is placed on comprehension and interpretation as demonstrated in writing, oral presentations, and projects. A research paper will be required.

Tennessee EOC required.

Course: Introductory Speech 1 Term

Grade: 11 1 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Introductory Speech is a course for students who want to learn to think clearly and express themselves effectively before an audience, and prepares students for college and their careers. Students are provided opportunities to increase fluency as a speaker and writer, and develop self-confidence. The course covers multiple aspects of public speaking and debate and gives the student practical experience through speech preparation (including research) and speech participation. The course introduces the beginning speech student to a study of research, speech writing, poise, use of body and voice, public speaking, oral interpretation of literature, and beginning argumentation. This is not a speech correction class.

Course: Honors English 11 1 Term

Grade: 11 1 Credit

Prerequisites: English 10

This course is designed for the college bound, highly motivated student.

Students read and analyze a variety of American literature from the Puritan period to the Modern Era. Students should expect homework every weekday evening with some projects requiring weekend work. Pre-course (summer) reading is assessed during the first week of the course. All English courses require students to complete a research paper. Honors English students should plan to purchase a vocabulary workbook and several novels. Tennessee EOC required.

Course: AP English Language & Composition 2 Terms

Grade: 11 2 Credits

Prerequisites: English 10 and
Teacher recommendation

Additional Fee: Materials, AP exam fee

Students in this introductory college-level course read and analyze a challenging range of prose with a concentration on nonfiction. Students are expected to read analytically, creating an awareness of rhetoric and argument. They then take this critical awareness to become skilled readers of prose and skilled writers for a variety of purposes. As this is a college-level course, performance expectations are appropriately high, and the workload is challenging. Students are expected to commit to a minimum of five hours of course work per week outside of class. Students are responsible for purchasing a college-level text and a vocabulary workbook. Students will need their own copies in order to actively annotate/highlight the selections. In addition, students are expected to take the AP Language and Composition exam in May. Students who are eligible for fee waivers with the school system may be eligible for a fee waiver on the AP exam through the AP Program. AP English Language & Composition is a full year course. Students receive one credit for English 11 and one elective credit. In order to help ensure timely graduation, students who are failing at the end of the first semester will be dropped from AP English and scheduled for English 11 for the second semester.

Course: English 12 1 Term

Grade: 12 1 Credit

Prerequisite: English 11

This course emphasizes basic communication skills. The student is encouraged to read with understanding, write well-organized compositions, and develop an adequate vocabulary. British literature is studied chronologically, and outside readings are assigned each term. A research paper is required.

Course: AP English Literature & Composition 2 Terms

Grade: 12 2 Credits

Prerequisites: English 11 and
Teacher recommendation

Additional Fee: Materials, AP exam fee

Designed for the motivated student looking to do college-level work with literature, the Advanced Placement (AP) course is part of a nationally-recognized program that is respected by the nation’s top colleges. Students will look to a variety of novels, plays, poems and short stories in an effort to develop reading and critical thinking skills. Extensive reading and writing are involved. Students are required to take the AP Exam in May. Scores on the AP Exam may be used to obtain credit at many colleges and universities around the country. AP Literature & Composition is a full year course. Students receive one credit for English 12 and one elective credit. Students who are eligible for fee waivers with the school system may be eligible for a fee waiver on the AP exam through the AP Program.

Course: Photojournalism/Yearbook 2 Terms

Grades: 11, 12 2 Credits

Prerequisite: Signed approval
of instructor

This is a course designed to cover all the phases of yearbook journalism, giving students competency in yearbook planning, layout design, copy preparation, sales management, advertising, copy editing, and uses of style and graphics. This course is not a substitute for English.

Course: Newspaper/Journalism 2 Terms

Grades: 10, 11, 12 2 Credits

Prerequisite: Signed approval
of instructor

Students will develop skills in interviewing, reporting, news writing, and photo composition as they produce the school newspaperevery 4-6 weeks throughout the school year. Advertising sales, the use of style and graphics, public relations, and journalistic ethics will also be a part of this hands-on-course. This course is not a substitute for English.