English 9
English 9 at the ninth grade level focuses on appreciating, understanding, and exploring various genres of literature. We will examine elements of the short story, the play, and poetry. We will study Romeo and Juliet. Students will complete several projects including: book presentations, essays, and a variety of other writing assignments.
Honors English 9
English 9 Honors is a class for students looking to study Language Arts more intensely than in English 9. This class will focus on appreciating, understanding, analyzing, and exploring various genres of literature. We will examine elements of the short story, the play, the novel, and poetry. Students will participate in a novel study through book clubs and read one play by William Shakespeare. Students will complete several projects including: book presentations, essays, and a variety of other writing assignments. A summer reading assignment will be due the first day of class. An application and instructor approval for this course is required.
Prerequisite: Application (preferably the spring semester before freshman year) and teacher recommendation
English 10
Literature at the tenth grade level focuses on exploring, understanding, and appreciating genre as a means to connect the literature to students' lives. Students will write in a variety of genres that exist in the literature, whether it be informative, argumentative, narrative, or prose. Language development is expanded to recognize that grammar represents an orderliness that makes meaningful communication possible. A research paper is the culminating activity. Shakespeare is reinforced through the study of The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Prerequisite: English 9
Honors English 10
Honors English 10 offers the opportunity to explore all of the English 10 requirements, as well as extra literature and poetry, at a faster pace and deeper level. The summer reading assignment, which is due the first day of school, is Fahrenheit 451. In order to be considered for Honors English 10, a student must complete the application and essay process.
English 11
English 11 focuses on American literature and authors with a strong emphasis on writing. This covers early American documents such as the Declaration of Independence all the way through contemporary and modern works. Prerequisite: English 9 and 10
Honors English 11
Honors English 11 engages in a deeper, more intense focus on American literature and authors with a strong emphasis on writing. This course follows American literature chronologically, starting with Native American legends, early colonization, all the way to modern authors and poets. The purpose is to examine how art mimics and reacts to socio-political events, ideas, and movements. There is also a more intense emphasis on preparing students for ISATs and the SAT, which are taken in the spring of their junior year.
Prerequisite: English 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B (preferably honor-level for each), plus an application completed the spring before junior year
English 12
This class will cover British and world literature. We will also complete senior papers first semester. Prerequisite: English 9, 10, 11
Honors English 12
This class covers and in-depth study of literature and literary theory. Students accepted into this class will read two novels over the summer to prepare for the first semester. We will also complete senior papers first semester.
Prerequisite: English 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B (preferably honor-level for each), plus an application completed the spring before senior year
Possibility of taking AP literare exam.
English 101 (Dual Credit from CSI)
English 101 emphasizes the process and strategies of writing academic essays with critical attention to purpose and audience; focus and development to support a thesis; and organization and coherency. Students write analytical essays based on readings, observations, and ideas: develop various strategies to respond to different rhetorical situations; and edit for style, voice, and conventions of standard usage.
This course introduces MLA format.
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation Grade level: 11 or 12
English 102 (Dual Credit from CSI)
English 102 furthers the composition skills developed in English 101, focusing on critical reading, writing, and research. Students will write expository and persuasive essays, using literaryand/or interdisciplinary materials. This course also requires a researched essay.
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation or test scores Grade level: 12
Speech (Graduation requirement)
Speech will cover a wide variety of communication skills. The primary objective of this course is to improve student’s interpersonal and public communication skills through speeches given to their whole classroom of peers. Areas of instruction include interpersonal and group communication, public speaking, listening skills, persuasive techniques, research, interviewing, and speech evaluations. Grade level: 11
Speech and Debate (Class and Club)
The class is a combination of Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, and Congressional debate styles. Students will also learn and compete in a number of platform, interpretive, and limited preparation speech events. In debate, students will learn how to think critically, analyze information and make a persuasive argument on both sides of an issue. Emphasis is placed on oratory skills with a lot of public speaking. All students become members of the National Speech and Debate Association and travel to compete at the National Qualifier, districts, and state competitions. Debate is fully recognized by the Idaho High School Activities Association and students can letter through their participation at the Varsity level. Students must be self-motivated, independent workers to keep pace with this class.
Prerequisite: Application, teacher recommendation, and 3.0 GPA required Grade level: 9, 10, 11 and 12
Additional information: Many NSDA Certifications available and can get a Varsity Letter, Scholarship options available
Publications
Publications is essentially a journalism class. What is journalism? Most people understand that journalism has something to do with news, investigation, and opinion as presented through the mediums of newspapers, magazines, and television. But the modern conception of journalism has begun to shift, especially as websites, weblogs and podcasts have become more common. In this course, you will learn about the practice of journalism and how it has shifted over the years. You will also practice journalism by writing articles in a variety of styles and taking photos with the endgame of publishing them in a monthly newspaper, online, and in the annual high school yearbook.
Prerequisite: Success in previous English classes and strong writing abilities. Grade level: 10, 11, and 12 Club: NSPA (National Scholastic Press Association)
