Language Arts
Language Arts
Courses
ENGLISH I | Students will read and study the genres of literature. They will also study the grammar and mechanics of the English language and practice proper usage. Students will learn the components of an essay and how to write an essay.
ENGLISH I (HONORS) | This course covers the same material as English 1, but the material is covered at a faster pace with more novels and writing assignments throughout the course. Reading/writing/analysis/oral response intensive with high expectations of participation in all areas.
ENGLISH II | Students will read and study the genres of literature. They will also study the grammar and mechanics of the English language and practice proper usage.
ENGLISH II (HONORS) | This course is an intensive study of fiction, nonfiction, and novels. Readings focus on analysis. Writing focuses on responses to reading with appropriate citations and documentation from sources.
ENGLISH III | Students will read and study the literature of America. They will also become familiar with the lives of the authors and the social, political, and economic aspects of the times during which the authors wrote
ENGLISH III (HONORS) | This class covers the same material (American Literature) as a regular English 11 class; however, it is covered at a faster pace. Also students are required to do additional reading, including novels, poetry, fiction, persuasive writing, and essays. Students will complete multiple research projects.
COMMUNICATIONS (SPEECH) | This class will emphasize the development of the student’s abilities to communicate through written, oral and digital mediums. Students will create presentations appropriate for various audiences and purposes which will correlate with their other class requirements.
Electives
ENGLISH IV | This course is designed to meet the needs of college-bound students. It is a literature-based course with moderate to heavy reading, and extensive writing assignments designed to prepare students for the rigor of postsecondary studies.
ENGLISH IV (HONORS) | This course provides a challenge in the field of English for those students who have previously excelled in English. It involves heavy reading from textbooks and novels with an emphasis on British literature.
AP ENGLISH (LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION) | An AP course in English and Language Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.
AP ENGLISH (LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION) (HONORS) | Students will engage in careful reading and critical analysis of fiction. Through the close reading of selected texts, students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers.
DIVERSITY IN LITERATURE I | Students will read and analyze text by diverse authors with diverse main characters. This will also include diverse formats using graphic novels, poems, novels, films, and short stories.
GREEK MYTHOLOGY – THE HERO’S JOURNEY | Students will read multiple Greek mythological poems and stories and follow the hero’s journey. A brief overview of Greek gods and goddesses will guide the students through the selections.
WORLD EXPERIENCES AND WAR-TORN COUNTRIES IN MODERN LITERATURE | In this course, students would read historical fiction and nonfiction selections based on world events or experiences affected by world events outside of the US.
YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE/CLASSIC NOVEL CONNECTIONS | Students will read young adult novels and connect the novels to classic novels, studying relevant themes and challenges that teenagers struggle with today. Students will read, analyze, discuss, and write about the topics read.
CREATIVE WRITING I | This course is for those who wish to write creatively and are willing to share ideas and give and accept criticism. Emphasis will be on studying models of poetry, memoirs, and fiction and writing original examples of the same.
CREATIVE WRITING II | This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Creative Writing I and want to continue to have the opportunity to write, share their work and respond to the work produced by other writers.
BEGINNING ACTING | This course offers an introduction to acting. Emphasis is placed on the actor’s body, mind and voice. It is a study in learning to assume the characteristics, personality and variations of characters.
TECHNICAL THEATER | This course offers an introduction into the back-stage areas of stagecraft for the production of a play. Areas covered are simple set design, lighting plans, stage managing, sound cues, costuming, and blocking.
DEBATE I | This class emphasizes the development of the student’s poise and skill of persuasive argumentation. Students are required to research, write at least one affirmative case, and develop arguments for their positions.
DEBATE II, III, IV | This class is a continuation of the debate skills learned in Debate I. Emphasis will be placed on fine-tuning speaking, case development and writing skills.
FORENSICS | Forensics, sometimes called Speech or Speech and Debate, is a competitive co-curricular activity governed by KSHSAA, the same body that makes the rules for all sports across Kansas. There are eleven (11) events that fall into three (3) broad categories: Acting, Reading, and Speaking. Forensics will introduce students to all the areas that make up Speech/Forensics.
ADVANCED FORENSICS | Forensics, sometimes called Speech or Speech and Debate, is a competitive co-curricular activity governed by KSHSAA, the same body that makes the rules for all sports across Kansas. There are eleven (11) events that fall into three (3) broad categories: Acting, Reading, and Speaking. This class is a continuation of Forensics.