English - Electives

Students develop their speaking skills, as well as learn the dynamics of speech and the categories of speech (forensics) competition. Students participate in the creative processes of oral interpretation.

Students write and revise extensively to develop voice and style as experiment with a variety of subjects, genres, techniques, purposes, and audiences producing polished writing in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Students will submit their work for publication in the school's literary magazine.

Students who have completed the first level of Creative Writing refine their skills in writing and revising to further develop their style. They examine the composing processes of professional writers and participate in the process of producing a literary magazine.

Students who did not pass the 8th grade language arts SOLs or are two or more years below grade level in reading are required to participate in this remedial program which does not replace English 9. Students work intensely with reading comprehension strategies and the writing domains in a small class setting. An opportunity to retake the 8th grade SOLs is offered in the spring.

Students reinforce, refine, and expand the speaking skills learned in An Introduction to Speech Communication. They further develop their abilities to compete in intra-scholastic contests in Forensics, Student Congress, Lincoln-Douglas, and Policy Debate.

Global Connections in Multicultural Literature is a junior/senior enrichment course designed to immerse students in the lifestyles, cultures, traditions, and experiences of various ethnic groups within American culture through the study of representative literature, field trips, speakers, and projects. Students broaden their understanding of multicultural literature by drawing upon personal experiences, discussions, and presentations as they expand their understanding of America's diverse and changing society.

To develop basic skills in journalism, students study and write news, feature, sports, editorial, and other forms of journalistic articles. They study interviewing, various types of research, legal rights and responsibilities, page design, photography, desktop publishing and advertising. They produce articles for publication in the mass media.

Students produce a news publication. Working cooperatively, students apply skills and techniques learned in Journalism 1.

Students learn editorial leadership, develop a sense of professionalism, understand the role of the newspaper in our society, and develop more fully as productive members of the publication staff. Students serve as leaders, mentors, and peer tutors. They may also represent the newspaper staff in the community by writing for the professional press in stringer or internship positions, and/or serve as tutors in neighboring middle schools.

Students study and practice the skills necessary for improving scores on the PSAT - SAT® tests.

Students learn various aspects of publication while assisting in the production of the high school yearbook. Students participate in each step of production from planning the ladder diagram to distribution of the completed publication. This course may be taken more than once for credit.

Students develop and reinforce basic reading and study skills. They learn techniques applicable to content reading and they develop word analysis and comprehension skills.