English Language Arts

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 9

This course addresses the study of genres and asks students to construct meaning in their study of fiction and non-fiction.  Students utilize written analysis, group discussion and formal presentation.  Student writing encompasses literary analysis; sequencing of assignments from the basics of paragraph construction to the production of substantially more complex multi-paragraph essays.  Students are also given the opportunity to practice expository writing skills. The ELA 9 program focuses primarily on the development of critical thinking/problem solving, communication and interpretation.  A 95% or better in this course, teacher recommendation and a high score on the Entrance Exam are the prerequisites for English Language Arts 10 Honors in the sophomore year.

Grade: 9                               Year                                       UC/CSU – b

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 9, HONORS

Prerequisite:  95% or better in the previous English class, recommendation of 8^th grade teacher, high test scores, and excellent work habits qualify students for this course.

This course is geared for the highly motivated and talented student who has a passion for literature and critical thinking.  A 95% or better in this course, a high score on the entrance exam and a teacher recommendation are the prerequisites for English Language Arts 10 Honors.

Grade: 9                               Year UC/CSU (This course does not have weighted grading.)

RESOURCE ENGLISH 9/ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 9

This course addresses the study of genres and asks students to construct meaning in their study of fiction and non-fiction.  Students utilize written analysis, group discussion and formal presentation.  Student writing encompasses literary analysis; sequencing of assignments from the basics of paragraph construction to the production of substantially more complex multi-paragraph essays.  Students are also given the opportunity to practice expository writing skills. The ELA 9 program focuses primarily on the development of critical thinking/problem solving, communication and interpretation. This class will be modified and accommodated to meet the individual needs of the students.  This class is only available by recommendation of the student’s IEP team. This class does not meet the UC/CSU “a-g” requirements.

Grades: 9                             Year

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 10

This course addresses a high level of development in composition, critical thinking, vocabulary, mechanical, and grammatical skills.  Students must independently read and write at a highly proficient level. In terms of performance outcomes, the program focuses on the development of critical thinking/problem solving, communication, and interpretation.

Grade: 10                             Year                                       UC/CSU – b

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 10, HONORS

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and a grade of 95% or better in the ELA 9 Honors class.

This is an intensive course geared for the highly motivated and talented student who has a passion for literature and critical thinking. Students must maintain a “B” grade or better to remain in this course.

Grade: 10                             Year                                       UC/CSU – b (This course does not have weighted grading.)

 RESOURCE ENGLISH 10/ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 10

This course addresses a high level of development in composition, critical thinking, vocabulary, mechanical, and grammatical skills.  Students must independently read and write at a highly proficient level. In terms of performance outcomes, the program focuses on the development of critical thinking/problem solving, communication, and interpretation. This class will be modified and accommodated to meet the individual needs of the students. This class is only available by recommendation of the student’s IEP team. This class does not meet the UC/CSU “a-g” requirements.

Grade: 10                             Year

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 11

This course focuses on the advanced study of traditional and contemporary American Literature as well as informative, non-fiction reading materials. There is an emphasis on composition writing, including literary analysis and persuasive writing. Students will also develop speaking, listening and vocabulary skills.

Grade: 11                              Year                                       UC/CSU – b

AP AMERICAN STUDIES

AP American Studies is a cohort where you are concurrently enrolled in AP US History with Mr. Coyne  &  AP Language and Composition with Ms. Thompson.  This cohort is designed to provide students with an in-depth approach to history, studying historical documents and primary sources from both a historical and a literary perspective and investigating cultural implications of historic events. Through a heavy emphasis on teaching analytical skills, critical thinking, and composition, these concurrent courses prepare students to take the AP USH and AP Lang exams in May. It is recommended that students taking AP American Studies be strong independent readers.

Grade: 11                              Year

AP LANGUAGE and COMPOSITION

Recommendation: Grade of “B” or better in the previous English class

This course introduces students to the major works of American Literature and prepares them to take the AP exam in language and composition.  The readings for the class are substantial as are the essays and the many other assignments required for this course.

Grades: 11,12                      Year                                       UC/CSU – b

RESOURCE ENGLISH 11/ ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 11

This course focuses on the advanced study of traditional and contemporary American Literature as well as informative, non-fiction reading materials. There is an emphasis on composition writing, including literary analysis and persuasive writing. Students will also develop speaking, listening and vocabulary skills. This class will be modified and accommodated to meet the individual needs of the students. This class is only available by recommendation of the student’s IEP team. This class does not meet the UC/CSU “a-g” requirements.

Grade: 11                              Year

EXPOSITORY READING & WRITING COURSE

The goal of the Expository Reading and Writing Course is to prepare college-bound seniors for the literacy demands of higher education.  Through a sequence of instructional modules, students in this yearlong, rhetoric-based course develop advanced proficiency in expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing.  Students will be expected to increase their awareness of the rhetorical strategies employed by authors and to apply those strategies in their own writing.  Course texts include contemporary essays, newspaper and magazine articles, editorials, reports, biographies, memos, assorted public documents, and other nonfiction texts.

Grade: 12                             Year                                       UC/CSU – b

SENIOR SEMINAR in LITERATURE

This senior English course is designed to integrate reading, writing and thinking through the use of fiction and non-fiction sources and focuses on English and American Literature-both classical and contemporary-with modern references to expository articles and books.  This course also emphasizes critical thinking through discussion and writing activities that correlate to the idea that literature expresses the human condition.  This course replaces British Literature.

Grades: 12                           Year                                       UC/CSU – b

AP LITERATURE and COMPOSITION

Recommendation: Grade of “B” or better in the previous English class.

This college-level literature course is a survey of Senior Seminar in Literature, with a few texts from American literature. It demands exceptional motivation and ability in writing and analytical thinking.  It is designed to enable students to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Literature and Composition.

Grades: 11,12                      Year                                       UC/CSU – b

RESOURCE ENGLISH 12

This course is designed to integrate reading, writing, and thinking. This course focuses on English and American Literature, both classical and contemporary. It emphasizes critical thinking through discussion and writing activities that respond to literature. This class will be modified and accommodated to meet the individual needs of the students. This class is only available by recommendation of the student’s IEP team. This class does not meet the UC/CSU “a-g” requirements.

Grade: 12                             Year

CREATIVE WRITING

Prerequisite:  Teacher recommendation and a desire to write poems, journals, stories, fiction, and non-fiction.

This course is for students who enjoy expressing themselves through writing. Students learn traditional and experimental styles. Students publish their own work and study writers and what they have given to society. Units are divided into the different forms of literature (plays, short stories, poetry, screenplays, etc.), focusing on what makes a successful, creative story or poem. This is an elective course. It does not fulfill the Language Arts requirement for graduation.

Grades: 11,12                      Year                                       UC/CSU – b

JOURNALISM

Prerequisite:  Consent of the Journalism teacher

This course is for students interested in practical writing experiences.  Journalism does not teach writing, but teaches journalistic writing techniques. Students read newspapers and magazines, study journalistic techniques, and produce a school newspaper by second quarter. This is an elective course. It does not fulfill the Language Arts requirement for graduation.

Grades: 10,11,12                                Year                                       UC/CSU – b

JOURNALISTIC PUBLICATIONS: EDITING, DESIGN AND MGMT  (YEARBOOK)

Prerequisite: Students must have Yearbook advisers signed approval, a completed application/interview, transcript, evaluation of attendance, and teacher recommendation. Recommendation: Completion of: Art, Art Design, Digital Media, and upper level English courses. Daily attendance and punctuality is crucial.

Students plan and design the award winning BHS Yearbook. Strong writing, design, photography, and time management skills are essential. Students must be motivated self-starters and have the ability to show initiative and work independently. This course meets the “G” College Prep electives course admissions requirement.

Grades: 9,10,11,12            Year                                       UC/CSU – b

SPEECH & DEBATE

Speech and Debate is a course primarily designed to build the skills necessary for public speaking and debating contemporary issues. Foundational to building those skills will be the study of historical and contemporary speeches and debates.  Historical context will be embedded in that study.  But students will primarily learn to become skilled speakers and debaters.

Grades: 11,12                      Year                                       UC/CSU  – g