by Adam Deidel

February 13, 2008

Requirement: for ALL Freshmen

This course offers students greater opportunities for the study of literature literary terms as they apply to themes in literature, research, expository writing, vocabulary enhancement and improvement of study skills. A research project is required for this course to address the NE State Standards.

This course reviews skills necessary for English 10 by continued study of literature, research, expository writing, and vocabulary enhancement. A research project is required for this class.

Requirement: for ALL Freshmen, graduation requirement

This course will provide instruction and practice in basic communication skills: verbal and non - verbal communication, listening, group discussing and public speaking. Students will give impromptu, informative and persuasive speeches.

Beginning Debate is a course in argumentation, logical thinking, and speaking skills. It teaches a student to analyze problems and reach a logical solution. The student can convey this through the art of speaking. It teaches the student to research, think, and express oneself. It also offers opportunities for competition against other schools. Debate can be taken for six terms if the student so desires.

This course, which can be taken for six terms (2 terms per year), continues the study of debate theory. Speaking, thinking, and research skills will be expanded upon. Individual speaking events will be explored and practiced. The student will compete against other schools on a competitive level in both speech and debate. Students who have taken Beginning Debate or have been on the speech team are eligible for this class.

Requirement: Basic Communication

This is a one-term course designed to teach the basic fundamentals of the theater, both as an actor and as an audience. A student is exposed to directions, memorizing of lines, and learning the wants, needs, and ideals of theater audience. Performances in these areas are required.

Requirement: Beginning Acting

This course will go into greater detail in the history of drama, the different types of drama, the audience, its likes and dislikes, and the idea of "You as a critic of the Theater." The student will learn and use techniques for believable theater. The student will memorize lines, perform, write and direct acting scenes

 Requirement: Must have successfully completed English 9

This course will continue the study of literature. Students will read a selection of short stories, drama, poetry, nonfiction and novels. Students will write expository essays, developing themes from the literature. A research paper is required.

Requirement: Must have successfully completed English 9

This is a college preparatory course designed for sophomores who anticipate entering an academic college after graduation. As an intensive study of novels, short stories, plays and poetry, it stresses composition assignments which are rigorous and require a genuine desire to write skillfully. A research paper is required for this course as well.

 Requirement: Must have successfully completed English 10

This course is a general survey of selected American writers and their literature. Students enrolled in this course will read various novels, short stories, and poetry and write expository essays based on the ideas and concepts of the literature. A research paper is required for this course.

Requirement: Must have successfully completed English 10

Advanced English 11 is a requirement for admission into Advanced Composition or AP Literature and Compositon unless permission is granted by instructors of these courses. This college preparatory course is designed for juniors who anticipate entering an academic college after graduation. As an intensive study of novels, short stories, plays and poetry, it stresses composition assignments, which are comparable college level work. A research paper is required for this course.

English 12 is a literature and writing course. Written expression will include poetry and expository essays. Practical application of language skills as well as critical thinking will be stressed. This course will also emphasize reading skills, vocabulary and analytical thinking. A research project is required.

Requirement: Must have taken both English 10 and Advanced English 11 and passed both with a minimum of a "C" average or permission of the instructor.

Advanced Composition is a class designed to help the college-bound student make a successful transition into post- secondary education. As such, this class defines the prevalent forms of expository prose used in post-secondary education: the paragraph, the journal, the essay, the critical analysis and the research paper. Specifically, the student will write a number of paragraphs and essays using a variety of developmental methods, write a critical analysis of a short story and of a novel, write a position paper, and write a research paper. All documentation will be conducted according to MLA guidelines of which the student should have some prior knowledge.

This course involves writing, editing and layout techniques for high school publications. The class requires quite a bit of writing as well as other techniques needed to prepare both newspapers and yearbooks.

Requirements: Minimum of an A or B in Beginning Journalism or instructor permission.

Newspaper Staff members write, edit and do page layout and computer preparation of high school newspaper. Extensive computer work is required.

Requirements: Minimum of an A or B in Beginning Journalism or instructor permission.

Yearbook Staff members write copy and headlines, design computer layouts, take and crop pictures, and work with digital photos. Extensive computer work is required.