Language Arts

Teaching Staff

The language arts program develops competence in speaking, reading, writing, listening and thinking; the course develops these skills through instruction in grammar, vocabulary, literature, writing, speaking and problem-solving and related communication skills. Provisions are made for wide-ranging abilities. Media Center instruction is a vital part of the program. In addition, a summer reading and writing program is mandatory in all required courses. All students take traditional language arts courses and may choose among several full-year elective courses in the department. In addition, there is a four-year Honors/Advanced Placement sequence.

Course Offerings

Language Arts I (5 credits)
This course is a predominantly skills-oriented course, emphasizing grammar review, writing skills, and mechanics. Students participate in oral communications activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on vocabulary development. Literature stresses genres (short story, poetry, novel, play, essay) as literary types; students are expected to know a considerable list of literary terms. Many activities will prepare the students for the High School Proficiency Examination.

Language Arts I Honors (5 credits)
This course is designed to meet the needs of the most academic, industrious and well-motivated students. The Honors sections will follow the basic language arts program of study, but will go into greater depth, require more time for writing and research, emphasize outside readings and place more demands on the students' ability to conceptualize and draw conclusions from their reading and research. To enroll in this course, students need to be recommended by their eighth grade language arts teacher.

Language Arts II (5 credits)
Language Arts II continues the genre approach to literature begun in Language Arts I. Considerable time is devoted to classics in an eclectic approach. Some aspects of English mechanics are reviewed. New studies concentrate on phrasal and clausal constructions, the writing of more complex sentences, and a specific program in expository writing. Oral presentations are also expected of all students. Greek and Latin roots are reviewed as part of extensive vocabulary study. Both Language Arts I and Language Arts II will place emphasis on preparing students for the High School Proficiency Assessment to be given in the junior year.

Language Arts II Honors (5 credits)
This course is designed for a selected group of students to engage in an accelerated study of American Literature. Emphasis will be placed on advanced writing techniques, particularly expository and theses writing, with an extensive research paper required. Students will also be required to demonstrate competence in communication skills both as an individual and as part of the classroom structure. Students enrolled in this course will either have successfully completed the Language Arts I Honors course or, in special cases, may apply for acceptance in the preceding spring.

Language Arts III (5 credits)
Language Arts III examines American Literature from the early 1600's to the present, including the study of the chronological development of a national literature, literary movements, and outstanding American writers. A theses research paper is required. English mechanics are again reviewed as needed, and more advanced vocabulary studies are offered. Communication activities are continued, with formal speeches and, in some cases, debates, including instruction in and review of preparation and delivery techniques. Extensive activities prepare the students for the High School Proficiency Assessment and the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

Language Arts III Honors (5 credits)
This course is designed for those students who have successfully completed two years of Language Arts Honors. Designed toward a more vigorous study of literature and language, teaching strategies will be employed to allow the intellectually gifted students to progress at their own rate as they participate in a seminar type approach. Extensive research projects are related to each unit, as well as research papers. Skills developed in the previous two years will be reinforced and further refined. This course focuses on an extensive study of English literature.

Language Arts IV (5 credits)
In addition to reinforcing those skills (reading, writing and listening, etc.) which have been developed in LA I, LA II, and LA III, this course will have as its emphasis the study of the literature of the world. This study of World Literature will be directed at the ability and interest level of the particular class grouping of students. In the first semester students will explore the literature and culture of the ancient East through the times of the Greeks and Romans. In the second semester students will study the literature of Europe beginning in the Middle Ages to the Modern Age.

Advanced Placement Language Arts IV (5 credits)
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed the Honors programs in Language Arts I, II and III. The AP LA IV course will be aligned with the national Advanced Placement course descriptions and will prepare the students to take the AP ENGLISH EXAM given in May. Emphasis in the course is placed upon the development of civilization through the study of literature, art, philosophy, political science, and other academic disciplines related to the study of humanity. Extensive projects are related to the units of study and students are expected to write college-level essays and reaction papers. Vocabulary enrichment, oral exercises, critical thinking, and growth in cultural literacy will be stressed.

Elective courses are available to all sophomore, junior and senior students and are highly recommended for those students who have an interest or expertise in the subject area. Electives which meet 5 periods per week will carry all 5 credits and will be counted towards graduation. However, courses designated as electives do not by themselves satisfy the Language Arts requirements necessary for graduation.

Art of Writing (5 credits)
This course is intended to provide students with composition skills necessary to produce compositions with a specific purpose. A workshop format will be the basis for instruction and students will be expected to critique their own and their fellow students' writing. The course will begin with the explanation of writing from experience and move to such writing tasks as exposition, description, and narration. A great emphasis will be placed on the technique of revision. In addition, the course will thoroughly review the writing of a research paper, use MLA documentation and the computer.

Journalism (5 credits)
Through a study primarily of print journalism, the course is designed to develop students' language skills, computer skills, and critical thinking. Since most of society's perception of America derives from the media, students need to develop skills that will enable them to become informed consumers of the media. This course enables students to understand the purposes, successes and failures of the media. Students will discuss legal and ethical aspects of the media as they understand the critical role of journalism in a democracy. In addition, they will generate story ideas, interview sources, and use the writing process to write meaningful articles. Computer instruction will allow students to access a wide range of information and to write articles using updated software programs. Basic writing skills are required.

Theater Arts (5 credits)
Theater Arts is a academic workshop course touching all aspects of theater arts and production, including a survey of drama-theater history, theater architecture, acting, playwriting and production, house management, design and directing. While some instruction is accomplished through lecture-discussion and assigned reading, the basic approach is workshop, in which extensive participation is expected of all class members.