Language Arts Course Descriptions
Course Name and Credit: LANGUAGE ARTS 9-1
LANGUAGE ARTS 9-2
LANGUAGE ARTS 9-3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
9
9
9
Course Description: This course is designed to help students reach grade-level, Iowa Core College and Career
Readiness Standards in Reading/Literature, Reading/Informational Text, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and
Language. Students will learn close analytic reading in literary and informative texts; write argument,
informative/explanatory texts, and narratives; learn to support opinions in speaking and writing with specific details
drawn from sources; and study the rules and craft of language. Attention will be given to acquisition of academic
vocabulary as well as deepened understanding of both general vocabulary and vocabulary related specifically to the
study of language arts.
Course Name and Credit: LANGUAGE ARTS 10-1
LANGUAGE ARTS 10-2
LANGUAGE ARTS 10-3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
10
10
10
Course Description: This course is designed to help students reach grade-level, Iowa Core College and Career
Readiness Standards in Reading/Literature, Reading/Informational Text, Writing, Speaking, and Listening, and
Language. Students will learn close analytic reading in literary and informative texts; write argument,
informative/explanatory texts, and narratives; learn to support opinions in speaking and writing with specific details
drawn from sources; and study the rules and craft of language. Attention will be given to acquisition of academic
vocabulary as well as deepened understanding of both general vocabulary and vocabulary related specifically to the
study of language arts.
Course Name and Credit: PERSPECTIVES IN LITERATURE & COMPOSITION 1
PERSPECTIVES IN LITERATURE & COMPOSITION 2
PERSPECTIVES IN LITERATURE & COMPOSITION 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
11-12
11-12
11-12
Course Description: This course is designed to help students reach grade-level, Iowa Core College and Career
Readiness Standards in Reading/Literature, Reading/Informational Text, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and
Language. Students will learn close analytic reading in literary and informative texts; write argument,
informative/explanatory texts, and narratives; learn to support opinions in speaking and writing with specific details
drawn from sources; and study the rules and craft of language. Attention will be given to acquisition of academic
vocabulary as well as deepened understanding of both general vocabulary and vocabulary related specifically to the
study of language arts. Students in this class will study recurring themes in texts from the United States and around
the world. Literary works, will, for the most part, be selected from texts published since 1950 and will include fiction
and non-fiction, print and non-print sources. Students will demonstrate their knowledge through creative,
expository, and argumentative writing, formal and informal speaking and the production of media texts.
Course Name and Credit: US HUMANITIES AND COMPOSITION 1
US HUMANITIES AND COMPOSITION 2
US HUMANITIES AND COMPOSITION 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
11-12
11-12
11-12
Course Description: This course is designed to help students reach grade-level, Iowa Core College and Career
Readiness Standards in Reading/Literature, Reading/Informational Text, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and
Language. Students will learn close analytic reading in literary and informative texts; write argument,
informative/explanatory texts, and narratives; learn to support opinions in speaking and writing with specific details
drawn from sources; and study the rules and craft of language. Attention will be given to acquisition of academic
vocabulary as well as deepened understanding of both general vocabulary and vocabulary related specifically to the
study of language arts. Students will explore literature, music, visual arts, and dance of the United States, from
historical through contemporary times. They will research and respond to the components of the course through a
variety of assignments, both written and oral. Resources will include many cultural influences found in the United
States, both past and present.
Language Arts Course Descriptions
Course Name and Credit: WORLD HUMANITIES & COMPOSITION 1
WORLD HUMANITIES & COMPOSITION 2
WORLD HUMANITIES & COMPOSITION 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
11-12
11-12
11-12
Course Description: This course is designed to help students reach grade-level, Iowa Core College and Career
Readiness Standards in Reading/Literature, Reading/Informational Text, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and
Language. Students will learn close analytic reading in literary and informative texts; write argument,
informative/explanatory texts, and narratives; learn to support opinions in speaking and writing with specific details
drawn from sources; and study the rules and craft of language. Attention will be given to acquisition of academic
vocabulary as well as deepened understanding of both general vocabulary and vocabulary related specifically to the
study of language arts. Students will read, analyze and interpret art, music, architecture, and literature from a wide
variety of cultures and historical periods. Students will respond to these work in written compositions and oral
presentations. Students will use various media resources for investigations, study, and communication of ideas.
Course Name and Credit: A.P. ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION 1
A.P. ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION 2
A.P. ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
10-12
10-12
10-12
Course Description: This college-level class is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Exam in
English Language and Composition. Students will study a variety of analytic and persuasive writing drawn from
various genres and time periods, as well as write original essays of analysis and argument. This course focuses on
the study of language and rhetoric. This course is designed to help students reach grade level, Iowa Core College
and Career Readiness Standards in Reading/Literature, Reading/Informational Text, Writing, Speaking and Listening,
and Language. Students will learn close analytic reading in literary and informative texts; write argument,
informative/explanatory texts, and narratives; learn to support opinions in speaking and writing with specific details
drawn from sources; and study the rules and craft of language. Attention will be given to acquisition of academic
vocabulary as well as deepened understanding of both general vocabulary and vocabulary related specifically to the
study of language arts
Course Name and Credit: A.P. ENGLISH LITERATURE COMPOSITION 1
A.P. ENGLISH LITERATURE COMPOSITION 2
A.P. ENGLISH LITERATURE COMPOSITION 3
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
12
12
12
Course Description: This college-level class is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Exam in
English Literature and Composition. This rigorous course focuses on the close reading of literature selected for its
social, literary, and historic value. Students will hone their thinking and writing skills by preparing essays of literary
analysis, formal exposition, argument, and research. Students will participate in large and small group discussion,
oratory, and dramatic performance. Text also will include film and live performances of literary works. This course is
designed to help students reach grade-level, Iowa Core College and Career Readiness Standards in
Reading/Literature, Reading/Informational Text, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language. Students will learn
close analytic reading in literary and informative texts; write argument, informative/explanatory texts, and
narratives; learn to support opinions in speaking and writing with specific details drawn from sources; and study the
rules and craft of language. Attention will be given to acquisition of academic vocabulary as well as deepened
understanding of both general vocabulary and vocabulary related specifically to the study of language arts.
.Course Name and Credit: ACTING
5 CREDITS
9-12
Course Description: (Elective) This course helps students develop various performance skills, including pantomime,
improvisation, character development, and script interpretation.
Course Name and Credit: BEGINNING DEBATE
5 CREDITS
9-12
Course Description: (Elective) This course is for students interested in acquiring and applying the basic concepts and
theories of debate and discussion.
Language Arts Course Descriptions
Course Name and Credit: CREATIVE WRITING
5 CREDITS
9-12
Course Description: (Elective) This course is for students interested in developing skills in creative writing and
teaches the application of writing skills selected from the following areas: descriptive writing, personal essay, drama,
short story, and poetry.
Course Name and Credit: JOURNALISM
5 CREDITS
9-12
Course Description: (Elective) This course develops journalistic writing skills and teaches important elements of
newspaper writing: editorial, feature, news articles, and basic techniques of reporting.
Course Name and Credit: JOURNALISM-NEWSPAPER (TORCH)
JOURNALISM-NEWSPAPER (TORCH)
2.5 CREDITS
5 CREDITS
9-12
9-12
Course Description: (Elective) Prerequisite: Journalism. In this course, students who have shown interest and ability
in journalistic writing will refine their journalistic skills and produce the school newspaper.
Course Name and Credit: LITERARY MAGAZINE PRODUCTION
2.5 CREDITS
9-12
Course Description: (Elective) This course is for students interested in literary magazine production. Students will
acquire practical knowledge and experience in literary magazine production.
Course Name and Credit: READING WORKSHOP
5 CREDITS
9-12
Course Description: (Elective) This course is for students who wish to pursue an independent reading program
designed by the student and instructor and to meet the goals of students enrolled through scheduled oral
conferences and written evaluations. The books read are from suggested lists with student input and instructor
supervision.
Course Name and Credit: STAGECRAFT
5 CREDITS
9-12
Course Description: (Elective) This course is for students interested in studying the technical aspects of theatre. Class
time will be divided between classroom studies and backstage work in the theatre.