Language arts
course descriptions
A-B: This applies to year-long courses. A=fall term, B=spring term.
Language arts (required courses)
FRESHMAN ENGLISH A–B (0400 and 0401)
Year: 2 credits
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: none
Freshman English students will learn and practice writing skills, with emphasis on the 6+ traits, reading comprehension, writing mechanics, and vocabulary. Literature from anthologies will be read to stimulate interest in writing and values, and also to develop vocabulary. A research project is required. This course is required of all ninth grade students except those taking Honors Freshman English.
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: none
Freshman English students will learn and practice writing skills, with emphasis on the 6+ traits, reading comprehension, writing mechanics, and vocabulary. Literature from anthologies will be read to stimulate interest in writing and values, and also to develop vocabulary. A research project is required. This course is required of all ninth grade students except those taking Honors Freshman English.
SOPHOMORE ENGLISH A–B (0402 and 0403)
Year: 2 credits
Grade Level: 10
Prerequisite: none
Continuation of skill development from English 9 with emphasis on competent and correct writing, including a research project and using the 6+ traits. Literature will be used to enhance reading, speaking and listening skills, and vocabulary studied. This course is required of all tenth grade students except those taking Honors Sophomore English.
Grade Level: 10
Prerequisite: none
Continuation of skill development from English 9 with emphasis on competent and correct writing, including a research project and using the 6+ traits. Literature will be used to enhance reading, speaking and listening skills, and vocabulary studied. This course is required of all tenth grade students except those taking Honors Sophomore English.
JUNIOR ENGLISH A–B (0404 and 0405)
Year: 2 credits
Grade Level: 11
Prerequisite: none
Introduction to American Literature. Students will examine novels, short stories, poetry, essays, plays, and films. The focus will be placed on reading, discussing, and writing, with an emphasis on argumentation and professional writing skills and the 6+ writing traits. This course is required of all eleventh grade students except those taking Honors Junior English.
Grade Level: 11
Prerequisite: none
Introduction to American Literature. Students will examine novels, short stories, poetry, essays, plays, and films. The focus will be placed on reading, discussing, and writing, with an emphasis on argumentation and professional writing skills and the 6+ writing traits. This course is required of all eleventh grade students except those taking Honors Junior English.
SENIOR ENGLISH A–B (0406 and 0407)
Year: 2 credits
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: none
Introduction to British literature and selected world literature. Students will examine novels, short stories, poetry, essays, plays, and films. The focus will be placed on reading, discussion, and written responses. A research paper is required. This course is required of all twelfth grade students except those taking Honors Senior English.
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: none
Introduction to British literature and selected world literature. Students will examine novels, short stories, poetry, essays, plays, and films. The focus will be placed on reading, discussion, and written responses. A research paper is required. This course is required of all twelfth grade students except those taking Honors Senior English.
Honors English
It is the purpose of the English Department to provide a complete and comprehensive education in the language arts. To this end all students are required to enroll in grade-appropriate English courses. In addition, advanced sections will be offered as well as various electives. Sections of advanced will be limited in order to 1.) Ensure good students in all English classes, and 2.) Allow for a more intense work- load in the advanced sections. Students are considered on the basis of their professed and observable motivation in the course of study. This cannot always be ascertained by previous grades received or by class ranking. It is the purpose of the advanced courses to offer more extensive study to those motivated to challenge themselves no matter their relative ability, to create a class in which motivated students receive extensive and challenging course work in addition to the requirements of the standard classes. Standing in the advanced section will be evaluated at semester and will not be an automatic qualifier for the following year. The basic criteria for selection will continue to be student motivation and enthusiasm for the subject matter and not class ranking or relative ability.
honors FRESHMAN ENGLISH A-B (0410 and 0411)
Year: 2 credits
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into class
Honors Freshman English students will explore literature and its impact on our lives. Students will study mythology, poetry, short stories, dramas, novels, and films to foster critical, creative, and analytical thinking skills. This course is for students who demonstrate superior ability and curiosity about the world and their relationship to it. By progressing through a differentiated and more advanced curriculum, students will show mastery in the basic skills in the Language Arts program (see English 9) as well as the skills in the honors curriculum. Reading instruction will extend understanding of literary elements and language, while writing instruction will extend student development in the three modes of writing as outlined by the CCSS: narrative, explanatory, and argumentative. In addition, students will develop skills in critical thinking, effective discourse, collaboration, reflection, and CCSS Language standards. Students will be held to higher expectations to foster and to support the demands of a collegiate future
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into class
Honors Freshman English students will explore literature and its impact on our lives. Students will study mythology, poetry, short stories, dramas, novels, and films to foster critical, creative, and analytical thinking skills. This course is for students who demonstrate superior ability and curiosity about the world and their relationship to it. By progressing through a differentiated and more advanced curriculum, students will show mastery in the basic skills in the Language Arts program (see English 9) as well as the skills in the honors curriculum. Reading instruction will extend understanding of literary elements and language, while writing instruction will extend student development in the three modes of writing as outlined by the CCSS: narrative, explanatory, and argumentative. In addition, students will develop skills in critical thinking, effective discourse, collaboration, reflection, and CCSS Language standards. Students will be held to higher expectations to foster and to support the demands of a collegiate future
honors SOPHOMORE ENGLISH A–B (0412 and 0413)
Year: 2 credits
Grade Level: 10
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into the class
Honors Sophomore English explores contemporary issues. Students will study literature that is relevant to issues beyond students’ personal views and opinions, issues that reach into their community and region. They will analyze this literature closely, will write in a variety of forms, emphasizing the 6+ traits of writing, for a variety of audiences, including a research paper which accesses nonfiction sources relevant to contemporary issues, and will emphasize clarity, correctness and valid evidence in their writing.
Grade Level: 10
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into the class
Honors Sophomore English explores contemporary issues. Students will study literature that is relevant to issues beyond students’ personal views and opinions, issues that reach into their community and region. They will analyze this literature closely, will write in a variety of forms, emphasizing the 6+ traits of writing, for a variety of audiences, including a research paper which accesses nonfiction sources relevant to contemporary issues, and will emphasize clarity, correctness and valid evidence in their writing.
honors JUNIOR ENGLISH A–B (0414 and 0415)
Year: 2 credits
Grade Level: 11
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into the class
Dual Credit: Dual credit may be taken through College of Western Idaho dependent upon age/grade
This course introduces American literary genres (novel, short story, drama, and poetry) and provides the student with the terminology and standard techniques of literary analysis and explanation. This course also develops skills within technical and persuasive writing. Students will produce writing that is applicable to educational, professional, and public settings. Emphasis will be placed on the 6+ traits of writing. First semester is offered for three (3) CWI credits for Technical Writing, and second semester is offered for three (3) CWI credits for Introduction to Literature. This may meet the Senior Project requirements for graduation.
Grade Level: 11
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into the class
Dual Credit: Dual credit may be taken through College of Western Idaho dependent upon age/grade
This course introduces American literary genres (novel, short story, drama, and poetry) and provides the student with the terminology and standard techniques of literary analysis and explanation. This course also develops skills within technical and persuasive writing. Students will produce writing that is applicable to educational, professional, and public settings. Emphasis will be placed on the 6+ traits of writing. First semester is offered for three (3) CWI credits for Technical Writing, and second semester is offered for three (3) CWI credits for Introduction to Literature. This may meet the Senior Project requirements for graduation.
honors SENIOR ENGLISH A–B (0416 and 0417)
Year: 2 credits
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into the class
Dual Credit: Dual credit may be taken through BSU
A college-level class (college credit is optional). Honors Senior English is a workshop based course that builds critical thinking and autonomy for student writers. While we analyze a variety of short and long texts, we learn to read like writers and to produce narrative, expository, and argumentative pieces that are appropriate for a wide variety of rhetorical situations. Students will learn valuable skills for conducting scholarly research that will provide a solid foundation for success at the college level.
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into the class
Dual Credit: Dual credit may be taken through BSU
A college-level class (college credit is optional). Honors Senior English is a workshop based course that builds critical thinking and autonomy for student writers. While we analyze a variety of short and long texts, we learn to read like writers and to produce narrative, expository, and argumentative pieces that are appropriate for a wide variety of rhetorical situations. Students will learn valuable skills for conducting scholarly research that will provide a solid foundation for success at the college level.
FUNDAMENTALS OF Oral COMMUNICATION (0450)
Semester: 1 credit
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: none
Dual Credit: Dual credit may be taken through College of Western Idaho dependent upon age/grade
Note: This class is mandatory for graduation and meets the Senior Project requirements for graduation.
This course is intended to improve your communication abilities in a variety of academic, social, personal, and business settings. Emphasis is placed on the communication process, public address, small-group discussion, and listening.
Alternative: Ten (10) credits of Ag meets this requirement. This option is not eligible for dual credit through CWI.
HSB Marketing (0229) meets this requirement. This option is not eligible for dual credit through CWI.
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: none
Dual Credit: Dual credit may be taken through College of Western Idaho dependent upon age/grade
Note: This class is mandatory for graduation and meets the Senior Project requirements for graduation.
This course is intended to improve your communication abilities in a variety of academic, social, personal, and business settings. Emphasis is placed on the communication process, public address, small-group discussion, and listening.
Alternative: Ten (10) credits of Ag meets this requirement. This option is not eligible for dual credit through CWI.
HSB Marketing (0229) meets this requirement. This option is not eligible for dual credit through CWI.
language arts (elective courses)
THESE CLASSES WILL NOT SUBSTITUTE FOR CORE ENGLISH CREDITS
CREATIVE WRITING (0434)
Semester: 1 credit
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite : none
Experiment with many kinds of creative writing, including short stories and poetry. Write for and to an audience – be ready to share your work. Writing guidelines come from the teacher, but the subjects and contents come from the student. Grading is based not on individual skill level, but on production and improvement.
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite : none
Experiment with many kinds of creative writing, including short stories and poetry. Write for and to an audience – be ready to share your work. Writing guidelines come from the teacher, but the subjects and contents come from the student. Grading is based not on individual skill level, but on production and improvement.
READER’S CHOICE BOOKS (0456)
Semester: 1 credit
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: none
Design your own reading list and spend most of the course time in quiet, individual reading. Expect to read extensively, and to respond in writing to what you read.
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: none
Design your own reading list and spend most of the course time in quiet, individual reading. Expect to read extensively, and to respond in writing to what you read.
Writing the Novel (0431)
Semester: 1 credit
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
This class is intended for students with an interest in creative writing and who wish to write a novel. The course will guide students through the steps of novel writing and culminate with the completion of one full-length novel manuscript (30,000-50,000 words, depending on personal goals individually set). Fast-paced and intense, this course will initially focus on quantity over quality to teach habits and to establish that a product cannot be molded until it has form. The end of the course will emphasize quality during the revision process.
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
This class is intended for students with an interest in creative writing and who wish to write a novel. The course will guide students through the steps of novel writing and culminate with the completion of one full-length novel manuscript (30,000-50,000 words, depending on personal goals individually set). Fast-paced and intense, this course will initially focus on quantity over quality to teach habits and to establish that a product cannot be molded until it has form. The end of the course will emphasize quality during the revision process.
ANNUAL STAFF A–B (0480 and 0481)
Year: 2 credits
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into the class
In this class, students will learn page design and editing while creating an innovative book which records school memories and events. This class emphasizes computer-generated layouts using Adobe In Design software and digital photography. Precise attention must be paid to grammar and information gathering. Participants learn useful, real-world skills in time management, marketing, teamwork, and photography.
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Sign up only if you were accepted into the class
In this class, students will learn page design and editing while creating an innovative book which records school memories and events. This class emphasizes computer-generated layouts using Adobe In Design software and digital photography. Precise attention must be paid to grammar and information gathering. Participants learn useful, real-world skills in time management, marketing, teamwork, and photography.