English/Language Arts Courses

Please Note:

  • The valedictorian and the salutatorian of each graduating class must take the highest levels of English offered.
Course: Genre Literature/English I
Prerequisite: None
1 Credit of Genre Literature and 1 Credit of English I

English I involves the two basic components of reading and writing.  Students will develop skills in various forms of writing, critical thinking, researching, and literature analysis.  They will review sentence grammar, punctuation, and usage.  They will read and study a variety of world literature selections.  
In alignment with the TN state standards students will focus on critical and divergent thinking, problem solving, active listening, recognition of patterns and anomalies, and evaluation and questioning of source material. Students will receive regular practice with complex text and its academic vocabulary; reading and writing grounded in evidence from literary and informational text; and building knowledge through content rich literary and informational text.

Course: Honors English I
Prerequisite: Student, Parent, Teacher recommendation
1 Credit
Honors English I will enhance the concepts taught in all English 9 classes by requiring extended reading and writing assignments, research-based writing assignments, open-ended investigations, and deeper exploration of the subject by completing an author study.  Students will complete at least one literary research paper and an author study during this course.

Course: English II
Prerequisite: English I
1 Credit
English II involves the two basic components of reading and writing.  Students will develop skills in various forms of writing, critical thinking, researching, and literature analysis.  They will review sentence grammar, punctuation, and usage. 
In alignment with the TN state standards students will focus on critical and divergent thinking, problem solving, active listening, recognition of patterns and anomalies, and evaluation and questioning of source material. Students will receive regular practice with complex text and its academic vocabulary; reading and writing grounded in evidence from literary and informational text; and building knowledge through content rich literary and informational text.

Course: Honors English II
Prerequisites: English I and Student, Parent, Teacher recommendation
1 Credit
Honors English II will enhance the concepts taught in all English II classes by requiring extended reading and writing assignments, research-based writing assignments, open-ended investigations, and deeper exploration of the subject by completing an author study.  Students will complete at least one literary research paper and an author study during this course. 

Course: English III
Prerequisite: English II
1 Credit
English II students will develop skills in various forms of writing, critical thinking, researching, and literature analysis.  They will review sentence grammar, punctuation, and usage in connection with writing skills.  They will read and study a variety of American literature selections.
In alignment with the TN state standards students will focus on critical and divergent thinking, problem solving, active listening, recognition of patterns and anomalies, and evaluation and questioning of source material. Students will receive regular practice with complex text and its academic vocabulary; reading and writing grounded in evidence from literary and informational text; and building knowledge through content rich literary and informational text.

Course: AP English Language & Composition
Prerequisites: English II and Student, Parent, Teacher recommendation
Additional Fee: $96 AP exam fee
1 Credit
AP English Language and Composition is an introductory college-level composition course. Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style. All units are aligned with the standards put forth by College Board. Students who are eligible for fee waivers with the school system may be eligible for a fee waiver on the AP exam through the AP Program.

Course: English IV
Prerequisite: English III
1 Credit
English IV students will develop skills in various forms of writing, critical thinking, researching, and literature analysis.  They will review sentence construction, usage, and variety in connection with writing skills.  They will read and study a variety of British literature selections.
In alignment with the TN state standards students will focus on critical and divergent thinking, problem solving, active listening, recognition of patterns and anomalies, and evaluation and questioning of source material. Students will receive regular practice with complex text and its academic vocabulary; reading and writing grounded in evidence from literary and informational text; and building knowledge through content rich literary and informational text.

Course: AP English Literature & Composition
Prerequisites: English 11 and Student, Parent, Teacher recommendation
Additional Fee: $96 AP exam fee
1 Credit
AP English Literature and Composition is an introductory college-level literary analysis course. Students cultivate their understanding of literature through reading and analyzing texts as they explore concepts like character, setting, structure, perspective, figurative language, and literary analysis in the context of literary works. All units are aligned with the standards put forth by College Board. Students who are eligible for fee waivers with the school system may be eligible for a fee waiver on the AP exam through the AP Program.

Course: AP Seminar
Prerequisite: 10th or 11th grader
Additional Fee: $96 AP exam fee
1 credit
AP Seminar is an interdisciplinary course that encourages students to demonstrate critical thinking, collaboration, and academic research skills on topics of the student's choosing. To accommodate the wide range of student topics, typical college course equivalents include interdisciplinary or general elective courses. Students who are eligible for fee waivers with the school system may be eligible for a fee waiver on the AP exam through the AP Program.

Course: Journalism - Yearbook
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Signed approval of instructor
1 Credit
This course is designed to teach the skills necessary to produce the school yearbook, which offers a complete record of an entire school year.  The year begins by planning the coverage for the school year and designing a unifying theme for the book.  Students will study magazine journalism including layout and design techniques, writing and editing copy, headlines and picture captions.  This course provides the study of and practice in gathering and analyzing information, interviewing, note taking and photography.  Students will learn strategies of planning, marketing (ad sales) and distribution of the yearbook.  Students will learn proofing strategies and work independently with photographers.  At times, deadlines require that staff members work after school, on weekends, and holidays. Students will learn good work habits and are responsible for all phases of yearbook publication.

Course: Creative Writing
Prerequisite: None
1 Credit
Student in creative writing will be given the opportunity to develop a creative outlet through additional writing experiences in fiction and/or nonfiction. Students often have the opportunity to experience expository writing in the classroom but have little time to develop imaginative writing. Creative Writing allows them to promote self-expression, to explore various writing styles, and to strive for variety in diction, sentence structure, and format.
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