English Language Arts

Basic Curriculum                   College-Prep Curriculum
English 9                                         English 9
English 10                                     American Literature
Novels I and II                              English Literature
English 12                                       English 12

English Curriculum Flowchart (pdf)

English 9 (Required 1 credit)
A variety of literature will be covered in the reading of short stories, mythology, poetry, the novel, and drama.  Students will also write short stories, poetry and essays.  In addition, time will be spent on grammar, reading comprehension and increasing one’s reading speed.

English 10 (1 credit)
Students will continue the exploration of literature with the various short stories, poems, novels, and plays read throughout the year.  In addition, students will continue to refine their writing efforts with essays, poetry, and the completion of an MLA style research paper.  There is also a continuation of strengthening skills in grammar, reading speed, comprehension and retention.

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of English 9

Novels I and Novels II (1/2 credit each)
Novels I and II are the third credit in the basic English curriculum.  Students work independently to study several novels over the course of the semester.  Students are required to complete three papers and two projects over the course of the semester.  These two semester-long courses are designed to expose students to both classic and contemporary literature, as well as a variety of essay styles. 
NOTE:  Novels II can be taken without having taken Novels I.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of English 10 or American Literature

American Literature (1 credit)
American Literature is the first course on a recommended college-bound curriculum.  This course is designed to improve reading and writing skills through the study of the literature of America.  Along with studying many forms of literature, students will write a variety of assignments with emphasis placed on the expository essay. 
Prerequisite:  Recommendation of previous English teacher; A or B in English 9 or English 10
There is a summer reading assignment required for this course.

English Literature (1 credit)
Students will study British Literature and literacy trends through short stories, poetry, essays, drama, and several novels.  In addition, skills in written expression and logic will continue to be refined.
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of American Literature
There is a summer reading assignment required for this course.

English 12 (Required 1 credit)
English 12 is a course designed to help students develop and refine their written and oral communication skills.  Students will research, write papers, and prepare a variety of speeches that express their ideas in a clear and concise manner.  Students will learn to write, outline, and present speeches as well as analyze an audience and evaluate the many forms of communication.  Students will learn about the nature of communication including verbal and non-verbal communication and practice and refine their skills in persuasion, logic and listening.

Journalism (Yearbook)–Elective 10th-12th (by permission only)
Yearbook is operated as a mini-business and is designed to produce the Brecksonian High School Yearbook.  All aspects of publishing a yearbook are covered.  These include:  organization of the staff, advertising and finance, cover design, theme, layout, copy writing, photography, sales and distribution.  The yearbook is prepared on the IBM-compatible computer desktop publishing in conjunction with the Herff-Jones Publishing Company.
 In addition to producing the yearbook, the following projects will be incorporated throughout the year:  News writing, Desktop Publishing, Media/Journalism history, In Design CS2, and Image In.  A four-day summer journalism camp is often incorporated into this course.
An application MUST be filled out before permission is considered.
When newspaper class is not offered, the Huskie Howler is produced as time permits.

Humanities- Elective 10th-12th 
The class Humanities encompasses the academic studies of literature, music, philosophy, history, religion, the visual arts (painting, sculpture, photography) and the performing arts (music, opera, theater, and dance).  Unlike the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, etc.) or the social sciences, the focus of humanities is on analyzing and interpreting those arenas that impact and reveals the human condition.
Pre-requisites: Successful completion of both American Literature and English Literature OR written approval from the instructor.

Clubs/Organizations related to English

Language Arts Team

The Language Arts Team participates in three writing competitions September through November.  Team members are given a prompt and a predetermined amount of time to write their paper(s).  The group works as a team without the coach present to complete the assignment.  Members may write as groups or individually.  Events may include character sketch, journal writing, persuasive essays, etc. with poetry writing included every year.  Members may participate in any or all events.
 Those who enjoy writing, those who could be a good editor of someone else’s paper, or those who have journals of poetry stashed away, should consider joining the Language Arts team.

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