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Northern High School \ Academics \ English Language Arts

Welcome to our English Language Arts Program!

 Current Course Offerings for the 2011-2012 School Year:

ELA – Meets the English Language Arts Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

Biology – Meets the Biology Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

 

ENGLISH 9 (ELA) – B110 CHS, EHS, NHS 9 1.0 Credit

This course fulfills the graduation requirement for English 9 as outlined in the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The overarching focus of the journey will be analyzed throughout the year. All students will read narrative and informational text, write in various genres, study grammar and Greek and Latin roots in vocabulary to develop their own writing, and improve their communication skills. The writing process is emphasized as a tool for advancing composition proficiency. Students will apply the research skills of synthesis, MLA documentation, and parenthetical citations in a research paper.

 

BIOLOGY/LITERATURE (Biology & ELA) – B112 NHS 9, 10, 11, 12

1.0 Credit for each Biology and Literature for a total of 2.0 credit

The Biology/Literature Block is a project based, collaborative course based on laboratory investigations and a study of language, literature, composition, and oral communication with a focus on exploring a wide-variety of genres and their elements. This will include a study of the structures and functions of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. Students will use literary interpretation, analysis, comparisons, and evaluation to read and respond to representative works of historical, cultural, and scientific significance. They will explore the structure and function of populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere. Students will write short stories, responses to literature, expository and persuasive compositions, research reports, and technical documents. Students will deliver gradeappropriate oral presentations and access, analyze, and evaluate online information that will touch on various careers, personal needs, and societal issues. This is a 2 hour block course in which students will receive credit for English 9 and Biology.

 

HONORS ENGLISH 9 (ELA) – B115 CHS, EHS, NHS 9 1.0 Credit

Prerequisite: Entrance test, teacher recommendation, application essay and success on standardized middle school test

scores.

This course is designed for those students possessing a high degree of skill and interest in reading and writing. The basic content areas covered include those of the regular English 9 curriculum; however, students will also analyze additional literature and write more in-depth responses.

 

ENGLISH 10 (ELA) – B210 CHS, EHS, NHS 10 1.0 Credit

This course fulfills the graduation requirement for English 10 as outlined in the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The American Dream is the overarching focus that students will analyze all year through the lens of various time periods. The thematic and chronological organization creates connections for students with their U.S. History class. Various types of creative, formal, and timed writings will be taught and assessed, including the research process. Reading, writing, communication, standardized vocabulary, and grammar will be emphasized as students mature in their skills of dealing with language.

 

HONORS ENGLISH 10 (ELA) – B215 CHS, EHS, NHS 10 1.0 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors English 9 with an A- or better or an entrance exam and teacher

recommendation.

This pre-AP class will study the breadth of American literature with depth and rigor form the Native Americans to today. Students will read many canonical works and respond with researched, scholarly writing. Continual connections will be made between the content covered in U.S. History and the similar time periods in American Literature. Vocabulary and grammar are taught to improve success on standardized college exams. The intensity of reading, writing, and thinking requirements will exceed that of regular English.

 

ENGLISH 11 (ELA) – B310 CHS, EHS, NHS 11 1.0 Credit

This course fulfills the graduation requirement for English 11 as outlined in the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The development of language is the focus throughout the year as the origins of writing and literature are traced from Europe throughout the world. A global perspective is taught, coordinating with the concurrent World History class. Essential to this class is the continual development of students’ skills in reading, grammar, vocabulary, writing, and communication.

 

AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION (ELA) – B611 CHS, EHS, NHS 11 1.0 Credit

Prerequisites: Summer reading before the course begins in the fall is required. If a student falls below a B- grade at the

semester, he/she will be recommended for a regular class.

The college-level course teaches students to become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts and skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. The course will emphasize expository, analytical, and argumentative writing as well as allowing students the opportunity to write personal and reflective essays. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. Students are encouraged to take the AP English Language and Composition Exam in May. With a high score, students can receive up to two semesters of credit for freshman English in college.

 

12TH  GRADE ENGLISH OFFERINGS

 

SENIOR CLASSICAL LITERATURE (ELA) – B402 CHS, EHS, NHS 12 .5 Credit

This course explores literature, art, and music from a variety of cultural time periods. Through project-based learning, students will develop an awareness of the influence of the arts on community and the world. Students will examine texts from multiple genres and produce written, aesthetic, and verbal expressions. Students will critically analyze art and literature, making connections across cultures. By studying the leaders of the artistic movements and their impact on society, students will further realize their own potential.

 

SENIOR COMPOSITION (ELA) – B404 CHS, EHS, NHS 12 .5 Credit

This course is for students who wish to refine their writing through the study of a variety of essay styles and revision techniques through expository writing. Critical examination of their writing and the writing of others will be key to the advancement of their writing abilities. A leadership theme will guide the course as students study not only how their own writing evolves and influences others, but also how others’ writing directly influences them,

 

SENIOR CREATIVE WRITING (ELA) – B406 CHS, EHS, NHS 12 .5 Credit

This class is for students who sincerely enjoy writing and would like to explore it further in a writing-intensive, workshop structured setting. They will explore different types of genres through selective readings and class discussions and will take that knowledge into the writing they will produce throughout the semester. Students will be experimenting with writing in specific styles such as prose, short stories, essays, and poetry. This course will help prepare students for the next step of their lives with the understanding of where they fit in the world and how their writing can influence their futures.

 

SENIOR LITERATURE (GR/MMC) – B409 CHS, EHS, NHS 12 .5 Credit

This course will deepen students’ knowledge of both literature and nonfiction. A leadership focus connects themes of power, hope, courage, change, and truth in multiple genres. Students will respond through essay writing, critical interpretations, and dramatic analyses. Participation and discussion will be an integral component of this learning experience.

 

SENIOR READING & WRITING (ELA) – B410 CHS EHS, NHS 12 .5 Credit

In this course, students will engage in a variety of reading and writing styles. Students will assess these styles and will demonstrate leadership by determining the most appropriate applications of them. Through the evolution of this course, students will make connections between their experiences and their futures in post-secondary and professional worlds.

 

SENIOR ENGLISH SEMINAR (ELA) – B414 CHS, EHS, NHS 12 .5 Credit

This course offers students an opportunity to explore individual talents and skills through the study of interpersonal communication strategies in a face-to-face environment as well as a Web 2.0 interactive world. It will assist students to assume a leadership role in decision making related to their own future directions. Key questions of who am I, where am I going, and what will I need to get there, will lead this study. These questions will be explored through literature, film, writing, small group dynamics, projects, presentations, and research.

 

AP LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (ELA) – B612 CHS, EHS, NHS 12 1.0 Credit

Prerequisite: Summer reading assignments will be required and due when the class begins. If the student falls below a Bat

the semester, he/she will be recommended for a regular class. This highly academic course is based on a national curriculum that requires collegiate level work. Students will analyze and interpret text by making careful observations of textual details establish connections and then draw inferences about the meaning and value. Throughout the class, students will learn and polish active reading skills with several novels and anthologized selections, scholarly writing skills, analytical reasoning, poetry interpretation, and vocabulary words.

Students are encouraged to take the AP English Literature and Composition Exam in May. With a high score, students

 

 

ADDITIONAL ENGLISH ELECTIVES (these are credits but do not count toward the four English graduation

credits required.)

 

YEARBOOK – B510 CHS, EHS, NHS 11, 12 1.0 Credit VPAA

Prerequisite: Application and teacher recommendation required.

Students will learn to use desktop publishing to produce the annual school yearbook. Aspects such as theme and content development, layout and page design, feature writing, proofreading, editing, photography, and time management will be covered. Each student will be encouraged to sell a specific number of advertisements to help fund the yearbook.

Students are expected to attend extra-curricular events.

 

JOURNALISM – B520 CHS, EHS, NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit VPAA

This course serves as an introduction to all aspects of newspaper journalism. Students will learn about reporting, feature writing, copyediting, layout, design, and distribution. The focus of the class will be writing in journalistic style for news, feature, editorial, sports, and arts and entertainment. Students will be expected to write extensively and will be required to meet deadlines. Students will be expected to sell advertising to help pay for the newspaper’s publishing costs, meet deadlines, accept constructive criticism and work with, for, and under the direction of other students.

 

ADVANCED JOURNALISM – B525 CHS, EHS, NHS 10, 11, 12 1.0 Credit VPAA

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Journalism, application, writing sample, and letter of recommendation required.

Members of this challenging and fast-paced course create the school newspaper, utilizing reporting, writing, editing, photography, layout, and design skills to create a top-notch publication. The class is organized into editors and writers and relies heavily on group work, self-motivation, and self-discipline. Students will be expected to sell advertising to help pay for the newspaper’s publishing costs, meet deadlines, accept constructive criticism, and work with, for, and under the direction of other students.

 

LITERATURE FOR SPANISH IMMERSION – B710 NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .50 Credit

Students will explore varying genres to include short stories, novels, essays, and poetry to expand their reading and comprehension in the Spanish language as well as model correct vocabulary and grammatical usage across genres. This course is designed as reading-intensive in order to build capacities in the area of comprehension. This course does not fulfill the English Language Arts Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

 

CREATIVE WRITING FOR SPANISH IMMERSION – B720 NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .50 Credit

This is a writing-intensive class for students desiring to improve their writing fluency in Spanish. Students will explore different writing styles through selective readings/discussions to extend and cement vocabulary and grammar usage. Students will experiment with writing in different styles. This course does not fulfill the English Language Arts

Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (ELL) (ELA CH only) – B800 CHS, EHS, NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 1.0 Credit

Prerequisite: English Language Learners students with teacher recommendation required.

Oral and written communications are taught as well as reading, listening, and pronunciation skills. Spelling, punctuation, grammar, vocabulary, basic sentence structure, paragraph organization, and essay skills are developed. An introduction to literature is given through poetry, short story, and drama. American culture is emphasized through readings,