Language Arts 9 Standard

Course Description: In Language Arts 9 Standard, students will enhance their reading, writing, and communication skills. They will also expand their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar and punctuation. Students will read and analyze short stories, poetry, class novels, and independent novels. In addition to reading and analyzing, students will write multiple 5-paragraph essays. The general expectation for this course is that students will apply their knowledge to other contexts. This course is co-taught based on student needs.

Background for Success: Students will develop reading, writing, and oral communication skills. They must be willing to accept academic challenges. In addition, students are expected to participate in all classroom discussions and maintain consistent effort with in-class work.

Language Arts 9

Course Description: In Language Arts 9, students will enhance their reading, writing, and communication skills. They will also expand their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar and punctuation. Students will read and analyze short stories, poetry, class novels, and independent novels. In addition to reading and analyzing, students will write multiple 5-paragraph essays. The general expectation for this course is that students will apply their knowledge to other contexts.

Background for Success: Students must be motivated to develop and improve their reading, writing, and oral communication skills. They must be willing to accept academic and intellectual chal­lenges. In addition, students are expected to participate fully in class activities, which may include classroom and small group discussion, peer and self-assessment and research.

Honors Language Arts 9

Course Description: In Honors Language Arts 9, students will enhance their reading, writing, and communication skills. They will also expand their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar and punctuation. Students will read, discuss, and analyze a variety of nonfiction selections, poems, short stories, class novels, and independent novels. In addition to reading and analyzing, students will write a variety of essays. Students will enhance their presentation skills through formal and informal presentations. The general expectation for this course is that students will apply their knowledge to other contexts. This rigorous course is designed for highly motivated, serious students capable of extending themselves beyond the normal high school curriculum.

Background for Success:Students must be motivated to continue to improve their writing, and oral communication skills. They must be willing to accept academic and intellectual challenges. In addition, students are expected to participate fully in rigorous class activities, which may include classroom and small group discussion, peer and self-assessment and research.

Language Arts 10 Standard

Course Description: Students in Language Arts 10 Standard will strengthen their reading, writing, and communication skills. They will expand their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar, mechanics, and usage. Students will read, discuss, and analyze a variety of nonfiction and fiction selections, poems, and short stories. They will write for a variety of purposes and use the research process. This course is team-taught based on student needs.

Background for Success: Students will continue to develop reading, writing, and oral communication skills. Students are expected to participate in both small and large groups and use organizational skills to maintain consistent effort with in-class work.

Language Arts 10

Course Description: In Language Arts 10, students will engage in activities aimed at enhancing reading, writing, and communication skills. Students will read, discuss, and analyze a variety of nonfiction selections, poems, short stories, dramas, and novels. Students will also work on language skills to expand vocabulary and enhance understanding of grammar, mechanics, and usage in an effort to prepare them for writing essays for a variety of purposes.

Background for Success: Students must be consistent in their efforts to improve reading, writing, and oral communication skills. Students are expected to participate in both small and large group discussions and activities as well as demonstrate the ability to conduct research for large, comprehensive assignments and essays.

Honors Language Arts 10

Course Description: In Honors Language Arts 9, students will enhance their reading, writing, and communication skills. They will also expand their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar and punctuation. Students will read, discuss, and analyze a variety of nonfiction selections, poems, short stories, class novels, and independent novels. In addition to reading and analyzing, students will write a variety of essays. Students will enhance their presentation skills through formal and informal presentations. The general expectation for this course is that students will apply their knowledge to other contexts. This rigorous course is designed for highly motivated, serious students capable of extending themselves beyond the normal high school curriculum.

Background for Success: Students must be motivated to continue to improve their writing, and oral communication skills. They must be willing to accept academic and intellectual challenges. In addition, students are expected to participate fully in rigorous class activities, which may include classroom and small group discussion, peer and self-assessment and research.

AP English Literature and Composition

Course Description: In Advanced Placement English Literature & Composition, students read and analyze several works of literary merit, including short stories, poems, dramas, and novels. Major works may include but are not limited to Oedipus Rex, Death of a Salesman, Frankenstein, Hamlet/Othello, Native Son, Anthem, The Things They Carried, Heart of Darkness, Catcher in the Rye, and Beloved. Significant emphasis is placed on writing both short and long essays in response to the literature, as students will also prepare for the AP College Board Exam. Because AP is rigorous in both its pace and content, students enrolling in the class should expect to independently seek help and support when needed.

Background for Success: Students would be eager to accept the challenge of difficult coursework and an accelerated pace. They should be skillful readers and insightful discussants who are interested in analyzing and interpreting literature.

Language Arts 11

Course Description: In Language Arts 11, students will enhance their reading, writing, and communication skills. Students will read and analyze short stories, poetry, class novels, and independent novels. In addition to reading and analyzing, students will write multiple papers. The general expectation for this course is that students will apply their knowledge to other contexts.

Background for Success: Students must be motivated to develop and improve their reading, writing, and oral communication skills. They must be willing to accept academic and intellectual challenges. In addition, students are expected to participate fully in class activities, which may include classroom and small group discussion, peer and self-assessment and research.

Language Arts 11 Standard

Course Description: In Language Arts 11 Standard, students will enhance their reading, writing, and communication skills. Students will read and analyze short stories, poetry, class novels, and independent novels. In addition to reading and analyzing, students will write multiple papers. The general expectation for this course is that students will apply their knowledge to other contexts.

Background for Success: Students will develop reading, writing, and oral communication skills. Students will be presented with academic challenges. In addition, students are expected to participate in all classroom discussions and maintain consistent effort with in-class work.

RCC Composition I

Course Description: RCC Composition I is a concurrent enrollment college course in which students will develop skills needed to write in narrative, descriptive, informative, and persuasive modes as well as multi-modal composition. Students will explore each style of writing and will write their own essays modeling the styles. Students will also engage in peer feedback on each essay.

Background for Success: Students are expected to have a thorough understanding of sentence and paragraph structure. Students should be self-driven, willing to analyze writing, and be motivated to meet established deadlines at a college level.

RCC Humanities I

Course Description:RCC Humanities I is a survey course that focuses attention on architecture, art, music, philosophy, and literature of ancient civilizations through those of the Renaissance period. Students will analyze literary works and demonstrate previously learned English skills to write essays and responses. Students will also be expected to participate in both large and small group discussions. Because this is a college level course, students are expected to consult additional resources for support when needed.

Background for Success: Students are expected to accept academic and intellectual challenges as the reading material is challenging. Students are expected to actively participate in discussions and critically analyze the evolution of society through literature, architecture, art, and other cultural contributions.

Mower County CEO

Course Description: Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities is a year-long course designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes. Our local business community has partnered with area schools to create project-based experiences for students by providing funding, expertise, meeting space, business tours, and one-on-one mentoring. Students visit area businesses, learn from guest speakers, participate in a class business, write business plans, and start and operate their own businesses. Business concepts learned through the experiential CEO class are critical; the 21st century skills of problem-solving, teamwork, self-motivation, responsibility, higher-order thinking, communication, and inquiry are at the heart of a student’s development throughout the course. Students will be engaging in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills that will meet standards for Language 11 and Language Arts 12.

Background for Success: Students will develop reading, writing, and oral communication skills through practical experiences in the community. Students will be expected to participate in various projects as a group and independently. They will interact with many community business and will be expected to maintain professional connections.

Language Arts 12 Standard

Course Description: Language Arts 12 Standard is a novel-based course where students will enhance their reading, writing, and communication skills. Students will read and analyze short stories, poetry, class novels, and independent novels. In addition to reading and analyzing, students will write multiple papers. The general expectation for this course is that students will apply their knowledge to other contexts.

Background for Success: Students will develop reading, writing, and oral communication skills. Students will be presented with academic challenges. In addition, students are expected to participate in all classroom discussions and maintain consistent effort with in-class work.

Language Arts 12

Course Description: In Language Arts 12, students will enhance their reading, writing, and communication skills. Students will read and analyze short stories, poetry, class novels, and independent novels. In addition to reading and analyzing, students will write multiple papers. The general expectation for this course is that students will apply their knowledge to other contexts.

Background for Success: Students must be motivated to develop and improve their reading, writing, and oral communication skills. They must be willing to accept academic and intellectual challenges. In addition, students are expected to participate fully in class activities, which may include classroom and small group discussion, peer and self-assessment and research.

RCC Compositions II

Course Description: RCC Composition II is a concurrent college composition course which is focused on the writing of an academic research paper. Students learn how to employ the resources of an academic library and how to cite those sources in a fully documented analytics/interpretive term paper. Tasks throughout the semester will build on skills to complete the term paper.

Background for Success: Students are expected to have a thorough understanding of grammar and essay structure in various modes of writing. Students should be self-driven, willing to analyze writing along the way, guide/support peers in the writing process, and motivation to meet established deadlines at college level expectations.

RCC Fundamentals of Speech

Course Description: In RCC Fundamentals of Speech, students will learn the skills necessary for successful public communication, including audience analysis, research and organization, delivery techniques, and speaking ethics. Students will prepare and deliver a variety of speeches, including: informative, persuasive, oral interpretation, group speech, and impromptu.

Background for Success: Students must be motivated to develop and improve their oral communication skills. They must be willing to accept academic and intellectual challenges. In addition, students are expected to participate fully in class activities, which include discussion, research, and peer- and self-evaluation.

Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Course Description: Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities is a year-long course designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes. Our local business community has partnered with area schools to create project-based experiences for students by providing funding, expertise, meeting space, business tours, and one-on-one mentoring. Students visit area businesses, learn from guest speakers, participate in a class business, write business plans, and start and operate their own businesses. Business concepts learned through the experiential CEO class are critical; the 21st century skills of problem-solving, teamwork, self-motivation, responsibility, higher-order thinking, communication, and inquiry are at the heart of a student’s development throughout the course. Students will be engaging in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills that will meet standards for Language 11 and Language Arts 12.

Background for Success: Students will develop reading, writing, and oral communication skills through practical experiences in the community. Students will be expected to participate in various projects as a group and independently. They will interact with many community business and will be expected to maintain professional connections.