Department Chair: Mrs. Melissa Valadez mvaladez@sja.us
LANGUAGE ARTS 7
This course includes a comprehensive study of grammar, writing, literature, and research skills. Students will learn new vocabulary through the study of classical roots. They will develop skills in writing effective sentences, paragraphs, and short essays and will be introduced to research methodology through the completion of a research report. Novel reading and book reports bring students closer to other cultures and time periods and introduce them to techniques of style analysis and close reading. Students will also be guided in the development of study skills, including organizational, test-taking, and time-management strategies. To allow sufficient time for in-depth study and writing practice, the Language Arts classes have a block schedule, alternating between one and two periods in length on alternate days. A full-year required course for students in grade seven.
HONORS LANGUAGE ARTS 7
Students accepted into this course have proven strong ability in reading and writing skills. While addressing the Language Arts curriculum for grade 7 (see above), independent thinking and expression are expected from students in this course. Students will employ critical thinking in conjunction with a deeper analysis of literature. These students should expect more reading and writing assignments that are of a more complex nature. To allow sufficient time for in-depth study and writing practice, the Language Arts classes have a block schedule, alternating between one and two periods in length on alternate days. Prerequisite: Administrative approval. Weight: 1.05; This course fulfills the Language Arts requirement for students in grade seven.
FOUNDATIONAL LANGUAGE ARTS 7
This course concentrates on the development of students’ reading and writing skills and is designed for the student who would benefit from an intense study of the basic principles of grammar, sentence structure, and the mechanics of writing, along with vocabulary development, reading practice, and an introduction to information literacy skills. Students will also be guided in the development of study skills, including organizational, test-taking, and time-management strategies. Students enrolled in this course will be required to attend two (2) summer sessions (before and after seventh grade). To allow sufficient time for in-depth study and writing practice, the Language Arts classes have a block schedule, alternating between one and two periods in length on alternate days Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. This course fulfills the Language Arts requirement for students in grade seven.
LANGUAGE ARTS 8
This course builds on the fundamentals of grammar, writing, literature study, and research methodology developed in Language Arts 7. Students will identify and correctly use various sentence types in the writing of multi-paragraph essays. They will learn new vocabulary through the study of classical roots. Reading selections from different genres, including novels and non-fiction books, introduce students to literary terms and continue their training in style analysis. Students will continue to receive instruction in the use of effective study skills and will develop their information literacy skills through the completion of more extensive research projects. To allow sufficient time for in-depth study and writing practice, the Language Arts classes have a block schedule, alternating between one and two periods in length on alternate days. A full year required course for students in grade eight.
HONORS LANGUAGE ARTS 8
In this enriched course, students continue with the Language Arts curriculum for grade 8 (see above), while further strengthening literary analysis skills and writing development. Reading and writing assignments are of a more challenging nature. To allow sufficient time for in-depth study and writing practice, the Language Arts classes have a block schedule, alternating between one and two periods in length on alternate days. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Weight: 1.05; This course fulfills the Language Arts requirement for students in grade eight.
FOUNDATIONAL LANGUAGE ARTS 8
This course is designed as a continuation of Foundational Language Arts 7 and is intended for the student who would benefit from intense study of the basic principles of grammar, sentence structure and the mechanics of writing, along with vocabulary development and abundant reading practice in a variety of genres. Students will continue to receive instruction in the use of effective study skills and will develop their information literacy skills through the completion of more extensive research projects. To allow sufficient time for in-depth study and writing practice, the Language Arts classes have a block schedule, alternating between one and two periods in length on alternate days. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. This course fulfills the Language Arts requirement for students in grade eight.
ENGLISH 9
This course concentrates on the further development of students’ reading and writing skills. Students will read and analyze selections from a variety of literary genres and respond through the writing of multi-paragraph essays. Students will enhance their vocabulary through a study of Greek and Latin roots. Information literacy skills are taught in connection with a major research project. Credit: 1.0; A full-year required course for freshmen.
HONORS ENGLISH 9
This course requires strong writing and reading skills, a naturally inquisitive nature, and the maturity necessary for independent work. The class will emphasize discussion, analysis, critical writing, and reading for literary appreciation. Vocabulary is further developed through the study of classical roots. Short stories, novels, non-fiction, and poetry will expand the students’ familiarity with literary genres. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0; Weight: 1.05; A full year course which fulfills the 9th grade English requirement.
FOUNDATIONAL ENGLISH 9 WITH WRITING LABORATORY
This course concentrates on the development of students’ reading and writing skills and is designed for the student who would benefit from an intense study of the basic principles of grammar, sentence structure, and the mechanics of writing, along with vocabulary development, reading practice, and an introduction to information literacy skills. Students enrolled in this course will be required to attend two (2) summer sessions (before and after ninth grade) and to be enrolled in Writing Laboratory and Speech Communication (see below). Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0; This course fulfills the English requirement for freshmen.
WRITING LABORATORY
This course, which is to be taken in conjunction with Foundational English 9, is designed for students who would benefit from an intensive focus on writing skills. Students will develop skills in correct usage of grammar and mechanics while writing paragraphs, multi-paragraph essays, and research reports. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 0.5; This course will be counted as an elective credit.
ENGLISH 10
This course builds on the integration of reading, writing, speaking, and listening concepts fostered in grade 9. Students’ vocabularies are enhanced through the continued study of classical roots. Diverse literary selections taken from World Literature allow students the opportunity to further develop critical analysis and writing skills. Information literacy and MLA research skills are refined as projects become more complex. Credit: 1.0; a full-year required course for sophomores.
HONORS ENGLISH 10
This course requires strong writing and reading skills, a naturally inquisitive nature, and the maturity necessary for independent work The class will emphasize discussion, analysis, critical writing, and reading for literary appreciation. The focus will be on World Literature classics. Prerequisite: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0; Weight: 1.05; A full year course which fulfills the 10th grade English requirement.
ENGLISH 11
This course centers on American Literature as it has developed from the Colonial Era to the present. Students continue to develop competency in writing for the purpose of literary analysis. Vocabulary study is based on the continued mastery of classical roots. Research techniques are honed through the preparation of a major research project. Special attention is given to preparation for college entrance examinations. Credit: 1.0; A full-year required course for juniors.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE (11th Grade)
This is a course which requires effective writing and critical reading skills. Through writing the students will come to understand and appreciate the heritage of the English, and hence American, language, its evolution through the ages, its different periods, styles, and purposes. Students will address various topics, learning to gather and disseminate information, control language, recognize authorial patterns, and describe their responses to these patterns. They will develop a broad working vocabulary and an interest in how language works. Students will take the College Board’s national Advanced Placement English Language and Composition examination in May of the school year. Prerequisites: Departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Before the final selection is made, students are asked to demonstrate writing skills for the current AP teacher(s). Credit: 1.0; Weight: 1.10; A full-year course which fulfills the 11th grade English requirement.
ENGLISH 12
Language mastery and the integration of the four basic elements of the English curriculum continue in this more challenging course, based on the study of British Literature. Development of competency in the areas of close reading, critical analysis, research, and writing prepare the students for college-level work. Research projects increase in complexity. Credit: 1.0; A full-year required course for seniors
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE (12th Grade)
This course is designed to offer students with strong language skills an opportunity for a highly challenging curriculum and the possibility of college credit for high school work. Extensive reading, coupled with critical thinking and writing, literary criticism and analysis, prepare students for the College Board’s national Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition examination. Students will be required to take this exam in May of the school year. Students are required to complete four research projects. Prerequisites: AP English for grade 11 with at least an 85 average and/or departmental recommendation and administrative approval. Credit: 1.0; Weight: 1.10; A full-year course which fulfills the 12th grade English requirement.
SPEECH COMMUNICATION
In this course, students will study all aspects of oral communication. With tasks like the Radio Project, Impromptu and Manuscript speaking, and in-class discussions, students will develop the skills necessary to construct and deliver a speech. Students will write and effectively deliver speeches for various purposes, gaining skill in making oral presentations in a variety of settings. Further, students will develop listening skills and learn to constructively critique speeches given by their peers. Credit: 0.5; A required semester course for students in grades 9-12.
CREATIVE WRITING
In this course students learn to generate, structure, and polish creative writing of a variety of types. Students with an interest in writing will receive guidance in poetry, drama, short story, and essay composition. Students also practice evaluating their own work and the work of their peers. Credit: 0.5; An elective course for Upper Division students.
JOURNALISM/NEWSPAPER PUBLICATION
Students enrolled in this course will be involved in producing the school newspaper, the Hound Collar. Emphasis will be on the development of journalistic skills, including the following: interviewing, note taking, news writing, editorial writing, feature writing, surveys, polls, reviews, and sports writing, as well as layout and design principles, headline writing, and caption writing. Students will learn to design and lay out newspaper pages using the computer publishing program Pagemaker 5.0. Students will be expected to Students will be expected to meet rigid deadlines. Prerequisite: 85 average in English and instructor approval. Credit: 1.0; A full-year elective course for Upper Division students which may fulfill the Computer Science graduation requirement. This course may be taken multiple times for elective credit.
LEARNING CENTER
This is a special course for selected students with documented learning differences. The purpose is to enable students to develop skills and organizational techniques to increase their ability to function as independent learners. Enrollment in this course is made possible either as part of the student’s accommodation plan, or by recommendation of the Saint Joseph Academy Learning Center Committee. Prerequisite: Recommendation from Saint Joseph Academy Learning Center Committee. Credit: 0.5