English Department Course Descriptions
ENGLISH 9
No. 1100 & 1101 | Course Credit: 2 | Grade Level: 9
This course is appropriate for the student who has experienced average success in past English and language arts courses. The focus of this course is literature as we study short stories, drama, the novel, and informational text throughout the year. Students will learn and practice basic sentence, paragraph, and essay structures and will discover how to improve their writing through the six traits. Basic mechanics rules will be covered as they apply to writing. In addition, vocabulary units and grammar found on the ACT exam will be covered.
ADVANCED ENGLISH 9
No. 1104 & 1105 | Course Credit: 2 | Grade Level: 9
This class is appropriate for students who have demonstrated a higher ability in, and greater desire for, an in-depth approach to the study of English and the language arts. Literature, informational text, writing, media literacy, and language are integrated and developed throughout the course. The class’s curriculum is the vehicle to reach two ultimate goals for students: to analyze critically with higher level thinking skills and to challenge themselves to grow every day as a learner and person, in this diverse, complex world.
ENGLISH 10
No. 1110 & 1111 | Course Credit: 2 | Grade Level: 10
This course is appropriate for the student who has experienced average success in past English and language arts classes. Students will continue to focus on literature as we study short stories, drama, the novel, and informational text throughout the year. Students will practice basic sentence, paragraph, and essay structures. Students will understand the basic uses of punctuation in formal language as they continue to hone their skills in creating a variety of sentences. Students will give a 3-7 minute informational speech and a 5-8 minute persuasive speech in this course.
ADVANCED ENGLISH 10
(Prerequisite: No. 1104 & 1105 with a “B” or higher)
No. 1114 & 1115 | Course Credit: 2 | Grade Level: 10
Students successful in the advanced setting and demonstrating a strong, independent work ethic will enjoy an intense genre-based curriculum. The course focuses on the study of different literary forms with an emphasis on developing critical reading skills and enhancing their writing process, which highlights the six traits of writing.
ENGLISH 11
No. 1120 & 1121 | Course Credit: 2 | Grade Level: 11
English 11 encompasses the main components of the Common Core Standards: literature, informational texts, writing, language, speaking, and digital media literacy. Curriculum choices are made to meet the standards and develop 21st century learning and thinking skills, while also keeping students’ interests in mind. WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading) strategies and skill development are a routine focus and aid in facilitating class discussions and critical thinking.
ENGLISH 12
No. 1130 & 1131 | Course Credit: 2 | Grade Level: 12
English 12 will be a course to emphasize the continued growth of reading and writing skills needed for college and career readiness. The main components of this course include a focus on the application of previously acquired reading skills for literary analysis, research, and demonstration of presentation and public speaking skills.
College in the High School 11th/12th Grade Choices
Junior Year Course
COLLEGE ENGLISH - INTRO TO LIT
No. 3126 & 3127 | Course Credit: 2 (3 college credits) | Grade Level: 11
Advanced College English/Literature is a course offered for college credit through our College in the High School Program (CIHS). The course will involve the study of modern literature as well as classical literature. American and world novels will be studied along with poetry, short stories, nonfiction, and drama. Work outside of class will be frequent, as classroom time will be devoted to student collaboration, discussion, and analysis. Grades will be based upon written analysis, classroom discussion in both small and large groups, oral presentations, projects, and exams. Thematically, students will explore a given piece of literature while making connections with short stories, poetry, and informational text. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will earn three college credits from Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Students may not take 3127 unless they have passed 3126.
Senior Year Courses
COLLEGE COMPOSITION I
No. 3136 | Course Credit: 1 (4 college credits) | Grade Level: 12
College Composition I is a college-level, writing-intensive course sponsored by Central Lakes College that prepares students for writing effectively in a variety of academic and professional situations. Participants will regularly engage in all steps of the writing process and will hone their ability to identify thesis, audience, tone, unity, coherence, and emphasis in various texts and in their own writing. Students will learn and employ a variety of rhetorical strategies, including (but not limited to) description, narration, exemplification, classification, process analysis, and comparison/contrast. In addition, students will complete a career unit, which includes developing a resume and cover letter as well as participating in a mock interview. Finally, the course will include a literature component to review basic terminology and foster critical thinking skills.
COLLEGE COMPOSITION II
(Prerequisite: No. 3136 with a “C-”or higher)
No. 3137 | Course Credit: 1 (4 college credits) | Grade Level: 12
Composition II focuses on research-based writing and information literacy. Students will learn the principles of the academic research process such as developing a topic, understanding and applying outside sources, and defining and supporting a critical lens. During that process, students will learn how to locate, access, evaluate, and synthesize traditional and online library resources. Throughout the course, students will demonstrate a command of the writing and revision processes and become skilled in the use of both the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) formats. Students will demonstrate these skills through formal research papers of 7-12 pages. After completing the papers, each student will develop a 10-15 minute oral presentation for the class detailing their research findings. Additionally, students will write two essays and complete a creative group project.
No. 3136 | Course Credit: 1 (4 college credits) | Grade Level: 12
College Composition I is a college-level, writing-intensive course sponsored by Central Lakes College that prepares students for writing effectively in a variety of academic and professional situations. Participants will regularly engage in all steps of the writing process and will hone their ability to identify thesis, audience, tone, unity, coherence, and emphasis in various texts and in their own writing. Students will learn and employ a variety of rhetorical strategies, including (but not limited to) description, narration, exemplification, classification, process analysis, and comparison/contrast. In addition, students will complete a career unit, which includes developing a resume and cover letter as well as participating in a mock interview. Finally, the course will include a literature component to review basic terminology and foster critical thinking skills.
COLLEGE COMPOSITION II
(Prerequisite: No. 3136 with a “C-”or higher)
No. 3137 | Course Credit: 1 (4 college credits) | Grade Level: 12
Composition II focuses on research-based writing and information literacy. Students will learn the principles of the academic research process such as developing a topic, understanding and applying outside sources, and defining and supporting a critical lens. During that process, students will learn how to locate, access, evaluate, and synthesize traditional and online library resources. Throughout the course, students will demonstrate a command of the writing and revision processes and become skilled in the use of both the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) formats. Students will demonstrate these skills through formal research papers of 7-12 pages. After completing the papers, each student will develop a 10-15 minute oral presentation for the class detailing their research findings. Additionally, students will write two essays and complete a creative group project.