Language Arts 1
Course #: LA105SLA, LA105SLB
Length & Credit: 2 trimesters/1 credit/ LA
Grade(s): 9
Prerequisites: None
This course will move students towards meeting or exceeding Oregon graduation requirements in reading and writing through a comprehensive study of literature and writing. Students will read both fiction and nonfiction from a variety of genres, and they will learn to write three-part thesis based analytical essays. Additionally, they will write in the narrative mode in both formal and informal settings. In order for students to succeed in these areas, instructors will emphasize particular skill sets that will form the foundation for academic reading and writing. Also, in order to track student learning, all students will take the writing internal assessment at the end of the course.
Pre-AP Language Arts 1
Course #: LA106HLAA, LA106HLAB
Length & Credit: 2 trimesters/1 credit/ LA
Grade(s): 9
Prerequisites: Passing score on 8th grade Smarter Balanced Literacy Exam
This course is designed for incoming freshmen who desire to pursue a rigorous course of study in English Language Arts. Students will explore novels, short stories, plays, and nonfiction texts through both in-class study and independent reading. Additionally, students will write extensively in a variety of genres, with an emphasis on thesis-driven analytical essays. Pre-AP English classes use the College Board Springboard curriculum, which aligns with upper level AP English classes.
Language Arts 2
Course #: LA114SLA, LA114SLB
Length & Credit: 2 trimesters/1 credit/ LA
Grade(s): 10
Prerequisites: Passing English 1
Building off of the curriculum from English 1 this course will continue to move students towards meeting or exceeding graduation requirements in reading and writing through a comprehensive study of literature and writing. Students will read both fiction and nonfiction from a variety of genres, and they will continue to hone their ability to write three-part thesis based analytical essays. English 2 Continued In order for students to succeed in these areas, instructors will emphasize particular skill sets that will form the foundation for academic reading and writing. Also, in order to track student learning, all students will take the writing internal assessment at the end of the course.
Pre-AP Language Arts 2
Course#: LA115HLAA, LA115HLAB
Length & Credit: 2 trimesters/1 credit/ LA
Grade(s): 10
Prerequisites: Passing English 1
This course is designed to build on the skills students developed in English 1. Although Pre AP English 1 is not a requirement to enroll in this course, students should recognize that the focus of the course will be analytical reading, writing and speaking. The curriculum emphasizes both key texts from world literature as well as nonfiction texts. This class mirrors English 2, but students will be exposed to a wider array of texts, and writing and speaking assessments will be more varied and student driven. This course uses the College Board Springboard curriculum and is designed to prepare students for upper level AP English courses.
Language Arts 3
Course #: LA122SLA, LA122SLB
Length & Credit: 2 trimesters/1 credit/ LA
Grade(s): 11
Prerequisites: Passing English 2
Continuing to build off of the curricula from English 1 and English 2, this course will move students beyond Oregon graduation requirements in reading and writing and towards college preparedness through a comprehensive study of literature and writing. Students will read both fiction and nonfiction from a variety of genres, and they will continue to write three-part thesis based analytical essays. In order for students to succeed in these areas, instructors will reemphasize the skill sets of academic reading and writing that are the cornerstones of success. Also, in order to track student learning, all students will take the writing internal assessment at the end of the course.
AP English Literature and Composition 11/ CN (College Now) Eng 104/105
Course #: AP: LA551ALAA, LA551ALAB, LA551ALAC
Length & Credit: 3 trimesters/1.5 credit/ LA
Grade(s): 11
Prerequisites: Teacher placement
Weighted GPA: 5.0 scale
College Credit: SOU, 4 or 8 credits, $200 or $400
AP Fee: Near the end of the course, there will be an exam that requires a fee (see page 4 for more details).
Your decision to take an AP course is also a commitment to complete the entire course – casually dropping the course is not an option and requires a meeting with administration.
This course provides advanced, comprehensive literature and composition instruction. The goals of the class are: a) to expose students to a college course atmosphere and expectation, b) to achieve college credit and college readiness skills in reading, critical thinking, and writing, and c) to provide a foundation for lifelong engagement in a literary culture. To these ends, students will use formal academic communication skills (critical thinking, close reading, literary analysis, speaking skills, analytical writing and personal response) to explore imaginative literature from various world cultures and historical eras. Passing the AP Literature and Composition Exam transfers to many colleges as an ENG 104 credit (Introduction to Fiction), and passing all three trimesters, with a C or higher, earns students ENG 104 and 105 credit through Southern Oregon University. There are fees for taking the AP Exam (see page 4 for more details) and for SOU credit. This course requires a summer reading and writing assignment, which will be graded. See teacher for the assignment.
Language Arts 4
Course #: LA132SLA, LA132SLB
Length & Credit: 2 trimesters/1 credit/ LA
Grade(s): 12
Prerequisites: Passing English 3
As the final stage of the English course of study, this full year course will move students beyond Oregon graduation requirements in reading and writing and prepare students to transition to college, without need for remediation, through a comprehensive study of literature and writing. Students will read both fiction and nonfiction from a variety of genres, and they will continue to write three-part thesis based analytical essays. In order for students to succeed in these areas, instructors will reemphasize the skill sets of academic reading and writing that are the cornerstones of success. All students will take the writing internal assessment at the end of the course.
AP English Language and Composition 12 / CN (College Now) Writing 121/122
Course #: LA215ALAA, LA215ALAB, LA215ALAC
Length & Credit: 3 trimesters/1.5 credit/ LA
Grade(s): 12
Prerequisites: Teacher placement
Weighted GPA: 5.0 scale
College Credit: SOU, 4 or 8 credits, $200 or $400
AP Fee: Near the end of the course, there will be an exam that requires a fee (see page 4 for more details).
Your decision to take an AP/CN course is also a commitment to complete the entire course – casually dropping the course is not an option and requires a meeting with administration.casually dropping the course is not an option and requires a meeting with administration.
This course encourages students to read and write analytically at the university level. A Passing score on the AP Language and Composition exam transfers as WR121 (First Year Composition) credit in many colleges, and earning a C or higher in this course all three terms earns students WR 121 and WR 122 credit through COCC. In this course students will encounter a breadth of texts, both fiction and nonfiction. Additionally, they will read, think, and write about the arguments that all texts, both linguistic and visual, make, alerting students not only to the role of the writer or artist, but also to the role of audience in all textual interactions. Exposing students to a variety of rhetorical techniques, this course will prepare students to succeed across the curriculum in the university setting. The AP exam in May requires an additional fee (see page 4 for more details). This course requires a summer reading and writing assignment, which will be graded. See teacher for the assignment.
Creative Writing Fantasy
Course: LA108SLA
Length & Credit: 1 trimesters/0.5 ELA
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
This course focuses on creative writing through collaborative thinking and role-playing. Students will learn about and experiment with story elements related to the fantasy genre. By the end of this course, students will improve their ability to use specific details effectively, understand narrative tension, evoke emotion through word choice, revise and improve their written work, and provide helpful, constructive feedback through writing groups.
Speech & Debate
Course: LA213SLA
Length & Credit: 1 trimester/0.5 credit/ELA
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful Completion of LA 1 or Pre-AP LA 1
This is an introductory course that provides the opportunity to gain fluency in the essential skills required for effective oral communication and rhetoric. Students will gain an understanding of basic public speaking and debate techniques through reading and viewing effective speeches and an introduction to rhetorical strategies. Students will research, write, and present their own expository, demonstrative, persuasive, and impromptu speeches. Students will practice communication skills including delivery techniques, dealing with stage fright, reading an audience, listening, and constructive critiquing.
Yearbook
Course: LA224SLAA, LA224SLAB
Length & Credit: 2 trimesters/1.0 credit/ELA
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Application process
In this class, students have as their responsibility the production of the school’s yearbook. Students will serve on the yearbook staff in positions of copywriters, photographers, designers, and advertising salespersons. Students will use computer technologies to produce the yearbook, and they will learn the skills of yearbook design, layout design, desktop publishing, digital photography, record keeping, and meeting team and personal deadlines. The publication is completed using Adobe InDesign for page layout and Adobe Photoshop for photo manipulation. This is a class where students are self-directed and work in collaborative teams to create a publication that captures the essence of the school year. The yearbook class is particularly suited for students who are highly motivated, take initiative, and can work in team environments.