The English Language Arts department provides a variety of course offerings in reading, writing, speaking as well as the study of literature, media and theatre arts. The special course offerings for students in grades 9, 10, 11, 12 are described further in the presentation. When registering for next year’s classes, students are encouraged to seek the advice of their current English teachers.

English Language Arts Registration Information

2011-2012

* courses requiring departmental permission for registration

† elective credit only

Grade 9 and 10 offerings

* courses requiring departmental permission for registration

† elective credit only

Grade 11 and 12 offerings

Eastview High School Language Arts Department

Elective Courses

Writing Courses

Who: Juniors and SeniorsWhat: This course teaches the skills of writing short fiction and poetry through practice, discussion, and sharing. Writing is a discipline, so we will write

each day.Why:You have important things to say and an important time in your life to record. We’ll offer a method

turn your ideas into the art of written expression.

Advanced Composition-grade 12 This course focuses on expository (informative) writing and emphasizes the process approach to writing. Students will actively engage in the writing process by prewriting, producing multiple drafts, giving and receiving peer and teacher feedback, revising, and producing a final product.

Advanced Comp. is excellent preparation for all seniors who plan to attend a post-secondary institution.

Students will write four formal 1-4 page papers in addition to frequent, informal journal writing.

Research Paper – Grade 12• Over the quarter you will write ONE 8-page paper on a topic of your

choosing.

• The class takes you through all the steps of the research process (research, outlines, citation, drafts, revision, presentation of paper).

• Excellent college-prep class.

• Most students say the paper is not difficult to write as long as you follow the steps and DO NOT FALL BEHIND.

• There are many deadlines.

• This is NOT a class for students who:– have trouble turning work in on time.– have trouble working independently.

College in the Schools CompositionUniversity of Minnesota Writing 1301

Introduction to College Composition is a semester-long, four-credit college course offered through the University of Minnesota’s College in the School Program. Students in the top 20 percent of their high school class may earn these credits. An application is required for this course.

The focus of this course is on the process of writing: forming strategies for inventing, focusing, drafting, conferencing, revising and editing.

Active participation in the writing community of this class is essential.

Reading/literature Courses

Reading Lab Having trouble with those pesky MCA-II reading tests, MAP tests, or the

reading passages on the ACT or SAT?

Do you read for your classes and not remember much of anything when you are done?

Having trouble retaining the information you read or was presented in class and end up getting low test scores?

Wishing you had an opportunity to read during the day and get some help with your comprehension skills?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, ask your English teacher if your past reading scores would qualify you for this 9 week course. Reading Lab is open to students in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.

Contemporary Fiction and Nonfiction

Grades 11, 12

Promoting lifelong reading habits is the main objective of this course. Students will read, write about, and discuss a wide range of contemporary works of both fiction and non-fiction.

Students will be expected to read critically, comprehend thoroughly, and respond actively to the literature in both class discussions and written assignments.

Discovering British Literature:Intro to Shakespeare

• Read, discuss, and watch selections from Shakespeare’s Comedies, Tragedies, and sonnets. Learn about his life and his theatre.

• In addition, students will read snippets of classic British works starting in the year 1000 and ending in the 1900s

MYTHOLOGYA JUNIOR/SENIOR ELECTIVE

MYTHOLOGY is a quarter-long study of Classical Greek Myths, from Zeus to Apollo to Aphrodite.It is a course about learning and enjoying ancient stories but

even more so, it is a course that emphasizes the universalhuman needs that fueled the creation of these great stories.

Students study… - how cultural myths evolve. - the pantheon of the famous, not-so-famous and infamous Greek Gods and how

they came into being. - the great Greek mythological heroes, like mighty Hercules, brave Perseus, and

glory-seeking Theseus.

LITERATURE & STRATEGIES FOR STUDYING – Grades 11 & 12

This one quarter class focuses on four practical Learning Goals:

1. To increase reading speed and comprehension- timed readings- independent reading outside of class

2. To expand vocabulary through the study of roots and prefixes

3. To provide practical tips to improve study skills- student research and presentations - STARS assignments (STudents Achieve Reading Success)

4. To prepare students for the SAT/ACT tests and the rigors of college

- all of the above PLUS- analogies and literary terms

Advanced Placement English Language and Composition – Grade 11

A rigorous, college-level course for students who are independent readers and proficient writers. Students will study the art of rhetorical analysis (understanding how language is used), argumentation, and synthesis.

As directed by the College Board, this course “engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. 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.”

Each quarter students will…• Actively read one work of fiction (Hamlet, A Tale of Two Cities, Frankenstein, novel of student’s choice)

• Actively read several works of nonfiction from various periods in history (16 th century to present)

• Write at least one prepared essay (literary analysis, rhetorical analysis, argumentation)

• Write multiple timed AP essays (rhetorical analysis, argumentation, synthesis)

• Speak in both informal and formal situations

SUMMER READING IS REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.

ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THIS COURSE MUST ALSO TAKE AP EUROPEAN HISTORY.

STUDENTS WHO DO NOT TAKE HONRS AMERICAN LITERATURE (10TH GRADE) MUST COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR THIS COURSE.

Advanced Placement Literature Grade 12

This is a semester-long course designed for seniors with special abilities in reading and analyzing literature. Students will study a selection of poems, plays, short fiction, and novels with special emphasis on the critical skills needed in college to better understand literature.

The course also prepares students for the Advanced Placement Exam in Literature.

An application is required for this course.

NOTE: Summer reading is required for this course.

Speaking/LISTENING/

CRITICAL vIEWING Courses

Acting Take a class that gets you

out of the classroom!

Who: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.

What: We play on stage and learn at the same time. Through a series of interactive games, you’ll learn the skills of the stage. You’ll play some games, do some scene work with a partner, and learn how easy improv is. Since this is a speaking class, we will also develop vocal skills that transfer into any public speaking experience.

Why: It is really a nice change of pace. Even if acting isn’t your thing, the course is fun ,and the skills you’ll take with you are great. You will earn English credit for this course.

To be in The 4Cast or The Flash, you must take Broadcast Journalism/Media Studies A and it’s strongly recommended that you

take Broadcast Journalism/Media Studies B.

Most students take Broadcast Journalism/,Media Studies A and B as a sophomore, The 4Cast as a junior and The Flash as a senior. You can also take Broadcast Journalism/Media Studies A and B as a junior or senior.

Broadcast Journalism/Mass Media B

Broadcast Journalism/Mass Media A

Students get hands-on experience to learn the basics of cameras, editing, lighting, sound, and writing scripts. Students also learn about mass media, advertising, and film production.

Students work together to create a professional video that the entire Eastview community will see. Students get hands-on experience to learn all of the studio equipment including directing, anchoring, audio, cameras, graphics, and technical directing by reproducing Flash and 4Cast shows. At the conclusion of this class, students are ready to enroll in The 4Cast and The Flash.

The 4Cast: Eastview’s Daily Announcements Show

You must take Broadcast Journalism/Mass Media A and it’s strongly recommended that you take Broadcast Journalism/Mass Media B

Most students take Broadcast Journalism/Mass Media A and B as a sophomore, The 4Cast as a junior and The Flash as a senior.

http://www.district196.org/evhs/today/evtv/4cast/

In The 4Cast, we produce a live daily announcements show that is televised in the school, on the Internet, and on local cable. Students are responsible for all aspects of the show including reporting, anchoring, directing, cameras, sound, lighting, and directing. The best aspect ofthe class is the real world experience of meeting deadlines, problem solving, and working together to create a professional product.

Several Eastview alumni are studying video production/film in college and are currently working across the country including jobs at Pixar, WCCO, KARE 11, Star Tribune, Oprah, CSI, KFAN, ESPN, 20th Century Fox, Shop NBC, and Sons of Anarchy.

The Flash: Eastview’s Live Student-Produced News Magazine Show

You must take Broadcast Journalism/Mass Media A and it’s strongly recommended that you take Broadcast Journalism/Mass Media B

Most students take Broadcast Journalism/Mass Media A and B as a sophomore, The 4Cast as a junior and The Flash as a senior.

http://www.theflash.tv

In The Flash, we produce a live weekly news magazine show that is televised in the school, on the Internet, and on local cable. Students are responsible for all aspects of the show including reporting, anchoring, directing, cameras, sound, lighting, and directing. The best aspect of the class is the real world experience of meeting deadlines, problem solving, and working together to create a professional product.

Eastview broadcasting students have won 17 Emmy awards and several other national contests and festivals including Student Television Network National Champions, Videomaker Award, Aegis Award, Telly Award, Communicator Award, Nashville Film Festival, and the International Student Film Festival.

Public Speaking

• Grades 11 and 12• Students will deliver a variety of types of

speeches (personal, persuasive, impromptu, performance, etc..)

• Students will grow in developing the skills necessary to communicate verbally and nonverbally in a variety of public speaking situations.

• Students will participate in multiple fun in-class activities designed to work on skills and build confidence as a speaker

College in the Schools Public SpeakingThis course is designed to help students develop their oralpresentation skills and strengthen their ability to organize

and express their ideas successfully.

• Students will have a variety of speaking opportunities (Introductory, Award, Informative, Persuasive, Special Occasion, Impromptu, etc..).

• Reading, writing, research, and performance skills are all incorporated.

• Seniors in the top 40% of the class may take the course. An application is required.

• Students earn three U of M college credits.• Semester Credit (senior only course)