Mitchell Junior/Senior High School

Information

Format Guide
Guide to prepare professional communications - letters, outlines, reports, etc.

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English Curriculum


Instructors

              

            



7th Grade English
7th Grade English is an intensive study of the eight parts of speech and the usage and mechanics of the language. In conjunction with studying the parts of speech, students will identify sentence structures and sentence types. Students will study how literary elements such as figurative and descriptive language help to enhance composition in both expository and creative writing. Students will participate in group discussions and oral presentations, and develop vocabulary and spelling skills. Expanding vocabulary skills will be addressed through such exercises as context work; Latin, Greek, and foreign language roots identification; and analogy recognition. Students will also compose weekly Reading/Viewing Journals in which the student will record reactions for material read/viewed outside of class assignments.

7th Grade Reading
7th Grade Reading is intended to impart upon students the skills necessary to become better readers. By incorporating vocabulary skills, note-taking skills, and critical analysis of reading selections students will gain skills necessary to succeed in a vast array of professions. Skills will include: using available resources, identifying context clues, determining sequences, predicting outcomes, understanding connotation/denotation, and applying word usage.

8th Grade English
8th Grade English is devoted to descriptive writing in preparation for the Nebraska State Writing Exam. Students review grammar; write numerous essays and other pieces of writing. The secondary focus is on research and oral presentations, a novel unit, a Greek/Roman mythology unit, and a poetry unit.

8th Grade Reading
8th grade Reading is a study of various types of literature. Text studied will include fiction (i.e. short stories, myths, legends, science fiction), non-fiction (biographies, autobiographies, informational text), and poetry. Emphasis will be placed on developing vocabulary skills and on developing reading and studying strategies to help the student become more independent in gaining meaning from the works he or she reads.

English 9 - Speech
Freshman Speech is a class intended to impart the practical elements of public speaking to all students. Students will prepare a personal narrative, an informative, a demonstrative, and a persuasive speech. Key organizational elements and key vocabulary will be taught. If time permits, students will be introduced to drama and debate.

English 9 - Novels
Freshman Novels focuses on the ability to read and to interpret written word. Students learn about the various literary elements (setting, plot, characterization, theme, motif, etc.) while delving deeper into the nuances of each story. Students are asked to develop their vocabularies and inference skills through various projects (PowerPoint, essays, and presentations).

English 10 – Composition I
Composition is a one-semester course that focuses on developing writing skills by identifying writing obstacles ad helping students to overcome these obstacles. The students will learn to recognize and correct common grammar errors and writing convention errors. They will also learn to logically organize thoughts and edit for clarity by completing multiple drafts of a descriptive personal narrative, a comparison/contrast essay, creative fiction, and various poetry genres. Expanding vocabulary skills will be addressed through such exercises as context work; Latin, Greek, and foreign language roots identification; and analogy recognition. Students will also compose weekly Reading/Viewing Journals in which the student will record reactions for material read/viewed outside of class assignments.

English 10 – World Literature
World Literature is a one-semester course designed to expose students to cultures, experiences, and traditions from around the world through the literature of those cultures. Various genres will be explored including short stories, nonfiction, poems, and plays. Emphasis will be placed on increasing reading proficiency, expanding the students' vocabulary, and finding common concerns and themes across cultural lines. Students will also compose weekly Reading/Viewing Journals in which the student will record reactions for material read/viewed outside of class assignments.

11th Grade English – Speech & Persuasive Writing (phased out in 2015)
Speech and Persuasive writing provides students with the skills necessary to communicate in formal and informal situations. Emphasis will be placed on organizational skills, research skills, writing skills, preparation, and presentation. Presentations will include informative speaking, persuasive speaking, oral interpretation, parliamentary procedure and debate. Extra emphasis will be placed on persuasive writing and presentation.

11th Grade English – Composition II (beginning in 2015-2016)
Composition II is a one-semester course that focuses on the elements of persuasion. Students will be introduced to the concept of original oratory. Students will identify elements needed to draft effective introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs while maintaining persuasive elements. Grammar elements will be taught to provide enhancements to writing and style. Students will embrace the use of technology in all aspects of the writing process (researching, drafting, editing, and publishing). If time permits, students will be introduced to debate and rules of order, as pertaining to parliamentary procedure and debate.

11th Grade English – American Literature
American Literature will be approached chronologically beginning with the early colonists. Emphasis will be placed upon the development of the writing into an American art form. Important authors will be studied from each period of American writing. Literary terms pertinent to each unit will also be studied. Students will learn to recognize specific literary genre, construct essays of various types, and write and recognize types of poetry.

English 12 – Writing & Research
In this college prep class, students write research papers using MLA and CMS formats. Students revisit the research process and review how to analyze sources of information for relevance and reliability. Students are expected to be independent writers to enhance their knowledge of research and writing techniques.

English 12 – British Literature
British Literature is a one-semester course dedicated to the exploration of the development of the English language and the literature representative of that growth. The material will be approached chronologically and will cover the Anglo Saxons, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Restoration and the Eighteenth Century. Emphasis will be placed on the connections of classic literature to the modern world. Expanding vocabulary skills will be addressed through such exercises as context work, and analogy recognition. Students will also compose weekly Reading/Viewing Journals in which the student will record reactions for material read/viewed outside of class assignments.

English 12
This year-long class focuses on literature and life skills vocabulary pertaining to career aspects of writing. The first semester is devoted to personal connections with the world view of literature. The second semester focuses on life-skills vocabulary in terms of career and daily life outside of high school. This includes how to fill out job and scholarship applications and how to effectively develop resumes.

Advanced Writing
This class is devoted to the development of the yearbook and journalistic writing. Students learn the basics of journalism and write articles for The Index newspaper. Students work with digital photography and computer programs and technology such as scanners and the on-line yearbook program.