ENGLISH/LANGUAGE
ARTSENGLISH/LANGUAGE
ARTSThe Illinois Learning Standards for English/Language Arts goals
and standards were developed using the 1985 State Goals for Language
Arts, various state and national standards drafts, and local education
standards contributed by team members. Through the achievement
of these goals and standards, students will gain proficiency in
the language skills that are basic to all learning, critical to
success in the workplace and essential to life as productive citizens.
English Language Arts includes reading, writing, speaking, listening
and the study of literature. In addition, students must be able
to study, retain and use information from many sources. Through
the study of the English language arts, students should be able
to read fluently, understanding a broad range of written materials.
They must be able to communicate well and listen carefully and
effectively. They should develop a command of the language and
demonstrate their knowledge through speaking and writing for a
variety of audiences and purposes. As students progress, a structured
study of literature will allow them to recognize universal themes
and to compare styles and ideas across authors and eras.
APPLICATIONS OF LEARNING
Through Applications of Learning, students demonstrate and deepen
their understanding of basic knowledge and skills. These applied
learning skills cross academic disciplines and reinforce the important
learning of the disciplines. The ability to use these skills will
greatly influence students' success in school, in the workplace
and in the community.
SOLVING PROBLEMS
Recognize and investigate problems; formulate and propose solutions
supported by reason and evidence. Solving problems demands that
students be able to read and listen, comprehend ideas, ask and
answer questions, clearly convey their own ideas through written
and oral means, and explain their reasoning. Comprehending reading
materials and editing and revising writing are in themselves forms
of complex problem solving. The ability to locate, acquire and
organize information from various sources, print and electronic,
is essential to solving problems involving research. In all fields-English
language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and others,
the command of language is essential in stating and reasoning
through problems and conveying results.
COMMUNICATING
Express and interpret information and ideas. Communication is
the essence of English language arts, and communication surrounds
us today in many forms. Individuals and groups of people exchange
ideas and information-oral and written-at lunch tables, through
newspapers and magazines, and through radio, television and on-line
computer services. From the simplest, shortest conversations to
the most complex technical manuals, language is the basis of all
human communication. A strong command of reading, writing, speaking
and listening is vital for communicating in the home, school,
workplace and beyond.
USING TECHNOLOGY
Use appropriate instruments, electronic equipment, computers and
networks to access information, process ideas and communicate
results. Computers and telecommunications have become basic means
for creating messages and relaying information. In offices and
homes, people write using word processors. Audio and visual media
are used for both creative and practical forms of communication.
The use of on-line services is now commonplace among researchers,
authors, farmers and auto mechanics. Skilled use of these technologies
provides students with necessary opportunities to search and process
information, be in touch with experts, prepare documents, and
learn and communicate in new, more effective ways.
WORKING ON TEAMS
Learn and contribute productively as individuals and as members
of groups. In sports, the workplace, family and elsewhere, teamwork
requires skill in the use of language. People must speak clearly
and listen well as they share ideas, plans, instructions and evaluations.
In researching and bringing outside information to a team, individuals
must be able to search, select and understand a variety of sources.
Documenting progress and reporting results demand the ability
to organize information and convey it clearly. Those who can read,
write, speak and listen well are valuable contributors in any
setting where people are working together to achieve shared goals.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Recognize and apply connections of important information and ideas
within and among learning areas. The parts of English language
arts are closely interconnected. Reading and writing provide the
means to receive and send written messages. Likewise, listening
and speaking enable people to receive and send oral information.
Speaking and writing are the creative components, while listening
and reading are the receptive components of language through which
people access knowledge and demonstrate its applications. Proficiency
in these skills clearly supports learning in all academic areas.
STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.
STATE GOAL 2: Read and understand literature representative
of various societies, eras and ideas.
STATE GOAL 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.
STATE GOAL 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety
of situations.
STATE GOAL 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess
and communicate information
ENGLISH I
LAR100
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
This course continues the study of the novel begun in junior high, as four novels are read and analyzed. Literature selections include short stories, various of nonfiction works, science fiction, and Poetry. Mechanics, usage, and sentence structure are reviewed in grammar. Vocabulary development and writing experiences are also components of this course.
RHETORIC
LAR150
Length of course: 1 semester
Credit: 1/2 unit
Rhetoric is a one semester freshman English class designed to help students develop skills with proper language usage. A complete study of traditional English grammar and usage will be offered. Additionally, sentence structure and mechanics will be examined.
ENGLISH II-- SPEECH
LAR200
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of freshman year
This course is designed for sophomore students and it will stress written and oral communication. Students will develop writing skills in the areas of description, narration, exposition and persuasion. Students will also learn the oral communication process which will lead to opportunities for both informal class discussions and formal class presentations. Students will also be introduced to the literature of Shakespeare at the same time that the Renaissance is taught in World History.
ENGLISH III
LAR300
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of sophomore year
This course is designed for Junior students. Students will be introduced to American Literature. Also emphasis will be placed on English skills including persuasive and expository writing, sentence structure, grammar and usage, punctuation, and rhetorical skills in order to prepare for the PSAE.
HONORS ENGLISH III
LAR301 (This course receives an honor point of 1.00 plus the points
for the grade)
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of sophomore year and at least a C- average
in English II
This course is designed to help meet the background needs of the potential college student. Emphasis in this class will be placed on the development of the literature of America. It will include anthology and supplementary selections in many forms. Students will have opportunities to improve their writing and speaking skills. ACT preparation will focus on grammar skills and vocabulary enrichment.
ENGLISH IV
LAR400
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of junior year.
This course is designed for Senior students. Students will study business communication with an emphasis on writing including memos, e-mail, business letters, and formal reports. Students will also be involved in a major research project, the Senior Project. The four components of the Senior Project are a research paper, a project/product, a portfolio, and a presentation.
HONORS ENGLISH IV
LAR401 (This course receives an honor point of 1.00 plus the points
for the grade)
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of LAR301 or permission of the instructor
This course is designed to meet the needs of the potential college student. Emphasis will be placed on the literature of England. It will include anthology and supplementary selections in many forms. Students will continue to have the opportunity to improve their writing and speaking skills. Vocabulary enrichment and grammar improvement will also be a focus. All students will be required to complete a senior project that will include a research paper, a project/experience, a presentation, and a portfolio.
JOURNALISM I
LAR310
Length of course: 1 semesters
Credit: 1/2 unit
Prerequisite: Sophomore English or permission of the instructor.
The primary purpose of a class in journalistic styled writing is to encourage students to write for a real audience. In the class we will discover: the legal ramifications of our writing, the historical background of journalism, the conventions of journalism style, a way to improve both composition and usage skills, and a computer publishing program. The final goal will be to publish a periodic newspaper/magazine.
JOURNALISM II
LAR410
Length of course: 1 semesters
Credit: 1/2 unit
Prerequisite: Journalism I
Students will continue to develop and improve the journalistic style introduced in the introductory course.
HUMANITIES I, II, III At Waverly
Length of course: 2 semesters
Credit: 1 unit
This course is designed to be offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This course will be offered every year with changing course content, so that the student could take three years of Humanities without repetition of content. The courses would be designed so each year's content is not dependent on a previous year's content, so students may begin the series at any point. These are year courses.
Literature, music, philosophy, art, theatre, and dance are integrated in the course which focuses on the creative works of western cultures, ancient to modern. Significant works in the above areas will be studied in depth. Reading will be supplemented with tapes, CD's, records, films, slides, reproductions, and local resources as concrete examples of the material covered in the course. Field trips will expose students to live theatre productions, symphonies, concerts, museum holdings, etc.
20th CENTURY WESTERN DRAMA At Waverly
Length of course: 1 semester
Credit: 1/2 unit
Elective English-20th Century Western Drama is a play-reading course for grades 10 through 12. Students may study representational modern dramatic pieces from Russia, France, Norway, Great Britain, and the United States.
COMPARATIVE MYTHOLOGY
Length of course:1 semester
Credit: 1/2 credit
Prerequisite: 10-12th grade
Elective English--Students will examine and compare mythologies from a variety of cultures, including but not limited to: Egyptian , Greek, Incas , Mayan, Aztec, American Indian, and Chinese. Students will also study the histories and cultures of these civilizations as a backdrop for their mythologies.