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Course Name: 9th Grade Literature and Composition Course Number: 23.0610000 Description: 9th Grade Literature and Composition is a mandatory course for all ninth grade students not enrolled in Honors Ninth Grade Literature and Composition. Students should be prepared to read a variety of materials, write in response to a wide array of topics, work with peers on group projects, participate in novel discussions, and strengthen their grammar skills through our grammar practice program. Students enrolled in this course should be prepared to have English homework each night and are required to participate in our RISE remediation program if the course grade reaches a 74% or below. Student Comments: “I usually spend at least 25 minutes a night on English homework. In high school there is no good excuse not to have your homework finished on time. We have a free writing lab available to us and I use it all the time. I have really enjoyed reading the books and discussing them as a class. It is important to be in class every day because even one day of missing school could put you behind.”-- Ansley
Course Name: 9th Literature and Composition Honors Grade: 9 Prerequisites: 85 or higher in Advanced or TAG 8th Grade Language Arts or 95 or higher in on-level 8th Grade Language Arts and 8th Grade Language Arts teacher recommendation Description: Students interested in taking Honors 9th Grade Literature and Composition should be avid readers and writers and have advanced level English experience from middle school. Honors students should be prepared to work on multiple assignments simultaneously and be prepared for a minimum of one hour of English homework per night. Students are expected to read most course novels at home and be ready to discuss these novels as a large group during class time. Students will also complete an in depth research paper, memoir, and literary analysis paper throughout the course of the year. The honors track is a rigorous college preparatory track, so students will be expected to be in class every day and turn in their homework, major assignments, and papers on time. All major assignments will be typed and no late homework will be accepted. Students enrolled in this course should be prepared to have English homework each night and are required to participate in our RISE remediation program if the course grade reaches a 74% or below. There is required summer reading for Honors 9th Grade Literature and Composition. Student Comments: “If you want to push yourself, then take Honors Ninth Grade Literature and Composition. I spend at least 45 minutes on English homework per night and many times more. My honors teachers push me harder and have higher expectations. Honors Ninth Grade Literature and Composition is more challenging this year than it was in middle school. You have to be ready for the challenge.” -Amanda
Course Name: Gifted 9th Grade Literature and Composition Honors Course Number: 23.2610040 Prerequisites: 85 or higher in Advanced or TAG 8th Grade Language Arts or 95 or higher on-level 8th Grade Language Arts and 8th Grade Language Arts teacher recommendation; enrollment in TAG Program; application/selection as content area for gifted participation Description: Same description as 9th Grade Literature and Composition Honors with the following addition: a Research element.
Course Name: 10th Grade Literature and Composition Grade: 10 Prerequisites: 9th Grade Lit/Comp Description: 10th Grade Literature and Composition is a mandatory course for all tenth grade students not enrolled in Honors Tenth Grade Literature and Composition. Students should be prepared to read a variety of materials with an emphasis on persuasion and non-fiction throughout the year in addition to a lengthy schedule of fiction novels. Students will write in response to an array of topics and writing situations and work to achieve depth and development in their writing. Students will work with peers on group projects, will participate in novel discussions, and will strengthen their grammar skills through our grammar practice program. Class time will be spent preparing for the PSAT and standardized testing. Students enrolled in this course should be prepared to have English homework each night and are required to participate in our RISE remediation program if the course grade reaches a 74% or below. Student Comments: “It’s easy as long as you read and understand what you are reading. If you do your work for class, 10th Lit is not that hard, it’s just more advanced and faster than 9th grade. We write a lot more- which I love, by the way! The pace is definitely quicker! The grammar can be a little tricky, so you should practice, practice, practice until you can’t get it wrong even if you try! You can also use your DGP packet and go in for help.” - Renato
Course Name: 10th Grade English Literature and Composition Honors Prerequisites: 85 or higher (without honors points) in Honors 9th Grade Language Arts or 95 or higher in on-level 9th Grade Language Arts and 9th Grade Language Arts teacher recommendation Description: Students interested in taking Honors 10th Grade Literature and Composition should be avid, independent readers and eager, accomplished writers who have Honors Language Arts experience from high school or a 95% or higher average in on-level 9th Grade English as well as that teacher’s recommendation. 10th Grade honors students should be prepared to work on multiple in-class and out-of-class assignments simultaneously and should be self-directed, organized learners. Accordingly, honors students knowingly anticipate a minimum of one hour of English homework per night. Students are expected both to read course novels and required independent novels at home and to be ready to discuss and analyze these novels as a large group during class time, frequently applying the basics of literary theory. Students will also complete an in depth persuasive research paper, a persuasive issue paper, a literary analysis paper, and numerous timed writing papers throughout the course of the year. Class time will be spent preparing for the PSAT and standardized testing. The honors track is a rigorous college preparatory track, so students will be expected to be in class every day and turn in their homework, major assignments, and papers on time, without question. All major assignments will be typed and no late homework will be accepted. Students enrolled in this course should be prepared to have English homework each night and are required to participate in our RISE remediation program if the course grade reaches a 74% or below. There is required summer reading for Honors Tenth Grade Literature and Composition. Student Comments: “To do this class, you have to be committed the entire time by prioritizing school work over prioritizing relaxation time. I usually have an hour of English homework per night on average, sometimes more. This year there are a lot more expectations for us to go into depth. Last year in writing you only needed to know the ideas. This year you have to know how to focus on the ideas and explain in writing how they contribute to the overall meaning of the novel. There’s a lot more subtlety that we’re expected to get in the novels, too. The pace at which we work and the level at which we pause and think and connect and write distinguishes honors students from others.” ~Ananth Honors English requires much deeper analysis. We’re expected to analyze books and things we read to a deeper level, and we’re expected to do assignments with more detail and more insight. All of this takes a lot longer—I usually have 30 minutes of reading homework alone in addition to the other things that we’re asked to do. The grading of these assignments, particularly our writing, is much more critical because you have to reach new levels of analysis and have to more concisely convey what you mean in your writing.” ~ David (Honors Tenth Grade Literature and Composition Student) “This year Honors 10th English requires more analyzing rather than just basic comprehension. You’re expected to constantly think outside the box to the extent that rather than just knowing something as fact and making that comment, you have to connect it to something else to rationalize it and justify it. Because of that, you have to develop better analysis in your writing. Since in class time is spent analyzing and discussing, most reading work is done at home. We have homework every night.” ~Erik Course Name: Gifted 10th Grade English Literature and Composition Honors Prerequisites: 85 or higher (without honors points) in Honors 9th Grade Language Arts or 95 or higher in on-level 9th Grade Language Arts and 9th Grade Language Arts teacher recommendation; enrollment in TAG Program; application/selection as content area for gifted participation Description: Same description as 10th Grade Literature and Composition Honors with the following addition: Research element.
Course Name: 11th Grade American Literature and Composition Course Name: 11th Grade American Literature and Composition Honors Course Number: 23.0510040 Grade: 11 Prerequisites: 85 or higher (without honors points) in Honors 10th Grade English or a 95 or higher in on-level 10th Grade Language Arts and 10th Grade Language Arts teacher recommendation Description: Honors American Literature is a rigorous reading and writing intensive class that focuses on American authors and poets through United States history. Students interested in taking this course should be avid readers and writers and have Honors Language Arts experience or a 95% or higher average in on-level 10th Grade English as well as that teacher’s recommendation. Students will be asked to think critically and apply their knowledge both in Socratic seminars and writing. Students in this class will be expected to write more essays than in an on-level course and read more novels independently outside of school. More than one text may be assigned at one time. Students will also complete an in-depth literary research paper on the Modern Poets. This is a fast paced class and students must be able to work independently. Students enrolled in this course should be prepared to have a minimum of an hour of English homework each night and are required to participate in our RISE remediation program if the course grade reaches a 74% or below. Summer Reading is required for this course. “11th Grade Honors Literature is not too much work, but it is necessary to pay attention because the material is difficult. You must be dedicated to working in the class because you won’t succeed if you don’t.” ~ Joe Course Name: AP Language and Composition Grade: 11 Prerequisites: 85 or higher (without honors points) in Honors 10th grade Language Arts and a minimum score of 55 in the reading comprehension section of the PSAT to be successful in this class or 95 or higher in on-level 10th grade Language Arts and a minimum score of 55 in the reading comprehension section of the PSAT; AP Commitment Contract Description: Students interested in taking AP Language and Composition with American Literature focus should be prepared for college level work; therefore, they should be strong readers and writers and should have taken and done well in 10th Grade Language Arts. Please note that there is required summer reading for this course. The purpose of this class is two-fold. The first purpose is to complete a survey of American literature in order to prepare for the End-of-Course Test administered in May. The focus will be on the history and development of American Literature, including: · the influence of mythic, traditional, and classical literature on American literature; · elements of nonfiction with an emphasis on letters, journals, diaries, speeches, and essays; · historical development of poetic styles and forms in American literature; types of drama with focus on political drama, theatre of the absurd, and modern drama; · and the analysis of primary source documents in relation to the literary period or historical setting. The second purpose is to become familiar with a variety of composition methods and writing styles and techniques and to improve reading comprehension of difficult texts in order to prepare for the AP exam (also administered in May). The AP exam includes three timed free response essays (persuasive, synthesis, and rhetorical analysis) to be completed in two hours and a passage-based multiple-choice section to be completed in 55 minutes. To help students become comfortable with the format of the exam, they will complete at least three full practice exams (nine in class essays and three full multiple choice exams) in addition to many out-of-class, full process compositions. Based on the guidelines set forth by the College Board®, the AP English Language students will: · analyze and interpret samples of good writing, identifying and explaining author’s use of rhetorical strategies and techniques; · apply effective strategies and techniques in their own writing; · create and sustain arguments based on reading, research, and/or personal experience; · demonstrate understanding and mastery of standard written English as well as stylistic maturity in their own writing; · write in a variety of genres and contexts, both formal and informal, employing appropriate conventions; · produce expository and argumentative compositions that introduce a complex central idea and develop it with appropriate, specific evidence, cogent explanations, and clear transitions; and move effectively through the stages of the writing process, with careful attention to inquiry and research, drafting, revising, editing, and review. Student Comments: “AP Lang was definitely more challenging than previous language arts classes. We wrote many timed writings, engaged in many literary debates, and created distinctive essays. Most importantly, AP Lang was rewarding because it allowed us to formulate and express our own opinions.” - Krisha Course Name: World Literature and Composition Prerequisites: 11th American Literature and Composition Description: World Literature and Composition is a mandatory (semester) course for all twelfth grade students not enrolled in College English or AP Literature. World Literature and Composition is a study of major literary pieces, movements and themes from around the world. It is a rigorous class that requires attendance, note taking, and daily studying. Students write in class and out of class papers as well as an extensive literary analysis research paper while reading a variety of texts both in and out of class. Only senior level work is accepted. This class is meant to help prepare seniors to begin college the following school year. The reading, writing, and discussion require senior level depth and maturity. Students enrolled in this course should be prepared to have English homework each night and are required to participate in our RISE remediation program if the course grade reaches a 74% or below. Course Name: Multicultural Literature Grade: 12 Prerequisites: Selective; co-requisite with World Lit/Comp; pick either this course or British Literature to go along with World Literature Description: Multicultural Literature is a selective course for all twelfth grade students not enrolled in College English or AP Literature. Students must take World Literature and then they decide between British Literature and Multicultural Literature. Multicultural Literature is writing that represents the ethnic diversity of the world and the cross cultural experience that is becoming more and more a central part of life. The reading, writing, and discussion require senior level depth and maturity and are geared to preparing all students for college. It is a rigorous class that requires attendance, note taking, and daily studying. Students enrolled in this course should be prepared to have English homework each night and are required to participate in our RISE remediation program if the course grade reaches a 74% or below. Course Name: British Literature Prerequisites: Selective; co-requisite with World Lit/Comp; pick either this course of Multicultural Literature to go along with World Literature Description: British Literature is a selective course for all twelfth grade students not enrolled in College English or AP Literature. Students must take World Literature and then they decide between British Literature and Multicultural Literature. This course focuses on the study of British literature (England, Scotland Ireland and Wales), writing modes and genres, and essential conventions for reading, writing, and speaking. The students develop an understanding of chronological context and the relevance of period structures in British literature. The students develop an understanding of the ways the period of literature affects its structure and how the chronology of a work affects its meaning. The students will demonstrate competency in research and a variety of writing genres. The reading, writing, and discussion require senior level depth and maturity and are geared to preparing all students for college. It is a rigorous class that requires attendance, note taking, and daily studying. Students enrolled in this course should be prepared to have English homework each night and are required to participate in our RISE remediation program if the course grade reaches a 74% or below.
Course Name: AP Literature and Composition Grade: 12 Prerequisites: 85 or higher without honors points in 11th Grade Honors Language Arts or AP Language or 95 or higher in an on-level 11th Grade Language Arts and a recommendation from an 11th Grade Language Arts teacher; PSAT Critical Reading score of 60 or above; AP Commitment Contract “Although heavy in reading and analysis, the class discussions and enjoyable texts make AP Lit a mature, yet challenging, class.” - Kelly
“Personally, I enjoy AP Lit. It is a challenging course that will give you a preview of college literature. Because this is a class that involves a lot of time, effort, and the ability to closely read and analyze various novels, poems, and plays, I would only recommend it to a student with a strong work ethic. AP Literature is not an easy class to take, but the amount of effort that a student puts into it will distinguish its difficulty.”- Brieana
Course Name: College English (Georgia Perimeter College) Prerequisites: Acceptance to Georgia Perimeter College; Yearlong commitment Description: This course includes English 1101 (Fall only), English 1102 (Spring, Fall for students who scored a 3 or above on their AP Language exam), and English 2111 (Spring only). ENGL 1101/English Composition I: This course focuses on skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts, with emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation, and also including introductory use of a variety of research skills. ENGL 1102/English Composition II: This course develops writing skills beyond the levels of proficiency required by ENGL 1101, emphasizes interpretation and evaluation, and incorporates more advanced research methods. A research paper is required. (Prerequisite: ENGL 1101 with a C or better. Or an AP Language score of 3 or better.) ENGL 2111/World Literature I: This course offers a survey of world literature including the ancient world, classical Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. Prerequisite: ENGL 1102 with a C or better.
Course Name: Journalism 1/Newspaper Term: Yearlong Prerequisites: Application; 85 or higher cumulative average; 85 or higher average in Language Arts; advisor permission Description: Journalism I is an elective course available to students interested in all elements of journalism production. Students should have a personal interest in news and popular culture and should have a desire to publish work. They must be very accomplished academic writers, likely those who have participated in honors English during their freshman and/or sophomore years, and must be extremely comfortable working with new people. They should be responsible, self-motivated leaders who are well-respected by peers and faculty. Journalists accepted into the program will commit to year-after-year participation on the staff. In Journalism I, students will learn the tenants of journalism writing, journalism photography, and page layout design, often working collaboratively in peer newsroom groups. Responsibilities for this class extend outside of school hours for tasks like interviewing, page layout, and revision or editing processes; additionally, students must obtain advertising dollars to help support the journalism program. The class produces the school’s newspaper 6-8 times per academic year and enters its work into local and national competitions.
Course Name: Journalism 2/Newspaper Grade: 11, 12 Prerequisites: Newspaper 1; advisor permission Description: Journalism II is an elective course available to students who have participated in Journalism I in the previous school year. Journalism II students will hone their skills in journalism writing, photography, and page layout design, tackling more prestigious journalism opportunities. These student journalists will become leaders of the class by applying for section editor positions, business management positions, or the position(s) of Editor-in-Chief.
Course Name: Journalism 3/Newspaper Prerequisites: Newspaper 2; advisor permission Description: Journalism III is an elective course available to students who have participated in Journalism II in the previous school year. Journalism III are leaders of journalism writing, photography, and page layout design. These student journalists are typically leaders of the class and will work on compiling a portfolio representative of their growth as a student journalist. Often these students apply for entry into journalism programs in post-secondary institutions. Student Comments: “Being in journalism and producing a paper requires commitment, dedication, and a willingness to branch out of the ‘typical’ student mold. Things you do for newspaper aren’t usually things that a student would do on his own—like going to the principal and asking about school policies or inquiring at Lifetime about student parking procedures. I’ve committed to journalism because I like that I can influence and inform the school through investigating, interviewing, and writing. It’s gratifying because when you see people reading and talking about what you’ve written, it makes you feel like you made a difference.” --Adam
“To be a journalist, you have to have a desire to write about people and events and an ability to find a way to make it interesting. By developing a journalistic style, I’ve found a way to write on topics that otherwise wouldn’t normally reach a high school audience; it’s a neat and creative challenge to justify a topic’s credibility and to figure out how to present it to readers.”--Bennett
“Journalists should be organized, on top of deadlines, and most of all should be flexible learners because you have to change your writing style and learn design. I’ve committed to journalism because it is a way to reach out to people and help them become involved in their communities. It can change society. I take pride in our paper because it is a lot more professional and legitimate than other high school papers—we have awesome layout and talented writers.”--Margaret
Course Name: Journalism 1/Annual (Yearbook) Description: Study of photo journalism; production of school annual Expectations: Students who apply for this course must be fluent writers who are willing to interview students and adults whom they do not know, take photos, and put in hours beyond regular class time. Having a firm grasp of other academics is important because of the demands of this class.
Course Name: Journalism 2/Annual (Yearbook) Expectations: Students who apply for this course must be fluent writers who are willing to interview students and adults whom they do not know, take photos, and put in hours beyond regular class time. Having a firm grasp of other academics is important because of the demands of this class.
Course Name: Journalism 3/Annual (Yearbook) Expectations: Students who apply for this course must be fluent writers who are willing to interview students and adults whom they do not know, take photos, and put in hours beyond regular class time. Having a firm grasp of other academics is important because of the demands of this class. Student Comments: “Making the yearbook takes a lot of patience, creativity, and time management, but the final product makes all of the effort worth it.” – Aubrey
“My friends could never understand why I spent so many hours running around for yearbook. The constant need to take pictures, get quotes, and interview my peers seemed like it would have been overwhelming, but to be able to hold the finished product in your hand and be able to say, ‘I helped make that,’ is one of the best experiences ever.” –Brittany
Course Name: Journalism 1/Literary Magazine Course Number: 23.0320008 Prerequisites: Application; 85 or higher cumulative average; 85 or higher average in Language Arts; advisor permission Description: Literary Magazine participation provides students with an opportunity to experiment with various forms of creative verbal and visual expression. Students gather and critique entries for publication of the literary magazine. Students also learn the basics of graphic design and gain hands-on computer experience.
Course Name: Journalism 2/Literary Magazine Course Number: 23.0330008 Prerequisites: Literary Magazine 1; advisor permission Description: This course will enhance and hone the student skills in journalistic writing, with a main focus in analysis of print publications. An in-depth coverage of level-two topics will serve as the main premise. Students will evaluate and apply skills appropriately and efficiently to literary magazine publication opportunities and activities.
Course Name: Journalism 3/Literary Magazine Course Number: 23.0350008 Prerequisites: Literary Magazine 2; advisor permission Description: A continuation of Literary Magazine 2 that provides students with leadership opportunities as well as more in-depth computer design experience.
Course Name: Speech/Forensics 1 (Intro to Debate) Term: Yearlong Description: This course is meant for those interested in joining the Alpharetta policy debate team. The course will center on various argumentation skills. The major focuses of the course will be the development of effective rhetoric, use of current events, and research skills.
Course Name: Speech/Forensics 2 (Advanced Debate) Description: This course concentrates on preparation for competitive debate tournaments. Students will focus on research, argumentation, and in class debates. Students are required to have previous experience in competitive debate.
Course Name: Writer's Workshop Course Number: 23.0310001 – Semester 1 23.0310002 – Semester 2 Term: Semester Prerequisites: Sophomores, juniors and seniors Description: This course offers opportunities for students to explore different writing genres: narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository modes of discourse. The students will study different writers and their writing styles. The students will have opportunities to improve writing proficiency through a complete study of the components of solid writing: fluency, style, diction, mechanics, grammar, imaginative expressions, and details. The course allows students to utilize the writing process to write independently to improve their writing (This course is a one semester elective. The number at the end indicates the semester the course was taken).
Course Name: SAT Prep Course Number: 35.0660001 Term: Semester Prerequisites: Juniors and Seniors; elective; Completed or Enrolled in Integrated Algebra II or higher
Course Name: Contemporary Literature and Composition/Film Study -Elective Course Number: 23.0660001 Term: Semester Grade: 12 ESOL COURSES Course Name: Communication Skills I – Elective
Course Name: Oral Communication in Content Areas – Elective
Course Name: Reading and Listening in the Content Areas – Elective
Course Name: Communication Skills II – Elective
Course Name: ESOL 9th Grade Composition and Literature- Core LA Credit
Course Name: ESOL 10th Grade Composition and Literature – Core LA Credit
Course Name: Sheltered American Lit/Composition – Core LA Credit
Course Name: ESOL 12th Grade Composition and Literature – Core LA Credit
Course Name: Writing in the Content Area
Course Number: 55.0250000 Term: Yearlong Grade: 9 – 12 Prerequisites: Semester 1—W-APT or ACCESS overall score of 2-3 Semester 2—W-APT or ACCESS overall score of 3-4 Description: The class will focus on refining writing skills following the WIDA standards. Students will work on writing for content areas and skills in preparation for the Georgia High School Graduation Writing test. The focus will be on expository and persuasive writing, and may include note-taking, steps in the writing process, improving writing in focus and unity, and organization, idea development, mastering writing conventions, research and writing, and writing in specific content areas. Each semester may be taken independently. |