LANGUAGE A

LANGUAGE A 9 (English 9)
Course Duration: Year
Course Description:
Students will be able to read, write, and communicate effectively through writing, literary analysis and critical thinking as they explore concepts related to literature from many cultures and traditions, both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of genres, purposes and styles; demonstrate the foundations of composing and expression in writing with autobiographies, poetry and dramatic writings from a variety of informational text; develop essential writing skills of style, sentence formation, usage/grammar, mechanics and spelling; develop reading skills to read, interpret, analyze, discuss and evaluate a variety of texts, authors and genres; explore and reflect on their learning through independent and group projects; and discuss the relationships between and among elements of literature including satire, irony, symbolism, plot.

Language A 9Honors (Honors English 9)
Course Duration: Year
Course Description:
Students will be able to read, write, and communicate effectively through writing, literary analysis and critical thinking as they explore concepts related to literature from many cultures and traditions, both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of genres, purposes and styles; demonstrate the foundations of composing and expression in writing with autobiographies, poetry and dramatic writings from a variety of informational text; develop essential writing skills of style, sentence formation, usage/grammar, mechanics and spelling; develop reading skills to read, interpret, analyze, discuss and evaluate a variety of texts, authors and genres; explore and reflect on their learning through independent and group projects; and discuss the relationships between and among elements of literature including satire, irony, symbolism, plot. As time permits, the curriculum will be extended to prepare students for rigorous college preparatory classes, such as AP, IB, and College in the Schools classes.

Language A 10 (English 10)
Course Duration: Year
Course Description:
Students will acquire writing, critical reading, listening, and viewing skills; complete at least eight writing lessons in the expressive, expository, and persuasive modes; continue the study of literary genres; and develop grammar, usage, mechanics, and study skills.

Language A 10 Honors (Honors English 10)
Course Duration: Year
Course Description:
This is an accelerated course for those students whom enjoy the study of literature.  Selections from classic and modern world authors provide a thematic approach in interpretation and analysis of literature.  The short story, drama, novel, poetry, and nonfiction serve as the basis for integrating the literature, writing, research, and language study.  Along with major works of literature, writing projects will be given that include research and literary analysis.  Students who are self-disciplined, diligent, and have excellent study skills will find this class to be an appropriate placement.  Those who have demonstrated success in this course will find themselves prepared for college bound courses in their junior year.

Language A 11 / American Literature (English 11)
Course Duration: Semester
Course Description:
This course develops the student’s skills in reading, thinking, writing, listening, and speaking through in-depth study of American literature in a variety of genres and through researching informational materials. It is based on the Minnesota standards for eleventh grade Language Arts.  This course is significantly more rigorous and demanding and covers more material in greater depth than Language A 10.

Language A 11 / Composition (English 11)
Course Duration: Semester
Course Description:
This course emphasizes the principles of communication, and applications of message development through the writing of letters, memos, reports, a position paper, and a research paper. In addition, the course reinforces reading, editing, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary skills. Students use the essay as the means to perfect writing techniques, correct grammar mistakes and to achieve clarity. Using essays as examples, students learn to write expository, definitive, and persuasive essays. In the progression of the writing, students will learn to formulate a thesis, make transitions, vary sentence structure, use logical progression of thought and employ several tones.


Language A 12 / Composition II (English 12)
(To be taken in conjunction with Language A 12 – World Literature)
Course Duration: Semester
Course Description:
This course emphasizes the principles of communication, and applications of message development through the writing of letters, memos, reports, a position paper, and a research paper. In addition, the course reinforces reading, editing, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary skills. Students use the essay as the means to perfect writing techniques, correct grammar mistakes and to achieve clarity. Using essays as examples, students learn to write expository, definitive, persuasive, and literary analysis essays. In the progression of the writing, students will learn to formulate a thesis, make transitions, vary sentence structure, use logical progression of thought and employ several tones for multiple purposes.  Successful completion of this course should ensure students are prepared for college level writing.

Language A 12 / World Literature (English 12)
(To be taken in conjunction with Language A 12 / Composition II)
Course Duration: Semester
Course Description:
This course develops the student’s skills in reading, thinking, writing, listening, and speaking through in-depth study of world literature in a variety of genres and through researching informational materials. It is based on the Minnesota standards for twelfth grade Language Arts.  This course also focuses on the development of critical lenses as a way of reading the world.  This course is significantly more rigorous and demanding and covers more material in greater depth than Language A 11.

LANGUAGE A
LANGUAGE A 9 (English 9)
Course Duration: Year
Course Description:
Students will be able to read, write, and communicate effectively through writing, literary analysis and critical thinking as they explore concepts related to literature from many cultures and traditions, both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of genres, purposes and styles; demonstrate the foundations of composing and expression in writing with autobiographies, poetry and dramatic writings from a variety of informational text; develop essential writing skills of style, sentence formation, usage/grammar, mechanics and spelling; develop reading skills to read, interpret, analyze, discuss and evaluate a variety of texts, authors and genres; explore and reflect on their learning through independent and group projects; and discuss the relationships between and among elements of literature including satire, irony, symbolism, plot.

Language A 9Honors (Honors English 9)
Course Duration: Year
Course Description:
Students will be able to read, write, and communicate effectively through writing, literary analysis and critical thinking as they explore concepts related to literature from many cultures and traditions, both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of genres, purposes and styles; demonstrate the foundations of composing and expression in writing with autobiographies, poetry and dramatic writings from a variety of informational text; develop essential writing skills of style, sentence formation, usage/grammar, mechanics and spelling; develop reading skills to read, interpret, analyze, discuss and evaluate a variety of texts, authors and genres; explore and reflect on their learning through independent and group projects; and discuss the relationships between and among elements of literature including satire, irony, symbolism, plot. As time permits, the curriculum will be extended to prepare students for rigorous college preparatory classes, such as AP, IB, and College in the Schools classes.

Language A 10 (English 10)
Course Duration: Year
Course Description:
Students will acquire writing, critical reading, listening, and viewing skills; complete at least eight writing lessons in the expressive, expository, and persuasive modes; continue the study of literary genres; and develop grammar, usage, mechanics, and study skills.

Language A 10 Honors (Honors English 10)
Course Duration: Year
Course Description:
This is an accelerated course for those students whom enjoy the study of literature.  Selections from classic and modern world authors provide a thematic approach in interpretation and analysis of literature.  The short story, drama, novel, poetry, and nonfiction serve as the basis for integrating the literature, writing, research, and language study.  Along with major works of literature, writing projects will be given that include research and literary analysis.  Students who are self-disciplined, diligent, and have excellent study skills will find this class to be an appropriate placement.  Those who have demonstrated success in this course will find themselves prepared for college bound courses in their junior year.

Language A 11 / American Literature (English 11)
Course Duration: Semester
Course Description:
This course develops the student’s skills in reading, thinking, writing, listening, and speaking through in-depth study of American literature in a variety of genres and through researching informational materials. It is based on the Minnesota standards for eleventh grade Language Arts.  This course is significantly more rigorous and demanding and covers more material in greater depth than Language A 10.

Language A 11 / Composition (English 11)
Course Duration: Semester
Course Description:
This course emphasizes the principles of communication, and applications of message development through the writing of letters, memos, reports, a position paper, and a research paper. In addition, the course reinforces reading, editing, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary skills. Students use the essay as the means to perfect writing techniques, correct grammar mistakes and to achieve clarity. Using essays as examples, students learn to write expository, definitive, and persuasive essays. In the progression of the writing, students will learn to formulate a thesis, make transitions, vary sentence structure, use logical progression of thought and employ several tones.


Language A 12 / Composition II (English 12)
(To be taken in conjunction with Language A 12 – World Literature)
Course Duration: Semester
Course Description:
This course emphasizes the principles of communication, and applications of message development through the writing of letters, memos, reports, a position paper, and a research paper. In addition, the course reinforces reading, editing, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary skills. Students use the essay as the means to perfect writing techniques, correct grammar mistakes and to achieve clarity. Using essays as examples, students learn to write expository, definitive, persuasive, and literary analysis essays. In the progression of the writing, students will learn to formulate a thesis, make transitions, vary sentence structure, use logical progression of thought and employ several tones for multiple purposes.  Successful completion of this course should ensure students are prepared for college level writing.

Language A 12 / World Literature (English 12)
(To be taken in conjunction with Language A 12 / Composition II)
Course Duration: Semester
Course Description:
This course develops the student’s skills in reading, thinking, writing, listening, and speaking through in-depth study of world literature in a variety of genres and through researching informational materials. It is based on the Minnesota standards for twelfth grade Language Arts.  This course also focuses on the development of critical lenses as a way of reading the world.  This course is significantly more rigorous and demanding and covers more material in greater depth than Language A 11.