English at Air Academy High School 2018-2019
English at AAHS Academy School District 20 requires four years of English classes for graduation. All core English classes study literature, writing, grammar and vocabulary All core classes have outside reading and full essays
English Class Sequence Freshman Literature and Composition (9) World Literature and Composition (10) American Literature and Composition (11) Literature and Composition 4 (12)
Honors English Program at Air Academy High School Consider asking your English teacher about a course suggestion May enter the honors program at any point during the four-years at AAHS Honors classes are at a higher level of academic challenge and rigor Most honors classes have a summer reading component
Honors English Course Sequence 9 Honors Freshmen Literature and Composition 10 Honors World Literature and Composition 11 Honors American Literature and Composition 12 Honors Senior Literature and Composition or or or or AI Honors Freshmen Literature and Composition AI Honors World Literature AP English Language and Composition AP English Literature and Composition
Freshmen Literature and Composition Genre-based exploration of formative texts Emphasis on the development of critical analysis skills Focus on the skill of literary analysis in both reading and writing
Honors Freshmen Literature and Composition Similar texts as Freshmen Lit Depth rather than breadth Exploring connections between ideas and themes
AI Honors Freshmen Literature and Composition Similar texts as Freshmen Lit Focus on rigorous arts-based activities Exploring the links between art and literature Diversity of assignments based on multiple intelligences More collaborative and team-based with peer instruction
World Literature and Composition Discovering, discussing, and writing about epics, myths, religions, poets, and authors from around the world. Interdisciplinary approach linking multicultural texts to study in World History Focus on academic writing and speaking Work to prepare students for all options (including honors and AP courses) during junior and senior year
Honors World Lit Examination of world literature Exploring the growth of civilization Opportunities for growth in analytical writing More student directed learning Preparation for Honors and AP courses for Junior and Senior year
AI Honors World Literature Teachers collaborate with Honors Art Integrated Science and Social Studies classes Provides access to artistic learning opportunities Abstract and critical thinking skills (looking more at How and Why, than Who and What) Incorporates more elective subjects (psychology, film, creative writing, etc.) More collaborative and team-based with peer instruction
American Lit (11) Designed to engage students in higher order thinking skills and prepare them for senior courses, college, and the future. Focus is on seminal works of American fiction & non-fiction. Writing will focus on argument and analysis. Students will be expected to use technology and 21 st century skills. Students will be asked to show their knowledge through various assessments including projects, discussion, essay response and online formats.
Honors American Literature and Composition Accelerated course that is designed to engage students in higher order thinking skills and prepare them for the literature based curricula and advanced analytical writing in subsequent honors and AP classes. Focus is on seminal works of American fiction supplemented by nonfiction works. Writing will include a combination of in-class and out-of-class assignments. Writing will happen in the following modes: expository, analytical and argumentative. Students will be expected to use technology and 21 st century skills. Students will be asked to show their knowledge through various assessments including individual and group projects, discussion, essay response and online formats. Honors classes are designed to engage students at a higher level of academic challenge.
AP Language A class about learning how to identify the METHODS and TOOLS that writers use to create arguments. Significant emphasis on nonfiction works, like essays, speeches, and articles Argument and rhetoric are the core ideas. Focus on the HOW and WHY of the author s craft Short term goal to prepare for the AP Lang test in May Long term goal critical thinking and writing
Comp and Lit 4 Focus on preparation for college and career writing and critical thinking Assessments include college application essay, presentations, literary analysis essay, in-class timed essay, argumentative research paper, and creative portfolio Mixture of fiction and nonfiction texts
HONORS SENIOR LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION Class Focus Includes all the elements of Comp and Lit 4 as well as meeting the following objectives: To review and practice different types of college writing assignments at a more challenging level To acquire a broader, college-level vocabulary To practice critical close reading in both fiction and non-fiction texts at deeper level To apply higher order thinking skills to various levels of text complexity Desired Student Characteristics Demonstrate self-directed and independent learning Display strong leadership and contribution in groups Engage in deep, original thinking
AP Literature Aligns to an introductory college-level literary analysis course and prepares students to take the national AP English Literature and Composition exam in May Engages students in the close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure Requires students to be independent learners willing to do substantial writing, deep thinking and outside reading
English Electives The following elective classes are offered to supplement instruction in English. They do not meet all state standards for English education at high school; however, they are rigorous classes for students to explore topics more deeply.
Comparative Religions Study of seven major religions Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Taoism Judaism Christianity Islam Grades 10-12 1 Semester, 1 elective credit
Creative Writing 1 & 2 Explores many kinds of writing Students will identify quality writing Writing as a means of discovery! Grades 9-12 1 semester,1 elective credit
Explorations in Western Philosophy Traces the major thinkers of western philosophy Greeks to moderns LOTS of discussion! Grades 10-12 1 semester, 1 elective credit
Forensics, Speech and Debate For the competitive speech and debate student Stresses participation in forensics competition Grades 9-12 1 semester, 1 elective credit
Advanced Forensics, Speech and Debate Continues from Forensics, Speech and Debate Further develop forensic skills Grades 9-12 1 semester, 1 elective credit
Mythology and You Study classical and modern myths Greece, Rome, India, Europe and North America Grades 9-12 1 semester, 1 elective credit
Shakespeare Alive! Read plays not read in other English classes For college-bound students Shakespeare s life and times Grades 9-12 1 semester, 1 elective credit
Speech Writing and delivery of speeches Develop communication and public speaking skills Grades 9-12 1 semester, 1 elective credit
College Preparatory Composition The course will prepare students for post-secondary writing expectations and study. Focus on the types of writing tasks common in post-secondary pursuits. Grades 11-12 1 semester, 1 elective credit
Yearbook Production of school yearbook. Application and approval process Grades 10-12 2 semesters, 2 elective credits
Film as Literature Examines movies to determine how directors make meaning through various cinematic techniques Similar to the way students learn to analyze works of literature Grades 10-12 1 Semester, 1 elective credit
Journalism Students learn journalistic writing and photographing to produce the school s online newspaper, The Jetstream Journal Requires students to consistently develop story ideas, conduct research and interviews, write, edit, and meet deadlines Application and approval process Grades 10-12 2 semesters, 2 elective credits
Enrichment Reading Exploration of new books and genres Focus on reading for pleasure Weekly blogging about books!!! Grades 9-12 1 semester, 1 elective credit