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English Language Arts
Course Descriptions
Mr. Campos, Ms. Campos-Padilla, Ms. Heald, Ms. Hutchison, Mr. Moo, Mr. Olson, Mr. Pelzer, Mr. Perez, Ms. Shojaie
Bright And Ready To Learn: Lenihan Student Does ‘excellent Job’
AP Language and Composition
Code: 3113-3114 (RAI Approved)
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Elective grade 11; (Replaces English 11)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 9 and English 10.
Course Description: AP Language and Composition offers a rigorous curriculum equivalent to a college freshman rhetoric course. Students will engage challenging prose from a variety of genres, periods, and rhetorical contexts with a primary emphasis on American fiction and non-fiction, both classical and contemporary. While students will compose for a variety of purposes, much of the writing emerges from the reading as students learn to develop persuasive arguments based on carefully observing the complex relationship between author’s purpose, audience, and message. Students can expect daily reading and frequent writing assignments, as well as summer reading/writing assignments. This course prepares student for AP Exam.
Skills Needed to be Successful in Class
Students must have an awareness of their own composing processes. They must be willing to explore ideas and write essays that proceed through several stages or drafts with revision. Students must be able to organize ideas and issues in a variety of ways examining rhetorical strategies and stylistic choices. They must have a working knowledge of genre, an ability to express author’s purpose, themes, symbols and effects on audience. This course prepares student for AP Exam.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Analyze and interpret samples of good writing, identifying and explaining an author’s use of rhetorical strategies and techniques.
Apply effective strategies and techniques in their own writing.
Create and sustain arguments based on readings, research and/or personal experience.
Write for a variety of purposes.
Produce expository, analytical and argumentative compositions that introduce a complex central idea and develop it with appropriate evidence drawn from primary and/or secondary sources, cogent explanations and clear transitions.
Evaluate and incorporate reference documents into researched papers.
Careers Related to Content
Lifetime leisure activity as well as any career involving the comprehension of reading materials.
AP Literature and Composition
Code: 3115-3116 (RAI Approved)
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Elective grade 12; May count toward 4th year English credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 9, English 10, and English 11.
Course Description: AP Literature and Composition engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Students in this course read actively and the works require careful, deliberative reading. The approach to analyzing and interpreting the material involves students in learning how to make careful observations of textual detail, establish connections among their observations and draw from those connections a series of inferences leading to an interpretive conclusion about a piece of writing’s meaning and value. Students will read short stories, choice novels and poetry. Students should expect summer assignments. This course prepares student for AP exam.
Skills Needed to be Successful in Class
Students must be willing to read deliberately and thoroughly to understand a work’s complexity. They must be willing to consider a work’s literary artistry and reflect on the social and historical values it reflects and embodies. Students must pay careful attention to both textual detail and historical context providing a foundation for interpretation.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Read deliberately and thoroughly.
Become aware of literary tradition and complex imaginative literature that builds upon the ideas, works and authors of earlier times.
Writing assignments will focus on critical analysis of literature and include expository, analytical and argumentative essays.
Increase their ability to explain clearly, cogently, even elegantly, what they understand about literary works and why they interpret them as they do.
Develop arguments and analysis.
Careers Related to Content
Lifetime leisure activity as well as any career involving the comprehension of reading materials
Composition I & II (Concurrent Credit Course)
Code: 3055-3056 (RAI Approved)
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Elective grades 12; May count toward 4th year English credit
Prerequisite: Proficient on Iowa Assessment; Compass score on the Writing component of at least 60; on the Reading component of at least 80; or an ACT English score and Reading score of 20
Course Description: Class discussion requires that students analyze and evaluate their own ideas as well as the ideas and style of writers. The research paper unit emphasizes the process of choosing a topic, researching it, and presenting it in acceptable MLA form. Writing will focus on the formal essay form. However, discussion, visual representation, and oral presentation will be used to understand, interpret, and communicate ideas. Students may elect to take Advanced Placement examination in the spring.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the class
Students must be able to work independently, be responsible for meeting deadlines and for getting work when they are absent. They must be good writers with editing skills. They should know or be able to find punctuation and grammar rules, and not make errors in their writing. Students should be confident in contributing to class discussion and participating in small group work. Students must meet the MCC guidelines for prerequisite scores on either ACT or Compass tests in order to take the course.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Clearly express opinions, ideas, and interpretations.
Show mastery of analytical and critical thinking skills such as interpretation, comparison/contrast, conceptualization, organization, extrapolation, visualization, problem-solving.
Demonstrate a sense of audience.
Successfully complete college level English course work.
Careers Related to Content
Education, communications, journalism, writing, human relations, business, engineering, international relations, advertising, the humanities, and leisure-time activities
Creative Writing
Code: 3032 (RAI Approved)
Credit: ½ credit
Elective/Required: Elective grades 11-12; May count toward 4th year English credit
Prerequisite: None
Course Description: This course is for the student who has mastered basic writing skills and is interested in a writing workshop atmosphere to enhance creative thought. Students will explore various forms of writing with the purpose of understanding technique and style in their own writing processes. Juniors may take this course again for credit as seniors with permission of the instructor.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Classroom
Students must be able to read, write, and express experiences and concepts verbally, visually, and in writing. Students also need imagination, the ability to work independently, and the willingness to share writing and respond to others’ writings.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Experiment as a writer by writing a variety of types of writings.
Engage in discussions about writing with peers in order to learn from positive as well as critical feedback.
Revise, reshape, and edit a draft of writing to strengthen the intended meaning.
Plan and produce a special writing project to showcase best writings.
Careers Related to Content
All careers which involve communicating with others.
Drama I
Code: 3033
Credit: ½ credit
Elective/Required: Elective grades 9-12; May count toward 4th year English credit
Prerequisite: None
Course Description: Drama I will examine the historical roots of modern-day drama. In this class, students will learn about Greek and Roman drama and how those forms of drama influenced the direction of drama and theatre, including Shakespeare. Students will research different types of drama, read plays from the Greek period, Shakespeare, and modern-day. Students will analyze the development of a traditional five-act play and write their own plays. Aside from learning about the development of modern-day drama, students will put together their own skits, puppet shows, and one-act plays. Through the study of drama, students will learn about character development, scene development, and simple technical elements of drama.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students will be expected to participate in classroom activities, work cooperatively with a group, and give presentations to the class. Students must also be able to give constructive feedback to classmates to help everyone improve their skills.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Recognize the historical influence of modern-day drama.
Analyze the development of plays.
Write critical reviews of plays.
Develop an original play that demonstrates the development of complex characters and intricate plots.
Careers Related to Content
Education, communications, mass media, theatre, cosmetology, marketing, graphic artist, electronics, drafting, advertising, creative consultant, theatre management
Drama II
Code: 3036
Credit: ½ credit
Elective/Required: Elective grades 9-12; May count toward 4th year English credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drama I
Course Description: Drama II will focus on the technical side of theatre. Students will learn acting, make-up, set design, lighting, sound, and directing. Students will use their creativity to design the scenery of a play, determine the lighting and sound direction, and create plans for set construction. All students will work together to put together a single production, including how to market the play.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students will be expected to participate in classroom activities, work cooperatively, and give presentations. Students must be able to meet deadlines.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Develop characters and perform as those characters.
Participate in all aspects of theatre production.
Write rationalizations for why a play is to be directed in a particular way.
Write drama reviews.
Careers Related to Content
Education, communications, mass media, theatre, cosmetology, marketing, graphic artist, electronics, drafting, advertising, creative consultant, theater management.
English 9
Code: 3003-3004 (RAI Approved)
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Required grade 9
Prerequisite: None
Course Description: English 9 is a literature-based course in which students will be engaged in reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature. Students will be expected to discuss and write about literature as evidence of comprehension. Students will do a variety of speaking activities that range from small groups to formal speeches. Students will also be asked to examine the relationship between literature, society, and their own lives. Students will need to work together and share their knowledge with their classmates.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students must be able to work independently and collaboratively on assignments and projects. Student must be able to work independently and collaboratively on assignments and projects. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions. The ability to think critically and solve problems will be great assets for success in this class.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Use a variety of reading strategies to comprehend information.
Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and cohesively in both a creative and informative manner.
Use technology to produce quality materials, including oral and written presentations.
Evaluate written and spoken material in terms of usefulness, credibility, and purpose.
Develop critical listening and thinking skills.
Careers Related to Content
Administration, advertising, analyst, business, education, communications, consulting, government, human relations, journalism, law, marketing, medicine, public relations, and writing
English 9 Honors
Code: 3007-3008 (RAI Approved)
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Required grade 9 (Replaces English 9)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 8 Honors or having scored in the Advanced Proficiency level on the Iowa Assessments. May not take if credit for English 9 has already been received.
Course Description: English 9 Honors is a literature-based course in which students will be engaged in reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature in which the breadth and depth of analysis surpasses that of English 9. An inquiry-based perspective through close readings of the literature will be the approach taken to expand the critical thinking skills of each learner. A variety of questioning practices will be used throughout the literature to promote engagement with the text while developing the analytical skills of the reader. This course is designed to prepare students to be successful in English 10 Honors, AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, and Composition I and II (Concurrent Credit Course).
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students must be self-motivated and have a desire to improve in their language skills. The ability to think critically and solve problems will be great assets for success in this class. Students will be expected to complete reading and writing assignments outside of class time.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Develop inquiry-based close reading and critical thinking skills.
Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and cohesively in both a creative and informative manner that demonstrates a deep understanding of the material.
Reflect on your own learning and develop action plans to improve your learning.
Evaluate and analyze written, spoken and visual material in terms of usefulness, credibility, purpose, and comparison.
Develop strong leadership skills for college and career readiness.
Produce a variety of original writings that illustrate advanced understanding of rhetorical devices.
Reflect upon social climate as an influence to literature.
Analyze other media in comparison to the text read in and outside of class.
Careers Related to Content
Administration, advertising, analyst, business, education, communications, consulting, government, human relations, journalism, law, marketing, medicine, public relations, and writing.
English 10
Code: 3011-3012 (RAI Approved)
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Required grade 10
Prerequisite: None
Course Description: English 10 is a literature-based course in which students will be engaged in reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature. Students will be expected to discuss and write about literature as evidence of comprehension. Students will do speaking activities from small group discussions to formal speeches. Students will also be asked to examine the relationship between literature, society, and their own lives.
Students will need to work together and share their knowledge with their classmates.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students must be able to work independently and collaboratively on assignments and projects.
Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions. The ability to think critically and solve problems will be great assets for success in this class.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Use a variety of reading strategies to comprehend information.
Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and cohesively in both a creative and informative manner.
Use technology to produce quality materials, including oral and written presentations.
Evaluate written and spoken materials in terms of usefulness, credibility, and purpose.
Develop critical listening skills.
Careers Related to Content
Administration, advertising, analyst, business, education, communications, consulting, governments, human relations, journalism, law, marketing, medicine, public relations, writing
English 10 Honors
Code: 3013-3014 (RAI Approved)
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Required grade 10 (Replaces English 10)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 9 or English 9 Honors. May not take if credit for English 10 has already been received.
Course Description: English 10 Honors is a literature-based course in which students are engaged in reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature while having an emphasis on composition. Students will discuss, examine and analyze written, oral, and visual materials. Students will delve into literature to understand the author’s purpose and intended audience, expanding from the provided literature to the use of their own writing. The course is designed to help students be successful in AP Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, and prepare them for successful college writing in Composition I and II (Concurrent Credit Course).
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students must be self-motivated and have a desire to improve in their literature and composition skills. The ability to think critically and solve problems will be great assets for success in this class. Students will be expected to complete reading and writing assignments outside of class time.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Recognize the components of quality writing in various forms.
Demonstrate an understanding of an author’s purpose and the role of the audience.
Practice using writing strategies to improve the quality of one’s writing.
Use a variety of reading strategies to analyze written, visual, and oral information.
Reflect on their own learning and develop action plans to improve their learning.
Use technology to produce quality materials including oral and written presentations for a variety of audiences.
Develop strong leadership skills for college and career readiness.
Produce a variety of original writings that illustrate advanced understanding of rhetorical devices.
Careers Related to Content
Administration, advertising, analyst, business, education, communications, consulting, governments, human relations, journalism, law, marketing, medicine, public relations, writing
English 11
Code: 3017-3018 (RAI Approved)
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Required grade 11
Prerequisite: None
Course Description: English 11 is a literature-based course in which students will be engaged in reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature. Students will be expected to discuss and write about literature as evidence of comprehension.
Students will also be asked to examine the relationship between literature, society, and their own lives. Students will need to work together and share their knowledge with their classmates.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students must be able to work independently and collaboratively on assignments and projects. Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions. The ability to think critically and solve problems will be great assets for success in this class.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Use a variety of reading strategies to comprehend information.
Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and cohesively in both a creative and informative manner.
Use technology to produce quality materials, including oral and written presentations.
Evaluate written and spoken material in terms of usefulness, credibility, and purpose.
Develop critical listening skills.
Careers Related to Content
Administration, Advertising, analyst, business, education, communications, consulting, government, human relations, journalism law, marketing, medicine, public relations, writing.
English 12
Code: 3111 – 3112 (RAI Approved)
Credit: up to 1 credit (can be taken 1st and 2nd semester or just one semester)
Elective/Required: Elective grade 12; May count toward required 4th year English credit
Prerequisite: 12th grade
Course Description: English 12 is a project based, student centered course in which students will be engaged in reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature. Students will be expected to research, discuss, evaluate, and write about evidence as a component of their individualized project. Students will also be asked to examine the relationship among literature, their project, society, and their own lives. Students will need to work individually as well as collaboratively and share their knowledge with their classmates.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions. The ability to think critically and creatively to solve problems using inquiry skills will be great assets for success in this class.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Use a variety of reading strategies to comprehend information.
Demonstrate the ability to write clearly and cohesively in both a creative and informative manner.
Use technology to produce quality materials, including oral and written presentations.
Evaluate written and spoken material in terms of usefulness, credibility, and purpose.
Develop critical listening skills.
Careers Related to Content
College and career ready for any possible employment opportunity.
Journalism
Code: 3025 (RAI Approved)
Credit: ½ credit
Elective/Required: Elective grades 9-12 (May be used as an English credit)
Prerequisite: None
Course Description: Journalism is a demanding class which instructs students on the basics of publications available at MHS. Areas of journalism explored include newspaper writing, editing and design, advertising, yearbook composition, photography, and experience on computers. The course allows students to develop a sense of responsibility, while preparing them to work in related publications classes at MHS.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students must be able to meet deadlines and manage time wisely. Students need to have strong basic writing skills, be responsible and self-directed. Those students who have a desire to write strong non-fiction and explore all aspects of journalism and the media will be best suited to be successful in this class.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Create and write all types of stories found in a newspaper.
Develop and enhance their ability to take quality digital photos.
Organize and manage their time in order to meet deadlines as assigned.
Effectively use the technology needed to create a student newspaper and/or student yearbook.
Gain knowledge of basic graphic design, layout and general publication production processes.
Develop strong writing skills that will enhance any area of student or work that a student might pursue.
Careers Related to Content
Education, communications, writing, human relations, advertising, public relations
Minority Voices in American Literature (concurrent)
Code: 3110
Credit: 1/2 credits
Elective/Required: Elective grade 12; may count toward required 4 year English credit
Prerequisite: 12th grade
Course Description: This course will feature a series of smaller themes for purposes of comparison/contrast between authors of different cultures and their handling and representation of the chosen themes. Students will read and analyze several short texts (including stories, poems, essays, speeches, and possibly plays) as well as at least one novel-length fiction piece from each culture. Students will experience literature circles to present and discuss the evaluation/comparison/contrast of texts.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class: Students must be able to:
Clearly express opinions, ideas, and interpretations.
Show mastery of analytical and critical thinking skills such as interpretation, comparison/contrast, conceptualization, organization, extrapolation, visualization, problem-solving.
Demonstrate a sense of audience.
Successfully complete college level English course work.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Students will build their knowledge base of culturally diverse writers and issues.
Students will develop the ability to make connections between literature and their lives in order to develop/understand embrace the relationship between different cultures, their own culture, and important real-world and real-life issues.
Students will build their knowledge base of culturally significant histories, events and issues as represented in literature.
Students will develop their ability to connect history and current topics and conflicts/agreements in the world, in Iowa, and in Marshalltown to their own lives.
Mythology
Code: 3045 (RAI Approved)
Credit: ½ credit
Elective/Required: Elective grade 12; May count toward 4th year English credit
Prerequisite: 12th Grade
Course Description: Mythology is the study of Greek, Roman, Norse, and Middle Eastern cultural myths. Discussions may also include Arthurian Legend. Knowledge of mythology will help students to understand literature, language, history, and life more fully. The course will center on Edith Hamilton’s Mythology, Joseph Campbell’s The Power of Myth, and Donna Rosenberg’s World Mythology.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students will be asked to relate mythology to personal experiences, draw conclusions about the relationship of mythology to life, and to complete individual and group projects centered around these and other topics.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Clearly state various myths from different cultures and relate similarities and differences.
Draw conclusions about the nature of man as related to myth.
Understand the use of mythology in modern time.
Understand the use of mythology in literature, i.e. archetype.
Understand and appreciate literary mythological allusions.
View and compare written myth with film presentations.
Appreciate cultural differences and similarities exhibited through myths.
Prep for College English
Code: 3121-3122
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Elective grade 12; May count toward required 4th year English credit
Prerequisite: 11th or 12th grade
Course Description
This course is a one-year elective for juniors and seniors who wish to improve their reading and writing skills in preparation for college. The course cannot be used to replace English 11, but can be used to fulfill the required fourth year of high school English. The primary focus of the course is on strategies for reading informational texts at an increasingly complex level of writing. Secondary supporting foci include reading complex literary texts from various genres and cultures, and the composition of several genres of writing used in college coursework.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions. The ability to think critically and creatively to solve problems using inquiry skills will be great assets for success in this class.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Develop strategies for reading and understanding college-level informational texts.
Practice evaluating the merits of arguments presented in informational texts and apply these insights to their own writings.
Make connections between the characteristics of informational and literary texts and explore how the two genres relate and interact in knowledge formation.
Develop strategies for the different stages of the writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, and editing).
Create written works in several typical college genres (e.g. research article, argumentative essay, lab report, literature review).
Careers Related to Content
College and career ready for any possible employment opportunity.
Science Fiction
Code: 3049 (RAI Approved)
Credit: ½ credit
Elective/Required: Elective grade 12; May count toward 4th year English credit
Prerequisite: 12th Grade
Course Description: This course is designed to immerse students in various sub-categories of science fiction. Students will read at least two novels, multiple short stories and essays as well as view several videos that are all representative of the genre. The course includes activities such as classroom and small group discussion, essay writing, topic research, as well as tests and quizzes, all of which are designed to engage students in reading, writing, viewing, speaking, and thinking about the genre of science fiction as a complex social criticism.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students should be able to read, write, speak, and visually express their opinions. This class is designed for the student who has a keen interest in science fiction.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Gain a greater appreciation and understanding of science fiction.
Clearly write opinions, ideas, and interpretations.
Create their own visions and ideas of science fiction.
Apply literature’s specific themes to ‘real life.’
Read or view for entertainment.
Understand and explain science fiction as a social criticism.
Speech
Code: 3038 (RAI Approved)
Credit: ½ credit
Elective/Required: Elective grades 9-12 (May be used as an English 12 credit)
Prerequisite: None
Course Description: Public Speaking courses enable students, through practice, to develop communication skills that can be used in a variety of speaking situations (such as small and large group discussions, delivery of lectures or speeches in front of audiences, and so on). Course topics may include (but are not limited to)development of interpersonal skills, intrapersonal awareness, research and organization, writing for verbal delivery, stylistic choices, visual and presentation skills, analysis and critique, and development of self-confidence. Students will research topics of their choice using online databases and other web resources. They will utilize presentation software and other audio/visual digital resources. Students will use technology to record and reflect upon their presentations. They will engage in group processing and discussions, as well as other activities to enhance listening and overall communication skills for application to real life situations.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Those students who have a desire to become proficient in public speaking must be able to meet deadlines and manage time wisely. Students need to have strong basic writing skills, be responsible and self-directed, and have a desire to become proficient in public speaking.
Learning Goals: The student will be able to:
Speak in a variety of situations.
Present in front of various audiences.
Speak in large and small group discussions.
Present using visual aids.
Develop strategies and confidence to speak in all their classes.
Listen to discussions and develop analysis and critique.
Careers Related to Content
Education, communications, writing, human relations, advertising, public relations
Transitional Literacy I
Code: 3211 – 3212
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Required Elective grades 9-11 (Administrative placement based on Academic Assessments)
Prerequisite: Individual student needs
Course Description: This course is designed to provide additional support in comprehending and responding to challenging text.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students must have a desire to improve their comprehension skills. They must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively and to participate in class discussions.
Learning Goals – The student will be able to:
Use a variety of reading and writing strategies to comprehend materials.
Have daily interaction with text through reading and writing.
Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and respond to text.
Read critically and respond to persuasive writing.
Develop critical thinking skills.
Transitional Literacy II
Code: 3213-3214
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Required Elective grades 10-11 (Administrative placement based on Academic Assessments)
Prerequisite: Individual student needs
Course Description: This course is designed to provide additional support in comprehending and responding to challenging text.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students must have a desire to improve their comprehension skills. They must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively and to participate in class discussions.
Learning Goals – The student will be able to:
Use a variety of reading and writing strategies to comprehend materials.
Have daily interaction with text through reading and writing.
Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and respond to text.
Read critically and respond to persuasive writing.
Develop critical thinking skills.
Transitional Literacy III
Code: 3215 – 3216
Credit: 1 credit
Elective/Required: Required Elective grades 9-11 (Administrative placement based on Academic Assessments)
Prerequisite: Individual student needs
Course Description: This course is designed to provide additional support in comprehending and responding to challenging text.
Skills Needed to be Successful in the Class
Students must have a desire to improve their comprehension skills. They must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively and to participate in class discussions.
Learning Goals – The student will be able to:
Use a variety of reading and writing strategies to comprehend materials.
Have daily interaction with text through reading and writing.
Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and respond to text.
Read critically and respond to persuasive writing.
Develop critical thinking skills.