Language Arts

1610 – READING 1 (9,10) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
This course is required for students who score at or below 210 on the ISAT (Idaho Standard Achievement Test). It will focus on word analysis, vocabulary, and fluency. Students will work on improving their literal, interpretive and evaluative comprehension. Students will read a variety of literature in class and be required to read independently form self-selected books. The goal of this class is to help the student become an engaged, fluent and competent reader of the variety o texts they will have to understand in their, personal academic and professional lives.

1612 – READING 2 (9,10,11) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
This course is required for students who score at or below as follows: 217 (freshmen), 219 (sophomores) 223 (juniors) on the ISAT (Idaho Standard Achievement Test), The course will focus on word analysis, vocabulary, and fluency. Students will work on improving their literal, interpretive and evaluative comprehension. Students will read a variety of literature in class and be required to read independently form self-selected books. The goal of this class is to improve student reading comprehension and fluency by reading a variety of genre.

0115-CORRECTIVE READING 1 (9,10) 2 Credits/2 Semesters This course is for students who have been recommended by teachers and counselors who are reading below the fifth grade level and have need for word attack, rate development, a comprehension strategy instruction.

1110 – BASIC ENGLISH 9 (9) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
This course is designed for freshmen who have been recommended by teachers and counselors, or who score at or below 211 in language on the 8th grade on the spring ISAT. The Basic English 9 class will benefit from a reduced pace from that of other English classes. Students in this class, in addition to the regular English curriculum, will receive instruction in vocabulary, writing, reading and study skills.


1120 – ENGLISH 9 (9-REQ, 10,11,12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
Emphasis will be on improving writing skills, vocabulary development, and reading a variety of literature.

1130 – HONORS ENGLISH 9 (9) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
This course is designed for the capable student who is willing to read and write seriously. It will emphasize vocabulary and development of writing skills. It will prepare students for other honors courses.
Students should meet the recommended honors criteria.

1210 – BASIC ENGLISH 10 (10-REQ, 11, 12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
This course is designed for sophomores who have been recommended by teachers and counselors, or who score below grade level on the ISAT.

1220 - ENGLISH 10 (10-REQ, 11, 12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
Designed to help students improve in their basic language skills. The course of study will include the review and reinforcement of grammar fundamentals and standard English usage as well as reading short stories, biographies and novels.

1230 – HONORS ENGLISH 10 (10) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
A challenging course designed for the highly capable, serious student. It will emphasize writing in response to the various genres of world literature as well as stress vocabulary and other college skills.
Students should meet the recommended honors criteria.

1320 - ENGLISH 11 (11-REQ, 12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
The course is designed to improve the student's skills in reading, writing and language through the study of themes and writers of American literature, past and present.

1341 – IB ENGLISH 11  (11) 2 Credits/2 Semesters               
1441 - IB ENGLISH 12, HL(12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
This two year literature and writing course is designed to develop critical reading, thinking, and writing skills. The course will focus on developing an understanding of the diverse culture and literature of the United States. The thematic focus will be on the individual and society. Through close study of the short stories, speeches, letters, and essays, students will develop a command of the language and rhetorical terms and strategies appropriate for the study of literature. The senior year will involve in-depth studies of authors and their works from four different nations:  Russia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Seniors will leave this class with a broadened world view and the ability to analyze literature in detail. 
Students should meet the recommended honors criteria.

1420 – ENGLISH 12 (12-REQ) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
Senior literature focuses on the study of world literature through various genres of diverse times and places. Composition focuses on developing and extending writing for purposes that extend into post high school academics and life. The critical study of language emphasizes how context influences the structure, meaning, and use of language.

1410 - APPLIED ENGLISH 12 (12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
Seniors who are planning to attend a technical, two-year or four-year college, or join the work force after graduation may elect to take Applied English in place of Senior English. The focus of the class will be strategies to ensure success in the workplace including technical writing, reading, communicating, and collaborative problem solving. The literature studied will reflect these concepts.


1510 - SPEECH (11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
Students will practice communication skills in a variety of settings. Emphasis will be placed on overcoming fear, group discussion and speaking technique. Projects will emphasize practical applications such as job interviews, telling stories to children, speaking in a formal setting (i.e. funeral or banquet) or explaining a familiar process or selling an item.


1531/1532 – DEBATE 1 (9,10,11,12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
Students will study Lincoln-Douglas Debate which focuses on the political application of morals and philosophy through values and research. Students will also study Policy Debate which focuses on advocating for or against policy statements and their global impact. Basic skills in research, analysis, organization and refutation will be emphasized in a competitive environment. Students will debate both independently and as members of teams.
Participation in co-curricular debate tournaments is expected.
One full year of debate will fulfill the Speech requirement.

1540 - DEBATE 2 (10,11,12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
For students with at least one year of debate experience. Theory applied to the competitive setting is the primary focus. Students should anticipate preparation for and participation in various speech contests and debate tournaments.
Prerequisite: Instructor’s Approval.

1725 - JOURNALISM (9,10,11,12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
This course will familiarize the student with various types of newspaper writing including news, sports, feature, review, and editorial writing. The course will stress developing investigative reporting skills as students learn to balance their writing objectively. Students will be required to use desktop publishing programs on the computer in producing a newspaper. Prerequisite: Instructor's Approval Recommended.

1730 - YEARBOOK (10,11,12) 2 Credits/2 Semesters
Instruction in layout, proofing and copy, and other steps leading to the production of the high school annual.
Prerequisite: Instructor Approval.

1735 - CREATIVE WRITING (9,10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
A semester long writing course aimed at those students interested in writing stories and poems. This elective course will emphasize creativity. (Not offered every year.)

1740 - CLASSIC MOVIES AS LITERATURE (9,10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
A series of classic movies will be used to teach literary devices and elements. Students will observe, discuss, and write about each movie. The course includes a brief cinematic history. (Not offered every year.)

1755 - YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE (9,10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
An elective English course in which students will read and respond to adolescent literature. Students will study literature written for and about teens and their problems and issues. Students will study the ideas and issues as they relate to their lives. (Not offered every year.)

1770 - GREAT BOOKS (9,10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
Reading and responding through discussion and writing to the “Great Books.” These books present universal truths and ideas. This course contains reviews and literary analysis.
(Not offered every year.)

1775 - THE GREEK MIND (9,10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
Students will study and respond to mythology, classic drama, the great philosophers, vocabulary study, and root words and their application. (Not offered every year.)

1745 - POETRY IN SOUND AND WORD (9, 10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
Through the study of poetry and language with a focus on vocabulary and word choice, students will develop a better understanding of poetry. Students will apply these skills in writing their own poetry. (Not offered every year.)

1750 - POETRY 2 (10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
An elective English course in which students will read, write, and publish poetry as well as develop advanced vocabulary skills. (Not offered every year.)
Prerequisite: Poetry in Sound and Word and/or Instructor’s Approval

1780 – BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY (9,10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
An elective English course in which students will read and respond to biographies, autobiographies, memoirs, and related readings. Students will study the ideas and the literary qualities that establish these books as biographical and explore the relevance of other people’s lives to their own.
(Not offered every year.)

1785 – GREAT DRAMAS OF AMERICA AND THE WORLD (9,10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
An elective English course in which students will read and respond to plays by great American and world playwrights. Students will study the ideas and the literary qualities that establish these plays as great literary masterpieces. (Not offered every year.)

1760 – MULTI-CULTURAL LITERATURE (9,10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
An elective English course in which students will read and respond to literature from many cultures, including African, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American. Students will study the literary qualities that establish these books as good literature and the ideas and traditions of other cultures.
(Not offered every year.)

1790 – READING & WRITING SCI-FI & FANTASY LITERATURE (10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
Students with interest in science fiction and fantasy literature can explore this literature in a course designed to help them understand why they like these genres and how they can create this kind of literature on their own. We will explore the questions authors address and the meaning of their answers as students work to develop their own writing ability and style.
(Not offered every year.)

1771– Reading Mystery and Detective Fiction (10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
This course will be offered fall 2007 pending approval by the school board. This is a literature course for students who love mystery stories. We will read from the masters of the genre and explore why these stories intrigue us and how they work. Class activities will include reading and discussing a variety of mystery stories, learning about the history and subcategories of the genre, searching for new titles and authors to read and share with classmates, and writing about our reading. (Not offered every year.)

1772 – Hot Lit: Reading Nonfiction and Fiction on Contemporary Issues (10,11,12) 1 Credit/1 Semester
 This course will be offered fall 2008 pending approval by the school board. This is a literature/humanities course in which students will read recent nonfiction and fiction works selected to provoke discussion of current national and world issues. Class activities will include reading and discussing these works, researching and writing about the issues, and planning and giving group presentations. (Not offered every year.)