BASIC ENGLISH I/II

9th, 10th                                    1 credit                        1 year              Administrative

                                                                                                            Approval                    

This class is offered to freshmen.   It provides instruction in spelling, expressive language and comprehension of written material, all of which have a vocational emphasis and application.  Requires the permission of the instructor for admission.

Freshman English

9th                                            1 credit                        1 year              None

Students will study five-paragraph essay format for narrative, expository and persuasive essays.  Will research and write mini-research papers using correct documentation.  Grammar and vocabulary study will be used to reinforce writing skills.  Reading literature, both as a class and with individual choices, will be a major focus.  Study skills, organizational skills and media literacy are also included.

Sophomore English

10th                                          1 credit                        1 year              None

Sophomores will read a variety of literature, including both in and out of class novels, short stories, etc.  Students will concentrate on writing various types of essays while reinforcing grammar and vocabulary skills. Students will learn correct documentation for citing sources.  Students will do a career research paper as well as collaborative papers with other classes.  

 (Honors class is essentially the same except there is more in-depth analysis of literature, college level vocabulary study and a strong concentration in composition.)   

Junior Composition

11th                                          0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class is required for all juniors.  The focus will be on the elements of writing, including vocabulary and grammar, and the writing process.  Students will have extensive practice in writing a variety of essay types, including narrative, expository and persuasive.  Students will also produce at least one research paper with proper documentation for this class.

Speech Communication

11th                                          0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class is required for all juniors and will focus on public speaking and critical listening skills.  Students will plan, write and present speeches on a variety of topics, including speeches to inform and persuade.  They will also learn to provide oral argumentation, evaluate arguments and analyze their audience.  Students will also present several speeches in groups, but most will be done individually.

American Literature

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class includes novels and other writings by American authors dating from the early Puritans through the present, an evolution of trends in American literature.  The class involves considerable reading and class discussion as well as writing assignments based on the assigned literature.

British Literature

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class includes several works of Shakespeare as well as works by other British authors.  It also includes evolution of the English language from the Anglo-Saxon era to the present.  The class requires considerable reading in and out of class, class discussion as well as writing assignments based on the assigned literature.

World Literature

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class includes translated works by authors from other countries, including Russian, German, Dutch and French literature.  The class involves considerable reading and class discussion as well as writing assignments based on the assigned literature.

Multicultural Literature

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class includes representative literature of some of the main cultural groups in the United States, including Native American, African American, Asian American and Hispanic/Latino.  Students will read novels representative of each group, some books of their own choice and some as a whole class.  They will also do group research into the various cultures and their influence on the U.S.

Montana/Western Literature

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class includes both whole class novels and others of the student’s choice that represent the various genres of Montana and other western literature.  The class involves considerable reading and discussion of the literature as well as related research projects.

Contemporary Literature

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class includes a wide range of literature, everything from current best sellers to Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winners to young adult and children’s literature, including Newbery and Caldecott award-winners.  Students will choose books from each of these categories to read and report on.  The class involves considerable reading as well as some discussion, research and writing.

Mythology

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

Includes the study of Greek and Roman mythology using Edith Hamilton’s Mythology and other resources.  In addition, students will be required to read one outside reading book from a list provided by instructor.  This class involves considerable reading, as well as some discussion, writing and research. If time allows we will also read from mythologies of other cultures.   

Advanced Composition

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class is recommended for ALL college-bound seniors who will attend a four-year school.  The focus will be on the elements of writing, including vocabulary and grammar, and the writing process.  Students will have extensive practice in writing a variety of essay types, including persuasive, process, comparison, cause/effect and problem/solution.  Students will also produce at least one research paper for this class.

Journalism

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

                                                1.0 credit                     1 year

Students will produce a monthly school newspaper following correct journalistic format.  They will learn various journalistic writing styles as well as editing, photography and layout.  By the end of the semester, all students should have an opportunity to be involved in every aspect of newspaper production.  Class size is limited and requires instructor approval.

Creative Writing

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class involves extensive writing in the areas of short stories, poetry, plays, etc.  In addition, students will create a portfolio of their writings during the semester.  They will also have numerous opportunities to share their writing with the rest of the class.

Business English

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class is for students planning to go into the work force immediately or soon after high school graduation.  The class will include computer-related communications skills, writing a variety of memos and letters, and preparing and presenting a work proposal.  Includes both written and oral communication skills.  Students will update resumes, complete job searches, job applications and practice interviewing.

Drama

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

Students will study various forms of drama.  They will be required to participate in, and study acting exercises, play writing, stage make-up, lighting, set design, etc. This class will included some reading and writing involving plays and aspects of drama.  The class will try to work towards the production of a short play at the end of the semester. 

Poetry

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class is for the serious student of poetry and will involve extensive reading and analysis of a wide range of poetry using a college-level text.  It will also include numerous opportunities to write and share poetry.

Film as Literature

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

Class will focus on comparisons between contemporary movies and the novels on which they are based.  The class will include reading the novels, discussing and writing about them as well as viewing and evaluating the movies.  

College and Test Preparation

11th, 12th                                  0.5 credit                     1 semester                  None

This class is recommended for college-bound juniors and seniors who want to improve their ACT and SAT scores, complete applications for colleges and scholarships and write winning essays for their applications and also for contests.  The class includes a focus on specific test preparation skills as well as on writing personal essays.