English
Department Chair: Jamie Banton
Course Offerings
English 9
Course Description:
The ninth-grade student will read and analyze a variety of literature. Knowledge of literary terms will be applied in the student’s writing and in the analysis of literature and drama. Students will analyze informational and nonfiction materials to evaluate accuracy of information. Writing will encompass narrative, expository, and informational forms to inform, explain, analyze, or entertain. The student will demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. Requirements for research and reporting will be supported through the use of print, electronic databases, online resources, and a method to cite reference sources. The student will identify reliable Internet sources as well as understand plagiarism. During second semester, the student will participate in the Campbell County writing assessment. There is no SOL test given for this course.
Pre-AP English 9
Course Description
The ninth-grade student who has already exhibited an aptitude for English will read and analyze a variety of literature. Knowledge of literary terms will be applied in the student’s writing and in the analysis of literature and drama. Students will analyze informational and nonfiction materials to evaluate accuracy of information. Writing will encompass narrative, expository, and informational forms to inform, explain, analyze, or entertain. Due to the advanced nature of the course, the representative works chosen from different literary genres and time periods will be challenging to advanced English students, as will the nature and scope of writing assignments. The student will demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. Requirements for research and reporting will be supported through the use of print, electronic databases, online resources, and a method to cite reference sources. The student will identify reliable Internet sources as well as understand plagiarism. During second semester, the student will participate in the Campbell County writing assessment. There is no SOL test given for this course.
English 10
Course Description
The tenth-grade student will read, comprehend, and critique literary works from a variety of eras and cultures. Attention will be given to the analysis of consumer information, such as labels, owners’ manuals, warranties, and contracts. The student will critique the writing of peers and professionals, using analysis to improve writing skills. In writing, emphasis is on exposition. The student will build research skills by crediting sources and presenting information in a format appropriate for content. Grammar knowledge will be expanded as the student writes, edits and presents materials, applying the conventions of language. During second semester, the student will participate in the Campbell County writing assessment. There is no SOL test given for this course.
Pre-AP English 10
Course Description
The tenth-grade student who has already exhibited an aptitude for English will read, comprehend, and critique literary works from a variety of eras and cultures. Attention will be given to the analysis of consumer information, such as labels, owners’ manuals, warranties, and contracts. The student will critique the writing of peers and professionals, using analysis to improve writing skills. In writing, emphasis is on exposition. The student will build research skills by crediting sources and presenting information in a format appropriate for content. Due to the advanced nature of the course, the representative works chosen from different literary genres and time periods will be challenging to advanced English students, as will the nature and scope of writing assignments. Grammar knowledge will be expanded as the student writes, edits, and presents materials, applying the conventions of language. During second semester, the student will participate in the Campbell County writing assessment. There is no SOL test given for this course.
English 11
Course Description
The study of both classic and contemporary American literature will enhance the student’s appreciation for literature. The student will be able to identify the prevalent themes and characterizations present in American literature, which are reflective of the history and culture. The student will also read and critique a variety of dramatic selections with an emphasis on irony. The student will be able to write clear and accurate personal, professional, and informational correspondence and reports for research and other applications. The writing emphasis will be persuasion. The student will develop informative and persuasive compositions by locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and citing applicable information with careful attention to organization and accuracy. Grammar development will continue through the application of rules for sentence formation, usage, spelling, and mechanics. Students taking this course will take two required end-of-course SOL tests: the Writing SOL Test and the Reading/Literature/ Research SOL Test. Students must pass both the course and the two SOL tests to earn two verified credits which are required for graduation.
AP English Language and Composition
Course Description
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is a course designed to provide advanced English students an opportunity to earn college credit while simultaneously mastering the Standards of Learning for English 11. In addition to meeting English 11 requirements, students will become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. The readings and compositions in this course will make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. Students taking this course will take two required end-of-course SOL tests: the Writing SOL Test and the Reading/Literature/ Research SOL Test.
Students must pass both the course and the two SOL tests to earn two verified credits which are required for graduation. Students receive weighted credit for participating in AP classes, they receive college credit only by achieving a high score on the College Board’s Advanced Placement Tests. There are fees for each test, which students will be responsible for paying. Colleges have different criteria for awarding credit for scores on AP tests, and it will be the responsibility of students to contact colleges to ascertain their policies regarding Advanced Placement scores.
English 12
Course Description
The twelfth-grade student will use organizational skills, audience awareness, appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and both verbal and nonverbal presentation skills to plan and deliver an effective five to ten minute oral presentation. The student will analyze British literature and literature of other cultures, with emphasis on the classical works that may be studied. Writing will include the production of informational and expository papers which are organized logically and contain clear and accurate ideas. The student will also produce a well-documented major research paper, using a standard method of documentation. The student will demonstrate advanced knowledge of grammatical conventions through writing, editing, and speaking. There is no SOL test given for this course.
AP English Literature and Composition
Course Description
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is a course designed to provide advanced English students an opportunity to earn college credit while simultaneously mastering the Standards of Learning for English 12. In addition to meeting English 12 requirements, students will be involved in an intensive study of literature and writing. As they read, students will consider a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. The emphasis is on improving writing and analytical skills through in-depth analysis of meaningful readings. Writing assignments focus on the critical analysis of literature and include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. There is no SOL test given for this course.
Students receive weighted credit for participating in AP classes, they receive college credit only by achieving a high score on the College Board’s Advanced Placement Tests. There are fees for each test, which students will be responsible for paying. Colleges have different criteria for awarding credit for scores on AP tests, and it will be the responsibility of students to contact colleges to ascertain their policies regarding Advanced Placement scores.
Journalism
Course Description
This course will provide first-year students with the opportunity to develop skills for both creative and journalistic writing. Students will learn about the history of journalism and will be introduced to basic journalistic techniques. They will have the opportunity to write for the school newspaper, but will not be involved in the editing or layout process. The students
will also spend time writing and analyzing poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction selections.
SOL Enrichment
Course Description
This course is designed to support students in attaining verified credits in order to meet graduation requirements. Students in this class will receive additional instruction as identified through previous SOL tests and pre-assessments.
Teachers for Tomorrow
Course Description
Teachers for Tomorrow is a dual enrollment course offered in collaboration with Lynchburg College. This course is designed for students to explore teaching as a profession and the variety of career opportunities in the educational field. The curriculum focuses on three themes: experiencing the profession, learning, and the classroom. Instruction takes place in the high school classroom, and the student participates in a supervised field experience. The program seeks to provide students insight into the nature of teaching and the critical issues affecting American schools. Students must complete a professional portfolio and attend required seminars at Lynchburg College.