A Slightly Closer Look at Some of the Language Arts Course Offerings

1. A Slightly Closer Look at Some of the Language Arts Course Offerings

2. Community College Tech School/Work Force College Preparatory College Preparatory Advanced Placement Route English 9 (10 English credits) English 9 or Pre-AP/Honors English 9 (10 English credits) English 9(10 English credits) Language Arts: Skills Seminar (For students with 9th grade in-progress/low basic scores on district levels tests. Students with high basic scores and above enroll directly in World Lit/Composition. Students needing this course are notified in April or May.) (10 English credits) World Literature/Composition (10 English credits) World Literature/Composition or Pre-AP World Literature/Composition (10 English credits) World Literature/ Composition (10 English credits) US Lit//Humanities (5 US Lit. credits) (5 Hum. credits) US Lit/Humanities or Pre-AP US Lit/Humanities (5 US Lit. credits) (5 Hum. credits) US Lit/ Humanities (5 US Lit. credits) (5 Hum. credits) Junior/Senior Level Classes A student needs 5-15 credits, depending on whether or not he or she has taken Skills Seminar. Junior/Senior Level Classes A student needs from 5-15 credits, depending on whether or not he or she has taken Skills Seminar. British Literature/Composition (10 English credits) (5 English credits) British Literature Great Books 1 and 2 College Prep/ Composition Creative Writing: Drama/Short Story Creative Writing: Poetry Reading/Study Skills Technical Writing (5 English credits) Short Fiction Reading/Study Skills Media Analysis/Composition Advanced Placement: Literature and Composition (10 English credits) Students who have lower skills on levels tests, but who are seriously motivated, can be successful in the junior/senior level classes in the middle column. Television Production may also be taken for English credits and is considered a non-college preparatory class. (10 English credits) Journalism 1 and 2 Pacesetters British Literature/Composition Western or World Humanities Any of the classes from the middle column are recommended as additional English electives for these students.

3. Course Descriptions! Basic Speech

4. Introduction For many people in today’s society, public speaking is one of the scariest things imaginable. This course is designed to help alleviate some of that fear and anxiety by giving you a chance to practice speaking in front of an audience for a variety of purposes.

5. Speeches Covered The different types of speeches covered in the class includes, but is not limited to, the following: • Persuasive • Oral Interpretation • How-To/Informative • Impromptu • Mock Interview

6. Additional Skills The following skills will also be covered: • Organization (webs, outlines, notecards, etc.) • Use of visual aids • Use of facial expression • Use of body language and hand gestures • Use of eye contact • Understanding of the dynamics in a group discussion • Critique and evaluate others’ speeches • Research • How to impact an audience

7. Course Descriptions! Theatre

8. Theatre Foundations If you’re interested in theatre but don’t know where to start, this is the place for you. Theatre foundations focuses on the basics of theatre. You’ll get everything you wanted to know (or at least the start of it) about the history of theatre, the nitty-gritty of acting, and an intro to the technical side. This is a one-term class any beginning thespian will love.

9. Advanced Acting and Production So, you fell in love with the theatre through Theatre Foundations, or it’s just in your blood and you want to go one step further in your training. Advanced Acting is right up your alley. This one-term class offers a more in-depth look at the fundamentals of performance such as auditioning, directing, and stage-craft. The culminating project for this class is an on-the-road children’s theatre that allows you to show off everything you learned. You’ll leave Advanced Acting ready for Broadway (or at least Openstage!).

10. Musical Theatre Production The only musical Rocky produces is in this very class. During first term, fourth hour you’ll spend an hour and a half rehearsing for musicals such as The Music Man, Oklahoma!, Kiss Me Kate, or Brigadoon. You can also get in on the tech side if behind-the-scenes is more your forte. You just have to make sure you register for this class the year before. Auditions are held in May and production starts the first day of school in August. An intense 9 weeks, but in the end, it’s well worth the effort!

11. Extra Curricular Theatre Throughout the year there are numerous opportunities to get on stage outside of class. There’s always the student directed Winter One Act Festival, the Spring Show in April, as well as Shakespeare Under the Stars, Variety Shows, and a number of other performances. Just keep an eye out for auditions and information!

12. Course Descriptions! Great Books

13. Introduction Do you need five more credits of English? Do you love to read? Do you wish you had read more of “the classics?” If you answered yes to any of these, Great Books could be the class for you!

14. The Great Books I Catcher in the Rye Crime and Punishment Giants in the Earth The Mirror The Time Machine Dandelion Wine Travels with Charlie Invisible Man Too Late the Phalarope The Great Books II The Sun Also Rises The Grapes of Wrath The Chosen 2001: A Space Odyssey Darkness At Noon Fathers and Sons Davita’s Harp Cry, the Beloved Country Reading Lists Here at Rocky, we offer two classes of Great Books, alternating each year, so you could actually take the class once this year and once next year and read completely different books. The list of possible titles for each class is as follows…

15. Course Descriptions! World Literature And Composition

16. Introduction As it is a requirement for all 10th-grade students, this course is designed to prepare you for the other English courses you will take at Rocky Mountain High School. The course is challenging and stimulating for students of all levels, and it will build on the knowledge you gained in junior high in the areas of reading and writing.

17. Literature You will understand the use of literary devices as you study poetry, non-fiction and short stories from the textbook. In addition, at least two novels will be read during the semester, chosen from the following list: • The Good Earth • Nervous Conditions • The Old Man and the Sea • A Place Where the Sea Remembers • I Am the Clay • Girl With a Pearl Earring • Candide • A Wizard of Earthsea • Cyrano de Bergerac • Power of One • East of Eden

18. Drama Drama is also covered in the class, with one of the following plays by Shakespeare read in its entirety: • Julius Caesar • Merchant of Venice

19. Composition The second main component of the class is composition. You will complete four multi-draft writing assignments in the following genres: • Expository/Narrative • Persuasive • Research • Literary Analysis

20. Course Descriptions! Pre-AP World Literature And Composition

21. Introduction This course is designed for sophomores who wish to begin preparing for the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition course. Passing this course is required for graduation. This class is also a prerequisite for U. S. Literature and Humanities (students may elect to take Pre A.P. U. S. and Humanities). Pre AP World Literature and Composition is intended to introduce students to a survey of world literature beginning with the Classical Age and ending with the Modern Era. Literature is presented within the larger context of the history, culture and philosophy of each time period in order to expose students to the various influences that shaped the styles, themes and genres of great literature throughout the world. Students are expected to be able to work independently, to think critically and analytically and to have solid reading and writing skills. Throughout the course, students will study excerpts of works such as the Iliad, The Song of Roland, Don Quixote, Gulliver's Travels, Romantic poetry (including Hugo and Wordsworth), Realist short stories (such as Tolstoy and De Maupassant) and contemporary short stories (such as Allende and Tan). In addition to textual excerpts, students will also read 2 dramas such as Antigone and Julius Caesar or Merchant of Venice, as well as The Old Man and the Sea, Candide and East of Eden.

22. Student Responsibilities In addition to literary study, students will complete a minimum of four processed writing assignments. Composition work focuses on literary analysis and expository and persuasive writing techniques. The capstone writing assignment is a research paper. 1. Readings a. 5 assigned novels/dramas b. Textual excerpts 2. Papers/ Projects a. Essays: 4 processed essays b. Timed in class essays c. Literary Terms portfolio d. Group project: research and group discussion 3. Exams a. "Time Period" tests b. Assigned novel/drama tests c. Cumulative final exam

23. Course Descriptions! British Literature And Composition

24. Introduction This course is designed for college bound juniors and seniors. It is also a recommended course for students working on the AP track in English. British Literature and Composition is intended to introduce students to a survey of literature beginning with the Middle Ages and ending with the Modern era. Literature is presented within the larger context of the history, culture, and philosophy of each time period in order to expose students to the various influences which shaped the styles, themes and genres of great British literature. Students will study excerpts of works such as Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, Renaissance sonnets (including Shakespeare, Spenser, and Donne), The Rape of the Lock, Romantic poetry (including Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Keats), The Lady of Shallot and Dubliners. In addition to textual excerpts, students will also read 4 full length works such as: Macbeth, Frankenstein, A Tale of Two Cities and 1984.

25. Student Responsibilities In addition to literary study, students will complete a minimum of four writing assignments. Composition work focuses on literary analysis and expository and persuasive writing techniques. 1. Readings a. 4 assigned novels/dramas b. Textual excerpts 2. Papers/Projects a. Essays: 2-3 literary analysis b. Essays: 1-2 persuasive c. Group project: introducing a novel and leading a group discussion d. Literary Terms Portfolio 3. Exams a. "Time Period" tests b. Assigned novel/drama tests c. Cumulative final exam

26. Course Descriptions! Technical Reading And Writing

27. Introduction Technical Reading and Writing is a nine week course that allows students to practice the specialized writing that will be required in various trade and technical positions. Students will learn the basic requirements for the most common documents, such as procedure and reference manuals, proposals, and reports. The textbook used in this course is Successful Technical Writing: Documentation for Business and Industry by Bill Wesley Brown

28. List Of Tasks: Declaration of Specialization Create A Corporate Image Textbook Evaluation Literature Search and Rescue Glossary Task Field Study Proposal Task Descriptive Owner's Manual Task Feasibility Study Final Resume List Of Applications: Kodak Imaging Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Microsoft Publisher Microsoft PowerPoint Internet Explorer BlockCAD PSD Library Catalog System Simeon Tasks And Applications

29. Course Descriptions! Forensics

30. Are you… • üSmart? • üFunny? • üCharismatic? üWitty? • üArticulate? • üDramatic? • üOpinionated? • Intellectual? (No dead bodies, we promise!!!)

31. If you answered yes to any or all of the above • then you are a likely candidate for the RMHS Forensics (Speech and Debate) Program. At Rocky, our Forensics Program has two different elements: The team and the classes. You may take a class without joining the team and vice versa.

32. Here are the options: • The Team • Argumentation and Debate • Advanced Speech

33. The Team There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the RMHS Forensics Team! We have experienced unprecedented success both as individuals and as a team during the 2004-05 season- and we’re still going strong! The team travels to tournaments on Saturdays to compete against other high schools from all over the state (and sometimes beyond) in Policy Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, Original Oratory, Student Congress, Extemporaneous Speaking and Oral Interpretation (Humor, Duo, Drama, and Poetry). Practices are scheduled after school.

34. Argumentation and Debate: During this course, different types of argumentation will be discussed as they apply to various persuasive situations. Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, and legislative debate techniques will be introduced and skills in analysis, organization, and refutation will be stressed. This class is recommended for any student interested in consistently winning arguments with parents/teachers/friends/siblings/that annoying next-door neighbor…etc. It’s offered first term only. Strongly recommended for prospective debaters!

35. Advanced Speech This course is a continuation of Basic Speech (prerequisite) with emphasis on persuasion, oral interpretation, oratory, and interpersonal communication skills. Thespians will love this class! This class is offered 2nd term only. Strongly recommended for prospective eventers!

36. Questions??? Contact Paul DeMaret (coach and teacher) at: pdemaret@psdschools.org

37. Course Descriptions! For more information about Pacesetter English