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Damonte Ranch | Academics | English

English

ENGLISH 1-2 Course #: 1121, 1122 Grade: 9 Year: 1 credit This one-year course will provide the fundamentals of language arts skills – reading, writing, listening, speaking, and researching – necessary for school and career. The course will address language skills such as usage and sentence design. Students will write paragraphs, multi-paragraph essays, and business communications, focusing on the writing traits model. Reading comprehension skills and reading strategies will be refined through readings in literature both fiction and non-fiction, and prose and poetry. Students will understand literary terminology and apply it to a variety of texts. There will be a research component in this course. Vocabulary study will be focused on Greek and Latin Roots. The course will be taught using a variety of teaching techniques from direct instruction to small group work.

ENGLISH 1-2 HONORS Course #: 1127, 1128 Grade: 9 Year: 1 credit Prerequisite: Admission into Honors English 1-2 will be based on the student’s previous performance including, but not limited to, teacher recommendation, reading level, writing samples, student’s desire to learn and work ethic. This one-year course, designed for the highly motivated freshman student has strong compositional and critical thinking demands. The class stresses the writing process: writing for different purposes and audiences; grammar and sentence structure as tools for individual writing skills development; language usage; literary terms and genres; library research; vocabulary improvement; Greek and Latin Roots; encouragement of creativity; and the development of critical thinking. Students are expected to demonstrate an above average maturity level, demonstrate a positive attitude toward education and work tasks, and be cooperative in group learning situations. Homework will be extensive. A reading and writing assignment will be required over the summer and due the first week of school.

ENGLISH 3-4 Course #: 1221, 1222 Grade: 10 Year: 1 credit Prerequisite: English 1-2 This one-year course will continue to develop skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and research. It will continue to focus on language skills and vocabulary development while expanding composition skills to include a variety of writing modes and audiences. In addition to continued study of Greek and Latin Roots, students will focus on prefixes and suffixes as tools to define words in context. Students will read and comprehend increasingly difficult texts both fiction and non-fiction. There will be a research component in the course. Communication and public speaking skills will be emphasized in this course.

ENGLISH 3-4 HONORS Course #: 1227, 1228 Grade: 10 Year: 1 credit Prerequisite: Admission into Honors English 3-4 will be based on the student’s previous performance including, but not limited to, teacher recommendation, reading level, writing samples, student’s desire to learn and work ethic. English 1-2 This one-year course is designed for the highly motivated sophomore English student and focuses on skills and strategies in reading, writing, listening, speaking, research, vocabulary and usage. Students will study short story, autobiography, novel, drama and poetry. Student writing will be varied, including personal narrative, literary analysis, creative writing, poetry, and research. In addition to continued study of Greek and Latin Roots, students will focus on prefixes and suffixes as tools to define words in context. The course will include a concentrated study of communication and public speaking skills. The homework expectation will be extensive. A reading and writing assignment will be required over the summer and due the first week of school.

ENGLISH 5-6 Course #: 1321, 1322 Grade: 11 Year: 1 credit Prerequisite: English 1-2 and 3-4 This one-year course will strengthen and expand skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and research. The focus will be on increasingly sophisticated language skills such as complex sentence structures and word choice. Included in this course will be weekly SAT/ACT vocabulary study and standardized test preparation. Writing and reading assignments will incorporate higher level thinking skills such as synthesis and analysis. Literature and non-fiction will focus primarily on American authors and will complement themes and activities taught in U.S. History. A strong research component is also included utilizing library reference materials. The course will be taught using a variety of teaching techniques from direct instruction to small group work.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENGLISH 5-6 Course #: 1341, 1342 Grade: 11 Year: 1 Honors credit Fee: $83 AP Exam AP Exam Fee (Students must take the AP English Language and Composition Exam.) Prerequisite: Admission into AP/Honors English 5-6 will be based on the student’s previous performance including, but not limited to, teacher recommendation, reading level, writing samples, student’s desire to learn and work ethic. English 1-2 and 3-4 This one-year course is designed for the superior, highly motivated junior student and stresses advanced composition, English usage improvement, vocabulary enrichment, a survey of American literature, and a study of rhetoric and argumentation. Included in this course will be weekly SAT/ACT vocabulary study and standardized test preparation. Writing assignments emphasize logic, research, organization, originality, and structural clarity. Reading and writing will be extensive as this course focuses on preparing students for the Advanced Placement exam in English Language and Composition in May. A reading and writing project will be required over the summer and due the first week of school.

ENGLISH 7-8 Course #: 1421, 1422 Grade: 12 Full Year: 1 Credit Prerequisite: English 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 This one-year course will reflect the culmination of skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and research. The language skills will focus on mastery of standard usage issues and experimentation with style. This course will continue the weekly SAT/ACT vocabulary study and standardized test preparation. The writing strand will integrate with listening, speaking and research strands to produce a multi-media presentation that will serve as the culminating project of the course. Through reading and writing, students will analyze both the fiction and non-fiction of primarily British and world authors. The course will be taught using a variety of teaching techniques from direct instruction to small group work and will prepare students for post-graduation.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE ENGLISH7-8 Course #: 1441, 1442 Grade: 12 Year: 1 Honors credit Fee: $83 AP Exam AP Exam Fee (Students must take the AP English Literature and Composition Exam.) Prerequisite: Admission into AP/Honors English 7-8 will be based on the student’s previous performance including, but not limited to, teacher recommendation, reading level, writing samples, student’s desire to learn and work ethic. English 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 This one-year course is designed for the superior, highly motivated senior student and focuses on skills and strategies in reading, writing, listening, speaking, research, vocabulary, and usage. This course will continue the weekly SAT/ACT vocabulary study and standardized test preparation. Through intensive study of representative works from various genres and periods, students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure to their readers. Students will consider and analyze a work’s structure, style, and theme as well as elements of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Writing assignments will focus primarily on the critical analysis of literature and will include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. This course will also include a research and multi-media presentation as well as the study of logic, rhetoric and argumentation. Two primary goals exist for AP English: to pass the Advanced Placement examination in Literature and Composition and to prepare students for the academic rigors of university life. An extensive reading and writing project will be required over the summer and will be due the first day of class

 

JUNIOR/SENIOR COMBINATION ENGLISH COURSES:

The following semester English classes are offered in combination to make one-year courses. This program offers a unique curriculum designed for SENIORS who prefer to learn English thematically or through a specialized genre.

*All courses listed meet senior English requirements for high school graduation and senior English requirements for UNR.

SCIENCE FICTION Course #: 1840 Grade: 11-12 Semester: ½ credit Prerequisite: English 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6 Students enrolled in Science Fiction will explore current social and scientific problems as they are reflected in novels, plays and short stories set in the future. The class focuses on such issues as population growth, the struggle for power, genetic engineering, industrialization and nuclear war. Students respond both verbally and in writing to their reading. Students are expected to participate in group projects, seminar discussions, research and extensive writing assignments. This course will continue the weekly SAT/ACT vocabulary study and standardized test preparation. The course will be taught using a variety of teaching techniques from direct instruction to small group work and will prepare students for post-graduation. The writing strand will integrate with the listening, research and speaking strands to produce a multi-media presentation that will serve as the culminating project of the course.

CREATIVE WRITING Course #: 1591, 1592 Grade: 11-12 Year: 1 credit Prerequisite: English 1-2, 3-4 This class is designed to allow students to explore and develop their full potential as creative writers. Students will attempt a variety of literary forms and will examine outstanding examples of every genre. The skills of prewriting, response, revision, editing, proofreading, and publishing will be further developed. The first semester (Introductory Creative Writing) focuses on learning the fundamental skills and concepts required to write in and respond to various forms and genre of writing. The second semester ( Advanced Creative Writing) then builds on those skills and concepts to produce more complex and effective writing. Course requirements included a variety of writing assignments inside and outside class, keeping a journal, willingness to share and discuss writing, and the production of a number of finished pieces to be collected in the student’s portfolio. Students are expected to participate in group projects, seminar discussions, research and extensive writing assignments. This course will continue the weekly SAT/ACT vocabulary study and standardized text preparation. During both semesters, students will collaborate to produce our literary journal title Enough Said?, Which publishes student writing and art work. The course will be taught using a variety of teaching techniques from direct instruction to small group work and will prepare students for post-graduation. The writing strand will integrate with the listening, speaking, and research strands to produce a multi-media presentation that will serve as the culminating project of the course.

PSYCHOLOGY IN LITERATURE Course #: 1800 Grade: 11-12 Semester: credit ½ Prerequisite: English 1-2, 3-4 This course will begin with a brief introduction to psychology and an investigation of some of the theories of psychology, emphasizing such terms as identity, defense mechanism, and perception. The remainder of the course will be devoted to investigating many of these theories as they appear in literature. Students are expected to participate in group projects, seminar discussions, research and extensive writing assignments. This course will continue the weekly SAT/ACT vocabulary study and standardized test preparation. The course will be taught using a variety of teaching techniques from direct instruction to small group work and will prepare students for post-graduation. The writing strand will integrate with the listening, speaking and research strand to produce a multimedia presentation that will serve as the culminating project of the course.

MYTHS AND MONSTERS Course #: 1740 Grade: 11-12 Semester: ½ credit Prerequisite: English 1-2, 3-4 This course is a study of the importance of heroes and monsters in the creative imagination, in literature and in films. Students will look at the ageless fascination with the unknown and our attempt to give it a shape, name and explanation. Students are expected to participate in group projects, seminar discussions, research and extensive writing assignments. This course will continue the weekly SAT/ACT vocabulary study and standardized test preparation. The course will be taught using a variety of teaching techniques from direct instruction to small group work and will prepare students for post-graduation. The writing strand will integrate with the listening, speaking and research strands to produce a multi-media presentation that will serve as the culminating project of the course.

 

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

The goal of the Damonte Ranch High School ELL program is to provide an opportunity for non- and limited speaking English students to learn English acquired skills necessary to participate in mainstream classes, achieve a high school diploma and experience a successful school experience. It is also the goal of the program to develop an awareness and respect for cultural differences.

Students qualify for placement in the ELL classes following appropriate language assessments by DRHS staff. ELL courses provide English language development in four basic areas; Communication ( listening and speaking); Reading; Writing; and Mechanics. The identification of courses and curriculum materials will support the goals of English language development in the ELL program.

ELL Students enrolled in the designated ELL English of Grammar classes, and Reading will receive a maximum of two English credits to be applied to the DRHS/State of Nevada high school diploma requirements. Additional ESL English credits will be awarded elective credit. *See course description for more specifics!

Students may Enroll in ELL courses as long as they fit the definition of and ELL student. A definition of an ELL student is one who does not speak English or who speaks limited English, of their home language is not English, even if the student appears to speak fluent English.

ELL BEGINNING ENGLISH Course #: 7421, 7422 Year: ½ credit per semester (Students may earn a maximum of 2 English credits) Prerequisite: ELL assessment results and instructors approval This one-year course provides the fundamentals of English language structure and communication. The course addresses language skills such as commonly used vocabulary and syntax to help students understand basic conversations. Students will be expected to apply this knowledge when asking or answering questions and in oral and written assignments. Students will have the opportunity to practice oral communication in different educational and social settings. Students will read short selections and answer oral and written questions to practice basic writing skills. The vocabulary development in this course includes frequently used words in content-area classes as well as expressions and high frequency words in daily conversation.

ELL BEGINNING READING/COMPOSITION Course #: 7451, 7452 Year: ½ elective credit per semester Prerequisite: ELL assessment results and instructor approval This one-year course provides intensive English instruction to develop reading and composition skills in English. This course is intended to be taken in conjunction with ELL 7421-7422. The central focus is to integrate reading and writing as important academic skills. Emphasis is placed on reading a variety of simple reading selections and to respond in writing. Different aspects of writing are presented including word order, organization, sequencing, and basic mechanics and spelling. Writing at this level will incorporate vocabulary development and will include describing, giving directions, responding to simple fiction and non-fiction reading selections, and composing simple multi-paragraph stories.

ELL LITERACY SKILLS Course #: 7453, 7454 Year: ½ elective credit per semester (may be repeated for a second year) Prerequisite: ELL assessment results and instructor approval. May be taken concurrently with ELL Beginning Reading/Composition This course is intended for incoming ELL students who have low academic skills in the native language because of interrupted education in their home country. The course offers extra support for beginning students with low or intermediate level literacy skills in the native language. The focus is to provide additional opportunities for students to increase academic skills and expand basic content area vocabulary. Students will review and practice different aspects of writing including word order, mechanics and spelling, organization, and paragraph development. Reading selections and vocabulary development will include content-related topics to help expand students' reading comprehension and academic knowledge.

ELL INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH Course #: 7427, 7428 Year: ½ English credit per semester ( Students may earn a maximum of 2 English credits) Prerequisites: ELL assessment results and instructor approval This one-year course focuses on expanding and improving basic English language skills including a variety of communication and comprehension strategies. The focus is on using more elaborate word order structures and more complex verb tense. The expanded vocabulary will include more specific and specialized words commonly used in the content area and mainstream classes. Students will be introduced to a variety of fiction and non-fiction and will respond to questions orally as well as in writing. The course also introduces students to basic note-taking skills including summarizing main ideas. Students will be expected to participate in classroom discussions and to ask and answer questions for clarification.

ELL INTERMEDIATE READING/COMPOSITION Course #: 7461, 7462 Year: ½ elective credit per semester Prerequisite: ELL assessment results and instructor approval This one-year course expands on the composition and reading objectives introduced at the beginning level and is intended for intermediate level ELL students who are enrolled in ELL 7427-7428. The approach is to integrate reading and writing skills as important academic skills in mainstream classes. Students will read a variety of fiction and non-fiction and will be introduced to different writing styles and writing purposes. Students will be asked to summarize essential information from text, write paragraphs using clear transitions, and practice use of different tenses, word order structures, and conjunctions. Students will also be expected to use more specific and expanded vocabulary in their writing with few errors in basic spelling and mechanics.

ELL ADVANCED ENGLISH Course #: 7433, 7434 Year: ½ English credit per semester (or ½ elective credit per semester if a student has accumulated the maximum 2 English credits from previous ELL English classes. Students may earn a maximum 2 English credits from ELL English courses.) Prerequisite: ELL assessment results and instructor approval (concurrent enrollment in a mainstream English class is strongly recommended) The focus of this course is to expand English language skills in all areas and to apply previous knowledge to oral and written communication. Students will be required to read a variety of literary selections as well as content-area related material. The course emphasizes more advanced writing and composition and includes writing for different purposes and audiences. Students will write responses to literature as well as produce essays that are well organized and have a clear topic and supporting details. Students will apply complex sentence structure and rules of grammar and mechanics with few significant errors. Participation in group discussions and oral presentations are also an important aspect of this course. Students will be expected to use specific and appropriate vocabulary when communicating ideas in various contexts and settings.

ELL MAINSTREAM SUPPORT Course #: 7601, 7602 Year: ½ elective credit per semester Prerequisite: Enrollment in two or more academic mainstream classes and instructor approval (May be repeated as needed) ELL mainstream support provides assistance to ELL students in two or more academic mainstream classes. The course offers tutoring or additional support to address specific language and content difficulties for ELL students enrolled in academic classes. Specific objectives for this course will vary based on students' individual linguistic needs, academic skills, and mainstream course content. The ELL teacher will assist/tutor students on an as-needed basis to facilitate academic success. Students will be required to bring assignments and textbooks from their mainstream classes and will be expected to use class time effectively.