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The language arts program develops competence in speaking, reading, writing, listening and thinking; the course develops these skills through instruction in grammar, vocabulary, literature, writing, speaking and problem-solving and related communication skills. Provisions are made for wide-range abilities. Media Center instruction is a vital part of the program. In addition, a summer reading and writing assignment is required for all language arts classes, except the electives

Language Arts I-5 credits

Language Arts I is a predominantly skills-oriented course, emphasizing grammar review, writing skills, and mechanics. Students participate in oral communications activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on vocabulary development. Literature stresses genres - short story, poetry, novel, play, and essay - as literary types; students are expected to know a considerable list of literary terms. Many activities will prepare the students for the High School Proficiency Assessment.

Language Arts I Honors - 5 credits

This course is designed to meet the needs of the most academic, industrious and well-motivated students. The honors sections will follow the basic Language Arts program of study, but will go into greater depth, require more time for writing and research, emphasize outside reading assignments and place more demands on the students' ability to conceptualize and draw conclusions from their reading and research. As a prerequisite for entering the Honors Course in the fall, summer reading and writing assignments must be completed.

Language Arts II - 5 credits

Language Arts II continues the genre approach to literature begun in Language Arts I. Considerable time is devoted to classics in an eclectic approach. All aspects of English mechanics are reviewed. New studies concentrate on phrasal and clausal constructions, the paragraph, and the writing of more complex sentences. There is a specific program in expository writing, leading to a more complex expository research paper, including more sophisticated library usage. Oral presentations are also expected of all students. Greek and Latin roots are reviewed as part of extensive vocabulary study. Both Language Arts I and Language Arts II will place emphasis on preparing students for the High School Proficiency Assessment be given in the junior year.

This course is designed for a selected group of students to engage in an accelerated study of American Literature. Emphasis will be placed on advanced writing techniques, particularly expository and thesis writing, with an extensive research paper required. Students will also be required to demonstrate competence in communication skills both as an individual and as part of the classroom structure. Students enrolled in this course will either have successfully completed the Language Arts I Honors course or, in special cases, may apply for acceptance in the preceding spring.

Language Arts III - 5 credits

Language Arts III examines American Literature from the early 1600's to the present, including the study of the chronological development of a national literature, literary movements, and outstanding American writers. More advanced grammar and writing activities are pursued, including very complex sentence building, argumentation, longer written essays and reports. A thesis research paper is required. English mechanics are again reviewed as needed, and more advanced vocabulary studies are offered. Communication activities are continued, with formal speeches and, in some cases, debates, including instruction in and review of preparation and delivery techniques. Activities are utilized to prepare the students for the High School Proficiency Assessment and the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

Language Arts III Honors - 5 credits

This course is designed for those students who have successfully completed two years of Language Arts Honors. Designed toward a more vigorous study of literature and language, teaching strategies will be employed to allow the intellectually gifted students to progress at their own rate as they participate in a seminar type approach. Extensive research projects are related to each unit, as well as research papers. Skills developed in the previous two years will be reinforced and further refined. This course focuses on an extensive study of English literature.

Language Arts IV - 5 credits

In addition to reinforcing those skills which have been developed in the last three years, the course will have as its literary emphasis the study of English and Western European literature. The literature will be directed at the ability and interest level of the particular class in which it is being studied. Students in the first semester will study the literature of England and in the second semester will study the literature of several countries in Western Europe.

Advanced Placement Language Arts IV - 5 credits

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Language Arts I, II and III Honors. The Advanced Placement Language Arts IV course will follow the Advanced Placement English course description and will prepare students to take the A.P. English Examination. Emphasis in this course is placed on the development of Western Civilization through the study of literature, philosophy, art, architecture, political science and other academic disciplines related to the culture of Western Man. Extensive research projects are related to each of the units, as well as reaction papers. Vocabulary enrichment, oral exercises, improvement of critical thinking skills and growth in cultural literacy will also be stressed.

Elective courses are available to all sophomore, junior, and senior students and are highly recomended for those students who have an interest or expertise in the subject area. Electives which meet five (5) periods per week will all carry five (5) credits and will be counted towards graduation. However, courses designated as electives do not by themselves satisfy the Language Arts requirements necessary for graduation.

Art of Writing - 5 credits

This course is intended to provide students with composition skills necessary to produce compositions with a specific purpose. A workshop format will be the basis for instruction and students will be expected to critique their own and their fellow students' writing. The course will begin with the explanation of writing from experience, argumentation and move to such writing tasks as exposition, narration, and description. A great emphasis will be placed on the technique of revision.

Journalism - 5 credits

Journalism is a course designed to make students knowledgeable consumers of the media. The course will assist the student in forming an understanding of the mass media and the effect of the use of media upon the reporting of news. The course emphasizes language concepts and skills necessary to produce a newspaper. Techniques of identifying, gathering, and processing news, features, sports and opinions, as well as the development of competency in writing style and copy reading, will be stressed. Basic writing skills are required. This course satisfies the computer competency graduation requirement.

Theatre Arts - 5 credits

Theatre Arts is an academic workshop course touching all aspects of theatre arts and production, including a survey of drama-theatre history, theatre architecture, acting, playwriting, and production, house management, design and directing, While some instruction is accomplished through lecture-discussion and assigned reading, the basic approach is workshop, in which extensive participation is expected of all class members.