BARBERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL

BARBERS HILL HIGH SCHOOL

REQUIRED COURSE SELECTIONS

LANGUAGE ARTS

ENGLISH I (ENG 1)

One Year

Prerequisite: Pass 8th grade

English I is designed for the student whose post-secondary plans include technical school, workplace training, or community college. English I seeks to improve students' abilities in reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking through the study of literature, grammar, vocabulary, and the mechanics of writing. Emphasis is placed on real-world language skills and on those skills necessary to master state-mandated tests. A research paper or project is required.

ADVANCED ACADEMIC ENGLISH I (AA ENG)

One Year

Prerequisite: Pass 8th grade; counselor and/or English teacher should have input about best choice of English class for the student involved.

Advanced Academic English I is designed for the student whose post-secondary plans include seeking a four-year degree in a non-technical field. This course seeks to improve students' abilities in reading, writing, speaking, and thinking through an integrated learning approach which includes teaching grammar by writing and enhancing vocabulary, comprehension, and thinking through both reading and writing. Approximately five major works are taught with an additional two works required reading during the summer. Studies are more literature-based than those in English I. A research paper will be written, and students will do other research projects. Vocabulary study is geared toward preparing students for the PSAT/SAT.

ENGLISH I Pre AP/GT (ENG 1 GT)

One Year

Prerequisites: Identified as gifted/talented or who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in English as demonstrated by their grades and test scores. English instructor and/or counselor recommendation. Limited to 15 students selected on basis of district G/T matrix if necessary. Students should maintain an 80 average to stay in the class.

English I Pre AP/GT is a preparatory course designed for students who plan to take AP tests later in their high school careers. It is a rigorous course for students who are preparing to do college level work in high school. English I Pre AP/GT is a study of literature with emphasis on literary analysis. Approximately seven major works are taught with an additional three works required reading during the summer. Most writing assignments are literature based, but opportunities for creative writing will be provided. A research paper will be written, and students will do other research projects. Vocabulary study will be geared toward preparing students for the PSAT/SAT.

ENGLISH II (ENG 2)

One Year

Prerequisite: Pass English I

English II is designed for the student whose post-secondary plans include technical school, workplace training, or community college. English II seeks to improve students' abilities in reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking through the study of literature, grammar, vocabulary, and the mechanics of writing. Emphasis is placed on real-world language skills and on those skills necessary to master state-mandated tests. A research paper is required.

ADVANCED ACADEMIC ENGLISH II (AA ENG 2)

One Year

Prerequisites: Pass 9th grade; counselor and/or English teacher should have input about best choice of English class for the student involved.

Advanced Academic English II is designed for the student whose post-secondary plans include seeking a four-year degree in a non-technical field. This course seeks to improve students' abilities in reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking through the study of literature, grammar, vocabulary, and the mechanics of writing. Approximately seven major works are taught with an additional two works required reading during the summer. A literature-based research paper is required, and the vocabulary study is geared toward preparing students for the PSAT/SAT.

ENGLISH II PRE AP/GT (ENG 2 GT)

One Year

English II Pre AP/GT is a preparatory course designed for students who plan to take AP tests later in their high school careers. It is a rigorous course for students who are preparing to do college level work in high school. English II Pre AP/GT is a study of literature with emphasis on literary analysis. Approximately seven major works are taught with an additional three works required reading during the summer. Most writing assignments are literature-based, but opportunities for creative writing will be provided. A research paper will be written, and students will do other research projects. Vocabulary study will be geared toward preparing students for the PSAT/SAT.

ENGLISH III (ENG 3)

One Year

Prerequisite: Pass English II

English III is designed for the student whose post-secondary plans include technical school, workplace training, or community college. This course is a study of American literature arranged chronologically integrated with vocabulary study, composition, and instruction in the mechanics of writing. Emphasis is placed on real-world language skills and on those skills necessary to master state-mandated tests. A research paper on a selected career is required.

ADVANCED ACADEMIC ENGLISH III (AA ENG 3)

One Year

Prerequisites: Pass English II; counselor and/or English teacher should have input about best choice of English class for the student involved.

Advanced Academic English III is designed for the student whose post-secondary plans include seeking a four-year degree in a non-technical field. This course is a study of American literature arranged chronologically integrated with vocabulary study, composition, and instruction in the mechanics of writing. Approximately eight major works are taught with an additional three works assigned by the teacher to be read during the summer. A synthesis paper is required on an American author's three major works. The vocabulary is geared toward preparing students for the SAT.

ENGLISH III AP/GT (ENG 3 GT)

One Year

Prerequisites: Identified as gifted/talented or who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in English as demonstrated by their grades and test scores (A verbal score of 55 or above on the PSAT is indicative of probable success on the AP Exam.) English instructor and/or counselor recommendation. Limited to 15 students selected on basis of district G/T matrix if necessary. Students should maintain an 80 average to stay in the class.

English III AP/GT is a rigorous course designed for students who wish to earn college credit by examination while in high school. This course is a chronological study of American literature with emphasis on preparation for the Advanced Placement examination in Language and Composition. Approximately nine major college-level works are taught with an additional five works assigned to be read during the summer. Students will be exposed to prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts. Students will practice writing in a variety of modes and for a variety of purposes, including expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. The focus of the course is analysis of linguistic and rhetorical choices. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement examination in May, which currently costs $78; however, part of that fee may be covered by the state.

ENGLISH IV (ENG 4)

One Year

Prerequisite: Pass English III

English IV is designed for the student whose post-secondary plans include technical school, workplace training, or community college. English IV is a study of British literature arranged chronologically integrated with vocabulary study, composition, and instruction in the mechanics of writing. Emphasis is placed on real-world language skills and on those skills necessary to master state-mandated tests. A research paper is required.

ADVANCED ACADEMIC ENGLISH IV (AA ENG IV)

One Year

Prerequisite: Pass English III; counselor and/or English teacher should have input about best choice of English class for the student involved.

Advanced Academic English IV is designed for the student whose post-secondary plans include seeking a four-year degree in a non-technical field. It incorporates a study of British literature arranged chronologically and a college-preparatory study of rhetoric and composition. Approximately nine major works are taught, and an additional three works are required reading during the summer. A research paper will be done each semester. Vocabulary study will be from Amsco's Vocabulary for the College-Bound Student.

ENGLISH IV AP/GT (ENG 4 G/T)

One Year

Prerequisites: Identified as gifted/talented or who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in English as demonstrated by their grades and test scores. (A verbal score of 55 or above on the PSAT is indicative of probable success on the AP Exam.) English instructor and/or counselor recommendation. Limited to 15 students selected on basis of district G/T matrix if necessary. Students should maintain an 80 average to stay in the class.

English IV AP/GT is a rigorous course designed for students who wish to earn college credit by examination while in high school. This course is a study of British literature arranged chronologically with emphasis on preparation for the Advanced Placement examination in Literature and Composition. Approximately ten major works are taught with an additional four works required reading during the summer. A literature-based research paper will be done. Vocabulary study will be from Amsco's Vocabulary for the College-Bound Student. Students are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement examination in May, which currently costs $78; however, part of that fee may be covered by the state.

READING

READING IMPROVEMENT (READ IMP)

GRADE LEVEL: 9-10

One Year

Prerequisite: None

This course uses reading study skills to help a student improve his/her reading level. Comprehension and critical thinking skills are taught utilizing various textbooks, newspapers, and book reports as required in this class. A student must be below at least two grade-levels reading to qualify for this course as well as non-mastery or failure of the eighth grade TAAS Reading Test.

SPEECH

COMMUNICATION APPLICATIONS

GRADE LEVEL: 9

One Semester (Fulfills State speech requirement)

Prerequisite: None

Students learn to identify, analyze, develop and evaluate communication skills needed for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group interactions, and personal and professional presentations. These skills include sending clear verbal messages for desired results, listening actively, and using body language effectively.