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Language Arts
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The NHS Language Arts Department strives to help students learn the art of
reading, writing, and communication. Students are required to pass all four
years of English to graduate.
Courses Offered: General English I, Advanced English I, General
English II, Advanced English II, General English III, Advanced English III,
General English IV, Advanced English IV, Advanced Placement English IV,
Introduction to Journalism, Newspaper Production, Yearbook Production, Beginning
Photojournalism, Advanced Photojournalism, Intro to Broadcasting, Novice Debate,
Experienced Debate, Spring Debate, Forensics, Reading, Speech
| Suggested Course Sequences: |
| |
9th |
10th |
11th |
12th |
| Req. for Grad. |
General English I |
General English II |
General English III |
General English IV |
| College Prep. |
Advanced English I |
Advanced English II |
Advanced English III |
Advanced English IV |
| Accel. |
Advanced English I |
Advanced English II |
Advanced English III |
Advanced Placement English |
* Advanced Courses include:
Advanced English I, Advanced English
II, Advanced English III, Advanced English IV, Advanced Placement English
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NHS Teacher Web Pages & Suggested Web Pages:
Click here to view all NHS courses.
Language Arts Course Descriptions
Note: All Advanced English courses require a concerted and independent effort from students. Extensive reading and writing will be done outside of class. A strong working knowledge of grammar and conventions is expected. No student should enroll in Advanced English if his or her reading and writing skills are not above average. By the end of the first nine weeks, any student whose grade is below 75% will be reviewed for possible placement in a General English class. Students should visit with their current/previous English teachers if uncertain whether to enroll in an advanced course.
General English I Prerequisite -
None
This course introduces concepts and develops abilities in the student’s
understanding of literature and the English language. The course emphasizes
skills in literature, composition, grammar, and vocabulary. The course stresses
paragraphs and short writings. A focus is to develop basic skills necessary to
be successful in general English courses throughout high school.
Advanced English I:
Prerequisite –
Suggested Grade of A or B+ in 8th grade English
This course is similar in scope to General English I, but there is greater
emphasis on composition, vocabulary, grammar, and readings of greater length and
complexity. Students should have a basic understanding of grammar, as additional
concepts will be introduced.
General English II
Prerequisite – English I or
Advanced English I
This course deepens the student’s understanding of literary types; short
stories, novels, poetry, non-fiction and drama are studied through selected
reading. In addition to understanding the literature, students will write in
response to the literature, demonstrating composition skills. There is an
emphasis on grammar and vocabulary.
Advanced English II
Prerequisite – English I
or Advanced English I
Suggested grade of A or B+ in previous English course
This course covers those areas mentioned in English II with a stronger emphasis
placed on composition and readings of greater complexity. New grammar concepts
are taught, so the student must have a strong understanding of basic concepts.
Select students will be participating in an “honors” approach to the study of
10th grade social science and Advanced English. As the courses are taught in
conjunction, special emphasis will be placed on literature of the period. These
courses are preparatory to taking the AP US History and AP English courses.
General English III
Prerequisite –
English II or Advanced English II
This course emphasizes major themes and literary trends in American literature.
Student comprehension of these trends and themes will be measured by a strong
emphasis on writing skills such as analysis, expository writing, and a major
documented research paper. Writing at this level should reflect a sound
knowledge of grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
Advanced English III
Prerequisite
–Advanced English II
Grade of B or higher in previous English courses
This course is recommended for college-bound students. In addition to the course
work covered in Advanced English II, there is a much stronger emphasis on
critical reading, persuasive writing, and literary analysis. Students are
expected to have a good command of grammar skills upon entering the course.
Extensive out of class reading is required.
General English IV
Prerequisite – English III or Advanced English
III
General English IV is a survey course designed to prepare students to be
successful in whatever they do following high school. Areas of emphasis include
the reading of both fiction and nonfiction literature and writing for academic
as well as vocational purposes.
Advanced English IV
Prerequisite – English III (with teacher approval) or Advanced English III
(preferred). Suggested grade of A or B in all previous English classes
This is a course for college-bound seniors who have been successful in previous
Advanced English courses. Students will review grammar as needed and will master
various composition techniques. A major focus of this course is reading and
analyzing British literature.
Advanced Placement English IV
Prerequisite
– Advanced English III; Grade of A or B in previous English classes and teacher
recommendation. Additionally, candidates for this course will be expected to
complete an extensive reading list during the summer.
This course offers capable students the academic challenge of a college level
English course. While penetrating deeper into the analysis of literature, the
course will focus on British authors, but will also include world and American
authors. Written analysis is emphasized in frequent papers, and significant
out-of–class reading is required. Students are expected to have a strong mastery
of grammar skills upon entering the course. Students will prepare for the
Advanced Placement exam to be given in the spring.
***The following courses do not meet the English language arts requirement for graduation. They will count as elective credit.***
Click here for link to Journalism Department
Introduction to Journalism
Prerequisite – None
This class presents an overview of
the field of journalism and mass communication. Students learn to be consumers
of media and to understand newsgathering and production. This course includes
instruction in basic news writing, reporting, editing, and discussion of legal
and ethic issues. This class is the pre-requisite for Newspaper
Production, Yearbook Production, and Broadcast Journalism.
Newspaper Production
Prerequisite – Introduction to Journalism and
teacher approval.
This is a laboratory
course in which students will write, edit, design, and layout the school
newspaper, The Newtonian. Students taking this course must be
self-directed, with the ability to work with others. Leadership, cooperation
and high standards of achievement are essential in all staff members. This
course may be repeated for credit.
Yearbook Production
Prerequisite – Introduction to Journalism and teacher approval.
This is a laboratory course in which
students will create the school yearbook, The Railroader. Students
taking this course must be self-directed, with the
ability to work with others. Leadership, cooperation and high standards of
achievement are essential in all staff members. This course may be repeated for
credit.
Beginning Photojournalism
Prerequisite –
None
This class presents an overview of the
field of photojournalism and covers basic camera handling and exposure,
digital imaging and principles of photojournalism. The course is a prerequisite
for advanced Photojournalism/Photo Editing. Students must complete this class
with a B average to be eligible for enrollment in Advanced Photojournalism/Photo
Editing.
Advanced
Photojournalism/Photo Editing
Prerequisite – Beginning Photojournalism with
minimum of B Grade
This is a laboratory course
in which students develop skills in editing and shooting photos. This course
focuses on digital photography. Students in the class produce photos for the
high school’s yearbook and newspaper. Students taking this class must be
self-motivated and responsible and have a high level of interest and strong
organizational skills. This course may be repeated for credit
Broadcast Journalism
Prerequisite—Introduction to Journalism
Students enrolled in Broadcast Journalism will
explore basic elements of television broadcasting. Students will learn about the
role of broadcast media in today’s society. Students will gain knowledge in
audio and video recording techniques. Students will apply elements of video
editing using digital video editing equipment. Students will apply the
knowledge they gain in video composition, video continuity, audio quality, story
contents and interviewing to complete editing projects.
Broadcast Productions
Prerequisite—Introduction to Journalism, Broadcast Journalism
Students enrolled in
Broadcast Productions will explore advanced elements of television broadcasting.
Students will work as a team to produce a news show. Those enrolled will be
responsible for recording and editing news segments. Students will edit segments
together to produce a bi-weekly news show that airs over the school broadcast
station. Students will gain experience in advanced techniques in audio and
video recording. Students will become proficient in video editing using digital
video editing equipment. Students will participate in script writing, anchoring,
interviewing and producing. Students will be required to make and meet
deadlines. Students will also plan, design and build sets for the news show.
Students will be required to digitally record various school activities and
events outside of class time using the schools recording equipment.
Novice Debate Prerequisite – None
This course provides an introduction to the theories and practices of
competitive policy debate. The course involves public speaking, out loud
reading, argumentation, research and analysis of the current debate topic.
Strong problem solving skills and advanced reading skills a must. Students must
assist with hosting the NHS Railroader Debate Tournament. Individual
participation in after school and weekend debate tournaments is required.
Students must be self-motivated and work well with others. . This course can be
substituted for the Speech credit.
Experienced Debate
Prerequisite – Novice Debate
and/or Teacher Approval
This course provides experienced debaters with in-depth research, analysis
and argumentation opportunities. Regular competition at extra-curricular
tournaments is required. Also, students must assist with hosting the NHS
Railroader Debate Tournament. After school and weekends are required. Hosting
help is a requirement. This class may be substituted for the required speech
class.
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Spring Debate
Prerequisite – Students must have been in the fall Debate class. Those not in
the fall Debate class must have plans to take Policy Debate the following fall.
Instructor approval is required.
This class is for students wanting to compete in Spring/Forensics debate
related activities, and those waiting to research the new Cross Examination (CX)
topic. Students will be required to attend out of school contests and work
sessions. Competitions include the Lincoln/Douglass debate, Controversy or
Cross-Fire debate, Student Congress, or Legislative debate, Foreign and Domestic
Extemp, as well as Original Oration and Informative Speaking. Research is
required for topics: Lincoln/Douglas, Cross-Fire, Congress, Extemp, and the
following year’s CX debate topic. The spring debate will not fulfill speech
requirement for graduation.
Forensics
Prerequisite – None
This is an advanced speech class offering the student an opportunity to
specialize in one of the following fields; oratory, extempore, informative
speech, oral interpretation of prose and poetry, and duet acting. Students may
be selected to participate in extra-curricular forensic competition throughout
the semester. May be repeated for maximum of two credits. Students are required
to participate in competition. This class may be substituted for the required
speech class.
Speech
Prerequisite – None
This course provides an overall view of oral communication. Included are
informative, persuasive and autobiographical speeches. Non-verbal communication
and various outline formats are studied.
Remedial Reading
Prerequisite – None
This course is designed for students who scored “unsatisfactory” on the Kansas
Reading Assessment or whose reading indicates they may have trouble meeting
those standards. Student will complete VPL Kansas Reading Assessment Practice.
These students will be placed by the school counselor.
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