Springfield High School Curriculum Guide

Language Arts

Course Sequence

(Students in Language Arts, grades 9-12 are to complete required reading during the summer. Details about the required reading are mailed home with the final report card.)

In addition to text-based vocabulary study, the Sadler-Oxford program provides students with formal vocabulary study in grades 9-12.

English Language Arts 9 (Academic) #1241 (2 credits)

English Language Arts 9 (Academic) exposes students to  selected literary classics of Western Civilization as well as to contemporary works.  The course provides a solid foundation in descriptive and expository writing and builds on the basic aspects of research and documentation skills.  Performance, presentation groups, and speeches are required.

English Language Arts 9 (Honors) #1242 (2 credits)

English Language Arts 9 (Honors) includes the reading, writing, speaking, vocabulary, and research activities of the academic course.  In addition, students delve more deeply into challenging literature, research experiences with literary criticism, and more in-depth expository writing. Prerequisites: A final grade of “A” in ILA 8 or teacher recommendation

English 10 (Academic) #1225 (1 credit)

English 10 (Academic), a multicultural, thematically structured course, expands upon writing process and literary analysis skills.  Students write expository essays and descriptive narratives; they read from a variety of literary genres.  Students learn and practice research skills and process.  Grammar usage, within the context of students' reading and writing, is an integral component.  Students experience many opportunities to work collaboratively to develop communication skills.

English 10 (Honors) #1235 (1 credit)

This course offers more challenging literature and more frequent, in-depth expository writing opportunities.  Students are also required to conduct discussion, lead seminars, and write a research paper. Prerequisite: A minimum final grade of “B” in English 9 (Honors) or a final grade of “A” in English 9 (Academic) and teacher recommendation

English 11 (Academic) #1245 (1 credit)

Through the study of various genres of multicultural American literature, students refine critical reading skills.  Students continue to build vocabulary through their reading.  They hone their research and expository writing skills by integrating primary and secondary sources into a major research-based paper.  Grammar instruction connects to student monitoring of errors.  Literature circles provide guided enrichment reading opportunities.

English 11 (Honors) #1255 (1 credit)

English 11 (Honors) includes intensive work in expository writing and focuses on the analysis of challenging American literature.  Archetypes, perspective, and narrator reliability are examples of the literary devices students learn to recognize and utilize in literary analysis.  Extensive discussion activities such as round tables, peer groups, and literature circles demand student leadership which, in turn, builds sophisticated speaking and listening skills.  Students hone research skills through a literature-based project. Prerequisite: A minimum final grade of “B” in English 10 (Honors) or “A” in English 10 (Academic) and teacher recommendation

English 12 (Academic) #1265 (1 credit)

English 12 (Academic) helps students synthesize communication skills learned in previous years and apply them in various contexts.  Students refine their writing, reading, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills.  They demonstrate proficiency through a variety of media including analytical and personal essays, mini-research papers, oral presentations, literature circles, partner and group projects, and full class seminars and discussion.  Grammar becomes individualized with mini-lessons on an identified, as needed basis.

English 12 (Honors) #1273 (1 credit)

English 12 (Honors) builds on the concepts and skills learned in Honors English 11.   Students read classical, modern, and contemporary contributions to world literature. They read and write intensively in order to hone skills for analysis and synthesis of literary concepts.  Participation in both small and large group discussion is expected, as students work together to make meaning of challenging texts. Prerequisite: A minimum final grade of “B” in English 11 (Honors) or “A” in English 11 (Academic) and teacher recommendation

English 12 (Advanced Placement) #1275 (1 credit)

English 12 (Advanced Placement) is a college-level course that explores difficult classical, modern, and contemporary literature.  Students are expected to demonstrate precision in reading the subtleties of a text, in writing analytically about a text, and in presenting material to their peers.  Curriculum, expectations, and standards are those of the College Board.  Prerequisites: A minimum final grade of “B” in Honors English 11 and teacher recommendation

Language Arts Electives

SAT Preparation #1285 (.5 credit)

See course description in the mathematics section. (Grade 11 only)

Television Production #1229 (.5 credit)

Television Production is the first in a series of production courses available. Students study the fundamentals of lighting, sound, graphics, storyboarding, scripting, directing, and editing an assortment of video productions. The course introduces students to more critical television viewing as they analyze programming and participate in certain aspects of the broadcast business. Throughout this course students need to work both independently and as a member of a production team.

Digital Video Production #1228 (.5 credit)

Digital Video Production provides opportunities for students to plan, write, direct, and edit authentic video productions to be aired on our cable channel and our website. In addition to using the studio equipment, the students learn Final Cut Express, an advanced digital video editing program. Prerequisite: TV Production.

Digital Storytelling #1227 (.5 credit)

Digital Storytelling is an outlet for creative writers with an interest in film studies and the medium for the modern narrative. Students explore collaborative workspaces in an online environment as a means to connect to other aspiring filmmakers. By investigating new media, reading contemporary digital storytelling techniques, and analyzing current filmmaking trends students learn written and visual strategies for sharing with a global audience. Prerequisite: Digital Video Production

Creative Writing #1263 (.5 credit)

Creative Writing encourages students to explore varied genres of written expression. Emphasis is on creating work for a variety of real world audiences. Students have opportunities to extend their knowledge from previous Language Arts classrooms and continue to explore poetry, lyrics, short fiction, a variety of scriptwriting, and children's literature.