Northwest High School

Accelerated American Literature A & B (10) (2 Trimesters)

See American Literature 10 for course description.

Accelerated students will learn the American literature curriculum at a faster pace with greater depth and understanding. Expectations will be high with additional vocabulary, writing, projects and reading. Two additional novels will also be completed.

Prerequisite: *Students are required to fill out an application and obtain teacher approval.

Accelerated British Literature A & B (11) (2 Trimesters)

This accelerated course is class recommended for advanced and college preparatory students and students who would like to take the AP course as seniors.  Students will be challenged to reach beyond their academic comfort zone in an effort to best prepare them for their next level of learning.  Emphasis will be placed on reading, writing about, and critically responding to different genres of literature. Students will write multiple papers where they are required to analyze literary works and social issues as well as write one major research paper.  Electronic submissions are required for all final drafts if credit is to be earned. 

Students will follow the common curriculum – as established by the British Literature curriculum – as well as work at an expedited pace through additional texts, writing prompts, and reading activities.  Students will complete a minimum of two reading reductions per trimester – based on the readings selected from the AP reading list.

Students falling below an 80% at the end of the first trimester may be removed from the course.

Enrollment in Accelerated British Literature does not result in an automatic placement into AP Literature & Composition.

Prerequisite:  Students must meet AP course criteria, have satisfactory EXPLORE / PLAN results, and have teacher approval.

Accelerated Literature & Composition A & B (9)
(2 Trimesters)

See Literature & Composition 9 for course description, plus additional information provided below.

This course is required of ninth grade students who desire a deeper knowledge of literature / composition and have proven – through numerous criteria – that they are capable of such.  Students will be required to complete the Common Core Curriculum of all ninth grade students while advancing through the process with additional practice and advanced pacing. Students not functioning at the teacher’s level of expectations may be removed from the class.

Prerequisites: Candidates are nominated by 8^th Grade Language Arts Teachers

This course is required for all tenth grade students.  The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with some major authors and movements of American literature from the pre-colonial times to the present. Students will learn how history has shaped American literature and how it reflects the human experience of the time.  Students will explore many aspects of American literature-fiction, non-fiction, poetry, media, art, drama, and speech, all while following the common core, as set through the American Literature curriculum.  Students will also learn writing techniques, vocabulary, and the rules of proper grammar usage. The course will focus writing based on the common core standards, which will be developed through two major formats for students to illustrate growth.  Therefore, students will be required to utilize the writing process with depth, clarity, reflection, and practice, all while engaging in a personal and narrative essay.  Along with the essays, students will be asked develop descriptive and reflective writing assignments through guided focus questions.

Advanced Placement Literature and Composition A, B, C 
(3 trimesters)

AP Literature is a class designed to cover Common Core Curriculum while also preparing students for college and offers the ability to receive possible college credit by taking the AP test at the end of the school year.  The official description of AP Literature and Composition Course, taken from the AP College Board is as follows:

The AP Literature and Composition Course engages students in careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers.  As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. 

Prerequisite:    Students are required to fill out an application form and must have teacher approval.  It is recommended that students take a  literature elective course prior to or in conjunction with this course.

British Literature A & B (11) (2 Trimesters)  

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the major authors and movements of English literature from the Anglo-Saxon times to the present. Students will learn how history has shaped English literature and how it reflects the human experience of the time.  They will also learn writing techniques and the rules of proper grammar usage. We will explore many aspects of English literature-fiction, poetry, media, and the novel. The class includes discussion, lecture, group work, projects, a research paper, and presentations.
 

Children's and Young Adult Literature (9, 10, 11, 12)
(1 Trimester)
 
This elective course is for those who have a love for young adult and children's literature.  We'll explore favorites from childhood, grade school, and go up through young adult and discuss why children's books can be just as beneficial as classics. Students will be allowed to choose their own novels to read and we'll also study some as a class.  Books/authors we will look at include: Dr. Seuss books, Charlotte's Web, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson books, Shel Silverstein, and others.  Classes will be based around reading, discussion, and written responses to books.  Come relive your childhood with this class!
 

College Prep Literature (10, 11, 12 or 9^th with high school teacher approval) (1 Trimester)  

In this NEW elective course, college bound students will be exposed to additional literature above and beyond their required coursework.  This will include higher-level reading, writing, and analysis of these texts.  The class will be centered around these texts and may include discussions, group work, and projects.  Literature will include classic or modern texts of literary merit.

Mythology is an elective course designed to explore the origins of mythology with a focus on the Greeks and Romans, paying close attention to their importance to past cultures, and their relevance to modern society.  Material will focus on Greek mythology and its influence on mythology in other regions and countries.  Strategies are incorporated for effective learning, stressing all communication skills, (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).   Cooperative learning strategies are utilized almost daily!  Projects and creativity are the basis for this class.  Reading activities will include common "whole class" reads, short stories, and individually selected texts.  Writing will be expected to demonstrate competency in analysis, synthesis, and application of literary ideas, as they pertain to mythology.  Group analysis will reflect problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, and communication skills. 

Advanced Mythology- (10, 11, 12) (1 Trimester) (Teacher Approval)

This class will be an extension to what was taught in Greek Mythology as students begin to dig deeper into the concepts presented by the authors of the time.  A focus will be placed on deeper understanding of the literature of the time through the use of Homer’s The Illiad and The Odyssey.  Students will be focusing on the emphasis, content, and significance of the myths in Greek and Roman society, including the place of myth in Greek life and family values; the factors and influences involved in the creation of myths; and the use of myths for our understanding of Greek literature, religion, and political concepts.  Offered every other year.  Prerequisite:  Greek Mythology.
 

This course is required of all 9^th Grade students.  The course will focus on both reading and writing elements for 9^th grade students and follows the Common Core Curriculum and the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements and recommendations.  Reading objectives include reading of fictional works such as poetry, short stories,  novels (To Kill a Mockingbird, Stotan), and plays (Romeo and Juliet).  Writing objectives include focusing on grammar, sentence structure, thesis statements, argumentative writing, persuasive writing, literary analysis, and using quotations as support.  In each term, students are required to complete 1 extended paper and CANNOT pass the course if they choose not to complete this. 
 

Hispanic Literature, Culture and Film (9, 10, 11, 12)
(1 Trimester)
 
The purpose of this course is to expose students to authors in Hispanic Literature from the numerous Spanish speaking countries.  Students will get a glimpse at how history, society, class and gender have shaped Hispanic literature over the years.  We will scratch the surface of Hispanic literature, fiction, poetry, film and the novel.  The class includes discussion, lecture, group work, project, presentations and the opportunity to read some great works.
 

Investigative Writing Academy (10) (Required)

(1 Trimester)

Students taking this course will be required to identify and discuss numerous current events throughout the world. Along with identifying and discussions related to these events, each student will learn techniques and skills that are required for research based writing.  These skills include and are not limited to the following:  identifying common themes and events throughout history, developing appropriate thesis statements, understanding of valid research materials, and properly citing research in writing (Modern Language Association).  Students will complete a research paper that will be required for credit in this course. 

In this course, students will read a variety of texts, including both classic and contemporary, and focus on how they are represented in a multimedia context.  Students will analyze the similarities and differences of representations in literature versus film, music, photographs, etc.  and view, analyze, and discuss how media chooses to change (or not change) the original content.  This class is perfect for those with a critical eye or those who enjoy looking more in depth at literature and its impact and influence. 

Senior Forum is a class designed to help ALL Northwest students move smoothly from the world of high school to their world after high school (work, school, the military, etc.).  Students will be creating professional documents, reflective pieces, electronic portfolios, completing applications (for scholarships and more), etc.  Guest speakers and instructors from throughout the community will present information on careers/post-secondary education plans and opportunities, interviewing, and communication skills as well.  Students will be required to complete their electronic portfolio work, an approved job shadowing and/or community service project, reflective pieces, and final presentation in order to obtain credit in this class.

Senior Reading and Writing / Advanced Composition A & B (12) (2 Trimesters)

Senior Reading and Writing is a class recommended for college preparatory students that focuses on both the reading and writing process.  Multiple texts will be read to include emphasis on the writing process.  Major papers will include personal, analytical and literature based papers.

Senior Transitions A & B (12) (2 Trimesters) 

Senior Transitions is a class designed to help Northwest students move smoothly from the world of high school to their world after high school (work, school, the military, etc.).  Students will be creating both computerized and hard copy portfolios, resumes, cover letters, etc.  Guest speakers and instructors from throughout the community will present information on careers, interviewing, and communication skills as well.  Students will be required to complete their portfolio work and an approved community service project and/or hours (including written proposal and completed service hours) in order to obtain credit in this class.
 

Sports Literature (9, 10, 11, 12) (1 Trimester)
 
This course is designed for the avid reader and sports fan.  Students will be introduced to a variety of literature dealing with common sports themes.  The themes could include leadership, character, trends in athletics, rivalries, coaching ethics, etc.  Students will also be required to write about their opinions and themes that are discussed in this course.
 

UB-American Literature A & B (10) (2 Trimesters) Teacher Recommendation Only

This course is designed to facilitate concentrated instruction of similar concepts within American Literature to students that struggle in English.

Teacher recommendation qualifies students for this course placement. Much of the coursework is intended to prepare these students for the real world work experience. The writing component will focus on practical pieces incorporating the 6-traits of writing and selected grammatical components that are needed for students entering the work force after high school.

This class replaces American Literature.

UB-Literature & Composition 9 A & B (2 Trimesters) Teacher Recommendation Only

This course is designed to facilitate concentrated instruction of similar concepts within Literature & Composition 9 to students that struggle in fulfilling their English requirements. 

Students will experience a thematic approach to literature through in-depth reading, speaking and writing experiences. The major units will center on the themes of: Identity, Appreciating Others, Choices and Consequences, and Struggles. Teachers incorporate strategies for effective learning, stressing all communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). Active participation is essential in this course.

Pre-requisite: Recommendation by IEP or staff approval of both English instructor and student counselor.  Students who earn credit for the completion of Literature & Composition 9 course are not eligible for enrollment in this course. 

This class replaces Literature & Composition 9.