JH/HS English Language Arts Department
USD 240 English Language Arts Department |
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Mrs. Bigler | Ms. Thole | Mrs. Rickman | Mrs. Myer | |
abigler@usd240.org | athole@usd240.org | lrickman@usd240.org | mmyer@usd240.org | |
785-488-3321 or 785-283-4774 | 785-488-3321 | 785-283-4774 | 785-488-3321 |
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Bennington HS/Tescott HS | Bennington JH/HS | Tescott JH/HS | Bennington HS |
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Lesson Plans
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English II
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Get to know your teacher |
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What your student will learn in their english language arts class |
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Photography/Writing (currently taught only at BHS): This year-long course emphasizes the basic technical and compositional skills in photography, including the "Exposure Triangle" of shutter speed, aperture and ISO, along with exposure compensation, metering, and related skills. It then advances into compositional techniques such as the Rule of Thirds, Rule of Odds, depth of field, and so forth. Students take photos of a wide variety of subjects, from landscapes and portraits to light painting and abstract photos. Students also learn about the history of photography and influential photographers through quarterly projects shared with the class.
Course Title: Creative Writing (currently taught at BHS): In Creative Writing class, students will learn to express themselves through a variety of written exercises. These include, but are not limited to poetry, short stories, drama, expository essays, and even cooperative assignments. Students will be encouraged to share their writing with peers. Peer editing will assist students in developing their abilities to proofread their own writing.
Course Title: Stories of our Rural Heritage I and II Duration: 1 Semester Each Grade: 9-12 Credit: .5 Each Course Objective: These courses will combine elements of those courses with an emphasis on exploring the concept of a regional and cultural setting through reading and writing. Students enrolling in these classes should be prepared to read a variety of genres and works and write stories and essays that deal with living outside the cities of America. Course Title: Publications
Course Code: 168/168B
Duration: 2 semesters
Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite: Completion of English 9 with a B or above and/ or consent of the instructor
Credit: 1
Course Objective: This class is designed to feature student writing through a wide variety of journalistic articles, essays, stories, and editorials. Students will design, write, layout, and publish materials in a timely manner to promote school and community awareness of the academic environment in which we operate. Students coming into this class should have strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills and be independently motivated to design and produce quality products for the public.
Course Title: 7th Grade English This course prepares students for high school Language Arts courses. Students will learn the basics of literary study, including elements of plot and character development. Formal essay writing is emphasized, with students writing essays based on materials read in class. Students learn to organize thoughts and support them with evidence from their reading. Finally, students gain experience expressing their thoughts before an audience with recitations of Shakespearean monologues and class discussions. Course Title: 8th Grade English This course builds on skills covered in 7th grade English, but with more challenging reading material and longer written assignments. Students who have shown an ability to write a well-organized formal essay will have more opportunity to do creative writing assignments, most often based on materials studied in class. Expectations are higher than in 7th grade for correct punctuation and grammar, supporting materials, and level of thought. Course Title: English 1
Course Code: 24/24B
Duration: 2 semesters
Grade: 9
Credit: 1
Course Objective: Provides the basic foundations for the language arts studies: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This class is built upon the following areas: grammar, the writing process including creative writing, reading and understanding short stories, poetry, and more complex books that are on grade level. Students will develop a more thorough understanding of literary and figurative language skills, as well as increase their vocabulary.
Course Title: English 2
Course Code: 53/53B
Duration: 2 semesters
Grade: 10
Credit: 1
Course Objective: This course expands on previous English classes. Concepts such as grammar and syntax will be reinforced and polished. Students will study important works of literature, including, but not limited to: Shakespeare, American dramatists, poetry, novels, and nonfiction texts. Writing will also be emphasized in the form of daily writing prompts, literary analyses, original poetry, and oral presentations. Course Title: English 3
Course Code: 25/25B
Duration: 2 semesters
Grade: 11
Credit: 1
Course Objective: This class will emphasize continued improvement in the areas of reading comprehension, literary analysis, and written communication skills. The study of American authors will be addressed through short stories, novels, and plays. Written communication will encompass expository essays, literary analysis, and creative writing. Separate studies in vocabulary and daily oral language will continue.
Course Title: English 4
Course Code: 27/27B
Duration: 2 semesters
Grade: 12
Credit: 1
Course Objective: This course expands on previous English classes. Concepts such as grammar and syntax will be reinforced and polished. Students will spend one semester studying fiction and one semester studying non-fiction. Students will study important works of literature, including, but not limited to: Shakespeare, American dramatists, poetry, novels, and nonfiction texts. Writing will also be emphasized in the form of daily writing prompts, literary analyses, and oral presentations. In the non-fiction semester, students will research colleges and careers and a non-fiction documentary. Students will write resumes, cover letters, thank you letters, and create presentations over research. They will also participate in a job shadowing day and subsequent presentation for their peers. Course Title: Comp 101: Writing Strategies Duration: 1 Semester Grade: 12 Prerequisite: There are three ways to gain access to this class: score a 21 or higher on the English portion of the ACT; or with an ACT score of 17-20, you can take an ASSET writing sample test from CCCC and score a 3; or if you have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, you can take the ASSET test from CCCC and score a minimum of 40. Credit: 3 College Credit Hours/ 1 High School Credit Course Objective: This concurrent course is an intensive writing lab that focuses on the form and content of essay writing. It utilizes various strategies of rhetorical writing, including research based writing. The process approach to writing will be taught and used for the major assignments. Revision is essential. The text will be determined by CCCC, supplemented by thought-provoking essays and writings from a variety of literary sources. This course is rigorous and demanding with frequent writing and reading assignments of significant literature that require thought and analysis. This course is designed to prepare students for college level academics. In addition to high school credit, students can enroll at the sponsoring college and pay tuition fees to receive three hours of college credit if they earn a final grade of C or above. Course Title: Comp 102: Writing Arguments About Literature Duration: 1 Semester Grade: 12 Prerequisite: Comp 1 Credit: 3 College Credit Hours/1 High School Credit Course Objective: This concurrent course is designed to expose students to various types of literature and to develop strategies for understanding and evaluating different literary genres. Course content will range from the Shakespearean play to the modern short story and will include an examination of essays and poetry as well. Writing assignments are designed to enhance understanding of stories, themes, archetypes, and genres. Writing assignments include argumentation, literary essays, reading journals, researched essays, and other compositions.. This course is designed to prepare students for college level academics. In addition to high school credit, students can enroll at the sponsoring college and pay tuition fees to receive three hours of college credit if they earn a final grade of C or above. Course Title: Forensics
Course Code: 54
Duration: Spring Semester
Grade: 9-12
Credit: .5
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the various types of forensics events in a classroom and in a competitive atmosphere. Students will be able to learn about the different types of forensics events within a classroom setting and then apply those concepts in tournament competition throughout the semester. Students will have to do original research to complete their assignments. |
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Strategies for success |
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Students in the Language Arts Department will be successful if they learn basic and advanced constructs of language, including the ability to read critically for both information and enjoyment, to write in appropriate language for a variety of audiences, and to complete assignments and projects within timely and appropriate deadlines. |
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Know the standards |
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Useful Information About the Standards
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