The Mississippi Language Arts Framework is centered on the areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, research, and inquiry. These key areas emphasize the importance of language arts in daily life; enhance students' confidence in their ability to read, write, speak, listen, view, and conduct research; and help students learn to communicate and reason more effectively. The curriculum provides the essential language arts concepts students should learn as they pursue a career or continue their education.   Independent Reading Program:
Students are encouraged to read as many books from as many genres as possible, but specific assignments are required for each course. Through Renaissance Place, a goal of 25 books is encouraged to be read each school year. An assessment must be completed for each book read.   English

COURSE SEQUENCE
Grade 9 - English I
Grade 10 - English II
Grade 11 - English III
Grade 12 - English IV  

Compensatory Reading
Description: This course is a comprehensive one for diagnosing and remediating students' basic skills. It is designed for remediation in the Subject Area Test skills areas. Therefore, core concepts in reading, language, writing, and study skills are included. The course also contains thinking skill lessons, which allow students to apply concepts, think critically, and discover creative solutions to real-life tasks. Students identified by teachers as needing extra help in any SATP tested area, based on testing, are accepted.

Credit Unit: 1
Prerequisite:N/A
Length of Class: 2 Semesters  

English I
Description: English I is a course which weaves together the strands of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing to emphasize the interrelationship in language. Ninth grade language ares integrates grammar, fundamentals of writing, including basic syntax and composition development, and the study of literature by literary form. Credit is given when the student passes the class.

Credit Unit: 1
Prerequisite: Eighth grade English Requirements
Length of Class: 2 Semesters

English II
Description: A one semester course integrating a review of basic writing techniques and grammar skills, the introduction of advanced expository writing and principles of research, and survey of the genres of literature. The course will include vocabulary study. Skills for written assignments will focus on organizational techniques, formulation of a thesis, coherence, unity, and style.
The five genres of literature - composed of selections from world authors - will serve as models for writing, impetus for assignments, and a foundation for the students' further study of literature in the English curriculum. Credit is given when a student passes the class and the proficiency writing.

Credit Unit: 1 (Required for graduation)
Prerequisite: English I
Length of Class: 2 semesters  

English III
Description: A one term course integrating principles of composition and the writing process, including emphasis on pre-writing, organization, drafting revision, and presentation; the study of American literature through a chronological approach, including the novel and modern drama; research principles culminating in various research projects and vocabulary development. Credit is given when a student passes the class and the proficiency writing.

Credit Unit: 1 (Required for graduation)
Prerequisite: English II
Length of Class: 2 semesters  

English IV
Description: A one-semester survey course in British Literature with reading and discussion of selected English classics from Beowulf to contemporary writers. Emphasis is placed on the literature as an expression of the times in which it first appeared. This course also reviews selected topics in grammar, mechanics, usage, and other basic writing skills. A review of library methodology and research techniques is presented, culminating in the completion for (a) research project(s). Credit is given when a student passes the class and the proficiency writing.

Credit Unit: 1 (Required for graduation)
Prerequisite: English III
Length of Class: 2 semesters  

Honors English I
Description: Honors English I is an extensive course of study designed for the college-bound student integrating grammar, fundamentals of writing (including basic syntax and composition development) and the study of literature by literary for and structure. Credit is given when a student passes the class.

Credit Unit: 1
Prerequisite: Eighth Grade English Requirements. Students are selected for this course based on teacher recommendations, grades, standardized test scores, and writing portfolios.
Length of Class: 2 Semesters  

Honors English II
Description: Designed for the talented, academically skilled, college-bound sophomore. The course will introduce advanced expository writing and research. Skills for written assignments will focus on organization techniques, formulation of a thesis, and use of sufficient supporting material. Independent reading for whole works in various genres composed of selections from American, British and world literature is a requirement along with independent analyses of these works. Students are asked to write critical papers logically explaining their interpretations. Literary selections will serve as models for writing, impetus for assignments, and a foundation for the student's further study of literature in the accelerated English curriculum.

Credit Unit: 1
Prerequisite: English I requirements, elevated standardized scores in verbal and reading skills, submission of writing samples, and recommendation by English Iteacher.
Length of Class: 2 semesters  

Honors English III
Description: Designed for the talented, academically skilled, college-bound junior. Through independent readings of American Literature, both short and long fiction, and oral/written analyses, students learn the tools of critical analysis to produce research-based papers, as well as text-based papers. Students also present ideas formed in group discussions. These discussions are conducted before teacher comprehension skills. Students produce at least
three independent literary papers and are encouraged to produce a creative literary project, such as a videotape or short story.

Credit Unit: 1
Prerequisite: English II requirements, elevated standardized scores in verbal and reading skills, submission of writing samples, and recommendation by English II teacher.
Length of Class: 2 semesters  

Honors English IV
Description: Designed for the talented, academically skilled, college-bound senior. Through independent readings of British Literature, both short and long fiction, and oral/written analysis, students learn the tools of critical analysis to produce research-based papers, as well as text-based papers. Students also present ideas formed in group discussions. These discussions are conducted before teacher comprehension skills. Students produce at least five independent literary papers and are encouraged to produce a creative literary project. Summer reading is also requirement for this course.

Credit Unit: 1
Prerequisite: English III requirements, elevated standardized scores in verbal and reading skills, submission of writing samples, and recommendation by English III teacher.
Length of Class: 2 semesters  

Advanced Placement English
Description: This course is a college-level course for academically talented students who excel in literary analysis and composition. The college prep term serves as an introduction to Advanced Placement that is offered second term. Both sections emphasize English literature, but recognized literary works from other countries are also studied. In addition to reading and discussing various types of literature, students sharpen their writing skills using specific literary works as the basis for critical analysis. This emphasis on composition, coupled with intensive vocabulary study, aids students in the effective development of writing skills. At the completion of this course, students are required to take the national AP exam at a cost of $82. A successful score on this test usually guarantees sophomore standing in English to students entering college.

Credit Unit: 1
Prerequisite: Superior achievement in previous accelerated English courses, elevated standardized test scores in verbal and reading skills, submission of a timed in-class writing, and recommendation by the Accelerated English III teacher.
Length of Class: 2 semesters  

Creative Writing
Description: Creative Writing is a course designed to provide a suitable climate for creative writing, instruction in the techniques used by creative writers, and an evaluation of student writing. The types of writing to be emphasized include short stories, poetry, and drama (one-act play).

Credit Unit: 1/2
Prerequisite: English teacher recommendation and a writing sample.
Length of Class: 1 Semester  

Introduction to Journalism
Description: A basic course designed as a prerequisite for subsequent journalism lab courses for those students who are interested, and as a general course to enhance the students' skills as communicators and as informed users of the media. Units of study can be tailored to local needs. Students in this class produce the school newspaper and yearbook. This class cannot be taken in lieu of required English courses.

Credit Unit: 1
Prerequisite: English teacher recommendation and a writing sample.
Length of Class: 2 semesters  

Journalism Laboratory I, II, and III
Description: Students will perform specific duties with leadership functions to be outlined, assigned, and evaluated by the advisor/teacher according to the nature of the publication and staff organization. Development and evaluation skills will be individualized and performance-based, varying in publication style and content and in nature of assigned duties. By the laboratory II level, individual skills should be developed to marketable levels with decision-making capabilities for entry-level positions in the field or on college publication staff. The publications from these classes should be distributed for critical appraisal and enjoyment of others and entered for critical review by a rating service outside the school. In Laboratory III, students assume management/editorial positions for the publications staff in addition to duties acquired in previous laboratories.

Credit Unit: 1
Prerequisite: Introduction to Journalism and teacher recommendation.
Length of Class: 2 Semesters