The Cherokee County School District’s English and Language Arts curriculum is based on the integration of teaching listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Teaching concepts in literature as they relate to students’ lives and future career choices, teaching problem solving skills and instructing in the application of technology in the teaching of language arts is also stressed.
There is a required core curriculum of four English units for all students. Success in the English program will prepare students for a wide variety of career and life opportunities.
Courses Offered:
9th Grade Literature/Composition
This course focuses on a study of literary genres; the students develop initial understanding of both the structure and the meaning of a literary work. The students explore the effect of the literary form in regards to interpretation. The students will read across the curriculum to develop academic and personal interests in different subjects. While the focus is technical writing in ninth grade literature, the student will also demonstrate competency in a variety of writing genres: narrative, expository, persuasive, and technical. The students will engage in research, timed writings, and the writing process. Instruction in language conventions will occur within the context of reading, writing, and speaking, rather than in isolation. The students demonstrate an understanding of listening, speaking, and viewing skills for a variety of purposes
10th Grade Literature/Composition
This course focuses on a study of literary genres; the student develops understanding that theme is what relates literature to life and that themes are recurring in the literary world. The students explore the effect of themes in regard to interpretation. The students will read across the curriculum to develop academic and personal interests in different subjects. While the focus is persuasive writing in tenth grade literature, the student will also demonstrate competency in a variety of writing genres: narrative, expository, and technical. The student will engage in research, timed writings, and the writing process. Instruction in language conventions will occur within the context of reading, writing, and speaking, rather than in isolation. The students demonstrate an understanding of listening, speaking, and viewing skills for a variety of purposes.
American Literature/Composition
This course focuses on the study of American literature, writing modes and genres, and essential conventions for reading, writing, and speaking. The student develops an understanding of chronological context and the relevance of period structures in American literature. The students develop an understanding of the ways the period of literature affects its structure and how the chronology of a work affects its meaning. The students read a variety of informational and literary texts in all genres and modes of discourse. Reading across the curriculum develops students’ academic and personal interests in different subjects. While expository writing is the focus in American literature, the students will also demonstrate competency in a variety of writing genres: narrative, persuasive, and technical. The student will engage in research, timed writing, and the writing process. Instruction in language conventions will occur within the context of reading, writing, and speaking. The students demonstrate an understanding of listening, speaking, and viewing skills for a variety of purposes.
Advanced Composition
This course focuses on the writing process (planning, drafting, and revising). The students will focus on different writing genres and organizational structures: expository, persuasive, narrative, descriptive, comparison-contrast, exemplification, process analysis, classification, cause and effect, and definition. Advanced grammar skills will be a major component of this class. An emphasis on research is also required.
AP English Language & Composition/American Literature
This course focuses on content, purpose, and audience as the guide for the students’ organization in writing. The course will enable students to become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts. The students will compose for a variety of purposes with a clear understanding of writer’s purpose, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way conventions and resources of language contribute to writing effectiveness. Expository, analytical, and argumentative writings support the academic and professional communication required by colleges; personal and reflective writing support the development of writing facility in any context. Students will examine primary and secondary sources to synthesize materials for their writing. An AP syllabus will be submitted and approved by College Board.
AP Literature/Composition
This course focuses on an intensive study of representative works from various literary genres and periods. The focus is on the complexity and thorough analysis of literary works. The students will explore the social and historical values that works reflect and embody. The textual detail and historical context provide the foundation for interpretation: the experience of literature, the interpretation of literature, and the evaluation of literature. Writing to evaluate a literary work involves making and explaining judgments about its artistry and exploring its underlying social and cultural values through analysis, interpretation, and argument (e.g. expository, analytical, and argumentative essays). The writers will develop stylistic maturity: strong vocabulary, sentence variety, and effective use of rhetoric to maintain voice.
Journalism I
This course focuses on an intensive study of representative works from various literary genres and periods. The focus is on the complexity and thorough analysis of literary works. The students will explore the social and historical values that works reflect and embody. The textual detail and historical context provide the foundation for interpretation: the experience of literature, the interpretation of literature, and the evaluation of literature. Writing to evaluate a literary work involves making and explaining judgments about its artistry and exploring its underlying social and cultural values through analysis, interpretation, and argument (e.g. expository, analytical, and argumentative essays). The writers will develop stylistic maturity: strong vocabulary, sentence variety, and effective use of rhetoric to maintain voice.
Journalism II
The course offers an advanced study of journalistic writing. Skills from Journalism I are continued; the students focus on a more intense analysis of print and broadcast publications. Students read extensively to explore and analyze the influence of good journalistic writing. This course requires more critical thinking and more in-depth writing.
Journalism III
This course is an extension of Journalism I and II; the students will enhance and hone the skills in journalistic writing, with a main focus in analysis of print and broadcast publications. An in-depth coverage of level-two topics will serve as the main premise. Students will evaluate and apply skills appropriately and efficiently to various publication opportunities and activities.
Journalism IV
This course is designed for students who have mastered skills in Journalism III. The students will publish journalistic articles either in a school newspaper or in the local newspaper. Research and interviews will be required when formulating ideas for writing. The range of opportunities to apply skills will be increased.
ESOL II
This course follows the aligned GPS course with differentiation and appropriate teaching strategies for English language learners.
9th Grade Literature/Composition Sheltered
The curriculum in a sheltered course follows the GSE of the general education content course but integrates WIDA Standards and differentiates instruction and tasks to accommodate second language learners.
Reading and Listening in the Content Areas
This course supports and enhances literacy and listening skills necessary for success in the content areas. Guiding the course are the five basic WIDA Standards with particular emphasis on reading and listening skills in language arts, science, social studies and math.