English

Course Title:
Advanced Creative Writing

Prerequisite:
Creative Writing or Permission of Instructor

Grade Level:
11, 12

Credit Value:
0.5

Credit Type:
Elective

Course Duration:
One Semester

Course Description:
This course continues the work of Creative Writing. The Advanced Creative Writer is self-disciplined. He/she will develop, with the instructor, a writing project plan early in the semester and be expected to complete it and present it as a culminating project.

Course Title:
AP English Language and Composition

Prerequisite: Regular or Honors English 9 and 10  and completion of application process

Grade Level:
11

Credit Value:
1.0

Credit Type:
English

Course Duration:
Two Semesters

Course Description:
*An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming
skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming
skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their
reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes,
audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way genre conventions and the
resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.

* per the AP Collegeboard

Course Title:
AP English Literature and Composition

Prerequisite:
Recommendation of English 10/11 teacher and completion of application process.

Grade Level:
12

Credit Value:
1.0

Credit Type:
English

Course Duration:
Two Semesters

Course Description:
AP English Literature and Composition is designed to engage students in the careful reading and critical analysis of narrative and stylistic features in imaginative literature. Students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. The class will also prepare students to take the AP English exam in the spring. 

Course Title:
Creative Writing

Prerequisite:
English 9

Grade Level:
10, 11, 12

Credit Value:
0.5

Credit Type:
Elective, and Visual, Performing, Applied Art  

Course Duration:
One Semester

Course Description:
Creative Writing consists of long-term writing workshops—poetry and prose. Students examine the creative process, review and strengthen the writing process, read current authors, enter contests, submit for publication, read aloud, and assess their own and classmates' work. This class requires a student who is disciplined and self-motivated.

Course Title:
English 9

Prerequisite:
None

Grade Level:
9

Credit Value:
1.0

Credit Type:
English

Course Duration:
Two Semesters

Course Description:
English 9 focuses on developing important communication skills such as reading/viewing, writing, speaking, listening, and research. Students will read and respond to fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama organized into thematic units. In addition, students will work to increase vocabulary and to improve grammar skills.

Course Title:
English 9 Honors

Prerequisite:
Recommendation of 8th-grade teacher and completion of application process

Grade Level:
9

Credit Value:
1.0

Credit Type:
English

Course Duration:
Two Semesters

Course Description:
English 9 Honors provides the advanced student an opportunity for in-depth study and practice in reading and literary analysis--both written and oral. Students will read in a variety of genres and write in a variety of formats, with an emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing. Coursework will prepare them for English 10 Honors and AP English. Completion of summer reading assignments is required.

Course Title:
English 10

Prerequisite:
English 9

Grade Level:
10

Credit Value:
1.0

Credit Type:
English

Course Duration:
Two Semesters

Course Description:
This course is required for all sophomores and builds on those skills learned in previous English Language Arts classes. Students will work to develop skills in reading/viewing, writing, speaking, listening, and research. Readings will include novels, non-fiction works, poetry, short stories, and film. In addition, students will continue to increase vocabulary and improve English language conventions.

Course Title:
English 10 Honors

Prerequisite:
Recommendation of 9th-grade teacher and an application process

Grade Level:
10

Credit Value:
1.0

Credit Type:
English

Course Duration:
Two Semesters

Course Description:
English 10 Honors provides the advanced student an opportunity for in-depth study and practice in reading and literary analysis--both written and oral. Students will read and write in a variety of genres, with an emphasis on research and expository writing. Course work will prepare them for AP English, both literature, and language. Completion of summer reading assignments is required.

Course Title:
English 11

Prerequisite:
English 9 & 10

Grade Level:
11

Credit Value:
1.0

Credit Type:
English

Course Duration:
Two Semesters

Course Description:
The English 11 course offers a development of knowledge while exploring textual elements and structures. Students engage in close readings of increasingly complex texts; develop analytical skills and strategies while moving from a variety of literature genres to a variety of nonfiction genres. Students read literary nonfiction that encompasses a variety of topics, central ideas, and arguments. Students also read multiple texts in the same genre to understand what sets it apart from other genres. Through close analytical reading, readers develop theories about which writer is most effective in conveying intent, purpose, and meaning. As readers and researchers, students also study a variety of argumentative texts for structure, tone, audience, claim, counterclaim, evidence, and line of reasoning. Through inquiry, students gather information from primary and secondary resources; they analyze and synthesize information to inform and support their claim(s) and counterclaim(s). During the year, the students explore a variety of informational text genres, ultimately providing a richer literacy skill set.

Course Title:
Senior Literature and Composition A 

Prerequisite:
English 9, 10, 11

Grade Level:
12

Credit Value:
0.5

Credit Type:
English

Course Duration:
One Semester

Course Description:
This fast-paced, multi-tasking semester senior course focuses on specific skill building in communication, both written and spoken, while structured around a student’s future career. Areas studied may include resumes, interviews, letters, surveys, research, academic vocabulary, community service, job shadow, various presentations, and professional dress.

Course Title:
Senior Literature and Composition B

Prerequisite:
English 9, 10, 11

Grade Level:
12

Credit Value:
0.5

Credit Type:
English

Course Duration:
One Semester

Course Description:

(Formerly English 12B) is for seniors and focuses on specific skill building in the area of communication, both written and spoken, while structured around a student’s “establishment” of a legacy. Through the study of Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture, Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, and Ken Kesey’s One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, you will define your own sense of a legacy—what matters, what you would like to leave behind, and what you would like to take with you upon graduation from Fruitport High School. In other words, what is important to you? And, since this IS an English class, we will do the typical “stuff” to get us where we need to go. That is to say, we will write papers, read books, make presentations, and engage in meaningful dialogue.

 Course Title:
Film as Literature 

Prerequisite:
English 9, 10

Grade Level:
11, 12

Credit Value:
0.5

Credit Type:
Elective

Course Duration:
One Semester

Course Description: 

Film Appreciation is for juniors and seniors. It will address the examination of film as an art form. Students will apply methods for studying literature, drama, and cinema to the study of films. The application of what is learned will translate into essays, projects, and presentations. Some of the films may include: Plan 9 from Outer Space, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Waking Ned Devine, Still Alice, La Vita E Bella, The Ring, and A Quiet Place. As a great deal of concentration needs to be devoted to the viewing of the films, a certain level of respect and maturity while in the classroom is to be expected.

Course Title:
Yearbook

Prerequisite:
Application

Grade Level:
10, 11, 12

Credit Value:
1.0

Credit Type:
Elective

Course Duration:
Two Semesters

Course Description:
The yearbook class is a full year of collaborative learning. The class focuses on the planning, designing, selling, marketing, financing and distributing of Fruitport High School’s Yearbook. The year begins by planning the coverage of the school year, unifying the book’s theme, creating layouts, developing a common rubric, and brainstorming creative spin-offs that uniquely identify and support the theme. Throughout the year, the yearbook staff serves as the “pulse” of the high school. Much work is done outside of the classroom, and at times requires staff members to work after school and on the weekends. Students acquire a variety of academic skills including journalist style writing, studying the writing process, understanding aspects of business and marketing, and acquiring skills in artistic graphic design. This class is a great fit for students who are self-motivated, enjoy English, Business/Marketing, Photography, Graphic Design, and enjoy working in a team. An application process is required to enter this class and the student must be a sophomore, junior, or senior.