English 9 comprises a study of grammar, vocabulary, composition, and literature in an integrated course of study. These four basic elements will be explored through an examination of the 4 types of essays, fiction and non-fiction works, poetry, journals, and independent reading evaluations. Romeo and Juliet, and Animal Farm will also be included as in-depth units.

Speech I is required for all students and consists of how we communicate, nonverbal communication in speaking, and learning proper techniques in constructing and delivering speeches. Outlining and research techniques will also be emphasized. The course is designed to assist students in developing confidence in communicating before groups of people.

This course is a combined study of grammar, literature and composition. The students will receive a review of basic grammar and vocabulary skills, including a more in depth study of sentence patterns, quotation marks, modifiers, pronouns and troublesome verbs. Composition will consist of refining the Six Trait Writing methods, writing a research paper, personal writings, and poetry composition. A variety of world literature will be explored including: Julius Caesar, a novel, short stories, and poetry in the Prentice Hall Anthology Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes Platinum Level.

Advanced speech will require knowledge of organizing, researching, outlining and presenting speeches which were taught in Speech I. Students will study advanced speaking skills and will present speeches from the areas of: entertainment, informative; persuasive, extemporaneous, duet, OID, prose and poetry. Students will research, cut and block their own material. This class is geared toward the student interested in speech contests, but is not a requirement. This is a one semester course which can be taken in first and/or second semesters and also may be repeated in the junior and/or senior year.

This course is designed for the student who doesn’t plan to attend college after graduation. Study and practice of grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary building and paragraph development will be highlighted. The Six Traits writing skills will be emphasized in paragraph and essay development. Literature readings will be chosen by the teacher to meet the interest and skills of the students in the class. The student, enrolling for this English 11 class must have passed 9th & 10th grade English and must have prior approval from the English 10 & 11 instructors and counselor in order to take this class.

College Prep-English 11 is a more advanced study of literature, composition and grammar. This course is geared for the college-bound student with an emphasis on composition and reading from major literary works such as the following: The Scarlet Letter, Red Badge of Courage, Huckleberry Finn, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Crucible, Alas Babylon and Grapes of Wrath. Major writing includes the following: 1) Persuasive, 2) The Shape a Writer Takes, 3) Research, 4) College application essay in addition, the state writing test is administered in the fall and spring. Standards 11.1.2, 11.1.6, 11.3.1, and 11.1.8 are tested.

This course emphasizes language skills necessary for the work force and every day living. It is designed for the non-college bound students. The first semester will consist of grammar skills, literature and persuasive and technical writing skills. Literature will include Mississippi Trial. Permission of the instructor and counselor is necessary.

The second semester will consist of grammar skills, literature, and creative and personal writing. Literature will include the following: October Sky. Permission of the instructor and counselor is necessary.

This course is designed for the college bound senior. Grammar, usage, and mechanics will be reviewed in the first quarter to help the student prepare for college entrance examinations. In the second quarter, classic British Literature will be read and studied.

The third quarter focus will be on proper research techniques and will culminate with a formal research paper. Classic British Literature will be explored in the fourth quarter. The textbook that will be used is Prentice Hall The British Tradition.

The function of this class is to produce the school newspaper, "The Swede Pride" and school yearbook, “The Swede”. Students must have passed English 10 or English 11 with a B or higher average. Computer background in “PageMaker” is helpful but not required. Newspaper staff members are responsible for reporting on events in and out of school. They write newspaper articles and take pictures for the monthly newspaper, which they also format. The yearbook staff is responsible for meeting deadlines established by the publishing company, fund raising, selling annuals and advertisements, and covering all school events. After school is dismissed for the summer, some students will be required to come back to complete the annual. Those students that cannot make the out of school committment should NOT enroll in this class. Permission of the instructor is necessary. The class is limited to 15 students.

Media Production is designed to teach the student the basic principles of producing a bi-monthly news program called “SwedeCenter”. Students learn basic camera techniques, how to write and conduct interviews, how to edit and put together the program using iMovie software. Taping and editing outside of class time is required. This class is limited to10 students.