English Department
Eight (8) English credits are required for graduation. Students must pass two semesters of English 9 and two semesters of English 10. In addition, students must pass one composition elective, one literature elective, and one speech elective. (The following courses do not meet the Fort Dodge Community School District English graduation requirement: Stagecraft, Big Dodger, Technical Theatre, Theatre Performance 1 & 2, and Photo Journalism.)
ENGLISH 9 - 2 CREDITS - 9 NCAA APPROVED - English 9 will focus on basic writing construction. The language standards will be addressed through the writing component and speaking and listening standards will be embedded through the use of various discussion and collaboration opportunities. The Reading Informational and Reading Literature standards will be addressed through examining literature and nonfiction pieces.
ENGLISH 9 HONORS - 2 CREDITS - 9 - Honors English 9 implements an intensive version of the general education English 9 course while offering opportunities for deeper exploration of literacy and rhetorical concepts and analysis. This is a fast-paced and rigorous course intended to prepare students for future Honors, Advanced Placement, and dual-credit courses. Students will experience more complex literature, challenging writing assignments, and increasingly substantive conversations.
ENGLISH 10 - 2 CREDITS - 10 NCAA APPROVED - The Reading Informational and Reading Literature standards will be met through examining literature and nonfiction pieces. English 10 will focus on expository and persuasive writing. Language instruction will be addressed through the writing component and speaking and listening standards will be embedded through various discussion, collaboration, and presentation opportunities.
ENGLISH 10 HONORS - 2 CREDITS - 10 - Honors English 10 implements an intensive version of the general education English 10 course while offering opportunities for deeper exploration of literacy and rhetorical concepts and analysis. This is a fast-paced and rigorous course intended to prepare students for future Honors, Advanced Placement, and dual-credit courses. At times, students and parents should expect nightly homework. Students will experience more complex literature, challenging writing assignments, and increasingly substantive conversations.
ELL ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS - 1 CREDIT (ENGLISH) - 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: IDEA English Proficiency Test - This class is taught on an individual basis. The curriculum is developed to increase a student’s reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension in English. An emphasis is usually placed on grammar and vocabulary growth.
Composition Electives - The following courses fulfill the composition requirement for graduation.
HIGH SCHOOL COMPOSITION - 1 CREDIT - 11, 12 - This course is designed for students who do not wish to take, or do not feel ready for College Prep Comp. The course deals with narrative, expository, and persuasive writing, as well as sentence structures, paragraph development, and organizational strategies.
TRANSITION TO COLLEGE WRITING - 1 CREDIT - 11, 12 NCAA APPROVED - This course is a writing course that develops skills in narrative, argumentative, and descriptive writing with an emphasis on research writing. A prior mastery of basic skills of punctuation, sentence structure, paragraphing, and usage is necessary. This course is recommended for college-bound students needing to strengthen writing skills prior to taking ICCC Composition I.
ICCC COMPOSITION I (ENG-105) - 1 HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT AND 3 SEMESTER HOURS COLLEGE CREDIT - 11, 12 NCAA APPROVED
Prerequisite: Student must have scored at the minimum placement testing levels. - This course will be taken for both high school and college credit. The course focuses on the process of writing expressive and informative prose. It introduces database research skills and critical thinking skills. Informal speaking situations are part of required class work.
ICCC COMPOSITION II (ENG-106) - 1 HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT AND 3 SEMESTER HOURS COLLEGE CREDIT - 11, 12 NCAA APPROVED
Prerequisite: Successful completion of ICCC English I with a C or better. Student must have scored at the minimum placement testing levels - This course will be taken for both high school and college credit. This course is continuation of ICCC English I with advanced work in database research techniques. The major focus is on persuasive and argumentative writing with an emphasis on critical thinking skills.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION - 2 CREDITS - 11, 12 NCAA APPROVED Prerequisite: Instructor Approval - AP English Language and Composition requires students to write in several forms about a variety of subjects. Readings are primarily nonfiction, and students will use them to identify and explain the use of rhetorical strategies, rhetorical techniques, and linguistic choices. Visual media are also analyzed as they serve as a vital component of modern communication. Satisfactory completion of a full year of this course will satisfy both the composition and literature graduation requirements.
Literature Electives - The following courses fulfill the literature requirement for graduation.
AMERICAN LITERATURE - 1 CREDIT - 11, 12 NCAA APPROVED - American Literature is a survey course that concentrates on the major concepts of our cultural heritage reflected in the literature written by significant American authors. Providing a solid background for college-bound students, American Literature demands intensive reading, critical analysis, and writing.
BRITISH LITERATURE - 1 CREDIT - 11, 12 NCAA APPROVED - English Literature is a survey course, sampling the major works of England from the Anglo-Saxon to contemporary British writers. Providing a solid background for college-bound students, English literature demands intensive reading, critical analysis, and writing.
COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - 1 CREDIT - 11, 12 - This course will feature various genres of literature that will be read and their film adaptations analyzed. Comparative analysis will be conducted through a balanced literacy approach including speaking, writing, and reading.
AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION - 2 CREDITS - 11, 12 Prerequisite: English 10 - AP English Literature and Composition is a course where students will be immersed in novels, plays, poems, and short stories from various periods. Students will read and write daily, using a variety of multimedia and interactive activities, interpretive writing assignments, and class discussions to assess and improve skills and knowledge. The course places special emphasis on reading comprehension, structural and critical analysis of written works, literary vocabulary, and recognizing and understanding literary devices. The equivalent of an introductory college-level survey class, this course prepares students for the optional AP exam and further study in creative writing, communications, journalism, literature, and composition. Satisfactory completion of a full year of this course will satisfy both the composition and literature graduation requirements.
Speech Electives - The following courses fulfill the speech requirement for graduation.
SPEECH COMMUNICATIONS - 1 CREDIT - 11, 12 NCAA APPROVED - This course covers fundamentals of communication to include group communication, interview skills, communication basics, public speaking, and persuasion.
ICCC PUBLIC SPEAKING (SPC-112) - 1 CREDIT AND 3 SEMESTER HOURS COLLEGE CREDIT - 11, 12 Prerequisite: Student must have scored at the minimum placement testing levels. Successful completion of ICCC Composition I. - This course is designed to develop the basic skills of oral communication by studying the process and theory of communication. Emphasis is placed on the preparation and delivery of individual presentations in various speaking situations.
General English Electives - The following courses serve as general English electives for graduation.
CREATIVE WRITING LAB I - 1 CREDIT - 9, 10, 11, 12 NCAA APPROVED - I just wrote this poem. Want to read my story? How do writers work? In Creative Writing Lab, writers select their own topics of stories and poems, and apply literary terms/techniques etc. Students will write daily and share work with others. This class will make you a better writer.
CREATIVE WRITING LAB II - 1 CREDIT - 10, 11, 12 NCAA APPROVED Prerequisite: Successful completion of Creative Writing Lab I or Instructional Approval - Creative Writing Lab II is a continuation of Creative Writing Lab I. Students will creatively write their own play, act it out, and perform it in front of a live audience. We will also study different writing styles and even try to mimic contemporary authors. Students should be willing to write daily and be able to work collaboratively with others.
DEBATE CLASS - 1 CREDIT - 10, 11, 12 - This course will encourage the use of evidence, reasoning, and persuasion to best represent ideas. Students will gather evidence to support opinions in a variety of debate formats like policy, trial, and public forum in order to hone effective argumentation and problem solving skills.
READING WORKSHOP - 1 CREDIT - 9, 10, 11, 12 - Reading Workshop is recommended for any student (grades 9-12) who would like to improve his/her reading comprehension, reading speed, and vocabulary skills. Reading workshop invites students to become actively involved as readers of all kinds of books. Students will respond orally and in writing, making connections between their lives and their readings.
INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE - 1 CREDIT - 9, 10, 11, 12 - Introduction to Theatre is for students who do not have an interest in performing but would like to learn more about theatre as an art form. Learning will focus on the relationship between theatre and entertainment both historically and culturally.
THEATRE PERFORMANCE I - 1 CREDIT - 9, 10, 11, 12 -
Theatre Performance I is for students with little or no performance background in the theatre arts. Learning will focus on creativity and imagination, ensemble building and trust, building confidence, and observation skills through theatrical means; such as, pantomime, improvisation, characterization, storytelling, basic movement, and emotional recall. Success in this class requires lots of in-class participation, collaboration, and good attendance.
Note: This credit cannot be used to satisfy the District English graduation requirement.
THEATRE PERFORMANCE II - 1 CREDIT - 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: passing Theatre Performance I
Theatre Performance II is geared towards students who have a continued interest to learn more about theatre arts. Learning will focus on the audition process, play script analysis, character motivation and behavior, in-depth scene study, stage combat, and play writing. Success in this class requires lots of in-class participation, collaboration, and good attendance.
Note: This credit cannot be used to satisfy the District English graduation requirement.
TECHNICAL THEATRE - 1 CREDIT - 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor - This technical theatre course will teach students production aspects of theatre. This course is geared towards students who want to be involved in theatre but not as an actor, or actors who would like to gain a greater appreciation for the technical aspects of the art. Learning will focus on employment opportunities in theatre other than performance. Scenery construction, light and sound design, public relations, and property management. The student will get hands-on experience by working on class projects, community productions, and/or the Senior High fall play production. Note: This credit cannot be used to satisfy the District English graduation requirement.
