English
INSTRUCTORS: Deb Ohnoutka | Anneliese Ploetz | Angie Rusher | Kelly Schaad
(Full Year)
ENGLISH 7 & 8 Grades 7-8
Required
The junior high school program deals with all aspects of basic grammar, vocabulary, spelling, reading and comprehension, formal writing structure, and creative writing. Seventh grade initiates the elements, which are expanded in the eighth grade. Students will complete reading comprehension activities through the Accelerated Reader program.
(Full Year)
STUDY SKILLS 7 Grade 7
Required
The junior high reading course is designed to reinforce reading skills taught in the elementary grades. Focus will be on vocabulary development, correct use of vocabulary in written work, comprehension of material read, increased reading rate, improving organization, listening, and library skills.
(Full Year)
STUDY SKILLS 8A Grade 8
Per Administration
This class will build on the study skills learned in the 7th grade. It will have a more intensive focus given to various learning interventions needed to develop stronger reading ability. Emphasis will be given to vocabulary development, reading comprehension, organization improvement, and listening skills.
(Semester)
STUDY SKILLS 8B Grade 8
Per Administration
Students will practice skills and strategies to use while reading and also when to use them. Focus is on vocabulary development, comprehension of material read, test-taking, and improving organization and listening skills.
(Full Year 10 Credits)
ENGLISH 9 Grade 9
Required
This course focuses on writing and reading. Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure are reviewed in the context of writing. The focus is on the process of writing and writing for different audiences and purposes. The literature studied is a combination of classic and contemporary. Students will also complete many reading comprehension activities.
(Full Year 10 Credits)
ENGLISH 10 Grade 10
Required
This course consists of composition and literature. The literature section includes the reading and discussion of various novels such as Night, Speak, Julius Caesar, Fallen Angels, Mythology, and King Arthur Stories. The combination of these areas is designed to provide the student with the appreciation for a wide variety of literature as well as the confidence to write in various genres. The students will also be required to complete a three-week research unit. In this unit, they will combine with Computer Application II students to create a power point presentation. Students will complete reading comprehension activities.
(Full Year 10 Credits)
ENGLISH 11 Grade 11
Required
This course consists of the reading of various American authors and the learning of various composition styles such as poetry, short stories, vignettes, dramas, editorials, scripts, etc. The course requires writing a research paper as well as creating a portfolio of work that the student puts together over the year. The student is expected to work toward the proficiency of his/her own writing voice and style as well as gain an appreciation of the writing styles of a multitude of classic and modern American authors. A unit on ACT test preparation for English will be presented prior to the April ACT test. Students will complete reading comprehension activities.
(Full Year 10 Credits)
ENGLISH 12 Grade 12
Required
This course consists of grammar study, reading a variety of novels, and studying English literature. The students will also work on personal, essay, and research writing. They will be required to identify literary devices, interpret authors intent, and make personal connections. Students will complete reading comprehension activities. Second semester students will complete an Archdioceses Assessment project that will work as a senior exit project at Scotus.
(Full Year 10 Credits)
Dual Credit with Central Community College
ACCELERATED ENGLISH Grade 12
Required
Prerequisite: 93% Average or above English 10 & 1st semester English 11 Recommendation of Junior and Senior English teachers
Students will need to sign up for this class during the spring of their junior year. Because the class is rigorous, students should have very good reading and writing skills. They will be required to have above a 93% when averaging English 10 & 1st semester English 11 grades and must maintain that average for 2nd semester. Second semester will consist of the students learning writing composition on a M-W-F from a Central Community College professor. Grades for the writing portion of the semester will count as both high school grades and as college grades. The student will receive 3 credits of college credit for writing composition when the class is completed in May. On T-Th students will focus on literature and poetry with a Scotus English teacher. First semester students will engage in modern and classical literature and formal writing that focuses across curriculum; the Scotus English teacher will teach this. Students will also have to complete an assessment project for the Archdioceses of Omaha that will work as a senior exit project at Scotus.
(Full Year 10 Credits)
JOURNALISM Grades 10-12
Elective
Prerequisite: Application - Good attendance record Minimum of "B" average in English for two prior semesters Commitment to completion of academic school year
This course focuses on the many aspects of journalist writing; including ethics, news reporting, editing, advertising, and publishing. Members of this class, using In Design software, publish the school newspaper, The Rock Bottom. Students must be willing to devote extra time to meet deadlines and take pictures of school events. This course may be taken more than once.
(Full Year 10 Credits)
YEARBOOK Grades 11-12
Elective
Prerequisite: Application Minimum of "B" average in English for two prior semesters Commitment to completion of academic school year This class focuses on the design, layout, and completion of the school yearbook. Students will use In Design and Photoshop software to publish the 130+ page annual. Students must be willing to devote extra time to meet deadlines and to take necessary pictures. There is a limit of available spots for this class.