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 High School Courses: English
English 9A English 9B
English 10A English 10B
Reading Comprehension World Literature
American Literature 1A American Literature 1B
Beginning Composition Advanced Composition

English 9A

Writing is a major tool that people use every day and in practically every way in our modern world. Indeed, we are finding that people now are writing more than they ever have before. Not only are they doing traditional writing--letters of all sorts, business reports, recommendations, summaries, and much, much more, they are also sending e-mail messages and creating web pages, both of which are writing activities.

Students will apply skills to a number of writing situations, and learn techniques that can be used in nearly every writing situation. Students will be introduced to different types of writing-- speeches, essays, and research writing. They'll learn the secrets of successful reading and skills to help increase their vocabulary and read excerpts from a variety of literary works (some famous and others not as well-known), as well as from "everyday" writing.

Activities: 5 quizzes, 11 writing assignments, 4 online discussion group assignments.

Download a detailed course description and course outline in PDF Format.

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English 9B

Students will encounter many of the aspects of what keeps a language “alive”—reading the words that others have written, listening to the words that others have spoken, and writing words of their own. Students will apply their skills to a number of writing situations, and learn techniques they can use in nearly every writing situation. Students will be introduced to different types of writing--short stories, poetry, novels, and nonfiction. They will learn the secrets of successful reading and skills to help them increase their vocabulary. They will read excerpts from a variety of literary works (some famous and others not as well-known), as well as from "everyday" writing.

Activities: 9 quizzes, 37 writing assignments, 12 online discussion group assignments.

Download a detailed course description and course outline in PDF Format.

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English 10A

This course takes an analytical approach to the reading process. The student is first introduced to various vocabulary and reading strategies that will enhance understanding and concept retention of the literature being read. Then a study of literature analysis is presented, which introduces students to a breakdown of the components of the elements of fiction and other literature types. The student is then presented with the necessary tools and examples to compose short stories and essays, and is then challenged to write these types of literature. Finally, students have the opportunity to read a novel of their choice and analyze it thoroughly using the strategies presented throughout the course.

In addition to the analysis and practice of the writing process, students will be helped to strengthen their English skills through the use of the “Vocabulary Builder” exercises, which present a list of vocabulary words that students encounter throughout the course; and the “Mechanics” exercises, which reinforce concepts of grammar, spelling, and punctuation vital to being understood as a writer.

To illustrate the various analytical strategies, students will be introduced to different types of writing--short stories, novels, fairy tales, essays, and research writing. They will learn the secrets of successful reading and skills to help them increase their vocabulary. They will read excerpts from a variety of literary works (some famous and others not as well-known), as well as from "everyday" writing.

Download a detailed course description and course outline in PDF Format.

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English 10B (NEW!)

This course affords students opportunities to read, analyze, and respond thoughtfully to written text as they explore three of four forms of literature:  drama, poetry, and selections from a variety of expository prose genres including newspaper articles, feature stories and editorials, brochures, pamphlets and instructional guides, persuasive speeches, and research papers. While the course reinforces students’ abilities to apply literal analysis to a select text, the primary focus is on developing the skills of interpretive, critical, and reflective analysis. Through guided practice students are shown how to recognize and compare the attributes among a variety of literary genres, including the use of various genre elements and appropriate form/structures.

This course also provides students a variety of opportunities to practice acquired knowledge and skills through written assignments of poetry, newspaper articles and editorials, and an advertising brochure.  In addition, students will record a persuasive speech and follow a process in the writing of a term paper.

Download a detailed course description and outline in PDF Format.

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Reading Comprehension: Reading Mega Mall

Overview: Students in this course select and read a variety of books to improve their literacy skills, gain an appreciation of different literary genres, increase word knowledge, and improve reading comprehension.

Learn to…

  • Develop fluency, competency, and independence in reading
  • Implement efficient study skills to increase learning from printed text
  • Use a variety of effective, strategic methods when reading and writing
  • Access, organize, and use information and insights from reading to make connections with personal life and meet personal, vocational, and academic needs
  • Gain awareness and appreciation for cultural diversity through literary experiences

Activities: 11 activities, 15 quizzes, 5 projects
Optional Texts (student may select from): Dakota Dream, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Hatchet, Justin Morgan Had a Horse, Half and Half, The Face in My Mirror, A Lantern in Her Hand, Eva, Voices After Midnight

Download a detailed course description and course outline in PDF Format.

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Beginning Composition: A Writing Roadtrip

Overview: Students visit six "Roadstops" to explore different types of writing: short stories, speeches, some forms of non-Western writing, field reports, essays, and research writing. Short activities at each "Roadstop" prepare students for longer writing projects. When they have completed all the requirements at each "Roadstop," they head to their "Final Destination" for revision of two of their writing projects.

Learn to…

  • Explore and write in a variety of genres
  • Use the stages of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, peer review, and revising)
  • Use some of the strategies employed by professional writers
  • Experience and imitate writing preferences popular in non-Western cultures
  • Appreciate how writing methods and purpose are shaped by the cultures in which they occur

Activities: 11 writing projects, 2 revisions, 5 quizzes

Download a detailed course description and course outline in PDF Format.

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World Literature: In Search of Self

Overview: In this upper-level course, students explore the universal nature of spiritual and intellectual needs for love, justice, integrity, knowledge, and acceptance. They acquire a vocabulary of literary criticism and convention by examining literary selections in their historical and cultural perspectives, and use critical analysis to study the literary techniques of classic authors.

Learn to…

  • Read with a critical focus
  • See literature in its historical and cultural perspective
  • Recognize and understand the techniques of characterization, tone, mood, point of view, and imagery
  • Respond in a mature way to the authors' messages in discussion and in written analysis

Activities: 12 newsgroup activities, notebook activities, 1 course project, 7 multiple-choice, 2 essay evaluations

Required Texts:
Beloved, Morrison, Penguin/Putnam and Hamlet, Shakespeare, Simon and Schuster

Download a detailed course description and course outline in PDF Format.

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American Literature 1A:
Diversity in American Literature-Crossroads

Overview: Students explore the themes of technology, language, illusion, and independence by reading culturally diverse selections within a variety of genres. Learning is enhanced through multimedia presentations, vocabulary enrichment, textual insights, and audio readings of excerpts.

Learn to…

  • Develop critical thinking and writing skills
  • Explore American literature through reading, writing, listening, seeing, and speaking components
  • Investigate major themes in American literature
  • See writing as a form of thinking, self-expression, and communication

Activities: 4 quizzes, 4 projects, 4 newsgroup activities

Required Texts:
The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald, First Scribner Paperback Fiction edition preferred, Simon and Schuster)

Download a detailed course description and course outline in PDF Format.

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American Literature 1B:
Diversity in American Literature-Hard Cover Café

Overview: This course examines the literary treatment of human relations in a multicultural society. Students read a diverse selection of American literature about nature, ethnicity, gender, culture, family, and identity to help students gain a better understanding of people of different cultural backgrounds.

Learn to…

  • Develop critical and creative skills in thinking, writing, and communication
  • See writing as a form of thinking, self-expression, and communication
  • Incorporate grammatical and compositional information when writing
  • Develop multicultural awareness through reading, reflection, application, and writing
  • Analyze and interpret diverse perspectives in major American literary themes

Activities: 4 quizzes, 9 projects, 12 newsgroup activities
 
Required Texts: The House on Mango Street (Cisneros, any edition, Random House), For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf  (Shange, any edition, Simon and Schuster)

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Advanced Composition:
Writing: A Window on the World

Prerequisite: Basic expository writing course

Overview: This upper-level composition course teaches students the major steps of the writing process, and how to write in many styles, identify audiences, generate topics, organize and edit information, and hone effective writing techniques. Students build a portfolio and learn to critique the work of others.

Learn to…

  • Gain greater fluency in putting personal ideas on paper
  • Develop and practice personal skills in observation and critical thinking
  • Bring more focus to your writing
  • Use different approaches to editing, revising, and redrafting papers in the development process

Activities: 6 assignments, 4 revisions, 1 final portfolio

Download a detailed course description and course outline in PDF Format.

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Wisconsin Virtual School
E-mail Address: wvs@wisconsinvirtualschool.org

CESA #9
304 Kaphaem Road, PO Box 449, Tomahawk, WI 54487
Phone 715 453-2141, Fax 715 453-7519