At the beginning of the course, students consider the importance of word play exercises in improving their facility with language while building a compelling and creative writing style. Focusing on word nuances and precision, later lessons guide students to write in a variety of short modes—including poetry, song lyrics, prose poetry, short short stories, and creative nonfiction. There are several opportunities for peer review in this semester, during which students learn best practices for participating in writing workshops, and then revise their work using feedback from their peers

This course focuses on longer works of fiction: short stories, plays, and novels. Students learn basic techniques of plot and character development along with strategies for creating suspense and building a theme, and they have opportunities to write in several different genres. Lessons cover a few special topics as well, including graphic novels, animation, comedy, and improvisation. Students apply what they have learned about writing workshops and revising to the longer pieces of writing they create for this semester.

For many hundreds of years, literature has been one of the most important human art forms. It allows us to give voice to our emotions, create imaginary worlds, express ideas, and escape the confines of material reality. Through creative writing, we can come to understand ourselves and our world a little bit better. This course provides students with a solid grounding in the writing process, from finding inspiration to building a basic story to using complicated literary techniques and creating strange hybrid forms of poetic prose and prose poetry. By the end of this course, students will learn how to discover their creative thoughts and turn those ideas into fully realized pieces of creative writing. Completing Creative Writing A and/or B are not required to take this course.

Students in Exploring Literature will learn different styles of literary criticism which enable them to approach, discuss, and interpret literature through multiple lenses. As they practice the skills to examine literature from multiple angles, students will learn which techniques will bring out the deepest and most meaningful understanding of stories and poems they read, songs they hear, and even films they watch.

Bienvenue! Welcome! Come and join various native French speakers as they give
students a lively introduction to the language and its rich culture. Join them in their
everyday environment as they take students through different daily scenarios and give
them the necessary skills to read, write, and speak French. In this course, students learn
the basic French language. After one semester, students will be able to engage in
conversation in French including greeting people, introducing themselves, and
exchanging basic information with others. Students learn to count from one to 1,000 and
make simple sentences in both spoken and written French. Students continue to
develop their French skills in semester two. New words and phrases are introduced with
pictures, audio clips, and examples. Students learn basic French grammar to help them
build fluency and understand the structure of the French language. Students have many
opportunities to practice what they learn through interactive practice activities in the form
of games, written practice, and listening and speaking exercises. Students also explore
the cultures of France, Canada, and other French-speaking regions by learning about
geography, foods, celebrations, and traditions from each place. Bon Voyage! Enjoy the trip!

Salut! Get set for some more adventure! In French II, students are
immersed in the French language and culture. This course is full of engaging and
interactive videos, dialogs, presentations, self-checks, and much more! The purpose of
this course is to further develop the French communicative skills of listening, speaking,
reading and writing. In French II, students will broaden their French vocabulary and
knowledge of grammar. Students will also experience the beauty and expressiveness of
a language that is shared by different people and cultures throughout the world.

Understanding the role of the free press in America helps students to be better informed and more able to analyze media. In this course, students explore the history of journalism in the United States from its inception in the colonies and its key role in the 1st Amendment, all the way up to present-day issues regarding right to know and the changing landscape of journalistic media in the 21st century. Students acquire the skills and information needed to actively participate in the consumption, analysis, and creation of news media and have the opportunity to investigate the constantly evolving career opportunities within the field of journalism.

Lord of the Rings: An Exploration of the Films & Their Literary Influences The Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular stories in the modern world. In this course, you will study the movie versions of J.R.R. Tolkein's novel and learn about the process of converting literature to film. You will explore fantasy literature as a genre and critique the three Lord of the Rings films.

From banner ads to billboards, newspaper articles, and Facebook feeds, people are constantly sharing ideas. This course looks at the many facets of mass media. Students will learn how the media shapes every aspect of our lives. We examine the role of newspapers, books, magazines, radio, movies, television, and the growing influence of Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Mighty heroes. Angry gods and goddesses. Cunning animals. Mythology and folklore have been used since the first people gathered around the fire as a way to make sense of humankind and our world. This course focuses on the many myths and legends woven into cultures around the world. Starting with an overview of mythology and the many kinds of folklore, the student will journey with ancient heroes as they slay dragons and outwit the gods, follow fearless warrior women into battle and watch as clever animals outwit those stronger than themselves. They will explore the universality and social significance of myths and folklore, and see how they are still used to shape society today.

Since the beginning of time, people have gathered around fires to tell stories of angry gods, harrowing journeys, cunning animals, horrible beasts, and the mighty heroes who vanquished them. Mythology and folklore have provided a way for these colorful stories to spring to life for thousands of years and helped humans make sense of the world. Explore how these compelling tales continue to shape society even today.

If you've learned the basics and are ready to expand your public speaking skills, Public Speaking 1b: Finding Your Voice is for you. In this course, you'll master the fundamentals of public speaking through practice and eventually learn to speak confidently in front of large groups. Explore the use of inductive and deductive reasoning, learn how to prepare a speech outline, and discover how to write your own speech using correct and emotive language. This course will also help you to develop self-efficacy and self-esteem, reduce your fear of public speaking, and teach you how to use body language effectively. You'll also learn how to stand back and critically examine your own work in order to identify areas for improvement.

Does the thought of speaking in front of people makes you break out in hives? Maybe you want tips on how to make that first great impression? In both cases, Public Speaking 1a: Introduction may be just what you need. In this course, you will learn from famous orators, like Aristotle and Cicero, understand the influence of rhetoric, and discover how to recognize bias, prejudice, and propaganda. You will also learn how to plan a speech, build an argument, and communicate effectively, while collaborating with others. Grab your notes and get ready to conquer public speaking!

For struggling students; you work on what you need help with the most. Can be taken up to 4 times. Daily attendance is required and there is no homework with this class. Contact your school counselor for enrolling.

Lights! Camera! Action! Let's explore the enchanting world of live theater and its fascinating relationship to the silver screen. In Theater, Cinema, and Film Production, you will learn the basics of lighting, sound, wardrobe, and camerawork while examining the magic that happens behind all the drama. Delve into the glamorous history of film and theater, and examine the tremendous influence these industries have had on society and culture over the years. During this unit, you will discuss and analyze three classic American films Casablanca, Singin' in the Rain, and The Wizard of Oz to help you learn how to critique and appreciate some of the most famous dramas of all time. Materials Standard editions of the three films used in this course: Singin’ in the Rain (1952), Wizard of Oz (1932), Casablanca (1942)