A student can only take the maximum of one and half English credits during the school year.
All English courses require summer reading.
FRESHMAN ENGLISH - 0470 (9-12) is a grade level course that concentrates on language skills. Students will focus on writing through the development of paragraphs and essays. The course includes on-going spelling and vocabulary programs. Students will be introduced and oriented to the library. A study of poetry will include the basic terms and devices, as well as a thorough study of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The course includes a short story unit with emphasis on the literary elements in specific works and a nonfiction unit. Students will also read novels selected by the teacher. Student evaluation will be based on testing (both objective and discussion), class participation, and special projects, with journals optional. Each semester will include both grammar and literature units. Students will also take a grade-level diagnostic grammar test during the first week of school. Summer Reading Requirement: Students will select one of the following novels to read during the summer: The Wreckers by Iain Lawrence, Gentlehands by M.E. Kerr, or While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark. Students will be tested on the book within the first week of school.
HONORS FRESHMAN ENGLISH - 0001 (9) is designed for the student who has performed well above average in previous English courses, is motivated, has mastered basic skills, and is willing to handle a more challenging workload. The course moves through basic concepts and advances to the more sophisticated aspects of traditional grammar with the goal of making the students’ writing and speaking clear, concise, correct, and effective. Students work on writing skills beginning with the sentence and moving quickly to the skills of paragraph and essay development. Literature studies includes The Odyssey, Animal Farm, and Summer of My German Soldier as well as additional book reports. The course covers both grammar and literature each semester. (Note: Three years of Advanced English are required for membership in the National Honor Society.) Summer Reading Requirement: Students will read The Chosen by Chaim Potok and While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark. Studens will be tested on the books within the first week of school.
SOPHOMORE ENGLISH - 0830 (10-12) is a grade level course that builds on the grammar skills reviewed in the ninth grade. The student will concentrate on language skills important in writing as evaluated in the Alabama Writing Assessment, as well as those needed for the Graduation exam taken in the second semester of the sophomore year. The tenth grade student will sample world and American literature and will also study the short story, poetry, and the drama Julius Caesar. The student will read and discuss To Kill a Mockingbird and an additional novel. Paragraph writing and essays will also build on the writing skills of ninth grade. Students will also complete a research project. the study of vocabulary and dictionary skills will improve reading comprehension. Summer Reading Requirement: Students will select one of the following novels to read during the summer: Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Burns, The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichoten, or The Smugglers by Ian Lawrence and will be tested on the novel the first week of school. Prerequisite: Completion of Freshman English or Honors Freshman English.
HONORS SOPHOMORE ENGLISH - 0002 (10) is designed primarily for those tenth grade students who are highly motivated, able to work independently, and read above grade level. This course of study suggests an in-depth study and application of composition and grammatical skills. The student will concentrate on language skills important in writing as evaluated in the Alabama Writing Assessment, as well as those needed for the graduation exam, taken in the second semester of the sophomore year. The course also emphasizes dictionary, library, and speech skills. The literature portion includes a study of American literature from the colonial period until 1875 as well as short story components, essay, nonfiction (biography and autobiography), drama (Julius Caesar), the , and poetry. Students will read three novels including To Kill a Mockingbird and The Scarlet Letter. This course requires additional reading assignments, analytical interpretation of literature, in-depth study of literary elements, research, higher-level learning, (essay) questions on tests, and memorization. Journals may be required. Both grammar and literature units will be covered each semester. Summer Reading Requirement: Students will read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolken and Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Burns, and will be tested on the novel the first week of school. Prerequisite: Completion of Freshman English or Honors Freshman English.
JUNIOR ENGLISH - 0521 (11-12) is the chronological study of American literature from 1875 to present with strong emphasis on vocabulary and composition, including the 500-word theme. The course includes a review of basic grammar. Also included in the course is an emphasis on research skills as preparation for the research paper. Students will be required to read several novels including A Raisin in the Sun, The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451, and Daisy Miller as outside novels. Students must complete a research paper that meets minimum standards of the department in order to pass the course. Both grammar and literature units will be studied each semester. Summer Reading Requirement: Students will select one of the following novels: Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, Hiroshima by John Hersey or The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas and take a test on the novel within the first weeks of school. Prerequisite: Completion of Sophomore English or Advanced Sophomore English.
HONORS JUNIOR ENGLISH - 0003 (11) is for eleventh grade English students who have mastered basic grammar and writing skills. These students have good reading comprehension and write paragraphs well. This course emphasizes essay writing and vocabulary development with some grammar review. Oral communication will be stressed through group and individual speaking opportunities. The literature portion for this course includes a study of American literature from 1875 to the present. This course stresses ACT and SAT preparatory skills. Outside reading includes: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Night, The Great Gatsby, and Fahrenheit 451. Students must complete a research paper that meets minimum standards of the department in order to pass the course. Summer Reading Requirement: Students will read Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton and The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglas. Students will be tested on the novel within the first weeks of school.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH 11 - 0010 (11) is designed for the highly motivated juniors who have shown interest in the subject area, who enjoy literature and the study of language, and who wish to attempt college-level work while in high school. In addition to studying American literature, the course will include masterpieces by American writers and vocabulary study. The course will emphasize effective writing, critical reading, and analysis of a variety of prose and poetry. The student will learn to gather information, develop a discourse, organize details, and, based on his/her specific audience, control the language. Students will write a research paper using the MLA Style Sheet. Students must complete a research paper that meets minimum standards of the department in order to pass the course. The student is expected to purchase some resources to be used in this course. At the conclusion of the course, the Advanced Placement Language and Composition test will be administered in the spring. This course will lead into the Advanced Placement course offered the senior year during which the Literature and Composition test will be given in the spring. A summer reading assignment is required. Prerequisite: Completion of Honors Sophomore English
SENIOR ENGLISH - 0660 (12) is a grade level course which includes the study of English literature, composition, vocabulary, and grammar. Students will study English literature from Beowulf to contemporary British authors through poems, short stories, plays, novels, and essays. The course will include a brief overview of classical mythology. A comprehensive review of grammar will emphasize the structure, syntax, and various types of sentences. Student writings will emphasize the multi-paragraph theme. All student must do a term paper in order to pass the course. The paper will be 4 - 6 pages in length, following the MLA Style Sheet. Students will read Lord of the Flies and Frankenstein as classroom novels as well as other novels. Requirement: Students will select one of the following novels: Lost Horizon by James Hilton, Fallen Angles by Walter Dean Myers, or Gathering of Old Men by Ernest Gaines for summer reading and take a test on the book within the first few weeks of school. Prerequisite: Completion of Junior English or Advanced Junior English.
HONORS SENIOR ENGLISH - 0004 (12) is designed for the student who performs above grade level in English. This course includes a survey of British literature from the Angle-Saxon period to contemporary British authors. The student will have the opportunity to review and refine his/her technique in composition, critical analysis, personal essays, and several other types of expository prose. A research paper on a literary topic is required to pass the course. The paper will be 4 pages in length, following the MLA Style Sheet. Outside reading will include Lord of the Flies, Return of the Native, 1984, tales from mythology, as well as other selections. Both grammar and literature will be covered each semester. Summer Reading Requirement: Students will read Wuthering Heights and Frankenstein and will be testes on the books within the first week of school. Prerequisite: Completion of Junior English, Honors Junior English, or AP
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH 12 -0015(12) is designed for the highly motivated senior student who has shown interest in the subject area, who enjoys literature, and who wishes to attempt college-level work while in high school. In addition to English literature, the course will include world masterpieces of recognized literary merit and vocabulary study. The principle emphasis will be on writing and thinking skills. The class will demand daily works as well as long-term projects. Most writing assignment will focus on the critical analysis of literature. Students will write and complete a 6-8 page research paper on a literary topic following the MLA Style Sheet in order to pass the course. Outside reading is a requirement and will include various novels/plays. This course is preparation for the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition test which is given in the spring. This course is offered to qualifying students as a dual credit with Austin High School and Calhoun Community College. A summer reading assignment is required and the due date is the first day of school. Prerequisite: Completion of AP English 11 or Honors Junior English. The student and parent/guardian must commit to take the Advanced Placement examination in order to receive AP weighted credit. The student and the parent/guardian will sign a contract o this effect and will pay the examination fee prior to the end of the second semester. Failure to take the AP exam will disqualify the student from receiving weighted credit.
JOURNALISM - 0511 (10-12) (Accent) (Teacher permission only) is the production of a school newspaper. Each student will study the journalism area in which he/she is most interested. This class will be responsible for writing news stories, features, and editorials, selling advertisements, taking pictures, preparing copy, proofreading, preparing layouts, and circulating the paper. This course counts as an elective but is not an English credit.
APPLIED JOURNALISM - 0191 (10-12) (Bruin) (Teacher permission only) Instructs students in the principles of layout design, copy writing, editing, photography (basics), photo preparation, and caption writing. By meeting deadlines, students will learn to work under time pressure. Their main responsibility will be to prepare the school year-book for publication. This includes duties involving photo scheduling, yearbook sales, and fundraising activities. This course counts as an elective but does not count as English credit.
CREATIVE WRITING - 0798 (10-12) (Teacher permission only) is a course designed for the students, grades 10-12, who have mastered the basic principles of composition and who wish to express themselves creatively and imaginatively in the writing of short stories, essays, and poems. Students will enter local, state and national writing contests and will be responsible for publishing Impressions, Austin’s literary magazine. Also the class will sponsor at least two writing contests for Austin students. This course is an elective and does not count as an English credit.
COMPUTER E-LAB ASSISTANT - (# to be entered by office) (11-12) An assistant will be selected for each period, to be maintain the computer lab in the E-building. An assistant's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: maintaining the lab and reporting any computer problems, monitoring student use of the computer lab, aiding students and teachers using the lab, maintaining adequate records of students using the lab, starting and shutting down computers in the lab, and keeping the computer lab clean and neat. Any student interested in being a lab assistant in the E-lab must see Mrs.Bagget in room E-12 for an application.
A student can only take the maximum of one and half English credits during the school year.
All English courses require summer reading.