Welcome to the D.C. Everest English Department

English Classes

095 CONTEMPORARY WRITING II 1 Credit; One year
  A continuation of the workshop portion of Contemporary Writing I, this course offers students advanced work in planning and producing the school newspaper. Besides emphasizing improved writing skills, editors will continue developing responsibility by meeting deadlines, sharpening interviewing and researching skills, and working on organization and planning. Each of these skills is important in other courses and beyond high school and will transfer to any career choice. Editors will also develop interpersonal skills by selling a quota of advertising to local merchants. Editors will also be required to analyze professional and student writing as models of good writing. Editors will also be responsible for the laying out of each issue and are responsible for learning the layout program. *Writers will earn 1/2 credit of English and 1/2 credit of Communications for each year they take the class. Photographers and business staff will earn one credit of Communications.
Prerequisite: Contemporary Writing I and consent of instructor
 
109 ENGLISH 10 1 Credit; One year
  English 10 is a required, year-long sophomore English class that includes the study of reading, writing, speaking, grammar, mass media, and technology. Students will improve their skills in these areas by reading and responding to a variety of American Literature. They will gain an appreciation and understanding of how changes in the U.S. over time influenced American authors and literature.
Prerequisite: None
 
110 ENGLISH 10 - LEAP 1 Credit; One year
  English 10-LEAP is a course designed for LEAP students. It includes the basic content of the required English 10 course with supplementary novels and plays studied at a faster pace and in greater depth. Emphasis will be placed on student-initiated activities and products that reflect higher level critical thinking skills. Since composition is a major component of each unit, it is assumed that students have above average competence in writing and that they welcome new challenges.
Prerequisite: Approval of Curriculum Coordinator.
 
112 ENGLISH 11-12 1/2 Credits; One semester
  This course, open to all ability levels, concentrates on current issues and answers. Students explore problems and solutions by reading contemporary material including novels and short stories. Activities include projects requiring research and several class presentations. Students discover and learn about themselves and the world around them by reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students will also read and analyze three novels relating to the unit themes.
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing
 
113 ALTERNATIVE ENGLISH 10 1 Credit; One year
  Curriculum is designed to take the place of English 10. Must have approval of curriculum coordinator.
Prerequisite: Approval of Curriculum Coordinator
 
114 ALTERNATIVE ENGLISH 11 1 Credit; One year
  Curriculum is designed to take the place of Writing Workshop and ½ credit literature course. Must have approval of curriculum coordinator.
Prerequisite: Approval of Curriculum Coordinator
 
116 ADVANCED PLACEMENT LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION 1 Credit; One year
  Advanced Placement Literature and Composition is a year-long, rigorous English class designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Literature examinations for college credit. Any student who is interested in an introductory college course in literature and writing should consider this as an option. A rigorous writing component includes strong preparation in argumentation and logic.
Prerequisite: Senior standing and consent of the instructor. One advanced level literature class required, two recommended.
 
119 LITERACY FOUNDATIONS --- Credits; ---
  Literacy Foundations focuses on READ 180, a reading program designed to improve the skills and raise the test scores of students who read below grade level. Students receive direct instruction, guided practice, and the opportunity to apply skills in multiple contexts to build essential phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Throughout the course, students learn to use reading as a fundamental tool for learning, enjoying literature, and becoming confident readers.
Prerequisite: Approval of Curriculum Coordinator
 
120 WRITING WORKSHOP 1/2 Credits; One semester
  Writing Workshop, a course required for graduation, takes students through the writing process--prewriting, writing, conferencing, revising, and editing. Students will write a variety of assignments, practicing specific skills. All class papers must be typed or word processed.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
 
122 BRITISH LITERATURE 1/2 Credits; One semester
  The literature of England spans 14 centuries, yet shows us certain kinds of writing will always be appealing. The Old English period gives us the original hero and adventure story with the epic Beowulf. Chaucer's Canterbury pilgrims offer us a fascinating view of life in the Middle Ages. With Shakespeare's Macbeth, dramatic poetry reaches its highest peak. From this point the course shows the development of the English language and literature to modern times. Included are such writers as Milton, Swift, Wordsworth, Shelley, Tennyson, and Hardy. This class is for students who want a challenge polishing their reading, discussion, and writing skills.
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. Fulfills the prerequisite for AP European Lit. and Writing
 
123 POPULAR LITERATURE 1/2 Credits; One semester
  Popular Literature is a semester course designed to give students a sampling of mystery, fantasy, and contemporary literature. Six weeks will be devoted to each type of literature. Different kinds of mysteries, the many facets of fantasy, and the world of contemporary literature will be introduced through assorted readings, writings, and media materials. This class will include small and large group discussions as well as three novels, short stories, and writing activities for each of the three sections of the class. Writing assignments will vary and will include essay, personal reaction pieces, and short fiction.
Prerequisite: None. Students who have taken Mystery/Fantasy may not take this class.
Notes: Replaces Mystery/Fantasy.
 
124 SCIENCE FICTION 1/2 Credits; One semester
  Science Fiction is a one-semester course designed to expose students to classic science fiction works and ideas that have influenced many great philosophers, scientists, and inventors of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Students will gain an appreciation for the scope of moral, ethical, and social changes that led to the development of modern science fiction and examine a number of "possible futures" to see how technology might change our society. Students will read from novels, short stories, and plays to absorb a variety of important science fiction masterpieces as well as view and analyze films to recognize the interrelationships of history, science, philosophy, and the arts in our modern world. Small and large group discussions will offer ideas for writing activities. Students will complete several compositions, including personal reaction pieces, essays and projections for the future.
Prerequisite: None
 
125 MEDIA LITERACY 1/2 Credits; One semester
  Media Literacy explores the influence of radio, television, newspapers, magazines, records, internet, and film on very large numbers of people. News, advertising, censorship, and entertainment are major areas of study. Emphasis is on how to use and analyze the media. Students will evaluate the media's impact on audiences and will learn the general performance criteria of certain media. Both individual and group projects are required. At least two major writing projects will be required, as will various other written assignments. Students will also be required to monitor news events through print and broadcast media.
Prerequisite: None
 
127 SPEECH 1/2 Credits; One semester
  This course requires active participation in speaking and listening situations. Units include study of the voice, body language, control over language, active listening, class discussion, and public speaking. In a comfortable environment, students will learn and practice how to develop speech content, how to effectively deliver a speech, and how to evaluate their own and their peers' presentations. Experience and peer modeling will enhance learning. Students are expected to meet speaking deadlines. College-bound and tech-ed students will benefit from the experiences provided.
Prerequisite: None
 
129A THEATRE WORKSHOP I 1/2 Credits; One semester
  Theater Workshop units will include theater history, classical plays, and play production. Students will analyze plays and characters, act, apply make up, block scenes, plan sound effects, design posters/programs, design/make/select costumes and design/construct properties and sets. Performances in front of class members and other live audiences are required. Students will be required to memorize monologues and scenes from plays, and also complete singing, dancing or music auditions for musical theater.
Prerequisite: None
Notes: Some universities may not accept this course for English credit.
 
129B THEATRE WORKSHOP II 1/2 Elective Credits; One semester
  Theatre Workshop II is a one semester elective offered to students who are interested in the following areas of theater study: script reading, literature analysis, evaluation and research of both classic and modern plays, theater history and research, theater writing, and exploration of careers in the fine arts. Theater performance and aspects of production are also explored. Acting is discussed and evaluated as part of play analysis. Field trips to theaters and universities and attendance at area performances may be part of the course when opportunities are available.
Prerequisite: None
Notes: Some universities may not accept this course for English credit.
 
131 WORKPLACE WRITING* 1/2 Credits; One semester
  Workplace Writing fulfills the Writing Workshop requirement or can be taken as an English elective in addition to Writing Workshop. It takes the student through the writing process - prewriting, writing, conferencing, revising, and editing. Students will write a variety of assignments including writing for business, technical writing, and career-exploration writing.
Prerequisite: Jr. standing (for students not taking Writing Workshop), Jr. or Sr. standing (for students taking it as an elective)
Notes: This course is recommended for, but not limited to, students who are non-university bound, who need extra work with basic writing skills, or who plan a career in a technical field.
 
135 AMERICAN NOVELS 1/2 Credits; One semester
  A rigorous course designed for above-average students, American Novels I focuses on the literary analysis of seven or more American novels. In order to meet course requirements, students must possess an above average interest and ability in reading, discussion and composition. Students are required to develop expository essays as part of the evaluation procedure for each novel. Novels include: The Great Gatsby, Ethan Frome, Old Man and the Sea, Grapes of Wrath, A Separate Peace, Catcher in the Rye, and Fahrenheit 451.
Prerequisite: Jr. or Sr. standing. Fulfills the prerequisite for AP European Lit. and Writing
 
136 AMERICAN NOVELS II 1/2 Elective Credits; One semester
  This course is designed for above average students who are interested in pursuing an intense study of American novels. Emphasis is placed on in depth literary analysis. Evaluation will be based on discussion, expository essays, and student-initiated projects. Novels may include, but are not limited to, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Farewell to Arms, Babbitt, and a current American novel.
Prerequisite: Jr. or Sr. standing. Fulfills the prerequisite for AP European Lit. and Writing
 
138 ETHNIC LITERATURE 1/2 Credits; One semester
  Ethnic Literature explores novels, autobiographies, short stories, poetry, drama, and essays written by authors representative of the following groups: Native American, Black, Jewish, Hispanic and Hmong. Students will be expected to complete much of the reading outside of class. Students will analyze and discuss literature as well as complete several major writing assignments. Novels include When the Legends Die, Native Son, and The Chosen.
Prerequisite: Jr. or Sr. standing. Fulfills the prerequisite for AP European Lit. and Wrtg.
Notes: Replaces Minority Literature -- students who have taken Minority Literature may not take this class.
 
140 LANGUAGE AND USAGE 1/2 Credits; One semester
  This course is designed to help students understand the English language. Specific rules of grammar that govern usage will be examined, and those rules will be applied to reading and writing. How the language developed and how it is changing will also be studied. This class may be useful for students who take the PSAT, PLAN, ACT, or SAT exams. For this reason, sophomores and juniors are encouraged to take this course. Grades will be based on daily work, quizzes, tests, writing, and independent reading.
Prerequisite: None
 
143 CREATIVE WRITING 1/2 Credits; One semester
  In Creative Writing, students will choose the type(s) of writing that they like to do and/or would like to explore, choosing from a variety of genres: poetry, personal narrative, essay, short story, or drama. Students will contract to complete a certain number of pieces. Working independently and in peer groups utilizing the writing process, students will also complete a quarter long writing project. Students will read material on writing, share examples of good writing, keep a journal, and seek publication inside and outside school.
Prerequisite: Writing Workshop; Sr. standing
 
146 WORLD LITERATURE 1/2 Credits; One semester
  The concept of the global village is very much a part of modern thinking. Yet our attention to the unique values, qualities, and creativity of world cultures is vital to our understanding of the world. World Literature covers a sampling of literature from various countries (France, Russia, South Africa, China) including a majority of novel reading with some drama and poetry. Among the selections to be read are: Antigone,Cry the Beloved Country, Les Miserables, Man of La Mancha, The Good Earth, and A Doll's House. It is assumed that students welcome challenges in reading, discussion, and writing.
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing. Fulfills the prerequisite for AP European Lit. and Writing
 
148 CONTEMPORARY WRITING I 1 Credit; One year
  Through this course students will learn the basics of journalism--writing news, features, opinion articles, sports, and headlines. They will be taught the importance of being accurate and fair, interviewing a variety of sources, and meeting deadlines. Students will learn research and organization skills -- all transferable to other courses and future careers. Students who successfully complete the first semester (maintaining a "C" average) will work as full-time JET reporters second semester. Those who are underclassmen are EXPECTED TO BECOME JET STAFF MEMBERS THE NEXT YEAR by registering for Contemporary Writing II. With the adviser's recommendation and by maintaining a "C" average, students may earn credit for Writing Workshop.
Prerequisite: At least a "B" average in English. Students do not need a teacher's recommendation, but they should have a strong interest in interviewing and reporting. They must be dedicated and reliable.
 
150 COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES 1/2 Credits; One semester
  Communication Strategies is an elective course intended for students who plan to continue their education after high school. Its purpose is to provide average and above-average students with practical strategies on how to succeed academically. This course provides study techniques that are based on widely tested educational and learning theory. Areas of study include setting goals, time management, memory, improving reading speed and comprehension, vocabulary development, note taking, preactive/interactive/reflective reading strategies, test taking, and analyzing and responding in writing to narrative and expository material. Emphasis is made on comprehending more effectively the demanding material of college. Novel reading, outside of class, is required.
Prerequisite: None
 

 


6500 Alderson Street
Weston, WI 54476

Thomas W. Johansen, Principal
Email srhigh@dce.k12.wi.us

Phone (715) 359-6561
Fax (715) 355-7220