Blue Springs School District

Course # HS0104
1 credit hour | Grade 9

Credit Type: English

Students will read and explore fiction and nonfiction texts across several genres including novels, short stories, and articles. Students will use the writing process to compose multi-draft essays and will practice revision and editing skills in their writing. They will grow their vocabulary and engage in close reading skills. Students will practice their listening and speaking skills, their research and inquiry skills. 
 

Course # HS0107
1 credit hour | Grade 9

Credit Type: English

Students will read fiction and nonfiction, including a sequence of texts that add complexity as the year progresses. They will focus on reading and writing strategies to improve comprehension. Students will read a variety of texts and work to develop their language skills in syntax, vocabulary, and comprehension as well as their listening skills. This is a skills-driven course that will help students become more confident readers and writers. The subject matter of this course is approximately paced with English I. 
 

Course # HS0188
1 credit hour | Grade 9

Credit Type: English
Recommended: Grade of B or above in Both Semesters of 8th Grade English

Students will read and analyze fiction and nonfiction texts across several genres including novels, short stories, and articles. Students will use the writing process to compose multi-draft essays and will refine revision and editing skills in their writing. They will expand their vocabulary, close reading skills, listening and speaking skills, and research and inquiry skills. This is an accelerated course. Students will prepare for future advanced English classes.
 

Course # HS0112
1 credit hour | Grade 10

Credit Type: English
Prerequisite: Successful Completion or Concurrently Enrolled in One Semester of English I

Students will read fiction and nonfiction literature. Students will continue and build upon reading, writing, and speaking skills to analyze and synthesize information from various sources, including the creation and defense of personal claims and arguments. 
Students will continue reviewing grammar and usage skills. Students will continue to work toward expanding their understanding of grammar, decoding, and contextual reading comprehension skills. Students will be introduced to test-taking skills and practice on the English and Reading sections of the ACT. Students will complete the state required End-of-Course exam in the spring. 
 

Course # HS0108
1 credit hour | Grade 10

Credit Type: English
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English I Language and Literacy or English I
    
Students will read fiction and nonfiction, including a sequence of texts that add complexity as the year progresses. They will focus on reading and writing strategies to improve comprehension. Students will read a variety of texts and work to develop their language skills in syntax, vocabulary, and comprehension as well as their listening skills. This is a skills-driven course that will help students become more confident readers and writers. The subject matter of this course is approximately paced with English II. Staff recommendation required. Students will complete the state required End-of-Course exam in the spring. 
 

Course # HS0114
1 credit hour | Grade 10

Credit Type: English
Prerequisite: A Student Must Pass or be Concurrently Enrolled in One Semester of English I Before They Can Take English II or World Literature and Composition
Recommended: Grade of B or above in English I or English I Literature & Composition

Students will read fiction and nonfiction literature. Students will continue and build upon reading, writing, and speaking skills to analyze and synthesize information from various sources, including the creation and defense of personal claims and arguments. Students will continue reviewing grammar and usage skills. Students will continue to work toward expanding their understanding of grammar, decoding, and contextual reading comprehension skills. Students will be exposed to AP-style writings. These writings will be on-demand and timed essays where students are asked to analyze author craft and structure while also synthesizing information from multiple sources. Students will complete the state required End-of-Course exam in the spring. 
 

Course # HS0154
0.5 credit hours | Grades 10, 11, 12

Credit Type: Elective

This course is designed for creative, original thinkers who like to write.  Students will write short stories, poetry, and magazine articles.  Students will be expected to keep class journals.  Since grammar and usage are not taught in this course, students who enroll should have competency in these skills.  Students will present and share work to improve their writing.
 

Course # HS0158
0.5 credit hours | Grades 10, 11, 12

Credit Type: Elective
Prerequisite: Creative Writing I

Available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have shown proficiency in Creative Writing I, this course further develops individual abilities in writing poetry, short stories, and plays.  Students will keep personal and class journals and will have the opportunity to compete in writing contests.  Members of this class will be the production staff for the school’s literary magazine. Students will present and share work to improve their writing.
 

Course # HS0123
1 credit hour | Grade 11 | Honor Point

Credit Type: English
Fees: AP Examination Fee ~$99
Prerequisite: Successful Completion or Concurrent Enrollment of English II or World Literature & Composition
Recommended: Grade of B or above in World Literature & Composition or English II

Students will focus on reading and analyzing primarily non-fiction texts, including essays and speeches by historical, political, and social critics. Students will write multiple argumentative essays and will work to develop skills in understanding and effectively utilizing appropriate evidence, including writing that synthesizes research. Students will focus on the Four Big Ideas from the College Board for AP Lang including understandings and analysis for the Rhetorical Situation, Claims and Evidence, Organization and Reasoning and Stylistic Choices that are used in effective writing.  This course will prepare students for college writing assignments, for the AP English Language Composition Exam, including practice on the reading and English portions of the ACT. One (1) honor point will be earned for each semester successfully completed. 
 

Course # HS0120
1 credit hour | Grade 11

Credit Type: English
Prerequisite: A Student Must Have Passed or be Concurrently Enrolled in One Semester of English II 

Students will read and discuss a variety of American literary texts, including fiction and non-fiction.  Reading opportunities are designed to enhance personal reading skills and continued vocabulary development. Process writing to create textual analyses, research-based argumentative and synthesis essays will be the focus. Speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills will be practiced throughout the year. Integrated practice for the ACT English and Reading tests will also build students’ literacy skills. 
 

Course # HS0194
0.5 credit hours | Grades 11, 12 | CORE 42 | Honor Point

Credit Type: English
Dual Credit: 3 College Hours – Missouri State University (MSU):  ENG 200 – Great Books & Instant Classics
Fees: ~$300 Will be Billed/Paid Through the Cooperating College Business Office
MOTRansfer: MOTR LITR 100
Prerequisite: MSU Dual Credit Requirements: 3.00 GPA or a score of 18 or higher on the English ACT test. 11th Grade Students Enrolling in this Class Must Still Be Enrolled in English III or AP English Language & Composition

The works that society calls its “great books” tell us much about how the society views itself.  Popular forms of linguistic expression, though sometimes less celebrated, similarly reflect a culture’s sense of itself.  Examining a range of texts, time-honored and otherwise, from numerous critical perspectives, this course explores how literatures reflect the values of the societies that create and enjoy them.

Students can earn three (3) college credit hours in English 200 through MSU.  Students must meet the enrollment criteria established by MSU.  One (1) honor point will be earned for successful completion of the course.  This class usually transfers to colleges as a humanities credit.  
 

Course # HS0196
0.5 credit ours | Grades 11, 12 | CORE 42 | Honor Point

Credit Type: English
Dual Credit: 3 College Hours – Missouri State University (MSU):  ENGLISH 210 – Writing II:  Writing Across the Disciplines
Fees: ~$300 Will be Billed/Paid Through the Cooperating College Business Office
MOTRansfer: MOTR ENGL 200
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in English 110 through MSU & MSU Dual Credit Requirements: 3.00 GPA or a score of 18 or higher on the English ACT test.  11th Grade Students Enrolling in this Class Must Still Be Enrolled in English III or AP English Language & Composition

This course provides students with practice in the writing and research of various disciplinary fields of study. Students will gain experience with integrating and applying academic forms to specific problems and situations. Students will also engage in a study of the discourse conventions of various disciplinary fields in an effort to help them understand how those disciplines make and distribute knowledge. At its core, English 210 is a writing class. Students write analyses and arguments as a way of learning the importance of rhetorical concepts such as context, audience, and purpose. The writing-as-learning model used by the course helps students to generate and engage ideas in discipline-specific ways through discipline-specific conventions of expression. Students will explore the disciplines through its literature, locating, evaluating, and synthesizing sources into their own expanding base of knowledge. This course offers the possibility of earning three (3) college credit hours in English Composition through MSU.   Students must meet the enrollment criteria established by MSU.  One (1) honor point will be earned for successful completion of this class.  
 

Course # HS0186
0.5 credit hours | Grades 11, 12 | CORE 42 | Honor Point

Credit Type: English
Dual Credit: 3 College Hours – Missouri State University (MSU):  ENGLISH 110 English I:  Intro to Academic Prose 
Fees: ~$300 Will be Billed/Paid Through the Cooperating College Business Office
MOTRansfer: MOTR ENGL 100
Prerequisite: MSU Dual Credit Requirements 3.00 GPA or a score of 18 or higher on the English ACT. 11th Grade Students Enrolling in this Class Must Still be Enrolled in English III or AP English Language & Composition

An introduction to college-level writing in which students develop critical reading and writing skills.  The emphasis in reading has students locating, evaluating, and synthesizing information in an analytical and ethical manner. The emphasis in writing develops students’ understanding of the ways writers generate and express ideas for different purposes to various kinds of audiences across a range of contexts, including social, academic, and professional. Students work on argumentation, rhetorical analysis, and editing for clarity, style, and conventions.  This course offers the possibility of earning three (3) college credit hours in English Composition through MSU.   Students must meet the enrollment criteria established by MSU.  One (1) honor point will be earned for successful completion of this class.
 

Course # HS0182
0.5 credit hours | Grades 11, 12

Credit Type: English
Prerequisite: 1 semester of English III or AP English Language & Composition

The focus of this course is to help students develop the writing skills and style required for success in college composition courses and post-secondary programs. Students will participate in writer workshops, lively conversations, and group projects to lead them through the writing process, including pre-writing, planning, composing, editing, and revising. The goal of this course is to create competent, confident writers.
 

Course # HS0140
1 credit hour | Grade 12 | Honor Point

Credit Type: English
Fees: AP Examination Fee ~$99
Prerequisite: Successful Completion or Concurrent Enrollment of English III or AP English Language & Composition
Recommended: A or B in English III or AP Language & Composition, Strong Verbal Skills, and Good Study & Attendance Habits

Students study major works in literature, concentrating on analysis and evaluation of the texts to prepare them for the AP English Literature & Composition Exam and for advanced studies in college. This course focuses on the Big Six Ideas from the College Board: setting, character, structure, figurative language, narration, and literary argumentation.  One (1) honor point will be earned for each semester successfully completed.
 

Course # HS0138
1 credit hour | Grade 12

Credit Type: English
Prerequisite: English III or AP English Language & Composition

Students will continue to practice the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills needed for college and career readiness and practical life-skills.  This course will focus on reading both fiction and nonfiction texts and on narrative, textual analysis, research-based synthesis, and argumentative writing, projects, and/or presentations. Students will review skills needed for success on the ACT. Text studies will focus on real-world applications and personal and global connection.
 

Course # HS0180
0.5 credit hours | Grade 12

Credit Type: English
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English III or AP Language and Composition

Students will read and explore a variety of literary works including short stories, novels, plays and films from varied cultures. 
The study of the works will emphasize an understanding of traditions unique to various cultures. Students will learn and practice strategies to improve comprehension and will develop their analytical skills. Writing assessments will be expository and will emphasize analysis and evaluation. Assessments over the literature may be non-traditional including a framework of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.