Program of Studies
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Program of Studies
- Agriculture
- Arts: Performance & Visual
- Business
- Driver's Education
- English Language Arts
- English Learner (EL)
- Family & Consumer Science
- General Electives
- Graphic & Digital Communication
- Health & Physical Education
- Health Science
- Information Technology
- Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Music
- Science
- Service Learning
- Social Studies
- Special Services
- Supplementary Services
- Technology Engineering / Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
- Trade & Industry
- World Languages
English Language Arts Curriculum
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The English language arts curriculum prepares students to have an appreciation of and knowledge about past and present literature and its relevance to today’s society. The purpose of English language arts education is to provide students with skills to express themselves through oral and written and/or performance based communication. The study of English language arts develops critical thinking and creative expression.
Course Descriptions
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Advanced Placement Research
AP Research is the second class needed to complete the AP Capstone Diploma program—an innovative program that provides learners the opportunity to develop skills for college and career success, such as research, collaboration, and communication. In order to receive the AP Capstone Diploma, learners must earn a score of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing. The AP Capstone Diploma signifies outstanding academic achievement.
In AP Research, learners design and defend a year-long research-based project on a topic of their choosing, building on the skills learned in AP Seminar. Through this inquiry process, learners design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question.
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Advanced Placement Seminar
AP Seminar is the first class needed to complete the AP Capstone Diploma program—an innovative program that provides learners the opportunity to develop skills for college and career success, such as research, collaboration, and communication. To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, learners must earn a score of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing. The AP Capstone Diploma signifies outstanding academic achievement.
In AP Seminar, learners will engage in cross-curricular conversations to evaluate complex topics and real-world issues. AP Seminar is project-based learning in which learners synthesize sources, provide written arguments, and develop presentations on topics of their choosing.
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AP English Language & Composition
Learners in this introductory, college-level course read and analyze a broad and challenging range of fiction and nonfiction, deepening their awareness of rhetoric and how language works. Through close reading and frequent writing, learners develop their ability to work with language and text with a greater awareness of purpose and strategy, while strengthening their own composing abilities. Summer reading and writing is required. Learners prepare for the AP Exam in English Language and Composition and may be granted college credit as a result of satisfactory performance.
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AP English Literature & Composition
This course is recommended for college-bound learners. It will involve learners in both the study and practice of writing and analysis of literature on an advanced level. Reading will include poetry, drama, fiction, and expository literature. Writing assignments will cover a wide array of topics, including the critical analysis of literary works. This class also includes preparation for the Advanced Placement Literature test in the spring should learners choose to take that test.
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Composition I
Guided practice in the reading and writing of various genres for different situations and audiences. Includes research on the web and in the library.
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Composition II
Advanced practice in reading and writing of various genres for different situations and audiences. Includes field research, collaboration, and visual communication.
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Creative Writing (Dual Credit)
Creative writing offers learners the opportunity to develop and improve their technique and individual style in a wide variety of prose. The emphasis of the course is on writing; however, learners may study exemplary representations and authors to obtain a fuller appreciation of the form and craft. Although most creative writing classes cover expressive forms, others concentrate exclusively on one particular form (such as poetry or playwriting).
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Debate & Argumentation I
This course will include analysis of current controversial issues, methods and materials of research, evidence, applied logic and reasoning, construction of debate cases, audience analysis, and the use of strategy in debate. Learners will enhance oral advocacy and refutation skills, while familiarizing themselves with the theoretical background of academic debate and argument. Learners taking this course can develop strategies for value-based and policy debate as well.
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English I
English I will emphasize basic language skills including spelling, grammar, and composition. Literature will include drama, short stories, poetry, and a novel. In addition to regular course work, learners will be required to read library books.
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English II
English II will emphasize writing and grammar skills through composition. Learners will be required to write an informative research paper with a follow-up speech. Literature will include a survey of short stories, a unit on drama, poetry, biography, essays, and a novel. Learners will also be required to read library books.
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English III
This course is a survey of American Literature from the Puritans through the Modern Period. American short stories, poetry, essays, biographies, novels and drams are included. The focus of this course will be the development of communication skills, and learners are expected to express themselves in both the oral and written word. A series of speeches are required as well as a persuasive research paper.
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Fundamentals of Public Speaking (Dual Credit)
This course introduces the learner to a variety of speaking situations. Learners will make use of various methods of delivery, recognize the characteristics that differentiate various genres of speeches, and develop orderly speech designs that relate to certain audience dynamics. (Can be taken for dual credit with NDSCS; however, the dual credit will transfer to most colleges).
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Honors Freshman English
This course is recommended for highly motivated freshman who excel in reading, writing, critical thinking and reflection skills. Learners will read and analyze a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as evaluate information presented in diverse media formats. Writing will encompass a variety of forms and structures. This course can help prepare learners for Honors 10 English as well as Advanced Placement Junior and Senior English classes.
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Honors Sophomore English
This course is recommended for highly motivated sophomores who did well in English classes in their freshman year. Learners will read novels, short stories, poetry, drama, and expository literature. Writing assignments will cover a wide variety of topics from analysis of literary works, to tracing thematic elements, to writing the sophomore research paper. In addition to reading and writing, Learners will participate in activities including class discussion and oral presentations. This class can help prepare learners for Advanced Placement Junior and Senior English classes. Educators will consider GPA, STAR scores, and overall work ethic. Also, Learners will be required to complete the Summer Reading before taking the course. Failure to do so before fall registration may result in Honors English being replaced by English II.
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Journalism & New Media IV
All learners will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. Learners will attain skills related to interviewing, writing, and editing stories, photography, videography, designing web space and laying out newspaper pages. They will help produce the monthly print newspaper using the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software. Learners will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships, and college applications.
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Journalism & News Media I
All Learners will practice the fundamentals of print and digital media.
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Journalism & News Media II
All Learners will practice the fundamentals of print and digital media. All learners will have an active social media presence, using various social media tools to communicate information to the community.
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Journalism & News Media III
All Learners will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. Learners will attain skills related to interviewing, writing, and editing stories, photography, videography, designing web space and laying out newspaper pages. They will help produce the monthly print newspaper using the professional-level desktop publishing and graphics and photo manipulation software.
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Photojournalism & Graphic Design I
Learners will work on career-readiness skills such as digital communication, collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking as they produce a yearbook.
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Photojournalism & Graphic Design II
Learners will have an active social media presence to communicate ideas and information to the community. All learners will participate in reporting information and designing pages throughout the year.
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Photojournalism & Graphic Design III
Learners will use professional-quality photography equipment. Learners will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships, and college applications.
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Photojournalism & Graphic Design IV
Learners will have an active social media presence to communicate ideas and information to the community. Learners will have their work published in both print and digital formats and develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships, and college applications.
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Senior Literature
The goal of this semester class is to expose learners to issues explored through literature to prepare them to be global citizens as well as life-long readers. Writing is also included in this course.
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Video Production
Learners will be introduced to the fundamentals of broadcast journalism, which will include interviewing, writing for broadcast and editing video, photography, and designing a weekly news program. Level III and IV learners will participate in the editorial board, making all content and staffing decisions. All learners will have an active social media presence to communicate ideas and information to the West Fargo Community. Learners also can live webcast and perform play-by-play during various West Fargo events, as well as help produce the weekly broadcast using the industry-standard video editing software and graphics and photo manipulation software. Learners will develop a working portfolio for future scholarships, internships, and college applications.