English Curriculum
Length: Year
Prerequisite: English 8
Entry Level: 9
This course is designed to build on the foundations of reading, writing, and speaking/listening (interpersonal and intrapersonal) introduced in the middle school. Composition, literature, informational text, and media allow the student to develop and strengthen more mature analysis and research skills in these areas.
Length: Year
Prerequisite: English 8, application w/teacher recommendation
Entry Level: 9
This class’s more extensive reading assignments, analytical writing assignments, public speaking opportunities, and Socratic dialogues will help students build on their foundations in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Coursework will include research & presentations, reading assignments (short stories, nonfiction, poetry, drama, and novels) and writing in a variety of modes (narrative and expository, plus literary analysis).
This class is designed to prepare students to continue in advanced courses, culminating in AP Literature and AP Language their junior and senior years of high school. Consequently, students will complete more work independently (outside of the classroom).
Length: Year
Prerequisite: English 9
Entry Level: 10
Students will work to improve reading comprehension and writing through close reading of novels, short stories, poetry, and drama. They will write for a variety of related purposes and audiences, including expository, persuasive, compare/contrast, creative writing, and poetry. While analyzing writing, students will be engaged in daily grammar exercises focusing on sentence structure, spelling, etc. Additionally, through the study of literature and other types of media, the class will focus on rhetorical devices and how rhetoric is used to persuade. This class will compare ancient Greek drama to Shakespeare while also analyzing the themes presented. Narrative styles such as satire and allegory will be covered, along with other literary devices.
Length: Year
Prerequisite: English 9, application w/teacher recommendation
Entry Level: 10
This course will offer students accelerated studies in the sophomore curriculum, going deeper into text with more emphasis on writing and more domain specific literary terms. It is faster paced, requires more independent reading and the composition of papers of greater length, and provides less review than English 10. Students will write in a variety of modes, but will concentrate on narrative, expository, and persuasive essays. Throughout the course, group discussion and informal and formal speaking assignments will foster oral communication skills. The assumption is that students plan to continue their education after high school at the college level. The focus will be on perfecting their analytical and synthesizing skills throughout each unit of study.
Length: Year
Prerequisite: English 10
Entry Level: 11
English 11 is an American Literature survey course examining major writers who shaped and continue to shape American literary history. The course considers what our literature reveals to us about both the society that produced it and those of us reading it now. Students will read a variety of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama with a historical context to gain perspective on our society and how it has changed over time. This two-semester course includes a variety of reading and writing assignments, daily work, tests, and projects. The class also includes a study of literary terms and styles and a review of the trends in American history, religion, and thought.
Length: Year
Prerequisite: English 11
Entry Level: 12
Students will read and study a variety of novels, plays, and poetry focused on multicultural literature. Class members will respond to that literature through discussion, writing, projects, and exams. English 12 focuses on preparing students for life after high school, including career readiness and post secondary education. Some writing is geared towards creating resumes, cover letters, and college essays. Students complete their English career with a large causal essay and project.
Length: Year
Prerequisite: English 10, GPA, and application with teacher recommendation
Entry Level: 11
This course will follow curricular requirements outlined by the College Board for AP English Literature and Composition, which require students to carefully read and critically analyze imaginative literature from a variety of time periods, from both the British and American cannons. By reading the selected texts closely, students will develop a deeper understanding of how writers use language to create meaningful works that are also enjoyable to read. In this class, students will examine the structure, style, and themes, as well as many other literary elements, of the texts.
This course features approaches that develop skills to study and write about poetry, drama, fiction and non-fiction. This course will improve students’ understanding of rhetorical and literary techniques. We will concern ourselves with the construction of style analysis covered in the AP English Literature Examination as well as with several other modes of writing. Discussion of the AP examination will include test materials and student exemplars from previous examinations. We will explore the multiple-choice section to develop close reading skills and our understanding of literary terms and techniques.
The course will take a comprehensive approach, including didactic instruction, seminar discussions, small group work and projects, and extensive coaching for writing skills.
Students must have a 3.5 GPA in English courses. Admission will be based on GPA, application quality, and teacher recommendations. Exceptions may be made to the 3.5 GPA requirement on an individual basis.
Length: Year
Prerequisite: AP Literature and Composition, GPA, & Application
Entry Level: 12
This course is designed to help students become skilled readers of rhetoric and writing for purpose, audience expectations, and subjects as well as how rhetorical devices and appeals contribute to the effectiveness of writing. Students will read a heavy course load of mostly nonfiction texts, speeches, short writings, etc. in order to analyze their effectiveness. Afterward, students will write with a focus on synthesis, rhetorical analysis and arguments. Students must have a 3.5 GPA in English courses. Standardized test scores and teacher recommendations will be taken into considerations. In addition, students must complete an application and receive English Department approval. Exceptions may be made to the requirements on an individual basis.
Length: Year
Prerequisite: English 9 & 10, B average in English classes, & Application
Entry Level: 11
Students in the Salishian class will complete journalism requirements for newspaper and website production. Finding stories, writing stories, and taking and captioning photographs will be a significant part of the class. Students will become familiar with the expectations of journalism, both online and print. Students will have opportunities to develop photography, leadership, organizational and computer skills. Time beyond the normal school day is required as needed to document school events, meet production deadlines, and complete other assignments. Students may take this English elective multiple years. The course satisfies either the fine arts or practical arts requirement for graduation.
Length: Year
Prerequisite: English 9 & Application
Entry Level: 10-12
In this course, students will produce a photo history book of Polson High School. Students plan, organize, and design layout spreads depicting all aspects of school life. Taking photographs as well as writing stories and captions will be a significant part of the class. Students will have opportunities to develop photography, leadership, organizational and computer skills. Time beyond the normal school day is required as needed to document school events, meet production deadlines, and complete other assignments. Students may take this English elective multiple years. The course satisfies either the fine arts or practical arts requirement for graduation.
Length: Year
Prerequisite:Application/Interview Process
Entry Level: 11 (successful seniors will be given preference)
The primary goal of the Polson Education Occupations Internship program is to provide motivated students, interested in pursuing a career in education, a perfunctory introduction into PK, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education. This class consists of a dual credit program in collaboration with Flathead Valley Community College. Some career paths might consist of but are not limited to pre-kindergarten teacher, elementary teacher, middle and high school teacher, school counselor, support staff, administration, and professorships.
Fall Semester: FVCC EDU 101 - Teaching and Learning (3 credits): A critical analysis of public education and the role of classroom teachers in today’s public schools. This course examines how public schools developed and changed over the last 100 years and how teachers’ roles have evolved accordingly. Current challenges facing teachers, societal expectations of teachers and public schools, as well as the expectations of teacher candidates and teachers are discussed.
Spring Semester: PRACTICUM: Students will participate in observation and practical experience in specific classrooms under the guidance of a cooperating teacher or staff member. Students will use what they learned in EDU 101 and apply it in the classroom from January to May. Following the practical experience, a culminating project and portfolio will be required.