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Course
Offerings in
LANGUAGE ARTS
The Integrated Language Arts program at Upper Moreland High School consists of a four-year, sequential and cumulative program designed to produce effective readers, writers, and speakers. Courses emphasize the standards of literacy measured by local assessments, PSSA’s, SAT’s, and other standardized tests. A graduate of Upper Moreland High School, having been through the Language Arts program, should have developed a life-long appreciation of the written and spoken word and should reflect the skills of literacy necessary for success.
Of the credits required for graduation, four must be earned in Language Arts. Therefore, every student must schedule Language Arts each year. Levels may be changed from year to year; i.e., as their performance improves, students may move to a more challenging level. In addition to the required sequences of courses in grades 9-12, electives may be chosen at each grade level.
NINTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS –Academic Credit: 1.0
This course assists students in the basic skills of writing with an emphasis placed on sentence and paragraph development through the process approach to writing. An ongoing vocabulary program that emphasizes reading comprehension is initiated. Reading full-length novels and/or plays, as well as selected short works emphasizing character, plot, setting, and them is required. An oral presentation is required.
NINTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-College Preparatory Credit: 1.0
This course introduces an intensive process-driven writing program, which teaches the student to vary sentence structure and to combine sentences into coherent paragraphs. This course also initiates a four-year vocabulary program designed for the student who may pursue educational opportunities beyond high school. The reading of selected short stories, poems, and essays, as well as novels and full-length plays, one of which is Shakespearean, is required. An oral presentation is required.
NINTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-Honors Credit: 1.0
This course is the first part of an accelerated four-year sequential program designed for superior students. Concepts and the structure of knowledge is emphasized rather than informational content. Extensive reading is required in the genres of world literature. A process approach to writing demands that numerous writing experiences are provided, including a specific research project, determined by the teacher, which necessitates the mastery of basic grammatical and vocabulary skills. An oral presentation is required. Prerequisite readings are required.
TENTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-Academic Credit 1.0|
This course utilizes a process approach to concentrate on the basic skills of writing, with an emphasis on paragraph development. The vocabulary program that emphasizes reading comprehension is an integral part of this course. The researched speech, with an outline and bibliography, teaches the delivery of the speech. Reading full-length novels and/or plays and selected short stories is required.
TENTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-College Preparatory Credit: 1.0
This course focuses on a process-directed approach which teaches the student to combine paragraphs into the multi-paragraph essay. The researched speech, with an outline and bibliography, is introduced and the delivery of the speech is taught. The vocabulary program, with an emphasis on standardized test performance, is continued. The reading of selected short stories, poems, essays, novels, and full-length plays, one of which is Shakesperean, is required.
TENTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-Honors Credit: 1.0
This course is the second part of an accelerated four-year sequential program intended for the superior student. It requires extensive reading and identifies major themes in the genres of world literature. The five-paragraph essay is introduced and grammatical and stylistic concepts are presented. The researched speech, with an extensive outline and extensive bibliography, is introduced and the delivery of the speech is taught. Prerequisite readings are required.
ELEVENTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-Academic Credit: 1.0
This course focuses on a process approach to writing which teaches the student to combine paragraphs into the multi-paragraph essay in preparation for the term paper. The vocabulary-reading comprehension program is continued in this course. Interacting with text through the reading of full-length novels and/or plays and selected shorter readings is a part of this course. An oral presentation is required.
ELEVENTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-College Preparatory Credit: 1.0
This course continues the focus on a process-directed intensive writing program, with an emphasis on critical thinking and writing in preparation for the critical research paper. Public speaking skills are reinforced by requiring an oral presentation of the critical research paper. Verbal aptitude skills, in a continuation of the vocabulary program, are stressed. A survey of American literature is emphasized. The reading of representative prose and poetry selections, including novels and full-length plays, one of which is Shakespearean, is required.
ELEVENTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-Honors Credit: 1.0
This course is the third part of an accelerated four-year sequential program for the superior student. Extensive reading in the major genres of American literature is required. The continuation of the process approach to writing develops mastery of the critical essay in both prepared and impromptu assignments, including the comparison/contrast essay. Grammar and vocabulary of the P.S.A.T. preparation program and a challenging supplementary vocabulary program are covered. Mandated is the completion of a critical term paper on the work of an American author of the student’s choice. Public speaking skills are developed through an oral presentation of the critical research paper. Prerequisite readings are required.
TWELFTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-Academic Credit: 1.0
This course continues the process approach to writing with an emphasis on the multi-paragraph essay in preparation for the writing and oral presentation of the career research paper. The vocabulary-reading comprehension program is continued. Full-length novels and/or plays, including Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and selected shorter readings are required.
TWELFTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS-College Preparatory Credit: 1.0|
This course continues the critical thinking and process approach to writing with an emphasis on the mastery of research techniques and composition skills to be demonstrated in the writing of a formal research paper. The intensive vocabulary program is continued and offers further refinement of oral communication skills. In-depth study of selections from British literature, including novels and full-length plays, one of which is a work of Shakespeare, is required.
TWELFTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS – Advanced English Composition Honors Credit: 1.0|
This course emphasizes a mastery of grammar. The study of vocabulary is continued as the student is involved in an intensive program of writing and revising the types of compositions most often required of a first-year college student. Emphasis is placed on the process approach to writing and the development of critical thinking skills with papers based primarily on assigned readings in contemporary literature. The mastery of research techniques and writing skills as demonstrated in the writing of a formal research paper are stressed. An oral presentation of the paper is required. Prerequisite readings are required.
TWELFTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS—Advanced Placement English Credit: 1.0
Students in this course study the fundamental critical process. They also examine evolving narrative, lyrical and dramatic forms. The course focuses on specific literary genres and nuances of style. Students refine their oral and written communication skills. This course will help prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam for English. Prerequisite readings are included.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) Credit: 1.0
ESL is a course exclusively designed for students in grades 9-12 who are foreign born or whose native dominant language is not English. The primary focus of this course is to develop social and academic language skills in the areas of listening, understanding, speaking, reading, and writing English. In addition, ESL emphasizes and develops an appreciation of America’s rich history and diverse culture. Students will receive formal classroom instruction and assistance with academic content areas and standardized tests.
ENGLISH (LEARNING SUPPORT) 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: 1.0
This English course parallels the material and content provided through the academic English courses taught in grades 9 - 12. It follows the scope and sequence of each grade level course while meeting the individual needs of each student as described in his/her IEP. Prerequisites: IEP Recommendation
ENGLISH (EMOTIONAL SUPPORT) 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: 1.0
This English course parallels the material and content provided through the academic English courses taught in grades 9 - 12. It follows the scope and sequence of each grade level course while meeting the individual needs of each student as described in his/her IEP. It will also provide a behavior management component to address the needs of each student as described in a current IEP. Prerequisites: IEP Recommendation
ENGLISH (FUNCTIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT) 9,10,11,12 Credit: 1.0
This course works on developing and improving fundamental skills in writing. This course also focuses on developing and enhancing daily living skills to create functional citizens within the community. This course is designed to help students become active, successful citizens within the community. Prerequisites: As stipulated in the IEP
READING (LEARNING SUPPORT) 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: 1.0
In this course, skill development is promoted through the Reading/Writing Connection. The program is created to fit the students’ reading and writing needs as identified in his/her Individual Education Programs. Instruction stresses various levels of comprehension and vocabulary as well as critical, inferential and interpretive reading strategies. Because the program emphasizes skill building and continuous progress, a student may take this course more than one time. Prerequisites: IEP recommendation
READING (FUNCTIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT) 9,10,11,12 Credit: 1.0
This course works on developing and improving fundamental skills in reading. This course also focuses on developing and enhancing daily living skills to create functional citizens within the community. This course is designed to help students become active, successful citizens within the community.
Language Arts Electives
In addition to the required Language Arts course sequence in grades 9-12, students may choose additional or alternative courses from the following electives:
LANGUAGE ARTS-Effective Oral Communications Credit 0.5
Students prepare for various public speaking engagements with constant, varied practice. Students are introduced to speech rubrics and continue to apply concepts from Language Arts courses to projects.
LANGUAGE ARTS – Effective Written Communications Credit: 0.5
This course focuses on the elements of effective writing in various genres including journalism, creative writing, and technical writing. Preparation, practice, and publishing are elements of the course.
COMPREHENSIVE READING STRATEGIES FOR CONTENT READING Credit: 0.5
This course is recommended for students interested in bolstering their college level vocabulary and critical reading skills. Students will learn strategies for learning to learn, effective study, and successful standardized test-taking. Computer resources will be used to supplement class instruction. Students will compile a portfolio of essays suitable for college admission applications. This course is recommended for students who intend to pursue post-secondary education.
READING/WRITING Credit: 0.5
In this course, skill development is promoted through the Reading/Writing Connection. An individual program is created to fit the students’ reading and writing needs, as evidenced through diagnostic testing. Instruction stresses various levels of comprehension and vocabulary as well as critical, inferential and interpretive reading and writing. Writing is enhanced through strategies and in computer application. Students preparing to take PSAT and SAT may request practice in high-level comprehension, vocabulary and analogies test strategies. Because the program emphasizes skill building and continuous progress, a student may take this course more than one time.
SAT PREPARATION (VERBAL) Credit: 0.25
This course is recommended for students interested in improving their SAT scores and their test-taking strategies. Emphasis will be placed on the SAT Reasoning test. This course will include enriching vocabulary, utilizing root words, prefixes, enhancing critical reading strategies, and strengthening skills for recognizing and solving analogies and sentence completions. NOTE: This course alternates on an A/B schedule with the SAT Math course.(Total combined credits .50)