It is that time of year again. Juniors are selecting courses for their senior year. Creating a senior year schedule can be complicated and challenging for several reasons. It’s important to have a challenging schedule but it’s also important that the student is interested in the courses that are selected and have time for applications for their next step in life whether it be schooling or a job.
Semester courses are a great way to solve the issue as they are often offered at a higher level and go over topics not covered in a traditional full year course. Semester courses are great for students who want to think in a different way and and want to apply their knowledge and learn a skill while still maintaining high academic rigor.
For this reason, as of last year, West Morris Central has changed their previous policy on English 4 credit. Rather than having a traditional full-year English 4 as a graduation requirement, seniors can opt to take two semester English course classes to count as English 4 credit. Students can choose from a variety of different topics to study in lieu of taking a traditional English 4 class.
I personally took Journalism as a senior and it was one of the best choices I made. I became more articulate when speaking to people during my interviews, and I continued to build my writing and editing skills just as I would have in a traditional English 4 class, but I was also able to feel rewarded by having readers enjoy the work I produced.
These semester courses might benefit students based on the student learning style as it will teach them skills a traditional English class would not provide them with. “I just think I took away more important things than reading a book,” says Camryn Garlewicz, a current senior at WMC. Garlewicz took Film and Pursuing Happiness as her English courses. She believes that the Pursuing Happiness course will prepare her for college in a different way. Rather than reviewing traditional English topics, she conducted research on how to use exercise to stay happy which she can apply when she’s at college.
Konrad Czapkowski, a current senior at Central, believes that the half year English courses he selected to take will help him in the line of work he wants to do. Czapkowski wants to go into the electrical field and is taking public speaking to build his confidence and skill when speaking to customers. “I feel like I get more life skills out of [the half year English courses]. They make me a better and a more confident person,” says Czapkowski.
Czapkowski also took Pursuing Happiness in the first semester and learned how to keep a journal to log his activities and thoughts throughout the day. He believes this will help him organize his thoughts not only in work but in life as well. Czapowski is taking public speaking in the second semester and believes he will feel more confident in his line of work when speaking with customers and feels he will be able to articulate his thoughts more clearly. “I will know what to say and have a plan for it, leaving the conversation [with the customer] more confident.” says Czapkowski.
In my opinion, semester courses are entirely more beneficial to students, especially to seniors as it teaches them life skills like public speaking as well writing skills while honing your English skills like reading, writing, editing, critical thinking and analytical skills. I am very pleased with my decision to take semester English courses over a traditional English 4 class.
There are several different semester classes that current juniors can opt to take for next year with descriptions according to the WMRHSD Program of Studies:
Contemporary literature:
Students will examine modern works.
Creative writing:
Students will create original pieces exploring the power of their own imagination. Students will work towards having publishable work and use modern multimedia to accomplish their goals.
Film:
Film students will be exposed to a variety of films produced in the 20th and 21st century. Students will build critical thinking skills and analytical skills. They will learn about the art of film and film making
+Humanities
Journalism:
Students will learn valuable skills they can apply to both in and outside the classroom. Students will learn to write in a journalistic/reporting style. Students will break down articles and learn the anatomy of articles so they can effectively incorporate headlines, captions, quotes, and summaries into their articles. Students will have the opportunity to publish their work in the online school news site as well as including some of their work in the print issues. Students will also work on their interviewing/public speaking skills when they go and interview sources to help them write about their topic. Students will also learn about online website/newspaper layouts.
Media literacy:
Students will learn how to incorporate a multitude of media into their works and obtain information reliably and responsibly.
+Literary classics
Public speaking:
Students will learn how to write and deliver speeches confidently and effectively. Students will deliver a variety of speeches such as persuasive and demonstrative speeches.
Pursuing happiness:
Students will reflect on themselves learning what drives them forward each day into positivity and productivity. They will learn how to document their feelings as well as encouraging holistic thinking.
SciFi/fantasy:
Students will read science fiction and fantasy novels.
Shakespeare:
Students will read and learn about Shakespeare classics. Students will have the opportunity to act out Shakespeare plays in class.
Sports literature:
Students will examine a multitude of mainstream and unique sports. They will have the opportunity to write and talk about sports that they are interested in.
**From the WMRHSD Program of studies
+not included in program of studies
