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CORE
COURSES:
English 9
Pre-AP World Civilization English - 9
English 10
Pre-AP English 10
Pre-AP World Civilization English
- 10
English 11
Pre-AP American Civilization - 11
English 11 AP Language
English 12
English 12 AP Literature
ELECTIVES:
Creative Writing
Reasoning Skills
Speech Communications/Debate(Forensics)
Film Study
Journalism 1,2,3,4
Journalism 1,2,3,4 (Calliope)
Photojournalism 1,2,3
Shakespeare's Life, Language, and Literature
ENGLISH 9
Grades: 9
Credit: one
Prerequisite: English 8
Students read a variety of literature, exploring the characteristics
of different forms and relating life situations to literary
themes. Language study includes spelling, vocabulary, and
learning about language history and structure. Through varied
and frequent writing assignments, students build on their
understanding of writing as a process of prewriting, drafting,
revising, and publishing. They also practice discussion skills,
and they observe and practice oral presentations to develop
poise and confidence. (This is a Standards of Learning aligned
course which is tested in 11th grade.)
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PRE-AP WORLD CIVILIZATION I
World History and Geography I Pre-AP
English 9 Pre-AP
For general
information on the Honors/Pre-AP curriculum at Westfield,
click here
Grades: 9
Credit: one
Students
examine eras of Western and world history from early ages
to the Renaissance in this academic course. They examine the
relationship among social, literary, economic, and geopolitical
developments in the times and places in which they occurred.
They use the processes of conceptual and critical thinking
to analyze historical and contemporary issues. Literature
selections parallel the historical time periods being studied.
Students are encouraged to think independently while developing
group process, writing, and technology skills. In Pre-AP World
Civilization I, students receive credit for World History
and Geography I Pre-AP (235101) and English 9 Pre-AP. (The
history portion of this course has an end of course Standards
of Learning test.)
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ENGLISH 10
Grades: 10
Credit: one
Prerequisite: English 9 or Transitional English 9
Students read a variety of literature comparing and contrasting
settings, characterizations, conflicts, point of view, and
themes. Language study includes spelling, vocabulary, verbal
analogies, and learning about language history and structure.
Through varied and frequent writing assignments, students
expand their understanding of writing as a process and develop
their skill in revising according to purpose and audience.
They practice adapting speaking and listening skills to the
audience, topic, purpose, and situation. (This is a Standards
of Learning aligned course which is tested in 11th grade.)
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PRE-AP ENGLISH 10
For general information on the Honors/Pre-AP curriculum at
Westfield, click
here
Grades: 10
Credit: one
Students
analyze various literary forms to investigate structural elements
and recognize their relationship to the whole work and its
literary tradition. Through frequent personal writing and
writing about literature, they expand their understanding
of the writing process, the purposes for writing, and the
author's sense of audience. In language study, students increase
vocabulary skills with an emphasis on analyzing and creating
verbal analogies. Students learn to evaluate critically, to
use persuasive language responsibly, and to present dramatic
material effectively by examining and analyzing various forms
of media. Continued interaction in small and large groups
increases students' proficiency in oral skills and in problem
solving.
(This is a Standards of Learning aligned course which is tested
in 11th grade.)
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PRE-AP WORLD CIVILIZATION II
World History and Geography II Pre-AP
English 10 Pre-AP
For general
information on the Honors/Pre-AP curriculum at Westfield,
click
here
Grades: 10
Credit: one
Students
examine eras of Western and world history from Renaissance
to the contemporary era in this academic course. They examine
the relationship among social, literary, economic, and geopolitical
developments in the times and places in which they occurred.
They use the processes of conceptual and critical thinking
to analyze historical and contemporary issues. Literature
selections parallel the historical time periods being studied.
Students are encouraged to think independently while developing
group process, writing, and technology skills. In Pre-
AP World Civilization II, students receive credit for World
History and Geography II Pre-AP and English 10 Pre-AP. (The
history portion of this course has an end of course Standards
of Learning test.)
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ENGLISH 11
Grades: 11
Credit: one
Prerequisite: English 10
Students read a variety of literature, comparing themes of
various works and analyzing expository materials for logical
reasoning. Language study includes spelling, vocabulary, verbal
analogies, and learning about language history and structure.
Through varied and frequent writing assignments, students
reinforce their understanding of purpose and audience and
develop their skill in the use of voice and tone. Through
a variety of interpersonal, group, dramatic, and public speaking
activities, students refine their understanding of oral communication.
(This course has an end-of-course Standards of Learning cumulative
test 9-11th grade.)
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PRE-AP AMERICAN CIVILIZATION
Grades: 11
Credit: 2
Students study program objectives from Virginia and United
States History and English 11. Integrating art, music, literature,
and other
aspects of the humanities in the curriculum broadens students'
understanding of the American experience. By completing this
course, students meet graduation requirements for one credit
in Pre-AP Virginia and United States history and one credit
in Pre-AP English 11.
This course has an end of course Standards of Learning test.
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH
(Language and Composition)
For more detailed information on the AP program and this course,
click here
Grades: 11
Credit: one
The purpose of this course is to prepare students who complete
the course to take the Advanced Placement examination in English
Language and Composition, for which college credit and/or
placement is given if a qualifying score is achieved. Students
study advanced composition and analysis of language at a level
equivalent to that of a full-year introductory college course.
In refining their awareness of language and the writer's craft,
students write works of publishable quality. (All students
are required to take Advanced Placement English exam.)
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ENGLISH 12
Grades: 12
Credit: one
Prerequisite: English 11
Students read a variety of literature, analyzing characterization,
point of view, and style of writing. Students also identify
the characteristics of various forms of literature. Language
study includes spelling, vocabulary, and learning about language
history and structure. Through varied and frequent writing
assignments, students refine their understanding of purpose,
audience, and voice and develop criteria for evaluating writing.
They participate in speaking and listening activities to build
critical thinking--using inference, hypothesis, analysis,
synthesis, and evaluation skills.
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH
(Literature and Composition)
For more detailed information on the AP program and this course,
click here
Grades: 12
Credit: one
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take
the Advanced Placement examination in English Literature and
Composition, for which college credit and/or placement is
given if a qualifying score is achieved. Students study composition
and literary analysis at a level equivalent to that of a full-year
introductory college course. Through in-depth studies of literary
works, students sharpen their awareness of language and their
understanding of the writer's craft. They establish critical
standards for appreciating and evaluating literature. Completion
of this course fulfills the English 12 course requirement.
(All students are required to take the Advanced Placement
English exam.)
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ELECTIVES:
CREATIVE WRITING
Grades: 10-12
Credit: one-half
This course
provides students an opportunity, in a supportive and creative
environment, for additional writing experimentation beyond
the standard English program. Many forms of descriptive writing
are encouraged, with an emphasis on poetry, short stories,
plays/scripts, children’s fiction, video treatments,
and humor writing. Students continue to expand and refine
their ability to write through analyzing and evaluating their
own writing and that of other students. Students learn about
the writing industry, target markets, and how to become a
published writer. This course will fulfill the graduation
requirement for a half-credit in fine and practical arts.
Describe
a typical lesson in this class.
Five Easy Pieces: This exercise attempts to tell a whole story
in a quick scene. 1. Describe a person’s hands. 2. Describe
something he or she is doing with the hands. 3. Use a metaphor
to say something about some exotic place. 4. Mention what
you would want to ask this person in the context of 2 and
3, above. 5. The person looks up or toward you, notices you
there, and gives an answer that suggests he or she only gets
part of what you asked. Write.
What kind/how much homework is required in this class?
We write everyday! Some assignments are long term and require
at home attention; other assignments are completed in class.
Students will submit final portfolios of work at the end of
each quarter.
What kind of materials do you use in this course?
A journal, a pen, and an imagination.
Is there any after-school commitment or extracurricular
activities associated with this class?
No
How can this class help me in the future?
This class will help students with expressing themselves more
intelligently and will further develop their critical thinking
skills and expose them to the writing industry.
Where
do I go if I have more questions about this course?
Kimberly
Watkins , English teacher A-116
Kimberly.Watkins@fcps.edu
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REASONING SKILLS
Grades: 10-12
Credit: one-half
This course
is designed to sharpen reasoning strategies in language arts
and mathematics to assist students in preparing for a variety
of standardized testing situations--including preparation
for the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT 1)--in which they
will need to reason efficiently and correctly. This course
will be taught in accordance with a standard county program
of studies syllabus.
Describe
a typical lesson in this class.
Take a
sample test, and go over answers as a class. In pairs, present/illustrate
new vocabulary words. Do exercises in reading, vocabulary,
sentence completion, analogies, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
What
kind/how much homework is required in this class?
Little.
Once a week a summary of independent reading; once a quarter
a book report.
What kind of materials do you use in this course?
SAT Success -an SAT practice workbook
The College Board website
Videos on college life
Is
there any after-school commitment or extracurricular activities
associated with this class?
No
How
can this class help me in the future?
It can
make SAT and standardized tests less intimidating. It can
provide support for the college application/search process.
Anything
else I should know?
It's low-pressure.
It's about improving yourself, not competing against others.
Where
do I go if I have more questions about this course?
Robert Margrave, B107
Robert.Margrave
@fcps.edu
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SPEECH COMMUNICATION
Grades: 9-12
Credit: one
Speech Communication is designed to introduce students of
all grades and skill levels to the basics of public speaking,
oral communications, and debate. Students will participate
in a variety of activities to develop speaking skills, self-confidence,
and poise.
Describe
a typical lesson in this class.
Speech
Communication involves the student in acquiring information
through a variety of sources, organizing information in a
specific format, an din practicing oral and debate skills.
Students will deliver speeches, give presentations, and participate
in debates in individual and group settings. A variety of
audiences including classmates, teachers, and outside audiences
will provide feedback to students for presentations. The class
includes textbook study, research, writing, viewing, and practicing
communication skills.
What
kind/how much homework is required in this class?
Homework
includes gathering and organizing information, practicing
and preparing speeches and debates, and textbook reading.
Students can expect an average of an hour of preparation at
home before the class meets.
What
kind of materials do you use in this course?
Multimedia materials, textbooks, periodicals, computers, and
the library.
Is
there any after-school commitment or extracurricular activities
associated with this class?
There
is no required extra-curricular commitment. However, students
are encouraged to participate on the Forensice (Speech &
Debate) Team after school.
How
can this class help me in the future?
Speech
Communmication skills are essential to student success in
further education and employment and in personal settings.
All students can benefit from formal training in oral communication
skills. This class provides students with experiences to present
their best selves!
Anything
else I should know?
This elective
class is both important and fun. Shy as well as highly verbal
students can succeed and profit from taking this class. In
a highly verbal society, this is the class for all levels
of students.
Where
do I go if I have more questions about this course?
Ted Penton,
Trailer 1
Theodore.Penton@fcps.edu
Paula Steele, English Workroom
Paula.Steele@fcps.edu
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FILM STUDY
Grades: 10-12
Credit: one
In this course students view significant films from periods
spanning the 20th century. They learn the formal elements
of film and the characteristics of specific styles and genres.
They understand film as one element in an integrated media
environment that includes radio, television, magazines, books,
recording, fashion, and the internet.
Describe a typical lesson in this class.
We screen
movies half the time. We discuss them, write about the, and
do in-class creative activities the other half of the time.
What kind/how much homework is required in this class?
No nightly homework. Each quarter students complete an out-of-class
essay or video project.
What kind of materials do you use in this course?
We use
a digital projector and surround sound system to simulate
a theater experience. Sometimes we use a video or digital
still camera to recreate film and photography techniques and
make terms part of our vocabulary.
Is there any after-school commitment or extracurricular
activities associated with this class?
No
How
can this class help me in the future?
Like a
good literature class, Film Studies provides openings for
student-driven discussion. The course helps students understand
and more astutely observe the mass media environment. It addresses
key Twentieth Century cultural, artistic, and philosophical
issues and provides a basis for an engaging, lifelong interest.
It is an academic English elective.
Where do I go if I have more questions about this course?
Visit
Mr. Paugh in G104B, in the math hallway.
Mr. Paugh
Film Studies Teacher
G104B
Stephen.Paugh@fcps.edu
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Journalism
1,2,3,4 (Calliope)
Grades: 10-12
Credit: one
Course Overview: Journalism 1,2,3,4 (Calliope section) provides
students with opportunities for learning the language of journalism
and photojournalism, developing desktop publishing skills,
events planning and fundraising, the process of publication,
and becoming more critical readers and viewers of mass media.
This course satisfies the graduation requirement for a credit
in fine and practical arts.
Describe
a typical lesson in this class.
In class critiques of literature, art, and professional magazine
layouts. Hands-on instruction in InDesign and Photoshop. Study
of the four main principles of design: contrast, repetition,
alignment, and proximity. Working in departments (art, literature,
fundraising, and publicity).
What kind/how much homework is required in this class?
Creation of flyers, PowerPoints, practice magazine spreads.
Layout analysis of professional publications and marketing
schemes. Any duties applicable to an individual's assigned
department.
What kind of materials do you use in this course?
Computers
for desktop publishing. CSPA's Magazine Fundamentals. Professionally
published magazines.
Is there any after-school commitment or extracurricular
activities associated with this class?
All students
involved with Calliope are required to stay after to help
with any after school fundraising events (ie.e Coffeehouse).
Students enrolled in the Journalism 1 Calliope class are responsible
for the publication of the magazine.
How can this class help me in the future?
Students
will develop design, computer, organizational, leadership,
and interpersonal skills. Students will develop an understanding
of mass media production and marketing. Students interested
in a future in magazine production or other artistic publications
are encouraged to enroll in this course.
Is there anything else I should know about this course?
While
staff members are encouraged to submit art and literature
to Calliope on their own, no class time is spent on writing
or creating submissions for the magazine. All submissions
are reviewed anonymously.
Students can repeat this course and receive advanced Journalism
credit for each year they stay with the program.
Where
do I go if I have more questions about this course?
Mr Luongo C-113
Gregory.Luongo@fcps.edu
Literary Magazine advisor/teacher
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JOURNALISM 1 (Newspaper)
Grades: 9-12
Credit: one
Journalism 1 provides students with opportunities for learning
the language of journalism and photojournalism, developing
communication skills in writing different kinds of articles,
understanding news and the process of publication, and becoming
more critical readers and viewers of mass media. This course
satisfies the graduation requirement for a credit in fine
and practical arts.
Describe a typical lesson in this class.
Discussion of current events. In class writing and revising.
Hands-on instruction in InDesign and Photoshop. Study of the
four major areas: news, editorial, sports, feature. Group
projects.
What kind/how much homework is required in this class?
Projects, writing for the school newspaper
What kind of materials do you use in this course ?
Computers for desktop publishing. Occasional textbook use.
Is there any after-school commitment or extracurricular
activities associated with this class?
No, however, students may decide (especially near the end
of the year) to make a commitment to the school newspaper.
How can this class help me in the future?
Helps to improve writing and computer skills, and interpersonal
skills. Student will develop an understanding of mass media
production and will become better "consumers" of
the mass media.
Anything else I should know?
Generally, students who want to work on the newspaper must
take Journalism I first.
Where do I go if I have more questions about this course?
Dr. McCarthy C109
pat.mccarthy@fcps.edu
Mrs. Webb C108
MaryEllen.Webb@fcps.edu
JOURNALISM 2
Grades: 10-12
Credit: one
Prerequisite: Journalism 1
Journalism 2 provides students opportunities for learning
and participating in layout, design, desktop publishing, and
printing processes. Students develop a more sophisticated
level of journalistic writing and participate in the operation
and production of the high school newspaper. This course will
fulfill the graduation requirement for a credit in fine and
practical arts.
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JOURNALISM 3
Grades: 11-12
Credit: one
Prerequisite: Journalism 2
In addition to enhancing their skills as reporters, Journalism
3 provides students advanced opportunities for learning editorial
leadership, developing a personal sense of professionalism,
understanding the role of the newspaper in society, and becoming
productive members of the newspaper staff. Students learn
business and circulation management. This course will fulfill
the graduation requirement for a credit in fine and practical
arts.
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JOURNALISM
4
Grades: 12
Credit: one
Prerequisite: Journalism 3
Journalism 4 provides students opportunities for learning
marketable publication skills; developing individual writing,
layout, and design styles; and assuming the role of editorial
leadership and responsibility for producing a high school
newspaper that serves a pluralistic society. Students also
take responsibility for business and circulation management.
This course will fulfill the graduation requirement for a
credit in fine and practical arts.
Supplemental info for Journalism II,III and IV:
Describe a typical lesson in this class.
This is the newspaper production class. It is 95% hands-on
activities.
What kind/how much homework is required in this class?
Gathering information, writing stories and selling advertising
and subscriptions is done outside of class.
What kind of materials do you use in this course
?
Computers
for layout utilizing InDesign, Photoshop and web development
software.
Is
there any after-school commitment or extracurricular activities
associated with this class?
As necessary, students must stay after school to help with
layout. They must sell ads and subscriptions. The newspaper,
like the band, for instance, is "co-curricular".
How can this class help me in the future?
The newspaper provides practice in writing, editing, photography
and running a business. It supports learning current events.
Anything else I should know?
Admission to Journalism II, III and IV requires permission
of the instructor.
Where do I go if I have more questions about this course?
Dr. McCarthy, C108
pat.mccarthy@fcps.edu
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PHOTOJOURNALISM 1
Grades: 10-12
Credit: one
Prerequisite: Journalism 1
Photojournalism 1 provides students opportunities for learning
and participating in the design, layout, and overall production
of the high school yearbook; developing yearbook copywriting
skills; and applying knowledge of photography. This course
will fulfill the graduation requirement for a credit in fine
and practical arts.
PHOTOJOURNALISM
2
Grades: 11-12
Credit: one
Prerequisite: Photojournalism 1
Photojournalism 2 provides students opportunities for learning
the role of editorial leadership, developing a personal sense
of professionalism, refining copywriting skills, and becoming
productive members of the high school yearbook staff. This
course will fulfill the graduation
requirement for a credit in fine and practical arts.
PHOTOJOURNALISM
3
Grades: 12
Credit: one
Prerequisite: Photojournalism 2
Photojournalism 3 provides students with opportunities for
learning marketable publications skills, developing individual
style, and assuming editorial leadership roles and responsibilities
for the high school yearbook. This course will fulfill the
graduation requirement for a credit in fine and practical
arts.
Supplemental
Information for Photojournalism 1,2 and 3 :
Describe a typical lesson in this class.
Photojournalism
is a hands-on class. The typical class is very loosely structured.
Students have intermediate deadlines to meet, and they may
choose when and how to meet them. On any given day, staff
members will be interviewing students, taking pictures, writing
feature stories, choosing and cropping pictures, calling businesses
for ads and much more.
What kind/how much homework is required in this class?
There
is rarely typical homework per se. Students have deadlines
to meet. If they cannot meet them during class, students will
need to finish them athome or after school in order to get
the job done on time. I do not assign paper/pencil bookwork.
What
kind of materials do you use in this course?
The yearbook staff uses the very latest in technology to produce
the yearbook. We use Nikon and Canon digital SLR cameras,
the latest versions of Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, and
Photoshop. The yearbook staff produces the book in a state
of the art publications lab with 30 computers, a laser printer,
and 3 scanners.
Is
there any after-school commitment or extracurricular activities
associated with this class?
Yearbook
is a commitment. When a student joins the staff, he/she is
making a promise to the rest of the team stating that all
responsibilities will be fulfilled. We are a deadline-oriented
business. We typically work after school when deadlines approach.
In addition, since many pictures are taken outside of school,
students often will need to go on location to get the necessary
pictures after school and on weekends.
How
can this class help me in the future?
Colleges
love students who work on yearbook staffs. Photojournalism
fosters a long list of qualities and skills that colleges
and universities want to see in their candidates for admission.
Yearbook staff members will learn: responsibility, leadership
skills, interpersonal skills, writing skills, problem solving
skills, and computer skills; all of which are coveted by colleges
and universities. In addition, you will learn to use software
that is the industry standard in desktop publishing which
means you will have a marketable skill when you graduate.
Anything
else I should know?
Because
we are always trying to improve our skills and the yearbook,
the staff travels to various yearbook and journalism workshops
throughout the country. For instance, students have the opportunity
to go to Richmond in the fall for the VHSL workshop, and New
York City in the spring for the Columbia Scholastic Press
Association Workshop. We also travel to a west coast city
for the Journalism Education Association workshop in spring.
Every staff member is eligible to travel.
Where
do I go if I have more questions about this course?
Gary
Bender, Advisor
Room C113, C112, C109
Gary.Bender@fcps.edu
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SHAKESPEARE'S
LIFE, LANGUAGE, AND LITERATURE
Grades: 10-12
Credit: one
Course Overview: The goal of the course will be to provide
a forum to read, discuss, write about, and perform Shakespeare’s
work. It will begin by studying Shakespeare’s biography
and some of his sonnets. Students will then read, discuss,
present scenes from, and write about five to eight Shakespearean
plays. The course will cover at least one tragedy, one comedy,
and one historical play. Students will vote on one play for
the entire class to read. The following plays will not be
read since they are often read in other classes: Julius Caesar,
Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, and A Midsummer
Night’s Dream. If feasible, there may be a field trip,
the expense of which will be incurred by the students.
We may be able to work with the Shakespeare Theatre to perform
part of a play. This decision will be made by them later in
the year. Working with them will entail two trips to the theatre
for the final dress rehearsal and the performance. These trips
may take place during the school day or on a Saturday morning.
We did this in 2006, and it was a highlight of the class.
The course
will imitate a college course in that there will be few graded
assignments; the grade will be determined through class participation,
writings, presentations, projects, tests, quizzes, a mid-term
(optional) and a final (cumulative).
Prerequisites:
A willingness to read aloud with feeling and passion, to share
opinions with the class, to revise written work, to write
freely, and to read copiously.
Describe a typical lesson in this class.
Class one Lecture introducing a play, e.g., The Merchant
of Venice
We discuss
themes, symbols, and key literary elements to focus on for
the play.
We will then read the play. Sometimes we read in aloud in
class, sometimes we read it silently, and sometimes we finish
reading part of it at home. We discuss scenes as we go, and
students will keep a response log. At the end of the play
we will have an assessment that may take the form of a traditional
test, or a non-traditional project.
What kind/how much homework is required in this class?
Homework is meant to be minimal. Most of the work is to be
done in class, but if there is a paper or a project due, there
might be homework. In general, students should expect 30-60
minutes of homework a week, or 10 minutes a day; however,
on some weeks there is no homework, and some weeks there are
3 hours of homework.
What kind of materials do you use in this course?
Shakespearean
plays, videos if they are available, articles, and the internet.
Is there any after-school commitment or extracurricular
activities associated with this class?
Perhaps.
We may have at least one field trip to view a play. Tickets
are usually $10.00; there will be an additional cost to cover
transportation.
Also, as mentioned above, if the Shakespeare Theatre chooses
us, we may be selected to perform part of a Shakespearena
play at the Lansburgh Theatre. (How cool would that be!)
How can this class help me in the future?
It’s
a class for people who love to read and talk about Shakespeare.
It will provide good background for college literature and
drama courses, and it might help students taking AP tests.
Is there anything else I should know about this course?
The class
is meant to be educational and enjoyable for both the teacher
and the students. Westfield is the only high school in Fairfax
County to offer it.
Where do I go if I have more questions about this course?
Questions, comments or concerns? Contact Mr. Greiner in B
108 or email him at Michael.Greiner@fcps.edu
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