Language Arts :::

Language Arts

Ms. Michele Albano, Division Chair
TEL: NC (708) 579-6402, SC (708) 579-6563
FAX: (708) 579-6036 
EMAIL:  malbano@lths.net
 
Ms. Karen Raino, Assistant Division Chair
TEL: SC (708) 579-6561
FAX: (709) 579-6597
EMAIL: kraino@lths.net

Language Arts Division Philosophy

The Language Arts Division believes that in order to become responsible and humane citizens who can intelligently contribute to society, students must understand the roles of language in the human experience and develop skills in communicating clearly, effectively, and honestly.

Language Arts by its very name suggests that students will study the language in its oral and written context and recognize the value and importance of the artistic use of language.  At the center of this process is the development of the student’s critical thinking skills coupled with the development of a variety of means to express those thoughts.  To these ends, the Language Arts Division provides students with the necessary basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.  Futhermore, it provides ample opportunities to critique and create literature, drama, speech, and media.

The Language Arts Division has established five academic standards for student learning that guide and challenge students.  Additionally, specific standards relating to each course have been developed and are distributed to students at the beginning of each course.

Standard I  Reading
 A. Read with comprehension and fluency using a variety of reading strategies
 B. Understand and appreciate classical and contemporary literature representing various genres, cultures, eras, and ideas
 
Standard II Writing
 A. Write with clarity of thought, focus, language, and syntax for  varying audiences and purposes
 B. Use writing as a tool for reflection, creative expression, and discovery of personal voice

Standard III Presenting/Listening/Developing Media Literacy
 A. Communicate effectively for varying audiences and purposes using spoken and visual language
 B. Listen, view, and respond respectfully to perspectives other than one’s own
 C. Analyze media with understanding and fluency using a variety of strategies

Standard IV Researching
 A.  Generate questions and anticipate research problems for self-directed inquiry
 B. Gather, evaluate, and synthesize data from a variety of sources to communicate discoveries in ways that suit purpose and audience 

Standard V Aesthetics
 A. Explore the arts to build an understanding of self and culture
 B. Elect process-oriented performance classes to translate the experiences and understanding of literature into products (e.g., Theatre, Speech, Stagecraft, Light-  ing, Radio, Television, LION, and TAB)

Language Arts Course Sequence and Career Information