AP English at Skutt Catholic
The English Department offers both AP Literature and Composition,
and AP Language and Composition. Both
courses are dual enrollment classes, enabling students to earn college credit.
In the past five years, 84%
of Skutt Catholic students surpassed the national average on the AP Literature
and Composition exam.
In the past two years of AP Language and Composition, Skutt Catholic students achieved a 100% pass rate when the National average was 60.2%.
In the past two years of AP Language and Composition, Skutt Catholic students achieved a 100% pass rate when the National average was 60.2%.
The Studies Programs at Skutt Catholic
World
Studies is an interdisciplinary block scheduled course for sophomores. These courses provide students with an
in-depth look at world literature and history, from prehistory to the
present. The literature course devotes considerable time to
the critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources as well as important
works of literature. Special emphasis will be given to develop students’
historical and analytical essay writing skills, along with rigorous reading and
note taking skills. Students will be expected to apply and demonstrate learning
of World History/Literature themes. A minimum of four Diversity
Experiences will be required outside of class time. Summer reading and
subsequent assessment are required components of this course.
Capstone
Projects and Experiences in Honors World Studies
Honors World Studies students engage in two all-day diversity experiences: one in Omaha in the fall and one in Lincoln in the spring. As well, the year includes a Greek and Roman Festival, a Renaissance Festival and Final Exhibition, the culminating project of their interdisciplinary experience in the world studies program.
Honors World Studies students engage in two all-day diversity experiences: one in Omaha in the fall and one in Lincoln in the spring. As well, the year includes a Greek and Roman Festival, a Renaissance Festival and Final Exhibition, the culminating project of their interdisciplinary experience in the world studies program.
American Studies: Junior
Year
American Studies is a
one year interdisciplinary course taught jointly by American History and
American Literature instructors. In this block scheduled class, students
will experience a thematic, in-depth study of American history, literature, and
culture from the earliest Native Americans through the twenty-first century
Americans of today. Students who register for this course should expect
extensive reading and writing, with emphasis on higher level analytical skills
necessary for success on the college level. Students will read a number
of major works of classic American literature in addition to the readings
completed in the American Studies history and literature textbooks. Each
unit will also require students to devote time outside of class to individual
and/or group projects.
Projects and
Experiences in American Studies
Juniors in Skutt Catholic’s American Studies have the unique opportunity to become men and women of the frontier, circa 1825-1860. In completing the requirements of the Rendezvous Project, each junior student completes research on the major and minor historical figures of the frontier era, then writes a character profile, a piece of historical fiction about that frontier person. This piece of original fiction describes the frontier character’s life, the historical events witnessed, the geographical sights seen, and the significance of the character’s life to the development of the American nation. Completely documented in an annotated bibliography, this character profile becomes the basis for each student to become that character for a day, to portray the frontier character’s life (in authentic costume) in an outdoor presentation with a small group of classmates. At the all-day autumn event called the “Rendezvous” (named for the trading event attended by fur-trapping mountain men,) students earn high scores for interesting, authentic, creative, and research-based presentations. Presentations, papers, and annotated bibliographies are evaluated and scored by both the literature and history teachers. The Rendezvous has become an annual “Hawktober” tradition at SCHS.
Juniors in Skutt Catholic’s American Studies have the unique opportunity to become men and women of the frontier, circa 1825-1860. In completing the requirements of the Rendezvous Project, each junior student completes research on the major and minor historical figures of the frontier era, then writes a character profile, a piece of historical fiction about that frontier person. This piece of original fiction describes the frontier character’s life, the historical events witnessed, the geographical sights seen, and the significance of the character’s life to the development of the American nation. Completely documented in an annotated bibliography, this character profile becomes the basis for each student to become that character for a day, to portray the frontier character’s life (in authentic costume) in an outdoor presentation with a small group of classmates. At the all-day autumn event called the “Rendezvous” (named for the trading event attended by fur-trapping mountain men,) students earn high scores for interesting, authentic, creative, and research-based presentations. Presentations, papers, and annotated bibliographies are evaluated and scored by both the literature and history teachers. The Rendezvous has become an annual “Hawktober” tradition at SCHS.
Juniors in American Studies complete a family
history project every September. The genealogy paper allows each junior to
explore his or her family background, to discover his or her “roots,” inspired
by the summer reading of Alex Haley’s Roots.
The genealogy paper describes the student’s “family tree,” the culture,
history, and geography of one of the family’s countries of origin, and the
ancestors’ journey to America. A featured section of the genealogy paper is a
family story, which has been told to the writers by an older family member. A
highlight of the first semester is Family Storytelling Day, when each student
becomes a storyteller, relating his or her family story to the rest of the
class, continuing the oral tradition that has made the story memorable for the
family. This project gives many students valuable knowledge of and appreciation
for the efforts of their ancestors that have contributed to the good lives they
now enjoy.
