Course Descriptions
The following are the course descriptions for Wakefield Community School in grades 7-12.
Wakefield Community School
Course Descriptions
2010-2011
Art
Introduction to Drawing
Grade Level: 9-12
Length of Course: Full Year
This course is designed to help students learn the basics of realistic drawing. Through a series of drawing exercises students will be taught to use the right hemisphere of their brain, which allows for students to see their subject matter in terms of drawing. Exercises are designed to start with the basic elements of drawing to ensure student success. The level of difficulty will slowly increase throughout the first semester with the culmination of grid drawing, distortion drawing, and self-portrait drawing at the end.
In the second semester of the course, students will be introduced to a variety of drawing mediums. Students will experiment with etching, color pencil, and pastels. Students will also gain a better understanding of composition and advanced drawing technique.
Intro. to Painting & Advanced Drawing
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: Full Year
Prerequisite: Intro to Drawing
This course will be a study of the different types of painting mediums. Students will gain experience with the painting mediums of tempera, acrylic, and watercolor. A basic knowledge of the color wheel, color mixing, and color theory and concept will be learned using tempera paints. Students will then display acquired knowledge through a tint and shade painting. The rest of the first semester will be spent working with acrylic paint. Students will study landscape painting and will follow along with the teacher in a step-by-step process.
Students will also spend some time during the course of the year further developing their drawing skills. Students will explore different media, drawing surfaces, and concepts. Each student will continue to develop a better understanding of what makes an effective composition through teacher/students critiques and apply these concepts to their own drawings.
In the second semester students will become familiar with the media of watercolor. Students will develop watercolor technique through a monochromatic grid painting. They will also study still-life painting and portrait painting using watercolor.
Comprehensive Art
Grade Level: 9-12
Length of Course: Full Year
Prerequisite: Intro to Drawing recommended but not necessary
This course will introduce students to art in many mediums. Students will be presented with the problem of working with different sculptural materials. Students will explore and study examples of artwork, sketch out their ideas (Intro. to Drawing recommended for better student success), and produce their own artwork.
Students will have the opportunity to work with sand painting, copper, printmaking, oil clay, and plaster.
During the second semester students will be introduced to pottery. Students will learn about the techniques of constructing pottery on the wheel. They will be introduced to different methods of glazing and will also help in the kiln firing process.
Independent Art
Grade Level: 3rd and 4th year art students
Length of Course: Full Year
This course allows students to further explore art areas and media of interest. Students will be responsible for setting up an outline of projects for the entire year, which includes setting a timeline and due dates. Students will be required to complete four works of art per semester. During the second semester senior independent art students will be required to compile a portfolio of their best work for a Senior Art Show.
Business
Information Technology I
Grade Level: 9
Length of Course: 1 semester
This class will teach the students various basic computer concepts and applications. Topics will include: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet Safety & Research, Hardware, and Networking. Students will learn to use the scanners and digital cameras to enhance their projects.
Information Technology II (Advanced Computers)
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 2 semesters
This class will continue the curriculum of the Information Technology Applications I class. Advanced skills will be obtained by introducing the students to the following concepts: website design, HTML language, video game making, and photo editing skills.
Accounting I
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Students will develop skills beginning with sole proprietorship and partnership accounting principles in the preparation and maintenance of financial records concerned with business management and operations. It is a comprehensive introduction to basic financial accounting including recording, summarizing, and reporting principles of income measurement and asset valuation, accounting systems and controls. Students are exposed to careers in the accounting field and are given the opportunity to perform accounting applications using the computer. An introduction to partnerships and corporations may be included.
Accounting II- independent study
Grade Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Prerequisite: Accounting I
Students will develop advanced skills to those learned in Accounting I. Additional concepts to be mastered include uncollectible accounts, depreciation on assets, interpretation of financial information, and notes and interest. Students will complete this course independently as long as Accounting I and Accounting II are offered during the same class period.
Business Math
Grade Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Students will reinforce math skills performing basic operations of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Students will work with percentages and graphs. All concepts will be reinforced using business topics and terminology including calculations used in determining net pay, gross pay, banking, credit, loans, buying vs. renting, insurance, investments, budgets, sales and marketing, inventory, profit and loss, and international business.
Business Principles and Management
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Students will develop skills in the basic theory of business organization and management. This course gives a general overview of national and international business and the social and economic environments of business. It emphasizes the basic concepts of management and leadership within the business organization, and the characteristics, organization, and operation of business as a major sector of the economy. Students will investigate management issues involved in planning, organizing, controlling, and leading an organization.
Personal Finance
Grade Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 semester
Students will develop skills in personal financial management. Students learn to manage their resources and to make sound personal financial decisions. Units of study include budgeting, credit, insurance, saving, investing, home ownership, banking, taxes, wills, and estates.
Junior High Computers
Grade Level: 7-8
Length of Course: 9 weeks
Students will reinforce use of proper keyboarding techniques while continuing to develop speed and accuracy during the first half of this course. During the second half of the course, students will complete activities that will reinforce their knowledge of computer application programs such as Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint.
English
English 12
Grade Level: 12
Length of Course: 1 year
Class will cover English literature from the Anglo-Saxon & Medieval periods through the Renaissance, Restoration & Enlightenment, Romantic & Victorian, early 20th Century & Modern Periods. English poetry, prose & drama will be selected to read and discuss. Students will also be introduced to the research paper.
Activities: Students will read, discuss & study English literature & the people & happenings of the separate periods & eras. Students will write their own works of literature & evaluate their own & other’s works. 2 research papers will be written. Tests, essay, & group work will also contribute to assessment. Various novels may be assigned.
English 11
Grade Level: 11
Length of Course: 1 year
Students will read representative literature from a chronological survey of American authors from the 1500s to the present. Each subunit includes a mixture of genres & at least one selection from a different period, contemporary perspective or historical perspective. Each subunit also includes a series of workshops designed to help students develop their writing, grammar, & language skills. The course will examine the ways in which society’s attitudes are reflected in the literature. By studying literature students will be able to experience new ways of thinking & living. These vicarious experiences will allow students the opportunity to develop broader & more open-minded perspectives of society, themselves & others.
Activities: Reading, writing, discussion, tests.
English 10
Grade Level: 10
Length of Course: 1 year
Course will cover vocabulary studies, basic research skills, expository (technical) writing as well as creative/personal writing, characteristics of fiction, non-fiction & drama, time & organizational skills & punctuation & grammar units.
Activities: Use of textbooks, novels, poetry, grammar packets, a writing portfolio & library research as well as some note taking exercises.
English 9
Grade Level: 9
Length of Course: 1 year
Students will read a variety of literature that will challenge their ways of thinking, illustrate the cultural & ethnic variety of the world, & relate experiences to their own lives. Each subunit includes a mixture of genres & at least one selection from a different period, contemporary perspective or historical perspective. Each subunit also includes a series of workshops designed to help students develop their writing, grammar & language skills.
Activities: Reading, writing, discussion, tests.
Speech
Grade Level: 11
Length of Course: 1 semester
Students will research, write, & perform various speeches in order to gain the skills necessary to conduct themselves confidently and properly in front of an audience.
Activities: May include: Problem solving activities, debate, informative speeches, persuasive speeches, personal speeches, occasional speeches, news programming, children’s books (speaking & reading to a young audience), demonstrative speeches, poetry, prose interpretation.
ENGL 1010: English Composition I
Class Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 semester
This is a dual credit course in which students earn high school & college credit after passing the class. Juniors & seniors must meet certain class rank & GPA minimums. Students will hone their writing skills with an emphasis on objective writing. Course includes a review of English fundamentals & training in efficient, accurate reading & comprehension using a variety of different works.
Activities: Reading, writing
SPCH 1010: Fundamentals of Human Communication
Class Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 semester
This is a dual credit course in which students earn high school & college credit after passing the class. Juniors & seniors who have passed the school’s speech course & who meet certain class rank & GPA minimums are eligible. Course stresses the correlation of effective communication common to both formal & informal speech situations. The course includes projects in speaking & listening. Special attention is paid to actual skill development.
Activities: Speeches, other communication activities
English 8
Class Level: 8
Length of Course: 1 year
Class will focus heavily on writing skills, using the six writing traits as the basis for assessing other pieces of writing & for self-assessing. Writing skills will be addressed in conjunction with reading & discussing a number of literary works: poetry, short stories, novels & various types of nonfiction. Discussions will encourage critical thinking.
Activities: The six writing traits will be the primary basis for teaching & assessing writing skills. Students will write descriptive & persuasive papers, narratives, analyses, poems, etc. Students will be encouraged to engage in critical thinking through verbal & written responses. Students will read the novels A Light in the Forest & O Pioneers! in addition to individually selected novels.
English 7
Grade Level: 7
Length of Course: 1 year
Students will work on a variety of types of writing; they will become familiar with the six writing traits. Sentence structure and paragraph development will be emphasized. Students will study the elements of fiction, nonfiction & drama through various works of literature.
Activities: The six writing traits will be the primary basis for teaching & assessing writing skills. Grammar will be taught along with the writing lessons. A number of poems and short stories will be read, examined & discussed. Students will read Bridge to Terabithia and The Witch of Blackbird Pond in addition to individually selected novels.
Family & Consumer Science
Beginning FCS
Grade Level: 9-12
Length of Course: 1 year (could be taken at semester)
First Semester: Students continue to be introduced to the subject matter areas in Family and consumer Sciences. The intent is to help students understand the breadth of and social responsibility inherent in the work of the family and continuing to examine the interconnections of family, career, and community.
Second Semester: Students will experience how the concepts of communication, ethics, leadership and teamwork relate to the Human Services and Resources Career Field. Students will consider these concepts as applied to their multiple roles of family member, wage earner and citizens. Clusters to be explored in this career field are: (1) Human Services, (2) Government & Public Administration, (3) Law, Public Safety & Security and (4) Education & Training.
Nutrition
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 semester
This is a one-semester course for all senior high school students. This class provides students with knowledge and skills about food preparation, with a strong emphasis on nutrition and nutritional analysis, balanced diets, and satisfying special dietary needs. The class includes safety and sanitation, proper use of equipment, meal planning and preparation, current food issues, the role of food in the family and global society and the demonstration of teamwork skills. A study of other food cultures is done and a demonstration and power point presentations are given.
Activities: Interactive curriculum to help change behaviors related to health risks, food demonstrations, research.
Clothing Entrepreneur
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 year
This is a one-year course for all senior high school students. This class will include instruction which provides students with an understanding of the social, psychological and physiological aspects of clothing and textiles; fabric and apparel design; selection, construction, maintenance and alteration of textile products; and, exposure to careers related to clothing and fashion design/marketing. During the year the class will also set up a business including embroidery and possible clothing alterations and repair for the community.
Activities: Construction demonstrations, running embroidery business & altering clothing for community, operating Bernina embroidery machines.
Parenting & Child Development
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 semester
This is a one-semester course open to all high school students. Knowledge of children is essential for everyone. Understanding the responsibilities of parenting and how the family supports the growth and development of children is an important topic of discussion during this course. Physical, social, intellectual and emotional development of the child and parenting tips are also studied for children from birth through preschool age. A study of creative expression, toy and game selection, and health and safety is covered in the class. The students will experience caring for the “Real Care” baby over a weekend and then evaluate their experiences.
Activities: PowerPoint presentations, videos, field trips, preschool operation.
Adult Living
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 semester
Various resources used – No textbook
Adult Living is a one-semester course for any senior high school student. This class includes the application of critical thinking, decision-making and problem solving skills to issues impacting adult relationships. It includes self-understanding, establishing and maintaining positive relationships in the family and workplace, crisis management and building family strengths. Life/work literacy concepts such as wellness across the lifespan and stress management are examined.
Reality 101
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 semester
Reality 101 is a semester class that is designed using the multiple intelligences and an active based approach. Educational materials in the lesson plans include information sheets, PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, hands-on activities, and bulletin boards. The course is designed for students in grades 9-12.
Reality 101 is a financial literacy course that provides students with the tools to take charge of their personal financial well-being and to make sound personal financial decisions. Units of study include budgeting, credit, insurance, savings and investments, home ownership, banking and taxes. Life/work literacy concepts such as workplace issues and community resources are examined.
Housing & Home Furnishing
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 semester
This is a one-semester course for any senior high school student. The course will include the necessary knowledge one needs to make a wise choice in finding a place in which to live. It covers the process of buying and financing a home. A unit of room study is done and floor plans for future homes are drawn. A study is also made using the elements and principles of design and consumer choices in wall and floor coverings, window treatments, furniture selection, are covered. The course will also include a study of energy conservation.
FCS 8
Grade Level: 8
Length of Course: 9 weeks
The following topics are covered in this class: Foods, Clothing, Child Development, All Star Booster. The purpose is to guide students in making decisions and choices about themselves, their homes, their families and their relationships with other people. The course covers major aspects of living, nutrition & food preparation, sewing projects, childcare & relationships with others.
Activities: Using the food guide pyramid, planning & preparing meals, simple sewing project, All Stars Booster & community project.
FCS 7
Grade Level: 7
Length of Course: 9 weeks
The following topics are covered in this class: Foods & All Stars curriculum. The purpose of the course is to guide students in making decisions & choices about themselves, their homes, their families & their relationships with other people. The course covers major aspects of living, nutrition & food preparation, sewing projects, childcare & relationships with others.
Activities: Learning to read recipe & how to be safe in laboratory, baking, All Stars project.
Industrial Technology Education
Energy, Power and Transportation
Grades 10-12
Length of Course: 2 semesters
Prerequisite: Intro to Technology
The course is a study of the various energy, power and transportation systems utilized to move people and products through various environments. The course will address the design, application, proper nomenclature, trouble shooting and repair of various power and transportation systems including but not limited to the Power Drive competition vehicle. The power systems to be studied will include: hydraulics, pneumatics, rockets, diesel, jet, hydrogen and electric. The transportation environments to be studied will include terrestrial, marine, atmospheric, and space. The main emphasis of the course is the design and construction of the Power Drive competition vehicle.
Woodworking I & II
Grade: 10-12
Length of Course: 2 semesters
The course is a study of woodworking, the application of theories to benefit a career in woodworking, cabinetry or as a hobby. The course will address the careers, safety, planning, design, tools, materials, and construction procedures involved in woodworking. Activities may include individual, group, or community betterment projects. This course involves personal cost to the student for materials purchased outside of the school & school-provided materials such as a wood or accessories.
Graphic Communications /Yearbook
Grades 10-12
Length of Course: 2 semesters
The course is a study of graphic communications and the theory and application to effectively communicate information. The course will utilize print, digital, video, computer generated graphics, animation and radio media in an independent learning environment. This course requires extra time outside of class to properly take photos and video at various events. The main part of the course is dedicated to the design and production of the yearbook.
Automotive Technology
Grades 10-12
Length of Course: 1 or 2 semesters
The course is a study of automotive technology, mechanical energy, diagnosis and repair also advanced automotive theory and application. The course will address the careers, safety, theory, design, mechanical theory applications, proper nomenclature, testing, trouble shooting and repair of various automotive systems. A class project and individual projects may be used to apply teachings of the course.
Intro to Technology
Grades 9
Length of Course: 1 semester
This course will cover the study of technology, concepts, processes, tools, design, communication, computer technology, problem solving, biomedical, agriculture manufacturing, construction and careers associated.
Welding I & II
Grade: 9-12
Length of Course: 2 semesters
The course is a study of welding, the application of theories in welding. The course will address the careers, safety, planning, design, tools, materials, fabrication procedures involved in welding. Students will gain the skills needed to weld in the flat, horizontal & overhead positions using wire-feed welding, arc & TIG welding. Activities may include individual, group, or community betterment projects. This course involves personal cost to the student for materials purchased outside of the school & school-provided materials such as a steel, welding materials, or accessories.
Math
Pre-Algebra
Grade Level: 8-10
Length of Course: 1 year
Course is designed to open the door to success in Algebra & Geometry. It blends skill & concept development with applications, connections & critical thinking needed to understand and apply Algebra & Geometry. Fundamental topics involving integers & variable expressions will lead into the studying of new linear equations, inequalities & their graphs, along with real-life applications.
Activities: Lectures over new material utilizing the overhead, chalkboard, visual & hands on activities. Technology, real-life applications & group work will also be incorporated.
Algebra I
Grade Level: 9-12 (8 if minimum requirements are met: test scores, grades from
previous math classes, teacher approval)
Length of Course: 1 year
Course covers a review of some fundamental topics involving integers & variable expressions which will lead into studying new linear equations, inequalities, their graphs, systems & real-life applications. The introduction to quadratic, exponential & polynomial equations will make the transition to some advanced algebra topics.
Activities: Lectures over new material utilizing the overhead, chalkboard, visual & hands on activities. Technology, notebooks, real-life applications & group work will also be incorporated.
Geometry
Grade Level: 9-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Geometry is a complete course covering all the topics required to meet local & national testing & curriculum guidelines. The test builds & connects synthetic, coordinate & transformational approaches, as well as three-dimensional geometry. Algebra integration within coordinate geometry topics, plus probability & statistics connections, are found throughout the course.
Activities: Lectures over the new material utilizing the overhead, chalkboard, visual & hands on activities. Technology, real-life applications & group work will also be incorporated.
Integrated Algebra
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Course covers a combination of different subjects that will be integrated throughout the course. The algebra topics include linear equations, linear inequalities & polynomials. Angles, polynomials, perimeter, area, volume & trigonometric ratios are covered from geometry. From statistics & probability they include analyzing & displaying data as well as different types of probability. An introduction to matrices, discrete quantities & if-then statements involves the areas of logic & discrete math.
Activities: Lectures over the new material utilizing the overhead, chalkboard, visual & hands on activities. Technology, real-life applications & group work will also be incorporated.
Advanced Algebra
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Course will include a review of some fundamental algebraic topics involving real numbers & expressions that will lead into the studying of new equations & inequalities including linear, polynomial, rational & quadratic equations. The introduction to complex numbers, roots, & conic sections will make the transition to some advanced mathematics topics.
Activities: Lectures over the new material utilizing the overhead, chalkboard, visual & hands on activities. Technology, notebooks, real-life applications & group work will also be incorporated.
Advanced Mathematics
Grade Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Prerequisite: C or above in Advanced Algebra
Course includes a review of some fundamental algebraic topics involving linear & quadratic equations that will lead into the studying of new equations including polynomials, logarithms & trigonometric equations. The introduction to sequences, series & matrices will make the transition to some precalculus topics.
Activities: Lectures over the new material utilizing the overhead, chalkboard, visual & hands on activities. Technology, notebooks, real-life applications & group work will also be incorporated.
Math 7
Grade Level: 7
Length of Course: 1 year
Course reviews the fundamental concepts & operations involving whole numbers, decimals, fractions, & integers. The introduction to algebraic expressions & equations, along with basic geometry & basic probability & statistics, will aid students in the transition to high school mathematics.
Activities: Lectures over the new material utilizing the overhead, chalkboard, visual & hands on activities. Technology, real-life applications & group work will also be incorporated.
Math 8
Grade Level: 8
Length of Course: 1 year
Course reviews the fundamental concepts & operations involving whole numbers, decimals, fractions & integers, with mastery expected by the end of the course. The reinforcement of algebraic expressions & equations, along with basic geometry & basic probability & statistics, will aid students in the transition to high school mathematics.
Activities: Lectures over the new material utilizing the overhead, chalkboard, visual & hands on activities. Technology, real-life applications & group work will also be incorporated.
Music
Instrumental Music (high school)
Grade Level: 9-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Course implements all skills students have gained from 5th through 8th grade & applies it to performance based activities. The high school band participates in at least one parade per year, 2-3 football games, & various pep bands at volleyball & basketball games. There are several opportunities for individual improvement & achievement (honor bands, contests, public performance opportunities, etc.). Concert band music is played during various times of the year (winter season & spring contest season). Due to all of these activities, the high school band usually has at least 25 performances in the public throughout the year. Band lessons are given to all students.
Activities: Music covered includes concert band, marching band, pep band, pops & jazz music.
Instrumental Music (junior high)
Grade Level: 7-8
Length of Course: 1 year
Course moves younger instrumentalists into a new phase of band. Application of techniques learned throughout their first two years of band begins to take place. Music is divided into multiple parts & students learn to play more independently. The music continues to accelerate the students’ abilities to play. New things are introduced to the students throughout the year, including marching band & pep band. Small group & large group contests are also new activities the students take part in. Band lessons are given to all students. The ultimate goal of this class is to accelerate improvement & prepare the class for the transition into high school band.
Activities: Music covered includes concert band, marching band, pep band, jazz & pops music.
General Music
Grade Level: 7-8
Length of Course: 1 year every other day
General Music is a class designed to meet the general education requirements for the junior high. Content may include class instruction on the following: periods of musical history, musicals, careers in music, basic music theory concepts, genres of music (opera, jazz, chant, choir, band, etc.), influential composers.
Activities: Hands-on activities, group projects, lecture, listening exercises & library & computer research. Periodic assessment (verbal, written & listening) will be taken to measure student progress.
Concert Choir (Vocal Music)
Grade Level: 9-12
Length of Course: 1 year
COURSE CONTENT: Students taking this course shall examine and perform a wide range of choral repertoire in a mixed format. Basic music theory and application of solfege will be taught to increase musical abilities and improve listening skills. Choral repertoire may consist of the following:
- A capella madrigal selections
- Sacred music from varying cultures
- Secular music from varying cultures
- Contest-grade selections
- Quality popular and musical selections
- Holiday choral pieces
ACTIVITIES IN THIS CLASS: Students in this class shall expect to encounter daily warm-up exercises, question and answer sessions, written assessments, score analysis of new pieces, and eventual performance of the pieces under study. Much emphasis will be placed on class participation and student motivation to achieve the goals set forth by the class and its instructor. Students will be given the opportunity to listen to quality performing groups and when scheduled, travel as a group with the band to perform at clinics and contests. Additional performing groups (girls and boys glee, swing choir, madrigal, solos, ensembles) will provide students with additional musical opportunities.
P.E. & Health
Health
Grade Level: 9
Length of Course: 1 year every other day
This course alternates with physical education. It is a comprehensive course that deals with making healthy choices. Areas of study are mental health including stress management, nutrition including developing a positive body image, heart health using materials provided by the American Heart Association, and human development including a strong emphasis on abstinence.
Activities: Worksheets & activity sheets. Study of Body image is covered from a curriculum from the American Meat Board. Postponing Sexual Relationships is a student powered curriculum.
P.E. 9
Grade Level: 9
Length of Course: 1 year every other day
Activities:
- Running one mile each day
- Daily exercises (push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jumps, foot quickness, pull-ups, arm circles, lunges, and others)
- Rhythms (aerobics, jump bands, jump rope activities, and square dance)
- Games (flag football, ultimate Frisbee, team handball, whiffle ball, tug-of-war, and others)
- Rope jumping (for coordination, cardio-vascular conditioning and rhythm)
- Lifetime activities (cross country skiing, bowling, golf, badminton/tennis, archery, shuffleboard, basketball, volleyball, and others)
- Physical fitness testing and award program (16 item test in April & May)
PE 10-12
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 year
This is a co-ed class with emphasis placed upon physical conditioning and
teamwork.
Activities: (Included but not limited to) volleyball, basketball, bowling, whiffle ball, rope jumping, golf, and aerobics.
Weights & Conditioning
Grade Level: 9-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Basic & advanced principals of strength & endurance training for both athletics and life-long health will be covered. Students will learn about proper nutrition to meet various goals both athletically & for basic fitness purposes.
Activities: Films & lectures will be given to students discussing fitness principles & different ways to lead healthy lives. Testing will be done to gauge improvement through 8-week cycles. The majority of class time will be spent in the weight room conducting strength workouts. Various agility & endurance activities will also be performed.
P.E. 7/8
Grade Level: 7 & 8
Length of Course: 2 quarters each year
Activities:
- Running one mile each day
- Daily exercises (pull ups, push ups, curl ups, burpees, foot quickness, vertical jumps, lateral jumps, plyometrics, repetition jumping, dips and others)
- Interval running (2,3,4 or 5 sets of one minute running with one minute of rest
- Games (flag football, badminton, horse shoes, Frisbee golf, team handball, pickle ball, volleyball, basketball, softball and others)
- Daily rope jumping for coordination, cardiovascular conditioning and rhythm
- Physical fitness testing in April & May (16 test items, self-evaluation of the test and an awards program)
Science
Physical Science
Grade Level: 9
Length of Course: 1 year
Topics covered in this course include: metric system measurement, forces & energy, momentum, atomic structure & the periodic table, writing formulas & naming compounds, chemical reactions & acids & bases.
Activities: Basic information will be covered in class followed by laboratory activities (usually one or two activities during each chapter covered).
Biology
Grade Level: 10
Length of Course: 1 year
Course is designed to meet national & Nebraska state science standards. Students will study: the cell & related functions & chemical reactions, nucleic acids & their role in heredity & protein synthesis, biological evolution, interdependence of organisms as related to ecosystems, & basic anatomy & behavioral biology.
Activities: Notes, demonstrations, reading & hands-on activities. Varied student assessments will be used, including written & oral tests, group presentations, laboratory data analysis, worksheets, posters & research papers.
Chemistry
Grade Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Topics covered will be the following: units of measurement, factor label method of problem solving, writing formulas & naming compounds, balancing & writing chemical equations, gas laws, acids & bases. Problem solving will be emphasized throughout the year.
Activities: Topics will be covered in class with problems assigned. Lab activities will be conducted in which data is collected & calculations completed.
Physics
Grade Level: 12
Length of Course: 1 year
Topics covered will be the following: motion, graphing of motion, forces, vectors momentum, work & energy, energy waves, sound, mirrors & lenses, electricity. There will be a great deal of emphasis on mathematical problem solving.
Activities: Lectures, problems assigned in each section, lab activities incorporated with each topic studied.
Anatomy & Physiology
Grade Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology
Course is designed to be an introduction to future college study in a health science field. Students will master a new vocabulary, learn about the connectedness of biological structure & function in the context of the human body & be introduced to the concept of physiology. This is a challenging course due to the overwhelming amount of information associated with this subject, & is intended to prepare students for the demands of future college level coursework.
Activities: note taking, reading & laboratory activities emphasizing dissecting. Student assessment is primarily through unit tests & some graded daily work.
Advanced Integrated Science
Grade Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Prerequisites: Physical science & biology
Class and individual projects will vary depending on student/class interest and
current events. Projects will involve a combination of all the sciences and will be student based.
Limited class size
Science 8
Grade Level: 8
Length of Course: 1 year
Topics covered in this class include: the metric system, structure of the atom & compounds, minerals & rocks, soil erosion, plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes & weather systems.
Activities: Lectures, activities & labs which reinforce topics covered.
Science 7
Grade Level: 7
Length of Course: 1 year
Focus is on living systems, particularly ecosystems & body systems. It is the study of life. The main purpose of this course is to learn to think & question in a scientific manner since asking questions is the basis of all science.
Activities: Hands-on activities, analyzing & recording the associated data, text readings that support the scientific concepts underlying these activities.
Social Studies
Psychology
Grade Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 year
The topics covered in this course include the following: Discovering the World (the senses, perception, learning, conditioning, language, intelligence); The Cycle of Life (infancy, heredity/environment, middle childhood, moral development, adolescence, Erikson’s theory, adult living, death & dying, stresses of adult life, biology & behavior, emotions, motivation, dreams); Who Are You? (self & personality, abnormal behavior & achieving mental health); You, Others & Society (communication, interpersonal attraction, social behavior, prejudice, urban environment). This class prepares students for a college Psychology class.
Activities: Textbook reading, student activity sheets, PowerPoint presentations, videos, class experiments that support information in the text.
American Government
Grade Level: 12
Length of Course: 1 year
Course covers how the founding fathers started our governmental system to the major concepts of the three branches of government & how they work together & separately. Current events will be covered along with major Supreme Court cases throughout history.
Activities: Lecture, videos, newspapers, student projects, reports & presentations, computer research.
American History
Grade Level: 11
Length of Course: 1 year
The entirety of the American History experience will be taught with special emphasis being placed upon periods of expansion; i.e., physical & industrial.
Activities: Taught in a variety of ways but not limited to the following: lecture, discussion, movies, reports, study guides, field trips, map study.
World History
Grade Level: 10
Length of Course: 1 year
During first semester, students will study the world from World War I to the present. Second semester consists of ancient history from pre-historic times to the Industrial Revolution.
Activities: Lecture, worksheets, class projects, videos, computer research.
Physical Geography
Grade Level: 9
Length of Course: 1 semester
Course centers on the physical geography and economic development of the Western Hemisphere (South America, Central America, Mexico, United States & Canada).
Activities: Lecture, group projects, map assignments, internet projects, videos, computer research, discussions, study guides.
Civics
Grade Level: 9
Length of Course: 1 semester
Course covers the basic structure of the U.S. governmental system (national, state & local).
Activities: Lectures, class projects, guest speakers, videos, computer research, discussion, newspapers, field trip.
Social Studies 8
Grade Level: 8
Length of Course: 1 year
Course covers pre-Civil War American history (pre-historic times to 1860).
Activities: Lectures, videos, student projects & computer activities.
Social Studies 7
Grade Level: 7
Length of Course: 1 year
The physical geography & economic development of the following are studied: Nebraska road map, map read in general, European map study.
Activities: Discussion, study guides, group research, map drills.
Spanish
Spanish I
Grade Level: 9-12
Length of Course: 1 year
This course will introduce the basics (pronunciation, sentence patterns, question patterns, basic vocabulary, and basic grammar). This will enable the student to carry on basic conversations. An emphasis will be place on the culture of the Spanish-speaking countries in order to help the student gain an understanding of the people who speak the language being studied.
Activities: Vocabulary games, learning activities, worksheets, oral exercises, traditional quizzes, tests.
Spanish II
Grade Level: 10-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Course will continue developing the four skill areas (oral, aural, reading, writing).
Spanish II introduces changes in verb tense, such as past tense and future tense. This will enable the student to expand his communicative ability. There will be an emphasis on the culture of the Spanish-speaking world.
Activities: Vocabulary games, learning activities, worksheets, oral exercises, traditional quizzes, tests.
Spanish III
Grade Level: 11-12
Length of Course: 1 year
Spanish III refines the skills learned during Spanish I and II and develops the student’s ability to respond meaningfully to oral and written language. Culture is an essential element in the course.
Activities: Vocabulary games, learning activities, worksheets, oral exercises, traditional quizzes, tests.
Spanish IV
Grade Level: 12
Length of Course: 1 year
Spanish IV enhances what the student has learned previously and continues the development of new skills. Reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are further developed. The role culture plays in the study of the language is emphasized.
Activities: Vocabulary games, learning activities, worksheets, oral exercises, traditional quizzes, tests.
