#060 MULTI-CULTURAL LITERATURE I GRADES, 10, 11, 12
Level 2 Credit .50 HALF YEAR
Prerequisites: Interest in learning about different cultures and what ties us all together through the examination of a rich variety of multicultural genre. This course is open to all students.
Course Description: Multi-Cultural Literature is designed to encourage positive gender, racial, class, cultural and individual identities. Through the close examination of a rich variety of multi-cultural literary genre including short stories, poetry, nonfiction, drama and the novel, students will identify, empathize and relate with individuals from other groups. Students will develop a respect and an appreciation for the literature of other cultures as well as an esthetic sense of the ways in which other people live. Literature from European, Asian, South American, Central American and Caribbean cultures will be used as the means of discussing, understanding and appreciating the ethnic diversity found within our community. Wherever appropriate, films and recordings support the readings. This course is paired with #061 Multicultural Literature II..
Course Assessment: Homework/class assignments – 35%; quizzes and reaction papers – 35%; major test/research papers – 20%; class participation/preparation – 10%.
#061 MULTI-CULTURAL LITERATURE II GRADES , 10, 11, 12
Level 2 Credit .50 HALF YEAR
Prerequisites: Interest in learning about different cultures and what ties us together. The course is open to all students.
Course Description: Multi-Cultural Literature II is designed to encourage positive gender, racial, class, cultural, and individual identities. Through a multi-media approach, students will begin to identify, empathize and relate with individuals from other groups. Students will develop a respect and an appreciation for the ways in which other people live. In addition, the course will encourage a concern and interest in others, a willingness to include others, and a desire to cooperate. This course is paired with # 060 Multicultural Literature I .
Course Assessment: Homework – 10%; quizzes on videos – 25%; class projects – 30%; class assignments/participation – 35%
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#063 ISSUES IN SCIENCE FICTION GRADES 11, 12
Course Description: The course will analyze Science Fiction as a literary genre. The students will be asked to examine the issues that arise in the works read and then discuss and evaluate the impact of scientific discoveries on society. Through essays, discussions and projects, students will further develop critical thinking skills while becoming aware of ecological, political and societal issues in today’s world.
Course Assessment: Classwork – 10%; Participation in discussion – 25%; Essays – 15%; Tests, Quizzes – 20%; Projects – 20%; Homework – 10%.
#064 CREATIVE WRITING GRADES 10, 11, 12
Level 2 Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR
Prerequisites: Success in standard English class; an interest in writing, both structured and informal, and an interest in reading so as to compare writing styles. A strong ability to write independently, yet also participate in peer editing projects.
Course Description: This course will provide an opportunity for students to find and develop their voices as writers. Assignments will include poetry, short fiction, and personal essays. This workshop-style class will include reading and discussion of models for student writing in addition to writing assignments. Students will maintain portfolios of their writing. The class will be run as a workshop, with students presenting drafts of their writing to peers and to the class as a whole for feedback. There will be emphasis on editing and revision of written pieces as students work to find their unique voices as writers.
Course Assessment: Writing assignments – 40%; Journal – 40%; portfolios – 10%; participation in workshops – 10%.
#068 JOURNALISM GRADES 11, 12
Level 2 Credit1 FULL YEAR
Prerequisites: Intermediate to high level of writing skills; keyboarding, an interest in journalism and in the school newspaper.
Course Description: Journalism allows students to examine the history and development of the American journalistic tradition, consider the nature of news, learn to compile news stories, and then analyze their publication. The Journalism class also is a workshop for the publication of the school newspaper, SCOPE. Four issues are planned for each school year. Students not in the class but who demonstrate sufficient knowledge of publishing articles for the newspaper may contribute to the various issues of the paper on an independent basis, but do not qualify for credit. The Journalism and Desktop Publishing classes work together to produce the school newspaper.
Course Assessment: Number and quality of articles per quarter – 70%; participation in the publication of the school newspaper – 15%; class participation – 15%.
#082 ENGLISH SAT REVIEW GRADES 11, 12
Level 2 Credit .50 HALF YEAR
Course to be combined with SAT Math
Prerequisites: Success in Honors or Freshmen English; interest in improving testing skills.
Course Description: English SAT Review is designed to offer the students an explanation, overview and analysis of all elements of the critical reading and writing sections of the SAT . Each component of the critical reading and writing section on the SAT is reviewed and appropriate test-taking strategies and techniques are explained to the students. At regular intervals, students are given the opportunity to take practice SAT exams to build facility and confidence and to alleviate potential anxiety. This course is paired with # 246 Math SAT Review.
Course Assessment: Homework/class work – 60%;class participation – 20%; independent reading/college projects – 20%.
#093 JUNIOR/SENIOR SEMINAR GRADES 11, 12
Level 2 Credit 1.0 FULL YEAR
Prerequisites: None
Course Description: This course for juniors and seniors is designed for them to prepare for and ease their transition from high school to college. The course is separated into two segments: during the first semester students, will focus on the college selection and admissions process, SAT preparation, locating and obtaining scholarships and other financial aid, college study skills including practical skills and strategies for a successful campus experience; during the second semester, students will focus on writing with the goal of increasing skills and preparation for college level writing expectations. Students will receive a review of writing mechanics, and using an anthology of fiction and non-fiction and will regularly compose various types of essays, use peer-editing and the revision process to create finished writing products of high quality.
Course Assessment: Homework/class work – 30% ; essays/quizzes – 30 %; projects – 25% class participation – 15%.
#095 MEDIA CENTER AIDE GRADE 12
FULL YEAR
Prerequisites: Teacher approval, placement by Guidance
Student must have completed all junior course requirements
Course Description: Students enrolled as a Library Media Center teacher’s aide will be required to be an advocate for success and demonstrate a desire to go beyond the basics. This course is suited for the student who expresses an interest in the teaching field. Students will be given assignments to assist the Library Media Specialist. Some examples of assignments include: preparation of bulletin boards and displays, general maintenance of the LMC, following circulation desk procedures, floor computer troubleshooting, preparing overdue notices and shelving books and videos.
Course Assessment: Students are assessed based on their attendance, performance, attitude and productivity.
#099 TEACHER’S AIDE GRADE 12
Level -None HALF YEAR –FULL YEAR*
Prerequisites: Teacher approval, placement by Guidance
Student must have completed all junior course requirements.
Course Description: Students enrolled as a teacher’s aide will be required to be an advocate for success and demonstrate a desire to go beyond the basics. This course is suited for the student who expresses an interest in the teaching field. Students will be given assignments to assist teachers or classes according to their particular abilities or talents. Some examples of assignments include: acting as a mentor, role model or tutor to other students, assisting the teacher in preparing for lessons or organizing classroom activities and creating bulletin boards.
Students will sign a contract that states their expected role as a teacher’s aide. Students have the opportunity to earn work credit.
*Dependent on course length.
Course Assessment: Students are assessed based on their attendance, performance and productivity as stated in their teacher’s aid contract. This is a pass/fail course.