Promotion and Graduation Information

Rappahannock High School

Warsaw, Virginia

Course Selection Guide

Promotion and Graduation Information

Promotion to the next grade is based on credits plus passing English. A student will receive one credit for each class successfully completed with a 75 of above, except for study hall, which gives no credit. Exceptions are two credits for a work-study program and three credits for courses at the Technical Center. To be a 10th grader, a student must have 5 credits one of which must be English 9. To be an 11th grader, a student must have 10 credits one of which must be English 10. To be a 12th grader, a student must have 15 credits one of which must be English 11. A student will need a minimum of 22 credits to graduate from high school. In order to be eligible to play sports or participate in any other Virginia High School League activity, a student must have successfully completed 5 credits the preceding semester of school. It is important to note that only one English class can be taken in a year. So if failure occurs in English, summer school should be looked at in order for the student to graduate on time. Only one class may be taken in summer school.

A student receiving a Standard diploma will receive the Board of Education Seal if a “A” average is maintained. If one Advanced Placement of Dual Enrollment class is passed successfully, as well as maintaining a “B” average, a Governor’s Seal is placed on the Advanced Studies diploma.

Course Descriptions

English

English 9 – This class contains a variety of high interest material in the form of short stories, poetry, drama and grammar. Spread throughout the book are units of “word attack”, “inferences”, “central focus”, and “relationships”, which focus on skill development in literature.

English 10 – This class contains a variety of short stories, poetry, and drama. Units are arranged around the themes of “opener”, “being afraid”. “being different”, and “making decisions”. Emphasis is placed again on word attack, inferences, central focus, relationships and central meaning.

English 11 – This class includes units on such themes as “self reliance”, “human relationships”, “the global community”, and “environmental issues”. United States literature is the primary focus of the text. Continued emphasis is placed on skill building in word attack, inferences, central focus, and relationships.

Advanced Placement English 11 is offered for the more advanced English student. This material is taught on the college level. Students receive information about the requirements when scheduling this class.

English 12- This class gives a chronological approach to the literature of England. Units include studies of the Anglo-Saxton period, the medieval period, the Renaissance, the Age of Reason, the Romantic era, the Victorian era, new directions and the Twentieth Century.

Advanced Placement English 12- is offered for the more advanced English Student. This material is taught on the college level. Students receive information about the requirements when scheduling this class.

Dual Enrollment English Composition - Composition 111 introduces students to critical thinking and the fundamentals of academic writing. Writing activities will include exposition and argumentation with at least one researched essay. Composition 112 continues to develop college writing with increased emphasis on critical essays, argumentation, and research, developing these competencies through the examination of a range of literary texts about the human experience. Creative Writing introduces the student to the fundamentals of writing imaginatively via poetry, fiction, drama, and essays. This course will be taught at Rappahannock High School five days a week and students can earn up to 9 college credits.

Mathematics

Algebra I Part I – This course is designed for students who desire to take an algebra course, but who may not have the mathematical background necessary for succeeding in Algebra I. Material covered includes the natural numbers, variables, integers, rational numbers (fractions and decimals), real numbers, solution of equations, inequalities, open sentences in two variables, polynomials, and basic concepts of geometry. This course is followed by a year of Algebra I Part II, which students may take to obtain the equivalent of one year of Algebra I.

Algebra I Part II – This course is a continuation of Algebra I Part II. Areas covered include equations, inequalities, operations with polynomials, rational expressions, graphs, roots and radicals, quadratic equations, trigonometry, and probability. Prerequisite: Algebra I Part I

Geometry- This course is designed to help students develop powers of partial visualization, to see the role of inductive and deductive reasoning in mathematical and non –mathematical situations, and to appreciate the need for clarity of language. Areas covered include elements of sets through angle relationships, perpendicular and parallel lines and planes, congruent triangles, similar polygons, circles, construction and loci, and coordinate geometry, Prerequisite: Algebra I

Algebra II - This course is a continuation of material completed in Algebra I. It proceeds through sequences and series, linear and quadratic relations and functions, polynomials, rational algebraic expressions, radicals and irrational numbers, polynomial functions, complex numbers and exponents. Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry

Pre-Calculus - Included in this course are such units as linear, quadratic, circular, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Also included is the general theory of equations, permutations, combinations, probability, variations, the binomial theorem and an introduction of calculus. Prerequisite: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II.

Dual Enrollment Pre-Calculus – Study of Math 163 presents college algebra, matrices, and algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Many application problems and examples are drawn from real life situations. Math 164 is offered the second semester and this course presents the detailed concept of trigonometry, analytic geometry, sequence and series and it’s relevant to real life problems.

Virtual Virginia AB Calculus- Advanced Placement Calculus AB develops the students’ understanding of the concepts of calculus and provides experience with its methods and applications. The course emphasizes a multi representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally.

Science

Earth Science- This course introduces the four main concepts of Earth Science: meteorology, geology, oceanography, and astronomy. Students will master a basic understanding of these concepts and how they are related to every day life. The course will include laboratory experiments along with other practical “hands on” activities.

Biology- This course relates biological concepts to everyday living. Areas of study include taxonomy, nutrition, behavior, botany, reproduction, genetics, and ecology. Emphasis is placed on using biology on a daily basis for improving and maintaining life. Other units covered include laboratory procedures, one-celled organisms, microbiology, multi-cellular plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, human biology, and systems of the body, nutrition, and ecology.

Chemistry –This course is designed to give students a good foundation in the basic principles of chemistry. Furthermore, it will equip them for higher academic studies in science and related fields. Students should have had or be taking Algebra II at the time they take this course.

Environmental Science/Ecology – This course will examine the resources provided to man by the Earth. It will give students an opportunity to examine the people, plants, animals, and all the other kinds of life that call Earth home, along with all the things that

make life possible. Students will learn how the human population has taxed the available resources and how people can become caretakers of the Earth.

Virtual Virginia Physics (Honors) - Honors Physics aids students in synthesizing the fundamental concepts and principles concerning matter and energy through the laboratory study of mechanics, wave motion, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, and atomic and nuclear physics.

History

World History I- Students will study events from first recorded history to 1500 AD.

World History II- Students will study events from 1500 AD to present. Prerequisite: must have earned a C or better in World History I

United States History - This course presents a survey of our country’s history from the time of its discovery to the present day. The administrations of all presidents are studied in detail, as well as the role of minorities in the development of the nation. Current events are important aspects of this course also. (11)

Advanced Placement U.S. History - This course will be a comprehensive study of United States history from the Pre-Columbian period to the 1990’s. It will be a rigorous curriculum with college-oriented instruction, reading, and writing assignments. Outside readings will also be required.

United States Government- A survey of the development of democratic societies is given in this course. Areas covered concern our constitution and freedom under the law, civil rights, federal courts, political parties, congress, the president, and his advisors, economic and social problems, state and local government, and world affairs. A study of communism is done during the later part of the year.

Dual Enrollment U.S. Government I-II (PLS 211-212) - Teaches structure, operation, and process of national, state, and local governments. This course includes in-depth study of the three branches of the government and of public policy. Lecture 3 hours per week.

Health and Physical Education

Health and Physical Education 9 – Physical activities in this course are soccer, basketball, horseshoes, modern dance, touch football, volleyball, track and field, softball, table tennis, lacrosse, field hockey, and paddle tennis. Health areas studied are environmental health, first aid and self-medical Health, personal and family survival, and driver education.

Health and Physical Education 10 – Physical activities covered in this course include leisure time activities such as badminton, table tennis, paddle tennis, and horseshoes. Advanced team sports such as basketball, volleyball, softball, track and field, and lacrosse and field hockey are offered also. Speedball and folk and square dancing may be included. Areas covered in health education include prevention and control of disease, consumer health, mental health, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and health careers. Prerequisite: Health and Physical Education 9.

Driver Education – This phase of the health and physical education program is designed to teach students the minimum skills needed to drive an automobile. Students will learn to make sound decisions for various driving situations based upon what has been learned in the program. They will learn also the legal and moral responsibilities that come with receiving a driver’s license. The classroom phase is taught during the year in Health and Physical Education 10. The behind-the-wheel phase is taught when the student has successfully completed the classroom instruction and is at least 15 years 6 months old and has had the learners permit for 6 months.

Weight Training – This course designed to teach students the physical and psychological advantages of having regular physical activity and healthy eating habits. This is a basic weight training course in which principles of weight training are discussed and applied to provide a foundation of total body strength and muscle. Basic knowledge relevant to the physiology of strength, muscle power, size and endurance are considered with respect to methods of achieving specific goals.

Foreign Languages

Spanish I – This is a beginning course in Spanish including practice in reading, speaking, and understanding the language and customs of Latin America and other Spanish speaking countries. Much emphasis is placed on grammar, pronunciation, and conversation. Students desiring to begin a foreign language should have attained a “C” average or higher in their English classes.

Spanish II – This of course is a continuation of the study of Spanish I. Emphasis is placed on conversation, reading, and the study of customs and history of Latin America. Prerequisite: must have earned a C or better in Spanish I

Spanish III – This of course is continuation of Spanish I with emphasis placed on conversation, reading, and writing. Focus will be placed on resolving individual student difficulties in oral presentation and spontaneous conversation. There will also be directed student interaction, i.e. debates, interviews, and summaries. The student will also read some selections from Spanish and Latin American literatures.

Spanish IV – This course is a continuation of Spanish III and Spanish will be used almost exclusively in the classroom. Focus will be on refining self-expression, including the ability to express abstract ideas. Emphasis will be placed on comprehension of various types of texts with minimal use of a dictionary. These may include current media, essays, short stories, poems, plays and novels.

Virtual Virginia Japanese I – This course is suggested for students in grades 9-12. Students should have an interest in learning the Japanese language and becoming acquainted with the history, geography, culture, and customs of Japan. Students begin to acquire skills in understanding and speaking the Japanese language. Basic grammar and vocabulary used in daily living practical conversations, and discussions of Japanese culture are studied. Hiragana, the Japanese syllabary writing system, and katakana, the Japanese syllabary for foreign words, are taught.

Virtual Virginia Japanese II – Students continue to increase their knowledge in the skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Japanese. About 70 kanji characters are taught. Students are introduced to additional vocabulary and grammar in order to engage in more complex conversations. History, geography, culture, and customs are emphasized.

Virtual Virginia Japanese III – Students continue to increase their Japanese language proficiency. Additional kanji are introduced. Little English is spoken during the course, and oral communication is reinforced throughout the year. Written assignments are given, and students are expected to write creatively using newly introduced grammar and vocabulary. Reading skills are enhanced through the use of different reading materials.

Virtual Virginia Latin I – The student should have a strong desire to become acquainted with the classical world and its influences on Western civilization through the study of language, history, mythology, art, and archaeology of the Greco-Roman civilizations. Students will begin to develop the cultural understanding and linguistic skills necessary to study the classical world. Students will learn basic Latin grammar, strengthen their writing skills, and enrich their English vocabulary. Students will gain greater perspective on the cultural and historical parallels between the classical world and today’s society.

Virtual Virginia Latin II – The student continues to develop cultural understanding, and linguistic skills. This study increases awareness of the contribution of the Roman civilization to our western civilization, increases the knowledge of the Roman way of life, builds Latin and English vocabularies, improves reading skills, and improves mastery of the structure of the Latin language. As the student learns he/she gains a broader perspective of the influence of the past on today’s life and language.