1
2015-2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Courses Offeredpg. 3
Course Descriptions:
Englishpgs. 4-6
Social Studiespg. 6-7
Mathpgs. 7-9
Sciencepgs. 9-10
P.E. / Health pgs. 9
Foreign Languagepgs. 10-11
Business / Computerspg. 12
Arts / Humanitiespgs. 12-14
Vocationalpgs. 14-17
Graduation Requirementspg. 17
Recommended Courses of Study:
General Studiespg. 17
College Preparatorypg. 18
Construction Tradespg. 18
Vocational-Technicalpg. 18
Vocational Agriculturepg. 19
Basic ESL Educationpg.19
NCAA Eligibilitypg. 19
LIST OF COURSES OFFERED
(Numbers in parentheses indicate credit value of the course.)
1
ENGLISH (p.4-6)
(1) English 9
(1) CP English 9
(1) English 10
(1) CP English 10
(1) English 11
(1) CP English 11
(1) English 12
(1) CP English 12
(1) AP Language and Composition
(1) AP Literature and Composition
(0.6) Accelerated Reader
SOCIAL STUDIES (p.6-7)
(1) Civics
(1) World History
(1) United States History
(1) Problems of Democracy/Economics
(1) AP U.S. History
MATH (p.7-9)
(1) Algebra I Part I
(1) Algebra I Part II
(1) Business Math
(1) Algebra I
(1) Algebra II
(1) Geometry
(1) Algebra III/Trigonometry
(1) AP Calculus
(1) AP Statistics
SCIENCE (p.9-10)
(1) Physical Science
(1) General Science
(1) Biology
(1) Advanced Biology
(1.5) Chemistry
(1) Advanced Chemistry
(1.5) Physics
P.E. / Health (p.9)
(0.4) Physical Education
(0.4) Health
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (p.10-11)
(1) Spanish I
(1) Spanish II
(1) Spanish III
(1) Spanish IV
(1) Spanish V
(1) Spanish VI
BUSINESS/COMPUTERS (p.11-12)
(1) Document Processing
(1) Desktop Publishing & Presentations
(1) Spreadsheets
(1) Programming I
(1) Programming II
ARTS/HUMANITIES (p.12-14)
(1) Sociology/Psychology (Elective)
(0.5) Band
(0.5) Chorus
(1) Speech
(1) Art
(1) Drawing
(1) Painting
(1) Printmaking/Sculpture
(1) Industrial Arts
(1) Child Development
(1) Individual & Family Studies
(1) Career and Consumer Science
(0.4) Professional Growth
VOCATIONAL (p.14-17)
(1) Intro to CADD
(3) Computer Aided Drafting and Design I
(3) Computer Aided Drafting and Design II
(3) Computer Aided Drafting and Design III
(1) Agricultural Education I
(1) Large Animal Science I
(1) Veterinary Science I
(1) Plant and Soil Science
(1) Wildlife and Fisheries Science I
(1) Ag Mechanics I
(1) Ag Mechanics II
(1) Ag Mechanics III
(1) FFA & Leadership
(1) AG SAE I, II, III, IV
(3) Building/Construction Trades
(3) Mifflin County Academy of Science & Technology
1
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ENGLISH
**All college preparatory English classes are considered to be upper-level courses and will, therefore, require more work and will be much more academically challenging than non-college prep. English classes. Due to the level of difficulty of these college preparatory English classes, it is not recommended that students who are currently taking a general English class switch to college prep. English for the following year. However, if a general English student does wish to switch to college prep. English, he/she must have at least a 90% average in his/her current general English class. In addition, he/she must obtain a letter of recommendation from his/her current general English teacher.
ENGLISH 9Periods per cycle: 6
Grade 9
The speed and educational level of this course are designed for students who are preparing for the job force or for students who are preparing for a technical post-high school education. The curriculum for English 9 will consist of grammar, writing, and literature. Grammar elements related to improving writing skills may be reviewed. Writing done for this class will be expository, persuasive, creative, or descriptive. To gain practice in improving analyzing skills, students will examine various literature genres such as the short story, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
COLLEGE PREP (CP) ENGLISH 9Periods per cycle: 6
Grade 9
This course will largely be literature-based, with particular emphasis on the various genres and their elements. Through the study of literature, students will also be introduced to the use of critical thinking skills and incorporating analysis to draw conclusions. Writing and working to improve writing skills will also be a large part of this course. The only grammar that will be taught will be those elements that would help to enhance writing skills. Since this will be such an academically demanding course, students will be placed using the policy developed by the placement committee. Students will be required to write one research paper.
ENGLISH 10Periods per cycle: 5
Grade 10
This course will address the tenth grade curriculum of analyzing world literature by focusing on understanding grammatical elements and their relation to writing; improving writing skills in persuasive, creative, and informative compositions; and improving critical thinking skills by analyzing literature. The speed and educational level of this course are designed for students who are preparing for the job force or who are preparing for a technical post-high school education.
COLLEGE PREP (CP) ENGLISH 10Periods per cycle: 6
Grade 10
Since this is the second step in the college prep. English sequence, this class will have a much higher level of difficulty than was found in college prep. English 9. The curriculum for this class will focus on analyzing world literature. It will include the study of different literary works and their elements so as to improve critical thinking/critical analyzing skills as well as the study of writing, including both writing styles and writing techniques, both of which will be essential for college as well as for the next level of this course sequence. It is strongly recommended that a student should have achieved a 75% or better in his/her college prep. English 9 class before taking this class.
ENGLISH 11Periods per cycle: 6
Grade 11
This course is designed to meet, support, and strengthen the needs of a student who is preparing for the job force or a technical post-high school education. We cover literary elements through the reading of American literature, learn formats of writing informative, persuasive, and narrative styles, and learn and practice grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills. Students will learn the proper method of research writing, explore careers, and practice professional writing and communication skills while enhancing critical thinking skills.
COLLEGE PREP (CP) ENGLISH 11Periods per cycle: 6
Grade 11
This course is designed for students planning to attend college after graduation. The course involves a survey of American literature from the founding fathers to the present inthegenresofpoetry, nonfiction, short stories, novels, and drama.Through the study of literature, students will also be required to use critical thinking skills and incorporate analysis into discussions and writings.The other primary component is enhancing skills in writing informative, persuasive, and narrative pieces. A research project and required readings are included in order to fortify critical thinking skills. Vocabulary and review of grammar and mechanics are also included. It is strongly recommended that a student should have achieved a 75% or better in his/her college prep. English 10 class before taking this class.
ENGLISH 12Periods per cycle: 6
Grade 12
This course is designed for the business or vocational student with an emphasis on preparing for the job force or a technical post-high school education. The curriculum will include grammar, writing, and vocabulary, especially as they relate to formal writing. Transition skills such as business letter writing, resume writing, and interviewing will also be part of the curriculum. Studying genres of British literature such as short stories, nonfiction, drama, the novel, and poetry will enable students to utilize comprehension skills as well as analyzing skills.
COLLEGE PREP (CP) ENGLISH 12Periods per cycle: 6
Grade 12
This course is designed for students’ planning to further their education after graduation. The course includes a survey of British literature from Beowulf to the present. All genres and periods will receive coverage. Many means of writing will be explored including critical analysis and researched-based projects. Required reading and vocabulary are also generally included. Students earning less that 75% in previous college prep English classes may have difficulty excelling in this class.
AP Language and Composition
Grades 11 and 12 (E.J.H.S. only)
Course Description:
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. The course will focus on expository, analytical, and argumentative writing that forms the basis of academic and professional communication as well as the personal and reflective writing that fosters the development of writing facility in any context. Its purpose is to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers.
Entrance Requirements:
AP Language and Composition requires students to write essays through several stages of drafts, with revision aided by teacher and peers in order to develop students’ awareness of their own composing processes: the way they explore ideas, reconsider strategies, and revise their work. The content, skills, and processes of the course are designed to provide students with a solid foundation in preparation for the AP English Language and Composition Exam. A student interested in taking AP Language and Composition will need at least an 85% mark in their CP 10 or CP 11 English class, and he/she will need a recommendation from a former English teacher to take this course.
AP Literature and Composition
Grade 12Periods per cycle: 6
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, styles, and themes as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Furthermore, students will have an opportunity to earn college credits if they choose to take the AP College Board national exam at the end of the year. Entrance Requirements continued on next page.
Entrance Requirements
AP Literature and Composition requires discussion, critiques and feedback about established literature and about each student’s work. Students must share their work and critique others’ work. Students will be expected to read 15-20 novels and plays (several expected to be read over the summer before their senior years). A student interested in taking AP Literature and composition will need at least an 85% from their CP 11 English class, and he/she will need a recommendation from a former English teacher to take this course.
ACCELERATED READER
Grades 9-12Periods per cycle: 4
This is an individualized, guided independent reading program that has been shown to improve student reading and comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, critical reading ability, and retention of what is read. In addition, students learn valuable time management skills. This improvement positively impacts all subject areas.
Social Studies
CIVICSPeriods per cycle: 6
Grade 9
Civics is the study of loca1, state, and national government within the United States of America. This includes the structures of, functions of, and interrelationships between these three levels of government. Included within the course are overviews of the mechanics of our capitalist economy. The course discusses the history of American government and the formation of the three levels with emphasis on Pennsylvania history and JuniataCounty government. Concentration at all levels is given to the three branches of government and how they interact with each other.
WORLD HISTORYPeriods per cycle: 6
Grade 10
World history is an historical approach to the last 500 years in world history. Areas covered include the Protestant Reformation; Democratic revolutions in England, America, France, and Latin America; the Industrial Revolution; Imperialism and World War I; the Soviet Union/Communism; Depression/Dictatorships/World War II; the Cold War and the superpowers; Global Interdependence; Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America; and Economic/Environment/the future.
UNITED STATES HISTORYPeriods per cycle: 6
Grade 11
United States history from 1929 to the present is a broad study of the domestic and international history of the United States covering economic, social, cultural, and political issues our nation faced throughout the twentieth century. This course will examine chronologically, by decades, the interaction of these issues that shaped out past and continue to affect America today. The class will focus on vocabulary and the men and women in the twentieth century. We will link the past to the present as required by the Pennsylvania Standards for United States history.
PROBLEMS OF DEMOCRACY / ECONOMICSPeriods per cycle: 6
Grade 12
This course consists of one semester of Problems of Democracy and one semester of Economics. Problems of Democracy will begin with a review of the Constitution and workings of the Federal Government. Students will examine the policy-making process and the role of the citizen, the media, and other groups in that process. Emphasis is placed on specific policy areas and current events which relate to each. The Economics portion deals with a study of our capitalist mixed economy. Students will become familiar with basic microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts. This will include supply and demand analysis, economic institutions, economic policies, and global economics and international trade. Attention will also be given to personal finance and investment which will include a personal budget project.
AP US HISTORY
Grade 11 & 12
This AP US History is a challenging class that is designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college course in a high school setting. It is a year-long survey of American history from the age of exploration to the present. The course offers an issue-oriented approach in the study of the people of the US and their history. Major themes and traditions that make America exceptional will be explained in great detail. The course is designed to acquaint students with core characteristics and values found throughout our history. An analysis of those events and significant individuals will be done on a continuous basis.
Students will be required to apply the effort necessary to act as an historian and develop the ability to analyze historical evidence to determine its validity and relevance identify point of view and the nature of bias, and recognize the necessity of objectivity and substantiation. Students will be expected to read assigned passages from the required reading list prior to class meetings as well as outside materials as is necessary. Students should be prepared to read on a regular basis (approx. 6-10 hours per week). The volume of material involved in this course is extensive and students will need to commit designating time for reading in order to be successful in the course.
Class discussions will be based on the assigned reading and students will be expected to participate in those discussions. Studies have consistently shown that students who participate in class discussions and activities are more likely to grasp the learning objectives. The AP exam will be offered in May for students to take. Based on the score of student’s exam, college credit will be given for US History.
Entrance Requirements
Students are required to have a 90% cumulative average for all social studies classes starting with grade 9 and a 85%
cumulative average for all English classes starting with grade 9. Students who wish to take the course as juniors would also need a letter of recommendation from their 10th grade social studies and English teachers.
Math
Algebra 1 Part 1Periods per cycle: 6
Grades 9-12
This course is required for all students who do not score proficient or advanced on the Algebra I Keystone Exam. Algebra 1 Part 1 focuses on the first module of the algebra1 common core standards. The students will be exposed to an in-depth look at operations with real numbers and expressions, linear equations, and linear inequalities. The course will provide an emphasis on the problem solving strategies that the common core algebra demands.
ALGEBRA 1 PART2Periods per cycle: 6
Grades 9-12
This course is required for all students who do not score proficient or advanced on the Algebra I Keystone Exam. Algebra 1 Part 2 focuses on the second module of the algebra1 common core standards. The students will be exposed to an in-depth look at exponents, polynomials, quadratic functions, radical expressions & equations, rational expressions & functions, and data analysis with probability. The course will provide an emphasis on the problem solving strategies that the common core algebra demands. At the conclusion of the course, all students will take or retake the Algebra I Keystone Exam.
BUSINESS MATHPeriods per cycle: 6
Grades 12 (Grade 11 By Permission)
This course begins with a review of general math and then provides instruction in the following areas: budgeting, borrowing, saving and investing money; home and transportation expenses; taxes and insurance; and skills involved in the operation of a business. Good basic math skills are important for this course.
ALGEBRA IPeriods per cycle: 6
Grades 9-12
PREREQUISITE: Must pass Math 8 or Pre-Algebra
Algebra is the study of numbers, the symbols that represent numbers, and the relations and operations between numbers. The real number system will be explored, including irrationals in radical form. Polynomial operations and linear functions will be studied in detail. Students earning less than 80% in previous math classes may have difficulty excelling in this course.
ALGEBRA IIPeriods per cycle: 6
Grades 9-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra I
Algebra II is the continued study of number symbols and number properties. Emphasis will be given to operations with real numbers in radical form and to rational expressions. Applications will be made in the areas of word problems, graphing linear and quadratic functions, and probability and statistics. Students who earned less than an 80% in Algebra I may experience difficulty in this course.
GEOMETRYPeriods per cycle: 6
Grades 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra I
This geometry course deals with the properties and relations of plane figures (such as angles, triangles, polygons, & circles) which can be constructed with a straight edge protractor and compass. The course also deals with elementary trigonometry in right triangles. Proofs are also included in the instruction. Students who did not earn a final percentage of 80% in Algebra may experience difficulty in this course.