COURSE DESCRIPTION: AP Calculus AB is an advanced placement calculus course designed to give students equivalent coverage of topics covered in college calculus classes. Go to www.collegeboard.com for complete details. This class is a 3 trimester class giving the student the opportunity in early May to take the AP Calculus test and possibly earn college credit. It is not required to take the test to earn GHS credit.
AREAS OF STUDY: Students should be able to work with functions represented in a variety of ways: graphical, numerical, analytical, or verbal; understand the meaning of the derivative in terms of a rate of change and local linear approximation and be able to use derivatives to solve a variety of problems; understand the meaning of the definite integral both as a limit of Riemann sums and as the net accumulation of change and be able to use integrals to solve a variety of problems; understand the relationship between the derivative and the definite integral as expressed in both parts of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus; be able to model a written description of a physical situation with a function, a differential equation, or an integral. Be able to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and support conclusions.
EXPECTATIONS: The student will be expected to complete homework assignments, apply specified facts and formulas, participate in class discussions, exhibit skills by test performance, and have a positive approach to the study of mathematics.
MODERN LANGUAGE
COURSE TITLE: Spanish I A/B Grade Level: 9 - 12 TEXT: Avancemos Credit: 1.0 per tri Prerequisite: None Two Trimesters COURSE DESCRIPTION: A communicative approach is used from the first day, with students learning to speak about their everyday lives. The text is followed as a guide for the study of language structure and to provide reading practice, cultural understanding and vocabulary build-up. Flash cards, posters, and videos are used as extra stimuli to language development.
AREAS OF STUDY: Students learn vocabulary and basic language structure to communicate about family and friends, clothing and colors, school, teachers and classes, time, health, foods, hobbies and pastimes, weather, seasons, traveling, months of the year and dates. They learn the countries and capitals of the Spanish-speaking world and learn about the culture of those countries.
EXPECTATIONS: Students are expected to prepare daily assignments, participate in classroom oral and written activities, prepare for quizzes and tests and complete projects. Upon successful completion of the course, they should be able to converse in Spanish, using the present tense, simple future, simple past, and a basic vocabulary about their everyday experiences. They should be able to read simple Spanish selections and write short paragraphs using basic sentence structure. They should have a basic knowledge of and appreciation for the culture of the Hispanic world.
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COURSE TITLE: Spanish II A/B Grade Level: 10 – 12 TEXT: Avancemos Credit: 1.0 per tri Prerequisite: Spanish I and Instructor Approval Two Trimesters COURSE DESCRIPTION: Increased proficiency and cultural understanding are the main goals through a
communicative approach. Students use the language to converse, read and write about everyday topics. They are encouraged to talk in Spanish about themselves and topics of interest in order for Spanish to become a more meaningful language to them. Students improve their cultural knowledge through video and literary presentations, and in-class discussions.
AREAS OF STUDY: Students learn vocabulary and idioms to communicate about food, holidays, school, sports, shopping, travel, and healthy living. Students will focus on pronunciation, spelling, grammatical structures (present, past, future, commands, and others), and the beliefs and values of Spanish speaking people.
EXPECTATIONS: The student should be able to use vocabulary and structures taught in Spanish I and II;
communicate thoughts orally and in writing; participate positively and actively in class; complete daily assignments; pass quizzes and performance assessments.
SPECIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Completion of this class and continued enrollment in Spanish courses provides the opportunity to participate in the departmental Spain trip every third year.
COURSE TITLE: Spanish III A/B Grade Level: 11 & 12 TEXT: Avancemos Credit: 1.0 per tri Prerequisite: Spanish II and Instructor Approval Two Trimesters COURSE DESCRIPTION: Vocabulary, verb tenses and different points of grammar are taught through the use of various cultural settings. Assessments include written and oral projects as well as written and oral exams.
AREAS OF STUDY: Vocabulary and idioms, pronunciation and spelling; grammatical structures (imperfect, future, conditional, subjunctive); cultural study of the Spanish-speaking people including the Spanish-speaking people of the USA; reading and writing short stories.
EXPECTATIONS: Appropriately use the vocabulary acquired; understand instructions given in Spanish; read with a satisfying degree of comprehension; express own thoughts in writing; communicate with accurate use of words and pronunciation; apply grammatical structures learned; pass quizzes and tests.
SPECIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Completion of this class and continued enrollment in Spanish courses provides the opportunity to participate in the departmental Spain trip every third year.
COURSE TITLE: Spanish IV A/B Grade Level: 12 (or ELP status) TEXT: Avancemos Credit: 1.0 per tri
Prerequisite: Spanish II and Instructor Approval Two Trimesters
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In addition to the textbook, other books, DVDs, and the Internet are used as supplements for reading and research. Many projects requiring the use of the language (both oral and written) are a main component of the course. This course offers an extensive review of all grammar studied in previous years to master the proper use of the language. The vocabulary is expanded and more sophisticated; it is acquired by reading, research, giving short speeches, and writing compositions. Conversation in Spanish is essential in this class so the student develops a high level of proficiency. Cultural knowledge of Spanish-speaking people is expanded.
AREAS OF STUDY: Vocabulary and idioms, pronunciation and spelling, general review of grammar; history, literature geography, customs, etc. of Spain and other Spanish speaking countries; conversations and discussions of current events in Spanish, writing reports in Spanish on different topics; study of careers in foreign languages and many projects putting the language into practical use.
EXPECTATION: Increase vocabulary; show special interest in review of grammar; apply vocabulary and grammar knowledge in oral or written communication in Spanish; read literary works; meet daily assignments; pass quizzes and tests; exhibit confidence and proficiency in using Spanish by the end of the year.
SPECIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Completion of this class and continued enrollment in Spanish courses provides the opportunity to participate in the departmental Spain trip every third year.
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MUSIC
COURSE TITLE: Band Grade Level: 9 - 12
TEXT: Rubank Advanced Vol. I & II Credit: 1.0 per tri.
Prerequisites: Completion of Middle School Band Three Trimesters
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The first nine weeks is spent in the Marching Band. This unit performs at all home football games, State Marching Band Festival, and also participates in parades and other activities.
Following marching season, students are placed in the Concert Band. Seating is determined by chair test.
Challenges may be presented by the students to allow them the chance to advance seating in their section. Other ensembles include Pep Band, Jazz Band, and Small Ensembles (performing for contest, local groups, etc.).
Band meets daily and participants receive 3 credits per year, which may be applied toward graduation. The Concert Band will perform a wide variety of music with emphasis on developing technical and musical skills as well as an understanding and appreciation of music.
AREAS OF STUDY: Marching Band; Concert Band; Jazz Band; Pep Band; Solos and Small Ensembles; all major scales; Rubank Advanced Vol. I, freshman and sophomore years; Rubank Advanced Vol. II or equivalent method junior and senior years.
EXPECTATIONS: Students will be expected to complete the Rubank Advanced Vol. I by the end of their sophomore year and complete the Rubank Advanced Vol. II or equivalent method by the end of their senior year. Mastery of all music for Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, solos and ensembles. Students will be expected to purchase the proper method book for their current development; keep their instrument in good repair and proper playing order; pay a uniform fee of $12.00; pay percussion rental fee of $30.00; other instrument rental fee of
$60.00; and provide black shoes, black socks, white shirt, and white gloves for marching and concert uniforms.
COURSE TITLE: Varsity Choir Grade Level: 9 - 12
TEXT: Selected Choral Literature Credit Given: 1.0 per tri
Prerequisites: None Three Trimesters
COURSE DESCRIPTION & AREA OF STUDY: The Varsity Choir meets daily. The primary objectives of vocal music are: 1) to stimulate an interest and an appreciation of a wide range of music, both as a performer and as a listener; 2) to develop vocal technique (tone quality, diction, pitch discrimination, etc.; 3) to develop leadership qualities. Scheduled performances throughout the school year are required.
Various honor choir auditions are available. Private voice instruction is required.
EXPECTATIONS: The student will be expected to have solid command of the voice, stage presence, good posture, musical understanding; a desire for improvement to the best degree of excellence within the ability of the students involved; improvement in breath control, stage presence, choral discipline, diction; tone quality and self-confidence as a singer.
There is a $12.00 robe cleaning fee.
COURSE TITLE: Concert Choir Grade Level: 10 - 12
TEXT: Selected Choral Literature Credit Given: 1 per tri
Prerequisite: By Audition Only Three Trimesters
COURSE DESCRIPTION & AREA OF STUDY: The Concert Choir meets daily. Students in this ensemble will work on All State caliber music throughout the year. Solo work is encouraged.
Various honor choir auditions are available. Private voice instruction is required.
The primary objectives of vocal music are: 1) to stimulate an interest and an appreciation of a wide range of music, both as a performer and as a listener; 2) to develop vocal technique (tone quality, diction, pitch discrimination, etc.;
3) to develop leadership qualities. Scheduled performances throughout the school year are required.
EXPECTATIONS: The student will be expected to have solid command of the voice, stage presence, good posture, musical understanding and a desire for improvement; in the area of breath control, stage presence, choral
discipline, diction; tone quality and self-confidence as a singer.
There is a $12.00 robe cleaning fee.