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High School Course Descriptions:
ACCOUNTING
Grades 11 - 12
1 Credit|
This course is the study of the principles of debits and credits
in business transactions and their application to the financial
records of a business or individual. This includes journalizing
transactions, posting to ledgers and preparing financial
statements for proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. A
business simulation practice set is completed for a proprietorship
and a partnership. Students will be able to employ the
basic principles of accounting in the complete accounting cycle
for a proprietorship, a partnership, and in a partial cycle for a
corporation. The student will also select and use the appropriate
accounting procedure for payroll systems and special journals.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY
Grades 11 - 12
1 Credit
This course is an elective for eleventh and
twelfth grade students who have passed Biology I and Chemistry I
with high standings in their class. Emphasis is placed on
biochemistry, cell mechanics, heredity, evolution, organism
diversity, and ecology. Science as a process is stressed
through lecture and laboratory experience. Possible college
credit may be achieved with a score of three, four, or five on the
standardized Advanced Placement Exam.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (elective)
Grade 12
1 Credit
Students who are proficient in reading comprehension, grammar,
literary terms, and writing skills are eligible to be enrolled in
AP English (Literature and Composition). Students and their
parents must sign a contract which states the rules and regulation
of this class. All students who remain in the class for the school
year must pay the fee and take the national exam, and students who
receive a score of 3, 4, or 5 may be eligible to receive college
credit in freshman English depending upon the policy of the
college or university in which they enroll. Students who enroll in
Literature and Composition must understand that this class is
taught on a college level. Students read and explicate a sampling
of literature from around the world. Students must be able to
apply their refined writing and thinking skills to the literary
works which they have been assigned.
ALGEBRA 1
Grade 9 (required) / Grade 8 (advanced placement)
1 Credit
Students continue to build upon the foundation of math skills
previously learned to expand the student’s ability in math.
Problem solving skills and abstract thinking skills are emphasized
to help the student master any problems they may encounter.
Algebra 1 is the building block for the remaining high school math
classes and college math classes the student will encounter. Basic
math operations are reviewed within more complicated problems to
help the student and the teacher identify any weakness the student
may have with these operations. A high emphasis is placed on the
student’s ability to solve for an unknown number and on the
student’s ability to apply rules and properties to a given
problem.
ALGEBRA 2
1 Credit
Algebra 2 covers the study of systems of linear and quadratic
equations, exponents, radicals, complex numbers, conic sections,
polynomial functions and functional relationships.
Real-world problems are included along with applications to
other subjects such as physics and chemistry.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Grade 10
1/2 Credit
This course examines the development of government, its process
and procedures, with emphasis on American Government.
Students learn the role of our government in context with the
Constitutional principals that are the foundation of our nation.
The goal of this course is to instill in students the appreciation
for our Democracy, and the importance of their participation in
it.
ART I
Grades 9-12
1 Credit
During Art I, we
will take the last 2 years work into consideration. We will
review all the concepts we have covered before, taking more time
with color and color psychology and advertising with emphasis on
commercial art. The text book we will be using is "The Visual
Experience", which is published by the same company as "Exploring
Visual Design", so the work in one book leads naturally to the work
in the other. We will explore emotion in art, and how that is
expressed. We will look at more artists and their lives.
We also cover art criticism and description of art according to a
universal formula of describing artwork, interpreting the work and
valuing the work.
The students will draw, paint, use pen and ink,
clay, printmaking, and mixed media.
ART II
Grades 10-12
1 Credit
Art 2 is meant to be a time of work on the portfolio for submission
to art colleges or colleges that offer art as a major. It is assumed
that the students are interested in art as a career when they walk
in. I will help the students develop a balanced portfolio, and
decide the career area in which they are most interested. They will
use the skills they have learned in the past, and I will work with
them on developing those skills to a new level. The students will
spend a lot of time on drawing the figure and portraits. They will
use color as never before and they will develop a body of work with
which to leave school.
ART III
Grade 11-12
1 Credit
As students work their way through high school, there are some
students who have the opportunity to take Art 3. This is a time
during which the student expresses an interest in a certain media,
and also works on portfolio work. I encourage them to round out
their experiences, and to read and know about some additional art
history. This is a wonderful opportunity to just paint, draw, sculpt
or work in their area of interest to develop the highest level of
skill possible during the high school years!
BAND
Grades 9 - 12
1 Credit
Music education is a primary means by which an educational
institution can transmit to students the cultural heritage of
society. The general objectives are
·
To
make participation in instrumental music available to all students
at Fayette Academy.
·
To
develop musical experiences that enhance students’ overall
educational experience.
· To
provide a suitable background in music instruction for those
students who elect to continue the study of music after graduation.
· To
develop a life-long appreciation for music and continuation of
musical activities.
· To
develop performing organizations that is a source of pride for the
individual, the school, and the community.
BIOLOGY
Grades 9-10
1 Credit
Biology is required for
graduation. Students who are proficient readers and have been
recommended by their 7th and 8th grade
teachers are permitted to take Biology in the ninth grade. Students
who need greater development of study skills and basic science
knowledge take this course as tenth graders. The areas of emphasis
are biochemistry, cell structure and function energy transfer in
living organisms, genetics, taxonomy, microbes and immune
response, and botany. Scientific process and inquiry are stressed
through classroom and laboratory activities. This course satisfies
one of the requirements of laboratory science credits necessary for
graduation.
CALCULUS
Grade 12
1 Credit
Students continue to build upon the foundation of
skills learned in Algebra I, Algebra II, Algebra III, and Geometry
to further develop their math skills. Calculus is meant to
prepare the student for what he/she will encounter in a college math
course. A high emphasis is placed on learning how to
incorporate math skills learned from previous math courses to solve
a problem.
CHEMISTRY OR HONOR CHEMISTRY
Grades 10 - 12
1 Credit
This course is required as a lab science for all tenth, eleventh,
and twelfth grade students who have established proficiency in
Algebra I, Biology I, and/or physical science. Emphasis is
placed on atomic theory and periodic law to explain and predict
chemical, physical, and nuclear properties and changes of matter.
Analyzing and interpreting data through laboratory skills is a prime
focus for this course.
CHOIRCHIMES
Grades 9 - 12
1 Credit
One unit of Fine Arts is required of students in Grades 9 -
12 for graduation. This includes Band, Choirchimes and
Art.
Students will learn the history of Choirchimes (instruments
similar to handbells) and the common terms used to play them.
They will become familiar with the general music staff, notes
names of the treble and bass clef and note and rest values.
The performance segment of the course will consist of initially
performing short, simple songs, then gradually learning to play
longer and more complicated compositions. They will learn
proper performance behavior by participating in performances in
and outside of school. They will also become comfortable
performing independently from the group.
COMPUTER 1 (Keyboarding and Document
Preparation)
Grade 10
One Credit
Students in Computer One will learn the keyboard and prepare
documents such as letters, memos, tables, and manuscripts
using MLA form. They will also develop proficiency with
Microsoft Word.
COMPUTER 2 (Computer Applications)
Grade 12
One Credit
This course presents advanced
instruction in Microsoft Word and presents rest of the
Microsoft Office 2003 package: Excel, PowerPoint, Access,
and Publisher. Included in the course are the production of on-line
forms, spreadsheets, slide shows, reports, outlines, and other
correspondence.
DRAMA 1
Grades 10-12
One Credit
In Drama, students will be
learning about the history and continuous development of theatre
beginning with the early Egyptians and ending with contemporary
American theatre. Students will also be introduced to acting
techniques such as pantomiming, improvising, and light and sound
editing. All students will be expected to perform small skits
for the class periodically.
ECONOMICS
Grade 10
1/2 Credit
This course examines the world of Economics as a Social Science,
emphasizing the interrelationship of political, social, and
cognitive factors. Students also learn about personal financial
responsibility, and its’ importance to their future goals as
adults.
ENGLISH
The core English courses, grades 9 - 12, must be
completed sequentially and are required for graduation.
Admission to Honors level classes is based upon Teacher
Recommendations, Test Scores and previous subject area grades.
ENGLISH I
Grade 9 (required)
1 Credit
All mainstream ninth-grade students are enrolled in this
college-preparatory English course. Students read a variety of
works with an emphasis on multi-genre, multi-cultural literary
understanding. Emphasis is placed on developing essential literacy
skills and effective expression in speaking and in writing.
Students develop writing skills in a variety of modes.
Comprehension both in listening and reading are emphasized.
Vocabulary, thinking and grammar instruction support these
processes.
ENGLISH II
Grade 10 (required)
1 Credit
Students continue to build communication skills, particularly in
writing, through their work in this continuation of the college
preparatory freshman course. Literacy selections represent a broad
range of challenging texts. English II is a course designed to
continue the study, review and maintenance of basic literacy
skills in reading and composition. Vocabulary and grammar
instruction is based upon individual weaknesses evidenced through
writing and discussion. Extensive emphasis is devoted to the
ongoing study of the writing process.
ENGLISH III
Grade 11 (required)
American Literature
1 Credit
English III is a survey of American Literature beginning with the
Puritans and extending to contemporary authors. Students will
strengthen literacy skills by analyzing text, writing essays and a
research paper, reading novels on their own, and completing
several projects throughout the year. Emphasis is placed on
grammar and vocabulary but the core of the class centers around
literature—reading, comprehension, and writing.
ENGLISH IV
Grade 12 (required)
1 Credit
All students must enroll in twelfth grade English. There is no
concentrated study of grammar rules because all twelfth grade
students are expected to know this information and be able to
apply it to their oral and written skills. All twelfth grade
students are required to write a research paper using the MLA
format. Students must also know how to effectively construct
essays, both in class essays and out of class essays; use
vocabulary words exemplary of high school students; explicate
poems and other literary readings; and take class notes. The
literature concentration is British literature, including the
history of the various literary time periods in conjunction with
the literature.
GEOGRAPHY
Grade 9
1 Credit
Geography is a course that is designed to make students aware of
the physical, political, cultural, and human environments around
them. This course introduces the student to the great diversity
that exists on our planet and the interdependence of all cultures
of our world on one another as we move toward a true global
community. Students will also develop their understanding of how
physical location has helped form our modern world.
GEOMETRY
1 Credit (required)
Geometry is a part mathematics that will deal with the study
of the measurement, properties, and relations of points, lines,
angles, shapes, solids, and surfaces. The student will learn how
to use formulas, postulates, theorems, congruent figures, and
similar figures to solve real world problems and situations.
PHYSICS
Grades 11 - 12
1 Credit
This course is an elective for any eleventh or twelfth grade
student who has established proficiency in chemistry, algebra,
and preferably geometry. Physics is strongly recommended
for any student who plans to pursue a major in science or the
medical field in college. The course focuses on the
effects that matter and energy have on each other.
Emphasis is placed on vector and mathematical analysis of motion
(mechanics), optics, thermodynamics, and electrostatics.
Physics is designed to give the student a better understanding
of the natural world.
PRE- CALCULUS
1 Credit
Pre-Calculus is also called Algebra 3 or Advanced
Mathematics. This course fully integrates topics for algebra,
geometry, trigonometry, discrete mathematics, and mathematical
analysis. Students will be able to solve challenging
problems such as rate problems and work problems involving
abstract quantities. Conceptually oriented problems that
help prepare students for college entrance exams (such as the
ACT and SAT) are included.
PSYCHOLOGY
Grade 11
1/2 Credit
This course examines the understanding of human behavior, as
related to the social and biological factors that influence it.
Students learn about the development of the mind and personality
during all facets of the human life span.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Grade 9
1 Credit
Physical Science is an elective course available to ninth grade
students which satisfies one of the graduation requirements in the
area of laboratory science. Emphasis is place on the basic
principles of chemistry and physics. The specific areas of
emphasis are kinetic theory of matter, composition of matter,
energy transfer, laws of conservation of mass and energy,
periodic table, chemical reactions, laws of motion, force,
acceleration, and simple machines. Laboratory activities
reinforce understanding of scientific processes and methods.
SPANISH I
1 Credit
Spanish I emphasizes grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Written and oral translation of Spanish is stressed. The
acquisition of some conversational skills is expected. Study of
the cultures of Spanish speaking countries is included. Students
wishing to enroll in Spanish I should have a semester average of B
or C in current English.
SPANISH II
1 Credit
Pre-requisite: Spanish II emphasizes the continued study of
Spanish grammar and usage, with special emphasis on written and
oral translation, and conversational skills.
U.S. HISTORY
1 Credit
This course begins with the European Renaissance
and Age of Exploration and leads up to fairly current history.
We will be concentrating on the 20th century the last semester of
the year in order to bring the students "up to speed". It is
our intent to foster an understanding of our American past and an
appreciation for our freedoms as well as contributing to the
students' realization that each individual American has both the
opportunity and obligation to participate in the formation of our
collective future.
WELLNESS
Grade 9
1 Credit
Wellness is designed to teach students to be healthy, balanced
individuals. Students learn the importance of eating a
well-balanced diet and including exercise in their daily schedule.
WORLD HISTORY
1 Credit
This course begins with the origins of
civilization and ends with the French Revolution and
Industrialization. Emphasis is placed on the Greek and Roman
cultures in the beginning of the year. This course should give
students an understanding of the great contributions made by past
civilizations and eras, and how many of those contributions are
still valuable to us in today's world. Students will be
exposed to the world from both a historical and cultural
perspective. They will gain an understanding and appreciation
of mankind's varied past.
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