curriculum night january 24, 2012 welcome!. agenda ms. peters, guidance counselor ms. frederick,...
TRANSCRIPT
Curriculum NightJanuary 24, 2012
WELCOME!
Agenda
Ms. Peters, Guidance Counselor
Ms. Frederick, English Dept.
Ms. Lardieri, Career Pathways Chairperson
Ms. Swales and Ms. Taneyhill, GACTC
Ms. Craig, Mathematics Dept. Chairperson
Ms. Hurd, Social Studies Dept. Chairperson
Mr. Tinker, Science Dept. Chairperson
Ms. Stern, Foreign Language Dept.
Scheduling TimelineMrs. Peters will give scheduling presentations to students February 3
Scheduling Sheets and applications due to Guidance Office by February 10
Transition to HS Conferences begin January 26
Individual selections entered in system
Master schedule for entire building is completed
Course Request Verifications mailed home
Students receive schedule in June
Transition to High School Conferences
Career and Educational Planning Session
Individual conference with a guidance counselor
Preparation for 9th grade
Dates To Remember
Transition to HS Conference Request:
Available After Tonight’s Presentation or by calling the Guidance Office at 695-4426 ext. 6520.
Scheduling Sheets:
Due to Mrs. Peters, in the Guidance Office, by February 10
Scheduling Musts
Schedule no less than 7 units/credits per year
Students must schedule a humanities class
Must accumulate 27 units/credits to
graduate
Foreign Language is not a graduation requirement, but is highly recommended. It counts also as your Humanities credit.
Curriculum Information
Three Levels:
Honors
College Bound
Level 9
Criteria for Course Enrollment
Students are scheduled for classes based on prior performance/grades, and teacher
recommendations.
See scheduling sheet and Course Description Booklet for more details.
Special Entrance Requirements
Certain 9th grade electives have entrance requirements
Examples Intro to Art: Portfolio
Due: February 10 to Mrs. Wertz-Leiden
(Room 132)
Tiger TV: Application
Due: February 10 to the Guidance Office
Anatomy Essay: Due February 10 to the Guidance Office
Education with a purpose
Hollidaysburg
Area
School District
A process designed to allow students the opportunity to examine their personal information and then
use this information to make informed, career related post-
secondary decisions.
Career Pathways. . .
•Teach students specific job skills relating to different
jobs/careers
•“Lock” students into a career decision
Career Pathways will NOT
Five pathway curriculum options
•Business•Communications•Engineering and Industrial•Human Services•Science
The Plan . . .
Each pathway option contains two cluster areas – these clusters will represent careers containing similar job/skill attributes
The Plan . . .
Pathway Option with Cluster Areas
Business
– Computer Information Systems
– Business Administration, Marketing, Mathematics, Sales
Pathway Option with Cluster Areas
Communications
– Journalism, Language Arts, Media, Public Relations
– The Arts – Music, Theater, Visual
Pathway Option with Cluster Areas
Engineering and Industrial
– - Architecture, Construction, Manufacturing
– - Material Sciences and Nanofabrication
Pathway Option with Cluster Areas
Human Services
– Consumer Services and Human Development
– Education, Government, Law
Pathway Option with Cluster Areas
Science
– Biomedical, Physical, Earth Science
– Environmental
Junior/Senior HighCareer Activities
7th grade– Introduction to the pathway options
8th grade– Formal classroom pathway lessons – research on all
pathways, guidance activities
9th grade– Formal classroom pathway lessons – research on a
specific pathway, guidance activities
10th-12th grades
Selection of a pathway and cluster (this can be changed each year if desired)
Enrollment in an elective subject related to the pathway choice
Participation in career related activities that are directly related to the career pathway through elective and required courses and individual activities
Completion of a career focused graduation project completed in the senior year
Questions????
Please contact:
Mrs. Tina Peters, Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Debbie Lardieri, Pathways Coordinator
Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center
Gayle Swalesand Nicole Taneyhill
EnglishMrs. Frederick
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
Honors English
Honors English is a rigorous class that is intended to prepare students to continue on in the High School Honors Curriculum. Students must be excellent readers and writers, with a strong work ethic. They must be prepared to complete assignments, including a great deal of reading, independently. All students in Honors English will complete cross-curricular projects (approximately one per marking period) regardless of the level of Civics they choose to schedule. Students will have a summer reading assignment.
What We Read – Independent Reads
The Alchemist – Paulo Coehlo
The Book Thief-- Markus Zusak
The Sledding Hill – Chris Crutcher
Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
Of Mice & Men – John Steinbeck
Night – Elie Wiesel
Romeo & Juliet – William Shakespeare
Accelerated Reader – 25 points per marking period
“My Year With” – A year long reading project with a student selected author.
What We Read - Instructional
Short Stories – Varied
Poetry - Varied
Saki & O. Henry Mini Unit – 3 Stories by each
Edgar Allen Poe Mini Unit – Multiple Works
The Harlem Renaissance – Thematic Unit
The Holocaust – Thematic Unit
Othello – William Shakespeare
Vocabulary Development
Vocabulary Workshop Level D – one unit per week, including review and cumulative review units
Literature, Grammar, and Composition Terms & Definitions
Vocabulary as used in the context of reading materials
Grammar & Composition
One grammar unit (chapter) per marking period– Basic Parts of the Sentence (review)– Diagramming basic parts of the sentence– Phrases and Clauses– Writing Effective Sentences
Three to five compositions per marking
period, both in and out of class• Narrative, Expository and Persuasive• Writing in response to literature• Formal Research Papers following MLA format• Poetry and Creative writing
Final Exam
Vocabulary Units 1-15
All grammar content
Essay based on literature selections from the year
Four days of testing
CivicsMrs. Hurd
Curriculum
College Bound VS. Honors
Course Content Is the SameIncreased Expectations for Honors Classes
Quality of WorkAmount of Work
PacingReading and Writing Skills
Summer assignment
Which level is best for my child?
Considerations– Work ethic– Interest in subject matter– Extracurricular activities– Independence in learning– Academic and career goals– Grades vs. challenge
Prerequisites for Honors Level
Successful completion of 8th grade Pre-Honors class
95% in 8th grade CB class and teacher recommendation
Long-term planning - FYI
10th Grade AP European History
Prerequisites– Honors Civics– Honors English– 92% average in both– Screener test
MathematicsMrs. Craig
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
8th to 9th Grade TransitionEIGHTH GRADE % REQUIREMENT NINTH GRADE
Algebra II Honors Geometry
Algebra I CB Geometry
Algebra IA Algebra IB
70% ↑
69% ↓
95% ↑70%-94%
70% ↑
69% ↓
Honors Geometry
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 2 or a 95% or higher in Algebra 1
Topics to be covered:Interrelationships Between Points, Lines, and Planes, Angle Relationships, Parallel Lines, Polygons and Similarity, Conditionals and Logic, Triangle Relationships and Right Triangle Properties, Perimeter, Area, Surface Area, and Volume, Circles, Introductory Trigonometry
Direct and indirect proofs are done in a manner which follows rigid mathematical procedure.
9 Honors Geometry
10 Honors Trigonometry & Pre-calculus or Honors Algebra 2
11 AP Calculus AB Honors Calculus or Calculus Honors Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus AP Statistics or Honors Probability & Statistics
12 AP Calculus BC AP Calculus AB or Calculus AP Statistics or Honors Probability & Statistics
Sequence through Grade 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1
Topics to be covered:Interrelationships Between Points, Lines, and Planes, Angle Relationships, Parallel Lines, Polygons and Similarity, Conditionals and Logic, Triangle Relationships and Right Triangle Properties, Perimeter, Area, Surface Area, and Volume, Circles, Introductory Trigonometry
Course includes some, but not an extensive amount of proofs and deals mainly with geometric concepts.
CB Geometry
Sequence through Grade 12
9 CB Geometry10 Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 211 Honors Trigonometry & Pre-calculus Trigonometry & Pre-calculus AP Statistics Honors Probability & Statistics12 AP Calculus AB Calculus AP Statistics Honors Probability & Statistics
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1A
Topics to be Covered:Review of Algebra 1A, Solving Systems of Linear Equations and
Inequalities, Working with Polynomials, Factoring Polynomials, Quadratic Functions, Exponents, Rational Expressions and Equations, Radical Expressions and Equations
Strong emphasis is be put on writing mathematical descriptions geared toward the PSSA Open-Ended situations and preparing for the 11th grade PSSA exam.
ALGEBRA 1B
Sequence through Grade 12
9 Algebra 1B
10 Geometry or Integrated Math 1
11 Algebra 2 or Geometry or
Integrated Math 2
12 Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus or Algebra 2
or Integrated Math 3
ScienceMr. Tinker
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
9th Grade Science Courses
Honors Biology 1
College Bound Science 9
Science 9
Anatomy/Physiology (elective)
Course Description: Honors Biology 1 is designed for academically accelerated ninth grade students who are motivated in their studies and have a strong interest and aptitude in the science field. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pre-Honors Science 8 or a 95% in CB Science 8
Honors Biology 1
College Bound Science 9
Course Description: This course is for academic students whose career path will follow a curriculum revolving around college preparatory classes. The course covers the four main topics of Chemical Interactions, Sound, Light & Electricity, Astronomy, and Environment & Ecology.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of College Bound Science 8 or, for Science 8, 95% average and teacher recommendation.
Science 9
Course Description: This course, for general students, is broken into four 9-week courses. The four courses of Chemical Interactions, Sound Light & Electricity, Astronomy and Environment & Ecology use an approach designed to meet the needs of the non-academic student.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Science 8.
A one-semester ninth grade elective An introduction to the structure and function of the human bodyEach body system is studied beginning at the cellular level.Students are introduced to various occupations within the medical field through in-class visits from medical professionals and field trips.
Anatomy/Physiology
Prerequisites:
Students are expected to write a one-page essay explaining their reasons for requesting the class.
Class size is limited.
Anatomy/Physiology
Foreign LanguagesMrs. Stern
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
World Language Options
French
German
Latin
Spanish
Why take a World Language?
Helps with understanding English– Vocabulary
Develops an appreciation of other cultures
Opens more doors in the work place– Business, Government
Improves SAT scores
Is this a college requirement?
No!
However…– Students are encouraged to take a minimum
of two years of the same language– Required for some colleges and/or degrees
(Check with potential colleges)
Language Instruction Today
We focus on all four skills.– Listening
Real-life dialog
Music
– ReadingShort stories and novels
– WritingSkits, letters, compositions, etc.
– SpeakingStudent interaction
How to choose a language
What language or place interests you the most?
What is your heritage?
Advantages of High School World Language
College in High School credit through St. Francis in Level 4
Active Language clubs
Opportunities to travel and immersions
Fulfill college requirements for a language and possibly continue towards a minor
Closing Remarks
Please see the back table for additional information and for an opportunity to sign
up for a transition to high school conference.
Resources
Tina Peters, Guidance Counselor
695-4426 ext. 6523
Mrs. Boose, Guidance Secretary
695-4426 ext. 6520
www.tigerwires.com