English 9
English 9 is taught according to the New York State syllabus for Language Arts. The curriculum is designed to ensure that language (listening, speaking, composition, reading, and literature) is substantial components of an integrated language arts program. Novels, plays, short stories, non-fiction and poetry will all be studied. The focus of instruction in grade nine includes (but is not limited to) the following: elements of literature, gathering and organizing information (note taking, research, outlining), sentence and paragraph construction, proofreading, reading for enjoyment, reading for information (SQ3R, textbooks, nonfiction), speaking--especially preparation and panel discussions, spelling and vocabulary--coordinated with literature, responding to literature, comparisons and analysis.
English 10
English 10 is taught according to the New York State syllabus for Language Arts. The curriculum is designed to ensure that language (listening, speaking, composition, reading, and literature) is a substantial component of an integrated language arts program. Literature is studied in detail with emphasis on analysis and comparison. The focus of instruction in grade ten includes (but is not limited to) the following: critical analysis of literature, spelling and vocabulary--coordinated with literature, writing--the final edited product, formal essays and compositions, research techniques--footnotes and proper MA style, speaking and listening skills, literature terms and references. Tenth graders need to have intense vocabulary and writing instruction to best prepare for the Regents exam and college entrance exams usually given in eleventh grade.
English 11
English 11 is designed to encourage students to continually improve their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. There is also emphasis on preparing for the ELA and SAT exams. Literature includes a range from early American classics such as The Scarlet Letter, to more modern works such as 1984. Journal writing is a part of the everyday class routine and students are required to present at least one speech.
English 12
English 12 is an integrated language arts course ranging in units of study from creative writing to film analysis. Students will also experience literature from Shakespeare, Shelley, Salinger, and Shaw. Students will be working on their Senior Thesis, a major research project integrating government and English. The class is writing intensive with only unit testing. Students will not focus on only one genre, they will experience many. The final exam is cumulative.
Global Studies I
The 9th grade Social Studies course deals with several aspects of the social sciences. The
histories of this region are factors, which tie these studies together. The kinds of study dealt with include anthropology, sociology, geography, economics, and political science. The course program is regional in orientation. We begin our studies in the Middle East and North Africa and then move to Africa, South of the Sahara. These two regions usually take about 20 weeks. The second half of the course deals with Asia. The first area of study is India-Pakistan then, China there is Japan and finally South East Asia. The course program demands that the student have reading ability and a command of the English language when he writes. We do several projects and mini-studies in this ninth grade course.
Global Studies II
This course is a continuation of Global Studies I. Together these two courses constitute a two year study of world history finishing with a State Regents in June. Global Studies II picks up at the time of the Industrial Revolution and chronologically goes forward until the present Information Computer Revolution. This program includes eight (8) major themes and five (5) major concepts as set by the Regents standards of New York State.
American History
A chronological study of American history from 1760 to the present with emphasis on the following areas:
The U.S. Constitution
Sectionalism and the Civil War Era
Industrialization
American Foreign Policy
The Great Depression and the New Deal
World War II
The Cold War Era
1990's
Present day and current events
Government
This course is intended to give students a better understanding of the American political system with emphasis on the following areas:
Principles of the Constitution
The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
The Judicial Branch
State and Local Government
Economics
This course is intended as an introduction to the study of economics. The course will cover both microeconomic topics such as supply and demand, and macroeconomic topics such as the role of the government in the economy.
Integrated Algebra
This course is designed to be taught in 1 year, culminating with a NYS Regents exam in June. The course covers Algebra, and its applications to Geometry, Graphing, and Trigonometry.
Integrated Algebra-1
This course is designed to spread the 1 year Integrated Algebra course out over 2 years with the completion being Integrated Algebra-2. This course is set at a slightly slower pace, to reinforce learning, for students that may need the extra emphasis to comprehend the mathematical concepts.
Geometry
The course emphasis of geometry is proof. Geometry is developed as a postulate system of reasoning beginning with definitions, postulates, and the laws of reasoning. Students learn to apply the laws of logic to the deductive proof in geometry.
Math 11
The general plan calls for four (4) ten-week sessions with the content being extensive enough to allow a student that completes this course to take the second and third semesters of the Math B course and take the Math B regents exam.
This ten-week block will consist of algebra topics. We’ll cover basic equations right through to solving complex rational expressions. Also in this block would be a brief discussion of fields, groups, and binary operations; as well as an overview of the various set notations. Imbedded within the curriculum would be various opportunities for real life problem solving that will include business applications and home finance applications.
A second ten-week block will be an in depth discussion of geometry. Included is an introduction into proving geometric concepts and proving coordinate geometry as well. We will also discuss the importance of geometry in architecture and engineering. A major grade in this block will be a project and presentation concerning the importance of geometry in architecture and engineering.
The third ten-week block will be a study of trigonometric functions, from basic right triangle trig to solving trigonometric equations. This part of the course will prove to be the most challenging for the students. We’ll graph trig functions and work on simple trig identities. If time allows we will discuss the use of trig in surveying and actually do some hands on surveying.
The fourth ten-week session will be a variety of topics. We will discuss probability and statistics concluding with standard deviation. We will work through some basic logarithms and save time for showing the importance of math in the various science fields, with an emphasis on physics.
The main intent of this course is to give students a high-level math course that will prepare them for their first college level course. A certain level of flexibility will be given in order to insure that all students will be able to reach a basic level of understanding as well as be challenged. Students will have a good, positive experience in math before moving on to college or the workforce.
Math 12 (Pre-Calculus)
This course is basically the stepping stone between high school mathematics and college calculus. It helps with the transfer of new material with relation to Math A and Math B.
College Calculus I (MA 162)
The first semester of a year sequence in differential and integral calculus including elements of analytic geometry. Basic theory and physical applications are covered concurrently. Topics include the derivatives, considered both algebraically and graphically, and as applied to velocity and acceleration; differentials and their use for approximations, the indefinite and definite integrations. (Four (4) credit hours per semester.)
College Calculus II (MA 162)
The second semester of a year sequence in differential and integral calculus including elements of analytic geometry. Basic theory and physical applications are covered concurrently. Topics include the derivatives considered both algebraically and graphically; the calculus of conic, trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential and hyperbolic functions; techniques of integration; infinite series. (Four (4) credit hours per semester.) Prerequisite: Calculus I.
Earth Science
Earth Science studies the fundamentals of science and their applications to better understand our planet. One of the requirements of this course is that the student shall have successfully completed at least 30 periods of laboratory work, and shall have a written report verifying this work. Areas of study include:
Investigating Process of Change
The Earth Model
The Earth's Energy Budget
The Rock Cycle
The History of the Earth
Biology/The Living Environment
The focus of this course is to develop student's understanding of the structures and functions of living things and their ecological relationships. Through hands-on laboratory experiences, as well as lectures and cooperative group instruction, students will apply content to everyday situations. All students will be expected to participate in labs, and must successfully complete a minimum of thirty to take the Regents Examination. Review classes will be offered for the Regents during May and June. All students are strongly encouraged to attend these as well.
Chemistry
The Regents chemistry course is designed as an introductory course for students who are average or above average in ability, and who probably will be taking more chemistry courses in the future. Students are provided with principles basic to man’s understanding of his environment. This course provides students with the unifying principles of chemistry, together with related facts. Lab experiences are designed to encourage students to search for relationships. By stressing analysis of quantitative laboratory exercises, concepts of precision and accuracy are strengthened. Placement in this course is based on an 85 or better final average in Math A and/or teacher recommendation.
Integrated Science
In this course students will explore real-life applications of science and math. Through coursework and hands on lab experiments, students will gain a knowledge of the method of scientific inquiry, math review as applied to science investigations, basic introductions to inorganic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, environmental science, and forensic science. Students will realize that science is all around us and essential to all aspects of daily life.
Local Physics
Physics is a local course for students that plan a career in any field of science. It is also available for students that would like to enrich their understanding of the physical world.
Units of study include:
Measurement and Mathematic
Mechanics
Energy
Electricity and Magnetism
Waves
Modern Physics
This course meets five times a week with laboratory experiences integrated into the class. Emphasis will be on application concepts through the use of mathematical relationships. A local final exam is given at the end of the course.
Spanish I
At the Spanish I level, students will continue in their study of Hispanic culture, as well as basic skill in communication in the Spanish language. The textbook series now being used in Spanish III, and Spanish IIIA and Spanish IIIB is: Ven Conmigo. There will be much individual, small group, and class participation orally in Spanish, along with written work, tests, midterm and final exam. Spanish I is a prerequisite for Spanish 2.
Spanish II
This class will further develop the above mentioned skills on a more advanced level, including a majority of the remaining grammar to be taught. These students will also have weekly tests, a mid-term, and final exam. Spanish II is the prerequisite for Spanish IIIA.
Spanish IIIA and Spanish IIIB (or college credit Spanish)
Spanish IIIA is a one-semester class ending in January with the state regents exam. To prepare for this exam, Spanish IIIA students will engage in much longer conversations in Spanish than in previous years, will be reading more extensively, writing compositions and letters, and listening to longer oral passages being read to them with comprehension. Spanish IIIA is a prerequisite for Spanish IIIB or the college credit class #207, called Intermediate Spanish of Corning Community College, beginning at the end of January. This second semester class must be completed in order to receive the full three college credits in Spanish. Fifty dollars tuition is required by those students electing to take this course for college credit. The second semester will be offered in the fall semester of the following year. This entire course will consist of completing the college textbook entitled Conversacion y Repaso, meeting the requirements of the course outline, including unit tests, graded conversations in Spanish, and final exams for each three credit semester. Students receive one high school credit for each successfully completed course, except Spanish8.
Preparation for Life (PFL)
Preparation for Life is a required course for seniors. The purpose of the course is to help students get ready for life beyond high school. Many guest speakers and teachers help introduce the following units of study: study habits and college living, single survival, consumerism, employment and career awareness, financial planning, legal rights and responsibilities, income taxes, housing, marriage and divorce, insurance, ethics and death and dying.
Physical Education
The purpose of this course is designed to provide the student with the opportunity for physical, social, and mental development. Physical Education is a required course, unless, the student is excused for medical reasons by a doctor. All students are required to dress and shower for physical education. While some of the physical activities are separated for boys and girls, activities such as volleyball, table tennis, badminton, tennis, softball and gymnastics are coeducational. In the physical education program students will be taking part in various games, individual and team sports, perceptual motor skills, gymnastics, rope climbing, lifetime sports activities, etc. Some of the games and activities are soccer, speedball, touch football, basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, softball, track, etc. In the fall, students are given the New York State Physical Fitness Screening Test, to help determine his or her degree of physical fitness.
In accordance with commissioner’s Regulation Section 135.4 (c) “all (secondary) students shall participate in the physical education program either (a) a minimum of three periods per calendar week during one semester of each school year and two periods during the other semester”... or (c) for pupils in grades 10 through 12 only, a comparable time each semester in extra class programs for those pupils who have demonstrated acceptable levels of physical fitness, physical skills, and knowledge of physical education activities.”
In short, under our program we allow our student athletes in grade 10 through 12 to opt-out of physical education class for the time in which they participate in a varsity sport. The purposes of opting-out of physical education are:
To reduce physical education class sizes on the high school level.
To allow instruction to be given by the professional staff in a more efficient manner to those students who elect not to participate in a varsity sport.
To free-up time in the school day for students who have overloaded schedules to do homework, research or other curriculum related matters.
To serve as an incentive for participation in the varsity sport program.
To serve as an incentive to achieve proper academic standing.
With approval from the Director of Guidance and with signed permission from the student athlete’s parent, the student athlete will be excused from physical education classes for the duration of the sports season or for the corresponding semester should the minimum physical education instruction time be met through participation in the varsity sport.
Should the student be released from the team for any reason or should a student’s name be on the weekly ineligibility list twice during the time for which they have a waiver he/she will be immediately enrolled in physical education classes for the duration of that sports season, as well as being removed from the sporting team.
BA/BCA
The business world today is changing at a record pace. All business organizations are seeking employees capable of making perceptive decisions based on a rapid flow of information. Students in BA/BCA will receive an understanding of how businesses operate from a management perspective. They will learn how businesses use the computer to gather and analyze information to aid in their decision making process. Students will utilize various computer applications throughout the course including spreadsheets, databases, PowerPoint, and advanced word processing. Through activities and projects they will develop a business plan, which will address the five universal activities of all businesses.
Accounting
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of basic accounting principles and procedures utilized by businesses that operate in the private enterprise economy of the United States. We will begin with the basic accounting equation and work through the nine steps in an accounting cycle. Through homework and application activities you will apply these steps to a business organized as a sole proprietorship, and also a merchandising business organized as a corporation.
Art History
Grades 10-12. Twenty for forty weeks for half credit each. Art history is a study of art from cave painting to contemporary art. A must for all Art majors particularly those planning to go to art school. History buffs would love this course, supplemented with slides, trips, artists, speakers, demonstrators, etc. This course requires a great deal of note taking and seeing visuals. Tests are given with a final project.