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Course Descriptions for McGavock High School11th GradeEnglishEnglish III: This course encompasses a correlated study of literature, language conventions, composition, vocabulary development, and communication based upon the adopted Tennessee Department of Education Academic Standards for English Language Arts. The course will prepare students to demonstrate success on the TCAP English III End-of-Course Performance Indicators and the TCAP Writing Assessment.AICE English Lit AS: English Literature AICE seeks to develop college level reading and writing skills through the study of prose, poetry, and drama. Students will explore not only the meaning of the texts, but also the methods of the author’s craft, use of form, structure and language.Dual Enrollment English: MathematicsIntegrated Math III: This course is the third in a series of three courses that uses an integrated approach to teach the same content standards found in the traditional three course series. Integrated Math III builds upon concepts taught in Integrated Math I and Integrated Math II and emphasizes polynomial and rational expressions, equations, and functions. This course has a focus on geometric modeling and using algebra to prove geometric theorems. This course also introduces students to circles, basic trigonometric functions, and foundational statistics skills such as interpretation of data and making statistical inferences.IGCSE Math III: This course is the third of three courses in a series that models an integrated approach to mathematics. A broad range of topics are covered including determining loci, vector mathematics, statistics, probability, the arithmetic of matrices and using matrices to solve systems of equations, functions and their inverses, systems of equations and inequalities, operations on polynomials and radicals, logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometry, differentiation, and integration. The following additional topics will be covered: the complex number system, conics, and binomial theorem.Applied Math: Applications and modeling using mathematics are the primary foci of this course. During the course of the year, students will be exposed to mathematical concepts such as linear programming, investigative logic, combinatorial reasoning, and the normal distribution. Students will engage in a study of contextual situations where mathematical principles are applied to make informed decisions.PreCal with Trig: Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry deals with the topics of vectors, analytic geometry, theory of equations, logic and limits. Included in the course are in-depth studies of the conic sections, higher degree equations, sequences and series, and the fundamental theorem of algebra. This course also includes the study of the properties of the trigonometric functions, their graphs and their applications to various mathematical situations including the solution of triangles. Trigonometry has applications in surveying, navigation, construction work and is particularly essential for higher level courses in mathematics and physics. Extended group activities, individual projects and portfolios are incorporated to provide additional measures of student progress.ScienceChemistry: Students will study atomic structure, matter & energy, interactions of matter, and technology & engineering. Students should explore chemistry through inquiry, hands-on laboratory investigations, individual studies and group activities. Their study should include both qualitative and quantitative descriptions of matter, and the changes that matter undergoes. Students should practice the necessary precautions for performing safe inquiries and activities, and appreciate the risks and benefits of producing and using chemical substances. Chemistry is required for all medical and health-oriented careers, as well as careers involving agriculture, engineering and homemaking. All students enrolled in the course will be administered the Chemistry End of Course test. The test will count as a portion of the final grade for the course.IGCSE Chemistry: This course will enable students to understand the technological world in which they live, and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments. Students gain an understanding of the basic principles of Chemistry through a mix of theoretical and practical studies. They also develop an understanding of the scientific skills essential for Chemistry AS AICE. Students will understand how science is studied and practiced, and become aware that the results of scientific research can have both good and bad effects on individuals, communities and the environment. Students enrolled in this course will take the Chemistry TCAP EOC test.Physics: Physics is a laboratory course that deals with the relationship between matter and energy, and how they interact. Students will study mechanics; thermodynamics; waves and sound; light and optics; electricity and magnetism; and atomic and nuclear physics. The major emphasis is concept development through inquiry learning and hands-on laboratory experiences, and concept reinforcement through application activities.Social StudiesUS History: Students will examine the causes and consequences of the Industrial Revolution and America’s growing role in world diplomatic relations, including the SpanishAmerican War and World War I. Students will study the goals and accomplishments of the Progressive movement and the New Deal. Students will also learn about the various factors that led to America’s entry into World War II, as well as its consequences for American life. Students will explore the causes and course of the Cold War. Students will study the important social, cultural, economic, and political changes resulting from the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, and recent events and trends that have shaped modern-day America. Additionally, students will learn the causes and consequences of contemporary issues impacting their world today. Students will continue to use skills for historical and geographical analysis as they examine American history since Reconstruction with special attention to Tennessee connections in history, geography, politics, and people. Students will continue to learn fundamental concepts in civics, economics, and geography within the context of United States history. The reading of primary source documents is a key feature of United States history standards. Finally, students will focus on current human and physical geographic issues important in contemporary America and the global society. Students will be administered an end-of-course exam which counts a percentage of the student’s grade. Students are required to take U.S. History for graduation.AICE US History AS: The goals of this course are for students to recall, select, and use historical knowledge appropriately and communicate knowledge and understanding of history in a clear and effective manner. Additionally, students will demonstrate an understanding of the past through explanation, analysis, and evaluation of key concepts such as causation, consequence, continuity, change, and significance within a historical context and the relationships between key features and characteristics of the period studied. Students will focus on the origins of the Civil War, 1846-1861 & the history of the USA, 1840-1941.AICE US History A: Cambridge International AS and A Level History is a flexible and wide-ranging syllabus covering modern history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.?The emphasis is again on both historical knowledge and on the skills required for historical research. Learners develop an understanding of cause and effect, continuity and change, similarity and difference, and use historical evidence as part of their studies.?Personal Finance: Personal Finance is a foundational course designed to inform students how individual choices directly influence occupational goals, future earning potential, and long term financial well-being. The standards in this course cover decision-making skills related to goal setting, earning potential, budgeting, saving, borrowing, managing risk, and investing. The course helps students meet the growing complexities of personal financial management and consumer decision making. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will understand how their decisions will impact their future financial well-being.ACT Prep: Paired with Personal Finance to allow juniors a class to prepare for the ACT that they will be taking during their junior year. Junior Seminar: This class will prepare juniors for the ACT, offer an in-depth study on college and post-secondary options and offer dual credit in Personal Finance. World LanguageSpanish I: The emphasis in this course is on developing a solid foundation of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills within the context of basic topics. Students use the present tense in conversations. They read short narratives as well as some authentic realia from the Hispanic world and write short personal paragraphs in Spanish. Culture is taught in context. Course guidelines are aligned with ACTFL’s National Standards, Tennessee Standards, MNPS Standards, and ACTFL’s proficiency scales.French I: The emphasis in this course is on developing a solid foundation of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills within the context of basic topics. Students use the present tense in conversations. They read short narratives as well as some authentic realia from the francophone world and write short personal paragraphs in French. Culture is taught in context. Course guidelines are aligned with ACTFL’s National Standards, Tennessee Standards, MNPS Standards, and ACTFL’s proficiency scales.Spanish II: This course expands and strengthens the students’ control of the language. Students learn to express themselves in more complex sentences. Their vocabulary and mastery of basic grammar extends so that students can express themselves more fully and in more tenses. Students will be able to understand the main points in general conversations and oral stories. Students read longer narratives and many authentic realia and write longer paragraphs on personal themes. Culture is taught in context as well as through the use of short stories, videos, films, and tapes. The use of the target language by the teacher and the students increases. Course guidelines are aligned with ACTFL’s National Standards, Tennessee Standards, MNPS Standards, and ACTFL’s proficiency scales.French II: This course expands and strengthens the students’ control of the language. Students learn to express themselves in more complex sentences. Their vocabulary and mastery of basic grammar extends so that students can express themselves more fully and in more tenses. Students are able to understand the main points in general conversations and oral stories. Students read longer narratives and many authentic realia and write longer paragraphs on personal themes. Culture is taught in context as well as through the use of short stories, videos, films, and tapes. The use of the target language by the teacher and the students increases. Course guidelines are aligned with ACTFL’s National Standards, Tennessee Standards, MNPS Standards, and ACTFL’s proficiency scales.IGCSE Spanish III: This is the third year course designed for students who are learning Spanish as a foreign language. The aim is to develop an ability to use the language effectively for practical communication. The course is based on the linked language skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing. The syllabus also aims to offer insights into the culture and civilization of countries where the language is spoken, thus encouraging positive attitudes towards language learning and towards speakers of foreign languages.AP Spanish: This course follows the guidelines of the College Board Advanced Placement Spanish Language course. It encompasses aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition. Students taking such a course emphasizing the use of Spanish for active communication have the following objectives: the ability to comprehend formal and informal Spanish; the acquisition of vocabulary and a grasp of structure to allow the easy, accurate reading of newspaper and magazine articles, as well as of modern literature in Spanish; the ability to compose expository passages; and the ability to express ideas orally with accuracy and fluency. Students will be able to express their ideas on a variety of topics including abstract and concrete themes. Course content is aligned with the College Board’s expectations of an Advanced Placement Spanish Language course.Open ElectivesCinema Studies: This course is designed to study the history of cinema to the creating of cinema.Psychology: In this elective course students learn the development of scientific attitudes and skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific methodology. Students will also examine the structure and function of the nervous system in human and non-human animals, the processes of sensation and perception, and life span development. Students will study social cognition, influence, and relations. Students will examine social and cultural diversity and diversity among individuals. Students will study memory, including encoding, storage, and retrieval of memory. Students will also study perspectives of abnormal behavior and categories of psychological disorders, including treatment thereof. Students will elaborate on the importance of drawing evidence-based conclusions about psychological phenomena and gain knowledge on a wide array of issues on both individual and global levels. Throughout the course, students will examine connections between content areas within psychology and relate psychological knowledge to everyday life. Students will explore the variety of careers available to those who study psychology.Sociology: In this elective course, students will explore the ways sociologists view society, and also how they study the social world. In addition, students will examine culture, socialization, deviance and the structure and impact of institutions and organizations. Also, students will study selected social problems and how change impacts individuals and societies.General Astronomy: This course surveys the universe, beginning with the earth and its movements in and through space. Students will be acquainted with the moon, solar system, nebulae, stars, galaxies, quasars, pulsars, black holes and other aspects of space. Students will learn the major stars and constellations of each season. Night sessions will allow telescopic viewing of celestial objects. This course cannot be used to fulfill the State requirement for science, but may be used to earn credit above the State minimum of three science credits.Physics: Physics is a laboratory course that deals with the relationship between matter and energy, and how they interact. Students will study mechanics; thermodynamics; waves and sound; light and optics; electricity and magnetism; and atomic and nuclear physics. The major emphasis is concept development through inquiry learning and hands-on laboratory experiences, and concept reinforcement through application activities.Anatomy and Physiology: Health Science Education Anatomy and Physiology is a course in which students will examine human anatomy and physical functions. They will analyze descriptive results of abnormal physiology and evaluate clinical consequences. A workable knowledge of medical terminology will be demonstrated.AICE Marine Science AS: This class is a college level introductory class into the marine sciences and is designed as a survey class of some of the different marine science disciplines. The class content will include, but not be limited to the following topics: scientific method; marine ecosystems and biodiversity; energetics of marine ecosystems; nutrient cycles in marine ecosystems; coral reefs and lagoons; the ocean floor and the coast; physical oceanography; and chemical oceanography. This course prepares students to sit for the AICE exam.AICE Psychology: The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to psychological concepts, theories, research findings, and applications; to help students create an understanding of the range and limitations of psychological theory and practice; to encourage students to explore and understand the relationship between psychological findings and everyday life; to develop skills of analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation; to promote an appreciation and understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity; to develop an understanding of ethical issues in psychology; to explore and understand the relationship between psychological findings and social, cultural and contemporary issues; to study psychological principles, perspectives and applications; and to encourage the development of the skill of communication.Visual Arts I: This elective course offers students studio experiences in drawing, painting, and two- and three-dimensional design with an emphasis on art elements. It incorporates the National Standards for Art Education: understanding and applying media, techniques and processes; using knowledge of structures and functions; choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas; understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures; reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others; and making connections between visual arts and other disciplines.Drawing: This course allows the student to explore qualities of graphite, pastels, chalks, ink and colored pencils. The focus will be on the human figure, landscapes, still life and/or fantasy.Photography: This is a studio course in which the student explores the qualities of single lens reflex photography. Art photography is emphasized with attention given to the principles of art. Students will have the opportunity to shoot, develop and print black and white photographs. Darkroom techniques will be examined in depth when available.Ceramics: This is an in-depth studio course in which the student explores the medium of fire clay. Throwing functional objects on the wheel, coil and slab building, and expressive ceramic sculpture are options available to students. The focus is on discovering the unique properties of clay, glaze and/or the process of firing the ceramic kiln.Painting: This course is an in-depth studio course in which the student explores qualities of painting including acrylic and watercolor, and studies color theory. The focus will be on the human figure, land and/or seascapes, still life and/or fantasy.IGCSE Art and Design: The Cambridge IGCSE Art & Design syllabus aims to encourage a personal response by stimulating imagination, sensitivity, conceptual thinking, powers of observation and analytical ability. Learners gain confidence and enthusiasm as they develop technical skills in two and three dimensional form and composition, and are able to identify and solve problems in visual and tactile forms. They also learn how to develop ideas from initial attempts to final solutions. An ideal foundation for further study, Cambridge IGCSE Art & Design also develops a greater awareness of the role played by the visual arts in society and in history, broadening cultural horizons and individual experience.Theater Arts: This course is a study of the elements that comprise the total "theater experience": the script, types of drama, acting, sets, props, lighting, costumes and makeup.Drama and Acting: This course involves students in various aspects of acting improvisation, pantomime, voice and diction, character development and allows for opportunities to participate in scenes, plays and readers theater.Piano I: This course is designed for the beginning student wishing to learn the basic fundamentals of piano playing. This is a laboratory course through the use of an electronic piano lab. Students should have a piano available for home practice. Elements of music theory and music history are part of this course. After school and/or evening performances may be required for this course.Piano II: This course is for students wishing to continue in-depth study for piano, which will include repertory, sight-reading and improvisation. There will be a continued use of the electronic piano lab. Students should have a piano available for home practice. Elements of music theory and music history are part of this course. After school and/or evening performances may be required for this course. Guitar: This course is designed for the student who desires the classical approach to guitar playing. The course will include extensive reading of music and the development of the right hand finger techniques. Prior playing experience is required for this course. This course incorporates elements of improvisation, music theory, music history, listening, and analyzing. After school and/or evening rehearsals and performances will be required.JROTCJROTC I: JROTC I is the first course in a series of four that helps today’s high school students become tomorrow’s aerospace-age citizens. The curriculum integrates social studies and physical sciences through their application to aerospace. The three-year course of study includes history of aviation and aviation’s impact on society, meteorology, navigation, propulsion, principles of flight, aerospace industry, and the career opportunities it provides and international implications of space operations. Approximately 40 percent of the program is devoted to leadership and related subjects.JROTC II: JROTC II is the second course in a four course series that helps today’s high school students becomes tomorrow’s aerospace-age citizens. The curriculum integrates social studies and physical sciences through their application to aerospace. The three-year course of study includes history of aviation and aviation’s impact on society, meteorology, navigation, propulsion, principles of flight, aerospace industry, and the career opportunities it provides and international implications of space operations. Approximately 40 percent of the program is devoted to leadership and related subjects.JROTC III: JROTC III is a program that helps today’s high school students become tomorrow’s aerospace-age citizens. The curriculum integrates social studies and physical sciences through their application to aerospace. The three-year course of study includes history of aviation and aviation’s impact on society, meteorology, navigation, propulsion, principles of flight, aerospace industry, and the career opportunities it provides and international implications of space operations. Approximately 40 percent of the program is devoted to leadership and related subjects.JROTC IV: JROTC IV is the final course in a four course series that helps today’s high school students become tomorrow’s aerospace-age citizens. The curriculum integrates social studies and physical sciences through their application to aerospace. The three-year course of study includes history of aviation and aviation’s impact on society, meteorology, navigation, propulsion, principles of flight, aerospace industry, and the career opportunities it provides and international implications of space operations. Approximately 40 percent of the program is devoted to leadership and related subjects.AVIDAVID I: AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a language arts based curriculum with emphasis on the writing process and writing as a tool of learning. In addition to inquiry and collaboration, AVID also provides students with academic survival skills, i.e., time management, note taking, textbook reading, library research, test taking skills, and study skills. The Cornell note-taking system is taught and students are expected to use this system in all classes.AVID II: AVID II is an elective course whose students receive two hours of instruction per week in college level entry skills, two hours per week in tutor lead study groups, and one hour per week in motivational activities and academic survival skills. Field trips are an important aspect of this program. Students will be required to maintain a notebook and take notes based on the Cornell note-taking system. Grades will be based on the quality of the notebook and notes, presentations, research, and class participation.AVID III: As with all AVID courses, the AVID III course features tutors (college students) who lead discussions and analysis of the academic subjects in which the students are enrolled. Students enrolled in AVID III are required to complete weekly timed writings and analytical discourses in all subjects. In addition, students are required to make oral presentations to the class on topics related to college and career searches, college entrance, contemporary issues, and social concerns, all the while focusing on a culminating senior project, paper, and portfolio. AVID III students focus on ACT test-taking skills and content knowledge.AVID IV: Students are required to complete a weekly timed writing and analytical discourses in all subjects. Analysis must demonstrate the depth of typical college-level work. An important focus of the fourth year of AVID is to finish all preparation and applications for admission to a four-year university. A culminating senior project, paper, and portfolio are presented for evaluation. AVID IV students, working with the tutors, are expected to participate in and eventually serve as moderators for Socratic Seminars. These discussions move beyond didactic instruction and assist students in gaining multiple perspectives on texts, supporting arguments with clear reasoning and evidence, and developing their critical reading and thinking skills necessary for success in college. ................
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