GRADE 10
PRE-COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
2014
2015
Grade 10 Quick Reference
Pre-Course Selection Guide
General Course Information
Dear In-coming Grade 10 Students,
Welcome to the High School Academic
Planning and pre-registration process for the
2014-2015 school year. In grade 10 core
courses are set with options in Modern
Languages and one or two elective choices.
Please note, this is only a Quick Reference
guide. If you should require additional
information, or would like to browse all the
courses and the resources available, please
go to www.marymountrome.org/hsregistration
for the complete Secondary School Course
Description.
Best regards,
Students in Grades 9-12 follow a program of studies in
English, Modern Language, Mathematics, Fine Arts, Physical
Education, Science, Social Studies, and Religious Studies.
Students may register for course offerings to meet the grade
level requirements and to make appropriate progress towards
graduation with the understanding that courses which are
under-subscribed may not be offered in a given year.
Secondary School students are guided by their Academic
Plan, the IB Coordinator, and teachers to select courses that
are appropriate to their own academic needs in agreement
with their parents. Difficult scheduling issues may be referred
to the Principal for a final decision. Every student is expected
to register for a complete schedule of classes.
Graduation Requirements
Mr. Robert Evans
Middle/High School Principal
Typical Grade 10 Schedule
English 10
Required Course
Science 10
Required Course
Western Civilization II
Required Course
Mathematics
Required Course
Modern Language
Required Course
Physical Education
Required Course
Peace & Justice
Required Course
Elective Course 1
Students Choice
Elective Course 2
or
Italian Literature 10
Students Choice
Highly recommended
for IB Italian A
We understand that this is a pre-course selection
only and matriculation to the next grade is
dependent upon successful completion of the
current grade and acceptance by the School of
the Re-enrollment form for 2014-2015
Marymount’s course of studies offers students a wide
range of subjects. A minimum of 20 credits in grades 9-12
is required for graduation. Over the four years of a typical
High School program, a student will complete well over
the minimum total credits required. Care must be taken to
complete subject credit requirements within the total
credits earned. Consideration may be given to students
who transfer to Marymount and may not have all the
required subjects as long as the student has progressed
normally within their previous program.
To earn a Marymount High School Diploma a student
must fulfill (grades 9-12) the following requirements: (1
credit represents a full year in a normally scheduled
course)
English
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
Fine Arts
Physical Education
Modern Language
Religious Education
MARYMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
4 credits
3 credits
3 credits
3 credits including
1 year of a Lab Science
1 credit
1 credit required in grades
9-10 (0.5 each year)
4 credits or 1 credit each year
at Marymount
2 credits required each year
in attendance at Marymount
(0.5 per year)
GRADE 10
PRE-COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
Grade 10 Course Descriptions
ENGLISH
ENGLISH 10 STANDARD (Credit: 1)
Students in this course continue their study of
literary and non-literary texts and strengthen their
ability to express themselves both orally and in
written composition. Skills in to literary analysis are
reinforced and students are encouraged to read
and think critically. Grammar concepts are applied
in a variety of writing exercises and vocabulary
study continues to be a major focus of the
curriculum. Class discussions and written
compositions reinforce students’ understanding of
basic literary concepts and encourage a deeper
appreciation of literature.
ENGLISH 10 ADVANCED (Credit: 1)
In this course students follow an intensive study of
literature and non-literary texts, focusing on
analytical expository prose and critical responses
to literature. Close examinations of a variety of
literary genres and periods, students gain a deeper
appreciation for literature. This course is designed
to prepare student for the IB Language programs in
grades 11 and 12. Vocabulary study is an integral
part of the curriculum.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
ESL (Credit: 1)
The High School ESL program is geared to teach,
improve, and implement the use of the English
language to students who lack the skills to
communicate effectively in English, and give them
the ability to carry out the regular school
Students are
curriculums for all the subjects.
assessed and then placed in appropriate programs
based on proficiency levels.
The aims of the ESL program are that students
should be able to:
• Demonstrate English proficiency through
basic interpersonal communication.
• Demonstrate English proficiency through
cognitive academic language development
in all school subjects including language
arts, mathematics, the sciences, and social
studies.
• Demonstrate English proficiency in socially
and culturally appropriate ways.
relative atomic mass as the basis of measurement in
chemistry, the Mole Concept and its implications,
Atomic theory, the Periodic Table, The Gas Laws, Acids
& Bases, oxidation and reduction, chemical
thermodynamics and reaction rates are all studied in
this course. Emphasis is placed on laboratory skills and
the development of independent formulation of
conclusions.
PHYSICS
Grades 10-12 (Credit: 1/2)
This half-year course (combines with the Chemistry
semester course) introduces students to the main
concepts in physics. Topics of study include Motion and
Forces, Energy, Heat, Waves, Optics, Electricity &
Magnetism, and Nuclear Physics. Scientific
Investigations form an integral part of the course. The
course serves as a preparation for IB Physics.
HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Grades 10 – 12 (Credit: 1/2)
Utilizes a general approach to the human body with
emphasis on structure and function to show the ways
in which various organ systems interact. The
integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous
systems, and sense organs are studied.
ASTRONOMY
Grades 10 - 12 (Credit: 1/2)
This one semester, ½ credit, course encourages
students to develop an active interest in the night sky,
stars, constellations, galaxies, and the universe as a
whole. Through classroom lessons, related
experiments, and fieldtrips, students will experience
astronomy and the physics of the cosmos. The course
not only prepares students for a High School diploma
but it also trains students to be scientifically literate and
prepared for an information-based society, which
needs, recognizes and rewards rational scientific
thinking.
SOCIAL STUDIES
WESTERN CIVILIZATION II Grade 10
(Credit: 1)
This is a continuation of the 9th grade history course
starting with the post Napoleonic Era through the
nineteenth century to contemporary times. This course
will emphasize historical research and writing in
preparation for the IB program.
SCIENCE 10
MODEL UNITED NATIONS Grade 10-12
(Credit:1/2)
CHEMISTRY
This is a semester course designed to prepare
Grades 10-12 (Credit: 1/2)
This half year course (combines with the Physics students to participate as delegates in The Model
semester course) is a study of the inorganic and United Nations experience held in The Hague in
physical aspects of chemistry. Determination of January of every academic year. Students learn
MARYMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
GRADE 10
PRE-COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
Grade 10 Course Descriptions
knowledge of foreign policies, UN functions and
structure, geography, research skills, public
speaking, negotiation and compromise, among
others. The skills acquired during the semester
course are used directly in the simulation
experience.
DEBATE AND PERSUASIVE SPEAKING
Grades 10 - 12 (Credit: 1/2)
Few activities develop so many key leadership
skills as debating. Through debate one increases
skills in research, listening and note-taking,
analysis, teamwork, and especially public
speaking. We will study great debates and
debaters. We will study controversial contemporary
issues. Above all we will engage in regular
debates. Every effort will be made to begin
competition in Rome.
MATHEMATICS
ADVANCED ALGEBRA & GEOMETRY
Grades 9-12, (Credit: 1)
Pre-requisite: Algebra I
The philosophy of this course is for students to
mainly bolster their math skills acquired in Algebra
I, to eventually move into Geometry where
students will always maintain a strong focus on
Algebra. The algebraic part of the course will fortify
and expand basic algebraic concepts of equation
solving, manipulation of monomials and
polynomials and graphing functions.
Skills in
solving equations in two variables and in handling
exponent functions, square roots, quadratic
equations, real numbers and inequalities will also
be reinforced. The geometry part of the course
students will study the basic geometric language,
parallel and perpendicular lines and planes, right
triangle relationships, circles and their areas,
lateral area and volume of solids, introduction to
coordinate geometry and trigonometry.
ALGEBRA II
Grades 10-12 (Credit: 1)
Pre-requisites: Algebra I & Geometry
This class is less rigorous than Algebra 2/
Trigonometry and is intended for those students
who still require further development of their
algebraic skills. This course is designed to
reinforce the algebraic skills, to further develop
abilities in problem solving, to prepare students for
IB courses.
ALGEBRA II/TRIGONOMETRY
Grades 10-12 (Credit: 1)
Pre-requisites: Algebra I, Geometry and Teacher
Recommendation
This course is intended as a foundation for higher level
courses in mathematics. Students will study real
numbers and an introduction to complex numbers. The
functions studied are: linear, quadratic, trigonometric,
exponential, logarithmic, rational and radical functions.
An introduction to matrix algebra will be taught.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Students in grade 10 have the choice of French, or
Spanish offered from Level I-II and Level IV. Italian
is offered from Level I-V. Grades 9 - 12 (Credit: 1)
Level I: This course acquaints the student with basic
vocabulary, grammar and some aspects of civilization
through the use of a text, audio material and, in
second semester, of a reader. Upon completion the
student will be able to use the four language skills
(listening, speaking, reading and writing) in real life
situations with emphasis on functional expressions.
Level II: This course develops the fundamental skills
of learning a second language with an emphasis on
oral communication, both listening comprehension and
speaking. Students also acquire reading and writing
skills, and grammar patterns are presented formally
but are practiced in functional situations relating to the
ability to communicate with an understanding of the
culture.
Level IV: This course sharpens previously acquired
language skills through the presentation of oral
exposés, essay writing and grammar review, the
literary tense is introduced. Students learn to
appreciate the culture of the second language by
becoming familiar with writers of that language and are
provided with the tools for textual interpretation. A
collection of short stories by Guy de Maupassant and
several excerpts from an anthology are read and
analyzed. Vocabulary is studied in context according
to themes.
ITALIAN LITERATURE 10
Grade 10 (Credit: 1)
The course is designed for students whose native
language is Italian. It is not a mandatory requisite for
IB Group A courses, (required for the recognition of the
IB Diploma in Italy) but it is highly recommended.
However, it is up to the Italian department’s discretion
to evaluate students’ linguistic and analytical skills
prior to being accepted in the course. This is the
second year of a two-year course designed to give
students an over- view of the Italian literary movement
MARYMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
GRADE 10
PRE-COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
Grade 10 Course Descriptions
from the birth of the language up to and including
the twentieth century. The students will be exposed
to the different genres of literature and different
text, both literary and nonliterary. Emphasis will be
placed on improving analytical reading and writing
abilities.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 10
(Credit: 1⁄2)
This course is designed to provide the students
with an enhanced knowledge of the field of
physical education and health education, including
its growth and development, merging trends,
critical factors and practical applications. It gives
students the opportunity to learn and develop
fundamental and advanced skills and strategies of
team activities, as well as fitness concepts and
conditioning techniques used for achieving and
maintaining optimal physical fitness. Students will
be empowered to meet challenges and develop
positive behaviours in team activities, wellness,
and lifetime activities.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
PEACE & JUSTICE (Credit: 1/2)
This course introduces students to the important
themes of Peace and Justice in the world.
Students learn about and discuss the topics that
can ensure peace and justice and those attitudes
and conditions that prevent the blessings of peace
and justice. They are encouraged to draw on their
previous knowledge of other religions, the
traditions and practices of the Catholic Church and
their own growing understanding of “building
community”.
COMPUTER STUDIES
HIGH SCHOOL COMPUTERS I
Grades 9-12 (Credit: 1)
This course is designed to consolidate and further
computer skills, which were introduced in Middle
School, with an in-depth approach to some
applications, e.g. Web page creation and
multimedia authoring. The students will experience
using new applications such as Fireworks,
Inkscape and Blender; editing, modifying &
combining a wide range of media in an interactive
way. The students will gain an extensive
background in computing, including basic
knowledge of computer hardware components, to
further enhance their practical skills. This provides
vital knowledge and puts computers in their place
in our society today - ‘the social implications of the
computerization of today's world.
HIGH SCHOOL COMPUTERS II
Grades 9-12 (Credit: 1)
This course is designed to introduce the students to
new applications and operating systems, with an indepth approach to some applications, e.g. Graphics
Design (Adobe illustrator) and Layout Design (Adobe
Indesign). The students will appreciate how they can
harness these tools to allow them to communicate
more effectively in a world where how we communicate
is continuing to change rap- idly. The class will be
practical where possible, with students editing,
modifying & combining a wide range of media.
PERFORMING ARTS
HIGH SCHOOL
CHORUS
Grade 9-12 (Credit: 1)
This is a year-long performance orientated course in
which students continue to learn more professional
voice production with emphasis on the production of
sound efficiently across a wide range and the
exploration of their own personal vocal personality.
Four part-singing (in soprano, contralto, tenor and bass
voices) is developed. They also study music from many
different genres, develop their music reading skills and
begin basic composition using Sibelius soft- ware. It is
suitable for students with little or no previous
experience as well as those already more advanced
and is a mixed –class course across the grades. It is
both a course in itself and a preparation for students
considering IB Music.
HIGH SCHOOL BAND
Grade 9-12 (Credit: 1)
This year-long elective course gives all students in
ninth and tenth grade an opportunity to learn or refine
instrumental techniques on one of the following band
instruments in group lessons: flute, clarinet, bass
clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone, trumpet, trombone,
tuba percussion, and learn a varied repertoire of music.
Students are required to perform in concerts during the
school year and for graduation. The course also
provides the students with the essential knowledge to
start the IB Music DP focusing on the process of
composing (classical and music technology),
improvising and performing, the exploration of the
principal musical cultures and on musical perception.
HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA
Grades 9-12 (Credit: 1)
This is a two-year course of practical and academic
study in the subject of drama. The course rotates every
two years to allow students in both 9 and 10 to take the
MARYMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
GRADE 10
PRE-COURSE SELECTION GUIDE
Grade 10 Course Descriptions
course in both years. It is suitable for students that
have little or no experience in drama, as well as
those that have perhaps already shown enthusiasm
and skill in the subject in their middle school years.
Students will learn how to use their bodies and
voices to create performances for different
audiences through drama games, role-play and
improvisation. It includes and element of theatre
design, both technically and artistically where the
student will be asked to design lighting, costume or
set for a specific performance. It is a mixed-class
course, with students ranging mainly from grades 9
and 10. The course is an ideal starting point for
students considering IB Theatre Arts.
VISUAL ARTS
CERAMICS AND SCULPTURE
Grades 9-12 (Credit: 1)
In this course students become familiar with basic
processes and techniques in both ceramics and
sculpture. The ceramic studio is equipped with three
kick-wheels, one electric wheel and two kilns.
Students learn to use the potter’s wheel and also
work on hand-built objects producing functional and
non-functional objects. Through local museum
research ceramic and sculptural works of past and
present are studied and ideas gained for future
studio projects.
COMPUTER ARTS
Grades 9-12 (Credit: 1)
Computer Arts is an elective one-year course for
Grades 9-12. The course offers fundamental
instruction in creating and designing images and
moving images with computers. Computer aided
design is the focus of the class. Research into how
computers are used in modern design will be
investigated. The completion of assignments will
combine text with graphics for layout and static
image de- sign, and audio with moving image for
animated cartoon films, internet Web design and
digital video editing. Pupils will become familiar with
the use of the multimedia center and they will extend
their word processing skills.
CINEMA I: MOVIES: The Greatest Art?
Grades 10-12 (Credit: 1)
The most influential art in the world is cinema and for
better or worse we see many more movies than read
books. In this class we will look critically at some of
the great movies of the last 100 years. We will learn
about screenplays and their structure, directors and
actors, camera angles and special effects, and much
more. What makes a film a classic? Among other
movies we’ll see Citizen Kane (1941), The Leopard
(1963), Jaws (1975), Blade Runner (1982), and
Avatar (2009).
COMPUTER ARTS II
Grades 9-12 (Credit: 1)
BASIC DESIGN
Prerequisite Computer Arts 1
Grades 9-12 (Credit: 1)
Computer Arts II is an elective one-year course for
Basic Design is an elective course for Grades 9-12. Grades 9-12, requirement Computer Arts I. The
Students who will continue in the arts are highly course offers extended instruction in creating and
advised to take this foundation course where they designing images and moving images with
will have the opportunity to hone and sharpen skills computers. Computer aided design is the focus of
previously studied in both 2 and 3D. This course will the class. Research into how computers are used in
help students develop their ability to observe, modern design will be investigated. The completion
understand and use artistic materials, elements, of assignments will combine text with graphics for
vocabulary and principles. It will give them the ability layout and static image design, and audio with
to become more confident and inventive and give moving image for animated films, internet Webb
them the tools to make personally relevant design and digital video editing. Students will master
statements. Emphasis will be placed on the the use of the multimedia center and they will extend
understanding and application of commercial their knowledge on design and computers.
aspects of art.
DRAWING AND PAINTING
Grade 10 - 12 (Credit: 1)
This course offers fundamental instruction in drawing
and painting. Experimental techniques are the focus
of the class where students are encouraged to
experiment and to discover their own talents and
interests. Many projects undertaken will be directly
related to current exhibitions, field trips and/or
individual museum research. An excellent IB Art
preparatory course.
MARYMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
GRADE 10
PRE-COURSE SELECTION
Grade 10 Pre-Course Selection
To access the Grade 10 Pre-course Selection booklet go to:
www.marymountrome.org/hsregistration
Name of Student:______________________________________________________________________
Are you interested in eventually following the IB diploma program in grades 11&12?
List your current course level in:
_____Yes _____No
Mathematics ________________________ Foreign Language _________________________________
(e.g. French 3rd year, Spanish 2nd year)
Please note that separate course listings on this form do not imply that all courses will be offered
(e.g.: courses with too few students may not be offered) or that scheduling conflicts occur.
Required courses for 10th grade:
X
X
X
X
X
X
English 10 (Placement in Advanced English 10 will be determined by internal assessment)
Science 10: Chemistry/Physics
Western Civilization II
Religion 10 - Peace and Justice
Physical Education 10
Math Choice: _____ Advanced Algebra/Geometry _____ Algebra II _____ Algebra II & Trig
(Placement in Advanced Math classes will be determined by internal assessment)
X Modern Languages (Choose 1)
___ Italian I
___ Italian II
___ Italian III
___ Italian IV
___ Italian V
___ French I
___ French II
___ French III
___ French IV
___ Spanish I
___ Spanish II
___ Spanish III
___ Spanish IV
Elective courses: Please select 3 courses in order of preference (1–3)
___ Anatomy & Physiology (1/2 credit)
___ Astronomy (1/2 credit)
___ Basic Design
___ Ceramics & Sculpture
___ Cinema I
___ Computer Arts
___ Computer Arts II
___ Debate & Persuasive Speaking (1/2 credit)
___ Drama
___ Drawing and Painting
___HS Computer I
___HS Computer II
___HS Music: Choir
___HS Music: Band
___Italian Lit. 10* (Recommended for IB Italian A)
___Model United Nations (1/2 credit)
___2nd Modern Language
Are you fluent in English?______Yes ______No If no, how many years have you studied English?_______
Are you currently taking English as a Second Language (ESL)______ Yes ______ No
(ESL lessons are assigned to meet student’s needs)
Student Signature:______________________________________________________ Date__________
ParentSignature:_______________________________________________________________________
We understand that this is a pre-course selection only and matriculation to the next grade is dependent upon
successful completion of the current grade and acceptance by the School of the Re-enrollment form for
2014-2015
MARYMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
MARYMOUNT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL