Curriculum Night
January 13, 2011
WELCOME!
Agenda
Mrs. Sell, Guidance Counselor
Ms. Lardieri, Career Pathways Chairperson
Ms. Swales and Mrs. Taneyhill, GACTC
Mrs. Craig, Mathematics Dept. Chairperson
Mrs. Hurd, Social Studies Dept. Chairperson
Mrs. Shaffer, Foreign Language Dept.
Mrs. Campbell, English Dept. Chairperson
Scheduling Timeline
Counselor gave scheduling
presentations to students
Scheduling Sheets and applications
due to Guidance Office by February 1
Transition to HS Conferences
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. Sell, in the Guidance Office, by February 1
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
Weighted Grading
Grade * .05 / total units attempted
Criteria for Course Enrollment
Students are scheduled for classes based on prior
performance/grades, PSSA scores, screenings,
and prerequisites including 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 1 to Mrs.
Wertz-Leiden (Room
132)
Tiger TV: Application
Due: February 1 to the
Guidance Office
Examples Continued
Anatomy/Physiology: Essay
Due: February 1 to the Guidance Office
Education with a purpose
Career Pathways. . .
A process designed to allow
students the opportunity to examine
their personal information and then
use this information to make
informed, career related postsecondary decisions.
Career Pathways will NOT
•Teach students specific job skills
relating to different jobs/careers
•“Lock” students into a career
decision
The Plan . . .
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
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 High
Career 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. Veronica Sell, Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Debbie Lardieri, Pathways Coordinator
Greater Altoona Career and
Technology Center
Gayle Swales
and Nicole Taneyhill
Mathematics
Mrs. Craig
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
8th to 9th Grade Transition
EIGHTH GRADE
% REQUIREMENT
70% ↑
Algebra II
NINTH GRADE
Honors Geometry
69% ↓
Algebra I
95% ↑
70%-94%
Geometry
69%↓
70% ↑
Algebra I: Part 1
Algebra IB
69%↓
Algebra IA
70% ↑
Algebra IB
69%↓
Pre-Algebra
ALL STUDENTS
Algebra IA
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.
Sequence through Grade 12
9
10
11
12
Honors Geometry
Honors Trigonometry & Pre-calculus
Trigonometry & Pre-calculus, Honors Algebra 2
AP Calc AB
Calculus, Honors Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus
AP Statistics
Honors Probability & Statistics
AP Calc BC
AP Calc AB
AP Statistics
Honors Probability & Statistics
Geometry
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.
Sequence through Grade 12
9 Geometry
10 Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2
11 Honors Trigonometry & Pre-calculus
Trigonometry & Pre-calculus
AP Statistics
Honors Probability & Statistics
12 AP Calc AB
Calculus
AP Statistics
Honors Probability & Statistics
ALGEBRA 1B
Prerequisite:
Successful completion of Algebra 1A or Algebra 1 Part 1
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.
Sequence through Grade 12
9
10
11
12
Algebra 1B
Geometry
Algebra 2
Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus
Algebra 1A
Prerequisite:
Completion of Pre-Algebra
Topics to be Covered:
Data and Graphs, Real Numbers, Variables, and
Expressions, Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities,
Functions and Graphs, Graphing Linear Equations and
Inequalities, Systems of Linear Equations
Sequence through Grade 12
9
10
11
12
Algebra 1A
Algebra 1B
Integrated Math 1
Integrated Math 2
Science
Mr. Tinker
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
9th Grade Science Courses
Honors Biology 1
College Bound Science 9
Science 9
Anatomy/Physiology (elective)
Honors Biology 1
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
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 9week 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.
Anatomy/Physiology
A one-semester ninth grade elective
An introduction to the structure and function
of the human body
Each 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.
Civics
Mrs. Hurd
Curriculum
College Bound VS. Honors
Course Content Is the Same
Increased Expectations for Honors Classes
Quality of Work
Amount of Work
Pacing
Reading and Writing Skills
Summer research 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 PreHonors class AND 88% on screener test
95% in 8th grade CB class AND 88% on
screener test
– Screener test – objective and essay
All Students: Advanced/Proficient level in
PSSA reading
Long-term planning - FYI
10th Grade AP European History
Prerequisites
– Honors Civics
– Honors English
– 92% average in both
– Screener test
Foreign Languages
Mrs. 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
– Reading
Short stories and novels
– Writing
Skits, letters, compositions, etc.
– Speaking
Student 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
Questions?
Feel free to call the Senior High for more
information
– 696-4416
English
Mrs. 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 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
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
Veronica Sell, Guidance Counselor
695-4426 ext. 6521
Veronica_sell@tigerwires.com
Mrs. Boose, Guidance Secretary
695-4426 ext. 6520
elda_boose@tigerwires.com
www.tigerwires.com