Electives
AVID
AVID 10/11/12
Open to grade 10/11/12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and student’s personal goal of attending college.
Open to grade 10/11/12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and student’s personal goal of attending college.
This College preparedness and readiness course is designed to provide students with the necessary academic skills needed for success in college. The AVID curriculum focuses on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading (WICOR) through the AVID curriculum. Students receive academic instruction and personal support from the AVID elective teacher, AVID coordinator, and AVID college tutors who will assist the student in academic tutorials. Students participate in intensive college placement test preparation and college and career research. Students actively develop their collaboration skills and academic discourse while learning strategies to enhance success including note-taking, outlining, writing, speaking, reading, test-taking strategies, and self-awareness.This course includes college motivational activities and intensive preparation for ACT and SAT.
For seniors in the course it is the culmination of a student’s years in the AVID program. It focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of first‐ and second‐year college students. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID senior seminar, there are college‐bound activities, methodologies and tasks that should be achieved during the senior year that support students as they apply to four‐year universities/or community college promise programs and confirm their postsecondary plans. All AVID seniors are required to develop and present a portfolio representing their years of work in the AVID program, as well as complete the requirements for the seminar course.
*This class fulfills the A-G College Requirement for “g” elective requirement
Business Education
COMPUTER SCIENCE 1
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
Student will learn how to build sophisticated web site using the Dream Weaver tool set for the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter
students will use Alice animation as a tool to learn the basics of the Java programming language.
*This class fulfills the A-G College Requirement for “g” elective requirement
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
Student will learn how to build sophisticated web site using the Dream Weaver tool set for the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter
students will use Alice animation as a tool to learn the basics of the Java programming language.
*This class fulfills the A-G College Requirement for “g” elective requirement
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (A/B)
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
5 credits per semester
Computer applications focus on the use of the computer as a tool. These courses introduce the students to the Microsoft office suiteWord Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation and Database software. Students are prepared to enhance their success in academic
pursuits. They also develop entry level employability skills as office support personnel. Students may enter the course at the beginning
of any semester and progress through all modules.
*This class fulfills the A-G College
Career Technical Education (C.T.E)
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
One Year- 10 credits
(College Prep)
This course trains students for entry-level positions as graphic designers—or graphic artists. Students will be taught how to plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They will learn effective ways to get messages across in print, electronic, and film media using a variety of methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques. Students will be taught the basics in overall layout and production design of media such as magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications. Students will produce promotional displays, packaging, and marketing brochures for products and services, and design distinctive logos for products.
*This class fulfills the A-G College Requirement for “f” Visual & Performing Art Credit.
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
One Year- 10 credits
(College Prep)
This course trains students for entry-level positions as graphic designers—or graphic artists. Students will be taught how to plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They will learn effective ways to get messages across in print, electronic, and film media using a variety of methods such as color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques. Students will be taught the basics in overall layout and production design of media such as magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports, and other publications. Students will produce promotional displays, packaging, and marketing brochures for products and services, and design distinctive logos for products.
*This class fulfills the A-G College Requirement for “f” Visual & Performing Art Credit.
ENTRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION
Open to grades 10-12
One Year- 10 credits
(College Prep)
In this year long course, students have the opportunity to create and fully develop their own product or service. Real entrepreneurs and
business experts serve as volunteer coaches and mentors guiding student teams through the processes of developing hypotheses about a business concept, testing those hypotheses, adapting, and continually learning and improving. This cycle of experimentation is combined with foundational business content such as marketing and finance and principles and processes from the LEAN movement help students test their thinking. From concept to Minimum Viable Product to Pitch, students are hypothesizing, testing, adapting and learning. Lastly, Pitch Week helps to further fire the entrepreneurial spirit by putting student teams in front of actual investors so they can pitch their innovative idea to win funding and turn their wishful thinking into a reality.
*This class fulfills the A-G College Requirement for “g” College-Preparatory Electives
Open to grades 10-12
One Year- 10 credits
(College Prep)
In this year long course, students have the opportunity to create and fully develop their own product or service. Real entrepreneurs and
business experts serve as volunteer coaches and mentors guiding student teams through the processes of developing hypotheses about a business concept, testing those hypotheses, adapting, and continually learning and improving. This cycle of experimentation is combined with foundational business content such as marketing and finance and principles and processes from the LEAN movement help students test their thinking. From concept to Minimum Viable Product to Pitch, students are hypothesizing, testing, adapting and learning. Lastly, Pitch Week helps to further fire the entrepreneurial spirit by putting student teams in front of actual investors so they can pitch their innovative idea to win funding and turn their wishful thinking into a reality.
*This class fulfills the A-G College Requirement for “g” College-Preparatory Electives
World Languages
SPANISH 1
Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This beginning course covers the basics of Spanish grammar and familiarizes the student with Spanish speaking cultures, customs, history, and daily life. Students will acquire a basic living vocabulary. The purpose of this class is to give students the ability to function in real-life situations that they might encounter in a Spanish-speaking environment.
Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This beginning course covers the basics of Spanish grammar and familiarizes the student with Spanish speaking cultures, customs, history, and daily life. Students will acquire a basic living vocabulary. The purpose of this class is to give students the ability to function in real-life situations that they might encounter in a Spanish-speaking environment.
SPANISH 2
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 1. A “C” or better is strongly recommended.
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This second year course in Spanish is designed to help the student attain fluency in the language while continuing to develop a greater
appreciation of Hispanic culture and values. Students will further develop their abilities to function in situations they might encounter
in a Spanish-speaking environment. Students will be expected to participate in class activities using Spanish. This course is not intended
for students whose first language is Spanish.
SPANISH 1 FOR SPANISH -SPEAKERS
Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: Teacher Approval
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This is a course developed especially for students who are native speakers of Spanish. Students read interesting novels, stories, magazines, and newspapers in Spanish. There is an emphasis on the culture and geography of Latin America and Spanish-speaking people of Europe.
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish 1. A “C” or better is strongly recommended.
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This second year course in Spanish is designed to help the student attain fluency in the language while continuing to develop a greater
appreciation of Hispanic culture and values. Students will further develop their abilities to function in situations they might encounter
in a Spanish-speaking environment. Students will be expected to participate in class activities using Spanish. This course is not intended
for students whose first language is Spanish.
SPANISH 1 FOR SPANISH -SPEAKERS
Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: Teacher Approval
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This is a course developed especially for students who are native speakers of Spanish. Students read interesting novels, stories, magazines, and newspapers in Spanish. There is an emphasis on the culture and geography of Latin America and Spanish-speaking people of Europe.
Social Science Electives
PHYSICAL & CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Semester - 5 Credits
(College Prep)
Physical Geography develops the basic themes of geography, including place-name geography, so that students develop a sense of the major physical features of the earth. These studies will enable students to develop an understanding of the constraints and possibilities that the physical environment places on human development, as well as the nature of natural resources and their relation to physical geography.
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Semester - 5 Credits
(College Prep)
Physical Geography develops the basic themes of geography, including place-name geography, so that students develop a sense of the major physical features of the earth. These studies will enable students to develop an understanding of the constraints and possibilities that the physical environment places on human development, as well as the nature of natural resources and their relation to physical geography.
PSYCHOLOGY
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Semester - 5 Credits
(College Prep)
Psychology students will strive to gain an understanding of human behavior, social and personal adjustment, and the problems of interpersonal relationships. Topics discussed include thinking, intelligence, emotions, personality, psychological disorders, and methods of therapy.
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Semester - 5 Credits
(College Prep)
Psychology students will strive to gain an understanding of human behavior, social and personal adjustment, and the problems of interpersonal relationships. Topics discussed include thinking, intelligence, emotions, personality, psychological disorders, and methods of therapy.
SOCIOLOGY
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Semester - 5 Credits
(College Prep)
Sociology focuses on the influence of society and culture upon human behavior. Topics discussed include socialization, adolescence, gangs, deviance and crime, race and ethnicity, and gender inequality.
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Semester - 5 Credits
(College Prep)
Sociology focuses on the influence of society and culture upon human behavior. Topics discussed include socialization, adolescence, gangs, deviance and crime, race and ethnicity, and gender inequality.
Language Arts Electives
Professional Communication ELD C
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: ELD Literacy, ELD Level A, ELD Level B (Recommended).
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
English language skills will continue to be enhanced by focusing on academic discourse, critical reading, and writing skills which will prepare them for advanced mainstream English courses. The purpose of this course is to have students acquire academic vocabulary in conjunction with the reading of nonfiction and fiction texts of demanding complexity across various genres. Students will demonstrate understanding of the genres by means of argumentative, narrative, and reflective writing citing textual evidence. Through research projects and oral presentations students will increase their English language proficiency in the domains of listening, speaking, reading,
and writing.
Prerequisite: ELD Literacy, ELD Level A, ELD Level B (Recommended).
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
English language skills will continue to be enhanced by focusing on academic discourse, critical reading, and writing skills which will prepare them for advanced mainstream English courses. The purpose of this course is to have students acquire academic vocabulary in conjunction with the reading of nonfiction and fiction texts of demanding complexity across various genres. Students will demonstrate understanding of the genres by means of argumentative, narrative, and reflective writing citing textual evidence. Through research projects and oral presentations students will increase their English language proficiency in the domains of listening, speaking, reading,
and writing.
JOURNALISM 1
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This course offers basic training in techniques of interviewing and news writing. It develops a critical attitude toward news and the ability to evaluate the worth of publications through wide and intelligent reading of newspapers and periodicals. The writing process is taught to reflect journalistic style. This course is designed as college prep elective toward high school graduation and entrance to college.
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This course offers basic training in techniques of interviewing and news writing. It develops a critical attitude toward news and the ability to evaluate the worth of publications through wide and intelligent reading of newspapers and periodicals. The writing process is taught to reflect journalistic style. This course is designed as college prep elective toward high school graduation and entrance to college.
Fine Arts
ART 1
Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This is a beginning course in the fundamentals of art expression. Students will have a variety of experiences with lettering, drawing, painting, and some crafts. All projects are related to the fundamentals of design and reflect the state standards.
Open to grades 9, 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
This is a beginning course in the fundamentals of art expression. Students will have a variety of experiences with lettering, drawing, painting, and some crafts. All projects are related to the fundamentals of design and reflect the state standards.
ART 2
Open to grades 10, 11, and12
Prerequisite: Completion of Previous Art Level. A grade of “B” or better is strongly recommended.
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
Art 2 is an advanced course for serious art students. Students often work without examples as they would in a work-type situation. Skills in drawing, painting, and lettering are stressed. Some three-dimension activities are included. Art history and theory is also presented.
Open to grades 10, 11, and12
Prerequisite: Completion of Previous Art Level. A grade of “B” or better is strongly recommended.
One Year - 10 Credits
(College Prep)
Art 2 is an advanced course for serious art students. Students often work without examples as they would in a work-type situation. Skills in drawing, painting, and lettering are stressed. Some three-dimension activities are included. Art history and theory is also presented.
Non-Departmental
HEALTH
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite: None One Semester - 5 Credits
The course covers the following areas of study: male/female reproductive and pregnancy/conception, first aid, substance abuse prevention (including alcohol and drugs); sexually transmitted disease prevention (including AIDS); and suicide prevention. The emphasis is on acquiring information in order to develop decision-making skills, and a better knowledge of self and others. Time is also spent on improving self-esteem and confidence to make responsible behavioral decisions. This course is required for graduation.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12 Prerequisite: Teacher Approval
One Semester - 5 Credits
(College Prep)
(College Prep)
Student Government is a project-based course aimed at increasing students’ leadership capabilities. Through the planning and execution of numerous events for the school, students will discover how to best effect change in their communities. Students will read extensively about the nature of leadership and its different styles. Additionally, students will frequently write: critically, reflectively and persuasively as well as speak about the real world issues that arise from the planning of events
YEARBOOK
Open to grades 10, 11, and 12 Prerequisite: Teacher Approval
One Semester - 5 Credits
One Semester - 5 Credits
Yearbook is an excellent way to build on 21st century skills. In this course, students will gain skills in the following areas: page design, publishing techniques, copywriting, editing, photography, record keeping, time management, teamwork, marketing, and leadership skills. Students are tasked with producing a timeless, creative, and innovative publication which will record our Buena Vista’s community, memories, and events.