Van Buren High School
Course Description Guide
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2004-2005 School Year
“Expectations of Excellence”
VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL
Course Description and
Information Guide
2004-2005 School Year
As your school
guidance counselor and high school principal, we would like to assist you in
any way we can to see that you select a schedule of classes that best fits your
needs. Much effort has gone into the development and planning of the courses to
be offered for the 2004-2005 school year at Van Buren High School. The course descriptions
that you find in this guide are intended to assist you in selecting courses for
the upcoming year.
Some of the courses you will need to
take are required, based on the graduation requirements section of this guide.
Other classes, however, you will be able to take as electives that can help
prepare you specifically, and individually, for your future plans. You are encouraged
to select your classes with considerable thought and intent.
Most of the information you need for
course selection is found in this course description guide. If you have any
further questions, feel free to contact either of us at the high school by
calling 419-299-3384.
Martin
Zender Wayne
Johnson
Guidance
Counselor High
School Principal
Dropping and Adding Classes………………………………………………………...………..4
Each
spring students select classes which will determine their course of study for
the following school year. These choices are considered to be binding upon the
student following a verification of the courses selected. It must be understood
that these courses should be chosen carefully and with genuine consideration of
the student’s future schooling. Schedule
adjustments will be made following the end of a school year to facilitate the
repeat of a failed required course.
Schedule changes will not be made after the school year begins.
It
should be understood by parents and students that when registering for course
work, a student places an obligation upon the school administration to
accommodate the courses requested, to staff them with qualified and certified
teachers, and to provide adequate textbooks and materials. It is impossible to
maintain acceptable class size balances when many late requests for schedule
changes are honored. Also, to have maximum teaching time, teachers must be able
to begin full classroom instruction on the first day of classes. Fall schedule
changes negatively impact the efficient use of class time. Students are encouraged
to make realistic course selections based upon teacher recommendations and
actual classroom performance.
If
a student withdraws from a course after school begins, a mark of “F” will be
recorded for the semester and will be calculated in the grade point
average. The “F” is intended to indicate
a lack of commitment, not necessarily a lack of achievement.
A
student who is withdrawn from a course administratively for violation of
course/behavioral contracts will receive a semester grade of "F" in
that particular course and no academic credit. The "F" will be
calculated in the grade point average.
Van Buren High School Graduation Requirements:
2. Electives
must include at least one (1) full unit or two half (1/2) units business/
technology, fine arts, or foreign language.
3.
A student must enroll in at least five and one
quarter (5 1/4) units of credit each year.
Subject
Area
English
Language Arts 4
units
Health 1/2
unit
Mathematics 3 units
Physical
Education 1/2
unit
Science 3
units – must include:
1
unit Biological Science and 1 unit Physical Science
Social
Studies 3
units
Electives 7
units - one unit or two half-units must include:
Business/Technology,
Fine Arts or Foreign Language
Total 21
units
Minimum
Units of Credit for Grade Level Classification:
The
following credits must be earned by August 1st to determine grade
level classification:
10th grade 4.0 credits
11th grade 9.0 credits
12th grade 14.0 credits
Recommended Four-Year Schedule Plan…
Freshman : Credit Sophomore : Credit
English 1 English 1
Math 1 Science 1
Science 1 P.E. 1/4
P.E. 1/4 Health 1/2
Social Studies 1 Math 1
Electives 1-2 Social Studies 1
Electives 1-2
Junior : Credit Senior : Credit
English 1 English 1
Math (11 or 12) 1 Political
Science 1
Science (11 or 12) 1 Math
(if needed) 1
Electives 4-5 Science (if needed) 1
Electives 3-5
POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS PROGRAM
If you are a ninth through twelfth
grade student, the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program provides you with
an opportunity to take classes at eligible Post-Secondary institutions. These
institutions include community colleges, Post-Secondary vocational technical
institutions, state universities, and many private colleges and universities.
The purpose of this program is to
promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wider variety of options to
high school students.
The Post-Secondary institution you
want to attend may have special entrance requirements you must meet before you
can take courses there. In all cases, you must be admitted by an eligible
Post-Secondary institution.
By March 30, you must notify your
high school if you intend to participate in the program in the following school
year. If, for some reason, you change your decision about participating after
March 30, you should notify your district immediately. After March 30, if you
have not notified your high school and you wish to participate, you will need
special permission from your school district.
CRITERIA FOR DIPLOMA WITH HONORS
The student who completes the
college preparatory curriculum in high school must meet any eight of the
following nine criteria:
(a) Four
units of English
(b) Three units of mathematics that include algebra
1, algebra 2, and geometry or complete a three- year sequence of courses that
contain equivalent content
(c) At least three units of science that include
instructional emphasis on the physical, life, and earth and space sciences
(d) Three
units of social studies
(e) Either
three units of foreign language or two units each of two foreign languages
(f) One
unit of fine arts
(g) Either one unit of business/technology and two
additional units in (a) through (f) above, or earn three additional units in (a)
through (f) above
(h) Maintain an overall high school grade point
average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale up to the last grading period of
the senior year.
(i) A composite score of 27 on the American College
Testing (ACT) tests or an equivalent composite score on the Scholastic
Assessment Tests (SAT)
VOCATIONAL CRITERIA FOR DIPLOMA WITH HONORS
The student who completes an
intensive career-technical education curriculum in the high school must meet
any nine of the following ten criteria:
(a) Four
units of English (which may include one unit of applied communication)
(b) Three units of mathematics that should include
algebra and geometry or a sequence of courses that contain equivalent content
(c) Three units of science that develop concepts for
physical, life and earth and space sciences
(d) Three
units of social studies
(e) Two
units of a foreign language; or two units of business/technology; or one unit
of each
(f) Three
units in the student’s career-technical education curriculum
(g) Two
additional units in (a) through (f) above, or in fine arts
(h) Maintain an overall high school grade point
average of at least a 3.5 on a four-point scale up to the last grading period
of the senior year
(i) Complete a career passport that reflects
achievement of the occupational proficiency benchmark established for the Ohio
Vocational Competency Assessment or the equivalent
(j) Obtain a composite score of 27 on the American
College Testing (ACT) tests or an equivalent composite score on the Scholastic
Assessment Tests (SAT).
PREPARE FOR COLLEGE
Freshman Year
- Explore
your reasons for going to college.
- Assess
your personal and academic strengths.
- Talk
to your parents, teachers and friends about your interests and goals.
- Talk
to college students about their experiences.
Sophomore
Year
Repeat practices of Freshman year
Junior Year
- That
preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Qualifying Tests
(PSAT/NMSQT)
- Take
the appropriate college entrance tests and/or achievement tests.
- Consult
college handbooks, visit with college representatives.
- Learn
about college course offerings, size, location, admission requirements,
deadlines, and costs.
- Attend
college fairs and college night programs.
- Try
to visit several colleges and narrow your list to five or six realistic
choices. If considering early
decision, register for May SAT’s and June achievement tests or ACT in
April or June.
- Where
appropriate, make interview appointments for the early fall.
- Plan
senior course selection to enhance your college admission chances.
Senior Year
- Meet
with your guidance counselor if you need to consider a major change in
plans or type of college and then send for applications.
- If
applying for early decision of early action, service academics, or ROTC
scholarships, submit your application by October or November
deadlines.
- Begin
working on applications. Some
important reminders include:
- Meet
college’s deadline for receipt of applications, transcript, and
recommendations. Colleges establish
a folder for you when your application is received.
- Where
teacher recommendations are required, give the teacher at least two weeks’
time for preparation. Provide a
stamped, addressed envelope.
- Give
your guidance counselor all secondary school report forms before application
deadlines. This is your
responsibility.
- Attend
college fairs and college night programs.
- Apply
for November or December SAT and achievement test and/or October or
December ACT.
- If
you are applying for financial aid, have your parents complete the Financial
Aid Form (FAF) and submit it to the college scholarship service after
January 1.
When you hear from a college, notify your guidance counselor
of your status. Your counselor needs
this information to ensure that the college of your choice receives your final
transcript.
English Department Requirements
#201
English 9 (1 credit)
In grade nine, students will read literature including short
stories, drama, poetry, mythology, novel(s), and Shakespeare with an emphasis
on reading purposefully and using comprehension and self-monitoring strategies
outlined in the course of study. Writing
compositions will stress improvement of sentence and paragraph structure,
grammar, parts of speech, and other usage skills like punctuation and
capitalization. Specific writing forms
covered in the ninth grade will include:
narrative, expository, persuasive all focusing on the writing process
(brainstorming, rough draft, editing, proofreading,
publication). Students will also be
taught vocabulary acquisition skills and public speaking skills
#202
English 10 (1 credit)
This course is a continuation of English 9 covering grammar,
vocabulary and different types of literature such as short stories, poetry,
novels, drama, and biographies.
Literature lessons will focus on reading to learn strategies that
include compare, contrast and analysis of structure and features of a variety
of text. Composition will expand on the
writing process in the areas of:
narrative, expository, and persuasive essay.
#203
Literature and Composition
11 (1 credit)
The intent of this course is to continue to develop the
reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills of those
students planning to enter the work force after graduation.
#204
Advanced Literature and Composition 11 (1 credit)
(Prerequisite: “B”
average or better in English 10 or instructor approval)
Students will study the
development of the different genres of American literature and the various
literary techniques and devices that authors use within them. Emphasis is on careful reading of historical
documents, essays, short stories, novels, plays and poetry written by
significant authors.
Composition will stress
interpretation of representative works as well as provide an opportunity for
individual growth in written expression.
Outside reading of novels, writing of critical review, and library
research are integral parts of this course.
It is important to recognize that
this course has a college preparatory orientation and demands and expectations
placed on student effort will be much higher.
Since the course work requires independent
thinking, reading and writing skills no exceptions will be made concerning
the prerequisite unless the student acquires the approval of both the incoming
and outgoing English teachers.
#205
Literature and Composition
12 (1 credit)
Designed to develop reading, writing, speaking, and thinking
skills, this course provides learning opportunities for students who do not
intend to enroll in a four-year college program. This course emphasizes preparation for the
business/work world upon high school graduation. Content will include literature and
literature-based composition, resume and cover letter writing, filling out
applications, completing requirements for the career portfolio, and journal
writing.
#230
Advanced
Literature and Composition 12 (1 credit)
(Prerequisite: “B” average in Advance Literature and Composition 11, or instructor approval)
Highly recommended for college-bound seniors, this course
surveys English literature from its beginnings in the Beowulf epic through
contemporary prose and poetry and introduces the writing of literary analysis
essays, culmination in the documented library paper second semester. Students of high ability will produce
publishable-quality portfolios that they can use for college entrance/class
requirements and/or for job interviews.
The course includes the reading of one Shakespearean play and several
novels.
English Department Electives
(Cannot replace required English Courses)
#240
Speech (1/2 credit, 1 semester)
This course introduces the student to the elements of
interpersonal communication, public speaking, group discussion, oral
interpretation, debate, television, and radio.
#241
Drama (1/2 credit, 1 semester)
This course introduces the student to the world of theater
providing access to plays, literature, reviews, and personal contact with other
educational facilities. It teaches basic
skills in technical production, acting, direction, and oral interpretation.
#232
Creative Writing (1/2 credit, 1 semester)
This course is for the avid writer! It includes daily journal writing, poetry,
short stories, critiques, and different methods of writing.
#235
News Media Writing/Design (1 credit)
(Prerequisite: Juniors and Seniors
by Application and Selection Process Only)
This is an elective course in English that is designed to
give students the opportunity to learn the basics of newspaper journalism along
with technology-based skills in web page design and production. Students will write text, scan pictures, take
digital photos, and use other necessary techniques for designing web pages
using software and HTML. Production of
the student newspaper will be the major goal of this class.
#233
Yearbook 1
(1 credit)
(Prerequisite: Juniors and Seniors by Application and Selection Process Only)
The intent of this course is to create a yearbook that is a
historical record of the Van Buren elementary, middle, and high schools. Emphasis will be placed on the layout of
pages, writing (body, copy, captions), and photography. Each student will be expected to participate
in all facets of the class. The juniors
that take the class will be expected to take the class as seniors unless there
is agreement between the student and advisor that taking the class as a senior
is not in one’s best interest.
#234
Yearbook 2
(1 credit)
(Prerequisite: Yearbook 1--Seniors
Only)
The intent of this course is to have the second year
yearbook students act as the leaders and mentors for
students taking their first year of yearbook.
The editors for the given year’s yearbook will come from this pool of
students. Emphasis will again be placed
on the layout of pages, writing (body copy, captions), and photography. Each student will be expected to participate
in all facets of the class. More will be
expected from these students in concern to leadership since students should
have knowledge about how the yearbook should be run. These students will also be looked upon to
run fundraisers, ad sales, book sales, etc.
(Note: Students must pass three (3) units of Math)
#300
Pre-Algebra (1 credit)
This course is designed to develop and improve the
fundamental mathematics skills. These
skills are reinforced through opportunities to work, check, and review
mathematical problems and through the use of practical career and consumer
applications. Topics covered include fractions, decimals, mixed numbers, ratio,
percentages, some algebra and geometry. It will prepare the student for Algebra
I or Tech-Algebra I
#301
Technical Algebra I (1
credit)*
This course continues to improve and reinforce fundamental
mathematics skills. Problems include
work with whole numbers, common and decimal fractions, ratios, percents,
algebra, and geometry. Emphasis is
placed on practical, consumer, and business applications essential for living
in today’s society, utilizing algebraic concepts.
#306
Technical Algebra II (1
credit)*
Technical Algebra II is a continuation of Technical Algebra
I. This course expands to cover such
topics as systems of equations, polynomials, laws of exponents, and quadratic
equations.
* Technical Algebra I and
Technical Algebra II equal Algebra I for college prep math credit.
#303
Algebra I
(1 credit)
This course emphasizes several major algebraic
concepts. Included in this course will
be the study of linear equations, graphing, systems of equations, polynomials,
factoring, laws of exponents, square roots, and quadratic equations.
#304