Program of Studies

ELECTIVES

Spanish Level 1            9-12
This is a first year introductory course open to all students. Spanish Level 1 is a lively study of grammar, customs, and culture with emphasis on Mexico, South America, and Spain. This beginning Spanish conversation course is for individuals who have little or no experience with the Spanish language. You will build vocabulary and learn to ask and answer basic questions. Oral communication, understanding, and responding, and introduction to present tense verbs will be emphasized in this course.

Spanish Level 2            9-12
This course is for students continuing after taking one year of Spanish. An expansion of the Spanish language, customs, and culture will be learned in the course. Conversation, extensive use of vocabulary, and preterite tense (past) verbs will be covered.

Spanish Level 3            9-12
This course requires extensive knowledge of Spanish I and II. The focus of this course is on translation of Spanish and Hispanic literature and poetry. Students will build on prior utilization of vocabulary and verb conjunctions. Students will also be required to declaim a selective of Spanish literature to demonstrate proper communication through oral conversation.

Latin I
Elementary Latin (Latin I) is a year long course designed to introduce students to the principles of classical Latin grammar and syntax. In addition to the mastering of these basic tools, the course will focus on vocabulary acquisition and the development of translation skills necessary to continue successfully in the second year.

Elementary Latin provides a basic introduction to the language, literature, and culture of the Roman world and helps lay the foundation for further study of western culture as well as a Renaissance Latin.

Textbooks :

Oxford Latin Course Part I Blame and Morwood 1997 First Year Latin, Smith and Thompson 1933 Livy : The Early History of Rome, Penguin Classics 1971 Plutarch : Fall of the Roman Republic, Penguin Classics 1972

Latin II
The course is designed as a full year course that builds upon the vocabulary, grammar, and translations from Latin I. Students will be responsible for learning several tenses, subjunctive, and translate several literary selections from Cicero and other Roman noblemen and poets.

Oxford Latin Course Part II Blame and Morwood 1997

Cooking            9-12
Students are exposed to proper culinary techniques that follow good food health and safety when preparing, cooking, and serving food. Students participate in all components of selecting a healthy menu, budgeting, shopping, preparing, and serving the meals.

Chess            9 -12
Chess class will expose students to the history and various strategies of the game. Students will be graded on their ability to teach the game to a student with lesser skills and on sportsmanship. Students will hopefully be able to transfer focus and discipline skills required by the game to other academic classes as a skill set.

Art/Creative Writing            9-12
In this course, the students will use each other’s artwork as inspiration for exploring the creative process. Students have experimented with two and three dimensional visual art as well as a variety of literary genres. Students are encouraged to explore and develop their own ideas and imagery, in any variety of mediums and genres, including drawing, painting, collage, linoleum cuts and clay sculpture.

Students will also gain an understanding of various genres of writing. Students will participate in peer and teacher editing sessions, explore the establishment of mood, and learn how to develop the tenets of a solid piece of writing. Depending on each student’s interest, the following genres are available for exploration: poetry, short stories, expository, cartoon strips (political), songs, nonfiction/autobiography

Computers            9-12
In this course, students will cooperatively participate in peer-peer and peer-teacher facilitated projects. Depending on past experience and skill level, students will use PC’s

History of Jazz            9 -12
History of Jazz is an Elective Course which looks at the birth of Jazz as an American art form, and how it was affected by the American Experience of the last 150 years. Using the P.B.S. documentary, “The History of Jazz”, by Ken Burns as an instrument to delve more deeply into such issues as Race, Economics, Depression, Civil Rights, and other issues that affected Jazz and America. Recent Jazz recordings by current Jazz musicians will be used to supplement this music history class.

History of Rock ‘n’ Roll            9-12
In this course, students will explore the genesis of Rock ‘n’ Roll from the roots of early jazz and blues through contemporary forms of music such as Pop and Punk. During this exploration, students will also gain an understanding of the social impact music can have. This exploration will be facilitated by 10-part documentary entitled : The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll: My Generation.

Film            9-12
In this elective, students view and discuss films that are significant in the history of film because of acting, directing, treatment of a subject and influence on later film makers. This year we have watched and compared groups of classic horror films, classic westerns, and classic war movies, as well as classic dramatic films.

History of Sports            9-12
This elective is designed to give students a broad introduction to athletics in the United States and the rest of the world. Students are encouraged to seek out information to questions they have about known and unknown sports. Students are evaluated on their effort and class participation as well as presentation to the class

Soccer            9-12
Students who elect to take this course (offered in 1st/4th Qtrs.) will be exposed to the fundamentals of the game of soccer. Teams will run through skill drills, running, stretching, and strategic play against opponents (fellow classmates).

Team Sports            9-12
Integrated into this elective are skills and fundamental drills of basketball, football, and baseball. Rules and regulations, peer interactions, and sportsmanship are some key factors to the elective.

Outdoor Leadership            9-12
Students in this elective will be exposed to basic survival skills, identifying edible and harmful plants, self-esteem building, and positive risk taking through several challenges.

Health            9 -12
In this course, students will participate in cooperative peer-teacher facilitated projects on group guidelines, risk taking and decision making, respect, friendship and family, self-esteem, conflict resolution, drugs and alcohol, sex education, holidays, violence and racism, stress communication, trust, abuse, job skills, and wellness.

Outdoor Education            9-12
Students participate in day long activities promoting physical challenges that align with the Massachusetts State Standards for Physical Education and Activity.

Community Service/Life Skills/Neighborhood Assistance            9 -12
Students participate in semester long volunteer opportunities in order to obtain work experience and a general understanding of varying professions. Students participate one time per week for approximately 3-4 hours. Community Services sites include :

Walden Pond MSEC Early Childhood Center MSEC Intensive Needs Program The F.A.RM. Lowell Homeless Shelter Nursing Homes Habitat for Humanity