Program of Studies - Northside College Prep

50 Pages·2014·0.97 MB·English

Northside College Preparatory High School
Program of Studies
2014-2015 SY
Table of Contents

Vision/Mission/Beliefs 3
Curriculum Overview 4
General Academic Information 5-6
College Prep Program 7
English Department 8 - 11
Social Science Department 12 - 17
Science Department 18 - 21
Mathematics Department 22 - 26
World Languages Department 27 - 36
Computer Science Department 37 - 39
Fine Arts Department 40 - 45
Physical Education Department 46 - 48
Special Programs / Senior Projects / IVS 49 - 50

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NorthsideCollege Preparatory High School
Vision Statement

We are a diverse community striving for excellence so that all may lead productive and
balanced lives in a more democratic, ethical, and humane global society.

Mission Statement

 to create a community of learners striving to fulfill their individual and collective intellectual,
emotional, social, and ethical potential;
 to forge partnerships for learning among parents, students, teachers, and local community
institutions;
 to challenge all to assume their active roles in improving both the local and global
 communities; and
 to create an environment in which learners construct meaning by actively participating in the
learning process.

Belief Statements
We Believe . . .
 Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community leaders are responsible for creating
and ensuring an environment in which learning is modeled and valued.
 High school is not only preparation for college and life after college, but it IS life.
 A meaningful education balances academic, social, and emotional needs and experiences.
 Every person is a learner and a teacher.
 Reflection is necessary for growth.
 The world is one’s classroom.
 Every person constructs meaning and understanding.
 The realms of knowledge are intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual.
 Balance among the realms of knowledge is the key to a satisfying, ethical life.
 People share responsibility and credit for their work.
 People must learn how to compete with themselves and collaborate with others.
 Self-respect is built upon achievement and integrity.
 Adults share in the responsibility of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
 Technology enriches traditional paths to knowledge.
 Ethical behavior underlies each individual’s endeavors.
 All must accept the challenge to share their gifts with others for the betterment of the world in
which they live.
 Democratic values and practices enrich individuals and the societies in which they live.
 What one knows and how one learns are both important.
 People learn as much from failure as from success.
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 Interdisciplinary approaches that stress the connectedness of knowledge are powerful
instruments of learning.
 Collaboration and teamwork enhance the learning process.
 Each individual has special gifts and talents.

Curriculum Overview

NorthsideCollegePreparatoryHigh School seeks to offer its students challenging and
innovative courses in all subject areas. A fundamental belief of NCP is that all students
deserve an excellent program of instruction that challenges each student at the high level
required for productive citizenship and employment.

The following statements of educational philosophy shape the program of study at
NorthsideCollegePreparatoryHigh School:

Content of Courses
 Learning is enhanced when content is placed in meaningful context and is connected to
other subject areas and when students are given multiple opportunities to apply what
they are studying in meaningful ways.

 A complete and coherent curriculum must focus on the development of concepts, skills,
and processes that enable all students to formulate, analyze, and solve problems
proficiently.

 The entire curriculum must focus on the development of communication skills.

 The widespread impact of technology on nearly every aspect of our lives requires
changes in the content and nature of educational programs.

Teaching and Learning
 Subjects must be taught by teachers who not only have a sound knowledge of their
content area but who also possess a strong understanding of how students learn.

 Learning is maximized when teachers focus on thinking and reasoning.

 Teachers guide the learning process in their classrooms and manage the classroom
environment through a variety of instructional approaches directly tied to the content
and to the students' needs.

 Learning is enriched through collaborative effort.

 Instructional approaches should be based on research about how students learn best.

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 Students use diverse strategies and different approaches to construct meaning: teachers
recognize and take advantage of these alternative approaches to help students develop
better understanding.

 The assessment of understanding in a subject area must be aligned with the content
taught and must incorporate multiple forms of assessment, including standardized tests,
quizzes, research, performance tasks, investigations, and projects.

General Academic Information

1. All courses offered at NorthsideCollegePreparatoryHigh School are college preparatory courses.
The graduation requirements are the following:

High School Graduation Requirements Recommended College Prep Program
4.0 English 4.0 English
3.0 Mathematics 4.0 Mathematics
3.0 Science 4.0 Science
3.0 Social Sciences 3.0 Social Sciences
2.0 World Language 3.0 World Language
2.0 Fine Arts 2.0 Fine Arts
4.0 Physical Education 2.0 Physical Education
3.0 College-Career Pathways*/ 5.0 College-Career Pathways*/
Electives Electives
1.0 Exploring Computer Science or CS I-
Java and Media Computation
Student Advisory Student Advisory
24 Credits 28 Credits
2.0 ProgFundammentals

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2. A program of courses is developed at a conference with the student and his advisor. Final course
selection will need the approval of department chairs and the parents.

3. All core courses are offered at the honors or advanced placement level.

4. Each student must pass an examination on the Declaration of Independence, the flag of the United
States, the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois.

5. Each student must complete a six week unit in Consumer Education.

*The Design for High Schools allows that advanced academics may be substituted for College Career
Pathways to meet the career education requirements, e.g. additional language, science, mathematics,
English, or Fine Arts courses.

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Four-YearCollege Preparatory Program

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
English I: Survey of Lit & Comp English II: American & Comp English III: British Lit & Comp English IV: World Lit & Comp
English I: Humanities& Comp A.P. Language &Comp A.P. Language & Comp A.P. Language and Comp
A.P. Literature & Comp A.P. Literature and Comp
Electives Senior Projects
Electives
Physics Chemistry and electives: Biology and electives: A.P. Biology
A.P. Chemistry A.P. Chemistry,
AP Physics B A.P. Environmental Science A.P. Environmental Science
A.P. Physics B A.P. Physics B
Aquatic and Marine Science A.P. Physics C
Astronomy Astronomy
Chinese 1 Chinese 2 Chinese 3 Chinese 4 & AP
French 1 French 2 French 3 French 4 & A.P.
Japanese 1 Japanese 2 Japanese 3 Japanese 4 & AP
Latin 1 Latin 2 Latin 3 Latin 4 & AP
Spanish 1 Spanish 2 Spanish 3 Spanish 4 & A.P.
Algebra I (Integrated Math I) Geometry (Integrated Math 2) Advanced Algebra/Trig (Integrated Pre-calculus (Integrated Math 4)
Math 3)
Geometry (Integrated Math 2) Advanced Algebra/Trig Pre-calculus (Integrated Math 4) A.P. CalculusAB or BC or
(Integrated Math 3) and/or A.P. Statistics College Preparatory Math
Advanced Algebra/Trig Pre-calculus (Integrated Math 4) A.P. CalculusAB or BC and/or A. P. Statistics
(Integrated Math 3) and A.P. Statistics A.P. Statistics Multivariable Calc (after Calculus)
World Studies (H) U.S. History (H) Urban Studies (H) Urban Studies (H)
U.S. History (A.P.) Anthropology (H) Anthropology (H)
Sociology (H) Sociology (H)
European History (AP) European History (AP)
Microeconomics(AP) Microeconomics(AP)
Psychology (AP) Psychology (AP)
U.S. Government (A.P.) U.S. Government (A.P.)
Human Geography (A.P.) Human Geography (A.P.)
Senior Project

Physical Education I & Health Physical Education II Advanced Weight Training I Adv. Weight Training I or II
& Driver Education (classroom) Junior Leaders Senior Leaders
Lifetime Activities Lifetime Activities

Art I Art I Art I Art I
Beginning Band Drawing & Painting (I-III) Drawing & Painting (I-III) Drawing & Painting (I-III)
Beginning Orchestra Ceramics (I-III) Ceramics (I-III) Ceramics (I-III)
Beginning Chorus Digital Imaging (I & II) Digital Imaging (I & II) Digital Imaging I & II)
Sculpture (I-III) Sculpture (I-III) Sculpture (I-III)
AP Art History AP Art History AP Art History
Band (Beg, Inter, & Adv) Band (Beg, Inter, & Adv) Band (Beg, Inter, & Adv)
Jazz Band Jazz Band Jazz Band
Orchestra (Beg, Inter, &Adv) Orchestra (Beg, Inter, &Adv) Orchestra (Beg, Inter, &Adv)
Chorus (Beg, Inter, &Adv) Chorus (Beg, Inter, &Adv) Chorus (Beg, Inter, &Adv)
AP Music Theory AP Music Theory AP Music Theory
Exploring Comp. Sci. Software App./Web Design CS I CS I
CS I CS I CS II CS II
CS II Software App./Web Design Software App./Web Design
Databases Design Databases Design
AP Computer Science APComputer Science
Advisory Advisory Advisory Advisory

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English Department Curriculum Guide

English Department Vision Statement
Exceptional teaching in the language arts has the power to transform one's life and the world; the
English Department at NorthsideCollegePrepHigh School commits itself toward this ideal.

English Department Mission Statement
With a commitment to the needs of the individual student, the English Department at
NorthsideCollegePrepHigh School aims to be on the forefront of innovative, meaningful English
education. As such, the English Department incorporates literature from a variety of authors and
cultural traditions, emphasizes writing as an instrument of scholarly investigation, stresses the
importance of effective oral and written expression, utilizes an ever expanding range of teaching and
assessment techniques, and forges educational relationships with local arts and humanities
organizations.

F reshmen Sophomore Junior Senior
Honors English IV:
Honors English III: World Literature
British Literature AP English
AP English Literature & Composition
Language & Composition Honors English IV:
O Honors English I: AP English World Literature
P Survey of Literature Literature & Composition
AP-level English:
T
Senior Project
I -or-
O Honors English IV:
Honors English III:
N Honors English I: World Literature
British Literature
S Humanities AP English

Honors English II: Language& Composition
American Literature Honors English IV:
AP English World Literature
Language & Composition AP English
Literature & Composition

Accelerated Program: Incoming Freshmen with English I: Survey of Literature credit enroll in Honors
English I: Humanities

Elective Courses: In addition to required courses, English electives are offered to any interested sophomore,
junior, or senior.Important Note: At the start of the year, seniors will pay a considerable amount of attention
to writing essays for college admission and for scholarships in all English elective courses.

Senior Project: Under faculty guidance, students who complete AP English Literature and Composition by
the end of junior year may propose to undertake a year-long independent inquiry into literature, writing, or
performance. Towards this end, students should partner with an external professional or organization.

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English Course Descriptions

Core Courses

Important Note: Only core courses fulfill English graduation requirements. All other courses fulfill
elective graduation requirements.

Honors English I: Survey of Literature& Composition
(1.0 Credit)
Honors English I: Survey of Literature contains several identifiable content strands: genres within literature, writing,
language, research, and oral communication. This course utilizes world literature to introduce students to various genres
and terms of literature; emphasizes writing in a variety of forms and for a variety of purposes; stresses both mastery of the
fundamentals of grammar and usage and the study of vocabulary and spelling within the context of the student's own
reading and writing; introduces research techniques and citation methods; and explores several modes of oral
communication. In preparation, all incoming students will read two selected works of literature, over the summer; a test on
the content of the two works will be part of the first quarter grade.

Honors English I: Humanities& Composition
(1.0 Credit)
Honors English I: Humanities involves stretching and expanding one’s capacity for thought, sensitivity, and creativity.
Although the focus for this course is literature, the interdisciplinary method of approaching the humanities stresses their
relationships but at the same time makes clear the limits and boundaries of each discipline.This course also emphasizes
writing in a variety of forms and for a variety of purposes; stresses both mastery of the fundamentals of grammar and usage
and the study of vocabulary and spelling within the context of the student's own reading and writing; introduces research
techniques and citation methods; and explores several modes of oral communication. In preparation, all incoming students
will read two selected works of literature, over the summer; a test on the content of the two works will be part of the first
quarter grade.

Honors English II: American Literature& Composition
(1.0 Credit; Requirement=English I)
Honors English II: American Literature focuses on the philosophical movements, major writers, and themes of American
literature while developing the processes of effective aesthetic reading. This continues to emphasize writing in a variety of
forms and for a variety of purposes; stresses both mastery of the fundamentals of grammar and usage and the study of
vocabulary and spelling within the context of the student's own reading and writing; introduces research techniques and
citation methods; and explores several modes of oral communication. In preparation for this course, students will read
twoselectedworksof literature over the summer; anactivityrelated to this content will be part of the first quarter grade.

Honors English III: British Literature& Composition
(1.0 Credit; Requirement=English II or AP English Language and Composition)
Honors English III: British Literature is a survey course in English literature with an emphasis on drama, poetry, and the
novel. The readings are taken from all periods of English literature, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present. The
process of effective aesthetic reading continues and heightens through analytic, expository, and creative writing. In
preparation for this course, students will read two works of school selected literature over the summer; an activity related to
this content will be part of the first quarter grade.

Honors English IV: World Literature& Composition
(1.0 Credit; Requirement=English III, AP English Language and Composition, or A.P English Literature and Composition)
Honors English IV: World Literature is balanced survey of literary genre in a global context. Focusing upon philosophical
movements, major writers, and themes of World literature, students will perform the processes of effective aesthetic
reading. Writing, research, and oral communication skills are polished through a variety of critical and creative
experiences in preparation for the expectations of higher education. In preparation for this course, students will read two
works of school selected literature over the summer; an activity related to this content will be part of the first quarter grade.

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Advanced Placement: English Language & Composition
(1.0 Credit; Requirement = sophomore/junior standing andan application process)
Advanced Placement: Language and Composition examines prose (e.g., biographies and autobiographies, fiction, essays,
journalism, social and political writing, science and nature writing) across a wide range of periods and rhetorical contexts.
Students become skilled at writing for a variety of purposes, audiences, and rhetorical contexts. This course prepares the
student for the Advanced Placement test in Language and Composition. Students are expected to take this test.

Advanced Placement: English Literature & Composition
(1.0 Credit; Requirement = junior/senior standing andan application process)
Advanced Placement: Literature and Composition offers an intensive study of world literature, including those from
various genres and periods. Students become proficient in the skills necessary to accomplish analytical reading and
writing. This course prepares the student for the Advanced Placement test in Literature and Composition. Students are
expected to take this test.

Elective Courses: Journalism Program

Honors Journalism I - III
(1.0 Credit)

Journalism I produces the school’s print and web-based newspapers. Students will learn about the history of journalism
and how to write news, feature, and editorial articles. In addition, students will learn photographic skills. Besides word
processing programs, students will learn how to use Adobe’s Pagemaker, Adobe’s Illustrator, and Adobe’s Photoshop in
order to lay out the school’s newspaper and Internet paper.

Journalism II provides editors for the print and web-based newspapers, as well as mentors to the students in Journalism I.
Journalism II students lead the design process for the publications, building upon the technical skills acquired the previous
year. Students enter competitions in journalism and attend seminars related journalism.

Journalism III provides additional editors for the print and web-based newspapers, as well as mentors to the students in
Journalism II. Journalism III students also lead the design process for the publications, building upon the technical skills
acquired the previous year. Students enter competitions in journalism and attend seminars related journalism.

Elective Courses: Literature Emphasis

Honors Topics in Literature: Experimental Literature
(1.0 Credit)
This course will examine a wide variety of new and evolving literary forms, genres, and sub-genres to expose our students
to the most current developments in literature and composition. While our students already encounter a broad survey of
genre in Survey Literature, American Literature and Advanced Placement offerings, we will examine emerging and
nonstandard literary forms. Ultimately, students will have the opportunity to truly stretch their literary legs, so to speak, in
exploration and analysis of cutting-edge literature and criticism.Important Note: At the start of the year, seniors will pay a
considerable amount of attention to writing essays for college admission and for scholarships.

Honors Film Study
(1.0 Credit)
Honors Film Studies: The Rhetoric of Cinemais a course that engages students in becoming skilled readers of films as
texts. Readings and coursework will enable students to analyze the rhetoric of cinema and look critically at the various
ways films construct meaning creating both major and minor ideological positions. Building upon skills from other English
classes, this rigorous class will teach students to critically discuss and write about films from various genres and time
movements. They will do several presentations, write film analysis and research papers and write and produce their own
narrative and documentary films.Important Note: At the start of the year, seniors will pay a considerable amount of
attention to writing essays for college admission and for scholarships.

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