Eleventh Grade Courses Revised 4/6/11 Juniors are required to take a minimum of five yearlong academic courses, one semester of fine arts, two semesters of electives, plus one enrichment course per quarter. Art, drama or study hall may be taken for one semester if the student s schedule is flexible and the school can accommodate the class. Effective with the 2012-13 school year all graduates must have taken at least one semester-length online course during their high school years. This required online course may be taken any year in grades nine through twelve. Check the separate Approved Online Course Offerings document for the current list of approved online offerings. English Honors English 11 (British Literature) (#0014) Advanced Placement English (Language and Composition) (#0028) History Honors History 11 (American History) (#0429) Option: Dual Enrollment Advanced Placement (#0408) Mathematics Algebra II (#0205) Honors Precalculus (#0206) Science Honors Chemistry (#0312), or Advanced Honors Chemistry (#0306) Honors Physiology (#0310). Physical Science (#0304) Fine Arts (#0736) Foreign Language Honors French III (#0117) Option: Dual Enrollment Honors Spanish III (#0118) Option: Dual Enrollment Elective Course(s) Band (#0702) Band/Choir (#0712) Chorus (#0711) Art (#0735) Drama (#0072) Physical Education (#0810) Journalism (#0032) (Required for editors/sponsor approval) Total: 6.5 Credits (Minimum) Students must complete fifteen (15) hours of community service each year in grades 9-12. 1
Honors English 11 (#0014) The English course offered in the eleventh grade is a chronological study of British literature. Emphasis is placed on the students' ability to gain an appreciation for the development of literature as it grows out of historical movements and events. Students continue vocabulary study, review of grammar principles, and expository/expressive writing. Through various forms of writing they are encouraged to see comparisons between their lives in America today and the influences of the past. Classes consist of lecture material given to supplement text material, extensive reading, class discussion of literary works, and individual projects and papers based on readings. Advanced Placement English 11 (Language and Composition) (#0028) This course is designed to present students with a rich variety of challenging texts in an attempt to illuminate how writers approach writing with a purpose that employs a range of rhetorical strategies that serve as vehicles for effective argumentation. Its focus is "to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers" as indicated by the AP English Course Description published by the College Board. As a result, students will develop their own sense of style. This course is designed to accommodate the requirements and objectives described in the AP English Course Description. Course readings feature expository, analytical, personal, and argumentative texts from a variety of authors and historical contexts. Students will have opportunities to confer about their writing during in-class writing workshops, which will involve brainstorming and prewriting, drafting, peer-editing, and final editing. Throughout the year, students prepare for the AP English Language Composition Exam that they will be required to complete in May. Students may be granted advanced placement, college credit, or both as a result of satisfactory performance this exam. Prerequisite: Students who take AP English Language and Composition must have an overall 80 average in completed high school core coursework and an 85 average in each previous English course. Advanced Placement U. S. History (#0408) This course examines U.S. History from the Age of Discovery to the present. The purpose of the Advanced Placement course in United States History is to prepare students to take the AP Examination in May. This course places emphasis on critical thinking and writing while teaching students to assess materials effectively. The course requires more work than a traditional class, so students must be prepared to work extensively outside of class. Daily classes combine lecture and discussion, with some class periods devoted to organized discussion in which participation is graded. Each unit requires students to analyze primary documents and historical scholarship from a supplemental text. Tests incorporate free response document-based questions patterned on released AP exams for preparation purposes. Students will realize that broad themes provide the framework for American History, such as the development of republican politics, the growth of the national economy, attitudinal changes toward gender and race, and the emergence of a truly American nationalism. 2
Prerequisite: Students who take AP U.S. History must have an overall 80 average in completed high school core coursework and an 85 average in each previous history course. Honors American History (#0429) This course is designed to teach students the basic facts of American history from the first humans crossing the Bering Strait to the present day American culture. Consideration is given to the individuals, ideologies, and events of each era that shaped America s past. Though facts are important, emphasis is placed on critical thinking and analysis. Dual Enrollment American History The dual enrollment U.S. History course examines United States history from the Age of Discovery to the present. This course places emphasis on critical thinking and writing while teaching students to assess materials effectively. Daily classes combine lecture and discussion, with some class periods devoted to organized discussion in which participation is graded. Students will realize that broad themes provide the framework for American History, such as the development of republican politics, the growth of the national economy, attitudinal changes toward gender and race, and the emergence of a truly American nationalism. Prerequisite: Students must meet Jacksonville State University requirements and enroll there. Algebra II (#0205) The mastery of the fundamentals of Algebra II is essential to the study of higher mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering, and other mathematically based disciplines. Other disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and business require a strong foundation in algebra because they depend heavily on mathematical statistics and the application of mathematical formulas. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry. Honors Precalculus (#0206) The precalculus course is designed to prepare the student for calculus. The student takes this course in the junior year and follows it with calculus in the senior year. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II. Honors Chemistry (#312) Honors Chemistry is a first year high school chemistry class that helps students develop an understanding of chemical principles by emphasizing hands-on lab activities, problem solving, and technology-based labs. Students will gain a basic understanding of the structure and interactions of matter through discussion of such topics as the structure of the atom, chemical reactions, solutions, gases, and acids and bases. Prerequisites Algebra I and Geometry. Only juniors or seniors can take chemistry courses (#0312, #0306), but they must decide on one or the other as they are not allowed to take both. 3
Advanced Honors Chemistry (#306) Advanced Honors Chemistry is an advanced level, first year high school chemistry class with an emphasis on understanding and application of basic scientific principles and chemical concepts. Students will explore the structure and interactions of matter in depth, including detailed discussion of the structure of the atom, chemical reactions, solutions, states of matter, and acids and bases. A solid grasp of basic algebra skills is necessary. Prerequisites Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Only juniors or seniors can take chemistry courses (#0312, #0306), but they must decide on one or the other as they are not allowed to take both. Honors Physiology (#0310) Physiology is a course offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are interested in further study of the structure and function of the human body. This course is developed to increase the student's knowledge concerning certain basic and underlying rules that govern the activities of the human body as well as the individual parts of the body. This course is designed for the above-average sophomore. Prerequisite: Students must have completed biology and earned at least a 85 average before taking this course as a sophomore. Juniors and seniors may take the course as an elective to complete their science requirements. Physical Science (#0304) This course, which follows the 9 th grade biology course, is a study of the basic concepts in the areas of physics and chemistry, with brief discussions of geology and astronomy if time permits. Scientific formulas are presented and algebra is used in their solutions. This course strives to give the student a better appreciation for the physical world around him or her as he or she learns the rules that drive it. Honors French III (#0117) Honors French III is the third course in French at the secondary level. In Honors French III students continue to increase their skills in communication, and learn more about their culture and those of other francophone countries. There is more emphasis on communication through writing and reading as vocabulary and structural competence increase. Structure is reviewed in the meaningful context of communication. The subjunctive is studied in depth as a tool for expressing opinions. Reading of francophone literature in its original but abridged form is increased. Oral communication is practiced through role-playing, communicative activities, dramatics, and reports. The study of culture and its historical roots continues in the third year. Prerequisite: Successful completion of French II. 4
Dual Enrollment French III Students enrolled in first semester receive credit for French 101 at JSU. Second semester is French 102. Students may be required to complete additional, more in-depth assignments. The course is dependent upon a minimum number of students, usually six, being enrolled. Prerequisite: Successful completion of French II and acceptance into Jacksonville State University. Honors Spanish III (#0118) Honors Spanish III is the third course at the secondary level. In this course, students continue to increase their communication skills, as well as expand their knowledge of the Hispanic culture. The most frequently used grammar points are reviewed and mastered; students will also be experience a significant increase in writing requirements. There is an emphasis on expressing opinions about current issues such as politics, medicine, etc, in the target language. Commercials, role-playing activities, and reports are used to increase communication skills. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish II. Dual Enrollment Spanish III The course work is the same as Honors Spanish III, but students enrolled first semester receive credit for Spanish 101 at JSU. Second semester is Spanish 102. Students may be required to complete additional, more in-depth assignments. The course is also dependent upon a minimum number of students, usually six, being enrolled. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish II and acceptance into Jacksonville State University. Fine Arts (#0736) Students normally take this one-semester course in the eleventh grade as a requirement for graduation. What inspires an artist to create a specific work? In attempting to answer this question, we examine and discuss the work of contemporary visual artists. Using their work as a lens, we look backward at art history and forward to the future of art s place in our own culture. Students produce several pieces of their own, in order to better understand the creative process and its place in their own lives; they keep an art journal with several weekly entries. Band (#0702) The advanced band is made up of students who have completed at least one year of beginning band or have otherwise achieved an equivalent of instrumental experience. The curriculum is designed to provide opportunities for students to progress musically throughout their band experience, both as individuals and as members of a performing group. Through rehearsals, individualized instruction, and performance opportunities, the students will continue to develop an appreciation for music as their musicianship matures. 5
Chorus (#0711) Classroom activities and group discussions are used to provide instruction and practice in recognition, knowledge and understanding of musical terms, symbols, and basic theory. Vocal exercises, sight-singing exercises, and rehearsal of varied repertoire are used to provide experience in using the skills already mentioned as well as performance skills. Students are given several opportunities for formal and informal performance experience as individuals as well as in a group. All performances are followed by critical evaluations by the students, and many are followed by a review of evaluations given by experienced adjudicators. Opportunities for individuals to audition for various All-State and Honor choirs are provided for enrichment. Students may be required to purchase or provide performance attire. Art (#0735) Drawing is emphasized as the foundation for visual thinking. Students create a variety of twoand three-dimensional collaborative and individual projects in many different media that require focus, discipline and technical skills and encourage experimentation and free expression. Drama (#0072) This course is designed to give students a broad overview of theatrical concepts. Performance skills will be developed through physical and vocal work. Each semester, students will learn about play research, playwriting, script development, stagecraft, scenic/lighting/costume design culminating in a final performance. Students may be asked to purchase individual scripts or tickets to local performances. Physical Education (#0810) Physical Education classes are intended to be fun and rewarding. The class will be introduced to various athletic skills such as jogging/walking, aerobics, agility drills, and history of sports. The class will participate in such sports as the following: basketball, football, golf, tennis, and track. Students are required to wear PE uniform and appropriate footwear. Journalism (#0032) Editors and staff must apply for the position and then be chosen by the sponsors. Both the Gauntlet and the Penfeather staffs have the opportunity to learn about writing, reporting, photography, and design. They work both independently and collaboratively to plan and design the publications from the first concept to the final volume. Editors must sign up to take journalism as a class. Staff members in grades 11-12 may elect to take journalism with prior approval of the sponsor and if their academic schedule permits. Staffers work with the editors to produce quality publications. Class size is limited. 6