COURSE OFFERINGS2013-2014

Language Arts Electives

CREATIVE WRITING I, II, III

Students write and revise to develop voice and style in a variety of subjects, genres, techniques, purposes, and audiences . Students will produce polished writing in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Students will submit their work for publication in the school’s literary magazine.

JOURNALISM I, II, III

To develop basic skills in journalism, students study and write news, feature, sports, editorial, and other forms of journalistic articles. They study interviewing, various types of research, legal rights and responsibilities, page design, photography, desktop publishing and advertising. They produce articles for publication in the mass media. Students produce a news publication.

PHOTO JOURNALISM/YEARBOOK

Students learn various aspects of publication while assisting in the production of the high school yearbook. Students participate in each step of production from planning to distribution of the completed publication. This course may be taken more than once for credit.

AICE ENVIRONMENTALTeaching how we treat the world

This is a interactive class with projects and research.

You should have taken two lab science before Environmental.

Those who have taken Earth this is a continuation of that

This count as a science toward an Advanced Diploma

AICE Chemistry

• This class expands of your knowledge of chemistry.

• You must have take one year of chemistry and be in or have taken an upper math class.

• This upper science elective counts toward your Advanced Diploma and Cambridge Diploma

AICE Biology

• Go beyond what you started.• AICE biology covers systems of the body

and is a Cambridge course. • You will have needed to have taken

biology or ICSE biology first• This counts toward a Cambridge and

Advanced Diploma.

ICSE Physics• This class is a advanced physics course

which would count for a Cambridge Diploma.

• You should have successfully completed Algebra II or be enrolled in Algebra II to take this class.

ICSE Biology

• This class is a advanced biology course which would count for a Cambridge Diploma.

• There are no prerequisite for this class but you should be a student serious about biology.

ICSE Chemistry

• This class is a advanced chemistry course which would count for a Cambridge Diploma.

• You need to have completed your biology class in good standing and have a high grade in mathematics if you plan to take this class.

Oceanography is a lab based science course.

The prerequisite for taking this course is the successful completion of Earth Science.

Oceanography counts toward both standard and advanced diplomas – because it is a 2nd Earth Science, students need courses from 2 of the other disciplines (biology, chemistry, or physics) to complete an advanced diploma.

Welcome to Oceanography!

Astronomy

• This is an elective science that counts for standard Diplomas only.

• You will explore the universe around us and go beyond our Galaxy.

• To take this course you should have completed your lab science requirements.

Social Studies Electives2014-2015

AICE Electives• 10th Grade:

• Required: AICE World History or World History and Geography from 1500.

• 11th Grade• Required: AICE U.S. History or U.S. and Virginia History • Electives: • Sociology (Mr. Weddel)• AICE International History (Ms. Camarda)• AICE Economics (Mr. Taylor)

• 12th Grade• Required: A.P. Government or U.S. & Virginia Government• Electives: • Sociology (Mr. Weddel)• AICE Psychology (Mr. Weddel)• AICE International History (Ms. Camarda)• AICE Economics (Mr. Taylor)• AICE Global Studies (Ms. Browder)

Course Descriptions• AICE Economics (Optional Advanced Course in

place of Economics and Personal Finance)• The AICE Economics class is an advanced course focusing

on the tenets of macroeconomics, but also getting them to understand, utilize, and apply the various resources, theories, and methodologies that contribute to the modern economics. Such investigations will include price systems, international trade, and governmental policy and intervention. Students should have a firm grasp of both geometric and algebraic concepts.

• Grades: Open to juniors or seniors• Teacher: Mr. Taylor.• Prerequisites: Successful completion Algebra II.

Course Descriptions• Sociology• Problems and issues about social behavior,

organization, and institutions of people are examined. The study includes an examination of the structure and the function of groups, the variations in the social order and the dynamics of change in a social environment. There is focus upon the development of skills for participating more effectively in contemporary society by examining issues and seeking solutions to problems involving the interactions of people.

• Grades: The course is open to juniors and seniors.• Teacher: Mr. Weddel• Prerequisites: None

Course Descriptions• AICE International History• This course is an examination of American foreign

policy from the Age of Imperialism through the Cold War. We will discuss topics about Imperialism, World War I, the Rise of Fascism, World War II and the Cold War that are generally not covered in American or World History, as well as go into further detail on many of the topics that have been covered in those classes..

• Grades: Open to juniors and seniors• Teacher: Ms. Camarda• Prerequisites: Successful completion of your 10 or

11th grade social studies course and the approval of your social studies teacher.

Course Description• AICE Psychology• AICE Psychology is designed to provide the student with a deep

appreciation of the human mind through an exploration of the ways in which it processes and coordinates behavior. Students will be provided with an introduction to psychological concepts, theories, research findings, and applications. The course will focus on five key approaches in psychology: cognitive, social, developmental, and physiological psychology, as well as psychology of individual differences. After students have developed and understood the five key approaches to psychology, students will apply their psychological knowledge to solving problems, analyzing and evaluating cultural, social, and ethical implications of psychology, and applying learned concepts to practical problems of everyday life.  

• Grades: Open to seniors• Teacher: Mr. Weddel, Room 1103• Prerequisites: Successful completion of your 11th grade social studies

course and the approval of your social studies teacher.

Course Description• AICE Global Perspectives• AICE Global Perspectives will enable students to

explore issues of global significance and offer opportunities to acquire, develop and apply skills in critical thinking, research and communication. Student will select topics and conduct a series of research based projects using through the Critical Path, a research and writing program.

• Grades: Open to juniors and seniors• Teacher: Ms. Browder• Prerequisites: Successful completion of your 10th and

11th grade social studies course and the approval of your social studies teacher.

MR. CARBOMRS. DENARDMR. REDONDO

MR. BAINMRS. RAMIREZ

BDHSForeign Languages

Why study a foreign language?

It’s FUN!Improve your Strength of Schedule!Join the Club!Your ability to communicate will determine

the degree of your success in any career or endeavor. Foreign Language study improves this ability.

Save the World! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dypJ1s3MBns

Not enrolled yet? Already enrolled?

Consider studying French, Spanish or Latin with us.

Advanced Diploma: 3 consecutive years of

Language Study (recommended)

2 years of 2 languages

Consult your current teacher and counselor about your options for 2014-2015.

All languages offer IGCSE in the third and AS/A levels in fourth year of study.

Looking forward…

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY AS-LEVEL and A-LEVEL THINKING SKILLS

This is a weighted elective which consists of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving It may be used towards a Cambridge Diploma in the fields of Humanities and Mathematics

It is Inter-Disciplinary, Cross–Curricular, and Creative

It links the fields of Politics; Economics; Philosophy; Sociology; Anthropology; History; Geography; Logic and Fine Arts

It focuses on the processes involved in being rational; by analyzing arguments; judging the relevance and significance of information; evaluating claims; inferences; arguments and explanations; constructing clear and coherent arguments and

forming well-reasoned judgments and decisions.

It is analytical thinking using data and techniques to solve real world problems. By identifying which data are relevant; combining pieces of information that may not appear to be related to give new information and relating new problems to

ones we have previously solved.

What do we mean by “Thinking Skills”?