2020-21 Course of Study

#OURSE OF 3TUDY

COURSE OF STUDY 2020-2021

ENGLISH

2

SCIENCE

12

MATHEMATICS

19

HISTORY

28

MODERN LANGUAGES

36

CLASSICS

45

CREATIVE ARTS

49

TECHNOLOGY

66

HEALTH & WELLNESS

67

GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY

68

CURRICULAR CHOICE FROM A COLLEGE ADVISING PERSPECTIVE

69

ENGLISH Our curriculum is designed to give students a rewarding experience as they grow as readers, writers, thinkers, and speakers.

Through collaborative and individual pursuits, students learn how to critically navigate the expanding seas of information and communication while fostering an appreciation for the power of language. We ask, “What is worth reading -- and why?” and we encourage students to answer this question for themselves by exercising choice in projects, readings, and assessments.

We explore texts that represent a range of voices and points of view that offer windows into the experiences of others and mirrors into students’ own experiences. Whether they are grappling with Shakespeare or preparing for a visiting Baird Symposium author, our students consider how texts reflect the human condition and how an author’s choice of genre, form, and diction affects meaning.

We strive to instill in our students a sense of pride in their written work and give them the tools to make their writing reflect their thinking at its best. Writing assignments range from the critical to the personal to the creative. Through one-on-one conferences, peer critiques, and multiple drafts and revisions, we teach writing as a process; we also encourage students to experiment with language and style through the study of vocabulary and composition.

Every English class also provides substantial practice in speaking and listening skills, as these are essential for effective communication. Through Harkness discussions, formal debates, presentations, speeches, performances, and daily conversations, students learn how to appeal to different audiences and build confidence in their ability to think and speak on their feet.

>>MIDDLE SCHOOL Upper Prep English — Can I Borrow Those Shoes?

The goal of Upper Prep English is to teach reading and writing skills through literature in a nurturing environment that encourages students to become comfortable and confident in those areas. Students learn the concepts of plot, theme, setting, and character development through their reading of short stories, novels, non-fiction pieces, and poetry. The focus on reading and writing includes grammar, sentence building, and vocabulary development. Students practice expository, narrative, and descriptive compositions in order to develop clear sentence structure and coherent paragraph development. We introduce and emphasize process writing, and students learn to brainstorm, draft, revise, edit, and publish their work. Spider Web discussions establish the skills necessary to explore and discuss literature as well as the development of active listening and speaking skills. We use various texts, voices, and perspectives to develop and deepen the aforementioned skills.

English 1 — Is that a Window or a Mirror?

Organized around the central theme of exploring one’s identity and its effect on perspective, this English course for students in Form 1 continues to stress the skills of reading and writing. The literary focus is on vicarious experience: the fundamental value of literature. In a range of novels, non-fiction pieces, short stories and poems, students read about individuals who experience adversity to gain a broader perspective of the human experience. Writing development begins with a variety of frequently assigned, organized paragraphs and evolves into larger writing projects, including essay writing. The study of grammar, sentence building, and vocabulary development is coordinated with students’ reading and writing. Spider Web discussions remain central to the growth of skills

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necessary to explore and discuss literature, as well as the development of listening and speaking skills. Using the metaphor of ‘windows and mirrors,’ students explore a variety of literary genres.

Form 1 Expedition of English, History, and Science Course: What is the Power of Water?

This expedition-based interdisciplinary course will be team-taught by science, history and English teachers. This course will occur during the fall semester of 2020.

Overview In this expedition course, students in Form 1 will explore the Connecticut River watershed as we pursue the question, “What is the Power of Water?” From the icy mountain tributaries in the Berkshires to the saltwater estuaries near the Long Island Sound, students will conduct hands-on experiments along the riverbanks and interview various stakeholders who live and work next to rivers like the Farmington and Connecticut. As an interdisciplinary course and through the lenses of science, history, and literature, students will examine and explore both the literal and figurative power of water.

Content Students will explore the history of settlement, conflict, and industrialization in Connecticut and along the river. As readers and writers, they will examine the inspiration that rivers have furnished for myth and literature. As scientists, they will conduct hands-on experiments and collect data across the Connecticut River watershed. Ultimately, students will synthesize their experience to tell their own stories of the river through the lens of a podcast, app, or literary magazine. Then in a culminating showcase, students will share their findings with the community.

Experience In this course, students will use the Connecticut River as a classroom. While learning about subject material on campus, they will also have regular opportunities for place-based learning along the river and its watershed. By taking part in trash pickups, river and stream restoration, field tests, and dam removals, students will play their part in improving the life of the river. By studying artifacts and historical documents, they will understand how the river influenced the lives of past residents. And by writing about their own experiences, students will find their own lifelong connections to the river. Students will keep personal expedition journals, recording flora and fauna, along with writing their own narratives, poems, and creative responses.

English 2 — Which Wolf Do You Feed?

Form 2 English students build on their strong foundation of previously established skills to meet the increased demands of reading and writing at a more sophisticated and complex level. Guided by the central theme of exploring the human experience, the literary focus is on character development with a gradually increasing emphasis on interpretation. Writing assignments encourage students to create fuller, more subtle prose by continuing to take a process approach to writing with particular emphasis on revision. Spider Web discussions are central to developing the ability to analyze and discuss literature, as well as the development of critical thinking, listening, and speaking skills. The study of grammar, sentence building, and vocabulary continue at a deliberate pace and remain intertwined with the students’ writing. Students respond creatively to various literary genres and practice developing coherent Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021

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arguments by using direct references to the text in their writing. In keeping with the increased demands of the Form 2 year, students are challenged to apply the skills that they have learned to a variety of more complex texts.

>>UPPER SCHOOL

English 3: The Stories We Tell As memoirist and essayist Joan Didion observes, “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.”

In English 3, we explore storytelling in its many forms. The course uses the lens of storytelling to develop students’ ability to think for themselves, to grapple with abstraction, and to read, write and speak with increasing proficiency.

Readings focus on fellow storytellers across genres and epochs. Students explore a graphic novel, Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis and several more traditional novels including The Catcher in the Rye. The drama of the course consists of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and August Wilson’s Fences. Short story, book club and poetry units round out the curriculum.

Students not only study the practice of storytelling but also become storytellers themselves. Sentence construction and vocabulary are focal points both in formal study and in practice while students are writing expository and creative prose. Furthermore, each student is required to join Harkness discussions and to practice public speaking.

English 4, 4 Honors: Challenging Convention In English 4, we focus on texts that challenge convention through characters, themes, structure, and style as we ask students to examine their notions about what a literary analysis, a sentence, or a topic of academic discussion should be.

Works read include Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and There There by Tommy Orange. We round out the curriculum with two plays: Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Sophocles’ Antigone, and a selection of poetry. Students are challenged to assume leadership roles in discussions and to develop Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 4 of 70

their own theses to become more independent thinkers. Particular attention is paid to helping students develop a sentence style commensurate with the increasing complexity of their ideas. Students continue to study vocabulary and experiment with sentence structure through learning a range of different sentence patterns. In addition, all Form 4 students participate in the Speakers’ Forum, an interpretive reading contest.

Students in English 4 Honors read an additional work, read at a faster pace, demonstrate more independence in the writing process, and take a leadership role in discussions. Designed for those students who have excelled in all aspects of English and require additional challenge as readers, writers and speakers.

English 5: Expanding Horizons: Reading and Writing for the 21st Century In English 5, students bring a new level of awareness to their roles as readers and communicators in the 21st century.

The course requires students to recognize and apply different reading strategies as they analyze how voice, rhetorical situation, and style affect meaning within a diverse range of genres and forms. Students study film, speeches, poetry, a novel, Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and a number of 21st century texts. In this exploration of diverse texts, students improve their own communication skills through developing and adapting their voice with an awareness of audience, context, and purpose. Students learn to craft effective questions to engage with texts and the world around them while also evaluating, synthesizing, and conversing with scholarly writing and criticism. In this pivotal year, students use feedback to cultivate habits of self-reflection. The final project allows students to showcase skills developed throughout the year.

English 5 AP® Expanding Horizons: Reading and Writing for the 21st Century Students can opt to take this course, which runs parallel to the English 5 class, the Advanced Placement ® sections follow a more extensive bibliography, and the literary analysis, both in class and in writing, assumes a greater depth of reading experience, maturity of mind and the capacity to draw on wider and more independent sources. Furthermore, individual students carry responsibility for leading the class occasionally. This course prepares students for the Advanced Placement® Examination in English Language and Composition, and students enrolled in the course must take the AP® Language and Composition exam in May.

ELECTIVES Elective: Journalism I (Spring) Journalism is not simply a mode of writing; it is also a mode of thinking. In addition to introducing students to the writing techniques integral to news, feature and sports writing as well as opinion and review writing, this course trains them in the more abstract observation and thinking skills required to identify news when it happens. The hope is that students gain a new perspective on their writing and critical thinking skills while wrestling with the accuracy, objectivity and responsibility to an audience that characterize solid journalism. Students can expect regular article assignments, style quizzes to train them as editors, and occasional readings from The New York Times. The course is a prerequisite for a staff position on the KO News. This course, an elective offered outside the required English curriculum and open to students in Forms 3-5 for 1/4 credit, meets three times every two weeks.

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Elective: Journalism II: Digital Journalism (Fall) This course builds on the skills developed in Journalism 1 as students explore journalism in the digital age. Students learn how to better navigate the digital world at their fingertips, becoming news and media literate (informed, participating, engaged, conscious news producers and consumers). This course focuses on the differences between print and web journalism, exploring how to adapt stories for the web to appeal to a different audience. In packaging stories for the web, students learn how to create interactive content and graphics to aid in their storytelling. The semester ends with an exploration of the podcast form. For each of these main units, students explore a range of different contemporary professional examples to guide them as they create their own content. Prerequisite: Journalism (or by approval of Department Chair). This course, an elective offered outside the required English curriculum and open to students in Forms 4-6 for 1/4 credit, meets three times every two weeks.

The following elective is open to students in forms four and five who enjoy English, and who would like additional opportunities to explore literature.

Elective: Dystopian Futures (Spring) Social chaos. An overreaching authoritarian government. Repression of free speech. Food shortages. Climate catastrophes. If this vision of the future sounds scary to you, then prepare to be even more terrified by the worlds constructed by writers of dystopian fiction. A form of speculative literature that imagines a horrifying not-too-distant future, dystopian fiction exaggerates contemporary social problems in order to critique them. By exploring dystopian texts such as George Orwell’s 1984, Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower, a choice of dystopian novel, and Bong Joon Ho’s Snowpiercer, we will analyze the techniques writers use to warn their readers about what the future might look like if the present world goes in a drastically wrong direction. In written work, students will examine the distinctive conventions of this genre of literature, and assess the genre’s effectiveness in urging readers to action. Eventually students will apply these storytelling strategies by writing a short work of fiction in which they identify a social problem they care about and imagine a future in which this problem has spun out of control. As we read, discuss, and write, we will consider the central function that this kind of fiction serves for readers: does dystopian fiction work to comfort readers by reminding us that our current world isn’t as bad as the ones these writers imagine? Or does it work to unsettle readers by implying that we might not be too far removed from disaster? Ultimately, this class will invite students to grapple with the kind of future they do (and don’t) want to see. Open to students in forms 4 and 5.

FALL SENIOR ELECTIVES Senior English at Kingswood Oxford offers semester elective options. During the fall semester, students must choose one class to fulfill their English requirement, but may elect to take an additional semester course according to their interest and availability. The spring semester electives are divided into two quarters. During the third quarter, all seniors write a senior thesis, a fifteen to twenty page original, research-based essay on a topic of their choosing. The fourth quarter, described by the course’s title, is a minicourse designed as an exploration of a topic that is both focused and fun.

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English 6 Fall Elective: The American Dream Since America’s earliest days in the late 18th century through to today, there has been a concept of an “American Dream.” While the idea was not formally coined until the mid-20th century, there has always been an idealized vision of what can be in America. This concept has evolved (and continues to do so) throughout the years. In 1931 James Truslow Adams more formally coined the phrase “the American Dream,” describing "a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

Whether sincerely believed or attacked as delusion, this dream has been a motivating force in our civilization. Even when denied, the dream is distinctly American. There are many books, songs, plays and movies that have celebrated, questioned and even denounced this vision. This course explores the American Dream, past and present, to better understand and assess the promise of this ideal. Works studied include Horatio Alger’s Ragged Dick, Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, Edward Albee’s The American Dream, Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Larry Watson’s Montana, 1948 and contemporary music and culture.

English 6 Fall Elective: Creative Nonfiction: New Narratives in the 21st Century This course will immerse you in the genre of creative nonfiction or, what Lee Gutkind refers to as “true stories, well told.” We will explore various types of creative nonfiction, including personal essays, Op-Eds, profiles, and podcasts with an eye for how these narratives are taking on today’s important social, political, and cultural issues as well as how creative nonfiction is adapting to the digital world in which we live. While the course will include some older essays and articles, the bulk of the reading is comprised of pieces published in the past ten years. The stories in this course will not bore you. They will captivate you and even at times enrage, sadden, shock, humor, and move you. After exploring a form and taking note of various authors’ different techniques and styles, you will produce your own creative nonfiction to workshop with your peers.

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English 6 Fall Elective: Incarceration Nation Why do we as a society imprison people? Is it for public safety? To reform undesirable behavior? To punish? This course seeks to examine the history of imprisonment that led us to where we are today with our American prison system. Using various literary texts, this course explores the institutional response to crime: punishment. Writings by American prisoners, essays by Michel Foucault, excerpts from Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow, prison letters

by Martin Luther King, Jr and others, as well as poetry and podcasts provide the basis for class discussion. Students can expect research presentations, working on logic and biases, formal and informal writing, and lots of discussion.

We will also examine why we punish, some issues related to the prison system, and our own perspectives on why we as a society punish, culminating in writing our own essays and/or editorials.

English 6 Fall Elective: The Invention of America Wendell Berry once said: “If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are.” Berry is part of a tradition of “placed” writers in America including Thoreau, Frost, Faulkner, O’Connor, and Steinbeck. These writers and others helped to both define and create an American identity through their literature and artistry, turning away from Eurocentric expectations towards the landscapes, diverse regional cultures, and expanding cities. By doing so they reflect a national identity first created by many displaced people, those who immigrated to and migrated within this country first towards the invention of this nation. From the principles upon which it was founded, to the politics and people who inhabit it, to its own varied geography, the identity of the United States has been slowly but surely shaped into being. This course will take a close look at the emergence of this unique identity through the eyes of its artists and writers from the 19 through the early 20 centuries. While this course will draw mostly from literature, a study of relevant paintings, photography, and film will also be included. th

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English 6 Fall Elective: New York Literature: The Dream, The Grit and The Grind Of all the qualities that New York demands of its citizens, grit is arguably the most vital. New York is a massive city made up of eight million people, each striving for something: fame, success, love, etc. Despite such long odds, what brings people here is the promise of achievement when one is willing to put in the work. In this class, we’ll explore the journeys various characters take as they struggle to make it in New York. Through selections by writers such as James Baldwin, Joan Didion, Arthur Miller, Colum McCann, Jay McInerney, and Colson Whitehead, we’ll discover the ways that the New York grind can either wear a person down or build him or her up.

English 6 Fall Elective: Word Play: Short Stories & Poems (a Service Learning Course) How do you write a story that keeps readers turning the page? Or inspires them to change their life? How do you craft a poem that comforts, heartens, or buoys up? In this creative writing, Service Learning course we’ll read, discuss, and write short stories and poems that delight, challenge, and edify. We’ll bring our favorites to local communities which might benefit from them: assisted care facilities, hospitals, and schools. We’ll read to, perform for, and listen to our audiences. We’ll design new ways to bring the power of the written and spoken word to our own campus at KO,

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including collaboration with local writers. We’ll also reflect on the experiences––their impact both on the communities and on ourselves. If you love getting out of the classroom, giving back, and writing creatively, this could be the course for you.

Course requirements: Courage and compassion Course Credit: 10+ community service hours, which will count toward Hall of Fame hours, but not graduation requirement.

English 6 Fall Elective: Honors Symposium Seminar This course studies the work of a renowned living author and his or her life and literary environment. It also examines the critical assessment of the author’s work and those writers who influenced his or her style and focus. Independent discussion, extensive writing and peer teaching are fundamental to the course as a means for developing a mature understanding of the symposium author.

The course culminates with the author’s visit to the School as part of the annual Warren Baird English Symposium.

Students meet with the author and participate in a master class, both rich opportunities to question and discuss with the author the careful and thorough perspectives that they have developed in their semester’s study. Designed for those students who have excelled in their study of English and have the passion and curiosity to explore a single author for the semester, admission to this course is by application only.

SPRING SENIOR ELECTIVES Senior Thesis The Senior Thesis, the culmination of the long-range objectives of the English program at Kingswood Oxford, requires students to use all of their acquired reading, writing and thinking skills in an independent research paper with a substantial literary component. An assigned thesis advisor works with a small group of students in class to cover topic selection, methods of research and technical procedures, while the student pursues his or her independent research and writing. All Form 6 students are required to write a Senior Thesis during the third quarter.

English 6 Spring Elective: The Art of Watching Film Not only is there an art to making films; there is also an art to watching films, which students will discover through viewing a variety of different movies. Students will sharpen their powers of observation and develop the skills and habits of perceptive watching as they begin to see films – and the artistry behind them – in a new way. We will view a range of clips that showcase the various aspects of film (thematic elements, fictional and dramatic elements, visual design, cinematography and special visual effects, editing, color, sound effects and dialogue, score, and acting) and then fully analyze Mike Nichols’ The Graduate as well as an additional film that the class votes on. By the end of the course, students will write an argument for why a film of their choice is good, and the class will have an opportunity to view a few of these films.

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English 6 Spring Elective: The Happiness Class In the comic strip Peanuts, Lucy Van Pelt expressed, “Happiness is a warm puppy,” implying some of the simplest things bring us joy: love and companionship. What is your version of happiness? What can we learn from literature and reflection about our own happiness? In this course, students will listen to the first season of the podcast The Happiness Lab, which Dr. Laurie Santos created after learning that “Rates of depression in 20 year olds have doubled since 2009.” As we explore the series on the science of happiness, we will read accompanying short texts -- odes, expressions of praise and gratitude, and various other works -- that align with the podcast thematically. In addition to class discussions, students will write informal reflective journals and complete a project responding to a text of their choice.

English 6 Spring Elective: Hitchcock: Master of Suspense Suspense in movies, the dramatization of a film’s narrative material or the most intense presentation possible of dramatic situations, is what keeps us interested in the spectacle. It is what compels us to return again and again to the darkened room of the cinema. For 53 films, Alfred Hitchcock worked at perfecting this particular art form. After an introduction to the study of film as an art form, we will analyze an array of Mr. Hitchcock’s great films, including The Thirty-Nine Steps (or The Lady Vanishes), Strangers on a Train, Rear Window, The Birds, North by Northwest, and Psycho among others. Besides learning the technical vocabulary necessary for film study, students will also be responsible for writing one shot analysis and presenting one film analysis of their choosing.

English 6 Spring Elective: Know Yourself: Literature and Psychology How well do you know yourself? In this elective, we will engage with this important topic of self-knowledge from two distinct vantage points: literature and psychology. We will work through several key questions of identity: for example, how much do we deceive ourselves about who we are? How much are we changed by how others perceive us? How well do we communicate who we are to others? What are the best ways to figure out who we really are? For each question, we will examine literary examples, including short stories and excerpts from novels by Jhumpa Lahiri, Virginia Woolf, Jamaica Kincaid, and David Sedaris, among others; we will also seek psychological insights from the Prisoner’s Dilemma, The Stanford Prison experiment, the Turing Test, and various other studies. Further, we will challenge ourselves with reflective exercises that get us thinking about how these questions apply to our own lives.

These conversations will culminate in a public art exhibition: students will produce art pieces that reflect key principles from the course and share these pieces with the wider community.

English 6 Spring Elective: Monsters, Inc “By monster I mean some horrendous presence or apparition that explodes all of your standards for harmony, order, and ethical conduct.” So says Joseph Campbell in “The Power of Myth.” This course explores the dynamics of horror, past to present, with special attention to monsters as manifestations of cultural values. What does a particular culture label as “monstrous” and why? What makes a successful monster at a given time? What exactly have certain authors (and filmmakers) captured (or unleashed)? Toward answering such questions, we explore history, myth, literature, art and film. We begin in the Dark Ages with the shadowy monsters slain by Beowulf and end with a movie genre that just won’t die – the slasher film. Works studied may include John Gardner’s Grendel, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 10 of 70

Katherine Dunn’s Geek Love, Stewart O’Nan’s The Speed Queen, Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are and George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.

English 6 Spring Elective: Novels and Their Film Adaptations Is the book always better than the movie? What makes an adaptation successful? This course considers the challenges involved in converting novels to film. Must one be faithful to plot or are there more important issues inherent in adaptation? What pressures does Hollywood bring to the process? By examining novel and film pairs including Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, and Jonathan Nolan’s “Memento Mori” – the class tackles some of these questions to define the qualities of a successful adaptation.

English 6 Spring Elective: Robot Dreams “Alexa, play my favorite song.” “Siri, who am I?” Smart phones. Smart homes. Self-driving cars. Fraud detection.

Preference detection. Facial recognition. There’s no question that artificial intelligence is ubiquitous these days and has made so much in our lives more convenient and––some would say––safer. But why is there something unsettling about machines that can think? Aren’t they just sophisticated tools, the next iteration of the candle or compass? What if robots become self-aware? Would that transform them from tools to… slaves? Should they have rights? Would they hate the master in us––or love the god in us? Could we love them? In this course, we will look to literature and film for answers. We’ll discuss what it means to be human. What it means to be free. What it means to love. We’ll start with selections from The Book of Genesis, Greek myths, and Frankenstein, and move into the 20th and 21st centuries with essays, short stories, news articles, and podcasts. We’ll watch Ex Machina, Her, and scenes from Westworld. We will end the course with student-designed projects.

English 6 Spring Elective: You Are What You Eat Imagine your favorite meal: a perfectly seared and deliciously greasy cheeseburger. A spicy, savory serving of chicken tikka masala. An oven-fired, gooey slice of cheese pizza. A zesty, herbaceous taco. What you love to eat says a lot about who you are, and because food can tell us so much about a person, writers have long drawn on culinary muses to spice up their work. From Marcel Proust’s crumbly madeleine cookie that made its consumer feel an “exquisite pleasure,” to Ralph Ellison’s sweet, buttery yam that with one bite transported the narrator to his Southern home, this class will examine the thematic, social, cultural, and historical meanings writers inscribe through representations of food in literature. In addition to fictional images of food, we will also analyze contemporary nonfiction food writing, exploring the way food reviews achieve both practical and literary goals. Readings for this class will primarily consist of selections from Eating Words: A Norton Anthology of Food Writing. In written work, students will analyze the ways authors entice us to read more through their mouth-watering descriptions of food, reflect on their own food memories, and experiment with crafting their own food reviews. Be prepared to turn a sharp eye towards your favorite restaurant, your dad’s specialty dish, or a meal from the cafeteria to hone your skills as a food critic. By the end of the class you might just learn to savor the written word as much as your favorite meal.

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SCIENCE No human endeavor has been as successful as the scientific method. The spirit of innovation may be a natural consequence of the complexity originating in the nervous system, but the substantial progress in every field of modern science is rooted in a sturdy, globally accepted design. Our courses are structured to grant each student access to the foundational principles of the scientific process. Our excellent facilities, infused with natural light, provide optimum conditions for inquiry and the development of an evidence-based perspective of modern science.

>>MIDDLE SCHOOL Upper Prep Science This course focuses on the organization of the human body from cells to organ systems. The students will learn how these systems work together to allow the body to function. The last month of the year is spent studying world health issues and how they impact various populations.

The essential questions that drive these units are : • •

What makes up our body and how does it work?

What are some world health issues and how do they impact the population in various countries?

All areas are studied through scientific inquiry, which involves hypothesizing, conducting labs/activities, making observations, collecting data, analyzing information and drawing conclusions.

Form I Expedition of English, History, and Science Course: What is the Power of Water?

This expedition-based interdisciplinary course will be team-taught by science, history and English teachers. This course will occur during the fall semester of 2020.

Overview In this expedition course, students in Form 1 will explore the Connecticut River watershed as we pursue the question, “What is the Power of Water?” From the icy mountain tributaries in the Berkshires to the saltwater estuaries near the Long Island Sound, students will conduct hands-on experiments along the riverbanks and interview various stakeholders who live and work next to rivers like the Farmington and Connecticut. As an interdisciplinary course and through the lenses of science, history, and literature, students will examine and explore both the literal and figurative power of water.

Content Students will explore the history of settlement, conflict, and industrialization in Connecticut and along the river. As readers and writers, they will examine the inspiration that rivers have furnished for myth and literature. As scientists, they will conduct hands-on experiments and collect data across the Connecticut River watershed. Ultimately, students will synthesize their experience to tell their own stories of the river through the lens of a podcast, app, or literary magazine. Then in a culminating showcase, students will share their findings with the community.

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Experience In this course, students will use the Connecticut River as a classroom. While learning about subject material on campus, they will also have regular opportunities for place-based learning along the river and its watershed. By taking part in trash pickups, river and stream restoration, field tests, and dam removals, students will play their part in improving the life of the river. By studying artifacts and historical documents, they will understand how the river influenced the lives of past residents. And by writing about their own experiences, students will find their own lifelong connections to the river. Students will keep personal expedition journals, recording flora and fauna, along with writing their own narratives, poems, and creative responses.

The second half of the year explores the dynamic nature of the earth and the interactions between its systems and cycles. Using this foundation, students will examine the series of positive and negative feedback loops that are created from these interactions. Form 1 Science focuses on the theme of questioning by exploring three central questions of Earth Science: • • •

How do the Sun, Earth, and Moon interact to form a working system?

How do the different atmospheric conditions influence the shaping of the earth’s surface and the existence of life on the planet?

How has our planet changed over geological time, and more importantly, what does the future hold?

Form 2 Science This lab-centric course incorporates the form 2 theme of ownership. The first half of the year will be chemistry-based with a focus on the development of scientific reasoning and lab skills as they study characteristic properties. The final assessment asks the students to separate and identify the components of a complex mixture using minimal materials.

The second half of the year will be physics-based with a focus on motion and the use of simple machines through open and guided inquiry. As a culminating project, the students are challenged to answer the question: what simple machine would be the most efficient to move a mass to a certain height?

>>UPPER SCHOOL

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Environmental Science: A Changing Earth With periodic attention to the influence of anthropogenic activities on Earth, ecosystems and populations, this course utilizes dynamic instructional and experimental methods to guide students in learning about ecological principles, interactions and trends. Basic biological, physical and chemical concepts are employed to support environmental topics throughout the year. Students are initially engaged with the study of food, nutrient cycles and energy flow.

Practical application of introductory concepts involves an ongoing local investigation of the Trout Brook ecosystem as well as the KO campus. Additional experimentation and exposure to new concepts allow students to consider how ecological principles are revealed in our immediate environment and how KO might improve its environmental impact through modification of its existing food and energy related practices and programs. Building upon this foundation, students are encouraged to broaden the scope of their investigations to further analyze global cycles and environmental trends in the context of the distant past and compare them with recent, or current conditions. In the spring, students revisit the Trout Brook microenvironment, applying their newfound perspectives to evaluate the overall health of this important local freshwater ecosystem. The course culminates in a 2-week extension project through the Global Online Academy course, Changing the Course of Climate Change, in which students have the chance to share with and learn from others around the world who are interested in the environment and their role in it. Open to students in Form 3.

Environmental Science Honors: A Changing Earth Students in the Honors Environmental Science class will focus on the same basic curricular foundation outlined in the description for the regular level of Environmental Science (see description above). All topics will encompass a greater depth of investigation and project-based application, including laboratory activities. During the first semester these skills are employed in order to extensively understand the chemical, geological, and geographical characteristics of the Earth typically included within a core curriculum, as well as those influenced by anthropogenic activities. Other topics include the chemical and physical properties of water that allow for the existence of life on Earth, the study of biomolecules within complex nutrient cycles and energy flow through ecosystems. When applicable, students will be prepared to link unit themes to the concept of climate change and, applying the principles of the scientific method, make predictions about the biotic and abiotic factors facing all species on Earth. At the close of the first semester, each student will further engage with the link between food and energy, with extensions to food waste monitoring, relationships between composting and offsets of greenhouse gas emissions and awareness of ecological footprints in populations. Students will research and build various composters and contribute to the growing sustainability initiatives on campus.

Topics covered in the second semester initially focus on the formation of the Earth, followed by the manner in which geological forces have shaped and continue to shape the planet today. Subsequently, factors such as the effects of solar radiation and the tilt of Earth on a rotating axis will be used to introduce formation of climate patterns and biomes. In the spring, students will continue to study Trout Brook in order to assess the water quality of this ecosystem. Data collection and analysis of the results of this project inform students about the impact of human activities in West Hartford and, by extension, pertinent global issues Honors students will be expected to exercise a greater level of independence with assignments, using multiple resources to supplement information from a textbook. Compared to the regular Environmental Science section, this course requires a greater emphasis on writing in the context of research for lab reports, papers and other assessments.

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For the duration of the course, students will explore the process of science in terms of the methods scientists use to make observations, propose questions, and design tests to collect data for analysis and conclusion. Open to students in Form 3 with departmental approval.

Biology This general biology course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts of cell biology, genetics, evolution and current topics in molecular biology and genetic engineering. This course includes a lab component. Laboratory work mirrors the course work and promotes careful observation, analysis and synthesis of data, and the ability to develop and discuss sensible conclusions. Open to students in Form 4.

Biology Honors Much of this course employs an expansion of the contextual framework used to introduce the basic biological processes listed in the description of the foundational Biology course (see above). Students in the Biology Honors course should expect to cover topics in greater depth and/or a faster pace, with a greater emphasis on conceptual application and analysis, through writing, laboratory projects and tests. Formal lab reports are modeled after the style associated with scientific journals. In the Honors sequence a more detailed exploration of biochemistry is utilized to highlight cell physiology and molecular biology, including the important relationship between cellular respiration and photosynthesis. This objective reflects the current trends in modern scientific research, especially within the realm of genetics and gene expression. All chemical, biological and physical properties are viewed within the framework of evolution, adaptation and natural selection throughout the school year. Open to students in form 4 with departmental approval.

Chemistry This general chemistry course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts of atomic structure, bonding and molecular properties based on current atomic models. The course also explains qualitative and quantitative relationships in chemical reactions, states of matter, changes in energy, chemical equilibrium, and acidbase relationships. This course includes lab activities; laboratories promote careful observation, analysis, and synthesis of data, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. Demonstrations provide visualization of concepts.

Open to students in Forms 5-6. Prerequisite: Algebra 1.

Chemistry Honors This lab course begins with the same spectrum of topics as the general chemistry course but at a greater depth and faster pace. Students in this course are expected to be comfortable with frequent use of algebra to allow a mathematical methodology for study of chemical concepts. Reaction kinetics, equilibrium and acid-base chemistry are also covered.

Students complete homework reading, homework problems, and practice worksheets independently. The laboratory requirement is more expansive and quantitatively oriented compared to the lab activities in the general chemistry program. Open to students in Forms 5-6. Prerequisites: Algebra 2 (can be concurrent) and department approval.

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Physics This introduction to physics is a year-long course involving both theoretical and hands-on approaches to the study of physical phenomena. The class focuses on motion, forces, momentum, and energy. Lab investigations and projects are an integral part of the program, providing insight into the relationship between experimentation and theory. Through continuous mathematical and conceptual problem-solving, students practice and hone their developing physics skills.

This course is open to students in Forms 5-6. Prerequisites: Algebra 2 either completed or taken concurrently.

Physics Honors This lab course covers the same range of topics as the general physics course--such as Newtonian mechanics, waves and momentum--but at a greater depth and faster pace to allow for additional material. Emphasis is placed on developing quantitative skills and an understanding of everyday phenomena from a scientific and mathematical viewpoint. This understanding as well as the related quantitative skills are tested in laboratory experiments, which call for more independence and creativity. Open to students in Forms 5-6. Prerequisites: Precalculus either completed or taken concurrently and department approval.

AP® Biology The AP® Biology program follows a sequence that is similar to a first-year college biology curriculum with special attention to the four Big Ideas identified by the College Board, including the premise that evolution is the central theme that anchors the study of biology. A list of these ideas can be found on the College Board website. The sequence includes coverage of eight major content units, designed to cultivate an understanding of cellular processes, energy and communication, genetics and heredity, information transfer, ecology and species interactions. Substantial time is allotted to the study of heredity and gene expression, which mirrors the current expansion of biological information and published research in our time. Some quantitative ability is required, as activities based upon inquiry will utilize formulas and mathematical calculations. Considerable abstract and conceptual reasoning along with extra time for substantial independent study of unit topics is a precondition for enrollment in AP® Biology. Lab exercises are chosen from a collection of investigations approved by the College Board. These are designed to promote the development of skills with data collection, graph analysis, and formation of hypotheses. Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® Biology Examination in May. Open to students in Forms 4-6. Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry and/or department approval.

AP® Chemistry This lab course follows the first-year college curriculum in inorganic chemistry. While intended to be a second chemistry course, it may be taken, with permission, by students with no chemistry background. Designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement® Examination, this rigorous course covers the same spectrum of topics as the introductory course at a considerably more sophisticated level. Students engage in substantially more independent laboratory work and apply increasingly complex quantitative reasoning skills. They also develop a systematic approach toward study that allows them to organize data or facts within a conceptual framework. Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® Chemistry Examination in May. Open to students in Forms 5-6.

Prerequisites: Pre-calculus (can be taken concurrently), chemistry and/or department approval.

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AP® Environmental Science The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. By its nature environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. Topics will include energy flow in the environment, geochemical cycles, population ecology, and biodiversity. This is a lab science that will require some outdoor landscape investigations and field studies. Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® Environmental Science Examination in May. Open to students in Forms 5-6.

Prerequisite: Earth and Environmental Science or department approval.

AP® Physics C: Mechanics AP® Physics C: Mechanics is a college-level, calculus-based course that explores kinematics, dynamics, momentum, energy, oscillations, and gravitation. This course combines the fundamental principles and guiding theories covered in general physics and encourages students to imagine the study of physics as interconnected pieces of a universal puzzle.

Through inquiry-based explorations, students develop their own experimental procedures, collect data, and analyze results by applying their developing course skills. Less time is spent using traditional formula-based learning in order to direct more time and effort toward the development of critical thinking and reasoning skills. Students enrolled in this course must take the AP® Physics C: Mechanics exam in May. Prerequisite: AP Calculus either completed or taken concurrently and department approval.

Marine Biology (Year) This year long lab course is designed for students with a particular interest in marine biology and oceanography. The course provides an excellent background for students who are interested in a detailed study of the oceans, the organisms that inhabit them, and our dependence on them for food, climate regulation, and oxygen. Major concepts developed in this course include the examination of interrelationships between marine and terrestrial environments, geology of the oceans, the ecology of coral reefs, and the threats posed by human activities within each of these categories. Laboratory activities, including the examination of marine specimens, and frequent discussions of current events (as they apply to real world applications) are utilized throughout this course in order to develop increasing levels of student knowledge. Students use the classroom tank ecosystems to examine habitats and discuss the possible reasons why specific organisms occupy them. A fall semester project on ecosystems and a spring project on the theoretical design of a dream tank are highlights of the year. Students should emerge from the course with a better understanding of the conditions that currently impact our oceans as well as their role in preserving this natural resource in relation to the choices they make in their daily lives. Open to students in Forms 5 and 6. Prerequisite: Biology.

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Forensic Science (Fall) The role of scientists in the judicial system has become increasingly relevant. Many previously unsolved crimes have been resolved with the help of science and modern technology. “Science” is a key witness in our court system. This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to put science and problem-solving skills to work. It introduces a series of methods used by real forensic science specialists (or police officers) associated with the preservation, identification, collection and analysis of evidence found at a crime scene. Students compare and contrast what a forensic scientist actually experiences as opposed to the images or storylines students view on television shows like “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Subjects covered in this course include the collection of physical evidence, trace evidence, blood typing, spatter analysis, toxicology, forensic anthropology, DNA evidence, and fingerprint analysis.

Case studies (real and fictional) supplement the content covered during the semester. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Psychology: The Brain and Behavior (Fall) Ever wonder how the brain works? Or how you learn? Or why certain behaviors persist while others don’t? The Brain and Behavior is an introduction to the scientific study of human behavior. Topics include the biological basis of behavior, memory, sensation and perception, and learning. Students learn how a psychological perspective provides insight into human behaviors. They read various theoretical perspectives, learning to employ research methods that allow them to become knowledgeable readers of psychological research and findings. In this course, students will cultivate the ability to think critically about topics in psychology. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Introduction to Engineering (Spring) This course challenges students to build a bridge -- and get over it. Students will be introduced to the engineering design method and focus on analyzing a problem, solving the problem, and prototype testing. Historical examples in bridge design, construction and failures will be explored. Throughout this one semester course, students will be challenged in ways that require consideration of materials available, functionality, and cost. After completing this class, students will know what it would be like to study Engineering after high school. This course is open to students in Forms 4-6 and students in Form 3 with department approval.

Psychology: Thoughts, Emotions and Personality (Spring) Ever wonder about why we express certain emotions the way we do? Or what influences our personality? Or how groups can affect an individual’s behavior? This course serves as an introduction to mental processes. Topics include motivation, emotions, personality and abnormal and social psychology. Students will be taught how a psychological perspective provides insight into cognition, emotions and personality. Additionally, they become knowledgeable readers of psychological research and findings. The goal is to teach students how to think critically about topics in psychology. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

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MATHEMATICS Mathematics is a discipline with broad applicability throughout the natural and social sciences: Whether we are modeling climate change, forecasting financial markets, or securing Internet sites, we are using math. Yet there is also a more subtle beauty in mathematics: an elegance arising from its interconnectedness and simplicity.

We strive to develop logical, creative-thinking students who can apply technology and hands-on techniques to real-world and abstract problems. Our learning environment fosters active participation, self-discipline, and perseverance.

Our program begins in the Middle School, where math is presented as an active and exciting subject. Working in groups, in pairs or alone, students explore a problem-centered curriculum; how to observe relationships and patterns in complex sets of data; and learn that asking "why" and "how" leads to deep understanding of the material.

In the Upper School, students continue to strengthen their reasoning skills and their ability to manipulate and apply mathematical concepts. After completing geometry and two years of algebra, students will take courses from a rigorous curriculum that includes Precalculus, Calculus, Statistics, and Computer Science, with AP options in Calculus, Statistics, and Computer Science.

>>MIDDLE SCHOOL Upper Prep Mathematics In Upper Prep Mathematics, students are asked to look for patterns, estimate, comprehend data, reason and problem solve. Students interact with teachers to do hands-on, rich experiments and must be prepared to be part of an active learning process. Working in pairs, in larger groups and on their own to discover new methods of solving problems, students deepen their understanding of mathematics. They are often asked to justify their answers and thoughts.

“How?”, “Why?” and “What if?” are just as common as “What is the answer?”

Students learn how to discuss, conjecture, validate, generalize, extend, connect, document and communicate. As a result, students develop a deep understanding of concepts and the inclination and ability to reason and make sense of new situations. Students learn about algebra, geometry, measurement, number, and operations. There is an emphasis on making meaning of the relationships between numbers and being able to connect key concepts and big ideas.

Curriculum is integrated so that Upper Prep students understand and recognize the correlation between different topics in mathematics. In order to be successful, Upper Prep students are expected to have a working knowledge of basic facts.

Form 1 Mathematics This course continues the work begun in Upper Prep mathematics, adding a more in-depth look at topics important in the understanding of algebra and number.

Students extend their understanding of proportional reasoning by developing an understanding of congruence and mathematical similarity. They are challenged to understand why procedures work and to discover rules for operating with integers, three-dimensional geometry and foundational algebraic processes. They review rational numbers and Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021

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how to use them to make comparisons.

Students also participate in an intense investigation of linear relationships. Students learn to transform and manipulate all four modalities of linear functions: the contextual problem, numeric table, coordinate graph, and algebraic equation. Students apply all of these skills to problem solve. Students are expected to build on and connect to prior knowledge in order to build deeper understandings and new insights. This course does all of this through a prealgebra lens.

Form 2 Beginning Algebra This Form 2 course begins the formal study of algebra. Standard algebra topics, such as multi-step equation solving, linear, inverse variation and exponential equations, quadratic patterns, and statistics are covered. Additionally, students develop an understanding of rational and irrational square roots through the discovery and application of the Pythagorean Theorem. Students connect types of functions and contextual situations, and they are expected to be able to decipher each situation and understand the relationship between them. They then use these skills to solve problems, make predictions and defend their reasoning. This course continues at the same level and pace as the Form 1 and Upper Prep math courses. Students in this class will continue their study of algebra in Form 3.

Form 2 Algebra 1 Algebra 1 builds on the algebra topics developed in Form 1 Mathematics, with a significant increase in pace and expectation. This high-school level course focuses on linear, inverse variation and quadratic functions. Students analyze the data tables, equations and graphs in order to recognize the different functions according to their distinguishing features. The study of linear functions emphasizes solving equations in one variable and systems of equations in two variables, including inequalities. The quadratic portion of the course includes solving by factoring and the quadratic formula. In addition, the course includes the laws of exponents and the simplifying of radical and rational expressions. This course uses the Connected Mathematics series to challenge students to discover and understand the why behind the how and to continue to develop their fluency with mathematical vocabulary in the expression of their understanding. Algebra 1 is designed for students who possess the necessary background, motivation and intellectual development to handle the increased complexities of a demanding one-year Algebra 1 course. Students who have attained a B average, combined with the teacher’s recommendation, will be allowed to enroll in Geometry in Form 3.

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>>UPPER SCHOOL

Algebra 1 Algebra 1 provides a formal, in-depth development of the algebraic skills and concepts necessary for students to succeed in subsequent courses. The key content involves writing, solving, and graphing linear and quadratic equations, including systems of two linear equations in two variables. Quadratic equations are solved by factoring, graphing, or applying the quadratic formula. The course also includes studying monomial and polynomial expressions, inequalities, exponents, functions, rational expressions, ratio, and proportion. Algebraic skills are applied in a wide variety of problem-solving situations.

For many students this course is an extension of concepts that they’ve been introduced to in a previous course. Upon successful completion of this course students advance to Geometry.

Geometry This Geometry course provides students with a thorough exposure to Euclidean geometry in two and three dimensions. Students analyze the fundamentals of geometry through properties, proofs, and arithmetic/algebraic problem solving. This course begins with an introduction to deductive reasoning and the development of logical arguments while uncovering properties of polygons, parallel lines, and perpendicular lines in the plane or in space.

The Pythagorean Theorem and an introduction to right triangle trigonometry lay the foundation for the study of area of plane figures as well as the area and volume of solids in the spring. Upon successful completion of this course students continue their study of Algebra. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

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Geometry Honors This Honors Geometry course provides students with a rigorous exposure to Euclidean geometry in two and three dimensions. Students develop strong problem solving skills using inductive and deductive reasoning. Students will be able to apply previously learned concepts to new situations by making connections between ideas and referring to past experiences. Basic spatial and physical definitions, as well as mathematical reasoning, are explored. This course focuses on an in-depth study of the properties, congruence, and relationships of lines, polygons, and circles. Area and volume as well as the relationships between them are also studied. The goal of this course is to enable students to navigate through geometric problems, and to logically break down and solve them. Upon successful completion of this course students advance to an appropriate level of Algebra 2. Department recommendation is required for this course.

Graphing calculators are required for this course.

Algebra 2 (F) This second-year algebra course begins with a review of basic algebra skills followed by a concentration on functions.

The goal of the course is to build a strong foundation for success in continued studies of mathematics. The pace of the course is designed to allow students to master standard algebraic skills. Topics covered include combining like terms, factoring, inequalities, matrices, function notation, complex numbers, linear, quadratic and polynomial functions, and rational expressions. Graphing calculators are used to enhance understanding. Upon completing this course, students advance to Functions and Trigonometry or Statistics.

Algebra 2 (P) Algebra 2 further explores the topics studied in Algebra 1 with a concentration on functions. Topics covered include inequalities, matrices, imaginary and complex numbers, conic sections, as well as radical, linear, quadratic and polynomial functions, and rational expressions. There is a focus on solving problems as students work to solidify their skills in applying the properties of algebra. The course moves at an accelerated pace, and proper justification and detail are stressed. An introduction to interpreting and understanding the connections between equations and graphs is explored. Upon successful completion of this course, students advance to either Functions and Trigonometry, Precalculus, or Statistics. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

Algebra 2 Honors This honors-level course offers students a rigorous and in-depth exploration of functions and further builds upon the topics covered in Algebra 1. The course focuses on inequalities, systems of equations, imaginary and complex numbers, conic sections, and matrices, and the following families of functions: linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic. Through an algebraic, numerical, and graphical approach, students learn to analyze functions and become familiar with their individual characteristics. Students are expected to be able to move quickly, have a strong math intuition, and have fluidity in computation. There is significant emphasis placed on solving sophisticated problems. Upon successful completion of this course, students advance to an appropriate level of Precalculus. Department recommendation is required for this course. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

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Functions and Trigonometry This course expands upon the concepts covered in Algebra 2, and introduces students to the concepts covered in Precalculus. It is designed for students that need to fine tune their algebraic skills prior to entering Precalculus or an equivalent course. The topics covered in this course include set notation, as well as linear, rational, polynomial functions and their graphs. Algebraic skills are used in a wide variety of applications in this course. Advanced functions including exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions are introduced from an algebraic and graphical approach.

Additionally, students work to develop concrete problem solving skills, to take ownership of their learning, and to read and interpret mathematical writing and notation. This course provides students with a foundation for continued studies in Precalculus, Statistics, or other quantitative courses in college. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

Precalculus Precalculus builds on the concepts mastered in Algebra 2. The course begins with a study of functions and their properties and goes on to explore different families of functions, including polynomial, rational, radical, logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric. The major focus of this course is solving and graphing equations in each of these families of functions. Through a graphical, algebraic, and numeric approach, students will develop a conceptual understanding of problems and develop mathematical reasoning and problem solving ability. Facility with Algebra 2 concepts, as well as the ability to think critically and apply reasoning skills are essential characteristics of a successful Precalculus student. This course provides students with a foundation for continued studies in Calculus, Statistics, or other quantitative courses in college. Department recommendation is required for this course. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

Precalculus Honors Honors Precalculus builds on the topics mastered in Algebra 2 with a significant increase in pace and expectation.

Students entering this course must have a solid number sense and strong math intuition. Also, they must be able to apply concepts quickly and be fluid in computation. This course covers different families of functions and their properties including polynomial, rational, radical, logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions. It explores advanced topics such as vectors, parametric equations, and polar functions as well as their graphs. The Calculus topics of limits, rate of change, and sequence and series are introduced. Through a graphical, algebraic, and analytical approach, students will develop a conceptual understanding of problems and mathematical reasoning. Mastering these skills will prepare students for Calculus. Department recommendation is required for this course. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

Statistics Statistics offers students an introduction to the concepts of statistics and probability. Topics include graphical displays of data, measures of central tendency and variability, the elements of experimental design and observational study,

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and the fundamentals of probability, random variables, probability distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and linear regression. This course focuses on the many applications of statistics in the natural and social sciences and makes use of the graphing calculator and the computer. This course is open to students in Form 6 who have completed Algebra 2 and students in Form 5 with department approval. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

AP® Statistics This non-calculus based course encompasses the material covered in a first semester college-level statistics course. The conceptual themes that students are exposed to are exploratory analysis of data, planning an appropriate datacollection study, producing models using probability and simulation, and using statistical inference to guide conclusions. Students use statistical modeling tools to solve a variety of problems in economics, the physical and biological sciences, law, geography, and political science. Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® Statistics Examination in May. The course makes extensive use of the graphing calculator. Department recommendation is required for this course. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

Calculus This course covers the traditional topics of differential and integral calculus. Students begin the year with a review of families of functions and trigonometry before moving on to the study of limits, continuity, the derivative, the definite integral and their many related applications in the social and natural sciences. Algebraic and problem-solving skills are reinforced throughout the year, preparing students for continued study of calculus in college. Precalculus is a prerequisite for this course, and department recommendation is required. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

AP® Calculus AB This course is designed to cover all of the material of the first semester of a college calculus course. It begins with topics in differential calculus, including limits, continuity and techniques of differentiation, followed by applications of the derivative in problem solving. The second half of the course covers topics in integral calculus, beginning with Riemann sums and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, continuing with techniques of integration, and ending with the consideration of a range of applications of the integral. Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® Calculus AB Examination in May. Department recommendation is required for this course.

Graphing calculators are required for this course.

AP® Calculus BC This course is designed to cover all of the material of the first two semesters of a college calculus course. The focus is on the derivative, the integral and their applications, including maximum and minimum problems, velocity and acceleration, related rates, linear approximations, areas and volumes, and curve sketching. Students will study polynomial, rational, trigonometric, and exponential functions, as well as conic sections, parametric and polar Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 24 of 70

equations. Separable differential equations and sequences and series also are part of the course. Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® Calculus BC Examination in May. Department recommendation is required for this course. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

Multivariable Calculus Honors The course begins with the study of vectors, lines, curves and surfaces in three dimensions as well as partial derivatives and their applications, double and triple integrals and applications, and, time permitting, an introduction to line and surface integrals (Green’s, Gauss’ and Stokes’ theorems). The latter portion of the course includes a review of separable differential equations as well as an introduction to linear homogeneous and nonhomogeneous differential equations. The course integrates the study of mechanics, which students have covered in physics, with the application of calculus to physical concepts. This course is open to students who have successfully completed Calculus BC. Department recommendation is required for this course. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

AP® Computer Science This is a yearlong advanced level computer science course for those who have completed Introduction to Computer Science. Following the Advanced Placement® Computer Science A curriculum, the Java language is used to present “programming methodology with an emphasis on problem solving and algorithm development.” It models a collegelevel, first semester computer science course and includes an introduction to data structures and data abstraction.

Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® Computer Science A Examination in May. Department recommendation is required for this course.

MATHEMATICS ELECTIVES

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Introduction to Computer Science (Fall) This elective is an entry/intermediate level computer programming course that introduces the basic principles of generating computer code with clarity and elegance. Classroom projects include textbook exercises, simple text-based gaming, fundamental graphics, and creating Apps for Android Phones. Program structure, conditionals, looping, and style are presented in this course using the Visual Basic. The course covers the fundamentals of using the OOP approach including objects, classes, methods, data types, application, and applet design. This coursework provides a possible lead into further studies in the Advanced PlacementÂŽ Computer Science course. This course is open to students in Forms 3-6.

Advanced Computer Science: Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (Spring) This elective is an advanced level programming course that allows students to explore algorithms and artificial intelligence using the Java programming language. During the first half of the course, students examine different methods of algorithm design while also implementing some of their own algorithms to solve problems correctly and efficiently. In the second half of the course, students explore artificial intelligence and examine how machines can think like a human brain. They complete the course with creating Apps for Android Phones. Throughout the semester, students design and work on individual programming projects under the guidance of the instructor. This course is open to students in Forms 3-6. Prerequisite: completion of Introduction to Computer Science or department approval.

Game Theory (Spring) Games, in the mathematical sense, are all around us. Every decision made represents a choice among many possibilities, and game theory is the study of how humans make those choices. Most of the semester will be spent playing and discussing different types of games, such as sequential move games, simultaneous move games, zero-sum games, repeated games, and bidding games. In addition, topics such as dominant strategies, Nash equilibrium, mixed strategy equilibrium, and backwards induction will be studied. Game theory has wide applications across many disciplines as well as in daily life, so this course will make use of hands-on applications. This course will enhance the way students think about the world and will inspire them to make better, more rational decisions. This course is open to students in Forms 4-6 and students in Form 3 with department approval. Graphing calculators are required for this course.

Discrete Math 1 This course provides an introduction to the applications of contemporary mathematics to real-world problems.

Topics include linear programming, decision paths and circuits, scheduling optimization, recursion, growth and decay, and fractals and chaos.

Students are exposed to a variety of problem-solving strategies and techniques, with emphasis on applications from the business world, government, and social and biological sciences. Students use graphing calculators and computers to model problems presented in the course. Open to students in Form 6 who have completed Algebra 2 and students in Form 5 with department approval. Graphing calculators are required for this course. This course will not be offered in 2020-21.

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Discrete Math 2 This Spring semester course continues the introduction to the many applications of contemporary mathematics in the areas of business, government, economics, and social and biological sciences. Students explore methods of voting, fair division, and game theory as they apply to sharing, rational decisions, and greed and cooperation.

Students investigate mathematical models used in studying population dynamics and look at natality and mortality rates, density dependence, predation and sustainability. Calculators and computers are used to model problems. Open to students in Form 6 who have completed Algebra 2 and students in Form 5 with department approval. Graphing calculators are required for this course. This course will not be offered in 2020-21.

Probability and Contest Math (Fall) What are the odds? This course attempts to answer that famous question in a variety of settings. Examples from history, science, and cinema will be used to unpack the math behind probability. Over the course of this semester, students will develop their ability to problem solve both independently and in groups. Topics such as Combinatorics, Simulation, Expected Value, and Conditional Probability with Bayes Theorem will be studied. There will also be time spent preparing for various math competitions. This course is open to anyone who has completed Algebra 2 and will require strong logical thinking. Graphing calculators are required for this course. This course will not be offered in 2020-21.

Introduction to Web Design This elective introduces the basics of Web design and development. Students learn a variety of Web development tools including HTML, CSS, PHP, and Javascript. The focus is on creating dynamic user-friendly Web pages. For final projects, students work closely with the instructor or other interested faculty members to develop a functional web site to be used the following year as an academic tool for other courses. This course has no prerequisites, although students are encouraged to have taken Introduction to Computer Science. This semester course is offered every other year and will not be offered in 2020-2021.

Physical Computing This course will introduce students to a new way of interacting with computers, from desktops and laptops to smartphones and microcomputers. It will begin by asking the question, “How do we, as humans, interact with the physical world?” For instance, how do people “sense” the world around them, and how are these principles applied to computer hardware and software? Once students understand that their actions can be measured by changes in energy or more simply interpreted as changes in numeric value, they will learn how to build interactive modular devices that are able to respond to various sources of input (e.g., light, sound, touch, etc.). Students will use microcontrollers, breadboards, and sensors in conjunction with the code they will develop using Arduino’s integrated development environment (IDE).

Physical computing takes a hands-on approach to learning with a focus on creative expression. Students will be building circuits, writing computer programs, and integrating sensors in an effort to interact with the physical world around them. This course may be of particular interest to those students who have taken Design Technology, Coding, Electronic Music, or Robotics in the Middle School. Open to Forms 3-6. This course will not be offered in 2020-21.

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HISTORY “History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future.”

Robert Penn Warren (1905-1989) American writer and teacher As Professor Warren notes, history helps to tie us to our collective humanity, and during this very important chapter in our history, can there be a more important connection? Our students learn to appreciate as well as to critique historical events. To read mindfully, to write effectively, to think objectively, to research accurately, and to speak authoritatively: these are the goals we have for our students as they come to understand the past on their way to a bright future.

>>MIDDLE SCHOOL Upper Prep: Geography and Culture In this course, students become familiar with the questions and tools of the geographer. Their study of the world helps them to better understand the relationship between people and the earth. The course looks at how the physical environment has influenced people and how people have changed the earth. Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals, students also explore what it means to be a global citizen in the twenty-first century. Students study relationships between countries, develop greater cultural understanding and look at how international politics play a part in addressing world issues.

Writing assignments vary from creative pieces to analytical essays. Readings include textbook selections, literature, and current articles. Students express their learning through writing, maps, graphs, and oral presentations. The year concludes with students researching a country of their choice and looking at the geography and history of the country as well as current events and representing that country during a UN activity.

Form 1 Expedition of English, History, and Science Course: What is the Power of Water?

This expedition-based interdisciplinary course will be team-taught by science, history and English teachers. This course will occur during the fall semester of 2020.

Overview In this expedition course, students in Form 1 will explore the Connecticut River watershed as we pursue the question, “What is the Power of Water?” From the icy mountain tributaries in the Berkshires to the saltwater estuaries near the Long Island Sound, students will conduct hands-on experiments along the riverbanks and interview various stakeholders who live and work next to rivers like the Farmington and Connecticut. As an interdisciplinary course and through the lenses of science, history and literature, students will examine and explore both the literal and figurative power of water.

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Content Students will explore the history of settlement, conflict and industrialization in Connecticut and along the river. As readers and writers, they will examine the inspiration that rivers have furnished for myth and literature. As scientists, they will conduct hands-on experiments and collect data across the Connecticut River watershed. Ultimately, students will synthesize their experience to tell their own stories of the river through the lens of a podcast, app, or literary magazine. Then in a culminating showcase, students will share their findings with the community.

Experience In this course, students will use the Connecticut River as a classroom. While learning about subject material on campus, they will also have regular opportunities for place-based learning along the river and its watershed. By taking part in trash pickups, river and stream restoration, field tests, and dam removals, students will play their part in improving the life of the river. By studying artifacts and historical documents, they will understand how the river influenced the lives of past residents. And by writing about their own experiences, students will find their own lifelong connections to the river. Students will keep personal expedition journals, recording flora and fauna, along with writing their own narratives, poems and creative responses.

Following the study of water, the Form 1 history class will pick up in the second semester with the United States government and westward expansion. Students will continue to write formal essays and critically examine the founding documents of the U.S. This will lead to learning about the system of enslavement in the 1800’s and to the divisions that led to the Civil War. Throughout this semester, students will analyze the systems and ideas that have guided America’s journey, and will see this journey through multiple perspectives.

Form 2: Political Ideology and the Twentieth Century In this course, students explore America’s emergence as a modern nation with special attention to current events and their relationship to the past. Students examine major issues of the twentieth century as America evolved from an isolated agrarian nation to an international superpower in the atomic age. The course begins with an exploration of political ideology, focusing largely on how liberals and conservatives approach certain issues and problems. The goal is to understand different ideologies and then connect them to both past and present issues. We build on the theme of perspective, which is central to the Form 1 course and the study of history as a whole. Other topics include America’s urban and industrial growth, isolationism and imperialism, evolving political institutions, rapid social change and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. In the process, students analyze contemporary global issues and America’s place in the world. Students will also study the rise of leaders and new systems in different countries such as Josef Stalin in the USSR and Adolf Hitler in Germany. By evaluating primary-source materials such as documents, letters, political cartoons and video footage, as well as literature and a variety of secondary sources, students engage fully in the learning process. With step-by-step guidance from teachers, students complete a fully documented research paper on a topic of their choice. Skills such as the insertion of footnotes using MLA (Modern Language Association) guidelines will prepare students for the researching and writing demands that they will face throughout their academic careers.

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>>UPPER SCHOOL

Global Cities: Issues in Context and Solutions Today In this thematic course, students will research and study current and relevant societal issues present in global cities today. Students will explore the historical roots of political, economic, social, environmental, cultural, technological, and artistic developments across the world to learn about the challenges of today and to develop real-world solutions.

In addition to learning traditional research, writing, analytical, and communication skills as historians, students will apply what they have learned in a culminating project as they study and explore the city of Hartford. Required for all students in Form 3.

Modern World Studies The course focuses on selected comparative historical themes from both western and nonwestern cultures, from 1500 through World War II. Along with major events, personalities, philosophical ideas and scientific developments, this course examines the social, political, religious, economic and military aspects of a variety of areas in the modern world. Through reading, extensive essay writing, class discussion and research projects, students expand their understanding of varied historical cultures with the overall goal of developing a greater appreciation for the differences in the people who make up our ever-changing world. Required for students in Form 4.

U.S. History The history of the United States is investigated through a thematic and project based model. The course focuses on a treatment of major themes in American political, social, cultural, economic, religious and military history. The course begins with a study of Public History and the notion of historical memory. It then follows along a research-orientated consideration of various topics in U. S. History, from Pre-Columbian North America to the end of the 20th Century.

Among the recurring themes is the question “what does it mean to be an American”?

The course centers on student investigation of various topics in United States History through both individual and group projects. The depth of study is based on the student’s willingness to look beyond the surface of issues and ideas from the past in order to develop a means to look more carefully at the events in their own lives. They learn to ask questions of themselves and their assumptions in order to find greater meaning in the decisions of those that preceded Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 30 of 70

them. As Faulkner said, “the past isn’t dead, it isn’t even past.” Required for students in Form 5. Under special circumstances and with departmental approval, a student may take this course during their Form 4 or Form 6 year.

AP® U.S. History The history of the United States, from pre-Columbian to present, is studied with frequent use of primary-source materials and varying historiography. Because all students in AP® U.S. History take the AP® Exam in May, the demands for reading, writing and research go beyond those in the regular sections. Students taking this course must expect additional summer reading to prepare for the class and must commit significant extra time to U.S. History during the year. An extensive and fully documented term paper is required. Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® United States History Examination in May.. Open to students in Form 5 after consultation with their Modern World Studies teacher and with department approval.

AP® Economics An introduction to fundamental microeconomic and macroeconomic theory gives students a basic background in the subject. Students begin by examining the development of capitalism and exploring basic economic concepts such as supply, demand and opportunity cost. After this introduction, the focus moves to the behavior of individual firms and individual markets, concentrating on profit-maximizing habits in the economy. Graphic analysis, the use of economic models and the economic philosophies of Smith, Marx, and Keynes are emphasized. Students use these ideas when examining measures of economic performance such as GDP, inflation, and unemployment. Graphic models are used frequently to measure the health of the economy and then to formulate corrective monetary and fiscal policies. The course concludes by looking at the impact of international trade on the economy. Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® Microeconomics and Macroeconomics Examinations in May. Open to students in Form 6.

AP® Political Science What are the essentials of the American political culture? What are the elements defining both social cohesion and political involvement? The course begins with a study of America’s Enlightenment philosophical roots and moves to a detailed study of the formation and evolution of the Constitution. Primary source material is emphasized for the study of Hobbes, Locke, Kant, Rousseau and Marx. In preparation for the AP exam, the emphasis turns to the contemporary workings of the federal government, the organization of political parties, the demographics of voting patterns, and the role of media and interest groups in creating the American political culture. The course also studies the significant implications of e-politics and how social media and big data bases influence how democracy works.

Assessments include short essays, a research essay, and reading reviews designed to study the AP content. Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® United States Government and Politics Examination in May. Open to students in Form 6.

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HISTORY ELECTIVES

Elective: Economics (Fall) This course explores the choices and decisions people make about how to use the world’s limited resources. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to gather, analyze, and apply information and ideas, make decisions, and act as responsible members of society. The goal of this course is to equip students with knowledge that is strongly rooted in economic principles so they will be able to differentiate among economic models, understand issues pertaining to global and national economics, gain insight into choices businesses make, and learn the importance of managing personal finances in planning for future financial security. Overall, this course aims to get students interested in the nature of economic reasoning. Open to students in forms 4-6

Elective: The Election of 2020 (Fall) What is the condition of America today? The Election of 2020 explores this question as we live through one of the most consequential events of the century : the Presidential and Congressional elections of 2020. The course begins with the foundational rulebook of American Democracy -- The U.S. Constitution. We focus specifically on the allocation of law-making power between the President and Congress, and how the members of each branch are elected. We’ll follow electoral contests in key states (one per student), as well as the Presidential race. Topics will include primaries, parties, nominating conventions, fall campaigns, polls, debates, advertising, social media, campaign finance, and voter turnout, as well as the candidates themselves and the issues facing the electorate. The class will Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 32 of 70

consider each Presidential candidate’s possible paths to the 270 electoral votes (out of 538) needed to win. After the election, we’ll examine the results, and how those are likely to affect future policy. With the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, the students’ final project will be to craft a campaign playbook for a specific Senate or Congressional candidate who ran, successfully or not, in the election of 2020. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Elective: History of Religions (Fall) To give students an increased understanding and awareness of the world’s diversity, this course offers a historical overview of six of the world’s major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

Students examine basic philosophical similarities and differences by comparing the tenets and dogmas put forth by these religions and their followers. The course incorporates the works of one of the foremost religious thinkers, Huston Smith, through his writings and his video series “The Wisdom of Faith.” Students must participate actively in discussion and are responsible for classroom presentations and a major research project. Open to students in Forms 5-6.

Elective: American Culture through Sight and Sound (Spring) Through the examination of music and musicians of the recent past, students will study the correlations between music, musical styles and societal development in the United States over the past century.

By looking at the wide variety of American music (from Tin Pan Alley and Ragtime to Rock ‘n Roll and a whole lot in between), students will be exposed to the rich and diverse links between music and culture, and how they shaped each other. Students will also have an opportunity to delve into special music genres of their individual choosing (i.e. film scores, Broadway, Hip-Hop, etc.)

Students will be expected to listen to music outside of class and to keep journals about what they hear and read. They will also participate in numerous discussions and interact with local artists and their instruments. The course will conclude with student projects and presentations that will draw from a variety of academic disciplines. Open to students in Forms 5-6.

Elective: American Law (Spring) The bedrock on which all societies rest is the rule of law. This course examines the way the American legal system operates. Students begin by learning how law is made in legislatures and courts. Then the class studies the way in which general legal principles are applied to specific facts through the study of various actual and hypothetical cases.

The students gain an understanding of the trial process and conduct a mock trial in front of a jury of their peers as their final project. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Elective: Contemporary China (Spring) Film as a visual media creates all kinds of questions about how observers construct history and learn about culture.

This course explores contemporary Chinese life and 20th century history as seen through the director’s lens. The content is built around a series of Chinese language films centering on social themes and political issues. The themes include the challenging lives of migrant workers, environmental issues, the contemporary urban experience, international tensions, economic inequities, globalization questions, rural society and the rural and urban gap, Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021

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Chinese nationalism, Chinese schools and education, and women and society. Readings on specific issues related to each film are assigned, and the assessments include short papers and other projects. The films include Beijing Bicycle, To Live, The Story of Qu Jui, Coming Home, Shower, Flowers of War, Back to 1942 and others. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Elective: Global Issues: Building Global Citizenship through Cross Cultural Awareness (Spring) In order to become aware of the wider world and their role as global citizens, students in Global Issues will learn about important international events, tracing these events from their historical roots to current day. Global Issues is an interdisciplinary course that combines the study of history, political science, and anthropology in order to provide a framework for analyzing modern-day events. These issues are ones that directly impact the United States, such as our changing role in a globalized world, our depleting natural resources, our relationship with the Middle East, and our capacity in the global community when it comes to upholding human rights. There is no textbook for Global Issues, as we will use current event articles, scholarly journals, and documentaries for context. Class time is divided among lectures, films, discussions of current events, creative projects, formal debates, student presentations, as well as opportunities for students to pursue topics and activities of their own choosing. There will be a strong emphasis on building skills such as problem solving, collaboration, reading, analytical thinking and writing, and clear communication through writing and presentations. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Elective: Cultural Anthropology By studying the cultures of non-western peoples, students learn to appreciate cultural differences among nations as well as those within the United States. Topics explored include tribal culture, the role of ritual, nonwestern religions, family life and the impact of modernization. Students read several classic pieces of Third World literature. The course is based on a sociological approach to the study of the nonwestern world. Open to students in Forms 5-6. This course is not offered in 2020-2021.

Elective: International Human Rights When the Allies liberated the Nazi concentration camps at the end of WWII, they encountered the remnants of modern and methodical state-sponsored genocide. They responded by trying perpetrators for “war crimes,” creating the United Nations and promulgating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR marked the first time that the rights and freedoms of individuals were articulated in such detail and made applicable to everyone, everywhere. This course will begin with an overview of Hitler’s rise to power and the steps along the way to the “final solution.” The class will then study other cases of genocide as well as other human rights abuses, both current and historical. Each student will conduct independent research on an on-going UDHR violation and propose practical solutions. Students will deliberate their findings in class, and have the opportunity to apply their knowledge at a Model UN conference. The course will use primary sources, secondary sources, first-person accounts, photographs, video, and web sites. Assessments will include tests, essays, debates and a research paper. Open to students in Forms 4-6. This course is not offered in 2020-2021.

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Elective: Geography This course focuses on historical and current political and cultural developments within the sphere of regional geography. Students acquire skills in reading several different map projections, as well as a working vocabulary of geographical concepts and terms. The course includes analysis of issues such as resource scarcity, overpopulation, political conflict, human migration and global interdependence. Students will conduct various research projects, both individual and group based, that connect the assigned readings to current global events. Public presentation of their findings will be a regular component of each project. Open to students in Forms 4-6. This course is not offered in 20202021.

Elective: Race, Politics, and Culture in Post-War America This course explores both the domestic and foreign issues that so significantly influenced social change in America during the polarized decade of the 1960s. From the Kennedy election and administration through Nixon’s first term, the focus is on issues such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War and the anti-war movement, and the search for racial, social, and sexual equality within the United States. Students are required to prepare regular in-class presentations as well as written assignments. Open to students in Forms 5-6. This course is not offered in 2020-2021.

Elective: Voices of the World: Listening to Many What is music? Why do all cultures create, experience, and share music? How can we use music to gain a better understanding of the human condition? By examining a wide variety of musical traditions, this course will enable students to gain a greater level of appreciation for the importance of music in the overall development of world cultures. Starting with non-Western music, students will make connections between various cultures and styles ranging from Taiko drumming (Japan), to Tuvan throat singing (Tibet/Mongolia), to the reggae and ska traditions of the islands (Caribbean/Hawaiian). During the second half of the course, students will learn about the development of traditional Western music, relating earlier styles (Gregorian and Madrigal) to more contemporary genres (Classical/Folk/Spiritual/Rock). Students will be expected to listen to music outside of class and to keep journals about what they hear and read. They will also participate in numerous discussions and interact with local artists and their instruments. The course will conclude with student projects and presentations that will draw from a variety of academic disciplines. Open to students in Forms 5-6. This course will not be offered in 2020-2021.

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MODERN LANGUAGES In our ever-shrinking world and increasingly diverse country, the ability to communicate effectively in a minimum of two languages is essential to responsible global citizenship. The cultural lessons presented at all levels facilitate the development of cross-cultural skills. The use of technology encourages authentic interaction in and out of the classroom experience and provides an increasing independence for student learning.

Ultimately, our goal for our foreign language students is to create opportunities for true leadership and responsibility, both personal and global.

We encourage and facilitate participation in foreign travel and study-abroad programs, as we believe this is the best way for students to practice their language skills and to test their ability to interact across cultures. Ideally, all students will have enjoyed an international experience prior to graduation.

>>MIDDLE SCHOOL All Middle School students must choose a modern language or Latin (Classics) to study, and they are placed in a level based on their background and language mastery. Placement tests are available to new Form 1 and Form 2 students who have taken the language as a core academic course at their previous school to determine if they place out of the A level course.

Spanish A Spanish A is an introductory course that assumes limited experience with the Spanish language. During the year, students will simultaneously develop speaking, reading, writing and listening skills that will allow them to express ideas accurately and confidently. They will use their new vocabulary and grammar to create authentic skits and dialogues similar to situations they would experience were they to travel to a Hispanic country.

Students will be able to greet others, express personal preferences, discuss what they are studying in school, talk about sports, and order foods from typical menus. They will also learn to recognize and manipulate various grammatical structures, including regular verb conjugations in the present tense, expressing negation, articles, adjective agreement, forming questions and basic sentence structures. In addition, through the use of authentic materials, students will be introduced to Hispanic culture throughout the world, and they will use technology, both in the classroom and at home, for an engaging and interactive experience. The course culminates in a fashion show, a simulation designed to incorporate all of the written and oral communication skills developed over the course of the year.

Spanish B Spanish B is the second course in the Spanish sequence. Students continue to develop their speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills in a full immersion environment. They hone their ability to express themselves in increasingly detailed sentences, with special emphasis on communicating clearly in conversation and in writing.

Students learn to discuss people, places, leisure activities, body parts, animals, household objects, food, and movies.

They are challenged to apply new skills in meaningful scenarios, and learning is student-centered and project-based.

Examples of driving questions behind projects include: "How can I create a Facebook profile to represent a Spanish-

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speaking celebrity?" and "How can I pretend to be a zookeeper or safari leader to describe animals using a variety of vocabulary and verb tenses studied?" Students use technology to collaborate, demonstrate their understanding, and receive feedback. By the end of the year, students will be able to describe themselves and others, ask questions, describe actions in the present, and narrate actions from the past.

Spanish C Spanish C is a full-immersion course, where student-to-student interaction is just as important as that of teacher to student. Students start to build more complex and detailed sentences, allowing them to find their voice and express their personality in the target language. Topics that are explored include: childhood, professions, healthy living, community, and travel using present, past, and future tenses.

Students are assessed based on their ability to apply vocabulary, grammar structures and verb conjugations to real-life scenarios, such as interviewing for a job, planning a trip, making baby scrapbooks, giving tours of their town, or filming a gym commercial. Through exposure to varied and culturally authentic materials, students work to achieve a balance in the four core language skills: speaking, writing, reading and listening comprehension. Blogs, discussion boards, video and other technology allow students to extend their use of the language beyond the classroom.

Chinese A Chinese A students begin their study of Mandarin Chinese by learning to differentiate and accurately pronounce pinyin and tones in order to develop a solid speaking foundation. Their knowledge of pronunciation allows them to transition into the study of simplified characters, where the basic components and stroke order are introduced. With these fundamental skills of pronunciation and characters in place, students will be able to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary to express ideas and preferences with accuracy and confidence. They will use basic vocabulary and grammar patterns that allow them to identify and describe a range of topics including greetings, family members, classroom items, favorite fruits, hobbies and time. By the end of the year, students are able to communicate their thoughts and opinions in full sentences both orally and in written form. In addition to building elementary language skills, students will be introduced to Chinese culture through technology and hands-on activities.

Chinese B During their second year of Chinese language study, students build upon the foundational skills from Chinese A that allow them to communicate more effectively and articulately. Lesson topics include colors, clothing, sports, weather, seasons, transportation, directions, shopping, along with describing one’s daily and weekly routine; each topic builds on the preceding one. Students learn more specific vocabulary and more complicated grammar structures in order to develop paragraph writing skills. Students are also able to express themselves in a more authentic way verbally and give brief presentations in Chinese. There is a transition from talking about oneself to communication with others. By the end of the year, students are able to use the target language to exchange ideas and opinions with their peers through interactive games and skits as well as write short essays. Discussions of modern culture are woven throughout the course.

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Chinese C During the final year of the Middle School Chinese curriculum, students solidify their language foundation in preparation for Upper School Chinese. Chinese C students review material introduced in both Chinese A and B, while learning new words and sentence structures to advance their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students are expected to internalize common vocabulary and grammar patterns in order to transition from planned skits and presentations to communicating more freely and spontaneously in the target language. Students use the target language to engage in various thought-provoking tasks such as describing one’s academic interests and schedule, discussing career preferences and future plans, giving a tour of one’s dream house, inviting a friend to a party over the phone, giving a detailed presentation on one’s community, and ordering food at an authentic Chinese restaurant. The goal of the course is for students to become more efficient, authentic and confident writers and speakers of the Chinese language. Students also research Chinese traditions and foods to deepen their cultural awareness and understanding.

French A French A is an introductory course that assumes limited or no experience with the French language. Students will develop speaking, reading, writing and listening skills that will allow them to express ideas accurately and confidently.

They will use their new vocabulary and grammar to create authentic skits and dialogues similar to situations they would experience were they to travel to a francophone country. Students will be able to greet others, express personal preferences, discuss what they are studying in school, and talk about their families. They will also learn to recognize and manipulate various grammatical structures, including regular verb conjugations in the present tense, expressing negation, articles, adjective agreement, forming questions, and basic sentence structures. In addition, students will be introduced to francophone culture throughout the world, and they will use technology, both in the classroom and at home, for an engaging and interactive experience.

French B French B is the second course in the French sequence. After revisiting the topics presented in French A, students will learn to talk about places in a town, manipulate food and restaurant vocabulary, and discuss sports, hobbies, weather, and clothing. Students will use their more advanced speaking skills to participate in simulation activities, such as a meal in a restaurant or a surprise party. In addition, the course will include a greater number of authentic materials— videos of television programs and movies produced in francophone countries—about which students will share their understanding and opinions using such tools as Flipgrid. Throughout the year, students will use new vocabulary and grammatical structures to create longer and more complex pieces of writing. They will learn how to use regular and irregular -IR verbs in the present tense and will begin their study of the past tense with the formation and usage of the passé composé. Students will continue to develop their communication skills in the four core areas: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Various technology tools will be used to enhance each student’s experience including Google Classroom and Pear Deck.

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French C French C is the culmination of students' middle school study of French. Their oral language skills have reached the level where student-to-student, authentic communication is possible. Students begin to build more complex and detailed sentences and compositions, allowing them to find their voices and express their personalities in the target language. By the end of the year they will be able to differentiate between the simple past and imperfect verb tenses.

Various vocabulary topics are discussed through the medium of current francophone films and popular English films in translation. Students develop their writing skills through the creation of self-directed, creative projects like creating a vacation scrapbook. Developing students' cultural competency is a primary goal of this course; this is achieved through comparing and contrasting their own culture with those of various francophone countries, in addition to analyzing various authentic materials such as films, images and news footage. FlipGrid technology allows students to extend their use of the language beyond the classroom, and various tools will be used to enhance each student’s experience including Google Classroom and Pear Deck.

>>UPPER SCHOOL

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Spanish 1 Studying a language is more than just a matter of grammar. The excitement of any language is learning how to speak, but of course a command of grammar and vocabulary have much to do with the ability to communicate on diverse topics: the cuisine, the geography, the customs and the humor of another culture. Along with the language, students also are introduced to cultural and geographical aspects of Spain, Central America and South America. Ultimately, the emphasis in Spanish 1 is building the elemental foundation of oral and written expression: the vocabulary, the structure of sentences, paragraphs and idiomatic phrases. This year is a stepping-stone for the more comprehensive challenges of Spanish 2.

Spanish 2, Spanish 2 Honors The second year of Spanish continues the work of building a linguistic foundation. Students learn the music of sentences and of questions and answers, the choreography of dialogue, of having fun, of participating in the give-andtake of in-class discourse. The study of culture expands to the study of art, music, and literature. The idea is to experience – to get a flavor of the cultures. In the process, students discover the connection between Hispanic culture around the world and in their own community.

In contrast to the regular level language class, Spanish 2 Honors moves at a faster pace, has a higher level of expectations and a broader scope. Spanish 2 Honors incorporates details and exceptions of grammatical structures, presents an in-depth study of advanced cultural and literary readings, and requires communication skills with greater depth and analytical style. Prerequisite: Spanish 1 and department approval.

Spanish 3, Spanish 3 Honors Spanish 3 is where everything comes together. The goal for this year is the solidification of the grammatical structures of Spanish, concentrating on the nuances of real linguistic command. At this level, students do much more writing, tackling longer and more comprehensive readings, beginning literary analysis and developing topical oral and visual presentations. By this level, students are dealing directly with authentic materials – the arts, literature and cinema generated by the cultures studied. The goal of all of these activities is fluency. All teaching in this level is done in Spanish – no se habla inglés aquí. This course focuses on reinforcing and combining basic skills along with the study of new advanced grammar structures.

In contrast to the regular level language class, Spanish 3 Honors moves at a faster pace, has a higher level of expectations and a broader scope. Spanish 3 Honors incorporates details and exceptions of grammatical structures, presents an in-depth study of advanced cultural and literary readings, and requires communication skills with greater depth and analytical style. Prerequisite: Spanish 2 or Spanish 2H and department approval.

Spanish 4, Spanish 4 Honors In Spanish 4, students cash in on the hard work of the past three years. What makes this course different is that now students can really communicate in Spanish in classroom discussions on a variety of topics. This year is more of a team effort as students work more in-depth, sharing ideas and insights through discussions and oral presentations.

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The goal of this year is a comprehensive and comparative look at the history, art, literature and cinema of the entire Hispanic world. Students are expected to make interpretative conclusions and put these reactions on paper in clear and well-constructed language. Grammar is a tool for engaging in insightful dialogue with matters of culture.

Expectations are high, but the rewards are gratifying.

In contrast to the regular level language class, Spanish 4 Honors moves at a faster pace, has a higher level of expectations and a broader scope. Spanish 4 Honors incorporates details and exceptions of grammatical structures, presents an in-depth study of advanced cultural and literary readings, and requires communication skills with greater depth and analytical style. Prerequisite: Spanish 3 or Spanish 3H, and department approval.

Spanish 5 Spanish 5 focuses on a high level of fluency while exploring the cultures of the Spanish speaking world. In this course, students focus on their ability to communicate in spoken and written Spanish with confidence and fluidity. Students discuss art, literature, history, politics and sports. Spanish comes to life by reading literary excerpts, short stories, newspaper articles, and appropriate novels. Students will also watch feature length movies, short films, listen to music, and take advantage of a wealth of authentic materials for reading, listening and viewing on the internet. Examples of topics range from contemporary literature, the world of work and finance, science and technology, the importance and influence that sports have on specific Spanish speaking communities and historical events in southern cone South America. All units of study substantially increase topical vocabulary, improving the quality and richness of conversation and written expression while refining and perfecting advanced grammar skills. Prerequisite: Spanish 4 with department approval or Spanish 4 Honors.

Spanish 5: AP® Language This course is designed for students who really love language. The groundwork is well begun; now is the payoff – by Spanish 5 AP®, students not only find that they can speak Spanish, they discover that they have begun to think in Spanish (some of them even begin to dream in Spanish!). The challenge of the Advanced Placement® Examination is its precision, its expectation not only of fluency, but also of sophisticated analysis of a wide range of current and classical writings. Students are expected to shift seamlessly among aural, spoken and written Spanish. Students must be able to listen to long dialogues and lectures by native speakers and and write about them articulately. Students are expected to step up to the challenge of ongoing vocabulary study. With each new reading on the arts, current events, and scientific or business research, students must commit to the necessary topic-specific vocabulary.

Students enrolled in this course must take the Advanced Placement® Spanish Language and Culture Examination in May. Prerequisite: Spanish 4 or Spanish 4 Honors and department approval.

Chinese 1 Chinese 1 is open to all Upper School students interested in studying Mandarin Chinese. Students begin the year studying pronunciation, tones, and radicals, then quickly transition into the study of simplified characters. The course aims to develop students’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, as well as give them a solid understanding of the basic principles of the Chinese grammatical structure. Discussions on history, culture, and issues in modern China give the students a complete context for language study.

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Chinese 2 At the beginning of the second year of the study of Mandarin Chinese, students should be comfortable with basic written and spoken Chinese. The second year places particular emphasis on the further study of the Chinese grammatical system, as well as on vocabulary acquisition. Written compositions and oral presentations are longer and more detailed. Cultural discussions permeate all aspects of the course. Prerequisite: Chinese 1 or Middle School Chinese C.

Chinese 3 Students entering Chinese 3 have developed a solid foundation in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, as well as a personalized, meticulous approach to character, vocabulary, and sentence pattern acquisition. The course focuses on the expansion of vocabulary as well as crucial grammar patterns to help students become more articulate writers and speakers. There is an increased emphasis on the difference between colloquial and formal Chinese. Discussions on Chinese history and culture are present throughout the course, preparing students to engage in meaningful cultural discussions in the target language. Prerequisite: Chinese 2.

Chinese 4 The fourth year of Chinese study is dedicated to the development of reading and writing longer, more formal passages and engaging in more meaningful discussions in Chinese. The textbook is used in conjunction with authentic reading materials to give students a working vocabulary and expand their grammatical foundation. There is a continued emphasis on differentiating between colloquial and formal Chinese. In the second half of the course, students are introduced to classical Chinese, where they read selections from Daoist and Confucian texts and form their own individual philosophy of translation. Prerequisite: Chinese 3.

Chinese 5 APÂŽ This Chinese course is designed for students who are committed to taking their language skills to the next level.

Students continue to use their textbook as a guide in the process of character and grammar pattern acquisition and supplement with various authentic texts, videos, and songs. In addition to reading short stories from authors such as Lu Xun, students watch modern Chinese television shows, read newspaper articles, and continue to discuss Chinese life and culture in the target language. Students who enroll in this course take the Advanced PlacementÂŽ Examination in May. Prerequisite: Chinese 4.

French 1 French 1 is an introductory course open to all Upper School students interested in studying French. Students will develop speaking, reading, writing and listening skills that will allow them to express ideas accurately and confidently.

Students are exposed to the basics of grammar, pronunciation and sentence structure. They learn their new language's vocabulary and idiomatic expressions through the use of popular music and interactive games. In this course, the students get a glimpse of the cultural and regional diversity in France and the Francophone world through readings, virtual field trips and short videos. They also learn about notable people, pastimes and landmarks. While learning about life in the Francophone world, the students begin to reflect on their own lives, families and school. They Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 42 of 70

demonstrate their skills and understanding through writing assignments, projects, skits, conversations and recordings using various apps and web-based tools. These experiences allow students to build the foundation they need to communicate successfully in their new language. The course concludes with the opening of a program-wide, threemonth project, in which students select a Francophone country and conduct research through the lens of La famille et la communauté, of one of the themes found in the AP French course. Students then write a short paper addressing several contexts in their research and present their findings to the class.

French 2, French 2 Honors French 2 and 2 Honors continue the establishment of fundamental grammar, syntax and vocabulary from the first year course. After an initial review of the most essential introductory topics the course moves on to focus largely on student use of the two primary past tenses, object pronouns, adverbs, and both the simple future and conditional tenses. There is a substantial emphasis placed on expanding proficiencies in reading and writing, and speaking practice is emphasized in both small projects and daily classroom exchanges. Students encounter current French and Francophone culture through regular practice with digital media offered through ARTE Junior, Radio France Internationale, France24, and Le Monde. The course concludes with a continuation of the three-month long project on la Francophonie that began in French 1, in which students research a Francophone country through the lens of La vie contemporaine, a theme from the AP French course, and then write a formal paper and present their work to the class. This course is conducted roughly 50% or more in the target language, depending on the makeup of the class.

Students at the honors level engage with all topics on a more detailed and advanced level. Expectations for length, accuracy, complexity, and interpretation are elevated from the regular level. Their year-end project also involves the inclusion of an additional theme, La quête de soi, for research and analysis.

French 3, French 3 Honors French 3 and 3 Honors transition students into a curriculum that is more inclusive of culture and comprehension in anticipation of a full immersion in both French 4 and French 5/AP French. All major grammar topics from the preceding two years are reviewed and examined in greater depth, and more advanced concepts are introduced.

Students interact with all language structures in the context of intermediate-level dialogue, narrative and exposition in the target language throughout the course of the year. Throughout, students are asked to produce both writing and prepared/rehearsed speech that demonstrates their grasp on general language proficiency. Engagement with authentic culture and language use occurs through a complete reading and analysis of Antoine de St. Exupéry’s Le petit prince over the course of the year. Students also continue working with regular discussions and reflections centering on current events and global questions through the use of digital media from Le Monde, Radio France Internationale, and France24. The majority of the class is conducted in French. The course concludes with the third step of the threemonth long project on la Francophonie begun in French 1, in which students research a Francophone country through the lens of Les défis mondiaux, a theme from the AP French course, and then write an expository essay and present their work to the class.

Students at the honors level engage with all topics on a more detailed and advanced level. Expectations for length, accuracy, complexity, and interpretation are elevated from the regular level. Their year-end project also involves the inclusion of an additional theme, La science et la technologie, for research and analysis.

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French 4, French 4 Honors French 4 and 4 Honors focuses on concluding students’ examination of advanced grammar concepts and transitioning into a literature- and culture-based course centered on authentic products from modern France and the francophone world. The primary purpose of this course is twofold – first, to prepare students for the types of sources and analysis they will encounter in the AP French Language and Culture course, and second, to prepare students for college-level language study. Throughout the year, students read numerous newspaper and online articles, engage with newscasts and podcasts, contribute in prepared and extemporaneous conversation, and read the novel Kiffe kiffe demain by Faïza Guène, which introduces students to the complexities of identity, culture, language, and class in modern France. All work and the majority of class time will be in the target language. Engagement with authentic sources such as Le Monde, Radio France Internationale, and France24 move beyond demonstrating comprehension of main ideas and into examination, reflection, restatement, and interpretation. French 4 and 4 Honors entails the fourth step of the program-long project on la Francophonie, in which students examine their Francophone country from the past three years through the lense of a final AP French theme, L’esthétique. The entire course is conducted in French.

Students at the honors level engage with all topics on a more detailed and advanced level. Expectations for length, accuracy, complexity, and interpretation are elevated from the regular level. Their year-end project moves beyond exposition about their Francophone country and asks for comparison and analysis of their assigned country to their native culture/s in addition to the research on the theme of L’Esthétique, in preparation for the types of tasks present in French 5/AP.

French 5 / AP® French Language and Culture The French 5 / AP French Language and Culture course takes a holistic approach to language proficiency in the skills of listening, speaking, writing, and reading. The course emphasizes authentic use of the target language to improve oral and written communication in a variety of contexts. Students spend a significant portion of their time in the course examining a single francophone country through the various thematic lenses of the AP exam, similar to their projects in past years. Students become the experts on these countries, leading class discussions and creating connections between their research and the work of their peers. Having concluded their grammar studies in French 4, grammar is only examined in short, targeted sessions based on specific outcome-oriented needs. The three-month long project on La Francophonie concludes in this course. Students take the lead, choosing several themes and contexts most of interest to them, conducting detailed research, and then writing/presenting a thorough comparison between their Francophone country and their own native culture/s.

Students at the AP level add practice of AP-style tasks to their workload, focusing on strategies for identifying main ideas and themes within written and auditory sources, and preparing for the longer communication portions of the exam. This includes examination of required phrasings and salutations as well as practice with the email reply, discussion of and practice with the argumentative essay, and practice with timings and composition for both the interpersonal conversation and the spoken cultural comparison.

Advanced French: Le Monde Francophonie Students in this course will explore the francophone world. This is a project-based learning course with an emphasis on collaboration, communication and cultural competency. Students will investigate the following questions: How can Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 44 of 70

we use technology to learn about other cultures and build relationships? What is life like for young people in France and in the francophone world? Do some live differently than others? What do they do in their free time? What are their traditions, political views and challenges? What books and music do they like? Through the use of media, students will learn about the people who make up "la francophonie" and share their findings through posts, snaps, tweets, videos, presentations and podcasts. Prerequisite: French 4/ French 4 Honors or AP Language and Culture or department approval. This course will not be offered in 2020-2021.

CLASSICS The Classics Department provides students with the necessary skills for comprehending original works in Latin and Greek through reading and translation and teaches students about the relevance of the Greco-Roman world in our daily lives. Students study not only the Latin language but also Greco-Roman culture and history. We use a comprehensive approach to language study in which students approach elements of Latin grammar and vocabulary in the context of the literature. In higher-level courses students will be prepared to read authentic Latin selections from some of Rome’s greatest authors: Cicero, Caesar, Catullus, Ovid, and Vergil.

Classical culture, history, and the foundations of Western literature are examined at all levels in many ways, including projects, films, and field trips. The study of ancient Greek may be added after the successful completion of a third year of a language in the Upper School.

>>MIDDLE SCHOOL All Middle School students must choose a modern language or Latin (Classics) to study, and they are placed in a level based on their background and language mastery. Placement tests are available to new Form 1 and Form 2 students who have taken the language as a core academic course at their previous school to determine if they place out of the A level course.

Latin A In Latin A, students begin to explore the language of ancient Rome, classical cultures and history, and the contemporary relevance of these subject areas. Students are introduced to the Latin language via reading, translating, speaking, and listening as well as through playing games and interacting with each other in English and Latin.

Through the study of vocabulary and English derivatives, students learn about Latin roots as they build more sophisticated English vocabularies. Students in Latin A also consider aspects of Roman daily life including the Roman family, entertainment, the role of women, and the institution of slavery. They also get to know Roman and Greek art forms, developing a critical eye as they examine frescos, mosaics, statues, and other artifacts from the ancient world.

This class’s main cultural area of study is life in the ancient city of Pompeii. Students learn about the uses and layout of the physical spaces in Pompeii, such as the Forum, the theater, and the bath complex. Among other projects, students create a 3D model version of a typical Pompeian house.

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Latin B Latin B builds on the language skills and cultural knowledge acquired through the first year of Latin. Students continue their study of grammar and syntax through reading. They advance their understanding of Latin grammar and vocabulary as they widen their knowledge of English through the study of derivatives. Students learn through a range of activities including in-class reading, English to Latin translation, verbal use of Latin, group projects, performance, and friendly competitions. In addition, students continue their studies of ancient Greek and Roman culture, history, and art. Students begin the year by studying the methodology of the Roman system of education.

Students learn about significant Roman orators, such as Cicero, and perform their own debate in class. They then study the career path of upper-class Romans and how they influenced the city and citizens around them. Students finish Unit I of the Cambridge Latin Course with an examination of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 CE. Archaeological remains from this period are studied and students complete a project on one aspect of the eruption.

The latter half of the year in Latin B takes students from Pompeii to a Roman settlement in ancient Britain. Here students begin to learn about the expansion and influence of the Roman empire. Students deepen their understanding of ancient material culture by engaging in a variety of group and personal projects involving written work, presentations, and art.

Latin C In the third year of Middle School Latin, students prepare for a more rigorous study of Latin at the Upper School through even deeper explorations of the Latin language. They continue to learn Latin through reading, translation, writing, speaking, friendly competition, and Latin-based composition projects. Students advance their understanding of English through the study of derivatives. In the first semester, students continue learning about the expanse of the Roman empire that they began studying at the end of Latin B. Students examine the process of Romanization throughout the empire and create a travel brochure for a province of their choice. As a complement to their continued study of Romanized Britain, students complete a 3D or digital model of a Roman-style villa (large palace). After studying life in the northern part of the Roman empire, students move their focus of study to the ancient city of Alexandria. Students study the influence of Rome on Egyptian culture and become acquainted with the materials and art forms, such as frescoes, mosaics, and glass making. Throughout the second semester, students learn about Egyptian mythology and compare it to the beliefs of ancient Roman religion. Students conclude their study of ancient Egypt with an examination of ancient medicine and science.

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>>UPPER SCHOOL

Latin 1 The influence of Latin on Western culture and thought, even in today’s fast-paced world, is significant. Students in their first year of study will begin to investigate Latin’s importance and elegance, as they acquire basic grammar and vocabulary in their journey toward reading the original works of great writers such as Vergil, Julius Caesar, and Ovid, among others. In addition, students are exposed to some of the basics of Roman culture, with particular stress on Roman daily life, education, mythology, early history, and public spaces. Students explore Latin words and grammar through reading, speaking, listening, writing, and interactive games. Throughout the year, the course reinforces the grammatical rules that students encounter in English 3 in the context of Latin, with particular stress on parts of speech, sentence structure, and the etymological roots of English words. By year’s end, students will have a better understanding of their cultural roots and how Latin and Roman culture remain to this day vibrant, important, and very much alive.

Latin 2 Starting with a cumulative review of the work done in Latin 1, this course continues to bolster students' knowledge of grammar and vocabulary as they gradually transition from basic grammar to more complex syntax in the context of the Latin texts. Students are gradually introduced to reading and translating connected passages in prose and work toward the goal of reading a sustained prose narrative near the course’s end. More sophisticated cultural topics are investigated, including the influence of ancient Rome in the provinces and the mechanisms of the Roman army and government over time. Rome’s transition from a republic to an empire is also a major topic as students prepare to read original works from this time period in the next level of Latin. Prerequisite: Latin 1 or the equivalent.

Latin 3: Intermediate Latin Literature Like Latin 2, this course begins with a summative review of the grammar topics covered in previous courses. In the first semester, students review and explore more challenging Latin grammar in context and begin to explore authentic Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021

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readings written during the golden age of Latin literature. This course prepares students for AP® Latin by department recommendation. Prerequisite: Latin 2 or the equivalent.

AP® Latin: Caesar and Vergil This course follows the Advanced Placement® Latin: Vergil and Caesar syllabus. Students read extensively in Latin from Vergil’s Aeneid, and Caesar's De Bello Gallico. Students also carefully study meter and other poetic and rhetorical devices. At the start of the year, the focus is primarily on building a strong reading pace and honing translation skills, but figures of speech and interpretive writing exercises are introduced early and incorporated increasingly as the year progresses. Students also read about and discuss the literature’s historical and literary context. Students practice for the format of the exam by completing assessments in multiple-choice questions, translations, spot questions, and comparative essays on known Latin passage, and by completing sight-reading multiple-choice questions on unknown Latin passages. Students enrolled in this course must take the AP® Latin exam in the spring. This course is crossregistered as CAMS 3102: Topics in Advanced Latin with the UConn Early College Experience and students may earn three college credits for their work in this course. To take the ECE course, there is an additional cost of $150.

Prerequisite: Latin 3 or the equivalent.

Ancient Greek 1 “Naturally I am biased in favour of boys [and girls] learning English; and then I would let the clever learn Latin as an honour and Greek as a treat.” – Winston Churchill This course introduces students to the fundamentals of Attic Greek. While the acquisition of at least a semester’s worth of college-level Greek language is the primary objective, students also explore how Greek culture has influenced Western thought and traditions from its origins in antiquity all the way to the present day. Projects in this class focus on the layout of the greek house and polis (city), Greek warfare, comedy, philosophy, and art. Comparisons of ancient works of art to such modern ones as painting, writing, warfare, and thought challenge students as they use their deepening knowledge of classical language and culture to better understand the threads that link the distant past and the modern world. Prerequisite: Three years of a language and department approval.

Elective: Mythology (Fall) This course seeks to explore the rich and eternal world of classical mythology. Students will learn about the GrecoRoman pantheon of gods and the age of heroes and will explore these stories using various media such as literature, visual art, music, and film. Additionally, students will be asked to look at myth with a critical eye, investigating and discovering the common metaphors and symbols that occur and how they speak to humanity’s need and production of mythologies. Finally, the class will also trace the history of Greco-Roman mythology from its origins to the present day with the aim of learning how different eras have used and interpreted these tales. This course will include projects and readings that sometimes will be completed outside of class. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

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CREATIVE ARTS The arts represent something far more important than something to do with your hands, or in your spare time, or to wile away the hours while you chat with your friends. They are not only as serious and elevating as anything else we offer in the curriculum, they are an accessible training ground for the kinds of human interaction that will be necessary to flourish in the decades ahead.

Our disciplines put a premium on the skills that are needed to answer the challenges of contemporary times, namely: •

creative problem-solving;

•

task analysis and constructive critique in mediums that are intuitive, improvisational, inferential and context- based;

•

focus on process as its own end, not just as a means to an end product;

•

holistic articulation: a facile command of many media – not just the linguistic; and

•

flexibility: the ability to move between realms with confidence.

We know that creativity is not just nice; it is necessary. The arts are not just for “the talented” – they are for those who will otherwise leave this place without a healthy skepticism about how “media” delivers a “message,” or how feelings and intuitions can be made manifest. The arts we teach educate the soul as well as the mind.

>>MIDDLE SCHOOL

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UPPER PREP All courses are required for all Upper Prep students.

Introduction to Drama (Quarter) In this course, students are exposed to the fundamentals of drama with an emphasis on fun, creativity, teamwork and self-confidence. Students dive into a broadway triple threat curriculum in singing, dancing and acting. The initial focus is on the fundamental acting skills of pantomime and improvisation, as students engage in a variety of acting games and exercises. Then, they work on character development, blocking, and overall stage presence.The course culminates in a demonstration of what the students have learned in front of an audience of their peers. The skills of cooperation and group problem solving are as important as learning how to perform. By the end of the quarter, students are performing fully blocked and memorized scenes, fully choreographed dances, and singing songs as an ensemble and solo.

Introduction to Studio Art (Quarter) This course provides an initial experience in the basic visual processes of drawing, two and three-dimensional design, and critique. The goal of this course is to allow students to explore a variety of artistic materials, styles, and techniques while providing them with a basic foundation of the elements of art. Emphasis is placed on individual expression and visual problem solving.

UPPER PREP MUSIC BLOCK ELECTIVES All Upper Prep students are required to participate in one of these performing arts groups.

Upper Prep Choraliers (Year, meets once per week) This course emphasizes the development of individual and ensemble vocal technique. Students are introduced to the ear- training pedagogy of Zoltán Kodály, sight-reading, and independent musicianship. They also study repertoire from various genres and world cultures. The Choraliers present three or four programs throughout the year.

Concert Band (Year, meets twice per week) This course is open to all woodwind, brass and percussion players. Ensemble skills are developed through varied repertoire. The Concert Band performs during assemblies, concerts, and special trips and events. Students in concert band must know how to play a band instrument. Open to students in Upper Prep-Form 2.

String Orchestra (Year, meets twice per week) The String Orchestra is open to all experienced string players (violin, viola, cello and double bass). Ensemble skills are

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developed during rehearsals using carefully graded practical exercises, on-the-spot corrections, and working with soloists, both instrumental and vocal. In addition, bowing technique is developed through multiple bowing exercises.

The String Orchestra performs in KO’s Candlelight Concerts, a spring concert, special events and school assemblies.

Open to students in Upper Prep- Form 2.

FORM 1 All courses are required for all Form 1 students. In addition, all Form 1 students take Life Skills 1 (a health course) and Coding during this block.

Art in Every Dimension (Quarter) This course is designed to build upon the foundation formed in Introduction to Studio Art by exploring more complex materials, techniques and concepts while providing avenues for students to fully explore and develop their own ideas and artistic voice. It provides a continued introduction to the approaches and media of both two and threedimensional design. Students will build both technical and creative thinking skills through a variety of studio assignments.

Public Speaking (Quarter) This course is designed to help students overcome their fear of speaking in public and to provide them with the fundamental skills and confidence needed to be good speakers in any setting. Students create a basic speech outline, then participate in a variety of games and exercises designed to improve eye contact, tone, volume, pace, articulation and body language while speaking. Working in pairs, small groups and individually, students speak daily on a wide range of topics, either spontaneously or after more long-term preparation. Through sharing a personal story, defending an opinion, delivering a campaign speech or selling a product to the class, students learn to persuade, inform and entertain at the podium in a clear and poised fashion.

FORM 1 MUSIC BLOCK ELECTIVES All Form 1 students are required to participate in one of these music electives. Form 1 students may also elect to participate in both Band/Orchestra and Cantabile.

Cantabile (Year, meets twice per week) Cantabile is the largest of the four middle school choirs. Individual musicianship is an important goal, as members perform repertoire from various periods and countries and commissioned works from acclaimed composers. Students further develop sight-reading, ear training, and harmonic skills, as well as healthy vocal techniques. This ensemble participates in the all-school Choral Expo concert in January, the Middle School Choral Fest concert in the Spring, and occasionally performs off campus. This choir often works closely in master classes and workshops with visiting composers, conductors, and clinicians. Open to students in Forms 1-2.

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Octopipers and F2B (Year, meets twice per week) These select ensembles perform commissioned works and published music in the jazz, pop, contemporary, Broadway and a cappella genres. Selected by audition, this ensemble participates in the all-school Choral Expo concert in January, the Middle School Choral Fest concert in the Spring, school-day performances, and occasionally performs off campus. Students utilize sight-reading, ear training, harmony, vocal techniques and choreography throughout the year. Membership in Cantabile is not required. Both ensembles rehearse after school. Octopipers is open by audition to girls in Forms 1- 2, and F2B is open by audition to boys in Forms 1-2.

Concert Band (Year, meets twice per week) This course is open to all woodwind, brass and percussion players. Ensemble skills are developed through varied repertoire. The Concert Band performs during assemblies, concerts, and special trips and events. Students in concert band must know how to play a band instrument. Open to students in Upper Prep-Form 2.

Jazz Band (Year, meets twice per week) This course is open by audition to woodwind, brass and percussion players as well as pianists, bassists and guitarists.

Emphasis is placed on developing skills in the jazz, rock and Latin musical traditions. In addition to ensemble skills, students explore various approaches to improvisation. Open to students in Form 1-2. With the exception of pianists, guitarists and bassists, all Jazz Band members must participate in the Concert Band.

String Orchestra (Year, meets twice per week) The String Orchestra is open to all experienced string players (violin, viola, cello and double bass). Ensemble skills are developed through varied repertoire, and bowing technique is developed through multiple bowing exercises. The String Orchestra performs in KO’s Candlelight Concerts, a spring concert, special events and school assemblies.

Selected players also perform with Upper School students. Open to students in Upper Prep- Form 2.

Music and Media (Year, meets twice per week) In this course, students explore music through a wide array of topics, including creating music for video, composition software, and sequencing. Students also learn simple improvisational skills through live performance. Open to students in Form 1 and 2.

FORM 2 Form 2 students should choose courses from either the Theater and Visual Arts electives or arts block electives that are offered in other disciplines, such as Robotics. In addition, all Form 2 students are required to take Life Skills 2 (a health and wellness course) during this block.

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THEATER ELECTIVES Advanced Public Speaking (Quarter) This course is designed to be a sequel to Form 1 Public Speaking but is not required. After reviewing the speech outline and the basic elements of delivery, students sharpen their skills by engaging in speech activities including debates, impromptu speeches, informative delivery, persuasive delivery, etc. The most exciting part of this class is the final project in which students choose between running for president, selling a product, or choosing a crisis management situation - i.e. delivering bad news, a negotiation, handling a difficult conversation, etc. This is a creative and engaging course that helps any speaker rise to the next level of competence and confidence.

Introduction to Broadway Musical Theater (Quarter) This course is an excellent choice for students who have an interest in exploring singing, dancing or acting. Students will learn a variety of skills within the musical theater craft. The course will develop students acting skills through improvisation, imagination, scene study exercises, and monologues. Students will develop vocal skills throughout singing a variety of musical theater repertoire. Finally, students will develop dance technique through daily warm ups, choreography, movement exercises and “across the floor” training. The class will also read a play and perform scenes from that play within class.

VISUAL ARTS ELECTIVES Ceramics (Quarter) This course introduces students to clay as an artistic medium. In this course, students will use hand-building techniques and processes to create projects that are both sculptural and functional. Students will experience a variety of clay projects designed to develop their technical skill, explore their visual expression, and learn about the exciting creative possibilities within the ceramic process.

Drawing (Quarter) In this course, students will advance their drawing and design skills through the study of the fundamental elements and principles of drawing, including observational drawing and abstract concepts. Using a wide variety of materials and methods, students will be encouraged to develop their own drawing vocabulary, strengthen their problem-solving skills and develop an artistic voice.

Painting (Quarter) This painting course builds upon students’ visual and technical foundation and focuses on introducing them to advanced painting techniques as well as a sophisticated study of color and paint mixing. This course focuses on visualizing and interpreting images on a two-dimensional surface and builds problem solving skills. Students will Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021

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work with a variety of media that include acrylic paint and canvas. The course will engage students with both abstract and representational art – exploring the ways that color, drawing, and composition can add meaning to what we see.

Printmaking (Quarter) This course introduces students to the world of printmaking by introducing them the basic printmaking methods of intaglio, relief and monoprinting in both a historical and contemporary application. Students will explore each of these techniques, as well as ways in which they may be combined. They will learn how to translate their drawings and ideas into prints by exploring mark-making while further developing the form and visual content of their composition. Throughout the class assignments, focus will also be placed on building and developing an artistic voice, creative problem solving, and the process of critique.

Sculpture (Quarter) Sculpture students explore ways to construct three-dimensional artwork and consider how an object can represent ideas. A variety of materials and processes are introduced as students design and build their sculptures. Emphasis is not only placed on physical construction and structure but also on the problem-solving skills needed to work in the third dimension. Students are challenged to create work that communicates their own ideas and are encouraged to find their own artistic voices.

Private Instrumental and Voice Instruction Families who seek to arrange private vocal or instrumental lessons may contact Creative Arts Department Chair Todd Millen for the names and contact information of local music professionals who offer these services. Times may be arranged directly with these tutors during or after school.

FORM 2 MUSIC BLOCK ELECTIVES All Form 2 students are required to participate in one of these music electives. Form 2 students may also elect to participate in both Band/Orchestra and Cantabile.

Cantibile (Year, meets twice a week) Cantabile is the largest of the four middle school choirs. Individual musicianship is an important goal, as members perform repertoire from various periods and countries and commissioned works from acclaimed composers. Students further develop sight-reading, ear training, and harmonic skills, as well as healthy vocal techniques. This ensemble participates in the all-school Choral Expo concert in January, the Middle School Choral Fest concert in the Spring, and occasionally performs off campus. This choir often works closely in master classes and workshops with visiting composers, conductors, and clinicians. Open to students in Forms 1-2.

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Octopipers and F2B (Year, meets twice a week) These select ensembles perform commissioned works and published music in the jazz, pop, contemporary, Broadway and a cappella genres. Selected by audition, this ensemble participates in the all-school Choral Expo concert in January, the Middle School Choral Fest concert in the Spring, school-day performances, and occasionally performs off campus. Students utilize sight-reading, ear training, harmony, vocal techniques and choreography throughout the year. Membership in Cantabile is not required. Both ensembles rehearse after school. Octopipers is open by audition to girls in Forms 1- 2, and F2B is open by audition to boys in Forms 1-2.

Concert Band (Year, meets twice a week) This course is open to all woodwind, brass and percussion players. Ensemble skills are developed through varied repertoire. The Concert Band performs during assemblies, concerts, and special trips and events. Students in concert band must know how to play a band instrument. Open to students in Upper Prep-Form 2.

Jazz Band (Year, meets twice a week) This course is open by audition to woodwind, brass and percussion players as well as pianists, bassists and guitarists.

Emphasis is placed on developing skills in the jazz, rock and Latin musical traditions. In addition to ensemble skills, students explore various approaches to improvisation. Open to students in Form 1-2. With the exception of pianists, guitarists and bassists, all Jazz Band members must participate in the Concert Band.

String Orchestra (Year, meets once per week) The String Orchestra is open to all experienced string players (violin, viola, cello, and double bass). Ensemble skills are developed through varied repertoire. The String Orchestra performs in KO’s Candlelight Concerts, a spring concert, special events and school assemblies. Selected players also perform with Upper School students. Open to students in Upper Prep- Form 2.

Music and Media (Year, meets twice per week) In this course, students explore music through a wide array of topics, including creating music for video, composition software, and sequencing. Students also learn simple improvisational skills through live performance. Open to students in Form 1 and 2.

Private Instrumental and Voice Instruction Families who seek to arrange private vocal or instrumental lessons may contact Creative Arts Department Chair Todd Millen for the names and contact information of local music professionals who offer these services. Times may be arranged directly with these tutors during or after school.

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>>UPPER SCHOOL MEDIA ARTS ELECTIVES

Digital Filmmaking 1 (Fall) In this course, students will be introduced to the dynamic and constantly evolving medium of digital video. From 60 second shorts to longer form narratives to experimental cinema, students will be exposed to the many ways in which digital video can be utilized as an expressive temporal medium. Students will have access to professional quality cameras and receive extensive training using state of the art editing software. An emphasis will be placed on mastering the 3 phases of production: pre-production (script writing and shot listing), production (capturing video and audio content), and post-production (editing and special effects). Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Digital Filmmaking 2 (Spring) This course will provide students who have completed Digital Filmmaking 1 with an opportunity to work on longer term, more complex and time consuming projects. Themes for these projects may range from narrative, documentary, animation, experimental/art and will require an initial student proposal. An emphasis on advanced production and post-production techniques will be stressed. With the aid of the instructor, students will be required to identify local opportunities to screen or exhibit their work. Prerequisite: Digital Filmmaking 1. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Digital Music (Spring) This course introduces students to a wide range of music technology applications, including sequencing (recording) with computers, sound design, and scoring music to video. It also introduces them to the techniques of recording and Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 56 of 70

editing digital sound using computerized software and hardware. Utilizing the flexibility of the 12- station music technology lab, students can work independently and in small groups. Students use GarageBand, Ableton Live, Logic, Sibelius, and cloud-based applications to create and develop their own music projects. Prior experience with music is not required. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Digital Photography 1 (Fall, Spring) This course will introduce students to the artistic, scientific, and technical aspects of digital photography. The primary goal will be for students to develop and expand their creative practice by learning the anatomy of the camera and applying the elements and principles of art to their photographs. Using industry standard photographic software, students will also learn how to manage large collections of images, edit the formal qualities of their photographs, print their work in color, and share their work via online photo sharing services. Although the primary focus of this course will be on digital photography, many concepts also apply to other photographic disciplines such as film and video.

Students will be introduced to the following topics, among others: Light, Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, Exposure, Bokeh, Focal Length, Depth of Field, Focus, Rule of Thirds, White Balance, and more. It should be noted, that unlike most other studio art courses, this class will require time outside of class and school to be spent working on projects.

Cameras will be provided for each student by the school assuming a liability waiver is signed by a parent or guardian.

Prerequisite: Foundations in Art. Open to students in Forms 3-6. Preference is given to upperclassmen in the fall semester.

Digital Photography 2 (Fall) This course allows for individualized exploration of the technical and conceptual possibilities within the discipline of photography. The class is designed to allow students to work on longer term independent projects, with regular consultations with the teacher as well as peer feedback during class critiques. With this advice and guidance, students independently explore in-depth topics from an individualized perspective. Students will be introduced to various brainstorming techniques that will aid in their future creative self-sufficiency. Students are expected to work on projects outside of class as needed. Prerequisite: Digital Photography 1. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Graphic Design (Spring) This course introduces students to a practice-based, hands-on approach to visual communication design. Students will learn how to create in both vector and raster graphics, how to design with specific clients in mind, and edit images using industry standard photo editing software. Topics also include the elements and principles of design, color theory, typography, logos, design thinking, and information design. Students will engage in peer critiques of their visual work to reinforce their understanding of the principles of design and the language used to describe them. Open to students in Forms 3 - 6.

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MUSIC ELECTIVES

Choral Music: Concert Choir (Year) The foundation of the school’s choral program, Concert Choir, emphasizes the development of music reading, aural skills, healthy vocal technique, and confidence in performance. Students study and perform choral music in various languages from diverse historical backgrounds, working with guest conductors, and professional musicians to master the basic elements of the specific style appropriate to the work. This ensemble participates in the all-school Choral Expo concert in January, the Upper School Choral Fest concert in the spring, and occasionally performs off campus.

Members of the Concert Choir are given priority in the audition process for the select and a cappella groups. Receives one-half credit. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Choral Music: Outlook (Year) This select coed ensemble performs in several genres including jazz, madrigal, classical, pop, and multi-cultural.

Selected by annual audition, students participate in festivals and various concert venues both on and off campus.

Outlook members meet as a group in addition to meeting with the entire Concert Choir and learn the Concert Choir repertoire in addition to their own music. The singers may also perform in separate a cappella ensembles (Crimson 7 for boys and Oxfordians for girls). Receives one credit. Open to students in Forms 4-6 by audition from Concert Choir.

Choral Music: Voce Novissima (Year) This select women’s ensemble performs classical and contemporary music from all genres. Emphasis is on musicreading skills and development of choral musicianship in a smaller ensemble. Students participate in festivals and various concert venues both on and off campus. Membership in the Concert Choir is required. Voce Novissima members meet as a group in addition to meeting with the entire Concert Choir and learn the Concert Choir repertoire in addition to their own music. The singers may also perform in the separate a cappella ensemble, Oxfordians.

Receives one-half credit. Open to students in Forms 3-6 by audition from Concert Choir.

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Instrumental Music: Concert Band (Year) This performing group is open to all woodwind, brass, and percussion players. Attention is focused on standard repertoire as well as new music and transcriptions for band. The Concert Band rehearses three times per ten day cycle and performs at concerts and other on-campus events. Receives one-half credit. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Instrumental Music: Jazz Combo (Year) The Jazz Combo, open to advanced jazz students, performs various styles of music within the jazz repertoire and learns advanced concepts in jazz improvisation.The ensemble participates in a number of performances during the year, both on and off campus. Receives one credit. Entrance by recommendation or audition only.

Instrumental Music: Jazz Ensemble (Fall) This performing group is open to all woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, piano, and bass players. The jazz ensemble performs various styles of music within the jazz repertoire and learns basic concepts in jazz improvisation. The ensemble performs on-campus at assemblies and at the winter band concert. Receives one-quarter credit. With the exception of piano, bass and guitar players, members of Jazz Ensemble must also be a member of Concert Band. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Instrumental Music: Chamber Music (Spring) Chamber Music is open to advanced wind, brass, and percussion students. Attention is focused on small ensemble music and developing individual musicianship. Chamber ensembles perform on campus and in the community.

Receives one-quarter credit. Entrance by recommendation or audition only. Students participating in Chamber Music must also be a member of Concert Band. Open to students in Forms 3- 6.

Instrumental Music: String Orchestra (Year) This ensemble is open to all experienced string players (violin, viola, cello, and double bass). In addition to preparation for major concerts, students concentrate on the development of ensemble skills and individual playing techniques. Students perform repertoire in both string orchestra and chamber music settings. Receives one-half credit.

Open to students in Forms 3-6.

APŽ Music Theory (Year) This course teaches a wide array of musical concepts. Along with music theory and beginning composition the students also deal with aural skills, dictation, and sight singing. Students learn the basics of music notation and score analysis along with knowledge of basic tonal harmony in the eighteenth century common practice period style. The ultimate goal of the course is to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, analyze, and describe the aspects and processes of music that is heard or seen on a score. Students engage in a variety of written, singing, and

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compositional exercises that teach them the many aspects of musical composition and analysis. At the completion of this course students will be prepared to take the AP® Music Theory exam that is offered in May. Students who pass may earn college credit at a number of colleges and universities. Receives one credit. Open to students in Forms 4-6 with permission of instructor.

Private Instrumental and Voice Instruction Families who seek to arrange private vocal or instrumental lessons may contact Creative Arts Department Chair Todd Millen for the names and contact information of local music professionals who offer these services. Times may be arranged directly with these tutors during or after school.

THEATER ELECTIVES

Broadway Musical Theater (Fall) An exciting choice for students who have an interest in exploring singing, dancing or acting. Students will learn a variety of skills within the musical theater craft. The course will develop students acting skills through improvisation, imagination, scene study exercises, and monologues. Students will develop vocal skills throughout singing a variety of musical theater repertoire. Finally, Students will develop dance technique through daily warm ups, choreography, movement exercises and “across the floor” training. The class will also read a play and perform scenes from that play within class. This class is a great opportunity to build foundations in preparation of auditions or future performances (Fall Play, Winter Musical, Choreographer Showcase, etc.) Open to students in Forms 3-6.

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Public Speaking (Fall) This course is designed to help students overcome their fear of speaking in public and to provide them with the fundamental skills and confidence needed to be good speakers in any setting. Students create a basic speech outline, then participate in a variety of games and exercises designed to improve eye contact, tone, volume, pace, articulation and body language while speaking. This course offers practice in public speaking emphasizing both style and content.

Assignments focus on the elements that make for effective presentation of ideas as well as the skills of effective communication in both prepared and impromptu settings. Several activities, such as debate, speed talking, and storytelling lead to greater student independence via daily presentation of material. Formal speeches, including research presentations, political campaigns, personal stories, and instructional lectures will be written, practiced, and presented in class. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Advanced Public Speaking: Argumentation & Negotiation (Spring) In an increasingly competitive world, the ability to express oneself and speak in public with clarity, persuasiveness, and even elegance is a critically important skill. Of related and equal importance is the ability to readily analyze, develop, and defend a sound and persuasive argument. This course is designed to develop students’ confidence and competence to speak in public and argue persuasively and logically. Students hone their speaking skills using a variety of traditional speech events and exercises including oral interpretation of literature, the persuasive delivery of famous speeches, impromptu and extemporaneous speaking exercises, persuasive original speeches and “after dinner” speaking designed to entertain as well as to inform. The course also introduces traditional forms of debate: both extemporaneous and prepared. Public Speaking is a prerequisite for this course. Open to students in Forms 3 - 6.

Stagecraft (Fall, Spring) This introductory course covers the backstage operation of the theater, including how to hang focus- and cablelighting instruments and how to set up and operate sound equipment, including microphones, amplifiers, and mixers.

Students learn how to load and operate the theater fly system and the principles of stage rigging. Students also learn how to operate the woodworking equipment in the scene shop and participate in building sets for productions in Roberts Theater. They often work with artists from the Goodman Banks Series or other professional dance and theatrical companies that rent the theater. Receives one-half credit. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Design for Theater (Spring) This course is an introduction to set and lighting design. Students study computer-aided drafting and create designs for classical and one-act plays in addition to studying differing styles of design and composition for individual projects. Lighting design techniques are taught through chosen plays. Receives one- half credit. Open to students in Forms 4-6. Prerequisite: Stagecraft and department approval.

Winter Musical Theater Production (Winter Athletic Season) Students may participate in the Winter Musical Theater Production in lieu of a winter sport. Auditions are held in

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early December, and rehearsals begin the following week. Students are expected to attend five days of rehearsal per week during the after-school sports period. The time will be devoted to learning music, characterization, blocking, and choreography.

Students will always be involved in one of the rehearsal settings, or will work on improvisation and ensemble skills to help develop their inner lives for their various characters in the production. There will also be non-performing opportunities for stage managers, production assistants, rehearsal accompanists, backstage crew, and hair/makeup/costume crew. The musical will be performed at the end of the winter sports season. Open to students in Forms 3- 6; the cast of the musical is selected by audition only.

VISUAL ARTS ELECTIVES

Foundations in Art (Fall, Spring) Foundations in Art is where you’ll begin your journey in our Upper School Visual Arts program. This course is designed for students of all artistic backgrounds, providing skill building with a variety of media and encouraging creative thinking and visual expression through each student’s unique interpretation of assignment prompts. The course will highlight drawing as a form of communication, color as an expressive element, and the design of forms in Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 62 of 70

space through sculpture. With an emphasis on individual growth and development, students will create their own unique independent project at the end of the course. Receives one- half credit. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Drawing (Fall, Spring) Drawing is for students who love to draw the world around them and the world of their imagination. You will learn to use drawing as a form of communication while exploring the formal elements of line, value, color, and composition. In this course, you will work from observation and imagination as you explore a range of drawing tools to investigate various stylistic and conceptual approaches to drawn images. Emphasis is placed on individual growth and development. Receives one- half credit. Prerequisite: Foundations in Art. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Outside the Box (Fall, Spring) Outside the Box is for students who want to venture beyond the traditional approaches of representation in art to discover new ways of interpreting and documenting the world they live in. Beginning with a conceptual theme or problem to solve, students in this class will have complete freedom to select and/or invent materials and processes that will open doors to new ways of thinking about how art can be made, how people or communities can collaborate to have shared creative experiences, and how innovative thinking can draw upon multiple fields of study in solving a creative problem or communicating ideas. Receives one- half credit. Prerequisite: Foundations in Art. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Breaking Boundaries: The Art of Innovation (Fall) In Breaking Boundaries, you won’t just make art, you’ll invent your own way of making art. Throughout history, there have been artists who have changed the course of artistic expression by breaking the boundaries of their time. In this course, you’ll study artists who make their own rules as they invent new ways of seeing the world, sharing ideas, solving problems, and affecting change. If you’re looking to become more creative, you enjoy making your own decisions, and you like playing or experimenting with materials, then come to Breaking Boundaries and see where your imagination can take you. Receives one- half credit. Prerequisite: Outside the Box. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Painting 1 (Fall, Spring) Painting 1 is for students who want to explore the creative and expressive qualities of color. We begin with an introduction to the basic techniques of painting and color theory. Students will develop an understanding of how color can be used to describe and express forms, ideas, and emotions. This course will introduce students to a diverse range of approaches to painting from observational representation to expressive abstraction. Receives one- half credit.

Prerequisite: Foundations in Art. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

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Painting 2 (Spring) Painting 2 is for students who want to continue their exploration of painting as a form of communication and expression. Students will study a diverse range of painting styles and techniques to help inform their work as they strengthen their skills and discover new ways of using paint and color as a creative medium. Students in this class will be encouraged to pursue their own vision and personal style. We will end the semester with an independent project designed to allow each student to delve deeper into a subject matter that interests them. Receives one- half credit.

Prerequisite: Painting 1. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Printmaking 1 (Spring) Matrixes, carving, inking, and pressing; all of these items and actions make an artist’s print. Come learn how to do it!

This printmaking course is for both the student who is ready to try a new way of making art and the one who has found that they already love rolling the press, the smell of the ink, and making printed marks. Students will be introduced to the world of printmaking by exploring both traditional methods and more contemporary approaches to the graphic arts. Students will explore the creative possibilities as they experiment with a variety of processes including; relief, intaglio, collagraph, and monoprinting. Students will be challenged to create layered, dynamic compositions focused on a theme of their choosing that may incorporate drawing, collage, and painting. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking skills, as students venture into complex visual ideas and compositions with a goal of fostering an individual artistic voice. Receives one- half credit. Prerequisite: Foundations in Art. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Printmaking 2 (Spring) Printmaking 2 is for students who would like to continue their exploration of the printed mark and build their technique. This course introduces students to the more complex printing methods and helps them build their artistic foundation, both visual and conceptual. Students will explore different printmaking materials and techniques, including intaglio, relief, monoprint, and artist books. Students will be encouraged to pursue independent projects and ideas that fosters their own style and vision. Receives one- half credit. Prerequisite: Printmaking 1. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Sculpture 1 (Fall, Spring) Sculpture 1 is where sculpture materials and creative ideas come together. You will learn a variety of techniques used to create sculptures, and explore different ways a sculpture can deliver a message. Processes include wood construction, modelling in clay, plaster carving, and the endless possibilities of working with found objects. There’s something for everyone in this course; from traditional clay modelling to thinking outside the box while turning everyday objects into works of art. Receives one- half credit. Prerequisite: Foundations in Art. Open to students in Forms 3-6.

Sculpture 2 (Spring) Clay, cardboard, duct tape, papier-mâché, wood, wire, screws, and paint may all be used to build sculptures, and in Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 64 of 70

this course, the options are wide open. Using guided prompts as a starting point, students will apply their building skills and imagination to create their own unique sculptures. In the second half of the course, students will venture out of the art studio as they design a site-specific sculpture to inhabit a particular place within our campus. Receives one- half credit. Prerequisite: Sculpture 1. Open to students in Forms 4-6.

Advanced Studio Seminar (Fall) This is a course for advanced art students who would like to chart a more independent course of study. This is a completely student centered course which allows students to communicate ideas without the teacher specifying the medium. Since the central aspect is the development and construction of creative content, students may use any of the studio facilities – from computers to easels – for projects whose direction is independently generated and maintained.

The seminar is framed by a weekly think tank – a critique session where students and advising faculty can discuss and evaluate concepts and projects as they unfold. Receives one-half credit. Prerequisite: completion of at least one second level media arts or second level visual arts course and/or department approval. Open to students in Form 5-6.

Portfolio Preparation (Year) This course is for dedicated art students. Whether you’re planning on studying art in college or simply a serious artist-submitting a strong portfolio of art work can be an important element in your college-application. Throughout the course, students will use a wide variety of media to explore both traditional and experimental means of creating images, with a growing emphasis on cultivating a personal creative process. The course culminates with the selection and documentation of each student’s strongest work in the creation of their digital portfolio. Receives one credit. Open to students in Forms 5-6 with department approval.

AP® Art History (Year) Have you ever wondered why Stonehenge is so significant? What the purpose of the Taj Mahal is? Why people are so fascinated with the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? What Frida Khalo’s self-portraits reveal? Or why Ai Weiwei made millions of hand-crafted porcelain sunflower seeds? This course examines the nature of art, its uses, and its meanings across diverse cultures from prehistory to the present day. Through daily slide presentations, seminars, papers, and assessments, this course prepares students for the Advanced Placement® Exam, which students must take in May. Students learn and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to study a variety of artforms from prehistoric times to today. AP® Art History fosters an in-depth and holistic approach to the history of art from a global perspective, culminating in a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Receives one credit. Open to students in Forms 5-6 who have completed two semester electives in the creative arts.

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TECHNOLOGY >>MIDDLE SCHOOL Upper Prep Tech (Quarter) This introductory course is designed to expose our youngest students to the technological components they will need to survive as a KO student. They will learn to navigate the KO email system and learn the proper etiquette for being a responsible digital citizen in an academic setting and the greater world. Students will also have opportunities to demonstrate their creativity while exploring many of the tools they will use in their academic classes. Upper Prep Tech coordinates with the Upper Prep Academic Team in order to teach students the tools they will utilize in their classes.

Different ways to present material such as PowerPoint, Prezi, Google Slides and Padlet are presented along with the benefits of using each. Students learn how to conduct an internet search, find data and learn how to analyze it using a spreadsheet. Finally, students learn how to use the Google environment which includes Classroom, Drive, Docs, Gmail, Sites and Slides. All Upper Prep students take this course in the first quarter of the year in order to ensure that all students have the necessary technological skills to excel in their sixth grade year.

Coding (Quarter) This course introduces students to the basics of computer programming with an emphasis on visual storytelling.

Students begin by exploring the history of computer science in an effort to better understand our contemporary digital world. Students will then be introduced to rational, analytic, and computational thinking in preparation for learning how to write code to support their creative ideas. Students will explore a variety of programming languages and environments (Blockly, Scratch, JavaScript, and HTML) to create animations and other digital content. The goal of this course is to explore a variety of languages and environments to better appreciate the ubiquity of code in disciplines as diverse as computer science, art, and engineering. No previous knowledge of computer programming is necessary.

Robotics A (Quarter) This introductory course is designed for any Form 2 student who would like to explore the field of robotics, coding and physical building. Students will learn the basic tools to complete simple challenges and commands. They will document their process of thinking, research online solutions and learn how to seek out help from others. They will do some small building of robots and learn how to program them accordingly. This course is designed for students who have little to no experience.

Robotics B (Quarter) This course is designed for those Form 2 students who have had significant experience with coding or robotics. These students have been exposed to the robotics process, understand its challenges or unknowns and are able to seek out solutions, be proactive and advocate for themselves. They are familiar with the research process, can test out ideas, keep copious notes and seek out resources. These students will solve a community problem by using robotics. They Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021 Page 66 of 70

will brainstorm and pick the problem and work together to find a solution. They will present their findings to the community. It is possible for students to first take Robotics A and continue on with Robotics B.

HEALTH & WELLNESS >>MIDDLE SCHOOL Life Skills Upper Prep (Quarter) In Upper Prep, students are enrolled in Life Skills UP. This class is designed to introduce students to issues that are relevant to their developmental phase as young adolescents. Students learn about friendship, preventing and avoiding bullying, conflict resolution, technology safety, study skills, and basic first aid. Students explore these topics through class discussions, research and independent projects. Additionally, students will be introduced to and will practice mindfulness for a few minutes each class period.

Life Skills Form I (Quarter) In Form 1, students are enrolled in Life Skills I. This class is designed to introduce students to issues that are relevant to their developmental phase as young adolescents. Students learn about nutrition, self-esteem, managing stress, managing peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and puberty. Students explore these topics through class discussions, research and independent projects. Additionally, students will be introduced to and will practice mindfulness for a few minutes each class period.

Life Skills Form II (Quarter) In Form 2, students are enrolled in Life Skills II, a course designed to introduce them to topics relevant to healthy social and emotional development. The curriculum covers leadership, language and communication, friendship, technology safety, media literacy, drugs and alcohol, and sexual health, among others. Students explore these topics through class discussions, research, and independent and group projects. Additionally, students will be introduced to and will practice mindfulness for a few minutes each class period.

>>UPPER SCHOOL VQV (Fall or Spring) Vincit qui se vincit. "One conquers by conquering oneself."

During one semester, Form 3 students take a weekly seminar, Vincit qui se vincit (VQV). Named for the School's motto, VQV classes are designed to help students "conquer themselves" as they transition into high school. Classes are Kingswood Oxford’s Course of Study 2020-2021

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taught by the school counselor and include the following topics: friendship, relationships, motivation, sex education and media.

INDEPENDENT STUDY An Independent Study is contracted between a student and teacher and may be offered only if the area of study is not represented in a regular class at KO. The student and teacher will develop this study contract in advance of the semester and will include a course description consisting of texts, days of meetings, work expectations, and required assessments.

GLOBAL ONLINE ACADEMY KO students began taking rigorous, innovative online classes in September 2013 through a partnership with the Global Online Academy (GOA), a consortium of leading independent schools from around the world. GOA courses allow students the flexibility to learn at their own pace, at any time of day and from anywhere. They also provide students the opportunity to study something they are passionate about, test their organization and time management skills, come in contact with alternative viewpoints and perspectives and build relationships with teachers and students in from 70+ schools and 15 different countries.

In addition, GOA students acquire a host of valuable information and communication technology (ICT) skills by setting up video conferences across time zones, working collaboratively on assignments synchronously and asynchronously using Google Apps for Education, and navigating and publishing work on a learning management system. GOA courses are open to students in Forms 4 - 6. For a list of GOA courses for 2020-2021 visit https://globalonlineacademy.org/student-program/student-courses.

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CURRICULAR CHOICE FROM A COLLEGE ADVISING PERSPECTIVE WHAT COURSES SHOULD BE TAKEN FOR COLLEGE? While many factors enter into college admissions decisions, an applicant’s academic performance as reflected on the high school transcript is the most important component in an application. When colleges evaluate a high school transcript, they primarily consider two factors: the rigor of the program of study and a student’s level of achievement.

This means that students should take the most demanding program that they can successfully handle, balancing rigor and achievement, and that will allow students to pursue areas of interest outside of the classroom. With the wide range of offerings at Kingswood Oxford School, students can explore new and interesting avenues. The College Advising Office encourages students to follow their interests while fulfilling their KO diploma requirements and meeting,and preferably exceeding, colleges’ entrance requirements.

WHAT COURSES ARE DESIRABLE WHEN APPLYING TO COMPETITIVE COLLEGES? In general, most four-year colleges expect to see the following classes on a high school transcript.

• • • • • •

4 years of English 3-4 years of mathematics, or through pre-calculus 3 years of one modern or classical language (ideally through level IV) 3 years of science (at least 2 lab courses) 3 years of history/social science 1 year of fine arts

Please keep in mind that these are not KO graduation requirements; the above are the typical minimum requirements admission offices are looking at for most applicants. For many colleges, taking four years of as many core areas as possible is often most desirable. During their senior year, some students may choose to forego a fourth year of science, history, or language in order to “double up” in a favorite area. While this could make good sense for an individual, we still strongly recommend all seniors take courses in at least four of the five core curricular areas (English, math, science, history, language).

WHAT IS THE TYPICAL CURRICULUM FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL? The typical expected course load is five “core” courses (plus one elective, occasionally two). Students’ advisors, the department chairs, and the college advisors work together to help students build an academic schedule that incorporates the appropriate mix of challenge and balance across core academic disciplines and the arts. Please refer to the individual department sections of this guide for course sequences and options in each grade level.

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WHAT ARE SPECIALIZED COLLEGE PROGRAMS LOOKING FOR? While many KO students enroll in a liberal arts program in college, several KO students each year pursue a focused study in a specialized field in college. The expected high school curriculum for these programs may look a bit different. Once students have decided this might be a route they are interested in, students should communicate with their advisor, the appropriate department chair and/or the College Advising Office for suggestions on how to select those courses that will best prepare the student.

Business Programs generally require four years of rigorous math courses, preferably through calculus. Coursework in economics is strongly encouraged.

Engineering Programs generally require four years of rigorous math and science, including at least basic courses in chemistry, physics, and calculus. Some programs require SAT Subject Tests in math and science for admission.

Coursework in computer science is also a plus.

Health Science Majors, including Nursing, OT/PT, PreMed, PreDental, etc generally require four years of rigorous math and science, including at least basic courses in chemistry, physics, and calculus.

Art, Drama, or Music Programs can vary significantly in their requirements. Conservatory programs, which focus almost entirely on one’s major, primarily consider an audition/portfolio in making admissions decisions. However, many comprehensive universities and small colleges also have exceptional programs in the arts and may also require auditions/portfolios. These colleges also expect students applying to arts/drama/music programs to have the same demanding high school courses and grades as others in their applicant pool.

WHAT ARE AP® CLASSES AND ARE THEY IMPORTANT? AP® (Advanced Placement) classes follow a nationally prescribed curriculum that culminates in a comprehensive exam in May. If one does well on an AP®exam (minimally a 3, but usually a 4 or a 5), some colleges grant credit, placement into a higher-level class, and/or exemption from college distribution requirements. AP® courses are considered college-level courses, use college-level texts, have college-level expectations, and demand a college-level commitment. Note, however, that AP® courses are just one way that a student can add challenge to a course load given KO’s wide array of demanding classes with and without the AP® label. Different AP® classes have different prerequisites; please carefully review the prerequisites listed in each course description. Also, at KO, all students enrolled in an AP® class are required to take the corresponding AP® exam.

AP® scores are not sent to colleges by KO and are not college admission tests. However, students may include them on their applications if they choose. AP® scores are never requirements for college applications however schools with test flexible options may allow students to submit AP® scores in lieu of the SAT or ACT.

WHAT IF STUDENTS HAVE MORE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT COURSE SELECTION AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS? The information above is a very brief overview. Students and their parents should first speak with their academic advisor, after which we encourage students and parents to reach out to the College Advising Office with any remaining questions related to course selection and the college admissions process.

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