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Art
Instrumental Music (Band)
Grade Level: 9 - 12 Credits: .25/semester Length: All Year Prerequisite: Middle School Band Considerations: Learning to play a musical instrument successfully takes several years of focused effort. It helps to have a few years of experience playing a musical instrument and being able to read music when you join the Mid-Prairie High School band program. If you don ’t have experience playing an instrument, you are still welcomed into the band program. There is place for you in this band program and there are several school-owned instruments that you can play.
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Course Description:
The MPHS band season starts with marching band. The Golden Hawk marching band has five days of band camp in August before school starts. When the school year begins, the band rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday and most Friday mornings at 7:00 am. The marching band performs at all home football games, the homecoming pep rally, Kalona Fall Festival and our Stadium Echoes concert. The marching band typically competes at two marching band competitions: the Wilton Festival of Bands and State Marching Band
Contest. Both of these events take place on Saturdays in October. As soon as marching band season is over, we begin concert band and jazz band rehearsals. All students enrolled in the band program participate in marching band and concert band. Jazz band is an extra curricular ensemble that rehearses on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from late October to early May. Enrollment in the MPHS band program is required for membership in the jazz band. The MPHS pep band typically performs at 8 to 10 home basketball and wrestling meets during the winter season. All students enrolled in the band program are required to be in the pep band. Students enrolled in the MPHS band program also have opportunity to perform in the River Valley Conference Honor Band, State Solo/Ensemble Contest, and the pit orchestra for the annual school musical in the spring.
Music Theory
Grade Level: 9 - 12 Credits: .25/semester Length: One, two or three semesters starting after marching band season Considerations: Music theory is offered for any student who wants to learn more about the subject of music. You do not need to have studied or played music to enroll in this class.
Course Description:
Music Theory at MPHS uses Alfred’ s Essentials of Music Theory as the course of study. There are also three levels of jazz theory to study if you chose. During the course there are written tests at the end of each unit of study and a small amount of home work, In this course you will have the opportunity to write and perform your own music based on the skills and concepts learned in the class.
Mixed Choir
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: .25/semester Length: All year Considerations: Basic music theory is also taught in this class. While we do have performances throughout the year, students need to understand this is a class which requires homework, quizzes, and tests. Course Description: The Mid-Prairie Mixed Choir is comprised of freshmen through
seniors, and typically has an enrollment of around 70 students. Basics of music theory are taught throughout the year. It is of great benefit to all the members of the choir for everyone to study these basics both in and out of the classroom. Mixed Choir is a non-auditioned choir which meets for the entire year. Students in Mixed Choir perform at the Fall Festival in Kalona, a Madrigal Dinner, Carols for Kindness, Pops & Pie, a 6-12 grade choir concert in May, and at the graduation ceremony. Students are expected to be at all performances, and must remain in good academic standing and not violate the Good Conduct Policy to be eligible to perform. The Madrigal Dinner is the most intense performance of the year, with a 3+hour performance during the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of December. The Mixed Choir also participates in the Iowa Music
Association State Large Group Contest every year.
Ladies ’ Lyrica
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: .25/semester Length: All year Considerations: Basic music theory is also taught in this class. While we do have performances throughout the year, students need to understand this is a class which requires homework, quizzes, and tests. Course Description: Ladies ’ Lyrica is comprised of freshmen through seniors, and typically has an enrollment of around 30 students. Basics of music theory are taught throughout the year. It is of great benefit to all the members of the choir for everyone to study these basics both in and out of the classroom. Freshmen girls who are not in band will be enrolled in Ladies ’ Lyrica to gain a deeper understanding of basic music fundamentals. Ladies who wish to enroll in both choirs are more than welcome to do so & will receive credit for both choirs. Ladies ’ Lyrica is a non-auditioned choir which meets for the entire year. Students in Ladies ’ Lyrica perform at the Fall Festival in Kalona, a Madrigal Dinner, Carols for Kindness, Pops & Pie, a 6-12 grade choir concert in May, and at the graduation ceremony. Students are expected to be at all performances, and must remain in good academic standing and not violate the Good Conduct Policy to be eligible to perform The Madrigal Dinner is the most intense performance of the year, with a 3+hour performance during the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of December. Ladies Lyrica also participates in the Iowa Music Association State Large Group Contest every year.
Extra Opportunities:
Besides performing in the large groups, students are able to perform in solos and small ensembles throughout the course of the year. These solos/small ensembles can be performed during two of our concerts: Carols for Kindness and Pops & Pie. Additionally, students can participate in the Iowa Solo & Small Ensemble Contest. Students are judged according to state guidelines during this event. It is a great learning opportunity, and a large percentage of both the choir and band students participate in this contest. Other Opportunities: Iowa All-State Chorus, OPUS (freshmen only) Iowa Wesleyan Honor Choir, University of Northern Iowa Honor Choir, Augustana Honor Choir, Iowa State University Honor Choir, University of Iowa Honor Choir, Iowa Choral Director ’ s Association Regional Honor Choir.
Madrigal Choir
(open to any grade student, either in Mixed Choir or Ladies ’ Lyrica; meets outside the school day) The Mid-Prairie Madrigal Choir is the top select, auditioned choir at Mid-Prairie. Any student enrolled in either Mixed Choir or Ladies ’ Lyrica is eligible. It typically has 16 students in it, and is open to any grade student. Auditions are held in the first month of school, and once selected, the students in this choir practice an hour before the school day starts at least twice a
Physical Education
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester
Considerations:
Students should have shorts, top, socks and shoes. Locks can be purchased in the office. The department honors only doctor ' s excuses and honest personal reasons for not dressing for PE. Students must provide their own towel.
Course Description:
1. Fitness by means of activities which are selected to increase strength, vigor and vitality. 2. Desirable recreational attitudes and interests which will be of value in current and future recreational pursuits and the proper use of leisure time. 3. A spirit of competition, sportsmanship and social consciousness. 4. Desirable and lasting health habits. week. Students in this choir are expected to go above and beyond, in practicing their music and exhibiting leadership qualities. The major culmination of being in the Madrigal Choir is to be a member of the Royal Court during the Madrigal Dinner (see above under Mixed Choir description). This group also performs at various community events throughout the holiday season, as well as the State Solo & Small Ensemble contest later in the school year.
5. Qualities of leadership and the skill of accurately following directions. 6. Every student will be exposed to proper first aid treatment and care of injuries. 7. Nutrition, preventative safety measures, inclement weather procedures will be outlines to the physical education student. 8. Students are required to pre and post test with the current physical fitness testing requirements.
PE: Weightlifting/Yoga
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Considerations: Students should be aware that you are lifting weights/doing yoga daily. Students should always bring an extra pair of clothes and shower when we are done to maintain healthy hygiene. This course will be Block 1.
Course Description:
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn weight training concepts and techniques used for obtaining optimal physical fitness. Students will benefit from comprehensive weight training and cardiorespiratory endurance activities. In this course we will also be learning the importance of yoga, by doing it weekly to improve flexibility.
PE Skinny
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: .5 (.25/sem.) Length: 2 semesters Considerations: For Band, Lyrica, and Choir Students. “Same as Physical Education ”
Course Description:
“Same as Physical Education ”
Early Bird PE
Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: .5 (.25/sem.) Length: 2 semesters Considerations: Students taking this course will meet for class four days a week M/T/TH/F from 6:30-7:30 a.m. for 2 semesters. Attendance is required. If a student needs to make up a class, this is scheduled with the teacher on a Wednesday from 6:30 – 7:30. This course can suffice for a student’ s annual PE requirement. If a student fails to successfully complete this course or needs to be dropped due to poor attendance or multiple tardies, PE will be added to their schedule during the school day.
Course Description:
This course focuses on strength training, conditioning and wellness. This course will be designed for, but not limited to, student athletes and those training to become a better athlete. Strength progress will be measured and evaluated throughout the class.
Health
Grade Level: 9 -12 Credits: 0.5 Length: 1 semester Course Description: The health curriculum covers several topics including CPR/First Aid, social/emotional health, substance abuse, human growth and development and food/nutrition.
KCC: Exploration of Healthcare Careers (Patient Care Academy)
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 3 concurrent credits Length: 2 semesters (Fall) Considerations: This is a Kirkwood Community College Concurrent & Course
Course Description:
Explores multiple aspects of health care and careers in the field. Includes a field trip to the Kirkwood Simulation Center. Covers the past, present and future of health care. Introduces key career cluster terms and career pathways within each career cluster. Provides career information, including education required for each area, educational costs to attain a degree versus potential career earnings, job descriptions, case studies and skills needed for specific career areas. Results in BLS CPR certification upon successful completion.
KCC:Medical Terminology (Patient Care Academy)
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 4 Concurrent Credits Length: 2 semesters (Fall) Considerations: This is a Kirkwood Community College Concurrent Course
Course Description:
A comprehensive study of medical terminology as the language of medicine. Analyzes words by dividing them into component parts. Relates the medical terms to the structure and functional pathology of diseases and current medical procedures. Emphasizes word usage, abbreviations, pronunciation and spelling.
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 2 Concurrent Credits Length: 2 semesters (Spring)
Considerations: This is a Kirkwood Community College Concurrent Course
Course Description:
Learn the skills and characteristics expected for professional preparation and employability. Explore the health industry, see current trends and issues, and study the work environment as it relates to health and safety regulations.
KCC: Nurse Aide (CNA Certification) (Patient Care Academy)
Special Note: Four units (or 8 semesters) of Agricultural Classes may be substituted for 1 unit of Science credit (with prior approval of Agricultural Education Instructor, Principal and Guidance Counselor). Agricultural classes which can be used to fill these requirements are: AFNR, Animal Science, Plant Science, Landscaping, Natural Resources, and Precision Farming Systems. (Agricultural Business and Marketing does not work towardthe science credit.) **Students participating in FFA are to take at least 1semester ofAg classesperyear.
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 3.5 Concurrent Credits Length: 2 semesters (Spring) Considerations: This is a Kirkwood Community College Concurrent Course Course Description: Meets the training requirements for nurse aides in long-term care facilities. Emphasizes achieving basic knowledge and demonstrating skills to provide safe, effective care. Includes a 30 hour hands-on clinical experience.
AFNR
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Considerations: This class is for students who have not taken an Agricultural Class before. Students who have taken an Agricultural Education course before must get prior approval before taking this class.
Course Description:
The Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) course is the first course in the Curriculum for Agricultural Sciences (CASE) sequence of classes. Students will experience exciting “hands-on ” activities, projects, and problems. Student experiences will involve the study of communication, the science of agriculture, plants, animals, natural resources, and agricultural mechanics. While surveying the opportunities available in agriculture and natural resources, students will learn to solve problems, conduct research, analyze data, work in teams, and take responsibility for their work, actions, and learning. The course is structured to enable all students to have a variety of experiences that will provide an overview of the fields of agricultural science
and natural resources so that students may continue through a sequence of courses through high school. The knowledge and skills students develop will be used in future courses within the CASE program.
Animal Science
Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Considerations: It is suggest that students have taken AFNR before taking this course but this is not a prerequisite. Course Description: This course is a foundation-level course designed to engage students in hands-on laboratories and activities to explore the world of animal agriculture. Student experiences will involve the study of animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, nutrition, reproduction, health, selection, and marketing. Students will explore hands-on projects and activities to learn the characteristics of animal science and work on major projects and problems similar to those that animal science specialists, such as veterinarians, zoologists, livestock producers, and industry personnel, face in their respective careers. Students will investigate, experiment, and learn about documenting a project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.
Plant Science
Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Considerations: It is suggested that students have taken AFNR before taking this course but this is not a prerequisite.
Course Description:
Plant Science is a foundation-level course that will teach students about the form and function of plant systems. Students are immersed in inquiry-based exercises filled with activities, projects, and problems to teach them plant concepts through laboratory and practical experiences. Student experiences will include the study of plant anatomy and physiology, classification, and the fundamentals of production and harvesting. Students will learn how to apply scientific knowledge and skills to use plants effectively for agricultural and horticultural production. Students will discover the value of plant production and its impact on the individual, the local, and the global economy. Lessons throughout the course will provide an overview of the field of agricultural science with a foundation in plant science. These lessons include working in teams and exploring hands-on projects. Students will work on major projects and problems similar to those that plant science specialists, such as horticulturalists, agronomists, greenhouse and nursery managers, and plant research specialists, face in their respective careers.
Natural Resources
Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Considerations: Plant Science is good sequence class to go with Natural Resources. *This course is offered every other year and will be available in the 2022-2023 school year.
Course Description:
Students in this course will have a variety of experiences that in the fields of natural resources and ecology. Students will explore hands-on projects and activities while studying topics such as land use, water quality, stewardship, and environmental agencies. Study of the natural world including biomes, land, air, water, energy, use and care as well as a focus on issues surrounding man ' s interaction with the Earth will be addressed in this course.
