Science

“C” or below in Algebra, you take physical science first. You will need a calculator and 3 ring binder. Course description: This is a rigorous, lab-based course. Concepts covered include the nature of matter and energy as well as many concepts related to understanding and describing chemical reactions. Mathematical skills needed to succeed in the course are part of the advanced algebra curriculum.

Advanced Placement Chemistry

Grade level: 11-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semester Prerequisites: Chemistry Considerations: Completion of advanced algebra recommended. You will need a calculator and 3 ring binder. Recommended for pre-med., pre-engineering, & computer science majors. Course description: This is a rigorous course designed to mimic one year of college chemistry. Students are expected to take the AP Chemistry examination upon completion of the course. Students will be required to synthesize multiple concepts in order to solve complex problems. Good study skills and a strong work ethic are required. Grade Level: 10 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Course description: This course focuses on the study of the Earth, the environment, and it’ s natural forces. Students will be introduced to topics such as the Universe, Earth’ s history, plate tectonics, various forces of nature, weather, climate, and current world environmental issues. Concepts are introduced through hands-on labs and activities placed throughout the course.

Physics

Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra and Geometry recommended

Considerations:

This course is recommended for students pursuing a degree after high school, especially Engineering & Healthcare majors (Nursing). Course description: This course explores physics concepts that deal with forces, motion, waves, acoustics, electricity, and magnetism. Focus is strongly placed on engineering, designing, and mathematical applications for these various concepts as they relate to physics in everyday life.

Earth/Env. Science & Natural Forces

SOCIAL STUDIES

U.S. History

Grade Level: 9 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Course Description: United States History covers events and concepts spanning the time period from World War I to present day. Higher order thinking skills, cooperative learning strategies, geography, cultural diversity, and group presentations will be implemented in this course.

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Advanced Placement U.S. History

Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 Semesters Prerequisites: U.S. History (recommended that students receive at least a “B” in U.S. History) Course Description: AP U.S. History is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in U.S. History. The class will prepare students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equal to those made by full year introductory college courses. Students will learn to assess historical materials and weigh the evidence for the purpose of interpretation. The class will cover the history on the United States from discovery and settlement to the year 2000.

Western Civilization

Grade level: 10-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Course Description: This is a study of man from prehistoric times up to the beginning of the twentieth century. The course has a European focus with units consisting of pre-history, Greece, Rome, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, French Revolution and Napoleon, Industrial Revolution, and World War I.

Students will use critical thinking, document analysis, synthesis, essay writing, research, and presentation skills.

Geography

Grade level: 9-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Course Description: This course will examine the impact of human development on the environment. Areas to be analyzed will include, but are not limited to, the European Union, Eastern Europe, China, Japan, and the Middle East. It will involve a steady mix of projects and tests to assess student comprehension.

Government

Grade level: 12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Course Description: This is a course dealing in national and state government. Units covered include: Foundations of US Government and the US Constitution, the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch. Through these units we will also explore information regarding voting behaviors, political parties, history of American government, and state and local government. Students should leave more informed members of society.

Introduction to Law

Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisites: U.S. History Course Description: This class is designed to introduce students to both criminal law and civil law in the United States. Students will examine famous court cases, the U.S. constitution, and various law codes. Additional topics include legal professions such as law enforcement, lawyers, and judges. Guest speakers, mock trials, law writing, legal simulations will all be implemented.

Economics

Grade level: 10-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Course Description: Economics is the study of how people use scarce resources to meet their unending wants and needs. The units of study include: Introduction to Economic Terms and Thought, Economic Systems, Demand and Supply, Indicators of Economic Health, and National/Federal Budget. Students will have a chance to judge different sides of issues and present their own opinions.

Introduction to Psychology

Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Course Description: As the study of behavior and mental processes, psychology aims to help individuals gain a better appreciation of themselves and others. Those who study psychology hope to improve their own state of mind and understanding of humanity through research, observation, and discovery. This course will help make you the student a more introspective and objective member of society.

Sociology

Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Course Description: The study of sociology strives to understand the transformations of our ever-changing society. We will focus our studies on social trends, human development, social institutions, and collective behavior. Students of sociology also investigate the relationship between human behavior and civilization. This course will help make the student a more informed, active citizen who is better prepared to positively influence society.

Advanced Placement Psychology

Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: 1.0 Length: 2 semesters Considerations: You are encouraged but not required to take Introduction to Psychology prior to this course. Course Description: The course is designed to be rigorous; extensive reading and note taking are necessary. Students of this class will study enduring psychological issues, the fields of psychology and how they are continually changing, and methods, principles, and terms specific to the science of psychology. Extensive work is done to help the student learn psychology and be prepared to be successful on the Advanced Placement

exam.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Spanish 1

Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Course Description: Spanish 1 is an introduction to the study of Spanish and to the culture of Spain and Latin America. The main emphasis during this class is learning to speak and understand the spoken language. Students begin to read and write the language as well.

Spanish 2

Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Spanish 1 Course Description: Spanish 2 is a continuation of Spanish 1. More difficult grammar is studied and new verb tenses are introduced and practiced. Emphasis will be placed on all four literacy areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Spanish 3

Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Spanish II Course Description: Students in Spanish 3 will continue to develop language skills in all four areas of communication: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Spanish 3 serves as a bridge between introductory and advanced material. It focuses on grammatical concepts and expanding students ’ ability to communicate with increased complexity.

Spanish 4

Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Spanish III Course Description: Spanish 4 is an "immersion " class. Great emphasis is placed on speaking, listening, and reading. Spanish 4 is an advanced language class, it focuses on tying together grammar concepts and expanding students ' ability to communicate in Spanish.

ART

Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 0.5 Length: 1 semester Course Description: Fundamentals of Art is the introductory art course that is required in order to take any other art courses offered at Mid-Prairie. This Course gives students a little taste of everything involved in art without going too deeply into any one medium/subject. During this time students will explore drawing, painting, and three-dimensional design. Special focus will be spent on the design elements and principles of art.

Drawing & Painting

Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 0.5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Art Considerations: A passing grade in Fundamentals of Art is required in order to take Drawing andPainting. Course Description: Drawing and Painting is an extension of the skills and ideas developed in Fundamentals of Art, with a concentration on drawing the human figure. During this time students will explore the basic approach to visualization through lines, values, illumination, proportion, foreshortening, perspective, and space. The investigation of multiple mediums will take place within this course to gain an understanding of how materials affect the meaning of images. Various materials will be used with an emphasis placed on the student’ s ability and willingness to experiment and explore unfamiliar effects. Students will practice technical skills, be exposed to advanced problem solving techniques, and analyze their own work and the work of others.

3-Dimensional Design

Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 0.5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Art Considerations: A passing grade in Fundamentals of Art is required in order to take 3-DDesign. Course Description: 3-D Design will address the relationship between space and materials. Students will create designs based on depth and space through the visual elements of mass, volume, color/light, form, line, and texture. These issues can be explored through additive, subtractive, or fabrication processes. Several approached may include sculpture, modeling, ceramics, fiber arts, and time-based media. Students will work toward demonstrating mastery of design in concept, composition, and execution.

Photography

Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Art Considerations: A passing grade in Fundamentals of Art is required in order to take Photography. Digital DSLR cameras will be provided to students. Course Description: This course is an introduction to basic camera handling skills, techniques, and aesthetics of digital photography. Emphasis will be placed on how to manually use a digital DSLR camera, or their camera on their phone or ipad. This course will provide students with basic aesthetic principles as well as an extensive range of practical photographic techniques and various ideas for artistic expression. Students will work with file formats, exposure, white balance, composition, lighting, creativity, image editing software (emphasis on Photoshop) printing, and presentation, all while developing a personal photographic style.

AP Studio Art: Drawing

Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Art, as well as 2 or more of the following courses: Drawing & Painting, 3-D Design, or Photography Considerations: See prerequisites. This is an advanced, college preparatory art course that requires the creation of a portfolio that demonstrates the artistic skills and ideas they have developed, refined, and applied over the course of the year. Course Description: This course requires the completion of a portfolio. Rather than completing a comprehensive exam as in most AP courses, students work to produce and send a portfolio of 24-29 pieces of artwork to the College Board. Motivation, energy, risk-taking, and commitment are by far the most important concepts in AP Art. Students involved in AP Art need to be willing to work in a more open-ended mindset that allows for experimentation and growth on an independent level. The AP Art portfolio consists of three sections: quality (5 works that excel in concept, composition, and execution), concentration (a series of 12 works organized around one visual concept), and breadth (12 different works demonstrating a variety of concepts, media, and approaches). The process of completing a portfolio is an intense goal that requires in-class time as well as research, development, and creation outside of the daily class periods allotted for the course. The Drawing portfolio can include drawings, paintings, mixed media pieces, etc, but no digital works may be included.

AP Studio Art: 2-D Design

Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Art as well as 2 or more of the following courses: Drawing & Painting, 3-D Design, or Photography. Considerations: See prerequisites. This is an advanced, college preparatory art course that requires the creation of a portfolio that demonstrates the artistic skills and ideas they have developed, refined, and applied over the course of the year. Course Description: AP Studio Art requires the completion of a portfolio. Rather than completing a comprehensive exam as in most AP courses, students work to produce and send a portfolio of 24-29 pieces of artwork to the College Board. Motivation, energy, risk-taking, and commitment are by far the most important concepts in AP Art. Students involved in AP Art need to be willing to work in a more open-ended mindset that allows for experimentation and growth on an independent level. The AP Art portfolio consists of three sections: quality (5 works that excel in concept, composition, and execution), concentration (a series of 12 works organized around one visual concept), and breadth (12 different works demonstrating a variety of concepts, media, and approaches). The process of completing a portfolio is an intense goal that requires in-class time as well as research, development, and creation outside of the daily class periods allotted for the course. The 2-D Design portfolio can include drawings, paintings, computer works, and photographs.

SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS: Drawing and Painting Students

Each student enrolled in the AP Studio Art course must complete the following assignment objectives by the first day of school. Students that enroll late in the AP Studio Art course will have the first two weeks of the school year to complete all of the assignments.

(Select TWO of the following to complete)

I. Reflections:

Working with a reflective surface, create a composition with 2 or more objects. Fill the space and create a shallow depth. Work in gray scale using pencil, charcoal, or ink wash. Do a number of thumbnails in your sketchbook before you begin the final copy. Work 12” x 14” or larger. Portfolio quality!

II. Wrinkle, Crinkle, and Drape:

Draw draped fabric or crinkled paper. Use lighting that will cast shadows, giving you bright whites, gray tones, and dark values. Use charcoal, conte ’ , pencil, or ink wash. Fill the space…intriguing composition…start with some basic thumbnails. At least 18” x 24” and of portfolio quality!

III. Self Portrait:

Create a self-portrait from OBSERVATION. Use dramatic lighting to capture the sense of form. Work 9” x 12” or larger. Medium may be pencil, charcoal, ink wash, or color. Portfolio quality!