2019-20 Elective Choices for Freshmen

All students will be asked to rank their top three choices to fulfill the art/music elective requirement. Every attempt is made to give students their top choice, but unfortunately, that is not always possible. The elective options are listed below:

Introduction to Technology and Trades – ITT/DDP

This introductory course is designed to give students an overview of the various areas of technology and trade skills.  In addition, students will explore some of the various career options related to the course, along with the preparations needed to make in order to pursue them beyond high school.  Students will cover fundamental skills in the design process, sketching, measuring and marking, career readiness, and planning and production. Some of the course trade skills include: construction, electricity and electronics, manufacturing, metal fabrication, woodworking, and others.  Furthermore, students will have an opportunity to make multiple industry and worksite visits to get an up close and personal look at the operations involved. This (or IED/DDP) is a pre-requisite for most other tech courses.

Introduction to Engineering Design – IED/DDP (PLTW)

This introductory course is designed to give students an overview of the various areas of technology and engineering skills.  The theme of the course is the use of systemic design process to develop creative solutions to many types of problems. Students will develop skills in creative problem solving, 3D sketching, industrial design, teamwork, and presentation skills.  State of the art computer aided design (CAD) software is used. Students will spend a large percent of their time creating computer models. Throughout the course, math and science concepts are used to arrive at the best solution to design problems.  Students will develop skills in creating prototypes or models of their designs. Students will learn safety and accurately use a variety of hand tools and machines to produce prototypes of their designs. Projects include past inventions, creating 3D models, and designing products that can be manufactured. This (or ITT/DDP) is a pre-requisite for most other tech courses

Studio in Art

Studio in Art is required as a student’s first art experience.   The student will work in two or three dimensions in a great variety of media, which may include drawing, watercolor, tempera, printmaking, sculpture, pottery, charcoals, pastels, pen and ink, or lettering.  Processes, techniques, and fundamentals of design are learned largely through students’ involvement in substantial and exciting projects. Art appreciation, art criticism, aesthetics, and art history are integrated into the program and correlated within the art projects.

Choir

Choir is a credit-bearing ensemble with membership based on instructor recommendation and/or audition. Members perform a wide variety of vocal repertoire and learn appropriate vocal technique and reading skills. All ensemble members are required to attend one 40 minute vocal lesson per week. Outstanding ensemble members will be encouraged to audition for Select Choir, Suburban Council and All County music festivals and to participate in NYSSMA. The choir performs at school concerts and assemblies, the Strawberry Festival and select competitions.

Orchestra

Membership in Orchestra includes the study of standard repertoire, techniques of concert performance, and orchestral routines. All members are required to attend instrumental lessons one period per week. Orchestra students participate in winter and spring concerts in addition to the Strawberry Festival and outside community performances. Outstanding students will be able to apply to NYSSMA, Suburban Council, and Area All-State. Students in High School Orchestra also are eligible to compete in a national music competition held in the spring.

Music Appreciation

This courses covers the study of music from a listener’s point of view. Topics explored include the history of rock and roll, classical music in our everyday lives (commercials, movies, cartoons) and music reading foundations. Music Appreciation is for students who are interested in music as an audience participant, as well as those that would like to learn more about how music is created. The class takes place in the music lab and participants will have access to multi-media software and on-line resources.

Band

Enrollment in band requires participation in both Concert Band and Marching Band. Concert Band entails the study and experience in repertoire and performance, including preparation and presentation of assemblies and concerts. Marching Band entails experience in marching techniques, including presentation and preparation at all home football games, pep rallies, parades and field shows. All members will receive instrumental lessons one period per week throughout the school year. Outstanding students will be selected for placement in the following groups on a noncredit, extracurricular basis: Select Band, Stage Band, Ensembles, participation in Suburban Scholastic Council music functions and participation in NYSSMA solo competition, Area All-State and All-State Bands.

Career and Financial Management 1 (1/2 credit)

This course is designed to help students make a smooth transition from the classroom to a meaningful career.  It helps students understand the economic system and their role as a productive worker and citizen of the United States.  Students learn about business organizational structure and entrepreneurship. Topics include business economics, consumerism, financial management, business management and leadership.  Students will be introduced to careers in business law, marketing, accounting and business management.

Parenting (1/2 credit)  

This course focuses on learning an active approach to parenting.  It will help students clarify their own goals for the future and teach effective methods for leading children throughout the stages of life.  Students will explore parenthood for a day with “Baby Think It Over.” Other activities include movies, “Buddy Day,” observations, “Parent Responsibilities,” “Parenting Myths,” and “Earning Values” projects.

Lifespan Studies (1/2 credit)

This course is designed to help the student understand the adolescent’s role in the community as well as the family unit.  It covers ways in which adolescents relate to persons of all ages using practical applications. The course relates to careers in human services.  Activities include movies, interviews, a lifespan project and a “Generation Resource Day.”

Health (1/2 credit)

This is a required course usually taken in tenth grade.  Students who like to take many elective options and fill their schedules may choose to take health as a ninth grader.

Basic Electricity (1/2 credit) (must be currently enrolled in IED) (only for students currently in Regents Algebra)

Basic Electricity is a course that teaches electrical technologies in the home and in the industrial environment.  Through experimentation, construction and problem solving based instruction, students will be able to apply basic elements common to all technological systems.  Areas of study will be low voltage applications, line voltage applications, passive and active devices, laws of electricity, how electricity is used in the world, different ways to produce electricity, construction of them and the components that make the up.