CONTENTS INDEX


 

A

ART.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY................................................................................................................................................................ 4

B

BUSINESS & COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY............................................................................................................................... 11

C

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS............................................................................................................................................................... 8

COURSE DROP/ADD POLICY....................................................................................................................................................... 3

D

DIPLOMA WITH HONORS........................................................................................................................................................... 5

E

ENGLISH.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

F

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE....................................................................................................................................... 19

FOREIGN LANGUAGE.................................................................................................................................................................. 21

FOUR- YEAR PLAN WORKSHEET.............................................................................................................................................. 7

G

GENERAL INFORMATION........................................................................................................................................................... 2

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:............................................................................................................................................... 6

GREAT OAKS – CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM....................................................................................................... 38

GREAT OAKS CAREER PATHWAYS...................................................................................................................................... 39

M

MATHEMATICS........................................................................................................................................................................... 23

MUSIC............................................................................................................................................................................................. 27

N

NON-DEPARTMENTAL COURSES........................................................................................................................................... 36

O

OHIO GRADUATION TEST.......................................................................................................................................................... 4

P

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH................................................................................................................................. 29

POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS................................................................................................................................................... 39

S

SCIENCE.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 30

SOCIAL STUDIES.......................................................................................................................................................................... 34

W

WEIGHTED COURSES, GRADE POINT AVERAGE, AND CLASS RANK........................................................................... 3


 


GENERAL INFORMATION

 

TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS:

 

Please read this registration bulletin carefully.   We urge students and parents to weigh course choices in terms of what students plan to do upon graduation from high school.  A student’s interests, ability, and motivation are also important factors in making decisions concerning course selections.  Additionally, teacher and counselor recommendations are very important to consider.

 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

 

Your selection of courses for the 2008/2009 school year must be made final by Friday, March 7th.  After this date, very few changes in courses will be approved except for those necessitated by failure,  those related to summer school, and those authorized by the principal.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

1.        Know the number of credits you will have at the end of this school year (current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders).

 

2.        Students are responsible for registering for required courses to meet graduation requirements.  You are urged to consult your counselor if you have questions.  The best time to call a counselor is between 7:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. (367-1550).

 

3.        We are on a seven-period day at Wm. Henry Harrison High School.  Students should sign up for enough courses to fill at least six periodsStudents are not permitted to have more than one study hall per semester.

 

4.        Athletes are required to pass a minimum of 5 courses (not including any Physical Education course) to be eligible to play a sport.  If a student is enrolled in 2 Physical Education courses during the same semester, the .5 credit those courses represent does count for eligibility purposes.  Eligibility is determined preceding each quarter subject to Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) rules, which are published at the beginning of each school year.  Consult Athletic Director for changes.

 

5.        Refer to page 5 of this bulletin for graduation requirements and note which subjects are required and which are electives, then choose your courses wisely.

 

6.        Required subjects that students failed should be repeated the following year unless they are passed in summer school.  The next higher course in a sequence may not be taken until the failed subject is passed.  For example, you may not take Spanish 2 until you have earned your credit in Spanish 1.

 

7.        Know whether you have to pass a prerequisite course for any class you wish to take.   For example, you may not take Advanced Food and Nutrition until you have passed Food and Nutrition.

 

 


 

WEIGHTED COURSES, GRADE POINT AVERAGE, AND CLASS RANK

 

The following courses are “value-added” weighted courses (worth an addition of the following for each final grade earned:  A = + .008, B = +. 006, C = +. 004, D = 0, F = 0). 

               

                                                                Senior                                                    Junior

English                   -               AP English Literature & Composition              English 11-3

Math                      -               AP Calculus AB, AP Statistics                          Geom/Trig/Adv. Math 2, AP Statistics

Social Studies       -               AP United States Government & Politics        AP United States History

Foreign Languages -           4th Year Language                                                3rd Year Language

Music                     -               AP Music Theory                                                                AP Music Theory

Science                  -               Biology 2, AP Chemistry,                                   Chemistry, Physics

                                                AP Physics C: Mechanics

All courses will be counted for class rank and grade point average except Yearbook and Journalism classes beyond the first year and any courses graded on the pass/fail system.

 

THE GPA AND CLASS RANKING SYSTEM:

 

1.        Student’s grade point average will be calculated using a 4-point scale.

2.        Students will have a factor added for final grades in “value added” weighted courses as follows:

 

Student GPA + [(# of A’s) x .008] + [(# of B’s) x .006] + [(# of C’s) x .004]

 

Example:  Student 1              GPA 4.0 + 11 WEIGHTED “A”                                          FINAL GPA 4.088

                   Student 2            GPA 3.982 + 11.5 WEIGHTED “A” + .5 “B”    FINAL GPA 4.077

 

COURSE DROP/ADD POLICY 

 

It is important for every student to select his or her courses after having carefully read the registration bulletin and discussing the courses with teachers, counselors, and parents.  For the first five days of either semester, the only reasons a student schedule will be changed are to balance class sizes or to correct scheduling errors.  After the first five days changes will only be considered based on teacher/parent recommendation and administrator approval.  Changes in the level of a class can be made at any time a teacher recommends the move and the parents give permission.  Additionally, course changes can only be considered if there is available space in an alternative class or a study hall.

 

Changes in course selection (registration) prior to the start of school year will be made only for the following reasons:

1.        If a scheduling error/conflict occurs.

2.        If the change would help balance class size.

3.        If a required course or credit for graduation needs to be made up.

4.        If a prerequisite has been failed.

5.        If the student previously failed the course and is enrolled with the same teacher.

6.        If a scheduled course is taken during summer school or night school.

 

After the school year begins, students may drop or add an elective class with approval of their parent,

counselor, and appropriate teacher up to the dates listed below without academic penalty:

 

                                                                                Add Date                                               Drop Date

 

First Semester Course                                         End of 2nd week                                     October 1

Second Semester Course                                    End of 2nd week                                     March 1

Year Long Courses                                              Midterm First Quarter                          End of First Quarter

 

After these dates, elective courses can no longer be dropped without academic penalty; students will receive a grade of “Withdrawal/Failing.”  Special circumstances must seek review from the principal.

 

NOTE:    In all other cases (non-elective courses or courses required for graduation), changes in students’ course selections will be made according to the following rules only:

       1.      Student’s parent(s) must confer with the teacher of the class to be dropped.

2.     Requests for schedule changes must be initiated by a written request from the student’s           parent(s)/guardian(s) to the student’s guidance counselor.

3.     Requests for changes must be made in consultation with the student’s parent(s), counselor, and teacher.

4.     Final approval for change will be determined by the principal.

 

Students should not drop a course required for graduation.  Any change in course level (e.g. English 11-3 to English 11-2) must be made in consultation with the student’s teacher, parent(s), and counselor.  Where a course level change is approved, the student will carry all grades earned to date to the next level.

 

In cases where a student wants to “move down” in course level (e.g. Algebra 1A to Algebra 1B) and it is not recommended by the current teacher, the student must remain in the course they are in or drop the course completely, according to the “Add/Drop” guidelines above.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR EIGHT SEMESTERS OF FULL-TIME ATTENDANCE

 

Eight semesters of full-time attendance are required for graduation.  The principal, upon request of the parent, will review individual cases in which a student cannot meet this requirement.

 

OHIO GRADUATION TEST

 

All students are required to pass the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT).  This test is administered to students for the first time during the second full week of March during the 10th grade year.  After that testing period, any test(s) not passed will be retaken in the fall  (October) and spring (March) of the 11th and 12th grade year until all 5 tests are passed at a Proficient level or above.

 

The OGT is administered in the areas of writing, reading, mathematics, social studies, and science.  Students must pass all five sections of the OGT and meet all curricular requirements established by the state and Southwest Local Board of Education in order to qualify for graduation.

 

The Ohio Department of Education established that students may graduate and receive a diploma by passing only four of the five OGT if they also meet all the following criteria:

 

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

 

Athletes are required to pass a minimum of 5 courses (not including any Physical Education course) to be eligible to play a sport.  If a student is enrolled in 2 Physical Education courses during the same semester, the .5 credit those courses represent does count for eligibility purposes.  Eligibility is determined preceding each quarter subject to Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) rules, which are published at the beginning of each school year.  Consult Athletic Director for changes.

 


 

NCAA FRESHMAN ELIGIBILITY FOR DIVISION I OR DIVISION II SCHOOLS

 

Students who want to practice and play freshman year at a NCAA Division I or Division II college must satisfy the requirements of NCAA Bylaw 14.3, commonly known as Proposition 48.  See the NCAA Clearinghouse website for further information.

 

DIPLOMA WITH HONORS 

 

The Diploma with Honors recognizes graduating seniors who have successfully completed academic requirements beyond the requirements for a Diploma of Graduation in either a college preparatory or career-technical curriculum.

 

To qualify for an Honors Diploma, a student must meet eight of the following nine criteria in addition to the minimum graduation requirements:

 

1.     four units of English

2.     three units of mathematics that include Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry or completion of a three-year sequence of courses that contains equivalent content

3.     at least three units of Science that include instructional emphasis on the physical, life, earth, and space sciences

4.     three units of Social Studies

5.     either three units of one foreign language or two units each of two foreign languages

6.     one unit of fine arts

7.     either one unit of Business/Technology and two additional units in (1) through (6) above or earn three additional units, in (1) through (6) above

8.     maintain an overall high school grade point average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale up to the last grading period of the senior year

9.     obtain a composite score of 27 on the American College Testing (ACT) tests or an equivalent composite score of 1,210 on the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) with no regard to its new writing portion.

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) TEST FEE REIMBURSEMENT

 

The Ohio Department of Education has contracted with The College Board to handle Advanced Placement (AP) test fee reimbursement for free and reduced lunch students who take the AP test.  For information about this reimbursement and process visit The College Board website at

                http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/repository/ap06 examfeeassistanc_50301.pdf

 


 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

 

In addition to passing all five sections of the Ohio Graduation Test, students must earn a minimum of 21 credits to be eligible for graduation.  Among the credits necessary for graduation, the following are required:

 

English                                                                                                                   4 credits

Speech                                                                                                                   ½ credit

Social Studies                                                                                                       3 ½ credits

Mathematics (must include Algebra 1 and

either Practical Geometry or Geometry)                            3 credits

Science                                                                                                                  3 credits*

Physical Education and Health                                                                          1 credit

Fine or Practical Arts **                                                                                     2 credits

Electives (One of which must be a Fine Art, Business/Technology,

and/or Foreign Language)                                                                  4 credits

 

*the 3 credits in Science must include the areas of earth (Integrated),

   biological, and physical science (chemistry and physics).

 

Recommended for most colleges and universities

English                                                                                                                   4 credits

Speech                                                                                                                   ½ credit

Social Studies                                                                                                       3 ½ credits

Mathematics (see college preparatory math offerings)                                 3-4 credits

Science (see college preparatory science offerings)                                      3-4 credits

Foreign Language (required by many colleges)                                             2-4 credits

Physical Education and Health                                                                          1 credits

Fine or Practical Arts**                                                                                      2 credits

Electives                                                                                                                2 credits

 

Graduation Requirements for Vocational School

English                                                                                                                   4 credits

Speech                                                                                                                   ½ credit

Social Studies                                                                                                       3½ credits

Mathematics                                                                                                         3 credits

Science                                                                                                                  3 credits

Physical Education and Health                                                                          1 credit

Electives                                                                                                                6 credits

 

**Students planning to attend a public college or university in Ohio must have one credit in Fine Arts, which can only be fulfilled by taking music or art courses.

 

Fine Arts                                                                               Practical Arts

All Art courses                                                                     All Business Courses

All Music courses                                                               Family and Consumer Science Courses

Fourth Year Foreign Languages Courses

Television Production

                                                                                                Yearbook

                                                                                                Journalism

                                                                                                English (beyond 4 credits)

Social Studies (beyond 3 ½ credits)

                                                                Math (beyond 3 credits)

                                                                Science (beyond 3 credits)


 

 

FOUR- YEAR PLAN WORKSHEET 

 


 

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 

 

ART 

 

Art 1, Art 2, and Advanced Art are full-year courses, designed for those with interest in furthering their education in art following high school.  The additional courses consist of four semester offerings for those who have interest in taking a half-year course in a more specific area of art.  Art 1 will be a prerequisite for any semester class.

               

Students enrolled in all levels of art will be encouraged to participate in art contests and exhibits.  Courses taken in this area will count toward the Fine/Practical Arts requirement for graduation as well as the Fine Arts requirement for Ohio colleges and universities.

 

Art 1 (9, 10, 11, 12)                                                                                                                               1 credit

 

This course is designed to provide students skills and a working knowledge of the various areas of visual art.  Another objective is to develop creative and critical thinking skills, as well as an understanding of art criticism, evaluation, and appreciation.  Areas covered include:  drawing, painting, printmaking, design, ceramics, art history, and appreciation.

 

Art 1A (9)                                                                                                                                              1 credit

                Prerequisite – 8th grade Advanced Art and teacher recommendation

 

This course is designed for freshmen who have had Advanced Art in the 8th grade.  It will provide a more in-depth look at skills and knowledge involved with the various areas of visual art.  Another objective is to develop creative and critical thinking skills, as well as an understanding of art criticism, evaluation, and appreciation.

 

Art 2 (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                                                   1 credit

                Prerequisite – Art 1

 

Art 2 will cover the same areas as Art 1, providing a more in-depth study, understanding, and explanation of each.  New types and methods of areas such as painting, and printmaking will also be introduced and experienced (i.e., watercolor painting, silk-screening).  Another objective will be to develop original styles and techniques as well as creative thought.  Art history and appreciation will be incorporated into each aspect.

 

Advanced Art (11, 12)                                                                                                                         1 credit

                Prerequisite – Art 2

 

An advanced course in which students will be provided the opportunity to develop skills and understanding in areas of art most appealing to them.  Instruction at this level will be on an individual basis.  Emphasis will be on further developing original style and techniques along with creativity.  Another objective will be to build a portfolio of work to be used in shows as well as to gain acceptance into college.

 

*Students must obtain signature of permission from current art teacher, in order to take any of the following semester (1/2 credit) classes:

 

Ceramics (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                                           

                Prerequisite – Art 1 and Teacher recommendation                                                                        ½ credit

 

If you enjoyed working with your hands in Art 1, this class is for you.  You will explore basic hand building techniques with clay as well as throwing pots on the potter’s wheel.  Primitive firing techniques as well as traditional electric kilns will be used.  Students will also study the history of ceramics and explore trends in the contemporary art world. This is a one-semester course.

 

 

 

 

Advanced Ceramics (10, 11, 12)

                Prerequisite – Ceramics                                                                                                                       ½ credit

                Note: Students may take Ceramics first semester and Advanced Ceramics second semester

 

This course takes ceramics to the next level where hand building and wheel throwing techniques will be refined and expanded.  Personal interpretation and voice will be discovered in this hands-on studio class.

 

Crafts and Cultures (10, 11, 12)

Prerequisite – Art 1 and Teacher recommendation                                                                        ½ credit

 

This course will take a look at exciting arts and crafts of different cultures while providing the opportunity to make things of your own similar to works made by people of these various civilizations (i.e., American Indians, Egyptians, Japanese).  You will create arts and crafts that are practical, ceremonial, and decorative.  This may include fiber art, weaving, mask making, as well as other items used by these different cultures. This is a one-semester course.

 

Drawing/Painting (10,11,12)                                                                                                              

                Prerequisite – Art 1 and Teacher recommendation                                                                        ½ credit

 

This course is designed for those who enjoyed drawing and painting in Art 1 and wish to expand knowledge and skills in these areas.  There will be a more in-depth study of different kinds of drawing and painting using different media.  Students will also be exposed to slides and other reproductions of past and present works of art, giving direction towards drawing and painting ideas.  This is a one-semester course.

 

Photography 1 (10, 11, 12)

                Prerequisite: Art 1 and Teacher recommendation                                                                           ½ credit

 

This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of photographic images with research and experimentation as key factors.  Students are expected to write evaluations and make cognitive reports relating to their experience in the photographic field.  Development, exposure, and printmaking are essential phases of the course.  All materials, including camera equipment, must be supplied by the student.  Independent field trips and projects requiring time after school are necessary components of the course.  Approximately $50 will be required to purchase materials for projects.

 

Photography 2 (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                                                  ½ credit

                Prerequisite – Photography 1

 

This course reaches beyond the fundamentals of photography to develop skills of composition, message, and interpretation of images.  Students will master skills learned in Photography 1, while developing new skills such as use of studio lighting and alternative photographic processes.  Students will be introduced to the work of contemporary photographers and are expected to write evaluations of their work.  Camera equipment must be supplied by the student.  Independent field trips and projects requiring time after school are necessary components of the course.  Approximately $65.00 will be required to purchase materials for projects.

 

Photography 3 (11,12)                                                                                                                                         ½ credit

                Prerequisite: Photo 1, Photo 2 and recommendation of Photography Teacher

 

This is an advanced course designed to introduce experienced photography students to aspects of digital photography and computer graphics techniques.  Students will learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop, a computer graphics software program that is the standard in the field of computer graphics.  This course is limited to advanced students who intend to pursue a career in photography or the arts.  Approximately $35.00 will be required to purchase materials for projects.

 

 

 

 

Printmaking/Design (11, 12)              

Prerequisite – Art 2 and Teacher recommendation                                                                        ½ credit

 

This class will provide an interesting look at various types of printmaking along with the aspects of design incorporated in each.  Students will be provided the opportunity to experience several of these during this semester class. Types include: linoleum and wood block printing, silk-screening, glue-prints.  Along with printmaking, the class will look at the field of design.  Students will experience the design process and procedure for creating graphic design.


 

BUSINESS & COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

 

The Business & Computer Technology Department is structured so that students will receive a well-rounded business education for further study in college or simply to get ahead in a society increasingly more focused on personal finance and technology.  When pursuing college or trade school, many programs require the student to take a broad range of classes in technology and business before getting into the focus of the student’s respective major.  If going into the working world directly from high school, workers of all disciplines should have an understanding of computers, software and business principles for managing money.  With this in mind, it will help the student to take a broad range of business and technology classes before leaving Harrison High School.

 

Accounting (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                                       1 credit

 

This course is designed for students who plan to major in business during college, or those who plan to enter the business field immediately following high school.  The study of accounting is referred to as “The Language of Business”.  It is required for all business majors as it captures the essence of understanding the workings of a business.

 

Students will learn the mechanics of accounting for the majority of the first semester.  After understanding those basics, they will analyze and study real life cases of fraud in accounting and decades of financial controversies in accounting are discussed.  The class concludes with the students contacting a publicly traded company, receiving financial statements/annual reports of that company, analyzing them for financial strengths and weaknesses, and reporting to the class on their findings as if they were a financial analyst.

 

Entrepreneurship (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                              ½ credit

 

Students will spend a majority of the semester putting the concepts of ethics, marketing, management, economics, finance, accounting, and legal issues to use using the “real world” examples of entrepreneurship practices from the Wall Street Journal and biographies on famous entrepreneurs.  Students will use these learning experiences to create a fictitious company of their own as they pass through each facet of business operations.

 

Students will also construct their own business plan throughout the course.  The final draft of this business plan will be presented to the class at the end of the semester.  This class provides a solid background for students who are invited to compete at Xavier University for an entrepreneurship case study competition each year.  Further, the class is recommended for those who wish to grasp the fundamentals of running a business, someday start their own business, take over and improve a family business, or begin a franchise.  The class is also beneficial to those hoping to major in business as it touches on many of the classes students will be required to take in business school.

 

Computer Programming (11, 12)                                                                                                         ½ credit

                Prerequisite-Algebra 2 and recommendation of computer programming teacher.

 

This course is an introduction to computer programming.  It covers the fundamental ideas of programming including input, output, screen design, formatting, output, loops, control structures, subroutines, functions, graphics, one and two dimensional arrays, string functions and processing, and sequential and random access files.

 

The course concentrates on the fundamental elements of programming using the latest version of Visual Basic or Visual C++ programming language.  This course is recommended for students with a strong interest in computer software design.

 

Computer Software Applications (9, 10, 11, 12)                                                                              ½ credit

 

This course is designed to provide students with practical applications through “hands-on” instruction.  All students will complete applications in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.  Microsoft Office is used in this instruction including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  The students are introduced to the basics of each software application and then expected to complete various practical assignments via a “hands-on” approach.

 

This class is recommended for those who wish to learn basic computer applications that are necessary for making homework assignments easier as well as relevancy to many future careers.  This class is also beneficial to those who wish to apply computer skills they may already know to “real-world” situations.

 

Investments  (11, 12)                                                                                                                           ½ credit

                Prerequisites – Personal Finance grade of “B” or better

NOTE:    Seniors may take the prerequisite in conjunction with this course

                with department approval

 

This course provides students who have successfully completed Personal Finance with the opportunity to apply the concepts learned to an independent study/research environment.  Students will create a stock portfolio of ten stocks that will be held for the entire semester.  A daily log of stock performance will be maintained.  Research, summaries, and presentations of current financial news will be required in order to appreciate the effect of current events on investment decisions. Students will request financial statements from a company and provide a financial analysis.  Students will locate current internet financial data for such items as P/E, Dividends, Dividend Yield, Insider Trades, and IPOs, reporting to the class on their opinions and findings.

 

The goal of the course is to provide interested, independent, and motivated students with additional opportunities to appreciate and understand the outcomes of their hypothetical business decisions.

 

Personal Finance (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                                              ½ credit

 

No longer is social security enough to support retirement.  Many working people supplement their income through investments.  Employees must often make decisions regarding their paychecks and savings with the company they work for on the first day they report to work.  In fact, approximately fifty percent of private investors owning stock on the New York Stock Exchange do not even have a college degree.

 

Students will learn how various investment markets work, as well as investment strategies in the stock market including tips on how to make money in a down market.  Other topics covered are online investing, bonds, mutual funds, IRA’s, and 401k’s.  Students will also be required to open up a fictitious stock portfolio on Yahoo Finance.  Monitoring this portfolio throughout the semester, students will compete with classmates based on rates of return.  This course is recommended for those who wish to learn more about the stock market and investment tools.

 

Sports Marketing (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                             ½ credit

                Prerequisites – Entrepreneurship or Survey of Business

 

This is a specialized course designed to offer students an opportunity to gain knowledge and develop skills related to the growing sports and entertainment industry.  Students will develop skills in the areas of facility design, merchandising, advertising, public relations/publicity, event marketing, sponsoring, ticket distribution, and career opportunities as they relate to the sports and entertainment industry.

 

Sports Marketing is a class that will cover the many marketing facets of amateur, college, and professional sports.  The course will also cover the entertainment and recreational sports industries with emphasis on resorts and theme parks.  Such topics as public image, sports products and services, agents, community service, event planning, and marketing research will be addressed.

 

The course will also provide background necessary for positions in the Sports and Entertainment field.  Instruction includes marketing skills, skills and techniques of advertising and promotions, the psychology of sales, and management associated with the marketing of leisure-time activities and events.

 

Survey of Business (9, 10)                                                                                                                  ½ credit 

 

This course is designed to provide students with a basic foundation for further study under the broad umbrella of business including the disciplines of marketing, finance/accounting, management, international business, and economics.  Major topics include: the essence of business, fundamentals of the American capitalist society, supply and demand theory, business etiquette and protocol, fiscal and monetary policy, foreign currency exchange, ethical and social responsibility, and money and banking.

 

The goal of the course is to provide insight for the student in various areas of business.  The course will study business from a broad perspective, giving the student a basis for further study at Harrison High School and beyond.  This course is recommended for any student who would like to better understand the business world that impacts everyday life, as well as those who wish to understand the business opportunities available to them in their future.

 

Technology Assistant (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                    ½ credit (Pass/Fail)

                Prerequisites: B or better in Computer Software Applications or Web Page Design or Teacher Approval        

 

Students who have demonstrated exceptional computer and leadership skills in Computer Software Applications or Web Page Design may apply to be a Technology Assistant (TA).  This is a select group of students who will be used in our computer labs to assist students with questions, help with individual training of students and staff, and assist with the daily classroom responsibilities and maintenance of computer equipment.  TAs may also be utilized to complete special projects for teachers or administrators as appropriate.  A highly selective process will be used to insure the selection of mature, responsible, independent, and trustworthy individuals.  Enrollment is limited.

 

Web Page Design (9,10, 11, 12)                                                                                                         ½ credit

 

The explosion of e-Commerce and the increasing use of web pages in business and industry have created a need for web page management.  This course is designed to prepare students to create, maintain and enhance web pages.  Course work will include, but is not limited to, the following:  designing a web page, managing a web page, producing the content for a web page, editing the content of a web page, enhancing a web page with graphics and animation, connecting web pages to databases, and increasing the interactivity on a web page.

 

Web Page Design II (10, 11,12)                                                                                                          ½ credit

Prerequisites:  C or better in Web Page Design and Teacher Approval

 

This course is designed for the intermediate to advanced level student who wants to continue to develop his/her web page design skills, Internet and Intranet management skills.  Students will maintain and further develop Harrison High School’s website and, in doing so, will develop teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.


 

ENGLISH 

 

Ninth Grade – Class of 2012

 

English 9-1                                                                                                                                            1 credit

 

This course is designed to improve reading and writing skills of ninth grade students.  The course explores reading of high interest short stories, poetry, novels, plays, and non-fiction.  Students will write journals, personal narratives, and essays about the literature they read.

 

English 9-2B                                                                                                                                          1 credit

 

This course is geared toward students who plan to pursue post-high school education.  Freshmen who take this course have the motivation necessary for higher-level work but are lacking in one or more areas of college-level skills.  Students will read and interpret short stories, drama, poetry, and non-fiction.  Readings will provide the basis for composition dealing with analysis of the literature, as well as personal reactions and interpretations.

 

English 9-2                                                                                                                                            1 credit

 

This course, geared toward students who plan to pursue post-high school education, deals with reading and interpreting short stories, drama, poetry, epics, novels, and non-fiction.  Readings will provide the basis for composition dealing with analysis of the literature, as well as personal reactions and interpretations.

 

English 9-3                                                                                                                                            1 credit

 

This course is designed to challenge students in the areas of reading, writing and vocabulary.  This course is also a preparation for the Advanced Placement test students may take in their senior year.  Students will learn critical thinking skills, make inferences about literature, write and speak effectively and increase their vocabulary.  The rigorous study found in this course is designed to prepare students for college studies in addition to standardized tests, such as the ACT and SAT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: TEACHER RECOMMENDATION REQUIRED FOR PLACEMENT IN

ENGLISH 10, 11, AND 12

 

Tenth Grade – Class of 2011

 

Speech (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                                               ½ credit

 

This course is required for graduation.  Students will acquire self-confidence and poise while developing speech communication skills.  Each student will be provided the opportunity to improve speaking skills through a variety of speaking assignments, including formal speeches and media speaking. This is a one-semester course.

 

*NOTE:  Students who plan to attend vocational school at the end of the tenth grade must take Speech in the tenth grade.

 

English 10-1 (Reading and Composition)                                                                                         1 credit

 

This course is designed to further improve reading ability by focusing on themes involved in world literature.  Students will read and respond to literature from different genres and cultures.

 

English 10-2                                                                                                                                          1 credit

 

This course, designed for students planning to attend post-secondary education, explores the literature of other countries and cultures.  Students will practice and enhance their composition skills by responding to the literature and to personal experience.

 

English 10-3                                                                                                                                          1 credit

 

Admission to this program is based on the recommendation of the freshman teacher, a “B” average or better in present class, and if necessary, a usage test and/or a writing assessment.

 

This course is designed to challenge students in the areas of reading, writing and vocabulary.  This course is also a preparation for the Advanced Placement test students may take in their senior year.  Students will learn critical thinking skills, make inferences about literature, write and speak effectively and increase their vocabulary.  The rigorous study found in this course is designed to prepare students for college studies in addition to standardized tests, such as the ACT and SAT.

 

 

Eleventh Grade – Class of 2010

 

Speech (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                                               ½ credit

 

This course is required for graduation.  Students will acquire self-confidence and poise while developing speech communication skills.  Each student will be provided the opportunity to improve speaking skills through a variety of speaking assignments, including formal speeches and media speaking. This is a one-semester course

 

English 11-1                                                                                                                                          1 credit

 

This course is designed to continue improving reading skills while introducing students to American authors, covering the Colonial, Revolutionary, Romantic, Realistic, and Modern Periods.  Readings will provide the basis for compositions which emphasize literary analysis and personal reflection.

 

English 11-2                                                                                                                                          1 credit

 

This course examines American fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.  Improving writing and grammar skills, as well as improving vocabulary to prepare students for college, are also aims of this course.

 

               

AP English Language and Composition                                                                                          1 credit

 

Admission to this program requires the recommendation of an English teacher, and if necessary, a usage test and writing assessment.  This course requires the completion of a summer reading list consisting of 3-4 books. 

 

An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.  Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.  


 

Twelfth Grade – Class of 2009

 

Speech (10, 11, 12)                                                                                                                               ½ credit

 

This course is required for graduation.  Students will acquire self-confidence and poise while developing speech communication skills.  Each student will be provided the opportunity to improve speaking skills through a variety of speaking assignments, including formal speeches and media speaking. This is a one-semester course.

 

English 12-1

Senior English                                                                                                                                      1 credit

 

This course is designed to prepare students to read, write, and communicate effectively after high school.  It is a general level class for students who may need additional reinforcement in reading and writing.  Students will improve reading strategies using both fiction (including novels and short stories) and non-fiction (including newspaper and magazine articles).  Students will become more aware of audience and purpose in writing, and will incorporate the writing process while completing several written assignments, including business letters and various compositions.  Additionally, students will work collaboratively to improve communication and teamwork skills.

               

English 12-2

Advanced Composition and Ecology                                                                                              1 credit: English

                                                                                                                                                                1 credit: Science

This is a writing intensive course designed to prepare students for any writing they may encounter in college.  Teachers in English and Science will teach this interdisciplinary course, a blend of Ecology and Advanced Composition.  Students will study current environmental issues and the relationships between living and non-living organisms.  This course will also take advantage of a partnership with the Miami Whitewater Forest and will involve water sampling and plot studies in the park.  In addition, students will be challenged to improve their writing techniques through grammar review and by composing several essays, including personal, persuasive, analytical and research writing.  Students will also read and discuss a novel on the Amazon rain forest, a mystery novel about a national park, a non-fiction piece about the most endangered species in the world, and current periodicals on nature.  Students will learn to make inferences and write about assigned literature.  This is a year long course.

 

English 12-2

Advanced Composition and Literature                                                                                            1 credit

 

                This is a reading and writing intensive course designed to prepare students for any reading and writing experiences they may encounter in college.  Students will read and discuss the ideas and attitudes reflected in selected modern novels.  In addition, students will improve critical reading techniques.  Students will also be challenged to improve their writing techniques through grammar review and by composing several compositions, including personal, persuasive, analytical and research writing.  This is a year long course.

 

AP English Language and Composition