Inspiring Great Thinkers 2013 Course Registration Freshmen Through

Inspiring Great Thinkers 2013 Course Registration Freshmen Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers SCPA Graduation Requirements q q q q Ø 4 years of English 4 years of Social Studies 4 years of Math 3 years of Science 2 years of Fine Arts 2 years of World Language 1 year of Physical Education 4 years of Electives Note: 1 year equals a full year class OR 2 semester courses. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers What to consider in your 4 Year Course Plan ØConsider your interests and strengths to determine which rigorous required and elective courses to pursue ØSee the course guide description of the type of colleges that you want to apply to…your college aspirations may need to dictate some of your choices Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Complete Your Four Year Course Plan Ø With your parents, use the Four Year Course Plan as a guide for graduation. Ø Fill out your Ninth Grade Registration Sheet with your parents, using the ninth grade column of your completed Four Year Course Plan as your guide. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Terminology Ø Credit – this a unit assigned by the school to measure the coursework that students successfully complete. Ø Semester – a term indicating “half of a grading term” – in this case half of a year. A semester is quantity, NOT a meeting pattern. So, it may meet every day for a half of a year or every other day for a whole year. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers MORE Terminology Ø Alternating Day Schedule – these classes will meet every other day all year. You can take electives that meet every other day and alternate with each other, or you can alternate an elective with study hall. Ø Zero Hour – Some classes may meet “before” school during “zero” hour. These classes will meet from approximately 8: 309: 20. You are responsible for your own transportation to Zero Hour. Any Zero Hour class will be clearly marked Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers MORE Terminology Ø Online Hybrid Course: This course is taught partially online and partially in the classroom. Students will need to be independently motivated and comfortable with computers to complete the online portion of the class. Ø Honors: This is a label on a course that is more quickly paced and may dig deeper into content and expect more sophisticated analysis of students. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers English, Science & Social Studies Ø The biggest decisions you have with these subjects is whether to take the HONORS, Pre-AP or Advanced Placement Courses Ø A table in the registration guide provides some criteria as to whether you should consider Honors or AP. Also, ask your teachers Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers What are Advanced Placement Courses? Advanced Placement Courses are approved by the national College Board to be offered at SCPA. They are college paced, college textbooks and college level rigor. Students may take an exam at the end of the course that could earn them college credit. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Choosing a Math Current Math Next Math Pre Algebra I Geometry OR Accelerated Geometry Algebra II Ø Which math you take depends on the math you are in right now. Ø Ask your teachers which mathematics they recommend that you take next. Ø Some of you, may be ready for an Accelerated pace math class. Ask your teacher if you are ready for this. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Physical Education Ø All ninth grade students MUST take a semester of Physical Education 9 this year. Ø Before graduation, you will need to take another semester of ANY PE elective listed. You may take this other half year elective in ninth grade in addition to your PE 9 OR you can take it in 10 th, 11 th or 12 th grade. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Choosing Other Electives Ø If you do not choose to take another PE elective in ninth grade in addition to your PE 9, then you must choose another semester elective. In your course guide, these are electives that are listed as “. 5 credits” or “semester electives. ” They can be found in all departments! Ø You may also choose a study hall for NO credit. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Choosing Fine Arts Ø All SCPA students MUST take 2 credits (2 full years) of Fine Arts. Take these credits any year (9 -12) but most take them in 9 th/10 th grade. Ø Fine Arts include classes of Music, Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Photography, Creative Writing, Drama, etc. Ø Put an X in the box for the Music you are in if you want to continue with music. This will take care of your fine arts requirement if you continue with it for 2 full years. Ø If not in music, read course descriptions to choose any combination of other fine arts electives. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Choosing A World Language Most SCPA Students in this Language Take this level in ninth grade Spanish Level I Latin Level II Ø All SCPA students MUST take 2 credits (2 full year courses) of a World Language. You can take these credits any year but most kids take them in 9 th/10 th grade. Ø You should be the SAME World Language for both years (not one of Spanish and one of Latin Ø Put an X in the box for the Language and CIRCLE the level you need. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Honors and AP…How do I decide? Ø Students and families self-select. Ø AP: Advanced Placement. The most rigorous class you can choose. Based on a national standard and nationally recognized. Prepares you to take the AP exams and possibly earn college credit. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Honors and AP…How do I decide? , cont. Ø Honors: More accelerated than a standard course. Class moves more quickly and more indepth. Ø Colleges look for Honors and AP courses on student transcripts. Ø If you can get an A or a B in an AP or Honors course you should take it! Ø Not sure? Talk to your parents and teachers. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Registration Tips § MOST students take Fine Arts and World Languages Freshman and Sophomore years. This opens up your schedule as a Junior and Senior. § Some students would like to stay in Music and/or World Language for 4 years. Plan for this. § Many students fulfill their Physical Education requirement their Freshman year. However, you now have the option to complete a semester later. Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Registration Day Friday March 23, 2012 Ø Bring your Four Year Course Plan AND your SIGNED Ninth Grade Registration Sheet Ø Double Check--have you chosen: Ø Your English, Social, Math and Science sections? Ø Your Fine Arts and World Language? If not, do you have a plan for when you will earn these credits? Ø Do you have 4 Elective choices? Ø Only 1 study hall per semester, per student! Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development

Inspiring Great Thinkers Questions? • See your Advisor • See Ms. Sparrow • See Ms. Klinzing Through Academics, Leadership, and Character Development