2011 May Term Course Descriptions
Click here to view an easy-to-print PDF file of the 2011 May term course description handbook.
* New Classes for 2010-2011
~ State or Federally Mandated Curriculum
MAY TERM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
AGRICULTURE
*Agricultural Marketing – 45 min.; Limit 20; (12 seniors);This class will be an in depth study of buying and selling grain and buying and selling livestock. Students will learn the very basic concepts of forward contracting, hedging and cash marketing of grain and livestock. We will utilize real examples on the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile. We will have guest speakers representing brokerage firms in the area and grain marketing experts from our local Farmer’s Elevator Coop.
Farm Management – 90 minutes; limit 12 students (6 seniors); Prerequisite: Must have at least 1 yr. of Ag. Ed.; Utilizing our FFA farm property north of Rock Rapids this class will get hands on learning in the following areas: General farm maintenance; Construction of a windbreak; Cattle health work; Application of pasture fertilizer; Landscaping projects on the property; Installation of a new waterer for livestock; and various other areas.
Livestock Evaluation - 90 min.; 9-12; limit 14; (8 seniors); Students must have had at least 1 year of Vo Ag; Students will learn how to evaluate livestock (hogs, cattle, and dairy) through a hands - on learning. We will visit local farms, sales barns, packing plants, and buying stations to gain firsthand knowledge and experience with livestock evaluation. The course will include grade and yield evaluation, carcass evaluation, identification of wholesale and retail cuts, live evaluation (market, animals, and breeding stock as well as feeder stock) and career opportunities.
Greenhouse Management – 45 min.; limit 10; (6 seniors); There are no pre-requisites.
This class will present the management of a green house in a very basic and hands on way. Students will learn about temperature controls, moisture controls, ventilation systems, soils, media, chemicals and the safety practices all involving the use of a greenhouse.
ART
*Drawing – 45 min.; This class will be an introduction to a variety of drawing techniques. We will use a variety of drawing materials such as ink, graphite pencil, and colored mediums. Based on skill level, students will learn techniques that will help in putting ideas on paper. We will cover knowledge of value scales, shading, gesture lines, and many more drawing techniques. Students will also be introduced to famous artists and drawers from the history of art.
*Painting – 45 min.; This class provides an introduction to the use of color and various painting techniques. Students will mostly be using water-based Acrylic paints and will be introduced to different color combinations and ways to use color to express different feelings. This class will also cover famous painters, and artistic movements from the history of art.
BUSINESS
The Stock Market - 45 min; 9-12; limit 25 (12 seniors); Students will learn the basics of personal finance and how to make informed investment decisions. Students will have several opportunities to explore investment opportunities and to engage in simulated buying and selling of stock.
Workplace Readiness - 45 min; grade 11; This is a Pre-requisite for Work Study. Prepares the student for a career, while helping the student in searching for that first job. Covers resume writing and formatting; what should be included and should not be included. It will go over job shadowing, as well as the interview process; what you should and should not do and how to prepare. The class will also cover job ethics, etc.
Money Management – 45 min.; 10-12; limit 20 (10 seniors); Students will be introduced to the basic checkbook/record keeping, application and management of credit cards, establishment and paying off loans, and general tax preparation and decision making. Students will need to know about and have to deal with each one of these areas no matter what career path they will take. Getting a strong understanding of these areas will help ensure one’s financial independence in the future.
*Public Relations – 90 min.; 10-12, (6 seniors) Students can sign up for a one class period block with special permission from the guidance counselor. Almost any organization that has a stake in how it is portrayed in the public arena employs some level of public relations. Students will learn the importance of PR and apply it by clarifying and improving the community perception of the value of May term. Techniques may include photography, interviews, and working with media outlets such as newspapers and websites. Learn about different PR careers and finally, get information on the job description of a publicity agent.
COMPUTER
CL Historical Publications – 45 min.; 10-12; limit 8 (4 seniors); Students will use their computer & writing skills to work on the “Iowa Hall of Pride” project. Also “We the Lions”, a compilation of school records and other information will be updated.
Audacious Web Tools – 45 min./90 min.; 10-12, limit 10, (6 seniors); Students can sign up for one or two period blocks. Students will create articles, podcasts, polls, and surveys for the CL website and may assist in the creation of the senior memory show. Those who are interested in serving as student webmasters must take this course to learn SOCS manager features.
Electronic Video Editing – 45 min.; 9-12; limit 10; (5 seniors) This is a basic video editing class. As a class we will learn how to transfer video files onto a PC, add sound, different affects, and burning the video to a DVD.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
*Spanish Through Storytelling – 45 min.; Limit 24; Pre-requisite: Spanish I; Do you want to improve your listening skills? Or maybe you want to improve your writing? This class can do this while you are having fun. In Story Telling in Spanish, the instructor will be telling a story while the students contribute information and act out the story. The student will be clear on the English meanings of all words. The students will be graded on participation and short writing assignments. This class is open to all students that have taken at least one year of Spanish.
Spanish I and II – 45 min.; 9-12; All Spanish I and Spanish II students will continue on through May Term.
Spanish III– 45min.; 10-12 Spanish III students need to continue if they are advancing to Spanish IV.
Introduction to German - 45 minutes: 9-12; limit 20; This is an exposure to German class. Students will learn German language basics through the reading of a German primer. Beginning grammar and vocabulary will be studied.
AP Spanish Language – During May Term we will continue with the AP Spanish Language syllabus. At this time of year we will focus on test taking skills and practice tests. After taking the AP Spanish Language exam, the students will evaluate the class.
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE
Creative Foods - 90 min.; 9-12; limit 16 (10 seniors); $20.00 lab fee; this course includes Bread baking, fancy desserts, big fat pretzels, and variety of advanced cooking techniques.
Pre-school – 135 min.; limit 12 (8 seniors); Pre-requisite: Child Development; FAC I, or Todays Family; Students conduct a pre-school, located in the FACS room. Special emphasis will be on learning teaching techniques for pre-school children.
Scrapbooking – 45 min.; 9-12; limit 16; Students will learn creative ways to make memory scrapbooks. Scrapbook supplies will be needed.
INDUSTRIAL TECH
Basic Auto Care – 45 min.; 9-12; limit 12 (8 seniors); A requirement will be that a student have availability to a vehicle to work with at all times. The class is designed for the student who has very little automotive car care. General auto maintenance covered will include, tire changes, oil charges, fluid lever checks, belt checks, etc. Types and kinds of products for inside and outside care. Lots of hands on care for your own car.
*Floor Installation – 90 min.; 12-15 students; (6 seniors) 2nd & 3rd period; Goal of the class would be to give the students the knowledge to carpet, vinyl or tile a basic room. Flooring installation will cover the basics of floor covering. Students will learn to estimate cost and amount needed to do the job. Class will cover tear out & floor prep for the various products. Covered in the class will be installation of carpet, vinyl, hardwood, & dura-ceramic tile along with vinyl tile. Students will be given an opportunity to handle the various tools for each application from installing padding to possible applying adhesive. It is hoped that there will be an opportunity to have hands on experience with installation.
Grounds/Building Maintenance – 45 min.; 9-12; Limit 20 (6 seniors) – Pre-requisite-Intro to Ind. Tech. This class will consist of any general repairs to the building inside and out. We could touch a variety of activities from minor electrical out-let replacement to painting and small repairs. You will experience lots of hands on activities so be ready to work in a variety of ways.
LANGUAGE ARTS
English I - 45 min; required of all freshmen; a continuation of English from semesters 1 & 2.
*Intro to Philosophy – 45 min.; Students will be introduced to various philosophic topics such as:
Ethics
Political Philosophy
Theory of Knowledge
Logic
Contemporary Philosophy
Students will look at the history and scope of each topic. In addition, the class will research and discuss the Philosophical “Biggies” such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Students will also connect with their own philosophies and exercise critical thinking skills. Classroom discussion and research will be key to making this class interesting, insightful and irresistible to the student who always asks…Why?
Newspaper/Yearbook - 90 min; grades 9-12; limit 15; Write articles for the newspaper and hope to see them printed. Finish the yearbook using the Jostens online program.
*Electronic/Independent Reading - 90 min.; 9-12; limit 20; this class is a great opportunity to read the books you choose and to get credit for it. Students will make their own reading choices, then take a computerized test over the book and have a teacher conference. Essentially all class time is reading time. The grade is based on pages read, difficulty of the book, and student comprehension of the book. This class is based on the Scholastic Reading Counts program.
Short Stories – 45 min.; 9-12; Students will read short stories from various countries and literary periods.
*Cultural Literacy – 45 min.; 9-12, Limit 20. In today’s world, we are constantly presented with references to famous characters and events from literature, history, the Bible, etc. We hear these in conversation, in the newspaper, at the movies, and on television, but do you really understand them? This class will focus, thematically, on popular allusions, their origin, and their definitions, which is determined by context.
Warriors Don’t Cry/Racial Studies – 45 min.; 9th-12th; limit 16; Examines the Little Rock Nine, the nine African-American students who were the first to integrate a US high school. Students will learn more about these brave individuals and the time period through videos, readings, and the internet.
MATH
Math - 45 min.; Students will continue with the General Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry, courses if he/she plans to take the next course in the math sequence. All 9th and 10th graders must stay in their math class through May Term, except students in Basic Geometry.
AP Calculus - 45 min.; This will continue into May Term. The AP test will be taken some time in May every year, and the class must continue meeting to prepare for the test.
*Athletic Statistical Analysis – 45 min.; Limit 25; (15 seniors); Statistics are used frequently in athletics to give us information about teams or individuals. In this class, we will learn how some of these statistics are calculated in variety of sports. Some calculations will be simple such as batting average where others will be more complex such as a passer rating for a quarterback. We will also discuss how the BCS rankings are done, what role RPI plays in seeding the NCAA basketball tournament, scoring of Olympic events and how the Nascar Sprint Cup standings are determined. There are a lot of different statistics in the sporting world and we will try to make sense of them during this class.
MUSIC
Chorus will continue.
Band will continue.
Beginning Guitar – 45 min.; Students will learn the basics of guitar playing from the parts of the guitar to basic music theory. All students will begin on acoustic guitars and then may expand to the electric guitar if they wish. Students will learn to play songs using chords and single notes. Several guest musicians will be brought in to demonstrate technique on both the acoustic and electric guitars. The school has several guitars that it can loan out, but if you have your own guitar and would be able to bring it, please do so.
Beginning Lessons - 45 min; 9-12; limit 14; for non-band students who want to learn an instrument or for the band students who wish to study a second instrument.
Electronic Music – 45 min.; Students will use the latest technology to edit music, create their own mixes, record music, print music, and create their own songs from scratch.
Jazz History – 45 min.; limit 24 (12 seniors); this course will study the development of Jazz Music in the United States starting with its’ beginnings in New Orleans in the early 1900s through the swing era of the 30s and 40s and ending with present day Jazz Music
SERVICE LEARNING
~ Service Learning – 90 min; 9-12; Working on community service projects in the community and school. All students must participate in one service learning class before graduation. Areas to be covered:
Tree and shrub pruning
Senior citizen assistance
City and park maintenance
Central Lyon beautification
RECREATION
Intro to Golf - 90 min.; 9-12; limit 20; Fundamentals of golf, including rules and etiquette. Must provide your own clubs. This is intended for the student who has little or no experience in golf. If you are going out for the high school golf team or have been on it in the past, you cannot take this class.
Intro to Tennis – 90 min.; 9-12; limit 12; Students will learn the rules for playing singles and doubles tennis. They will practice hitting serves, backhand shots, and forehand shots. Some time will be spent watching tapes of professional tennis matches. They will also play singles and doubles matches including a singles tournament.
Ballroom Dance – 45 min. grades 9-12; limit 24 or 12 couples; this course is designed for learning some of the classic dances of our society, including the waltz and swing. Some time would be spent watching videos of professional dancers.
*Intro to Lifetime Recreation – 90 min.; Grades 9-12; limit 20; (12 seniors); In this class students will learn lifelong sports/activities. Activities that students will do are Outdoor Recreational (Canoeing, Fishing, Bocce Ball, Bean Bags, Horseshoes, Hiking, and Bicycling). They will also learn different physical fitness activities that they can do and the different opportunities that our community provides for them.
SCIENCE
*Entomology – 45 min.; In this class we will learn all about insects, from what they look like to how they are important to the human race. We will make an insect collection, study how insects are an important source of protein in some countries and how they are important to agriculture.
Physical Science - 45 min; required of all freshmen; a continuation of science from semesters 1 & 2.
Introduction to Aerospace Engineering – 45 min.; limit 20; 9-12; (8 seniors);This class is designed to simulate the NASA competition held in Houston, TX each year. Students will be assigned to a team of peers and will be given a request for proposal assignment helping NASA solve some type of a problem associated with space travel sometime in the next 100 years. The teams will research, design, and develop a presentation to be given in front of the class. In addition to the project, students will be exposed to some of the issues that challenge NASA engineers while planning trips into outer space. A brief history of the NASA program will also be part of the class.
Genetics - 45 min.; limit 20; 10-12; (12 seniors); Prerequisite - Biology; Students will expand on topics in genetics studied during Biology. Emphasis will be placed on current research and medical breakthroughs so that the course will constantly be evolving based on the latest research. Each student will choose a specific genetic abnormality/disorder to report on. Various case studies will be used throughout the course to help emphasize the real world application of genetic science in our everyday lives.
Earth Systems Science - 45 min.; limit 20; 9-12; (7 seniors); This is a course designed to take a look at naturally occurring events throughout Earth’s recent history and examine them from an Earth Systems perspective. Through a problem-based learning format, students will look at events such as global climate change, Hurricane Katrina, major floods and/or droughts. Instead of compartmentalizing the science involved, impacts will be looked at taking into consideration the life, Earth, and physical sciences. How the three branches influence and impact each other will be looked at so as to help the students reach some sort of a conclusion/prediction about the immediate future for the animals, plants, humans, and economic conditions in the affected area. Example: During Hurricane Katrina, the gulf coast was devastated ecologically and economically. What were the repercussions on wildlife, plant life, and human lives? How did the local, state, and federal governments respond? If the same type of disaster were to hit again along the Gulf Coast region, what would the main concerns be? Could anything be done to help prevent or lessen some of the impact? Students will explore what they know about hurricanes and determine what they need to know about Hurricane Katrina to answer these and other questions.
*Conservation in Iowa – 90 min.; In this class we will cover the history of different types of Iowa wildlife, such as the turkey, deer and beaver. We will also cover conservation practices and jobs in the field of conservation. If possible, a field trip to the Fish Hatchery in Spirit Lake will show us conservation practices in use.
*Advanced Chemistry – 45 min.; Prerequisite – 2 semesters of chemistry. This course is designed for juniors who have completed two semesters of chemistry and are considering a major at the next level in either the sciences or the medical field. It is designed to introduce topics students will see in chemistry coursework at the college level beyond their first two semesters of inorganic chemistry. Some of the topics covered will involve discussion and labs dealing with colligative properties of solutions, molality calculations, acids, bases, salts, and oxidation-reduction reactions.
SOCIAL STUDIES
The Holocaust – 45 min.; 11-12; limit 25 (12 seniors); Students will take an in-depth look at the Holocaust: what it was, why it happened, and how it happened through the reading of Night by Elie Wiesal, viewing Schindler’s List, and examining other supplementary resources.
American History – 45 min.; required of all juniors; a continuation of American History from semesters 1 & 2.
*Psychology of Athletics – 45 min.; Limit 20; (12 seniors); This class will be a learning experience involving sports ethics, sportsmanship, mental and emotional preparation for competition, training practices, proper nutrition and sleep as well as commitment to all of the above. This class will welcome the high school athlete or non athlete to be encouraged to participate. We will utilize current and former coaches and officials as guest speakers etc.
OTHER
ACT Prep – 45 min.; 10-11; limit 15; Looking for higher ACT scores? Students will be using both computer and test preparation material from Kaplan – “the world leader in test preparation”. Also available is information about the PSAT and the SAT.
Acting/Drama Production – 90 min.; 9-12; Pre-requisite: Auditioning and being picked to be in the spring school play; Rehearse and present a full length production. Auditions will be held before May Term sign-up. Seniors accepted will be required to attend all classes until the performance date. This class will be taking the place of the All School Play and the production will be presented on Tuesday, May 23. Students who get chosen to be in the play from auditioning will automatically be scheduled into that 2 period time slot on their May Term Schedule.
Technical Theater - 45 min; 9-12; limit 14; Course will explore aspects of lighting, sound, & set construction. Will include working with the new lighting and sound systems and the stage rigging.
~ Mentoring - 90 min.; 9-12; limit 10: Assisting elementary students with academics. You are allowed to take this course twice.
~ Career Exploration - 45 min; Grade 9; This freshman-required class will help you think about life and career choices. Learn real life tips for success by reading and discussing the book, Teenagers Preparing for the Real World by Chad Foster. Learn about careers by conducting and reporting on an interview of someone with an “unusual” job and by compiling information in the I Have a Plan Iowa electronic portfolio.
Human Relations – 45 min.; 11-12; limit of 15; (8 seniors); Human Relations is a class that will require students to research, think, and discuss the various ways people are treated. We will cover topics such as racism, age discrimination, gender inequalities and people with disabilities. The purpose of the class is to educate students about the importance of treating all people with respect regardless of age, gender, or race.
Mock Trial – 45 min.; 9-12; limit 4 per section; Must be a high school mock trial participant; Students will assist the middle school students in trying the 1919 Chicago White Sox case. This case dealt with players from the White Sox throwing the 1919 World Series. The class will consist of a video along with case preparation and presentation to a real life jury.
~ Navigator – 45 min.; required for 9th graders; this is a class dealing with many tough decisions that will need to be made throughout the next few years. Topics like relationships, sexual activity, drugs & alcohol, and marriage will be discussed. This is an important class for you as you continue down the road of success.
Marriage – 45 min.; 10-12; limit 14; this class will deal with marriage issues in today’s society. There will be group projects in which students will need to deal with real life problems and situations that may arise in families. The class will be largely discussion and project based.
EDU150A: Directed Observation – Student observation of education to gain direct insight in the way schools function, roles and responsibilities of teachers, and student behavior. Prerequisite: EDU210: Foundations of Education; The request for this course is being made because some colleges require hours in the classroom during Foundations of Education. This course is the course NCC combines with Foundations of Education to meet that requirement.
