No Course Remorse: Choosing Epic Electives
Just when you thought you were completely comfortable in your classes, the surprise of course selection for next year returns. For everyone but current freshmen, there are additional changes in store. Instead of collecting teachers’ signatures on those papers we knew and loved (to lose), students must go electronic; from February 11th – 20th, Harriton teachers met with students to enter course recommendations on PowerSchool. Next, from February 24th – March 2nd, rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors will make their course selections for the 2014-15 school year online after a tutorial in advisory on the 21st. Counselors will meet with students who have questions or problems, like too few classes selected, from March 3rd -14th.
Though the technological selection process may seem complicated, the courses themselves present different questions. “Should I take AP or IB; stick with honors or CP? How am I going to fit in Physics or Government? Will I have enough credits to graduate? What about my study halls? Is health awkward?” Aside from a definite yes to the last one (awkwardness depends on your class and teacher, freshmen, it will be okay), these are mandatory questions that each person must answer individually.
But how you fill your elective slots is your choice. You can use this opportunity to complement your future job or major, expand a hobby, or simply have fun trying something new. For the final reason, the Banner is here to tell you that Basic Foods and Film/Photo, while time-honored and awesome, are only two options in a wide range of little-known epic Harriton experiences. Here, the Banner will be focusing on CP and Honors academic experiences to be more accessible. Choose an elective and get ready to surprise yourself, your friends…and your counselor!
English
Creative Writing
CP and Honors, one semester for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Prerequisite (H only): A or B in previous Honors English courses, A in previous CP English Courses and current teacher recommendation.
Who loves creating BEPs and five-paragraph argumentative essays? Who loves reading from other great writers and finding their own voice in original short stories, essays, poems, and one-act plays even more? If you have been waiting for creative writing to reappear in English class since publishing your book in the third-grade, you will get your wish in “Creative Writing.” In this workshop atmosphere astonishingly similar to the Corinthian, you will offer and receive critical advice and apply lessons from other authors and forms in developing your storytelling ability. This is your opportunity to become the next F. Scott Fitzgerald, e.e. cummings, or William Shakespeare, or at least to learn about them.
Journalism
Only Honors level, one semester for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
You have been training for this class even before you knew about it if you are a Banner staff writer; students in “Journalism” will learn writing styles and skills required in journalism for news, sports, feature, op-ed, and arts and entertainment pages. The practical learning of research and reporting skills combines with historical learning about media history, journalistic ethics, commercial workings of the news media, and impacts of technology on the delivery of information. I am so excited about this class that I cannot even finish this paragraph sarcastically!
SAT Preparation: Critical Reading and Writing
Twice per cycle in one semester, for 2nd semester sophomores, all juniors, and 1st semester seniors. Prerequisite: Must have taken the PSAT.
This course can help you succeed and improve on the Critical Reading and Writing sections of the SAT at no cost. You will learn general strategies for successful test taking, specific Reading strategies for answering sentence completion and passage-based reading questions, and specific Writing strategies for improving essays and answering different types of multiple-choice questions. This new in-school opportunity requires outside commitment as well – if you enroll, you must “sit for 3 full-length practice SAT exams scheduled either after-school or Saturdays during the semester.” For the student who cannot afford, do not want a tutor, or simply want to boost his or her SAT scores, this is your class.
Mathematics
Computer Science 1 and 2
No differentiated levels. Comp Sci 1 in 1 semester for all grades with a prerequisite of Algebra 1, Comp Sci 2 in spring semester only for all grades with a prerequisite of Computer Science 1. AP Computer Science A is a separate 1-year course for juniors and seniors only.
When the robots come to take us over in the future, we need to have a strong computers foundation to take them down. In Computer Science 1, you will be introduced to basic computer programming concepts and procedures, and complete projects in C++ programming language like building 3D worlds and games. Though the course description may bewilder at first, by the end of Computer Science 1, you will have confidence in your beginner robot rewiring skills. In Computer Science 2, you will continue to use your intro concepts to write code and run, debug, and troubleshoot a program. I wish I could tell you more, but I would have to take the class – I cannot understand the jargon in the course guide yet. (For actual robot programming skills, look at Innovation & Invention Robotics CP and H.)
SAT Preparation: Mathematics
Twice per cycle in 1 semester, for 2nd semester sophomores, all juniors, and 1st semester seniors. Prerequisite: Geometry and must have taken PSAT.
Using practice problems to focus on certain skills and identify areas of improvement, in this class, you will learn test strategies for the mathematics sections of the SAT. As mentioned previously, this is a great money-saving opportunity for which you will sit three practice SAT exams, and they recommend you take this at the same time with SAT Prep: Critical Reading and Writing.
Science
Meteorology
CP and Honors, 1 semester for juniors and seniors. Prerequisite (CP): 1 year of math, 2 years of science (H): 2 years of math and 2 years of science
Do you think you can beat the weatherman and/or Sam Ebby in your knowledge of the next snow day? Have you ever simply felt interest in ‘learning more about the atmosphere in which we live’? Learn about climate, pollution, and weather patterns in Meteorology. With lab experiments, homework, and daily weather readings, this is not a course to blow off – how many of your friends can say they have training in meteorology?
Landscape Architecture/Horticulture
CP and Honors, full year for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Prerequisite (CP): successful completion of Bio (H) recommended A or B in Bio or Bio H
Wait, what? We have a greenhouse (take that, LM pool)? Why have none of us peeked through its door since that long-ago freshman orientation? And where is it? Even though I cannot remember the exact location of this magical plant-room, serious herbology fans should check out this practical course, in which students learn how to design the appropriate use of urban land and care for a variety of plants that populate it. Hands-on labs combine with property designs to create a physical and intellectual experience. Get planting!
Social Studies
Modern History Through Media
CP and Honors, one semester for juniors and seniors.
From the beginning of the 20th century to the present, media has been a powerful force in world affairs. Students in this all-new-for-next-year course will create, view, and analyze various types of media to explore their impacts on modern history. This elective seems like a more heavily academic counterpart to Journalism, but non-writers and writers alike can appreciate the topic. My burning question: the usefulness of social media. Will we learn that Facebook created a conspiracy or Twitter is the best vehicle for news of the future?
Theology and Modern Culture
CP and Honors (may involve significant reading, writing, and research above CP level), one semester for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
If you were intrigued by your exploration of the Middle Eastern religions in African/Asian, if you want to be more informed on your friends’ customs, or if you hope to add more dimension to your own religious beliefs, get ready to study the basics of the six major world religions in Theology. Many of today’s world events are driven by religious elements, and students in this class will examine recently published articles, documentaries, and old religious texts to find out more.
This selection displays only a few of the unusual electives Harriton offers. With the limited power you have over your schedule, you should collect the knowledge you need to fill it with exciting options. Go to the first LM/Harriton Planning Guide link below to find out more, or to the second link for a video about online course selection.
1)http://www.lmsd.org/data/files/gallery/ContentGallery/hs_planning_guide_1415.pdf
