10-12th Grade Course Descriptions

FINE ARTS

1.                   AP Music Theory – A four-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers ten credits for grades 10 – 12.  This is the introduction of theory, musical materials and procedures.  Normally in a university setting, this would be the introductory or first year college course (Basic Musicianship) in the music curriculum.  Specifically, this course integrates the areas of the elements of music such as: melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition and to some extent, history and style.  Musicianship skills such as dictation, sight singing and other listening skills are also a part of this course.  The student’s ability to read and write musical notation is fundamental to this course.  Access to a laptop is recommended.  It is also assumed that the student has acquired basic performance skills on their voice or instrument. (1 section)  Student will need to purchase text and pay an additional $10.00 lab fee.  U.C. Approved

2.                   Beginning Photography/Digital Photography – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks during first period only and offers five credits.  The course is open to 9 – 12 graders who desire to study art through the medium of black and white photography and digital photography.  Each student must have his/her own 35 mm camera that can be focused manually and furnish paper and film.  There is an additional lab fee of $30.00 for this course. (2 sections)  U.C. Approved

3.                   Intermediate/Advanced Photography/Digital Photography – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks during second period only and offers five credits.  The course is open to 10 - 12 graders who desire to continue their study art through the medium of black and white photography and digital photography.  Each student must have his/her own 35-mm camera and furnish paper and film. PREREQUISITE:  Students must have taken at least one semester of Beginning Photography/Digital Photography.  There is an additional lab fee of $30.00 for this course. (2 sections) U.C. Approved

4.                   Three-Dimensional Art – Three-dimensional art is a level one, 10-credit art elective, open to all students.  It is designed to provide a beginning experience in art, primarily, but not exclusively, three-dimensional.  Students will be introduced to the Art Elements and Design Principles through basic design exercises.  Students will complete projects in papier-mâché, ceramics, metal tooling, carving, batik and jewelry making. No previous art experience is necessary.  This course fulfills the San Marino Fine Arts Graduation Requirement.  There is an additional lab fee of $50.00 for this course. (2 sections) U.C. Approved

5.                   Beginning Drama - A four-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers ten credits.  Students will learn the basics of acting, public speaking and performing.  This course will allow students who cannot fit drama into their schedule to work ahead in the summer.  (2 Section) U.C. Approved

6.                   Computer Graphics and Screen Printing - This four-hour course introduces 9-12 graders to the fundamentals of computer graphics and screen printing. This is a project-oriented course that provides foundation skills in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, two programs in Adobe's Creative Suite that are the industry for digital design. In addition to developing their technological literacy, students will also learn basic two-dimensional design principles to prepare them for more advanced art and design classes. This summer students will get to break-in the newly-created screen printing facility at SMHS and print their own t-shirts. We will produce designs for printing both by hand and by computer. Familiarity with computer graphics software (Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator) is preferred but not required. Take advantage of this opportunity over the summer to see if you like computer graphics and experience the hands-on process of printing t-shirts! (There is an additional lab fee of $50.00 for this course.) No prerequisites are required. UC Approved Course

COMPUTERS

1.                   Computer Applications – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five credits.  This is an introductory class on computers open to all grade levels and meets the high school graduation requirement for one semester of computers. Areas to be covered will include basic operation of the computer, word processing, document formatting, spreadsheets, drawing, painting, database, and keyboarding techniques.  Students will be encouraged to work individually, each at his/her own pace.  There will be a $30.00 lab fee for this course. (2 sections)

2.                   Word Processing – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five credits.  This class is designed to increase the student's performance at the computer keyboard.  The instructor will teach, review and reinforce previously learned keyboarding skills through the application of word processing concepts.  A variety of practice lessons will assist the student to utilize the word processor as a communication tool for personal, business, college or university use.  This course satisfies a graduation requirement for Computers.  There will be a $30.00 lab fee for this course. (2 sections)

ENGLISH

1.                   English Prep 1-2 – Credit for this English class can only be received one time for repeating one English class.  If a student has previously earned a passing grade ('D' or better) in a course, although it can be repeated, additional credit will not be given.  This course may be used to repeat a semester of sophomore English.  The course will emphasize remedial writing and grammar skills, as well as the reading of literature. There is no fee for this course for district residents. (1 section)

2.                   English Prep 3-4 – This class is for students who passed English 1-2 during the regular school year and are looking to bolster English skills as they prepare to take regular English 3-4 during the school year.  4 hours. 1 section

3.                   English Review – this course is for students looking for remediation in English 3-4.  Two hours. 5 credits.

4.             English Research --- a two-hour class that meets for six weeks and fulfills the research graduation requirement.  This                 course is open to incoming juniors who would like to lessen their academic load during the school year by taking a    semester of English in the summer or to incoming seniors who have not yet met the research requirement or for               former ELD or English Prep students (incoming 11^th or 12^th only) who have not taken Research and who need               additional English credits to meet Cal State/UC requirements. 5 credits  (2 sections)

5.             Literature/Composition Make-up---a two-hour course that meets six weeks and offers 5 credits.  Open to incoming                 juniors and seniors, this course is designed for students who are lacking in upper division English credits: a repeat       class for students who have taken lit/comp and received a D or F or a make-up course for former ELD/English Prep                 students who need additional English credits to meet Cal State/UC requirements. 5 credits (1 section)

6.             ELD Advanced:  Semester One (8-12:30 weeks 1-3) and Semester Two (8-12:30 weeks 4-6)  This course is               designed for incoming 9-12 advanced-intermediate language learners.  Students who have already taken ELD 4 may     take the class as either a repeat or enrichment and will receive elective credit.  Students who have not taken ELD 4            will receive English credit.  The English department strongly recommends that English learners continue English               instruction during the summer, and in this course students will be listening, speaking, reading, and writing daily.  Additional fees for workbooks will be assessed.  (Note:  Students who receive a passing grade in this course may still             be required to enroll in ELD 4 during the regular school year; only those students who pass state-mandated    standardized tests will graduate from ELD.)  The CELDT test will be administered during the last week of class.  10 credits (1 section)

HEALTH EDUCATION

1.             Health and Life Skills – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five credits.  This course meets the high school graduation requirement of Health.  This class allows the student to get exposure and experience in resume writing, college interview skills, budgeting/money management and basic driver education.  This course is open to freshman, but sophomores, juniors, and seniors have priority.  (3 sections)

MATHEMATICS

QUESTIONS ABOUT SUMMER MATH CLASSES? 

Email Kerry Witzeman (SMHS Math Dept.) at kwitzeman@smusd.us

1.                   Algebra 1-2 Repeat – This course may be used to repeat either the first or second semester of Algebra 1-2 where a D was earned in order to meet the prerequisite for Geometry. This class can be taken for five credits either for remediation of a failing grade or for enrichment prior to taking the next level of math as recommended by the Math Department.  It cannot be taken for credit** if the class was taken for credit during the year, and a passing grade of at least a D was earned.  **If the student earned a C or a D during the year, an improved grade for this class will appear on the transcript, but no credits will be awarded.  PREREQUISITE:  Students must have taken two semesters of Algebra 1-2 with D grades or better. (1 section)

2.                   Geometry Repeat – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five credits.  This course may be used to repeat either the first or second semester for Geometry where a D was earned, in order to meet the prerequisite for Algebra 3-4. PREREQUISITE:  Students must have taken two semesters of Geometry.  (1 section)

3.                   Geometry 1-2 – A four-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers ten credits.  This is a highly concentrated math experience for students who wish to put in highly disciplined study outside of class.  PREREQUISITE:  Students entering 10^th grade who have earned A’s or B’s in both semesters of Algebra 1-2. (2 sections) U.C. Approved

4.                   Algebra Workshop – A two-hour class that meets for six week and offers 5 credits.   This course is recommended for current 8^th grade students who are in Math A and for 8^th graders who earned  a C or below in Pre-Algebra.  This class is also recommended for current 9^th grade students who received a C or lower in Algebra A.  This is an excellent course for students who want to review their pre-algebra skills as well as for students who would like to be adequately prepared for a high school Algebra course. (1 section)

SCIENCE

1.             Marine Biology – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five credits.  The course is open to all grade levels and covers topics from the fields of marine biology and oceanography.  Units focus on lifestyles in the sea - Planktonic, Nektonic and Benthic - featuring lectures, videos, dissections, collecting trips, Internet research and edible labs.  Although there is no tuition cost for this course for district residents, there will be a $125.00 lab fee to cover expenses including field trips. Afternoon field trips include: Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, Cabrillo Museum/Grunion Watching, 1/2 day cruise on a research vessel, Sea World and weekend fishing trips.  This course is intended for 9^th & 10^th graders as a preparation for Biology.  It provides a semester of Life Science credit, but it does not meet UC lab science requirements.  (1 section)  Not a U.C. Approved Course

2.             Anatomy/Physiology – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five elective credits. It is a summer course exploring the most exciting topic, the human body.  The course is divided into five major units: organization of the human body, support and movement, control, maintenance, and continuity.  Many labs will be used to explore how the body works.  To better understand the anatomy, we will be dissecting cats.  
 $105 lab fee. (2 sections) Not a U.C. Approved Course

3.             Pre-Advanced Placement Biology – The course will cover the mandatory summer reading for all AP Biology students.  Topics will include all of the ecology, as well as review some of the major concepts and labs of the AP Biology course.  Both reading and test taking strategies will be addressed to enhance performance on the AP exam.  Students must be enrolled in AP Biology for the 2010-2011 school year to take this course. Not a U.C. Approved Course.  No AP credit for this course.

SOCIAL SCIENCE

1.             U.S. History* – A four-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers ten credits.  This course is open to any incoming juniors and those seniors who need to repeat one or both semesters.  A year of U.S. History is required for graduation.  The course moves quickly and demands a great deal of reading and preparation outside of class.  Students who have difficulty with reading comprehension or language may be better advised to take this course during the regular school year.  For repeat students, the first semester may be repeated by attending the first three weeks of the class, and the second semester may be repeated by attending the last three weeks of the class.  Credit for a class may only be earned once for a passing grade (D or better).  (3 sections) U.C. Approved

2.             Government* – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five credits.  This course is open to incoming seniors and meets the high school graduation requirement for one semester of government.  The course centers upon how our federal system works in response to major contemporary issues. (3 sections) U.C. Approved

3.             Economics* – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five credits.  This course is open to upcoming seniors and meets the high school graduation requirement of a semester of Economics.  The course will emphasize an understanding of various economic trends, comprehension of the role of supply and demand and the offering of goods and services, and an understanding of the business cycle.  The student will have an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to actual economic experiences. (2 sections) U.C. Approved

4.             World History* – A four-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers ten credits.  This course is open to 10 – 12 grade students.  A year of World History is required for graduation.   The course moves quickly and demands a great deal of reading and preparation outside of class.  Students who have difficulty with reading comprehension or language may be better advised to take this course during the regular school year.  For repeat students, the first semester may be repeated by attending the first three weeks of the class, and the second semester may be repeated by attending the last three weeks of the class.  Credit for a class may only be earned once for a passing grade (D or better). (4 sections).  Priority will be given to students with fall scheduling conflicts.  U.C. Approved

* All ELD students must have permission from the Director of ESL to enroll in these courses.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

1.             Physical Education - A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five credits.  Students will work on all       aspects of physical fitness including nutrition, basic weight training, conditioning, stretching, and basic sports                 instruction.(1section)U.C.Approved

GENERAL ELECTIVE CREDIT

1.             Spanish 1-2 Preparation and Conversation – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks from 1:00 PM – 3:05 PM and offers five elective credits. If you are taking Spanish 1-2 next school year then this is the class for you.  This class will give you a head start on the grammar and vocabulary that will be covered in Spanish 1-2.  You will also be able to leave having gained basic conversational skills, which will prove an asset in Spanish 1-2. (1 section) Time may conflict with summer athletic program offerings.

2.             7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens – A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five elective credits.  Students will have the opportunity to gain tools that will enable them to have a more successful high school experience, socially and academically.  Students will have a better idea of how to make decisions, how to set and reach goals and how to manage stress and conflict.  Class will be based on lecture, discussion, group work, videos and journals.  This class will be quite beneficial to incoming freshmen and sophomores.  Students are required to purchase the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey.

3.             Cooking is Fun! – Like to eat?  Want to learn how to make good food at home?  Then join us!  We'll be studying both the art and science of cooking via lectures, videos, and field trips and, of course, daily hands-on food preparation.  The emphasis will be on nutritious, easy to prepare, tasty snacks, main dishes and desserts a la 30-minute Meals with Rachel Ray and Alton Brown of Good Eats, both on the Food Channel.  If you want to be able to fix fun and tasty snacks and meals for yourself, friends and even family, this is the course for you! For more details, consult the companion webpage at: www.misteri.shorturl.com; then select Cooking Is Fun! (1 section)

4.             Asian Studies - A two-hour class that meets for six weeks and offers five credits.  Asian Studies is a one semester elective designed for students wanting to learn more about Asia, Asians, and Asian Americans.  The course is divided into six units: Asian Geography, Asian History, Asian Religions, Asian Literature, Asian Culture, Asian Americans This summer, we'll  also take a couple field trips (Little Tokyo and K-Town);  watch several great films, and eat a lot of good food. On a more serious side, there's a fair share of lecture, three major projects and a final exam. (1 section)

5.             Leadership Training: Increasing EQ and Potential for Success – A special workshop designed for individuals who would like to increase their ability to set and reach their personal goals.   Class members will learn how to become effective and influential leaders, to manage time, and to be more successful in all areas of life.  The class time is from TBA, from July 6-10, and the fee is $140.  Minimum enrollment is 12 students; maximum is 15. (1 section)