About
Fine Arts
- Currency design: contour lines, values, shading, pattern, texture
- 2D design: logo development and applications
- Studio art: figure drawing and painting
- 3D design: current design trends, design thinking process, product re-design, and prototyping
- Silk screen political/social cause posters
- Installation art
- Independent projects
- Public art opportunities
Mathematics
- Refining and expanding skills and concepts of algebra
- Geometry (elective)
- Understanding the relationship between algebraic and geometric representations
- Setting up ratios and proportions to solve for unknown values
- Developing multiple representations, problem-solving strategies, and conceptual understanding through writing
- Valuing collaboration when solving problems in small groups
Music
- Exploration and study of world music
- Year two drum ensemble
- Comparsa (Cuba)
- Focus on polyrhythms and syncopated music
- Featured performance at graduation
- Haitian Rara
- Performance band for instrumentalists
Physical Education
- Analyzing an opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and using this analysis in a game situation
- Demonstrating appropriate sportsmanship in game situations
- Working cooperatively with all peers regardless of skill level
Reading & Literature
- Examine the main story elements of plot, character development, setting, theme, and point of view in short stories
- Examine literary devices of irony, foreshadowing, and symbolism in short stories, novels, and plays
- Analyze character development and theme in novels
- Explore Shakespeare's plays and poetry
- Understand elements of poetry
- Complete creative projects based on interpretations of novels and plays
Science
- Electromagnetism
- Exploring perception: light, vision, color, and sound
- Critical assessment of research and scientific literacy
- Learning about learning and the brain
- Issues and Choices: making educated choices in a complex world
- Chemical building blocks
- Motion, forces, and energy
Service Learning
- Service to Alzheimer’s patients, toddlers at day care, and others off-site
Social Studies
- United States history, culture, and geography; emphasis on indigenous populations and laboring classes
- Development of critical thinking skills
- Analysis of primary source documents
- Expository text reading and note-taking skills
- Essay question responses that require a synthesis of a broad range of factual information
- Analysis of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Republican form of government, and their application to current issues
- Economics
Spanish
- Use Total Physical Response storytelling model: Canechi y Chipote
- Use Realidades 2 textbook, workbook, and interactive website
- Communicate using four modalities: reading, listening, speaking, and writing
- Write short compositions in Spanish
- Mural critique field trip to the Mission district of San Francisco
- Quarterly self-assessments and action plans
- Use University of Texas at Austin Oral Proficiency site
Writing & Language Arts
- Focus on analytical and comparative writing
- Write short stories, historical fiction, and responses to literature
- Practice research skills and report writing
- Develop grammar skills: punctuation, parts of speech, and multi-clause sentence structure
- Strengthen vocabulary
- Strengthen proofreading and editing skills
- Master essay writing skills: thesis development, organization, paragraph writing, and structure
InPlay and its sponsoring partners have not reviewed any of the activity programs nor do they endorse any of the programs. Parents should thoroughly research all programs before enrolling their children.
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