FRESHMAN YEAR – COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ENGLISH I
This course is designed for the student who aspires to post-secondary college or career experience. A survey of literary types, this course focuses on reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. Students should expect homework assignments and/or compositions that reinforce classroom instruction. Writing instruction at this level focuses on mechanical correctness, fluency, and structure. The student is expected to function at grade level in communication and thinking skills.
WORLD HISTORY
This course will address six periods in the study of world history, with a key focus of study from the mid-15th century to the present. Students will study major turning points that shaped the modern world. The desired outcome of this course is that students develop understandings of current world issues and relate them to their historical, political, economic, geographical, and cultural contexts. Students will broaden their historical perspectives as they explore ways societies have dealt with continuity and change, exemplified by concepts such as civilization, revolution, government, economics, war, stability, movement, and technology.
BIOLOGY
This course is designed to develop student understanding of biological concepts and principles and promote an understanding of plant and animal processes from the cellular to the multi-cellular level. Laboratory work is an important part of each phase of the course. The final exam is the North Carolina Biology End-of-Course Test.
MICROSOFT WORD & POWERPOINT
Students enrolled in Microsoft IT Academy courses benefit from the use of world-class Microsoft curriculum and software tools to tackle real-world challenges in the classroom and have the opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge to earn industry-recognized credentials. In this course, students will learn to use the latest versions of Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint to create, enhance, customize, share, and deliver complex documents and presentations, such as those used in business and industry. Microsoft Publisher, OneNote, and Outlook are supplemental competencies for this course. English language arts are reinforced throughout the course. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include cooperative education, internship, service learning, and job shadowing. Apprenticeships are not available for this course. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification exam for Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint.