Course Catalog
Educational Course Guide
2009-2010
“We will educate our students so they
can take advantage of life’s opportunities.”
856-3781
Principal
Mel Miller
Registrar
Counselor
Linda Heron
Instructional Facilitator
Bob Clemens
General Information
Registration
Registration is the most important step in the scheduling process.
Graduation Requirements
Students who graduate from ACHS must fulfill specific requirements in three cumulative educational categories. These are Carnegie Units, BOE (body of Evidence), and formal assessments.
Carnegie Units
English 4 credits
Social Studies 3 credits (1 credit must be in US History)
Mathematics 3 credits
Science 3 credits
Physical Ed/Health 1 credit
Vocational 1 credit
Foreign Language/Culture 1 credit
Elective 2 credits
Total 17 Credits
BOE (Body of Evidence)
In addition to Carnegie Unit Credit, students must also demonstrate proficiency in a minimum of five content areas to receive a
Assessments
Students are required to participate and make positive efforts on all state and district assessments and surveys including the Performance Assessment of Wyoming Students (PAWS), Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), Students Testing and Reporting (STAR), ACT, GED, and any other required assessment that may occur.
Proficiency levels are decided by demonstrating mastery on a majority of stands on the indicator course standards-based assessments. Proficient status can be reached with multiple assessment opportunities. Students will work to reach a minimum passing grade or proficient score in each case.
ACHS Transcript Endorsements
Students will be able to earn one of three different endorsements on transcripts:
Advanced
- Students must show proficiency in all 9 content areas* listed below.
- Students must also score in the advanced range in 5 of 9 of the content areas*.
Comprehensive
- Students must show proficiency in all 9 content areas*.
General
- Students must show proficiency in 5 of the 9 content areas*.
*Content areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Fine and Performing Arts, Foreign Language, Science, Physical Education, Career/Technical, and Health.
Hathaway Scholarship Levels and Eligibility Requirements
*The Hathaway Scholarship is available at ALL OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN THE STATE OF
Student Classification
Students are re-classified at the beginning of each school year according to how many credits he/she have earned throughout his/her high school career. Classification is based on credits earned, not on credits attempted.
Senior 14+ credits
Junior 10-13 credits
Sophomore 6-9 credits
Freshman 0-5 credits
LANGUAGE ARTS
English
Grade Level: 9 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
English 9 is a literature based writing class that emphasizes reading, writing, and grammar mechanics. It is designed to take the student where they are at in these areas and build on their literary and composition knowledge. The course emphasis is on the structure of paragraphs, essays, and test taking skills. The basic components of grammar and usage will be reviewed as they relate to their own compositions and literature responses. Compositions will focus on the development of solid writing skill, and meeting state standards. In addition, this course will focus on introducing students to different literary genres and reading skills. These genres will include the short story, drama (film), novel, newspaper, and poetry. Cultural authors will be included.
English
Grade Level: 10 Prerequisite: English 9
Credit: 1 Required
English 10 emphasis is on written as well as oral expression. Areas of concentration will further develop the skills of sentence structure, paragraph development, essay writing, usage and mechanics. Literary genres, including the short story, film, novel, poetry, and magazine will be used to teach analytic skills for reading, writing, and discussion. Speech will aid every student in speaking and listening more effectively. Library research skills and organization skills are developed as students complete the following major speaking activities: informative, persuasive, and oral interpretation speeches. The students will develop a standard of critical evaluation in their written expression and oral expression of thought. Composition will emphasize descriptive, narrative, expository, persuasive, and functional writing, with an introduction to literary analysis in the form of comparative and formal essays assignments.
English
Grade Level: 11 Prerequisite: English 10
Credit: 1 Required
This one-year course for juniors is designed to provide a focus on critical reading, interpretation and analysis, and writing in response to American literature and films. Emphasis will also be given to grammar and usage skills. The course content will include multicultural selections from the
English
Grade Level: 12 Prerequisite: English 11
Credit: 1 Required
This year-long course will focus on contemporary and world literature and films to meet the state requirements. The students will be required to analyze and review major writers within these areas, including Native Americans. This course is designed to improve critical thinking and verbal visual analytical skills. Classroom discussion and debate will be incorporated. Test taking skills for the SAT and ACT will be reviewed. The composition requirements again will emphasize organization and mechanics; however, the student will be allowed to express themselves in a number of different writing contexts including writing short stories, magazine articles, and poetry with the use of media visuals. Audience response, purpose, and evaluation are emphasized. A documented research magazine or feature newspaper article layout will be required second semester.
Scope
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Instructor Permission
The Scholastic Scope Program instructs in the areas of reading, writing, and spelling with an emphasis on the individual level of each student. The course also emphasizes word and vocabulary development, reading comprehension strategies and enhancement of critical writing techniques with correct mechanics. This course is offered to students who need to meet credits in the English areas, 9 – 12. The high interest course material is all at high school level, especially dealing with non-fiction reading magazine and newspaper articles and the novel genres.
MATHEMATICS
Pre-Algebra - #02051
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
Pre-Algebra is the study of fundamental operations of arithmetic on the rational number system, including an emphasis of signed number arithmetic, solving simple linear equations, solving simple inequalities, and percent applications. Other topics include: review of whole numbers, expressions, properties, rational numbers, real numbers, ratios, proportions, percents, and probability.
Algebra I - #02502
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11 Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra
Credit: 1 Required
Algebra I is the study of solving linear equations and linear inequalities in one variable, solving equations and linear inequalities containing absolute value, graphing linear equations and linear inequalities, finding and applying slopes of lines, the properties of exponents, operations with polynomials, and factoring polynomials.
Algebra II - #02056
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: Algebra I
Credit: 1 Elective
Algebra II is the study of rational expressions, rational exponents, radicals, complex numbers inequalities, quadratic equations, linear systems, radical equations, and equations with rational exponents. Also covered are real and complex numbers, factoring, exponents, radicals, linear, fractional and quadratic equations, inequalities, graphing techniques, equations of straight lines, functions, graphs of polynomial and rational functions, systems of equations, matrices, and exponential and logarithmic functions.
Geometry - #02072
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: Algebra I
Credit: 1 Elective
Covers basic geometry including measures, proofs, and parallels. Examines the properties of congruence, similar polygons, right triangles, logic, special triangles, areas and volume of polygons, parallelism, transversals, supplementary angles, complementary angles, and geometric proofs. Also included are definitions of the trigonometric functions, special angles, fundamental identities, solution of right triangles, and circular measure.
Accelerated Math - #02002
Grade Level: 9, 10 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Elective
This is a self-paced, remedial mathematics course that provides an elective, non-math credit. It covers the basic operations of whole, rational, and integer numbers. The FAST MATH computer software allows students to remediate their speed and skills in processing whole numbers.
LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Physical Science - #03159
Grade Level – 10, 11 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
This course consists of two, semester-long parts. Initial lessons introduce students to ways of posing and addressing questions through experiments. Classes explain and display examples of the scientific method. Students seek to identify and distinguish variables, to learn measurement units and techniques, and to exploit opportunities to gather, graph, interpret data, and to synthesize concepts based on these data. Laboratory safety and not-taking topics are presented. Properties of matter, including physical states and structure at both macroscopic and atomic scales, and the behavior of matter generally, are also taught. This part of the course finishes with topics such as chemical bonds, conservation of mass, solutions and ionization, catalysis, naming compounds, chemical formulas and equations, inorganic and organic compounds, and types of chemical reactions.
The second part of this course introduces topics of physics. These include one and two-dimensional motion, laws of motion and gravity, momentum, force, work, energy, power, simple machines, magnetism, electricity and circuits, light, waves, sound, and fluid.
Biology - #03051
Grades: 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
The course looks at the living world from the level of ecosystems to biomolecules. Classes emphasize the unity and coordination of biological principles and of living things. Classes consider the nature of science, of biology, and of fields of biological inquiry and professional activity. Cell theory and structure, organelle function cell division and reproduction are summarized. Students encounter the central paradigm—DNA carries information for building proteins, that this information is carried out of the cell nucleus via RNA, and that several kinds of RNA cooperate to build the numerous, distinct protein molecules every organism requires. Inheritance of DNA and consequent inheritance of physical traits is thus provided a molecular basis. Students learn about mutation, natural selection, and evaluation as the mechanism whereby Earth’s menagerie keeps up with a changing biosphere. The course shows students examples of how biology both raises and addresses important societal questions ranging from overpopulation to reproductive cloning and from biodiversity to global warming.
Earth and Space Science - #03008
Grade Level: 9, 10 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
The course considers cosmology, astronomy, and the formation of solar systems. It reviews Earth’s history, and the structure of the Earth. Inorganic chemicals that form minerals and rocks, types of rocks, the rock cycle, erosion and weathering are all part of this story. The forces and processes that create change within Earth, on its surface, and in its atmosphere are topics this class considers. Weather, climate, oceans and the rest of the hydrosphere, landforms, and both gradual and sudden earth-changing events are presented. Students find answers to everyday questions about their environment, and they learn to ask questions within a framework of understanding that this course can provide.
Astronomy - #03004
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Instructor Permission
This course offers students the opportunity to study the solar system, stars, galaxies, and interstellar bodies. Students will be introduced and use astronomic instruments. This course will also explore theories regarding the origin and evolution of the universe, space, and time.
Applied Biology/Chemistry - #03203
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Instructor Permission
This course integrates biology and chemistry into a unified domain of study and presents the resulting body of knowledge in the context of work, home, society, and the environment, emphasizing field and laboratory activities. Topics include natural resources, water, air and other gases, nutrition, disease and wellness, plant growth and reproduction, life processes, microorganisms, synthetic materials, waste and waste management, and the community of life.
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HISTORY
World Geography - #04001
Grades: 9, 10 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
This class has two components: a World Geography component along with a Current Events component. The Geography component is a basic introduction to the study of physical and cultural geography. Topics that will be addressed will include map reading, climate, culture, religion, government systems, economic systems, and population for a variety of different regions in the world. Regions to be discussed are Latin America, Middle East, Africa, South Asia,
US History - #04101
Grades: 10, 11 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
US History will focus on the time period between 1850 and the present. The course will discuss topics such as Sand Creek, Little Big Horn, World War I,
US and
Grades: 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
US and Wyoming Government will have two distinct components. The first portion of the class will focus on the
World People Studies - #04062
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Elective
This course allows students to study various types of subgroups that have something in common such as religion, gender, and culture. This class will examine a subgroup’s history, politics, economics, and/or culture.
PHYSICAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY EDUCATION
Physical Education/Health – #08001/#08051
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
Physical Education provides students with knowledge, experience, and an opportunity to develop skills in more than one of the following sports or activities: team sports, individual/dual sports, recreational sports, and fitness/conditioning activities.
Topics covered within Health Education include personal health (nutrition, mental health and stress management, drug/alcohol abuse prevention, disease prevention, and first aid) and consumer health issues. The course also includes brief studies of environmental health, personal development, and/or community resources.
FINE ARTS
Creative Art - #05154
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Elective
This course provides students with the knowledge and opportunity to explore various art forms and to create individual works of art.
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
Succeeding in School - #22004
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Elective
This class assists students with communication skills; personal assessment and awareness activities; development of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills; drug/alcohol awareness; anger management; goal-setting; and relationship building. This class will consist of lectures, discussions, speaker presentations, and small group seminars.
ARAPAHO CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
Arapaho Language I - #06821
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Required
The course will introduce students to the Arapaho language. It will emphasize basic grammar and syntax, simple vocabulary, and the spoken accent so that students can read, write, speak, and understand the language at a basic level within predictable areas of need, using customary courtesies, and conventions.
Arapaho Language II - #06822
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: Arapaho Language I
Credit: 1 Elective
This course builds upon skills developed in Arapaho Language I, extending students’ ability to understand and express themselves in Arapaho and increasing their vocabulary. Students will learn how to engage in discourse for informative or social purposes, write expressions or passages that show understanding of sentence construction and the rules of grammar, and comprehend the language when spoken slowly. Students will briefly explore the customs, history, and art forms of the Arapaho people to deepen their understanding of the culture.
Arapaho Language III (Master Apprentice) - #06823
Grades: 11, 12 Prerequisite: Arapaho Language II
Credit: 1 Elective
This course focuses on having students express increasingly complex concepts both verbally and in writing while showing some spontaneity. Comprehension goals for students may include attaining fore facility and faster understanding when listening to the language spoken at normal rates, being able to paraphrase or summarize written passages, and conversing easily within limited situations.
Arapaho Arts and Crafts - #05999
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Elective
This course will introduce students to the significant forms of art and crafts that have influenced the Arapaho culture and people. Emphasis will be placed on cultural meanings/interpretation of Arapaho art/crafts. Students will also have the opportunity to develop and practice skills related to traditional arts and crafts through project-based activities.
Arapaho Culture - #04299
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Elective
This course begins with the study of the social institutions and norms of the Arapaho culture. Socialization and social change will be discussed in detail. Relationships among individuals, groups within the Arapaho society, and among other Native American tribes will be a significant part of the curriculum. This class will finish with the changes that have taken place within the Arapaho culture over the last 200 years and discussions of the future.
Arapaho History and Governance - #04199
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1 Elective
This course will begin with an overview of a generic history of Native American inhabitation of the
This course will also provide an overview of the structure and functions of the Arapaho governing and political systems. Discussions of the structure and functions of the governing organizations along with economic and social topics will be embedded into the curriculum.
VOCATIONAL, CAREER, TECHNICAL,
AND BUSINESS EDUCATION
Tech Systems: Electricity and Design - #17108
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: .5 Elective
Electricity/Electronics—This general course teaches fundamental concepts of electricity and electronics, including safety procedures, and may introduce students to the available occupations in electrical and electronic industries. Topics covered typically include components of circuits; reading schematics and diagrams; electricity and electronics as sources of energy; signal transmission; and using equipment common to these occupations, such as ammeters, voltmeters, capacitor checkers, transistor testers, signal generators, and ohmmeters.
Computer Hardware: Building and Trouble-Shooting - #10252
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: .5 Elective
This course prepares students to apply basic electronic theory and principles in diagnosing and repairing personal computers and input/output devices. Topics may include operating, installing, maintaining, and repairing computers, network systems, digital control instruments, programmable controllers, and related robotics.
Alternative Energy - #20101
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: .5 Elective
This course focuses on aspects of energy and power in transportation and work. Course content includes various sources of energy and their use in society (for example: characteristics availability, conversion, storage, environmental impact, and socioeconomic aspects of various energy sources); principles involved in various means of energy transfer, such as electricity/electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, heat transfer, and wind/nuclear/solar energies; and transmission and control of power through mechanical or electrical devices such as motors and engines.
Technological Innovation and Design - #21054
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: .5 Elective
This course uses engineering design activities to help students understand how criteria, constraints, and processes affect design solutions and provide students with the skills to systematically assess technological developments or solutions. Course topics may include brainstorming, visualizing, modeling, simulating, construction, testing, and refining designs.
Keyboarding - #12005
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: .5 Elective
This course provides students with an introduction to the keyboard (letters, numbers, and symbols), basic machine operation, and proper keystroke technique. As students progress, they improve their speed and accuracy and produce increasingly complex documents. Students will develop keyboard proficiency, document production skills, and problem-solving skills.
Work Skills - #10298
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: .5 Elective
This is an introductory work skills class. Topics range from self-knowledge as it relates to career choice, to preparing an effective resume and cover letter. Other topics include interview skills, effective work place conflict resolution strategies, workplace communications and personal budgeting. An integral part of this class is Career Cruising, which is an exploratory career program. At the conclusion of the class, students will have a career/job search portfolio which they will be able to update and use for job searches as well as for scholarship applications.
Survey of Small Business Computer Applications
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: .5 Elective
This course will provide students with instruction and experience in developing technical, problem-solving and decision making skills essential for the business world. Emphasis is placed on technological system selection to get the job done, basic online safety protocols, system maintenance and introduction to applying technical knowledge and skills into realistic business situations utilizing current and relevant technology including (but not limited to) word-processing, spreadsheet, email, calendaring, and graphics.
Survey of Small Business Computer Applications
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: Survey of Small Business
Credit: .5 Computer Applications 2
This course is continuation of 12003 (Small Business Computer Applications 1). Students will utilize relevant technology including databases and digital multimedia technology such as photography, video editing, and webpage design for small business purposes. Students may replicate the workplace by producing electronic newsletters and yearbooks. Extensive use of electronic communication will take place throughout the course.
Small Business Foundations
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: None
Credit: .5 Elective
This course offers an array of topics and concepts related to the field of business. These courses introduce business concepts such as banking and finance, the role of government in business, consumerism, credit, investment, and management. They usually provide a brief overview of the American economic system and corporate organization. This class will also expose students to opportunities in such business fields a accounting, secretarial work, management, and related fields.
Small Business Foundations
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 Prerequisite: Small Bus Found 1
Credit: .5 Elective
This course acquaints students with management opportunities and effective human relations. It provides students with the skills to perform planning, staffing, financing, and controlling functions within a business. In addition, there will be a macro-level study of the government, and the global economy. This course will also emphasize problem-based, real-world applications of business concepts and use accounti9ng concepts to formulate, analyze, and evaluate business decisions.
