Marcellus High School
Academic Schedule
M.A.S.T. I
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.0
Required
M.A.S.T. is a one year long introductory course offered to students who need to learn basic keyboarding technique, develop speed and accuracy when keying in text; and gain knowledge in Microsoft XP programs. Students will practice keyboarding skills with real world applications.
M.A.S.T. II
Grade: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: C- or better in M.A.S.T. I
Elective
M.A.S.T. II is a one year long hands-on computer course offered to students to strengthen skills and develop skills learned in M.A.S.T. Students will complete real world applications using Microsoft XP programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Digital Tools (Palm Pilots, Voice Recognition and Hand Writing). Students will also develop skills in web page development (HTML and FrontPage).
Accounting & Finance Ttechnology (AFT)
Grade: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: MAST I
Elective
AFT is a hands-on, computer oriented course. It is real-life practice for the job competencies of Accounting Assistant. Starting and maintaining an accounting system for sole proprietorships and partnerships, payroll procedures and computerized accounting procedures will be covered.
Fine Arts
Art
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Students will work in the basic elements of art. With an emphasis on drawing, the students will cover subject areas such as design theory, perspective, and the use of various materials and rendering techniques. Color, painting, college and advertising will also be introduced. The students will develop the ability to communicate visually. A short term paper covering an art related subject will also be required.
Choir
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Choir is open to all high school students. This lab class performs choral literature for mixed voices of varying styles, historical periods, and historical cultures to the highest degree of proficiency possible. Students will participate in several concerts, small ensemble performances, festivals, and community events. As members of a performance ensemble, students are expected to attend all daily rehearsals, extra rehearsals, and performances for which academic credit is given.
Band
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Experience on a band instrument
Elective
Students enrolled in Band are part of the Marching and Concert Bands. This lab class participates in several concerts a year, including Marching and Concert Festivals. In addition, the band performs at football games and several parades. The ensemble will perform music literature from a variety of styles. As a performance ensemble, students are expected to attend all performances and some extra evening rehearsals.
Jazz Band
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Audition/Invitation of Director
Elective
Jazz Band is open to all Band members on an audition basis. This group will perform music from the jazz and pop idioms. Students will participate is several concerts, jazz festivals, basketball games, and a number of community events. As members of a performance ensemble, students are expected to attend all performances for which an academic grade is given.
Drama
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Elective
This class is an introduction to theater. Drama students will learn the basics of theater including acting, production and behind the scene details. Students are required to participate in all aspects of the class. Grades are based upon academic progress, performance, and participation.
Foreign Language
Spanish I
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: C or better average in English
Elective
This course is an introduction to the language and culture of the Spanish speaking world. Basic vocabulary and grammatical structures will be taught as well as the fundamental speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Paired and group activities are used to develop speaking skills. An appreciation for cultural diversity will be developed through such activities as celebrating Hispanic holidays, listening to a variety of Spanish music, learning about the different foods, geography and history of Spanish countries.
Spanish II
Grade: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Spanish I
Elective
In Spanish II, students will strengthen skills learned in Spanish I through additional practice in speaking, listening, reading and writing. More advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures will be introduced. Students will learn about the contributions Hispanics have made to our society and continue discovering cultural differences by celebrating Hispanic holidays and sampling Spanish foods.
Spanish III
Grade: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Spanish II
Elective
The students will focus on oral and written communication and increase their appreciation for Spanish culture. More advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures will be continued. Students will read short stories and practice their skills at writing short stories in Spanish. Students will participate in a cadet teaching program introducing simple Spanish at the elementary level.
Spanish IV
Grade: 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Spanish III
Elective
The students will focus more on oral and written communication independently. Their appreciation for Spanish culture will increase even more than Spanish III. Spanish III and IV are combined classes because of the lack of hours. Spanish IV still receives more advanced work than Spanish III.
Industrial Arts
Drafting I
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Students will develop drafting skills through daily drawing exercises using the appropriate drafting tools. Neatness and accuracy are the behavioral objectives. Lettering, geometric construction, orthographic projections, pictorial drawings, sections and auxiliary view are the main areas covered. The class is recommended for all students entering into Technical/Vocational/Engineering classes.
Drafting II
Grade: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Drafting I
Elective
Students will develop architectural drawing skills needed to complete a residential plan and learn the various types of common building construction techniques through models and mock-ups. Creating detailed house plans is a major part of this course.
Woods I
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Students will acquire knowledge of basic maintenance procedures and a degree of skill and understanding in the safe operation of woodworking machines. Students will be introduced to measuring, instruction and use of hand tools, jointed, planer, table saw, band saw, scroll saw, wood lathe, drill press, miter saw, radial arm saw, and router. Each student will employ fasteners, apply select finishes, and learn to identify different native hardwoods. All students taking the class will make the same projects and perform the same exercises.
Advanced Woods
Grade: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Woodworking I, Drafting recommended
Elective
Advanced woodworking is for skilled students who will be held responsible for more individualized, independent work. Students will construct larger, more complicated projects in their area of special interest. This class is for the motivated students who wants to obtain more of the craftsman skills in woodworking.
Language Arts
English 9
Grade: 9
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
English 9 is a course designed to improve students' communication skills in the areas of reading, writing and speaking. Composition skills covered include logical thinking, paragraph construction, correct grammar usage, and proper mechanics. Students also study various types of literature including a novel, short stories, poetry, drama, and non-fiction essays.
English 10
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
The goal of this class is to improve all forms of communication: writing, speaking, and reading, and to develop and/or enrich the enjoyment of literature. Students will understand elements of literature through the study of poetry, drama, short stories, and novels. Skills stressed are standard usage, the writing process, reading comprehension and all forms of communication.
American Literature
Grade: 11
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: English 9-10
Required
This course takes a chronological approach to American literature from the Colonial period to the present. Designed for the academically oriented student, the course places an emphasis on reading, thinking, writing, and speaking while studying American authors and their works. This class also contains an introduction to public speaking and speech preparation. Students will also practice the formats used in the MEAP High School Reading and Writing Tests.
College Preparatory English
Grade: 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: English 9, 10, American Literature
Elective
This class focuses on understanding and responding to British literature from the Anglo-Saxon era through the nineteenth century. The forms of study include but are not limited to poetry, drama, and novels. Assessment of students progress will me made through tests, worksheets, essays, student presentations, and a research paper.
Yearbook
Grade: 11-12 (10th with special permission)
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Minimum of C in previous English classes
Elective
This yearbook course is designed to produce the school yearbook. Students will study photography, page layout and design, copywriting skills, and advertising and marketing techniques. Students must acquire proficiency in using PageMaker software during the course. Students considering this course should possess the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
Speech
Grade: 9-12
Credit: .5
Prerequisite: None
Elective
This one semester course focuses on combining oral and written language in various communication settings. In addition to writing and delivering speeches, students have an opportunity for hands-on experiences in the production of the school news program using videotape and sound equipment.
Life Management
Parenting/Child Development
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Parenting examines childbirth and childhood stages of development. This class will allow students to gain hands-on training in effective parenting through simulations with "Baby Think It Over." Students will study various parenting methods, examine positive discipline, look at health and safety issues, and become familiar with children's literature, books, toys and television programs. Learning experiences consist of reading the text, current articles related to parenting, classroom discussion, simulations and observation of children.
Health
Grade: 9-12
Credit: .5
Prerequisite: None
Required
Essential Health and Nutrition encourages students to discover the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Topics studied include good nutrition, physical, mental and emotional health, substance abuse, AIDS, personal care, physical fitness, stress management, handling emergencies and personal safety. While studying foods and nutrition, students will experience the preparation of healthful foods in a foods laboratory setting.
Consumers Education
Grade: 12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
Consumer Education is a course designed to develop consumer skills in areas such as credit, budgeting, banking, purchasing, insurance, housing, tax preparation, and other practical economic life skills. During the course of this class, students will learn effective methods of registering complaints with business and government agencies. They will learn to manage the use of credit and investigate the stock market. These skills will be taught through the use of a textbook, current periodicals, interactive simulations, guest speakers, class discussion and group activities.
Mathematics
Algebra I
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Pre Algebra
Required
This course covers the NCTM objectives and prepares students for the State Proficiency Test in Mathematics. Topics covered include set theory, number properties, (naturals to reals), solutions of equations, and inequalities, graphs or linear functions, factoring, working with polynomials and rational expressions, and solving systems of equations.
Algebra II/ Trigonometry
Grade: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: C or Better in Algebra I or Geometry
Required
Throughout the first twenty weeks of this course, the concepts of Algebra I are reviewed and extended. Advanced algebra topics covered include relations, functions, radicals, conic sections, quadratic equations, and logarithms. The final sixteen weeks include an introduction and real-world application of trigonometry. This course is highly recommended for anyone thinking of entering a math-related field.
Geometry
Grade: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Required
This course involves the study of points, line, angles, triangles, polygons, and circles. The course will use definitions, postulates, and properties to formulate proofs that deal with the relations of geometric figures. Other topics covered include transformations, two and three dimensional figures, logic and reasoning, constructions, and trigonometry. This course combines real-world applications and algebra with the study of geometry.
Math Topics
Grade: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Elective
This course covers the mathematics background needed for students to be successful in technical careers that require apprenticeships, technical school or Associate Degrees. The topics covered in the class include problem solving, data analysis, measurement, probability, statistics, algebra and geometry with technical career emphasis.
Pre Calculus
Grade: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Algebra II
Elective
This class helps prepare students for a college class in Calculus. Ideas and topics covered include functions, limits, continuity, derivatives, and integrals. Application of derivatives and integrals with problem solving emphasis will also be covered.
Physical Education
Physical Education
Grade: 9
Credit: .5
Prerequisite: None
Required
In Physical Education, students will learn the value of Physical Education and the enjoyment of a variety of sports. This course is designed to increase a student’s knowledge in the following areas: team sports, individual sports, weight lifting, responsibility, teamwork, and fair play. Students must participate daily, have proper clothing and shoes, and display good sportsmanship. Lifetime activities and physical wellness will be emphasized. Daily calisthenics and stretching will be required.
Advanced Physical Education
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Elective
This course provides the fundamentals to develop lifetime individual and team sports skills including a thorough knowledge of rules, safety and strategy. Improving flexibility is emphasized. Students will work on muscular fitness through the “Bigger, Faster, Stronger Program.” Promoting a healthy lifestyle and knowledge of the body is the focus of this course. Daily calisthenics and stretching will be required.
Science
Biology
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
Biology is the study of living things. This course introduces students to the historical study of biology, biochemistry, the cell, photosynthesis and respiration, genetics and classification of living organisms. A scientific research project is required first semester and participation in greenhouse plant production is required second semester.
Biology II
Grade: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Biology I
Elective
This course is designed to present advanced concepts in biology. Students study human anatomy and physiology from a molecular level, so basic chemistry skills are desirable. Hydroponics plant growing techniques and hydroponics systems are studied in this course along with aqua cultural studies and growing procedures.
Chemistry
Grade: 11-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Physical Science, Algebra I
Elective
This is a one-year course intended to study matter and changes matter undergoes. Topics addressed will be atomic structure, electron configuration, chemical bonding, periodic properties, chemical formulas and chemical equations, stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions, and acids and bases. Basic laboratory skills, a required research project first semester, and performing and reporting water quality tests for the aquaculture system are included in course work.
Physical Science
Grade: 9
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
This course is an introduction to high school science. Scientific methods and procedures are the focus in the first semester. The topics covered in this class are as follows: motion, energy, machines, weather, electricity, magnetism, introductory chemistry, acids/bases, and waves.
Physics
Grade: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Physical Science
Elective
Physics is the study of matter and energy. Measurement, problem solving, and working with vectors to study motion are part of the first semester. In the second half of the course, electricity, magnetism, waves and optics as well as amusement park physics are covered.
Social Studies
World History
Grade: 9
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
World Geography is designed to provide all students with an understanding of the physical aspects of the world around us. The relationship of the physical world to various social, economic, and political systems will be explored.
U.S. History
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: World Geography
Required
This course will examine the social, economic, military, and political events that have shaped the American nation. Emphasis will be placed on U.S. history from Reconstruction to the present day.
American Government
Grade: 11
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: U.S. History
Required
This course offers a working understanding of the system of government that exists in the United States. With a focus on the U.S. Constitution and the basic structure of federal, state, and local governments, this course examines the three branches of government and individual's rights and responsibilities.
Law
Grade: 9-12
Credit: .5
Prerequisite: None
Elective
This course presents an introduction to the United States criminal law and civil law.
Sociology
Grade: 9-12
Credit: .5
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Sociology is a course that studies human society and social behavior. Topics covered include groups, social institutions, interactions, changes and inequities. Individual and group dynamics are the focus.
Special Education
English I
Grade: 9
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
English I teaches students to write grammatically, legibly, and correctly, using appropriate resources.
English II
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: English I
Required
English II teaches students to read and understand written material at their level. Instruction will also focus on improving decoding skills and developing thinking and reasoning skills.
English III
Grade: 11
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: English I & II
Required
This course is intended to promote an interest in reading for enjoyment. Students will become familiar with various authors as they read novels, plays, myths, legends, and poems.
Earth Science
Grade: 9-10
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
This basic science course focuses on the following areas: geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy.
Life Science
Grade: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
In this course the students are introduced to cells and basic life processes through readings and experiences. Instruction will include basic life activities, cell parts and functions, the classification system and, features of plants and animals including humans. In addition, students will study the environment, focusing of the interdependence of living things.
Math I
Grade: 9
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
Computation Math emphasizes basic computation of mathematical problems. Instruction will focus on the student's ability to solve and apply addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems involving whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Applications using measurement, graphs, and calculators may also be presented.
Math II
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Math I
Required
Consumer Math concentrates on the student as a current and future consumer. Instruction will focus on the application of basic skills in everyday situations. The course will cover the ability to make change, to determine sales tax, to understand paychecks and deductions, to determine interest payments, to balance savings and checking accounts, to understand basic contracts, and to prepare dimple tax forms.
Math III
Grade: 11
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Math I & II
Required
Application Math concentrates on presenting the fundamental concepts and skills required to function in a technological society. Students will develop skills involving charts, tables, graphs, measurements and geometry.
Geography
Grade: 9
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
This course emphasizes the physical geography, climate, culture, economics, government and history of Michigan. Skills involving graphs, charts, maps and the globe will be developed. Other world areas as they relate to the U.S. will be touched upon briefly.
U.S. History
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
This course is designed to cover the major historical events from the colonization of America through the 1980’s. Instruction will focus on the events and the ways those events affected and changed the United States.
Government
Grade: 11
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: None
Required
This course involves the study of the structure of the U.S. government and its relationship to American society.
Study Skills
Grade: 9-12
Credit:1.0
Prerequisite: None
Elective
Study Skills develops the skills and abilities that will allow students to approach, plan, solve, complete, and evaluate assignments. The students will learn to identify problems, outline, and be able to select from among a number of alternative solutions to a problem. The focus of the course is on problem-solving techniques in order to provide successful strategies for learning.
