Sophomore Course Curriculum

ENGLISH 10
Instruction is focused upon three interconnected “themes” -grammar, literature and composition. Grammar instruction will be rapid and intensive. Students will read a number of pre-determined novels and plays. Each student will be required to develop and exercise critical thinking and analytical skills in both class discussions and compositions about these works. Among the major works read are The Merchant of Venice, Lord of the Flies and All Quiet on the Western Front.

GLOBAL HISTORY 10 REGENTS
This course is a continuation of the 9th grade Global History course. Students will study world history form the Age of Discovery and Exploration to the present day. Students will examine the major revolutions and conflicts of the period as well as the major themes and trend that prevail in world history. Among the topics examined are: colonialism, Imperialism, world wars, and Global issues and concerns. Students will develop their writing skills by completing many essays and papers on topics from world history. Primary sources will be analyzed and students will complete document-based essays. At the conclusion of the year students will review material from the 9th grade course and will sit for the Regents examination which tests the students on material learned in the 9th and 10th grade courses.

ANCIENT EUROPEAN HISTORY 10
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global Regents/Accelerated Grade 9 Global History]

During the course of the year, students will conduct an in-depth investigation of the civilizations of Greece and Rome and the legacy, which they have bequeathed to the modern world.

Through intensive reading of selections from primary source materials, students will be required to think critically and analytically about historical events and individuals in addition to mastering the fundamental facts. In addition to nightly homework, students will be challenged with such tasks as group collaboration, research projects and class presentations.

MODERN EUROPEAN HISTORY 10
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of Global Regents/Accelerated Grade 9 Global History]

This course will examine the global rivalries between three European nations, the origins of their competition, and their impact on the modern world. Students will study the history, economic, political, and cultural influences of Britain, France, and Germany as they pertain to the modern world. Through the use of maps, primary source and secondary reading materials, students will explore the development of these powers as they contested for global domination form 1500 AD to the present. Students will learn about the political ideas, historical interactions, and cultural influences that have shaped the modern world.

Students will be assessed on their knowledge of geographic and political map, assigned readings, independent research on a relevant topic, quizzes, tests, and examinations.

SEQUENTIAL MATH II REGENTS
This course increases algebraic skills and develops a solid foundation in the field of Geometry. Topics include Euclidean Geometry; Mathematical Systems; Congruent Triangles, and the applications of Congruent Triangles. Other topics investigated include Coordinate Geometry, Transformation Geometry, and an introduction to Trigonometry. There is an extensive 4-5 week review for the Math "A" Regents Examination conducted at the conclusion of this course of study. The exam will be administered in January or June. Those students who pass the exam in January will commence with the Sequential Math III course and will sit for the Math “B” exam in June of their junior year.

RELIGION 10
This course invites students to learn about Jesus of Nazareth through a comprehensive study of the Gospel of Mark. Among the topics examined are ‘Knowing Jesus’, ‘The religious heritage of Jesus’, ‘The world of Jesus’, and ‘Jesus as Teacher and Healer’. The overall goal is to enable students to clearly connect a living faith in Jesus with the call to lead a Christian life. Exercises in this course include readings from Scripture, class discussions, and other activities that will empower students to lead a full Christian life.

BIOLOGY 10 REGENTS
This is an intensive course covering all aspects of an organism from its cellular level to its complex building blocks and life processes via class lectures and discussions, computer experiences, and laboratory activities. The organisms discussed in this course range from single cellular organisms to complex multicellular organisms.

Students will be required to sit for the Biology Regents Examination. This course satisfies a portion of the science sequence required to obtain a NYS Regents Diploma.

GILDER LEHRMAN AMERICAN HISTORY COMPUTERS II
The sophomore curriculum is composed of two areas. The first is the computer component and the second is the American History component, which will be blended into the computer curriculum.

The first will be an introduction to Desktop Publishing and Web design. The goal of this course is to familiarize each student with the key concepts behind Web Animation, Ethics and Values of Internet communications, and Photo conversion with flatbed scanners, Digital Imaging, and Desktop publishing. With these tools, students will have the ability to create promotional materials such as brochures, newsletters, newspapers, magazines, posters, postcards, yearbooks and additions to our website.

The second component of the course is to expose the students to an in-depth study of American History. American History topics will be sued to teach computer skills and techniques. Students will be able to research American History using the skills mastered in the computer part of the class. All computer instruction will take place using historical material and all class assignments and projects will be based on American History. This will help students to develop their computer skills using relevant information.

SPANISH I REGENTS
Proper use of the Spanish language, extensive work on vocabulary, verb conjugation, and interpersonal communication is the focus of this course. Newspaper reports from El Diario regarding current events in Latino culture will be examined.

This course involves the development of a presentation on a current leader in Hispanic culture. Research papers, cooperative learning projects and field trips to Latino embassies and/or restaurants are highlights of this course of study.]

LATIN II
After a period of review of first year Latin material, students will continue to learn Latin's basic (morphological) forms, as well as rudimentary grammatical features of the language. Students will be required to translate readings increasingly throughout the year. At courses end, students will have been given the necessary information for a rudimentary reading knowledge of the Latin language and a firm foundation for any further study of language.
[Prerequisite: Successful completion of Latin I]

LATIN I
This course is for students who have not taken Latin I in freshman year. The primary objective of this course is to teach students to read works of Latin literature and history. The first year of Latin is an introduction to the language that is the mother of Spanish, French and a variety of other modern tongues. Throughout the course, students will be instructed and assessed in the following areas: reading, translation, pronunciation and grammar. By year’s end, successful students, having mastered basic Latin grammar, will have improved their English language skills significantly.

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