Skills learned in high school transfer to other applications in life:

Creativity & InnovationCritical Thinking & Problem

SolvingCommunication & CollaborationInformation & Media LiteracyCommunications & Technology

Flexibility & Adaptability

Initiative & Self-DirectionSocial & Cross-Cultural

AptitudeProductivity & AccountabilityLeadership & Responsibility

Art Education Jessica Caster & Valerie Savage

Art builds student knowledge of self and others, serving to expand perspective. Students learn how to solve problems and think creatively in the art classroom Tychianna Glenn & Jenna Bower

"Art helps me to be more organized physically and mentally which helps me excel in other areas as well."- Margaret Rickel

"Art forces me to think creatively, because of this I think creatively everywhere else... Art expands my problem solving and thinking skills."- Aurora Quinn-Marsh

"Art stimulates the imagination which is important in a society where imagination is dying out."- Samantha Dey

Business Denise Hourihan

Career and Financial Management *• Prepares students to effectively manage their money (required course)• Students use software to prepare a balanced personal budget. They research entry-level salaries for their chosen careers, find apartments, cars, insurance costs, gas, and other expenses

National Financial Literacy Challenge• WCHS students score in the top 10% nationally

Accounting • Students use an authentic accounting program

Titan of Business Challenge Stephen Brooks & Aaron Swanson• Junior Achievement Competition requires students to make effective business decisions • Promotes team work, technology and analytical skills

EnglishEnglish 10:  Alea Phelps

• Cooperative learning groups – answering questions, searching for literary devices, vocabulary study, etc.• Creative writing – original short stories and poetry• Think critically – literary criticism, research paper, “Survivor”, LOTF, “Murder Mystery” activities• Apply Technology – utilize databases for research, present on Smartboard

Mythology: Heather Clark• Collaborative research projects & fact-finding missions• Create original myths – Beowulf assessment• Present Information – PowerPoint reporting from teams • Critical literary analysis, connecting mythology to everyday life• Technology – databases for research

Critical Media Literacy: Allison Smith• Refine analysis and presentation skills – Public Service Announcement (PSA)

http://vimeo.com/34534966

Health Education• Develop effective executive skills that can be applied throughout a long and healthy life• Promote critical thinking and encourage responsible decision-making

• Highlight positive and negative influences of peer pressure and the media• Encourage a positive attitude about health information and related issues

LOTE Andrea Picente & Christine Willcox

French III: (Samantha Berl & Sarah Gaiser)• Create storyboards to set a scene and tell tales in French• Students strengthen their language skills by conversing with one

another

Learning a second language allows students to explore diverse cultures and promotes global awareness. It builds confidence and provides opportunities to communicate in another language.

Spanish IV - Telenovela Project (Jackie Stryker & Alex Clar)Students collaborate to develop themes and storylines for original telenovelas. They work in teams to write scenes for these “made for TV” Spanish language dramas. Students use various forms of technology during the filming and editing process, including Flip Video Cameras and iMovie editing software.

MathAlgebra and Calculus: Connor DawsonStudents pair up to begin the homework, work together to

solve problems, and ask questions as needed. They solve problems and think critically. Homework problems are designed to apply skills learned in class to solve new problems that incorporate these skills.

The TI-83 graphing calculator is integral to instruction. The Regents requires its functions be used to help solve a wide array of problems.

Geometry:Students practice the new material everyday. Problem

solving skills through the use of individual math notebooks as a reference tool. Students learn to work collaboratively, to talk about the math and utilize math vocabulary. They practice presenting information by teaching the material to someone else.

Computer Programming:After learning basic skills for writing programs, students

design projects that require them to create algorithms allowing the computer to gather information and return a desired outcome. Students also design the screen background. No two projects are ever the same.

“Good teaching is more than getting the curriculum across to students. Just as importantly, if not more important, are the life skills and the good habits...” S. Conklin

Music EducationAP Music Theory students use computer software, thanks in part to a Board of Education mini-grant, to compose music.  Each student begins with an identical bass line and harmonic plan, but creates a unique composition while adhering to the specific and complex rules of harmony and counterpoint. 

Choral repertoire includes world and multi-cultural music. Students are currently learning a French Art Song, a 20th Century reincarnation of a Latin text, and an adaptation of a traditional African folk song in Swahili. Studying music across time periods and genres is enriched by an appreciation of other cultures.

Physical Education Gina Gray

Cooperative Games UnitPhysical activity is focused on teamwork to solve problems. Example include: – Knots (flexibility)– Stepping Stones (multiple fitness components)– Human Ladder (muscular endurance)

Dance UnitCreative group dances present original routines to classmates

Hockey Unit‘Sport Ed.’ model delegates different aspects of sport activities. Responsibilities include:– Coaching– Score keeping– Refereeing

Weight Room UnitIndividualized workout plans are created using web-based and primary resources  

Step Aerobics UnitExercise routines are designed by groups of students to share 

Heart rate monitors are used to chart cardio improvement

Fitness Testing UnitTesting results provide ways to advance current fitness levels

ScienceLandscape Design & Plant Propagation:• Hands on learning with real-world applications• Design blueprint discussion with professionals • Career ready applications of what is learned in class• Field Trips to area greenhouses, plant retail stores, and the NYS Agricultural Research Station

Earth Science:March Weather Lab – Students gather information, including daily high and low temperatures, precipitation type and amount, wind speed and direction, and cloud cover. They will graph data and report their findings relative to their predictions.

Physics:Physics Challenges demand creative thinking. • Invent a water rocket to attain the greatest height while protecting an egg inside. Think about velocity, force, freefall, impulse, and momentum. • Design an experiment for maximum mechanical power generated by your body – Throw a Frisbee, kick a ball, lift weights, etc. Tyler Ronnenberg used a video camera to record his movement to determine the time and distance of his motion.https://sites.google.com/a/wheatland.k12.ny.us/physics-challenge/

Biology (Living Environment):Project Outbreak: Mike Lombino and Jenna Bower take on the role of

health officials to report on a hypothetical outbreak of an infectious disease

• Research the pathogen and complete a "Health Report” citing all resources• Prepare an informative presentation• Report to the "public" all risks to individuals as well as prevention tips

Social StudiesGlobal Studies:

• Use of mobile lab integral to class time• Differentiated web quests to review information• People of the Times project based on the Regents data - need in Biography • Students practice presentation skills to enhance their technological literacy and provide informationUS History: • Computer program allows students to practice questions from previous Regents exams• Google Earth depicts battle field topography from satellite images

 Economics:• Dual-credit with MCC (29 seniors received transferrable credit)• Offers Global perspective on resource allocation • On-line stock trading simulation through virtual stock exchange• Deep understanding of Micro and Macro Economic concepts

 

PIG:• Civic Action Plan (CAP) Self-directed, culminating senior project incorporates skills in leadership, accountability, communication, creativity, and problem solving • Google applications to compile and transfer a digital portfolio • Public policy awareness, political party platform analysis, and registration to vote

 

Social StudiesGlobal Studies:

• Use of mobile lab integral to class time• Differentiated web quests to review information• People of the Times project based on the Regents data - need in Biography • Students practice presentation skills to enhance their technological literacy and provide informationUS History: • Computer program allows students to practice questions from previous Regents exams• Google Earth depicts battle field topography from satellite images

 Economics:• Dual-credit with MCC (29 seniors received transferrable credit)• Offers Global perspective on resource allocation • On-line stock trading simulation through virtual stock exchange• Deep understanding of Micro and Macro Economic concepts

 

PIG:• Civic Action Plan (CAP) Self-directed, culminating senior project incorporates skills in leadership, accountability, communication, creativity, and problem solving • Google applications to compile and transfer a digital portfolio • Public policy awareness, political party platform analysis, and registration to vote