Update on Realignment for Albert Lea High School

8-12 Building2011-12 School Year

Process used for 8th Grade Curriculum Changes

Curriculum Committee formed in August Committee met and discussed:

• What is it we want students to know?

• Reviewed State Standards regarding 8th Grade coursework and requirements.

• Proposed several new elective classes for the 8th grade students starting in 2011-12.

Process used for Curriculum Changes

Committee met and discussed:

• Integration of technology to assist student learning

• Teaching study skills to become effective learners

Process used for Curriculum Changes

1. Curriculum committee approval for new courses - Took place with ALHS staff on January 21, 2011

2. Review/approval of courses with Teacher Learning Committee and District Curriculum Committees

– took place January 26-27

3. Developed separate course registration guides for grades 8-9

Elective Courses

8 elective courses will be available for 8th grade Students• Elective courses will run for one quarter (9 weeks in length)• Music students will participate in four elective

courses• Non-Music students will take all 8 of the

elective classes offered

Course Electives

For 8th graders2011-12 School Year

Elective Courses Proposed for 8th Graders

1. Art Survey – 9 week course Prerequisite: NoneArt Survey is an introductory high school art course. This course will include a variety a projects that willincorporate the elements of art and principles ofdesign. This class will also teach students how tocritique their work and the work of others. Some ofthe projects included in this class are: watercolor, softpastels, mixed media collage, and clay.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8th Graders

2. Animals in Art - 9 week course Prerequisite: None

Animals in Art is a mixed media art course that focuses onhow animals have been and can be used as art subjects. This course will include a variety of projects that incorporate art elements, design principles, and arthistory. Some of the projects included in this class are:sumi-e ink painting, clay sculpture, mix media painting,and pastel drawing. This is a great course for anyone whohas a love of animals.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8th Graders

3. CLOUD COMPUTING – 9 week courseThis course will include using open source resources (CloudComputing) such as Google documents, on line-presentationsources, on-line picture sources etc. Students will be accessingthe internet for their resources and application programs. Thiscourse will continue to reinforce basic applications in addition tointroducing new technology options available. The course willincorporate technology standards including: Basic operations andconcepts, Social, ethical and human issues, technology productivitytools, communication tools, technology research tools, andTechnology problem-solving.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8th Graders

4. Get Your Study On! – 9 week course focus – study skillsCourse Topics: Setting Goals, Writing Outline (takingeffective notes), Test Taking Strategies, Study Helps

Objective: To teach study skills to the students by using current events topics. This course meets student needs by addressing essential topics regarding the organizational skills needed to be a successful student.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8th Graders

5. It’s About Time - 9 week course

Students will learn how to conduct effective historicalresearch and maximize their understanding of resources available tothem at Albert Lea High School. Through a combination of classroomlearning, practical application, computer games and a variety of othersources, students will have the opportunity to learn how to conductresearch and analyze the information they find about a particulartopic. Students will choose a topic of focus that is of particularInterest to them as the basis for research. By choosing their owntopics – from any point in time – students will be more engaged andinvolved in obtaining information about the topic.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8th Graders

6. Celebrating Spanish: Language and Cultures – 9 week course Prerequisites: noneDid you know that millions of people speak Spanish as theirfirst language? In this class, you will gain an awareness of thediversity of the cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. Someof the topics I this class include celebrations in Spanishspeaking countries, families, Likes and dislikes, sports and food.You will also learn a few basics of the Spanish language to helpyou begin speaking the language.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8th Graders

7. Life Skills – 9 week course This class is an opportunity to introduce students to theareas of Family & Consumer Sciences. Students willlearn about nutrition, food and kitchen safety as well as avariety of cooking experiences. Applying decision makingskills related to clothing and design including constructionmethods will be presented. Students will study childdevelopment and practice child care. Design elementsused in housing and interior design will be evaluated.Students will learn techniques that demonstrate positivecommunication skills.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8th Graders

8. Gateway Computing – 9 week course - Exploratory curriculum for industrial education.Students trace the history, development, and influence ofAutomation and robotics. They learn about mechanicalsystems, energy transfer, machine automation and computercontrol systems. Students acquire knowledge and skills inproblem solving, teamwork collaboration and innovation.

(this is not a new course, but will be part of our elective classesfor 8th graders)

Type of Schedule 8th Graders will have

• 8th graders will have a seven period day schedule

• Of those 7 periods 5 of those periods will be core classes that are required for students to take:

• These Full year classes include:• Math• English• Science• Social Studies

• Semester classes (half year) in:• Health• Physical Education

Schedule and Facilities

• Staying with seven period day school-wide (grades 8-12)

• Creation of an 8/9 House and a 10-12 House.

• Reducing passing time between classes to five minutes.

• One 8/9 Lunch, two 10-12 Lunches.

New Course Electives

For grades 9-122011-12 School Year

New Course Proposals for Grades 9-12

1. CIS Criminology – Semester Course Grades 11-12College Course based on existing criminology course with greater emphasis on theory, reading, andwritten reflections. The course offers a new elective

withthe possibility of earning college credit, perhaps to beoffered on years alternating with CIS Modern EuropeanHistory. Students will receive 1 semester hour of collegecredit along with a more in depth introduction tocriminology and theory development.

New Course Proposals for Grades 9-12

2. Computer Arts - Semester Course grades 10-12 Creating art such as drawing and painting using a computer. Computer Arts would be a second digital arts class that woulduse the Adobe Photoshop software. This course differs fromDigital Photo because the focus is on creating art such asdrawing and painting with a computer. This class will notfocus on digital photography at all. This course is designed forstudents interested in computer imaging beyond photomanipulation and image enhancement. Teach knowledge ofcomputer imaging including drawing, text, and visualmanipulation, scanning, and animation

New Course Proposals for Grades 9-12

3. SOCIAL NETWORKING- Semester Course Grade: 9Prerequisite: NoneThis course will provide instruction in the proper use ofsocial media, such as Face book and Twitter, in a safeenvironment. It will also cover computer applicationsutilizing a variety of current and new technologies. Wewill explore the impact of social media on our society and howto use it safely. Students will be evaluated on their ability touse and apply a variety of technology applications withaccuracy and efficiency. Students will be more prepared touse technology in their classrooms and at home.

Realignment Changes for ALHS

• Addition of approximately 15-18 faculty members to high school building with shifting staff.

• Addition of three computer labs.

• Increase in Special Education Space Needs.

• Increase to Storage Needs.

Transition Committee -Tasks

• Registration Night - March 7th and 8th

– Had 84% attendance - grades 8-9– Had 75% attendance - grades 10-12

• Planning for School tours in May of 2011.

• Planning for Orientation Day in August 2011.

• Looking at Advisory Time in school day (ranging between daily and bi-monthly concepts) – Student Connectedness.

Transition Committee - Tasks

• Looking at Transitional Experiences for incoming 8th and 9th grades and how to make them feel welcomed.

• Created a Video for 8th and 9th grade students answering questions about ALHS

• Utilization of Successful Link Crew Program.

Activities and Athletics

• Keeping 7/8 Sports programs in existence now.

• Adding opportunities for 8th/9th graders (Separate Student Council, proposal for additional play for 8th/9th, Separate Dances, other Student Clubs, and more).

• Proposal is ready for the School Board on suggested revisions, updates, and additions.