2015-2016

Elective Course Catalogue

Vista del Lago

High School

Greetings

Dear Students,

Welcome to Vista del Lago High School! This handbook will serve as your guide to familiarizing yourself with our course and extra-curricular offerings. Study it wisely because the choices you make will set the course of your high school years.

Vista has a balanced curriculum based on student needs, as well as college and career demands. Recognizing that all students do not have the same interests or abilities, the programs are varied and seek to provide all students with the best possible education.

Our activities offer many opportunities for participation. We encourage you to become active members of teams, clubs, or organizations that interest you. This is also a great way to make new friends and feel a part of our school community.

We are looking forward to you arrival!

Sincerely,

Dr. John Dixon

Table of Contents

Sections:

Four-Year Plan: Graduation

World Language

Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA)

General Electives

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Other

Club Advertisements

Pages:

1

2

3-8

9-11

12-13

14

15-16

*Not all courses listed in the catalog are available each year, so check the

registration form to see what is available.

Vista del Lago Four-Year Plan

Students take 8 classes a year, 4 classes per term. Each class is worth 10 credits. Although students are required to have 220 credits to graduate, taking 8 classes a year affords students 320

credits. Most students graduate with more credits than are required.

Vista del Lago Four Year Plan

Page 1

Page 2

Spanish 1

World Languages

French 1 French 1 is an introductory course to the French language and culture of today. Emphasis

is on development of the four major language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition to these skills, students will explore the many facets of French culture

and heritage through the use of a text, video, audio, and workbook program. The course is conducted in the target language using the immersion method. Students will develop a basic proficiency in the target language and develop cultural awareness and sensitivity to

others.

Spanish 1 is an introductory course to the Spanish language and cultures of today.

Emphasis is on development of the four major language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition to these skills, students will explore the many facets of

Hispanic cultures and heritage through the use of a text, video, audio, and workbook program. The course is conducted in the target language using the immersion method.

Do you want to travel? Do you want to see the

world? Do you want to find your way around Madrid on the metro? Do you want to order

food in a restaurant in Buenos Aires? Do you want to barter for goods in a market in Peru? Do you want to take a taxi in Mexico City?

Then you need to study Spanish.

-John Lusk

Page 3

Animation 1

VAPA

Art in New Media Digital Art 1 is a one-year introduction to the digital media as art-making tools. This

course focuses on the creation of art works using a combination of traditional and digital media. Computer technologies such as image editing, graphics and natural media

software, graphic tablets, digital cameras, and scanning devices are used as tools for students to acquire and strengthen skills in applying design principles and art elements. Students will explore photography, digital illustration and painting, with an emphasis on

effective visual communication of ideas through the use of art elements and principles. Sequential curriculum is designed to acquaint students with industry level programs and challenge students to make aesthetic decisions based on solid design principles. Students

will become adept at understanding art from the past as well as other cultures in order to give depth to their own creative expression. Digital arts skills required by business and

industry will be addressed as well as works of contemporary artists who have ventured into the digital realm. Additional topics integrated throughout the course will include career standards such as basic communication and interpersonal skills, problem solving,

workplace safety, and technology and employment literacy.

This course is designed to introduce students

to the fundamental skills of that are common to all animation styles. Students will learn about

the history of the art and how animation works. In order to refine skills as digital storytellers, students will plan and write a script and create

storyboard. Students will learn to express character through movement, synchronize the sound and image, and shape

and pace action sequences. Students will approach the art of animation from simple,

inexpensive methods such as stop-action hand animation and cut out animation to the more complex commercial studio techniques using

Macromedia Flash. Students will create professional portfolios, which includes sketchbooks, storyboard examples and a video of

student work.

This course introduces you to the fundamentals of animation! You will learn about the

various styles of animation as well as some of the early history. You learn how to write a script, create a storyboard, develop characters that move, and add sound for your own

animations. You will experiment with different stop-motion techniques such as sand, clay, and cut out animation to the more complex techniques using professional programs like

Adobe Flash, Photoshop and Premiere. Be ready to have fun! -Debra Kile

Page 4

Ceramics

VAPA

Drawing and Painting 1

Students will develop an understanding of

the basic techniques of the use of clay as an art form. They will learn to form pinch,

slab, coil, sculpture, and wheel-throw pottery. They will develop and expand aesthetic perceptions in order to form a

base for making informed aesthetic judgments. Students will also acquire knowledge of the historical and cultural

development in Ceramics. In addition to classroom projects, a sketchbook and

notebook will be required. A checklist of requirements will be given to students at

the beginning of each semester.

Students will develop an understanding of the basic

elements of art and principles of design by examining important works of art and experimenting with various

techniques of drawing and painting. They will develop and expand aesthetic perceptions in order to form a base for making informed aesthetic judgments.

Students will also acquire knowledge of the historical and cultural development in the visual arts. In addition to classroom projects, a sketchbook and notebook will

be required. A checklist of requirements will be given to students at the beginning of each quarter.

Do you like playing in dirt?! If you do, ceramics is the place for you. You will learn how to

turn a blob of clay into a piece of art by using hand building techniques such as pinch, slab, and coil methods. You will have an opportunity to work with ceramic tools and glazes

used in a professional studio. You will also learn how ceramics helped to shape history as

well as look at the work of important ceramic artists. Bring your ideas! -Debra Kile

Drawing and Painting 1 is a class for anyone interested in learning about art: how to look

at it, how to evaluate it, how to create it. No prior knowledge or ability level is needed, but you do need enthusiasm and courage! Enthusiasm, because to make any meaningful art

you have to be excited and engaged; courage, because anytime you make art, you are putting part of yourself out to be examined, which can be a little scary! You will be using a variety of media (that means art materials) and learning a variety of

different techniques. Some of the things you will learn will include how to shade realistically, how to draw in perspective, how to mix colors and paint, and what the art elements and principles can do to help you make your art look amazing. You will learn

that with enough passion, anyone can make art! -Gayle Martin

Page 6

Drama 1

VAPA

Drama I is an introductory

theatre class. We will be studying theatre not only

from an actor’s perspective, but we will also be studying the many diverse

aspects of theatre production such as theatre history, set design,

lighting, costuming, make-up, script writing, script

analysis, and directing.

Drama 1 is an interactive, high-energy elective that

focuses on the basics of theatre. Students will have a

great time exploring various aspects of performance

while participating in fun warm-up and improve games,

and will demonstrate their knowledge by performing

scenes and monologues. Students are always

encouraged to take creative risks while in a safe and fun

environment. -Christina Rae

Dance and Hip Hop

In Beginning Dance, students will be introduced to dance as an art form, a physical

activity, a language, and an academic discipline. The focus will be on the study and

performance of various techniques and styles of dance including Latin, Afro Jazz,

Contemporary, Lyrical, Character, and Hip-Hop.

Hip Hop I is another beginning level dance

class that develops the technical skill and knowledge of African American & Hip Hop

dance, including rhythmic perception and spatial awareness, with emphasis on aesthetic and expressive qualities that lead to

performance and improvisation. The history of this genre and the traditional competitive elements of Hip Hop dance are examined, as

well as the role of dance in Hip Hop culture.

Page 7 VAPA

Students in this course will study film as both an art form and a means of

communication. The students will study the art of filmmaking and the importance of collaboration and creative input in the preproduction, production and postproduction

phases. Students will produce videos using all steps of the production phases. The students will also learn how to produce a live broadcast using the campus studio. This will help prepare them for the advanced course of Media

Production 2.

Media Production

Students in this course will study film as both an art form and a means of communication. The students will study the art of filmmaking by analyzing the technical

breakdown of a film from pre production, production and post production leading to a published film. Students will produce videos using all the steps of the production process

in creative collaborative group work. Emphasis will be places on core skills in story conceptualization, equipment use and editing. This will help prepare them for the

advanced courses of Media Production. –Brian Schaubmayer

Orchestra This course provides the student with an opportunity to review and expand technique

and music reading as well as the production of musical tone on the violin, viola, cello, or sting bass. Pianists may be included by teacher audition. Music listening skills and music

appreciation will be included. Musical heritage will be explored. Emphasis is placed on individual and ensemble performance. Local performances are an important component of the grade for the course. Outside performance is encouraged for extra credit. Students will

perform music at levels 2.5 through 4.

Page 8 VAPA

Beginning Guitar Guitar is a performing arts class

where the emphasis is on learning how to play the guitar. Students will

study the many styles and techniques that are found in guitar playing. Students will learn how to read music

notation, guitar tablature, play chords, accompany other musicians, as well as improvise. Students will

also learn applicable music theory that accompanies being a successful

guitarist. The course will also present the history of the guitar, its significance in the music world, and

how the instrument is featured in many of the music cultures around

the world. There will also be a strong song writing and recording component. Students will be able to

further grow and explore through the guitar curriculum by performing in small ensembles that are relevant to

the guitar player.

Beginning Guitar is a great class for

someone who’s never played guitar or

barely played... It’s a place where they’re

getting kind of a great foundation in

chords, and how to read guitar tablature,

have good technique and get good skills.

It’s definitely for somebody who’s never

played at all, who’s interested, or that

might have some, a little experience.

After Beginning Guitar there’s

Intermediate Guitar, Advanced Guitar,

and Masters Guitar. Those ones, for an

incoming student, they’d have to

audition... They just need to contact me

either through like, email, or through my

audition forms, and set up an audition

time and they can play for me and I can

find out [if they qualify for a higher level].

–Vincent Martini

Page 5

Concert Band

VAPA

Concert Choir

This course is designed to provide

continuing vocal instruction and general musicianship skills for all

choral students. Instruction will include continuing music literacy and music theory and will emphasize differences in

musical styles as they relate to the history of music and the interpretation of specific pieces. Emphasis will be

placed on improved ensemble singing skills such as pitch matching, tone

production, reading rhythms and ear training. Students will be required to attend one local performance during the

year as audience members. Course requirements include at least two

evening concerts and one adjudicated festival per year. Students will perform two-, three-, and four-part music at

levels 2.5 to 3.5.

The high school concert band is

designed to provide opportunities for students to play instruments in a

group setting and to lead a student to acquire the skills needed for satisfactory individual performance.

This course offers students playing experiences through which they may achieve a proficiency in the

fundamentals of musicianship and technique on their instruments. For the

first quarter, the concert band functions as a marching band, performing at a variety of athletic events and band

festivals. As the fall athletic season ends, emphasis shifts to a more

traditional setting of study and performance of concert band literature. Students are required to attend the

scheduled public performances. Students will perform music at levels 3 and 4.

Page 9

Community Service & Leadership Development

General Electives

Student Government This course is required for all elected or appointed

student body or class officers. The course is designed to teach the basic concepts of democratic

government; leadership skills, group process, team building, time management, and project planning. It affords the student the opportunity

for personal development in self-esteem, stress management, and sense of humor. From team building down to the personal development section

in the curriculum, the student has a chance to comprehend and grow in preparation for his/her

future.

This course is designed to give students an opportunity

to design, implement, research, reflect upon, and present a project based on community service,

leadership, group process, team building, time management, and project planning. It affords the student the opportunity to develop and balance

personal, academic and community responsibilities, as well as demonstrate effectiveness, appropriateness, and competency in a variety of skills relevant to the

real world. The student will have the opportunity for personal development in self-esteem, stress

management, and sense of humor, and grow in preparation for his/her future.

The goal of this class is for you to see yourself as a leader today and tomorrow. This class

will provide you with opportunities to develop a personal vision for your leadership and the skills to excel as a leader in the 21st century. We will also create a specific action plan to make a difference in your life and school, and ultimately prepare you to address some of

the world problems that will require leadership from bright and energetic young adults like Vista graduates. You will develop leadership skills by taking action. –Heidi Schultz

The concept of “leadership” is a nebulous one that is subject to a variety of definitions and interpretations. It is the purpose of this class to provide you with opportunities to

develop your own style and interpretation of “leadership.” We will be learning by doing! Developing skills for communication, time management, goal setting, interpersonal

relations, public relations, and organization will be primary objectives for this course.

These are useful tools for effective leaders. –Heidi Schultz

Page 10

Success 101

General Electives

Speech and Debate 1

With a combination of theory, skills practice, and

competency evaluation, students (1) learn to understand the major concepts of communication

theory and research, (2) are able to recognize those concepts in their own experiences and those of others, (3) have access to a range of choices

concerning their communication behavior, thus increasing communication competence. In addition, students can export acquired information, and

begin a process of lifelong learning about effective communication skills. Students will study the

fundamentals of written and oral communication, will experience a variety of writing opportunities and participate in numerous interactive simulations.

Success 101 will enable high school students to envision a future that is productive,

achievable, and stimulating. They will understand how to project into the future to understand the consequences of today’s choices and actions. Students will be exposed to

potential stumbling blocks that could impede their success. They will learn the skills, aptitudes, and attitudes needed to successfully transition into high school, post-secondary education and or/ training, the workforce, and adulthood.

Speech and Debate I is a 'real world class' that will help students with speech giving in other classes while in school and about the necessary communication skills that will be required beyond high school. Students will learn about a variety of speeches and how to

deliver them. The way a person delivers a speech is important, so students will be instructed on proper delivery techniques. This is a fun class where students who enter may already have confidence speaking in front of others or they may absolutely fear it.

Either way, students' skills will grow and improve throughout the term, and for most students, the fear is greatly decreased and giving a speech will be a much easier task.

In the 1st semester, students will give a speech of introduction, an artifact speech, a speech from literature, an informative speech, and in a group setting, they will write and

film a commercial on a bogus product. In the 2nd semester, students will give a

demonstration speech, learn about the powers of persuasion, be taught about argumentation and debate, give impromptu speeches, play communication games, and

will end the year with a ceremonial speech. A very full but exciting curriculum.

–Gayle Losch

Page 11

Yearbook

General

This course will provide students with an opportunity to explore the field of journalism

and technology through the creation of a high school yearbook. The course offers instruction and practice in copy writing, editing, proofreading, human interest stories,

headline writing, page design, page layout, business management, advertising, and photography.

This is a year-long

(2 term) class where

you get to produce

one of the most

amazing

yearbooks in any

school. It’s fun and

it’s real life.

-Janice Johnson

Engineering Design

Page 12 CTE

Engineering Design is an

introductory course in which students develop problem-solving

skills, with emphasis placed on three-dimensional solid models. This course is one year in length and

offered to 9th and 10th grade students. Students will work from sketching simple geometric shapes

to applying a solid modeling computer software package. They will

learn a problem-solving design process and how it is used in industry to manufacture a product.

The Computer Aided Design System (CAD) will also be used to analyze

and evaluate the product design. The techniques learned and equipment used is the base for the sequence of courses in Engineering Technology in the Polytechnic Academy. Age-appropriate activities are

designed for students and will be an integral part of the course. All students will benefit from this course regardless of their respective learning styles, learning rates, or gender.

The introduction to engineering course for freshmen sets them up to be able to

take a series of courses we have here at

Vista… It opens a whole new world of engineering to them that they may in the

future decide to pursue. We do some hands-on activities, we learn how to model things in 3D, we learn how to

design, we learn how to hopefully work in groups. So all these things give them a

taste for what, you know, an engineering

career may or may not be for them. If you start here… it gets you at least the ability

to take the other classes when they’re further along in their Vista career. A lot of people talk about engineering but you

don’t really know what it is as a freshman. This gives you a little bit of a

taste. It says, “Is this something I want to pursue or not?”

-Douglas Lewin

Introduction to Mass Communications This elective, a foundational CTE pathway course, is open to ninth through twelfth grade

students who wish to learn about the basics of journalism, public relations and digital communications. Students will develop their skills in the art of journalistic writing and

newspaper production (sports, feature, editorial, and review writing), proof reading, editing, extensive research skills, investigative reporting, interviewing, typing in Microsoft Word and PageMaker, journalistic photography and editing, and layout design.

Students will also learn about career opportunities in Media and Design Arts, the history of media, ethical and legal issues in communications, as well as how the media impacts individuals and society as a whole. Most importantly, students will be exposed to the

real-world experiences of working within the Media and Design Arts industry.

This class is a great real-life working experience where we not

only produce our school news (www.TheVistaVoice.com) but also

other important communications- related products that the school uses. It’s a great experience that

you can apply to any career path. -Janice Johnson

Page 13 CTE

Academic Decathlon

Page 14 Other

The purpose of the United States Academic Decathlon is to develop academic

competitions, curriculum, and assessment to promote learning and academic excellence through teamwork among students of all achievement levels. The goal of this class is to

enhance students’ critical thinking and reasoning skills by using selected reading pieces and having students respond in writing, through discussions and with prepared speeches. Each year the topic changes as detailed by USAD, United States Academic Decathlon.

Each area of study will have a component related to the assigned theme.

Academic Decathlon is an interesting and academically enriching course where students explore 10 different events

and use this knowledge in competitions. Unlike other academic

programs it includes all grade and skill levels. The events that students compete in are art, science, literature and language,

math, music, social science, economics, essay, speech and interview. This year, students had the opportunity to specialize

in one subject area and prepare a lesson to teach the rest of

the class. –Sarah Downs

Page 15

Leo Club Leadership. Experience. Opportunity. These are just a few of the rewards

young people gain from participating in Leos. In total, more than 160,000

young people in 140 countries are proud to volunteer to serve their local

communities and to call themselves Leos. Leo clubs provide

youth with

volunteer opportunities – and are also a place to grow and

have fun.

Key Club Key Club is the largest student-led community service organization that is widely recognized internationally. With over 265,000 members world wide, Key Club members work to fundraise millions for organizations such as UNICEF and the Pediatric Trauma Program. At Vista del Lago, our members are offered 3 - 4 local service events every month, making Key Club one of the most active clubs on campus. Come join us in volunteering and our yearly trip to Six Flags and convention in Disney Land. We hope to see you soon!

Interact Club Interested in helping your local and international community? Make

friends? Travel? Interact club is the youth organization of Rotary

International, with over 200,000 members. Each year, our club takes on

local service projects as well as international projects. Join

us!

Here are a few clubs worth your consideration upon entering high school.

Page 16

Chi Rho Chi Rho Club is a faith based, Christian organization on the campus of Vista del Lago high school. We are a group of students wanting to love our school, community, and Jesus by serving others. We desire to learn more about God and His Word and to dispel common misunderstandings found in the Christian faith. We are here not only to encourage and strengthen Vista but also show God's love through our actions and our words. All students are welcome to participate in Chi Rho's activities. We strive to create an open environment where discussion and interaction are abundant. The curious, the skeptics, and the faithful all are encouraged to take a peek and see what we, and more importantly Christ, has to offer.

Neurodiversity

Our club is dedicated to raising the student population’s awareness of Neurodiverse students at Vista and increasing general acceptance of diverse learning and social styles while fostering friendships and community building. We engage in a variety of games and activities, and one of our top goals is to have fun!

Here are a few clubs worth your consideration upon entering high school.

Produced by Vista Publishing/ Mass Communications 2015