10th Grade Curriculum

Writing assignments throughout the year will include narrative, descriptive, and process essays, as well as creative writing and one major research paper. All writing will be completed in class to avoid plagiarism in its many forms. Typical required length for an essay will be 4-6 pages. Timed writing assessments will also be used to practice for the SAT and ACT.

Grammar assignments will cover parts of speech, punctuation, and usage that is necessary for effective writing. Grammar will be interactive through our SMARTboard technology and assessed in conjunction with formal and informal writing assignments. Literature will take up a huge portion of class time. Students will be expected to read in class and at home. Students should be able to identify major literary devices and keep up with the assigned reading. Each Student will be required to read ONE AR book per semester. Sophomores will read Julius Cesar by William Shakespeare, Night by Elie Wiesel, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Honors students are preparing for Advanced Placement (AP) classes in 11th and 12th grades. Because of this, Honors students will accept the challenge of American Literature in 9th grade, World Literature in 10th grade, and AP classes 11th-12th grades.

Writing assignments will focus on organization and communication through descriptive, narrative, research, analytical and creative writing techniques. All writing will be completed in class to avoid plagiarism in its many forms, including the use of Turnitin.com. Typical required length for an essay will be 3-5 pages. Timed writing assessments will also be used to practice for the SAT and ACT. English assignments will focus on parts of speech, usage, punctuation, and other grammatical necessities needed for writing excellent papers.

Honors students will focus on identifying and discussing literary techniques, as well as engaging in literature from around the world. Honors students are expected to grapple with literary and writing complexity that is not teacher-led or initiated; they will learn how to tap in to their analytical and philosophical spheres beyond regular coursework.

Each Student will be required to read ONE AR book per semester off of an approved reading list.  Sophomores will read Julius Cesar by William Shakespeare, Night by Elie Wiesel, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.Honors students may have extra reading or writing assignments that are exclusive to an honors class.

Spanish II is an interactive class. Our SMARTboard technology will be incorporated to teach vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills.

Vocabulary will focus on the correct use of vocabulary correlating to textbook chapters. Grammar will focus on the correct use of select irregular verbs in the present tense, comparative sentence structure, superlative sentence structure, use of reflexive verbs, use of stem changing verbs, use of demonstrative adjective pronouns, present progressive sentence structure, preterit tense of select irregular verbs, preterit of verbs ending with ‘gar, car and zar’, correct use of negative words, imperfect tense or normal ‘ar, er, ir’ ending verbs as well as select irregular verbs, and imperfect progressive sentence structure. Communication will focus on the ability to understand spoken and written messages in Spanish and to exchange oral and written information in Spanish, as well as to be able to present information orally using familiar and newly acquired vocabulary and grammar.

Chemistry is a laboratory science class. Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, and properties of matter, the processes that matter undergoes, and the energy changes that accompany these changes. This class places a strong emphasis on the fundamentals of chemistry and on problem-solving skills to ensure the students master the content of the course.  The students will perform laboratory experiments that help demonstrate and explain concepts covered in lecture.  The goal of this course is to familiarize students with the fundamentals of chemistry and to help them learn how to use chemical references (tables, diagrams, graphs, etc.) to solve problems and interpret data. Topics in chemistry include properties of matter, measurements and calculations, atoms, arrangement of electrons in atoms, periodic law, bonding, reactions, stoichiometry, and states of matter.

Honors students may have additional inquiry assignments, labs, and expectations specific to their class.

This course is designed to supply students will a comprehensive and basic understanding of all parts of a computer system and their uses. Students will complete an in depth study of Microsoft Word 2013.

U.S. History is a one-year study of the foundations of our nation’s history. This class is designed to acquaint students with the major events and movements that have influenced our nation’s past. It traces the political, social, economic and cultural forces that have shaped American History from the colonial era through the present. Emphasis will be placed on selected topics such as the American Revolution, the Constitution period, the Industrial Revolution, Spanish-American War, Isolationism, the Era of Big Business, the Roaring Twenties, World War I, the Great Depression, the New Deal, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Cold War, the Sixties, and the Vietnam Era. Students should keep abreast with current events because many events of the past are related to what is taking place today and will be part of class discussion. We will analyze, interpret, evaluate, and apply data from primary and secondary sources, including government documents, cartoons, graphs, letters, and pictures to gain an understanding of events in our nation’s past.

Advanced Placement US History (APUSH) is a rigorous course that is designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college course. It is a two-semester chronological survey of American history from the age of exploration to the present with an emphasis on interpretation and analysis of the material by contemporary and modern historians. APUSH is considerably more demanding than the college preparatory equivalent in terms of ability, commitment, independent reading, and depth of focus.

The curriculum of this course requires students to utilize higher order thinking skills. Accordingly, students will analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary sources in addition to memorizing, comprehending, and applying facts. Extensive independent reading is required. This course uses a college-level textbook with an advanced vocabulary and supplemental materials.

The course will be devoted to skills and strategies for taking the AP exam which is administered in May. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May to pass the class and earn college credit.

Algebra 2 content is organized around linear, quadratic, exponential, radical and rational functions.  In addition to new content, Algebra 2 includes numerous exercises involving geometry and trigonometry.  Preparation for SAT and ACT standardized is integrated into the curriculum.  Topics covered include Linear equations, functions, systems and matrices, Quadratic functions and factoring and rational exponents, functions and relations.

In Geometry students develop reasoning and problem solving skills through the topics of congruence and similarity, and applying properties of lines, triangles, quadrilaterals and circles.  Concepts of length, perimeter, area, circumference, surface area and volume are studied.  Geometry expands student knowledge introduced in algebra.  Geometry provides instruction and practice on standardized test questions.