The South Huntington Board of Education recently approved the addition of 29 courses for Walt Whitman students next school year. New courses range from fashion to social media and digital citizenship to history of the Earth.
ART DEPARTMENT
Video Production (prior existing course, new focus) Credit 1/2
Students utilize We Video and other production software to create and edit professional looking videos. The process includes shooting video, importing and editing footage, and adding transitions, sound effects, background music, color correction and stabilization. Students gain a strong understanding of how and when to use various shots and the psychological effect behind their implementation. This class will produce, tape, edit and implement the school’s morning video announcements.
AP 2D Design Photography (new course)
Credit: 1
Artists and photographers generate an original and powerful body of work based upon their own personal experiences. Artists produce works through practice, experimentation and revision using selected components. In the process, they develop skills in connecting materials, processes, and ideas within their work. Students will also consider how these elements and ideas can be used to make work that exists on a flat surface and can work with a variety of materials and ideas in graphic design, digital imaging, photography, videos, or film.
Curating Museum Exhibitions (new course)
Credit: 1/2
This course is an overview of the theory and practice that goes into curating professional work in museums. Students work hands-on as they organize and curate our very own Walt Whitman Art Gallery. The course (an introduction to museum studies) is a study of local museums experienced not only within the classroom but out in the field. As students visit art museums, they gain insight into museum practices worldwide, including the concept of teamwork, essential to museum work. Students will improve the presentation of their own artwork by learning to wire, mat, frame, photograph and advertise in a professional way.
Advanced Fashion 2 & 3 (prior existing course)
Credit: 1/2
This course continues a sequence in fashion design and illustration begun in the introductory course (Fashion 1). Students will build upon their knowledge of and experiences in fashion, working on advanced projects in design and illustration. Emphasis is placed upon preparing a true portfolio which could be used to pursue fashion design at the college level.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT
Social Media And Digital Citizenship
Credit: 1/2
While often used for trivial purposes, the power and potential impact of social media cannot be overstated. In this course students will learn how businesses implement social media strategies to connect and maintain relationships with their current and potential customers. Students will identify, discuss and debate social media topics and postings and their impact on society.
Students will take an in-depth look at current trends in branding, various multimedia platforms, and uses of current and future technology in digital marketing. Using the Social Media Strategy Wheel as a framework, students will develop effective social media campaigns designed to engage targeted audiences. This course employs field experiences and virtual connections for students to work collaboratively with several Suffolk County school districts on social media projects affecting society now and in the future.
Wall Street Investment
Credit: 1/2
This course will focus on investments, investing strategies, retirement planning, pensions, defined contribution plans, stocks, the stock markets, mutual funds, futures and options, bonds, and other financial opportunities. Students will explore how the markets work and the interconnectivity of economic and geopolitical events with regard to the ups and downs of the markets. Students will participate in an investment simulation where they will create and manage “stock portfolios.” Students will also learn about different financial software tools and resources used by financial experts. This course is highly recommended for anyone interested in investing or money management. Recommended for grades 11 & 12.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / DANCE
Everyone Can Dance
Credit 1/2
This course is designed to engage students in creative movement activities and introduce modern dance techniques to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination, and to explore their own unique movement style and abilities. Students will explore the concepts of space, time, energy, and relationship independently and collaboratively, as well as learn basic modern dance skills. Students are required to wear clothing they can move in and bare feet. Students will receive PE credit upon successful completion of this course.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Finding Answers: College and Career Writing
Credit: 1/2
This course invites students to explore practical writing in a hands-on format by participating in a research and presentation course that encourages them to ask great questions and find smart answers. The curriculum is interdisciplinary, reaching into each student’s area of interest, from business to technology to history to environmental science, to review the MLA style sheet, become familiar with the APA style sheet, and utilize online citation tools. Students will have the opportunity to design thoughtful research questions and then explore a variety of primary and secondary research sources, including databases, document images, articles, and journals, while also evaluating and understanding online source valuation techniques. Students will learn to navigate the writing tools in both Microsoft Word and Google Docs in preparation for college and career writing expectations. The course will culminate in a written research paper accompanied by an electronic presentation to be delivered to the class and evaluated.
Sports Literature through Literature and History
Credit: 1
The course is designed to be an interdisciplinary examination of the impact sports play in society as well as the impact society plays on sports. This course will provide students with a high interest in historical, and contemporary sports-related documents, literature, and other forms of media.
The English portion will focus on these topics through interaction with literature presented by authors from various genres such as poetry, essays, excerpts from autobiographies, and novels. The Natural by Bernard Malamud, widely regarded as a top sports novel, will be used to help examine sports themes such as ambition, failure, stardom, and heroism. The course will culminate with an argument essay, which will entail researching controversial topics using credible sources.
The Social Studies portion of the course will allow students the opportunity to interact with a variety of historical documents and resources that will combine the worlds of sports and culture together. The course will culminate with an enduring issues essay in which students will apply the skills and knowledge gathered in the class to these key historical concepts.
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Future Teachers
Credit: 1/2
Students will learn what it takes to be elementary, middle, or high school teachers. Students will be exposed to the general teaching methodology, classroom management, and how teachers measure students’ progress. Students will work in small groups to learn about the development and structure of the American education system and consider the skills needed to be an effective teacher in the 21st century. Students will be expected to observe teachers, prepare lessons and teach a class. In this course, students will visit primary and secondary schools to observe, design, and deliver lessons to diverse learners. The course will review the steps for becoming a teacher and the New York State Certification requirements.
Nutrition and Wellness
Credit: 1/2
Nutrition and Wellness is designed to provide students with an overview of good nutrition principles necessary for physical and mental wellness and a long, healthy life. Instructional materials include discussions of digestion, basic nutrients, lifetime sports and fitness, and life-span nutrition. The Nutrition and Wellness course emphasizes an understanding of today’s food and eating trends and gives students the capacity to evaluate all available sources of nutrition information and make informed decisions. In addition, students will prepare healthy snacks. Students will learn to make food without an oven by learning proper techniques for cutting vegetables, making salads, using beans, making homemade granola – and much more! We will also visit local restaurants and culinary schools to learn more about food prep from professionals.
MATH DEPARTMENT
Mobile Apps
Credit: 1/2
Mobile applications are becoming increasingly important to our consumption of media, news, social interaction, and learning. In this course, students learn how to create mobile apps using React Native, build applications to run on their own smartphones, and create an app to solve a specific problem!
Video Game Design in Java Script
Credit: 1/2
The CodeHS video game design curriculum teaches the foundations of creating video games in JavaScript. While this course is introductory, it is an advanced-level course. Its curriculum teaches the foundations of computer science and basic programming, with an emphasis on helping students develop logical thinking and problem solving skills. Once students complete the course, they will have learned material equivalent to a semester college introductory course in Computer Science and be able to program in JavaScript.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Prerequisite: Java Script Credit: 1/2 Time: Semester
The Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course teaches students important programming concepts that enable the use of Artificial Intelligence in computer science and society at large. Students will learn how to incorporate basic Artificial Intelligence algorithms in their own work, and consider the social and ethical implications of how Artificial Intelligence is used, and how it plans to be used. Students will develop a series of projects that illustrate the variety of ways Artificial Intelligence can be used to optimize and predict information and processes.
Web Design Credit: 1
Students will learn the languages HTML and CSS, and will create their own live homepages to serve as portfolios of their creations. By the end of this course, students will be able to explain how web pages are developed and viewed on the Internet, analyze and fix errors in existing websites, and create their very own multi page websites. Students will learn the foundations of user interface design, rapid prototyping and user testing, and will work together to create professional, mobile responsive websites.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Music Production (new course)
Credit: 1/2
This course will take advantage of our new Mac Lab (room 219) as well as the Whitman Recording Studio (band room) as students follow the process of music production from start to finish. Study will range from the ideas and components involved with producing written music all the way to technical production and performance.
Music Theory 1 (prior existing course)
Credit: 1/2
The course of study and preparation includes notation skills, scales, chords, inversions, cadences, four-part choral writing, and harmonization based on figured bass. Introductory keyboard harmony, melody writing, and ear training, and rhythmic dictation are also studied, as is the history of music. Students who successfully complete Music Theory I and achieve an 85 or better cumulative grade point average may enter Music Theory 2.
Music Theory 2 (prior existing course)
Credit: 1/2
The curricular offering will be parallel to content areas of the Advanced Placement Exam in Music Theory. Content includes musical terminology, notation, compositional skills, score analysis and aural skills (sight singing, melodic & rhythmic dictation). Students who successfully complete Music Theory II and achieve an 85 or better (average) may enter AP Music Theory (future offering).
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Advanced Strength and Conditioning
Credit: 1/2
This course is designed for students who want to dive deeper into the anatomy and physiology behind strength training and more advanced techniques to build muscle for a healthy lifestyle.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
The History of the Earth
Credit: 1/2
The history of the earth from its formation 4.5 billion years ago to the present from the perspective of New York. Major issues to be addressed include the formation and early history of the earth; evolution of land masses, plate tectonics; origin of life; earth materials and rock-forming processes; surface processes and their bearing on human activities; crustal deformation and global tectonics; the earth’s interior; and the geological features, and compositions. Hands on field study trip to witness firsthand the evidence left over from 4.5 billion years of Earth action.
Organic Chemistry
Credit: 1/2
This course is designed to provide a fundamental overview of organic chemistry to students interested in pursuing a career in the sciences. Upon successfully completing this class, students will understand the relationship between the structure and function of molecules, the major classes of reactions, reaction energetics and mechanisms, the synthesis of organic compounds, and how to determine structure via various spectroscopic techniques. Several themes are prevalent in each unit of study: nomenclature, chemical and physical properties, structures, mechanisms, common molecules, and the diversity of organic molecules in plants, bacteria, and animals. This course will extensively focus on laboratory experience and applying these concepts. Students will be challenged to consider how these concepts are related to the broader applications of science and think critically about how they could apply these applications in the laboratory setting. Students interested in a career in chemistry, nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, medical technology, science laboratory work, or related sciences should take this class.
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
History at the Movies
Credit: 1/2
History at the movies will focus on history (both world history and US History). Over the semester the course will highlight time periods and offer a movie about the time period. After discussing the history and viewing the movie the class will discern the facts, the fiction, and the subsequent events that developed. This should be a fun class for history lovers and the movies/events highlighted will be the “big events” that appear on the NYS Regents and AP tests (European History, World History, US History)
History Through Music
1/2 credit
Music has shaped history just as much as history has shaped music. From the rousing songs of revolutionary movements, to musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Nirvana and Twenty-One Pilots, music has the ability to capture an idea, stir emotions, and change lives. This fun, interactive and exciting course will focus on a variety of music and musicians and show how music can create change, and change history.
Thinking and Learning Strategies
Credit: 1/2
Thinking and Learning Strategies will help all students think better and maximize their learning. Students will explore learning strategies, different learning styles, and cognitive fallacies. At the end of this course, students will have a valuable tool kit designed to help them be better thinkers. It will also help students who seek a career in education develop the skills to help their future students.
Ethics and Philosophy of Education
Credit: 1/2
This course is designed for those who may seek a career in education. It will explore the different philosophies of teaching and learning, the main educational theorists of today, and the different theories of teaching and learning. Additionally, this course will examine the ethics of a solid course of study and the responsibilities of the educator and student in the learning process.
International Relations
Credit: 1/2
International relations is a dynamic course designed for those students who aspire to tackle the difficult issues that challenge the world. Philosophies of international diplomacy will be discussed, as will the big issues of the day; war, peace, the environment, trade, resource allocation, and global partnerships. Hands-on examples and role playing are an important part of this course. Finally, students will explore jobs related to foreign service and international relations.
Long Island History
Credit: 1/2
Long Island History explores the development of our island from the early days of colonial history to today. Topics will include colonial times, our maritime history, the importance of Long Island during the Revolution and Long Island as a center for science, literature and intrigue. Additionally, this class will explore our island through field trips and other hands-on experiences.
Senior Experience
Credit: 1
The Senior Experience Course provides an opportunity for seniors to work with a school and site mentor in an area of interest. This experience is embedded in themed versions of Participation in Government and Economics. Study of public policy decision-making, the political process, and basic concepts and principles of economics will be studied. Students choose the senior option at the end of their junior year for an internship type of experience which will begin in the second semester of the senior year; the coordination and placement process will take place during the first semester. The internship itself is an experience which may be directed toward a career; provide a social service, or enrichment of the student’s education. Interns may not be paid for their work; hence present places of employment are not acceptable. Nor may the intern be supervised by a family member. A full credit of Social Studies, fulfilling the Participation of Government and Economics requirement, will be awarded. The work is done above and beyond the minimum course requirements for students. Each participant is expected to complete a project as part of the program. If there are attendance issues during the course of study from September through June, it is the right of the district to remove students from the internship portion of the class.
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Small Engine Repair
Credit: 1/2
Students will be introduced to Transportation Systems, including land, marine and aerospace modes. Course objectives include the following: students will evaluate the condition of a used vehicle, read symbols on maps and waterway charts, identify propulsion systems, prepare an order from a parts list, apply safety procedures, laws and regulations, interpret flight instruments, obtain career information, maintain a small gas engine, calculate fuel consumption and determine horsepower.
Basic Auto Care
Credit: 1/2
This course is designed for students who wish to know how to maintain their car properly. This class is designed for 11th and 12th grade students. An automobile is a large investment. In order to get the most from your car and insure its reliability, everyone should understand how to best care for their car. Basic, everyday maintenance and upkeep of a car’s interior and exterior will be stressed. Some of the areas touched upon will be how to buy and sell a used car, the pitfalls of buying a used car, and what New York State requires for insurance and liability. Winterizing, cooling, ignition and break systems, lubrication of the engine and other parts, fixing a flat tire, in addition, washing, waxing and compounding cars will also be covered.
Design and Drawing for Production Prerequisite:
Credit: 1
This course is an introduction to a universal graphic language through which students can express their ideas with creativity, clarity and exactness. This class teaches technical drawing through design problem solving and stresses that design is the creative element and technical drawing is the expression of design. Students are encouraged to solve visual problems using a common technical drawing language to describe forms in the man-made environment. This course fulfills the one unit of the Art or Music credit requirement for any student towards a Regents or Local diploma.
WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
American Sign Language
Credit: 1
This course introduces the fundamentals of American Sign Language. Finger spelling and basic vocabulary are stressed. NYS Language Standards for checkpoint A will be met. Receptive and Expressive skills are practiced through dialogues, games, role playing, drills, visual readiness activities, and short stories. Since ASL serves as the principal identifying characteristic of members of the deaf community and embodies the values and experiences of its users, students will gain insight into deaf culture through study and interaction with native ASL users.
American Sign Language 2
Credit: 1
This course introduces the fundamentals of American Sign Language. Finger spelling and basic vocabulary are stressed. NYS Language Standards for checkpoint A will be met. Receptive and Expressive skills are practiced through dialogues, games, role playing, drills, visual readiness activities, and short stories. Since ASL serves as the principal identifying characteristic of members of the deaf community and embodies the values and experiences of its users, students will gain insight into deaf culture through study and interaction with native ASL users.
American Sign Language 3
Credit: 1
This course introduces the fundamentals of American Sign Language. Finger spelling and basic vocabulary are stressed. NYS Language Standards for checkpoint A will be met. Receptive and Expressive skills are practiced through dialogues, games, role playing, drills, visual readiness activities, and short stories. Since ASL serves as the principal identifying characteristic of members of the deaf community and embodies the values and experiences of its users, students will gain insight into deaf culture through study and interaction with native ASL users.
Elwood Schools Get Collection of Artifacts on Astronaut Glenn