Level 4: Grades 9, 10 and 11   "THE HAWKS"

 

Our goal for Level 4 is to prepare students to be active and responsible citizens in a democratic society, where they will need the skills to actively construct knowledge, solve problems, make decisions, and collaborate with others. Our program is designed to meet state high school graduation requirements through a courses that combine academic work with real-world experiences and project-based learning. While our small size means that we cannot offer a vast array of electives or sports options, it also means that we are able to know our students well and to support their academic growth.

 

Language Arts

Language arts courses focus on exploration of self and understanding others through literature and writing. Emphasis on social justice and historical events often links language arts and social studies classes.
Language Arts 9th
This course focuses on the question What is social justice and how do we achieve it in an equal and comprehensive way? Students read Fahrenheit 451 and 1984, in addition to participating in literature circles with short stories, novels, plays, journalistic works and selections of poetry that focus on people who fought for what they believe in. Students develop a portfolio of their best work that includes projects and writing samples.
Language Arts 10th/11th
Focusing on historical contributions to society and the exploration of one's self, students explore the question: Who am I and what can I contribute to society? Texts include a variety of novels, short stories, autobiographies, journalistic works and poetry selections. Students prepare their own autobiography to present at the end of the year.

 

Social Studies

Social studies courses include the study of history, economics, geography, and government. Our curriculum helps students to reflect on the past in order to better analyze the present.

World Issues
This course is designed to connect students with the community and the world around them by focusing on the issues that affect their lives. The course draws upon U.S. and world history, geography, government and economics, in the belief that a comprehensive understanding of these important issues will further students’ knowledge and encourage the students to play a more active role in their community. Key themes are the environment, global social issues, civil rights, the role of youth in society and understanding media in all its forms. As students develop awareness of these issues, there is an emphasis on improving their ability to express understandings and beliefs. Therefore, writing, presentation and use of visual media skills is an important part of the course.

Government
The main objective of this part of the course is to raise students’ level of political literacy and help them make connections between their own lives and the larger political, social and cultural forces that often determine them. By the end of the semester-long course, students understand the basic foundations of American government including the role of the Constitution, the division of powers between state and federal governments, the role of the judiciary, the importance and role of political actors (institutions, social movements and voters) and comparisons between the U.S. political system and other forms of government around the world.

Economics
This semester-long course provides a broad overview of economic topics beginning with the foundations of modern economic theory. Included in this overview are the fundamentals of micro- and macro-economic theory, varieties of economic systems, and the role of markets and prices in the allocation of goods and services. The course then examines the nature of the US economic system including the current economic situation and examined the importance of economic policy, global and national finance markets and individual economic and lifestyle choices and their effect on the economy. The course also involves a detailed examination of sustainability issues with a special focus on the fisheries industry at the regional and global levels as well as looking at renewable energy.

 

Mathematics

Mathematics courses emphasize application of math skills through projects drawn from real-world circumstances. Our courses meet the state standards and can be transferred as equivalent to the traditional course sequence (algebra 1, geometry, etc). Our course titles of “quantitative literacy” reflect that students are not just learning math procedures, more important than that, they are learning how to “speak math.”

Quantitative Literacy 1
This course is for students ready for high school Algebra 1. Drawing from two texts - Discovering Algebra and Discovering Geometry: An Investigative Approach - we incorporate real world applications such as investigating energy expenditure, decomposition of materials, making FGCS greener, etc. Fundamentals of geometry, data analysis, probability, and statistics are interwoven throughout the course. The following concepts are covered: using variables, linear equations, inequalities, systems of equations, exponential functions, quadratic equations, mean/median/mode, geometric notation, properties of parallel lines, areas of two dimensional figures, box plots/ histograms/stem-leaf plots are covered. Students are expected to complete projects, participate in group work, conduct outside research, and utilize technology.
Quantitative Literacy 2
This course is for students who have successfully completed Algebra I. Using Discovering Geometry and Discovering Advanced Algebra: An Investigative Approach as templates to incorporate real world applications such as developing a wellness program for FGCS and managing personal finances. Advanced concepts of geometry, data analysis, probability, and statistics are interwoven throughout the course. The following topics are covered: Systems of equations with three or more variables, higher degree polynomials, exponential functions, quadratic equations, matrices, surface area and volume of three dimensional shapes, Pythagorean theorem, trig and inverse trig, advanced statistics, combinations/permutations, chi square tests, and normal distribution curve. Students are expected to complete projects, participate in group work, to conduct outside research, and utilize technology.

 

Science

Science courses at FGCS focus on helping students understand the complexities of the natural world, with an emphasis on issues of sustainability and the local community.

Current Issues in Biology
In this course students explore the traditional body of scientific knowledge, method and theory with an emphasis on how this knowledge can help us comprehend and address contemporary and historical environmental and social problems. With a focus on application of basic scientific knowledge, we look at the science behind current issues. We explore why eating fermented and cultured foods has been historically important and is coming back into vogue while studying photosynthesis and cellular respiration. We examine issues concerning genetic engineering while studying genetics and the structure of DNA. When learning about biodiversity, we investigate traditional ecology in addition to learning about urban and farm ecology and how all of this affects us as humans. Topics covered: scientific method, biochemistry, characteristics of life, cell structure, function & specialization, DNA replication & protein synthesis, genetics & inheritance, evolution, photosynthesis & cellular respiration, ecology & biodiversity.

 

Health and Physical Education

Health

This year-long course is designed to provide students with an understanding of health issues in order to equip them with tools and skills to live healthier lives and help others do the same. Components of good health covered include the prevention of illness, disease and injury; social and emotional health; environmental and community health; nutrition; physical exercise; sexual health and lifestyle. Special emphasis is given to lifestyle issues of diet, physical activity, sleep, emotional development, and the consequences of drug and alcohol use.

Physical Education

In this half-year course, students explore sports and other physical activities. The focus is on incorporating physical activity into daily life. 

Scientific Investigation

This course emphasizes investigation and inquiry as avenues to become familiar with science as an idea and as an approach to understanding the universe. Students are presented with multiple problems and opportunities to use data collection and analysis to confirm or negate hypotheses. As the course progresses students are encouraged to imagine and investigate their own questions, which is the heart of the scientific method. Topics addressed include biodiversity, evolution, climate and weather, plate tectonics and chemistry as the basis of all life. Science as a social endeavor performed by creative, powerful and fallible humans of both genders and all nationalities are stressed. This is a laboratory course with significant field work conducted in our local community.

 

Art

Fundamentals of Art
In this foundation course in students study, practice and present the core skills, knowledge and modes of expression related to the visual arts. They expand their knowledge of two-dimensional and three-dimensional work derived from drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, fibers, mixed-media and so on. This work is in the form of (but not limited to): project preparation, research, sketching, observation, reflection, and of course creating art. Students explore the use of ancient art-making processes infused with 21st century technology to achieve a greater understanding of post-modern art. Students become more aware of their relationships with their community and self as they discover that art is of central importance in the world.

 

Foreign Language

Spanish
The Spanish curriculum prepares students to continue on to Spanish II and level beyond, but more importantly to develop oral communication skills for real life situations. All four areas of communication will be address, though the focus will be on speaking and listening skills. Grammar and pronunciation will indeed be taught; however, the main objective for the course is for students to develop a comfort with the language, an ability to engage in basic communication and an understanding of the cultures that use Spanish language.

 

Self-Directed Learning & Community Action

These courses are required within our program. They are part of a sequence of courses that begins with Self- Directed Learning continues with Community Action and ends with Senior Plan.
Self-Directed Learning
In this class, 9th grade students create work that solves an actual problem in our community while increasing research, presentation and citizenship skills. Within a teacher-chosen broad theme, students choose a sub-topic for their independent projects.
Community Action
Students in 10th and 11th grades engage in the following work in this class: creating and completing project work that helps solve an actual issue in the community, successfully completing a “Shadow Day” and internship, and increasing research, presentation and citizenship skills.Working first as a whole group, students gather information about problems in our local human and animal environments. Then, small groups work together to 1. find mentors who can assist in the study of the issues, 2. learn more about possible solutions, 3. present those issues and solutions to appropriate audiences. Finally, each student locates possible sites for shadowing adults in their places of work, with the end goal of completing an internship in at least one work setting.

 

Electives

Elective courses change from year to year, but have included computer aided design, world religions, Spanish, soccer, activism through art, tai chi, and photography.
 

Courses through Pacific University

Through Pacific University’s Tualatin Academy program, advanced high school students may take two courses for free at the university.