This course introduces the principles and concepts of biology. Emphasis is on basic biological chemistry, cell structure and function, metabolism and energy transformation, genetics, evolution, classification, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate understanding of life at the molecular and cellular levels.

First semester students will become acquainted with some seminal ideas at the foundation of modern science: the nature of scientific truth, matter, and basic Newtonian physics. Second semester students will study the structure of the universe, earth science, and life sciences.

This course is an introduction to the study of the properties and changes in matter. Course emphasizes topics such as: classification of matter, chemical shorthand, structure of atoms and compounds, the mole, chemical reactions, solids, liquids, and gases. A special section on organic chemistry is included.

This class will teach students how to make safe and healthy choices. The class will consist of teaching the students about the three areas of health; Physical, Emotional/Mental, and Social. With this the students will then be able to take and apply them to their life and be able to mature into healthy adults.

You will learn through text readings, hands-on activities and assessments. Be prepared to be astounded by technology!

A program that can provide quality childcare while students and parents learn life skills. Students will have direct interaction with infants/toddlers in the daycare.

Students will be able to learn self control and self responsibility. They will be expected to come to class everyday ready to move and become physically active young adults. The class is designed so that even the most out of shape individual is able to receive a successful grade. Student will be graded upon their effort, attitude, and respect they show for their teacher and follow students.

Workforce Readiness is a class designed by the Downriver Guidance Center. It is a trimester long class that discusses the techniques that high school graduates will need to succeed in the work place. The class will contain many social building skills activities along with guest speakers and mock job interviews. It focuses on getting over fear of public speaking and gaining confidence while presenting yourself during job interviews.

Key Train

KeyTrain is a trimester long class that involves complete interactive training system for the WorkKeys basic workplace skills. It is a learning system for common skills requires by all job based on the ACT's WorkKeys employment system. Three course will be assigned to the students. These lessons will benefit the students' future career and will prepare them for a portion of the Michigan Merit Exam M.M.E.

In this class, students will also be using two other interactive online programs, Career Scope and Career Cruising. Career Scope measures their aptitute and interests through an informative online program. CareerCruising with helps them find careers that suit their interests.

Ford PAS

The modules engage students in learning how economic forces at multiple levels shape the ways in which money, goods, and services are produced, exchanged, and distributed throughout the world. Students gain familiarity with the complex interrelated systems that make up the global economy as they develop financial plans, interpret data on a country’s economic performance, negotiate a trade agreement, and create a proposal for improving a company’s social responsibility.

In The Wealth of Nations, students learn about the factors that determine a nation’s economic well-being and research the economic indicators of several countries in order to identify viable new sites for an expanding business.

To build students’ foundational academic and workplace skills (problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and communication)
To serve as the core for a particular career concentration
To encourage students to build on and apply in real-world contexts some of the knowledge and skills they learn in academic courses
To serve as the framework for an entire school (small learning community or career academy) designed to prepare students for college and careers
To introduce high school students to collaborative, project-based learning experiences (only selected modules are appropriate, and require some adaptation, for middle school use)
To provide high school students with real-world contexts for reinforcing and applying academic knowledge and skills.

EXPRESS CLASSES

Building Healthy Relationships

This class will be a fun way to explore the way you think about relationships. The goal is to help you to create the ability to build positive relationships with friends, parents, and even yourself. Together we also will examine your likes, dislikes, and past relationships with boyfriends/girlfriends make sure you are attracting the type of person you are looking for. We will do group discussions, individual journaling, reflective work, surveys, activities, role plays and case analyses to find out who you are and to help you to achieve happiness and success in all your relationships.

Leadership

My express class will consist of researching and discussing what makes a leader. We will examine leaders from all over the world and compare and contrast what separates these individuals from “normal, everyday” people. My goal is to prove to my students that they have the ability to lead; we need only to unlock this ability.

Conflict Resolutions

This class will involve students learning new and informative ways to effectively deal with problems they have with others. Within the class the students will be given new tools for communication and problem solving. The students will be shown various ways for them to deal not only with their peers, but also with other adults in ways that allow for them to grow and mature. This class will offer the students the chance to find ways that they can effectively communicate their feelings and desires all the while keeping others in mind. Lastly, this class will also help to create DHS’s peer mediation group as a new alternative for students to discuss their problems and find a way to effectively handle them.

Character Development Objectives

This research based curriculum is designed to improve the character and leadership traits among high school students. It will be used as a stand-alone course. It prepares students for success in all facets of their lives. It will have a consistent weekly format of ethical dilemmas, analysis of movie clips, current events, core readings, basic skills and writing assignments. The character traits include Attitude, Preparation, Perseverance, respect, Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Appreciation, Self-Control, Empathy, Gratitude, Tolerance, Duty, Loyalty, responsibility, Compassion, Leadership, and Character. The textbook used highlights the lives of 17 individuals who exemplify the different character traits. They are a mix of historical figures who have stood the test of time and contemporary figures that are worthy of our admiration. Be prepared to find out more about yourself and how to make your life better.

Casey Life Skills

In this class I will be using several of the Casey Life Skill domains to discuss housing and money management as well as career planning. Students will learn about the services provided by financial institutions such as saving and checking accounts and how to apply for a loan. Students will also learn how to budget and keep track of a weekly allowance.

Organizational Teaming

We will do a variety of activities that will foster the growth and understanding of what it means to be a part of a team. Each team will have positions that each person will gravitate to depending on the type of activity we are doing. After each weekly activity, we will debrief each other by evaluating what we have done and how we performed as a team and what position we held that week.

There are two main goals for this class. First and second trimesters, students will focus on grammar and writing skills. Students not only will be able to communicate better verbally, but also on paper. Third trimester, students will read a variety of literature for comprehension and, I hope, enjoyment. I try to find literature (short stories, novels, poetry, articles, etc.) that has an interest to the students.

All students are pre-tested when they enter the class starting at addition then moving on to subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and percents. The goal is to have all 8^th graders ready for pre-algebra for second trimester. Students must pass the pre-test with an 80% to move on to the next pretest. If they do not move on then they get an assignment that focuses on the skills that need help. Mastery of the above math skills is critical to being successful in pre-algebra and any high school math class.

This year we will concentrate on many different categories of science: Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth Science. Assignments include bookwork, mini labs (done in the classroom), labs (done in the science lab), projects, quizzes and tests. All students will have an opportunity to show what they have learned in many different ways. The first trimester we will study Life Science, the second trimester we will study Physical Science and the third trimester we will study Earth Science.

The first two trimesters students will focus on American History from discovery and colonization to the Civil War. For this class, the goal is to have a good understanding on how people in history lived and why decisions were made. Daily assignments, projects, quizzes and test are forms of assessment to show understanding. During the third trimester, students will focus on Economics. This is a subject that they are tested heavily in on the 9^th grade MEAP. We would like all of our students to be as prepared as possible for this important test.

The middle school express class will be centered on multiple intelligences. The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner. He proposes that there are eight different intelligences to “account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults.” I have attached a sheet that further explains the concept of multiple intelligences and an explanation of the eight intelligences. Students for this 30 minute class will identify their strong areas of intelligence, but also recognize their weaker intelligences. Students will have opportunities to excel at their strengths and explore their weaknesses through a variety of activities and projects.

	ENGLISH
	SOCIAL STUDIES
	MATHEMATICS
	SCIENCE

Course Descriptions

ACADEMIC COURSES

ELECTIVE COURSES