Course Catalog

The Chemistry of Climate Change Grade Level: 10-11  

 

This course is built around the theme of climate change and works toward answering the question, “What can we do to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere?” In order to address this question, we must first explore the nature of carbon as an element and investigate the properties of carbon that lead to its massive impact on the climate and nearly every aspect of our world. We will then extend this knowledge to include the compounds formed through chemical bonds between carbon and other elements and how energy is released during the formation and breaking of these bonds. Finally, we will apply this knowledge in the analysis and design of methods to capture carbon and remove it from the atmosphere.

 

Pharmacology Grade Level: 10-11

The relationship between drugs and humanity is complicated. People have used drugs to treat disease and relieve suffering for millennia. However, most drugs have both positive and negative effects. In this course we will examine the intended functions of drugs as well as their unintended effects. Additionally, we will learn about how new drugs are developed and discuss the ethical dilemmas associated with this research.

 

Advanced Chemistry Grade Level: 11-12

In this upper-level Chemistry course, students will be exploring the essential question: Are drugs good or bad? Given the current opioid crisis facing the country, we will be discussing the prevalence of both medicines and drugs in our society, and the positive and negative effects they have on our bodies. Students will learn about the chemical structure and synthesis of organic compounds, chemical properties of various compounds, and biochemical interactions that take place in our bodies. Students will be expected to conduct independent research, work collaboratively with peers, and use evidence to participate in discussions focused on our essential question. The goal of this course is to prepare students for college-level chemistry courses.

 

Introduction to Chemistry Grade Level: 9

Introductory Chemistry will provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts and content of chemistry and help students develop the skills that are integral to the process of science. The goal of this course is to provide a clear framework for understanding chemistry and prepare students for their Performance Based Assessment Task (PBAT) courses. I hope to encourage in students an intellectual excitement for chemistry and for science in general.

 

Introductory Physics Grade Level: 9 & 11

This semester-long course provides students an introductory course of study involving electricity, magnetism, and waves. These fundamental principles allow students to understand the workings of the macroscopic world around us. Electricity is the phenomenon associated with the presence and movement of electrical charge. All electrical devices utilize an application of this phenomenon. Magnetism is the phenomenon associated with magnetic fields and their applications. Waves are a phenomenon that exists as an oscillation of a material (for example, the water in the ocean or the air around us) that transfers energy. These fundamental phenomena are the keys to understanding many of the things that occur in the world around us, and investigating and understanding them gives us a good foundation for understanding more complex scientific topics.

 

Physics PBAT Grade Level: 11-12

This semester-long course provides students a deep course of study involving the physics of Earth’s climate system. Climate change is an ongoing phenomenon that has serious consequences for the planet and its inhabitants. You will examine this phenomenon using the physical principles involved with energy conservation. This course will culminate in a PBAT that will integrate the knowledge and skills you learned over the course of the semester. The PBAT requires students to research, design, and execute an experiment that tests the relationships explained by our climate system and the conservation of energy, while relating them to real-world phenomena.

 

AP Environmental Science Grade Level:12

The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.

 

Intro Biology Grade Level: 10

Introductory Biology will provide students with a solid foundation in the fundamental concepts and content of modern biology and help students develop the skills that are integral to the process of science. This course provides a clear framework for understanding biology and prepares students for their Performance Based Assessment Task (PBAT) courses. I hope to encourage in students an intellectual excitement for biology and for science in general.

Big History Grade Level: 9

Big History weaves evidence and insights from many scientific and historical disciplines across 13.7 billion years into a single, cohesive origin story. It explores how we are connected to everything around us, and where we may be heading. Big history provides a foundation for thinking about the future and the changes that are reshaping our world. The course challenges students to think critically and broadly and tries to ignite a passion for inquiry.

 

Great Debates Grade Level: 12

This course will teach students about the overall framework of American government and how our democracy works (or doesn’t work). Students will debate on pressing Constitutional issues and be able to argue both sides of an issue using logic and good evidence.

 

What Does It Mean To Be American? Grade Level: 11-12

U.S. History focuses on what it means to be an American and what events led us to where we are as a country today. We will specifically look at Native American life before Europeans came, colonial life under British rule, the founding values, people and documents of our society, how and why different groups of people came here, and what led to major divisions that still exist in our country today. The United States is on of the greatest countries in the world with a very complicated past that I look forward to exploring with you!

 

U.S. History(AP) Grade Level: 11-12

Advanced Placement United States History is a rigorous and intensive course that is meant to be the equivalent of an introductory freshman college course in American History. The scope of the course begins with the emergence of Colonial America (1400s), and continues to the present. Because the scope of the course is so wide it is worth 3 college credits (the equivalent of potentially thousand(s) of dollars!) if you get at least a 3 on the AP US History test at the end of the year (graded out of 5). If you take this course be ready to work hard, share your ideas, and learn a lot!

 

Give Us the Ballot Grade Level: 11

This course looks at the history of voting rights in the United States, from the early republic to the present day. We will examine how the right to participate in voting for our representatives has expanded to include more groups over time, as well as the ways in which our democracy continues to fall short of full inclusion. We will focus on specific turning points including the post-Civil War Reconstruction, the movement for women's suffrage, the Civil Rights Movement including the passage of the Voting Rights Act, and today. The course will culminate with an individual research project in which students can explore the pieces of this complex history that most interest them, while building skills in evidence selection, analysis, and historical argumentation.

 

The Great War 1914-1917
Grade Level: 10 Materials Needed: Separate section in a loose-leaf binder, folder, pens

 

American Government
Grade Level: 12 Materials Needed: Separate section in a loose-leaf binder, folder, pens

Proofs Grade Level: 11-12

This course aims to improve your critical thinking and reasoning skills and to develop the ability to communicate and understand the reasons why math works. Mathematical proofs derive from observing patterns, making and testing conjectures, and developing logical arguments that prove or disprove them. Some methods of proofs discussed in this course are: direct proofs, proofs by contradiction, counterexample, and induction. These are introduced through numerous examples ranging from number theory to Euclidean geometric proofs. Students will learn how to construct and write different types of proofs. Samples of such proofs will be included in a final electronic portfolio.

 

Algebra 2/Trig Grade Level: 11-12

The Algebra 2/Trigonometry course expands on mathematical concepts encountered in Algebra 1 and Geometry. It provides a solid foundation for students interested in continuing their mathematics studies after high school. By analyzing and modeling real-life scenarios we will explore different functions, their graphs, and their algebraic solutions (linear, quadratic, exponential and trigonometric), as well as how sequences and series relate to functions. These activities will foster your problem-solving skills, practice how to clearly communicate mathematical thinking, and provide supporting arguments for your statements - skills required for writing a math PBAT. Technology will be used to support your work.

 

Precalculus Grade Level: 11-12

Precalculus is a course that extends students' mathematical thinking beyond what they have previously explored. Students will use the skills they learned in algebra, geometry, and algebra 2 to discover new mathematical concepts. They will create mathematical hypotheses, test whether these hypotheses are always true, and write conclusions based on their tests. Topics covered will include modular mathematics, matrices, limits, and probability. The course is intended to prepare students for further study in mathematics, including Calculus, Statistics, and Number Theory.

 

Algebra 2 Grade Level: 11

Algebra 2/ Trigonometry is a continuation and extension of Algebra and Geometry. While developing the algebraic techniques that will be required of those students that continue their study of mathematics, this course is also intended to continue developing alternative solution strategies. Students will work closely with the expressions that define the functions and continue to expand and hone their abilities to model situations and to solve equations, including solving quadratic equations over the set of complex numbers and solving exponential equations using the properties of logarithms. Technology and Social Justice will be used to introduce and expand upon the areas of study listed above.

 

Math for Social Justice Grade Level: 11-12

This PBAT course focuses on data analytics and visualization. Data Analytics is the science of analyzing data to convert information to useful knowledge. Visualizations are graphical depictions of data that can improve comprehension, communication, and decision-making. In this course, students will learn visual representation methods and techniques that increase the understanding of complex data and models. Emphasis is placed on the identification of patterns, trends and differences from data sets across categories, space, and time. Students will deepen their understanding of social and economic issues on local and global scales, understand their own power as active citizens in building a democratic society and become equipped to play a more active role in this society. Throughout the course, students will participate in actual (not just theoretical) community problem-solving projects.

 

AP Computer Science Grade Level: 11-12
The AP Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory college computing course. The CS Principles course is called Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC), based on a successful undergraduate course at the University of California, Berkeley. The course is organized around the investigation of seven big ideas -Creativity, Abstraction, Data and Information, Programming, the Internet, and Global Impact. These fundamental principles are essential to thriving in future college courses and a variety of computing and STEM careers. More than half of the course involves computer programming practice, including techniques traditionally considered difficult, like recursion and higher order function. Students will create apps and other programs using the Snap! programming language. The other part of the curriculum emphasizes the connection of computer technology with society. Students research and write about the social implications of computing and the impacts to their community, society, and the world.

 

Algebra 1 Grade Level: 9
Algebra 1: An introductory course to key concepts and theories that provide a foundation for further study in mathematics (Geometry, Algebra II, and beyond). Students will engage in learning tasks aimed to increase math literacy, develop problem solving strategies, and push students to reason abstractly and quantitatively. Students will expand their knowledge of solving equations and be introduced to specialized functions, such as piecewise, absolute value, and step functions.

 

Geometry Grade Level: 10
This year long course is intended to foster and develop students’ problem-solving skills using inductive and deductive reasoning while exploring the properties and relationships of two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometric objects. We will explore the concepts of congruence, similarity, and symmetry from the perspective of geometric transformation and algebraic calculation. Students will then apply these ideas in modeling and design problems such as architectural design, urban planning, determining the most profitable packaging in terms of volume and production costs, etc. Throughout the semester, students will complete several projects. They are required to produce written and visual representations demonstrating their understanding of geometric concepts, and problem solving skills. These writings about math are meant to foster the necessary skills needed for the completion of the Math PBAT.

Monsters in Literature Grade Level: 10

Through the close reading of myths, poetry, short stories, novels and drama, the class will investigate the development of monsters and decide if there is a purpose for monsters in society. Overall, the idea of humanity, ie., what does it mean to be human? will be researched. The investigation will include a study of societal and individual behaviors leading to an understanding of the use of monster as a label to describe people, phenomena, societal attitudes, behaviors, and why the idea of the monster has survived in modern society. Ultimately the class will be a search for an answer to the question – Does society need monsters? Why?

 

Prep Film
Grade Level: Materials Needed:

 

French 1 Grade Level: 11, 12

 

An introduction to French and Francophone language and culture. Students will be able to read, write, and speak French at the basic level. They will also gain an introduction to the diverse cultures of the Francophone world.

 

French 1 Grade Level: 11, 12
This course offers an introduction to French language and the French and Francophone world. It will examine French pronunciation, grammar, and culture through enhancing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Communication, cultural awareness, and current events related to the French and Francophone world (parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean) will be explored and emphasized by employing group/pair activities, discussion and debate, audio-visual aids, media, film, global guest speakers, and field trips.

 

Arabic 1 Grade Level: 11, 12

 

An introduction to the Arabic language and culture. Students will learn the Arabic alphabet, basic Arabic conversations, and writing simple sentences. Students will also learn the diverse cultures of the Arab world.

 

Arabic 1Grade Level: 11, 12 

 

This course offers an introduction to the Arabic language and the Arab world. Time will be spent on learning the Arabic alphabet and the structure of the Arabic written language. This course will also focus on pronunciation and studying new Arabic sounds while enhancing listening, reading, and writing skills. Communication, cultural awareness, and current events related to the Arab world and the Arab people will be explored and emphasized by employing group/pair activities, discussion and debate, audio-visual aids, media, film, global guest speakers, and field trips.

 

Visual Art Grade Level: 9-12
Students are introduced to the elements and principles of design while exploring ways of constructing and deconstructing the traditional rules of art. Students also learn how to critique traditional and contemporary art and look at what artists are doing today in connection to social justice and activism. We work with a variety of art materials. A sketchbook is given to each student to help them document their learning process, and multiple opportunities are given for students to investigate their own creative interests and create work that demonstrates growth.

 

Art Happenings Grade Level: 9-12
Art Happenings will help students be creative. Students do not need to know how to paint or draw. They will make Art using different materials such as paints and clay. They will use Art History to learn about different artists and for reference and inspiration towards their work. We will visit near by galleries and museums to learn, discuss, and understand vocabulary around Art. Art Happenings will also be used to explore our school’s Core Values and to make positive changes in our school through the arts.

 

 

Music Literacy
Grade Level: 9-12 Materials Needed:
Music theory and personal instrument instruction

 

Advanced Music
Grade Level: 10-12 Materials Needed:
Intensive music study for advancing music students

Physical Education Grade Level: 9-12
Class is designed to introduce students to Physical Education. Students will learn NY State and National Standards to promote more desirable life choices and gain a better understanding of maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Students will further participate in a myriad of activities that will help them understand the rules and skills of certain sports and other activities for lifelong fitness.Students will also be exploring community resources available to them to achieve lifelong fitness such as recreational centers, The High Line, New York City Parks and Chelsea Piers. Students will receive a membership card to the NYC recreational center program and taken to multiple NYC parks to promote maintaining an active lifestyle.

 

Yoga & Mindfulness Grade Level: 9-12
Our yoga program aims to help adolescents learn tools to develop a calm, centered mind and a healthy body. In partnership with The Lineage Project, our yoga class teaches various asanas designed to build strength, flexibility and overall health. Students also learn meditative techniques to reduce stress, increase concentration, and manage difficult emotions.