Post on 04-Jan-2016
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SRVHS Parent Information Evening March 2, 2004
Advanced
Honors
Advanced Placement
Introduction
Welcome What are advanced courses? Why take advanced courses? School-wide expectations Student and Parent expectations The College Board UC and CSU Course expectations Panel Discussion
Parent Academic NightsDates to Remember
March 23: incoming 12th grade March 24: incoming 10th grade March 25: incoming 11th grade March 31: incoming 9th grade
Placement Tests Dates
Math: done in class Sign-ups in the Counseling Office for the following courses: Social Studies
A.P. U.S. History, March 11 AP Euro March 15 after school in room B2
English (3:30 PM-> E-Wing) March 10th: current SRVHS students March 17th: incoming 9th graders
All other courses please check in course newspaper for pre-requisites All waivers are due in the counseling office by Monday April 5th by 3:30 PM
What is Accelerated, Advanced, Honors or AP?
Advanced/AP classes differ from the regular college preparatory classes in their: Pace (i.e., faster, more intense) Depth and complexity of assignments Higher standards of evaluation Emphasis on product rather than process
What is Accelerated, Advanced, Honors or AP?
Advanced or Accelerated (9th & 10th) Lower division courses that cover
more curriculum and moves at a faster pace than College Prep courses.
These courses do not receive additional weighed points in student GPA.
What is Accelerated, Advanced, Honors or AP?
Accelerated and Advanced Course offered at SRVHS:
Advanced English 9 & 10 Accelerated Biology Advanced Algebra 2
What is Accelerated, Advanced, Honors or AP?
Honors Courses UC certified courses contain specialized and
extended content, and additional workload intended to encourage students to take demanding coursework in high school.
Weighted grades Limited number of UC certified courses
permitted in 10th grade (4 semesters)
What is Accelerated, Advanced, Honors or AP?
Honors courses offered at SRVHS: Honors Chemistry Honors Physics Honors Microbiology Honors Trig/ Math Analysis Honors French 4 Honors Spanish 4 Honors German 4
What is Accelerated, Advanced, Honors or AP?
Advanced Placement College Level Access with Multiple Measures (prerequisites, tests,
prior course grades, teacher recommendations) AP Exams in May
Fees ($90 each for the 2003 exams) Score range (3-5 passing and may receive
college credit) Universities will publish whether they accept
exams for credit. This fall check on-line at www.collegeboard.com
What is Accelerated, Advanced, Honors or AP?
AP courses offered at SRVHS:
AP Biology, Chemistry, Physics B
AP Econ, American Government
AP Environmental Science
AP English Language, English Literature
AP Statistics AP Spanish, French
AP Studio Art AP Calculus AB
AP European History, US History
AP Psychology
Why take advanced courses?
Challenging curriculum for the accelerated student Prepares student for university work; the more
challenging the student's high school program, the better prepared he or she will be for university work.
Makes student competitive in college selection process
College Board research indicates it is not the high school course grades or cumulative GPA that determines success at the college level. It is the rigor of courses taken in high school that is the best predictor of success.
School-wide Expectations
Highly motivated students Highly qualified students (very
proficient readers, reading well above grade level and critical thinkers)
Independent learners Computer Savvy a big plus! Take AP Exams
Student and Parents
Student placement appropriate Students encouraged to stretch
academically and artistically Students have a fundamental interest in
learning that subject not just for the grade or college applications
Parents and students should avoid over-scheduling (maximum number of courses per semester matched to student’s interest, motivation, and adequate time).
The College Boardhttp://www.collegeboard.com/ap/students/index.html
Internationally valid testing Some universities do give credit, some do not, check on-line The Value of AP — there's more to AP than trying to get a
"passing" grade on the exam; you'll work hard in an AP course, but you'll get back a lot in return.
Sophomore Standing — a list of colleges that will let you start college as a sophomore, if you meet their AP requirements.
Scholar Awards — the criteria used to grant awards in eight different categories.
International Diploma — for students who are considering applying to a college outside of the U.S. and Canada.
UC/CSU & Honors & AP courses
Honors and AP courses are weighted at the UC and CSU if taken in 10, 11,12 grade.
The university assigns extra points for up to four units of university certified honors level and advanced placement courses.
A maximum of two of the four units may be taken in grade 10.
Grades of D are not assigned extra honors points
English Courses
Advanced English 9 Advanced English 10 AP English Language
(11) AP English Literature
(12)
English Course Expectations
Necessary Skills: In addition to fluency in English, enjoying reading, and having strong work ethic, advanced/AP English students demonstrate: Superior reading comprehension and writing skills Self-discipline and self-motivation Work that is detailed, precise, and thorough Academic commitment as well as a commitment to the
class Comfort with ambiguity Adroit shifting between the literal and the abstract Synthesis of textual information Aptitude for the analysis of literature
English Course Expectations
Homework/time commitment:
Varies from instructor-to-instructor and throughout the year.
Mathematics Courses
Advanced Algebra 2 Honors Trig/Math Analysis AP Calculus AB AP Statistics
Advanced Algebra 2
Class Content A rigorous college prep class
that includes all of the Algebra 2 concepts
Statistics and Probability Trigonometry
Course Requirements Daily Homework Tests Semester Exams Perseverance
Honors Trig/Math Analysis
Course Content A rigorous college prep class that includes college algebra
and trigonometry Requirements
Daily homework Tests Semester Finals
We use a graphing calculator for demonstration
purposes. A TI 83 or 83plus is recommended.
AP Calculus
Most important is the desire to succeed and a willingness to work consistently throughout the year
We cover a little more than the typical college first semester of Calculus but take three quarters to do it
We then review for a month and have our final before the AP test in May
The major topics are Differential and Integral Calculus of one variable
Homework daily: 0.5-1 hour/day
AP Calculus: What do we do after the AP test in May?
A project And on Wednesdays we play cricket!
Advanced Placement StatisticsStudent Qualities and Requirements
Self-motivation Responsible Analysis and Logical
Reasoning Ability to integrate
new concepts and processes, building on previous knowledge
AP Statistics Course Information
A graphing calculator is required (TI-83 Plus or TI-83 Silver Edition is recommended).
Homework: approx. 30-45 minutes/day
A project is required in the second semester including research, a written report, and an oral presentation
Foreign Language
Honors Spanish 4 Honors French 4 Honors German 4 AP Spanish 5 AP French 5
Honors Spanish 4
Requirements: Strong interest in speaking Spanish, a C or better in Spanish 3, strong command of basic grammatical structures and beginning understanding of complex structures, ability to skim reading selections for the gist of the meaning without translating, and recommendation of Spanish 3 teacher.
Homework is about 20-30 minutes per evening
Honors French 4
Willing to speak only French in the classroom
Able to communicate ideas in writing
2nd semester French Literature
Homework: 4 times/week grammar/vocabulary; questions about reading assignments
Summer Assignment, read French magazines, watch French movies…
AP Spanish 5
Requirements: Must be able to communicate in Spanish comfortably, must have complete command of basic grammatical structures and reasonable command of complex structures, must have an understanding of the uses of the subjunctive, must be able to read for understanding in Spanish, must have at least a C in Spanish 4 but a B is recommended, and must have the recommendation of the Spanish 4 teacher.
Homework is about 20-30 minutes per evening
AP French 5
Class conducted entirely in French High level of fluency in spontaneous
speaking Knowledge of advanced vocabulary Ability to read sophisticated material Ability to write sophisticated essays Homework: weekly or bimonthly
essays and tape recordings
Art
Advanced Photography AP Studio Art
Advanced Photography
Pre-requisites: 2 semesters of photography
Portfolio preparation for AP art and/or college application with portfolio
AP Studio Art
Advanced Placement Studio: Students, for the most part, work independently
throughout the school year (although there are several assigned projects and written assignments) to complete a portfolio for submission to the AP College Review Board.
Students are graded individually by teacher critique throughout the year and must complete the AP Studio Portfolio Test to earn AP credit (Art 3 credit is earned for students not completing the portfolio).
There are two portfolios available for completion in AP Studio (Drawing and 2D); a minimum of 18 works is required for each portfolio.
Science
Accelerated Biology Honors Chemistry Honors Physics AP Physics B AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science
Accelerated Biology
Year long science fair project Higher level textbook than regular biology Independent learners, need organization skills,
enjoy torturing the instructor (just checking if you’re actually reading this…)
Higher than grade level readers Computer savvy (Email, Excel graphing, etc.) Small summer assignment Homework approx. 2-3 hours/week (if students
plan ahead and follow calendar)
Honors Physics
Critical thinking, problem solving, ability to apply former knowledge to new situations, perseverance
Study of everyday physical environment, including motion, light, optics, heat, sound, nuclear physics and more
Homework: 5 hours/week
AP Physics B
Pre-requisites: B or better in Trig/ Math Analysis; recommended that students concurrently enrolled in AP Calculus AB
intended for students with an interest in engineering, science or the medical field
includes topics in both classical and modern physics
The five general areas covered include Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics and thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physics are required by the College Board
Homework appx. 5 hours per week
AP Biology
Freshman College Biology; meets UC/CSU “d” requirement for lab science.
Uses Campbell 6th Edition Biology (widely used textbook)
Summer Assignment (Ecology Unit- 6 chapters; due first day of school)
12 Required Laboratory Activities by College Board
Homework: 5 hours/ week including extensive reading, 10 formal lab write-ups; post-AP Exam project.
AP Environmental ScienceCourse Description
Equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science
Interdisciplinary course embracing topics from chemistry, biology, earth science, population dynamics, environmental quality, resource policy and management, and the environment and society
Designed to satisfy University of California and California State University lab science requirements
An E2 Academy Class
APES Projects: Integrated pest management
and native species demonstration garden
Water quality monitoring in San Ramon Creek
Solar-powered cooking contest Man-powered vehicle
development and racing. School-wide energy audit with
proposed modifications/ conservation measures.
Atmospheric monitoring Elementary/middle school
docent program Onsite recycling program
Honors Chemistry
Designed for high-achieving, science-oriented students
Extensive quantitative component Students should be highly skilled in
algebra and have passed geometry. Most Honors Chemistry students are
concurrently enrolled in algebra 2. Essential concepts (i.e. matter, atoms,
molecules, etc.) Five topic areas/chapters per quarter No summer assignment or chemistry
knowledge prerequisites. Homework requirement – 4 to 5 hours
per week.
AP Chemistry Breadth and depth of curriculum requires a
high level of discipline and commitment from the student.
Chemistry knowledge prerequisite Students should have passed Honors
Chemistry with a “B” or better. A working Knowledge of the basics of chemistry is
expected at the beginning of the course. No summer assignment- however, in order
to cover all of the material demanded by the AP exam, mandatory work, such as, reading and problem assignments, may be required over school breaks and vacations.
Homework requirement – approx. 6 hours per week.
Social Studies
AP European History AP U.S. History AP Psychology AP Economics AP American
Government
AP European History
Students need accelerated reading, comprehension, note taking and writing skills
In-depth look at European History
Summer Assignment: short book and essay
Homework; extensive reading 4-7 hours per week
AP U.S. History
Study of American History from the colonial era to the present
Strong reading, comprehension, and writing skills
Homework: 3-4 hours per week
No summer assignment
AP Psychology
Comprehensive study of general psychology including research and clinical psychology
Strong reading comprehension and critical thinking skills
Homework: 30-45 minutes per night
No summer assignment
AP American Government
Commitment to excellence Analytical skills, essay writing,
critical thinking skills, factual recall ability
Lecture based course Exams, quizzes, essays,
presentations, research project
Homework, approximately 6 hours/week
AP Economics
The necessary skills are mathematical reasoning and logical thinking.
Homework is ½ hour every night with one test a week.
There is no summer assignment.
Placement Agreements
Parent and student signature required Have up to 6 weeks to drop the course without a
grade appearing on the transcript (after 7 weeks; WF)
No guarantee that a substitute course is available; may be placed in study hall.
AP classes build on skills students should have acquired already. The advanced classes do not provide remediation for under-prepared students.
Master schedule will be very tight next year due to budget constraints, PLEASE SELECT COURSES CAREFULLY AND THOUGHTFULLY
Contact Information
Counseling Office: 552-3021 or 552-3016
Craig Ritts (A-Dr) 552-3025 Nancy Conti (Du-Lam) 552- 3027 Candice Brown (Lan-Rei) 552-3045 Vivian Srouji (Rej-Z) 552-3033
Panel Discussion
Students: Ray Ochoa, Peter Enzminger, Carol Dowty, Haley Kenyon, Arthur and David Chen
Teachers: Robin Groch, Marge Yeargan, Jeanne Mullowney, John Walker, Leslie Dumas
Counselor: Vivian Srouji