Elective Courses
Teacher Courses
Bolling, Meghan Art 2, Art 3/4/5
Bradley, Kayla Floriculture, Greenhouse Management, Intro to Horticulture, Landscaping
Duong, Trung Graphic Design, Materials & Processes Tech, Production Systems Tech
Emanuel, Megan Advanced Acting, Public Speaking, Theater 1/2
Ferguson, Kaydan Art 1, Tech Theater 1/2
Foster, Katelyn Journalism, Photography, Yearbook
Meeks, Jon Edgenuity, Virtual Virginia
Onuffer, Dylan Fitness Instructor
Piatt, Breanne Athletic Training
Revely, Bernet Architectural Drawing, Basic Tech Drawing, Engineering Drawing
Ruiz, Mario Concert Band, Music Appreciation, Symphonic Band
Shuler, Don Ceramics
Spahr, Cheri Department Chair, Accounting, Computer Applications, Computer Science
Principles, Keyboarding
Wescoat, Rebecca Chorus 1/2, Vocal Ensemble
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Course Offerings
Art
Art I
Art I is an introductory art course designed to foster understanding, enjoyment, and use of art in everyday living. Emphasis is placed on the elements of art and the principles of design using various art techniques and materials to create two-dimensional and three- dimensional art works. Students will engage in drawing, painting, crafts, sculpture, and/or graphic arts to express ideas and create images. They will prepare and display their artwork as part of the artistic process.
Art II
Art II is an intermediate art course for students who desire to continue to develop their artistic abilities. Instruction is designed to improve their skills, creativity, vocabulary, imagination, and artistic growth. Focus on is art history and the use of that knowledge of artists, styles, movements, and cultures as inspiration to create art works. Students will begin to use technology and electronic media as artistic tools. They will prepare and display their artwork as part of the artistic process.
Art III
Art III continues to emphasize the development of abilities and skills in creating works of art using an expanded range of art media and processes. Advanced study and instruction in drawing and painting styles, theories, and techniques are emphasized. Career opportunities in the field of art through specific job related projects in the areas of advertising, fashion design, and illustration are explored. Students use technology to create and manipulate images. Selected works of art are added to a portfolio of their best products that can be used for exhibition and career opportunities.
Art IV
Art IV affords students the opportunity to develop a personal direction in the production of their art work with a possible concentration in an area of interest. The course is designed to enable students to develop skill, confidence, and commitment and to demonstrate an advanced level of performance. The culmination is a display of work students have produced throughout their high school art program.
Athletic Training
Athletic Training 1
Athletic Training 1 is designed to introduce students to the profession of athletic training. It will also introduce other health care professions so students understand the similarities, differences, and relationship of Athletic Training to other health care professions. This will give students a chance to reflect on their future educational/career goals. This class moves at a fast pace, covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. Some of the skills included in this course are First/Aid & CPR, taping, wrapping, and modality application.
Athletic Training II
Athletic Training 2 is designed to be a continuation of the knowledge students learned in Athletic Training I. It will delve further into the Anatomy and Physiology of the human body, elaborate on the athletic injuries discussed in the prerequisite course, introduce new injuries, learn rehabilitation and modality techniques, and give students the opportunity to do observation hours under a certified athletic trainer. This class moves at a fast pace, covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology
Business
Accounting
Students in grades 10-12 enrolled in this course are offered a starting point for building a career by learning basic skills and developing values and attitudes useful in gaining entry into the field of accounting. Students study basic principles, concepts and practices of the accounting cycle. They also learn about bookkeeping terms such as assets, capital, income, expenses, and liabilities and about merchandising business, check writing, and handling payroll. Students learn fundamental accounting procedure using both a manual and an electronic system.
Advanced Accounting
High school juniors and seniors will continue to study the basic principles, concepts, and practices of the accounting cycle. In addition, students will work in this class to develop competencies in the following five duty areas: using automation to implement accounting procedures; implementing accounting procedures for assets, liabilities, and equity; implementing special systems; and understanding business ethics, thereby enhancing career exploration and employability skills. Students will use accounting and spreadsheet software to analyze and interpret business applications.
Computer Applications
This course is designed for secondary students to develop and enhance touch skills for entering alphabetic, numeric, and symbol information on a keyboard. Students will develop the correct keyboarding techniques and gain a basic knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphic applications. Students will demonstrate an understanding of computer concepts through applications of knowledge.
Computer Information Systems
In this course, students in grades 10-12 apply problem-solving skills to real-life situations through word-processing, spreadsheet, database software, and through integrated activities. They work individually and in groups to explore computer concepts, operating systems, and emerging technologies. Instruction includes the use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Excel, and PowerPoint presentations. Students enrolled in this course will take a career and technical assessment defined by the Virginia Department of Education.
Design, Multimedia, and Web Technologies
Course is designed for secondary students to provide them with an array of multimedia and web site design components. Students will design individual pages using an HTML editor and graphical user interfaces. Students will also help in the design and maintenance of the school’s web site. In addition, students will work in a team environment to compose page layout and design. Students enrolled in this course will take a career and technical assessment defined by the Virginia Department of Education.
Advanced Design, Multimedia, and Web Technologies
Students develop advanced skills in creating interactive media, web sites, and publications for print and electronic distribution. Students work with sophisticated hardware and software, applying skills learned to real-world projects. Completion of this course may prepare students for industry certifications.
Construction
Production Systems Technology
Students assess the relationship between production and society as they compose design portfolios, construct production prototypes, incorporate computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM), and apply automation to evaluate solutions to technological problems.
Materials and Processes Technology
Students focus on physical materials and processes as they fabricate usable products and conduct experiments. Learning experiences include career analysis as well as the use of tools and equipment related to analysis, testing, and processing of metals, plastics, woods, ceramics, and composite materials. This single-period lab course is recommended for students interested in technical careers and others wishing to improve their technological literacy.
Construction Technology
Students build structures and engage in problem-based learning that exposes them to commercial, industrial, residential, public works and institutional technologies to help them understand the jobs of construction careers. They learn proper safety procedures for tools and machinery, vocabulary and terms associated with construction, blueprint reading and symbols associated with architecture, and math concepts and principles used in construction.
Chorus
Chorus I
Chorus I is designed to develop the student’s vocal abilities. Areas covered in music include developing the voice, understanding musical terms, training the ear for listening, singing in harmony with the group, and learning basic choreography for specific selections. Chorus is a performance oriented group of mixed voices organized to give singers training in a variety of vocal forms and styles. Singers will perform an assigned vocal part in unison and in simple harmony. The overall goal is to enable students to be able to read their part in choral music and to be able to perform music in an appropriate style.
Chorus II
This course forms an intermediate level chorus ensemble for men and women with good singing skills. Students will continue to develop and improve their singing techniques (breath control, posture, diction, tone production), as well as their sight-reading skills. Preparation of music for performance (of moderate difficulty, and mostly in three and four part settings) is a major course objective. Participation in concerts and various programs and extra rehearsals (as needed) are required. There are special dress requirements for concert appearances.
Women’s Chorale
Any female in grades 9-12 who has prior musical experience or who is invited to participate may audition for this class. Students in the class rehearse daily to prepare to perform a demanding level of music. Written work includes a story of music theory and history. Students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in district, regional, and state events.
Elementary Teacher Assistant
Course Description
The Elementary Teacher Assistant Program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to explore career possibilities in elementary education or a child-related field. Students enrolled in the program will learn about elementary education through observation and involvement as they report daily to an elementary class to work with students and their teacher. Students who are selected as elementary assistants should enjoy working with young children and should regard their experience as a possible stepping stone to a future career. Elementary assistants are expected to have average to above average academic records and to possess strong communication skills. They must maintain exemplary attendance and are expected to be mature and dependable in their helping role with teacher and students. Students walk to Tomahawk Elementary every day for this program.
Horticulture
Introduction to Horticulture
This course prepares students for postsecondary educational career programs and entry-level positions in the horticulture industry. Instruction includes safety in the horticulture industry, the science of horticulture and nursery plant production, greenhouse operation and management, landscape design, and turf management. Through hands-on activities, students will identify and manage plant-growing substrates and propagate and grow horticultural plants in the greenhouse and land laboratory.
Landscaping
Landscaping offers skilled workers satisfying career opportunities in varying working environments. The expanding and ever-evolving green industry requires skilled workers for high-demand occupations offering educational and leadership opportunities. This course focuses on preparing students for entry-level employment, postsecondary opportunities, and advancement in the landscape design, construction, and maintenance industries.
Greenhouse Plant Production and Management
This course prepares students for postsecondary educational career programs and entry-level positions in the greenhouse plant production and management industry. Instruction includes industry safety in greenhouse plant production, development of plant production facilities, greenhouse management and operations, plant identification, the science of plant production, business management, and marketing skills.
Floriculture
This course prepares students for postsecondary educational career programs and entry-level positions in the floriculture, horticulture, and floral design industries. Instruction includes industry safety in floriculture, the science of floriculture and nursery plant production, plant material identification, floral design basics, marketing, and business management.
Journalism & Photography
Journalism I
This course will provide first-year students with the opportunity to develop skills for both creative and journalistic writing. Students will learn about the history of journalism and will be introduced to basic journalistic techniques. They will have the opportunity to write for the school newspaper, the Beeline.
Journalism II/The Beeline
Students continue to learn and practice journalistic skills as they work to write, edit, lay out, and improve the school newspaper, the Beeline. For layouts, students will learn how to use InDesign software. Students in the class who serve as editors for the paper will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and will learn a sense of responsibility and ownership of the paper. When not working on hands-on assignments, students will learn additional information about important journalists and newspapers, pertinent lawsuits, and first amendment issues. The course will help to prepare interested students for college-level journalism classes.
Photography
This course introduces students to the principles of digital photography focusing on both technical and artistic elements of shooting and composition. In addition this class serves as the photography "agency" for the publications program allowing endless opportunities for students to have their work published in the yearbook, newspaper, literary-art magazine and online.
Students will learn to evaluate, critique and curate their work culminating in a second semester portfolio project with the option to have it professionally printed and bound.
Yearbook
This class is designed for students interested in all aspects of yearbook production. In their work on the yearbook, students will gain insight into the creative, mechanical, managerial, and business functions related to the production of the school yearbook, The Buzzer. Through producing the yearbook, students will learn to cooperate as members of a highly organized team. They will gain experience in journalistic writing and will observe, understand, and apply technical skills inherent in photojournalism. Students will be involved in reading, proofreading, interviewing, examining records, scouting sports, and social events, promoting sales, selling advertising, completing photography assignments, meeting deadlines, and attending workshops.
Leadership/Mentor
Course Description
This course is designed to promote leadership skills and to provide a time for students to engage in school service projects. The major objectives are for students to develop communication skills, improve their organizational skills, develop team-building strategies, and promote responsibility and sportsmanship in all school activities. The course is primarily hands-on but also includes supplementary readings, guest speakers, projects, and role-playing. To better meet students’ needs, students are provided the opportunity to select many of the class goals and projects as the year progresses. Most of the content used in the class is obtained from materials developed for the Virginia High School League Leadership conferences and from the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. Students are graded on a pass/fail basis. Participation is class discussion is extremely important, and points are assigned for various projects done weekly as well as monthly. Participation in the class provides students with an opportunity to be creative, serve their school and community, and grow as leaders.
Teachers for Tomorrow
Course Description
Teachers for Tomorrow is a dual enrollment course offered in collaboration with Lynchburg College. This course is designed for students to explore teaching as a profession and the variety of career opportunities in the educational field. The curriculum focuses on three themes: experiencing the profession, learning, and the classroom. Instruction will take place in the high school classroom and the student will participate in a supervised field experience. The program seeks to provide students insight into the nature of teaching and the critical issues affecting American schools. Students must complete a professional portfolio and attend required seminars at Lynchburg College.
Technical Drawing
Basic Technical Drawing
In this course, designed for students with a sound knowledge of math, students experience the basic language of industry and technology. They gain skills and understanding of the broad scope of mechanical drawing and drafting. The course is highly recommended for students who plan to study engineering, architecture, landscaping, or industrial technology in the future. An introduction to Computer Aided Design (CAD) is included in the course.
Engineering Drawing
In this course, students are introduced to the graphic language of industry for engineers, manufacturers, and technicians. The course provides greater depth in drafting problems, skills, and techniques and emphasizes interpretation of industrial prints, ability to use reference books and resource materials, and the adherence to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards for drafting. An important aspect of the course is the application of Computer Aided Design (CAD) principles and applications to typical engineering and design problems. Students enrolled in this course will take a career and technical assessment defined by the Virginia Department of Education.
Architectural Drawing
Architectural Drawing provides students with the opportunity to learn more about the basic background and principles of architecture and its related drafting practices and techniques. Computer Aided Design (CAD) principles are an integral part of the instruction. Construction methods and techniques are studied and applied in the building of scale model projects. This course can benefit a future building or landscape architect, interior designer, or home builder, as well as a future homeowner. Students enrolled in this course will take a career and technical assessment defined by the Virginia Department of Education.
Advanced Technical Drawing, Part I and Advanced Technical Drawing, Part II
This class is an introduction to the use of two-dimensional drawing and uses CAD software. Students will be required to learn the commands necessary to produce two-dimensional drawings, plotting methods and procedures, and Orthographic (Multi-view) Projection. The course is also dual enrolled with Central Virginia Community College, and students successfully completing the course can earn up to 6 college credit hours.