This course is offered to give students an opportunity to explore a variety of different types of literature and to explore different writing styles. Literature will include the following: 1) a play – Romeo and Juliet, 2) an epic poem – The Odyssey, 3) short stories, and 4) a modern novel – The Outsiders. Grammar, usage, and vocabulary will be utilized to enhance student writing. Students will develop their own sense of style as they learn the basic styles of writing. They will write essays that include: expository, persuasive, narrative and descriptive essays.

This course will utilize what students have learned during their freshman year and challenge them to develop a more complex writing style. Grammar and vocabulary will be used to improve written expression. Students will analyze different literary genres which include: 1) a play – Much Ado About Nothing, 2) non-fiction – essays, plays, and novelettes, 3) short stories, and 4) a modern novel – Lord of the Flies.

This course is offered to give students an opportunity to prepare themselves for public speaking with an emphasis on the importance of communication throughout their lives. They will prepare, deliver, and analyze a variety of speeches. These speeches will include: an impromptu speech, a personal anecdote speech, a demonstration speech, an interpretive speech, an informative speech, and a persuasive speech.

This course consists of a study of American authors with an emphasis on novels representing different periods of American history. A research paper and different writing styles will explore the literature and help students explore their thoughts and how to represent them in written format. The following units will be used: 1) The Great Depression – To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men, 2) World War II – poetry and short stories, 3) Vietnam – poetry, short stories, and a research paper, 4) The Future – short stories and The Uglies.

This course will examine literature as a natural progression of the country and how fiction and non-fiction can be utilized to represent that progression. Students will study a variety of time periods and the literature associated with those time periods. Grammar, vocabulary, and literary analysis will be used to focus the exploration of the following units: 1) Puritan Literature – poetry, short stories, and a play, 2) American Revolution – historical documents, 3) Western Expansion – short stories, 4) Civil War - poetry, songs, short stories, and a novel, 5) Harlem Renaissance – poetry. A foundation will be laid for test preparation with grammar, usage, and reading strategies.

This course is designed for students who need to fulfill the writing requirement to graduate, but they may not plan on attending a college or university. Emphasis will be placed on paragraph study with an exploration of different writing styles. They will be expected to write a modified research paper and they will write and design a senior project (A Senior Memory Book). The main difference between Advance Composition and Practical Composition will be the length of the writing assignment and the expectation of prior knowledge (in Advance Composition).

This course is designed for students who plan on attending college or university. They should have a solid knowledge of writing styles when they come into the class. The class will help students explore a variety of types of writing in order to discover their personal style. They will be expected to write a research paper and to write and design a senior project, (A Senior Memory Book). Two novels will be utilized to show students different writing styles from two different genres – They will be The Barcode Tattoo and Tuesdays With Morrie.

This is a dual credit course through the Rising Scholars program at NSU. The course is an introductory survey of college composition. Students will submit the required Senior Memory book as well as a variety of essays and research papers that will prepare them for the university setting. The student must meet the minimum ACT requirement of a language arts sub score of 17 and faculty approval. The student will also be responsible for the cost of the college tuition, which will be approximately $50 per credit hour.

This course is an exploration of literature written from the 1950’s to the present. Different genres will be explored throughout the semester. They will include: science fiction, fantasy, mystery, adventure, fiction, and humor.

This course is an exploration of literature written about and by different ethnic groups. Different genres will be explored throughout the semester. They will include: myths/legends, poetry, non-fiction, (novels and speeches), and Holocaust novels.

This journalism course emphasizes the development of skills in photo shop, illustrator, and photography.  These skills can be used to enhance the production of the yearbook and ECHO.  NCAA Clearinghouse for Division 1 or 2 does not accept this as an English elective. This class may be taken more than once.

This is a dual credit course through the Rising Scholars program at NSU. The course is an introductory survey of literature from a wide variety of genres and countries. The student must meet the minimum ACT requirement of a language arts sub score of 17 and faculty approval. The student will also be responsible for the cost of the college tuition, which will be approximately $50 per credit hour.

This reading class is designed to improve students’ reading comprehension by teaching reading skills and vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on content area reading strategies that can be applied to high school classes. Students who want to improve their ability to manage high school class work and score better on tests are encouraged to take this class. *This class does NOT count as an English elective but as a general elective.

*Placement in Algebra 1A or Algebra 1 is based on a student’s performance in their 8^th grade math class.

*Passing a math class with anything less than a C- should be considered an indicator that the next level math class may be difficult to successfully complete. It may be in the student’s best interest to repeat this class.

*Students planning on attending college in South Dakota that have anything less than a C- in Algebra1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 may have some difficulty with the required math placement exam. An unacceptable score on this exam will require the student to take a remedial math class for no credit at their own expense.

*It is important to note that the classes that meet the graduation requirement may not satisfy the entrance requirements at the college a student chooses. Any questions in this area should be directed to a student’s counselor.

This course is designed for the student who is not recommended for Algebra 1. This course curriculum is designed to review and expand on the fundamental math principles necessary for successful completion of the Algebra 1 curriculum. The course will begin with a review of basic skills that will complement the development of introductory Algebra skills.

PR-Algebra 1A

This course builds on what is taught in Algebra 1A and is designed to complete the remainder equivalent of Algebra 1.

*Algebra 1A and 1B are designed to cover all topics taught in Algebra 1. Each course will count 1 credit each to towards a student’s high school math requirement. Completion of both courses will count for 1 math credit toward college.

This course is designed to help students understand the basic structure of Algebra. This course qualifies as a college prerequisite.

This course centers within the development of geometry as a logical, abstract science.

This course is an advanced math class for college-bound students who will need an extensive math background. It starts with a review of basic skills learned in Algebra 1 and progresses to solving rational equations, complex numbers, conic sections, analytical geometry, exponential equations, quadratic functions, series, sequences and logarithms.

The first semester will focus on Trigonometry (solving right triangles, investigating graphs, solving trig equations, and simplifying trig expressions). The second semester will include topics covered in discrete mathematics (such as vectors and matrices) and Pre-Calculus (limits, simple integration, and derivatives)

This rigorous class is for the accelerated math student. The rules, concepts, and techniques used in both differential and integral calculus are covered. Use of a graphing calculator will be an integral part of this class. This class prepares the student for the AP Calculus test.

This class provides students with an opportunity to learn and apply math skills necessary for everyday living. Budgeting, insurance, calculating bank loans, and maintaining savings and checking accounts will be covered. This course does NOT qualify as a college prerequisite.

An articulation agreement exists with Southeast Technical Institute, which provides an opportunity for post-high school credit.

*Students entering college with an interest in Science or medicine should consider taking a minimum of four years of science. Science is a great way to develop the problem-solving skills that are so essential to a student’s success in college.

Provides an introduction to the physical sciences of earth science, chemistry and physics. First semester cover earth science (study of earth and its place in the universe) and chemistry (the study of structure and properties of matter). Second semester covers physics (the study of the relationships between matter and energy). Both semesters include regular laboratory experiences and problem solving using the scientific method.

Is the yearlong study from life from the simple cells to the complex organism, humans? Students will start this course by learning the basic structure and function of cells, which is the basis of all of biology. Microorganisms, protists, plants and animals will be studied in detail. The passing on of traits to future generations will be studied in genetics. The human body will be studied and can be used as a prerequisite to Anatomy/Physiology. Ecology shows that all aspects of life, along with the chemical and earth science, are connected with nature.

Is intended for students who need a third year of laboratory science for entrance to college. It will focus on the chemical principles that need to be learned before a student can continue in a science curriculum. The students will be expected to use the basics of mathematics to predict the amounts of chemicals used or produced in the study of matter. It relies heavily on the usage of mathematics, especially trigonometry.

This course is taught at a college level. This class will add to the introductory concepts taught in the pre-requisite chemistry course and apply those concepts to problems found in more practical applications. Topics taught will be selected from the following partial list: a review of beginning concepts, rate and kinetic problems, intermolecular and macromolecular forces and how they apply to the properties of compounds, rebox potentials of non-standard solutions, cell structure of ionic substances, quantum numbers, and molecular orbits.

This course is designed to produce a genuine understanding of the physical laws fundamental to all sciences relying heavily on the usage of mathematics skills, especially trigonometry. An articulation agreement exists with Southeast Technical Institute, which provides an opportunity for post-high school credit.

This is a college preparatory class for students interested in the medical field (physical therapy, doctor, dentist, veterinarian, nurse, etc.). Students will be expected to learn and apply proper medical terminology, basic chemistry, cell biology, names and locations of many anatomical structures as well as their functions.

This course is intended to give students an experience that will help them in laboratory sciences in college, writing up scientific lab reports, and an introduction to food science. Students will be expected to perform approved laboratory experiments safely, and then correctly write up a scientific lab report. Topics covered include basic chemistry, laboratory equipment/safety/procedures, and several experiments dealing with the production of foods.

This course is an extension of general ecology taught in Biology. The course will discuss several of the major ecological problems facing our world today, such as pollution, global warming, and ozone depletion. Students will be expected to learn how the problems occurred, what it has done to the planet and organisms that inhabit it, and what is and can be done now.

This class is an introduction to how taxidermy is done. Students will learn several preservation techniques of organisms. Examples include preparing skeletons, study skins and mounting of organisms. Students will also learn how to properly identify organisms, catalogue the information about the organism, and how to collect organisms for study. Taxidermy is going to have to do some hands on projects at home that some people/parents may find gross. Students need to be able to do some of these projects at home to get credit for this class.

*Students interested in the type of classes offered by this department are encouraged to take more than the minimum credit requirement.

Students will examine the geography of the earth, learn to read maps, identify the geographic locations of various nations and describe the many different cultures that make up our world.

Students will explore the many civilizations, time periods and individuals that have helped shape the world in which we live today.

The class begins with the Spanish-American War (1898) and concludes with the current events of the twenty first century. Emphasis is placed on political, economics, military and social events that have shaped our American life and culture

This course will focus on the background, development and modern operation of the American system of government.

Students will study basic economic concepts, investigate how markets work, understand the relationship between money, banking and finance, and learn how to measure economic performance. They will learn management skills, understand financial concepts, and navigate the financial decisions they will face very day.

This is a dual credit course through the Rising Scholars program at NSU. The course is an introduction survey of US history from the Colonial times to the Civil War and Reconstruction. The student must meet the minimum ACT requirement of a social science sub score of 17 and faculty approval. The student will also be responsible for the cost of the college tuition, which will be approximately $50 per credit hour.

Civics covers three main topics. It starts with a look at our society and our role as citizens in our society. Next we look at some fundamentals of the three major economic systems and the American economic system. We also study State and local governments in general and South Dakota’s state government and our local governments (city, county and school district) in particular. Every week we discuss current events and apply them to what we study.

Students will learn about the social, political, geographic, economic and historical events of South Dakota’s past. Native American history along with its influences on early white settlers will be discussed.

This class examines the practical aspects of law as it relates to everyday life. Students will study actual law cases and will have an opportunity to visit a courtroom while it is in session.

The course is designed to help students understand the fundamentals of human behavior.

This course is designed to introduce students to the scientific study of people and groups as well as their impact on each other (human social behavior).

The band program is designed to develop musicianship and give young players opportunities to mature musically. All band students will audition for chair placement in October. Participation in the marching band, concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band, pep band, solo and ensembles, and performing for many activities helps students learn more about music through the development of technical skills on an instrument and brings students an understanding and appreciation of good music.

This course is designed to develop a fuller understanding of choral singing in order to prepare for auditions and entrances into Concert Choir as well as performances. The emphasis will be on learning good singing habits, singing techniques, developing poise and self confidence, and cultivating a better understanding and appreciation for music through performance, learning music theory and choral technique, and participating in class. Participation in concert performances is required.

Students must audition for this choir. Options to audition for All State Chorus. Must participate in Regional Solo-Ensemble contest, three concerts, Veteran’s Day performance and several athletic events: "National Anthem". This choir will develop sight-singing skills, tonal memory and four-part harmony. Students will sing in one of four sections: Women: soprano/alto; men: bass/baritone/tenor. Repertoire will consist of music from several areas: Classical, sacred and contemporary. Opportunities will be available for an individual voice lesson and auditions for state and regional Honor Choirs.

The following two classes are offered on alternating years.

This class is designed to give students who are not in band, choir, art or drama, a knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the Arts. Students will explore different cultures and genres of the Arts including music, visual art, drama, film, dance and journalism.

This course is designed for students who seek the opportunity to create original music compositions. In addition, students will experience the development of skills needed to analyze and evaluate musical scores. Inexperienced music students can learn how to notate scores, develop rhythm, dynamics, accompaniment and melody lines.

This course is designed for students who wish to develop an appreciation for and an understanding of drama. The emphasis is on reading, visualizing, staging and portraying drama. A final play performed for an audience is a requirement in this course.

This course is designed to serve as the foundation for students in the Visual Arts program. Students will be exposed to several mediums, from colored pencils and ink to clay and watercolors. This course needs to be completed before moving onto any other art course.

This course focuses on the more 3 dimensional hands on aspects of art. Projects include printmaking, making collages, plaster craft, and wire sculptures.

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop additional knowledge and skills in painting. The primary focus is on watercolors and acrylic paints with some exposure to oil paints.

Students will continue to develop and strengthen their drawing skills with a focus on shading. This class is essential for students pursuing a future in an art-related field.

This class will be for students who are interested in possibly continuing with the arts in college or because they just have a natural love and talent for art. This mixed medium class will provide a much more open curriculum, providing the students with the opportunity to create work that is personal to them. They will e expected to write about and critique their own works along with the critiquing of others. Students will continue to develop vocabulary along with being introduced to artist work to aid them in the development of their own work. Instructor’s permission is required before enrollment.

This course teaches students advanced yet practical computer and technology skills. Students will learn how to use a digital camera, a scanner, a CD burner, and digitized video to create advanced multimedia presentations. Students will also learn how to create web pages and help maintain the school’s web page.

This course is designed to teach students how to create and maintain a computer network.

This course is set up as an independent study course as students work online at their own rate.

An articulation agreement exists with Southeast Technical Institute, which provides an opportunity for post-high school credit.

Students will be introduced to the world of business. This course will prepare students for their economic roles of consumer, worker and citizen. This course will help students with consumer decision making, prepare students for future employment, and to help students to perform their responsibilities as a citizen.

This course covers the basic principles of bookkeeping for different types of business. This course will prepare students for the future by giving them the ability to know how to take care of their own finances.

Business Management/Marketing E 10-12 Sem ½ credit

Business Management/Marketing will prepare students who are interested in business for what it will really be like to run a business and how they need to promote their business to the public. This class will help to prepare future entrepreneurs for the challenges of leadership in the business world as well as their personal lives.

This course will introduce students to the concepts and practices of personal fitness. Students will be required to dress appropriately for physical activity and be required to participate in all instructional activities. The goal of this course is to help students develop habits for a healthy life style.

The students will study the overall well being of their body, mind, and their relationships with others.

This course is designed to meet the individual fitness needs of all students in the class. It will include fitness programs that are tailored to the individual needs and goals of each student.

This course is designed to meet the individual fitness needs of all students in the class by using the Bigger, Faster, Stronger Program.

This course is offered to students in any high school grade level. It introduces individuals to the Spanish language through the study of its basic concepts, vocabulary, and culture. The students will be expected to demonstrate their comprehension of the language through writing, speaking, and brief reading projects.

This second year Spanish course continues the study of basic concepts and expands by focusing on reading comprehension, composition, and some conversation.

(All those applying for Regent Scholars and the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship are required to have two years of foreign language.)

Through this program the senior student will be able to: experience success by helping students and instructors with academics, serve as positive role models for others, develop writing skills through the journaling process, develop organizational and speaking skills, and develop communication and interpersonal skills. Students may mentor at the high school or middle school after being accepted through an application process. An instructor may have no more than two student mentors in any given semester. This course may be used in place of a study hall or as a seventh class. The student will be given a grade of S for satisfactory or an F for no credit. This grade will not be factored into the GPA.

Designed typically for 9^th graders, Ag I begins with an introduction to FFA and Leadership/Career development. Intro to Ag mechanics begins with tool identification and usage, followed by outdoor power equipment and small engine repair. Students have the opportunity to re-build a small engine. The class also has activities in animal and plant science.

Plant science activities include prairie restoration/management and a tour to a local prairie, FFA Land judging and obtaining a private applicator’s license. Also included are advanced areas in Animal Science. Shop areas also include oxyacetylene welding, cutting and brazing along with electric arc, MIG & TIG welding, followed by a welding project.

This area of study concentrates on students receiving practical hands-on experiences with principles and practices of field or green house production of flowers, foliage and related plant materials used for ornamental purposes. Emphasis is placed on landscaping, turf management, floriculture, nursery management, outdoor beautification, plant propagation, and hydroponics together with landscape design. These skills will help students employ the best modern management practices in producing and marketing today’s growing market.

This area of study will provide students with the opportunity to explore the many aspects of the livestock industry. During the course, students will study breeds of dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, and swine. Heavy emphasis will also be placed on equine (horses) management. Students will look at animal breeding and reproduction, housing facilities, proper management practices, and feeding and nutrition.

This course will deal with natural resources and how we manage and conserve them. Natural resources including soil, water, fish, wildlife, waste, pollution, and other environmental resources will be studied. This course will help students understand and make responsible decisions regarding conservation of our natural resources.

This course will teach students specialized skills for the construction, maintenance, repair and service of agricultural equipment. This class will teach the student to fabricate and adapt various pieces of equipment by cutting, forming, and welding different types of metal. Examples of equipment include: tractors, trailers, harvesters, tilling equipment and trucks. The student will also learn the principles and theories of hydraulic systems, power units and diesel engines. The course integrates math and physical applications to applied principles within the every day work world.

This course takes a student from where they left off in Ag II and increases their knowledge and skill level. The two basic types of welds (fillet and groove) in the most common types of joints (butt, tee, lap) are now practiced in the horizontal, vertical and overhead positions instead of just the flat position. Knowledge is expanded to more depth and a few newer processes are introduced and practiced. A class project is usually incorporated to simulate the manufacturing environment. Students learn how to do repair work on a variety of metals.

This course is an entry-level course for students interested in enrolling in any of the Industrial Technology classes. Students will be exposed to the various careers in industry and learn to design and build wood/metal/plastic projects. In addition, tool use and equipment safety will be covered.

This course introduces basic woodworking knowledge and skills while placing emphasis on the use of hand and portable power tools to complete assigned projects.

This course is designed to provide further instruction and experience in woodworking. Emphasis is placed on using power machines to complete assigned projects.

The class provides experience using advanced woodworking techniques in the construction of a student-designed project.

This course is designed to provide students with instruction in the care and maintenance of single-family dwellings and apartments.

This course is designed to offer students an opportunity to acquire knowledge and skill in the use of plastics as a construction medium. Student projects will provide experiences in molding, forming, shaping and finishing a variety of plastics.

The student will be introduced to the principles of AC electricity, house wiring, and plumbing through hands-on projects and activities.

The course is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to design, build, install, repair, and maintain various types of cabinets.

Through general discussions, presentations and activities, the students will gain knowledge and skill in shop management, equipment maintenance, time-management and production practices.

Project Lead The Way is designed to help students explore technology-related careers and to prepare them for two and four-year college, technology-based degree programs. Each class is taught in a laboratory setting using state-of-the-art technology, equipment, and software. Instruction is generally one-third theory and two-thirds application, with involvement of mentors from industry and colleges. Class activities focus on problem solving, requiring students to work in teams to generate solutions. Students may have the option to earn college credit, when possible, through college articulation agreements, offering a seamless link between high school and college.

Typically students who enjoy math and science will benefit from exploring at least part of the program. The program is aimed at both the student who is working toward a career in engineering, or the student whose career choice is technical in nature. Students who do not enroll in the traditional mathematic sequence should not enroll in the Project Lead The Way.

This is the Project Lead the Way introductory course, which develops problem-solving skills while developing 3 dimensional models of objects. Students will use modern, state of the art computer hardware and software to complete their projects (Computer Aided Design CAD). This course will emphasize the design development process of a product and how a model of a product is produced, analyzed and evaluated. Various design applications will be explored with discussion of possible career opportunities. This is a yearlong course where students must complete both semesters to be eligible for potential college credit.

This Project Lead the Way course hones more advanced skills in biology, physics, technology, and mathematics and applies them to real-world biotech fields.