Preparing for Sophomore Year

Scheduling & Helpful Tips for the Class of 2018

Graduation RequirementsHow many credits for a TJ diploma?

CLASS OF 2018 Language Arts (English) 4

Social Studies 4

Science 3.2

Mathematics 3

Computers 0.5

Physical Education 1.6

Health 0.3

Arts and/or Humanities 1

Graduation Project N/A

TOTAL CREDITS 26.00

Class Rank and QPA Calculation

Your class rank and QPA are calculated based upon your year end gradesSubject Year End

GrQuality Pts

Credits QP Total QPA

English 1 A 4 1.0 4.0 QPA = QP Total/Credits

Algebra 1 B 3 1.0 3.0

Biology A 4 1.2 4.8

US History 2

A 4 0.5 2.0

Global I B 3 0.5 1.5

PE 9 A 4 0.4 1.6

Spanish 1 C 2 1.0 2.0

Band A 4 1.0 4.0 QPA

7.1 22.9 3.23

What do I need to take next year?

English class Math class Science Social Studies Physical Education Lunch Electives

No less than 2 full year classes No more than 3 full year classes

Core Sequences/Options10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

English Honors English*Academic English 2English 2

English 3APEnglish 3-1English 3-2

English 4APEnglish 4-1English 4-2

Math Honors Algebra II*Algebra IIGeometry

Honors Pre-CalculusPre-CalculusAlgebra 2

AP CalculusCalculusPre-Calculus

Science Academic ChemistryChemistryPhysical Science

AP Chemistry, Honors PhysicsAcademic PhysicsPhysicsEnvironmental Science

AP BiologyAnatomy & PhysiologyEnvironmental Science

Social Studies

GovernmentEconomics

AP US History (Full Yr)US History 3US History 4

AP European History Global IIGlobal III

* = .1 added to QPA for each Honors level class

Core Sequences/Options10th Grade

English Honors EnglishAcademic English 2English 2

The Honors 10 course moves at a quicker pace, engages material thoroughly, and operates closer to a college-level course than the other 10th grade English classes.   

A major component of the Honors 10 curriculum is the focus on building strong writers. The standard five paragraph essay will be utilized to create expository, persuasive, and research-based writings. Grammar and vocabulary acquisition will be important elements in this writing intensive class. Students will have the opportunity to draft, peer-review, and discuss their writings before submitting final copies to the instructor. Students should be prepared to write frequently in class and at home during the school year. Ms. Cokley is available to conference with students regarding individual writing progress throughout the school year.

The goal of the Honors 10 class is to prepare students for future high school classes as well as for college. Students will be given tools to help them become close readers and skilled writers by imparting and improving reading comprehension, critical thinking, vocabulary, grammar usage, and writing skills. By the end of the school year, students should feel prepared to take the next step in their educational quests, which is the AP English Language and Composition course.

Students enrolled in Honors 10 should welcome academic challenges. In order to be successful in this class, students must exhibit a dedicated work ethic.  

Core Sequences/Options10th Grade

English Honors EnglishAcademic English 2English 2

The Academic English 2 class is taught at an academic level similar to the Academic English 1.

The tenth grade Academic English course includes literature, writing, and oral communication skills with a major emphasis on literature and writing. Short stories, contemporary plays, novels, poems, Greek drama, Shakespearean drama, and nonfiction are critically analyzed in terms of theme, writing techniques, style, etc., via papers and class discussions. Writings include narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, creative, and analytical, with a thorough research paper being a major requirement.

English 2The English course combines the challenging as well as the practical aspects of literature, writing, and oral communication. Short stories, plays, poems, novels, and nonfiction are analyzed through class discussions and compositions, and projects. Thematic units on tradition, courage and justice, a practical unit on career research, and three modern novels are included. Reading strategies focus on finding the author’s intent, making inferences, applying literary terms, and analyzing information. Writing is incorporated into each unit of study and includes narrative, descriptive, persuasive, informative, expository and creative. Running concurrently through all units of study are grammar and vocabulary. Also, a research project on careers is a major requirement.

Core Sequences/Options10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Math Honors Algebra IIAlgebra IIGeometry

Honors Pre-CalculusPre-CalculusAlgebra 2

AP CalculusCalculusPre-Calculus

Algebra II HonorsThis course offers the most advanced study of conic sections, fundamental operations, formulae, equations and graphs. The course incorporates units to better develop skills related to the current standards. Equations of higher degree are introduced. Students must have satisfactory completed Geometry to elect this course. - Students would be recommended by teachers and would typically come from a Geometry 9 course.

Algebra IIThis course offers a more extensive study of conic sections, fundamental operations, formulae, equations and graphs. The course incorporates units to better develop skills related to the current standards. Equations of higher degree are introduced. Students must have satisfactory completed Geometry to elect this course.

GeometryThis course offers a thorough introduction to the basic concepts of plane (Euclidean) geometry through a series of conjectures and formal proofs. Prisms, Pyramids, cylinders, cones and spheres as well as an introduction to applied trigonometry are also included. Much emphasis is placed on the application of algebra skills. Students must have satisfactorily completed Algebra I to enroll in this course.

Core Sequences/Options10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Science Academic ChemistryChemistryPhysical Science

AP Chemistry, Honors PhysicsAcademic PhysicsPhysicsEnvironmental Science

AP BiologyAnatomy & PhysiologyEnvironmental Science

Physical ScienceA comprehensive study of matter and energy will be presented. Students will develop an understanding of the basic principles of chemistry and physics and will be prepared for additional courses in science. This course is recommended for students who may not be ready to move on to Chemistry based on their prior work in Biology or may be taken to allow time for their Math skills to develop before entering a more rigorous Science course. A variety of instruction including some experiments and activities will be used to accommodate students with different learning styles.

ChemistryThis introductory course investigates the fundamental concepts of chemistry. Topics include scientific measurement, properties of matter, atomic structure, and the periodic table, ionic and covalent bonding, chemical nomenclature, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, gas laws, solutions and acids and bases. Laboratory work is an integral part of the course and includes experiments that reinforce the concepts presented in lecture. Practical applications of chemistry to the student’s daily life are emphasized throughout the course.

Core Sequences/Options10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Science Academic ChemistryChemistryPhysical Science

AP Chemistry, Honors PhysicsAcademic PhysicsPhysicsEnvironmental Science

AP BiologyAnatomy & PhysiologyEnvironmental Science

Academic Chemistry This course is designed to prepare students for the challenges of a college level chemistry course. It is recommended for those students planning to major in the sciences, mathematics or engineering and who is currently performing above average in math and science. The topics covered include: matter, energy, measurements, problem solving, thermochemistry, atomic theory, quantum mechanics, periodic law, ionic and covalent bonding, chemical nomenclature, chemical reactions, solids, liquids, gases, acids and bases, and equilibrium. Learning is accomplished through lecture, laboratory work and demonstrations, and the presentation of scientific data.

Electives

You may take up to 3 full year classes.

Rank your electives in order of preference.

You may not always get your first choices.

Choose classes based on your interests.

Look on the website for class descriptions at www.wjhsd.net under TJHS Student Resources Approved Courses 15-16

Electives

Foreign Language Spanish and French▪ Colleges typically like to see two years of a

foreign language, sometimes more English Electives

Creative Writing, Intro to Film Criticism, Film Criticism, Intro to Public Relations, Journalism, Performing arts, Public Speaking, Theatre Orientation

Electives

Science You may take multiple science courses

beginning in 10th grade Anatomy & Physiology is a full year

elective science class; Students need to understand this course is similar to another core course

Electives

Business and Information Tech Students who have taken Exploratory

Business are able to take any of the business electives

You are able to take Exploratory Business as a 10th grader

Android Mobile Apps, Computer Cyber Security, Web Development and Design are all computer programming courses that require a student to have taken Visual Basic first

Electives

Technology Education Students who have taken Computer

Aided Drafting and Technology Systems are able to take any of the other Tech Ed classes

TJTV and Construction Tech are open to anyone sophomores or older

Electives

Family & Consumer Sciences Child Development 1 is a pre-requisite

for Child Development 2 Fab Fashion 1 is a pre-requisite for Fab

Fashion 2 and 3 Foods/Nutrition and Interior Design are

open to any student 10th grade or older

Electives

Fine Arts Two sections of Choir – Varsity and

Concert▪ Concert requires an audition

Band Courses▪ Typically Mr. Mirabella will tell us who needs

to be in which section of Symphonic or Concert Band▪ Other band electives can be taken in addition

to Concert & Symphonic

Steel Center Vo-Tech(SCVT)

Students attend TJ for core classes and then go to SCVT for career & technical education.

Information will be given to all 9th graders during class presentation on 2/13/15.

You can take a tour of SCVT on 2/20/15 if interested in attending next year.

You must return signed permission form for the tour!

SCVT counts as 3 elective credits.

Reminders

You must get teacher signatures this year!

Did you take your required computer class? Software Applications or Visual Basic

Were you Proficient on Keystone Algebra & Biology?

You need Health credit - summer class available

Do you need to retake any classes?

Think Long Term…

Challenge yourself. Your grades matter! Get involved if you haven’t already. Start thinking about life after high

school. College? Technical School? Military?

Workforce? Utilize www.careercruising.com▪ User: thomas▪ Pass: jefferson

Next Steps…

Think carefully about your class choices. Get teacher and parent/guardian signatures. Listen to your teachers’ recommendations. Turn in signed form on:

Friday, February 6th in Social Studies Class

You will schedule in Computer Lab on Tues February 10th

No signed form= No scheduling

Next Steps…

Summer Health Form If you wish to take health over the

summer, you will need to return the yellow summer health form to the guidance office with your preferred session selected