|
|
Related High School Pages:
HS
Program | HS
Profile | HS
Grading | HS Courses
VHS
| IB
| HS
Facilities | HS
Admissions
HS Course of Study
English
| Social Science | Math | Science | Foreign
Languages | Fine Arts |
Semester & Elective
English
Gr. 9
PRE-IB ENGLISH
This full-year course builds the skills for close reading and
literary analysis needed to succeed in the IB A1 course in grades
11-12. Students will be expected to develop deeper understanding
of the elements of literature and literary techniques. The texts
used in the 9th and 10th grade courses become progressively more
nuanced and sophisticated. Students will write responses in
journals, in-class focused writing, and formal essays. Students
also do oral presentation in small group and whole class settings.
Modified IBDP rubrics are used in conjunction with 6-traits rubrics for
grading written assignments and individual oral presentations.
Texts: Mythology and You, To Kill
a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, House on Mango Street, Black Rain and
a unit of selected poetry.
Gr. 9
WRITING LAB
Students will In this course students will develop their writing
skills with a focus on personal writing in the first semester and
advocacy in the second semester. Assessment tasks will
involve multiple levels of fluency, from individual words to sentence
formation to paragraph organization to whole essay writing. Greek
and Latin roots structure the vocabulary work. Sentence combining
will anchor the work on sentence structure and fluency. Paragraph
structure study will focus on the well-structured paragraph including
topic sentence, supporting ideas, varied evidence, explanation, and
clinching sentence. Topics may shift, especially with regard to
cooperative efforts with other subjects, but may include the following:
Key event in my life, Generations, Personal anecdote, Japan topics,
Rights and Freedoms, and Generation Earth. Some topics will
involve the development and reinforcement of research skills.
Grammar points will be discussed in terms of student writing.
Some students may be pulled out on a regular basis for diagnostic
remediation
Texts: Sentence Composing and
Writing and Composing
Gr. 10
PRE-IB ENGLISH
This full-year course builds on the skills developed during Pre-IB 9
English. We continue to focus on close readings of literary texts
while helping students develop a deeper understanding of literary
elements and how writers employ them, but the texts are substantially
more nuanced and sophisticated. Students still write informally
in journals and also more formally in compare-contrast essays and
response papers. Students also do oral presentations both in
small group and whole class settings. Similar to Pre-IB 9
English, the class is designed to prepare students for IB course work
during the 11th and 12th grades and IB rubrics, in conjunction with
6-traits rubrics, are used for grading written assignments and
individual oral presentations.
Texts: Patriotism, An Artist of
the Floating World, Siddhartha, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Othello,
Things Fall Apart, and Heart of Darkness.
Gr. 10
WRITING LAB
In this course students will develop their writing voice, the
incisive and insightful persona each will use to sculpt compelling
essays throughout the year. By reading exemplar essays and other
non-fiction masterpieces in The Writer’s Presence, Fifth Ed., Mcquade
& Atwan, students will learn to recognize the writing techniques
employed by good writers so they can imitate those techniques when
composing their own essays. We will work on expanding vocabulary
using a comprehensive ACT vocabulary list, varying syntax so students
can express themselves clearly and with authority, and we will also
learn different expository modes, including reflective,
compare/contrast, cause/effect, and problem/solution. These modes
can be used alone or in conjunction to effectively communicate about
complex issues and ideas. Finally, students will learn about
rhetorical strategies, including rational, emotional, and ethical
appeals, along with research techniques, so they can compose a final
persuasive research essay on a controversial topic that interests
them.
IB
English 11-12
The A1 English course has four distinct groups including World
Literature (Group I), Detailed Study (Group II), Group of Works (Group
III) and School’s Choice (Group IV). Each group consists of texts
selected from the IB Prescribed Book Lists (PBL’s), and each has its
own specific assessments. The groups will be taught in the
following order: World Literature (focus on international mindedness as
it relates to three writers translated into English from three
different languages); School's Choice (four texts from the PBL will be
studied closely and students will complete their Individual Oral
Presentation); Detailed Study (four texts from the PBL will be studied
closely and students will complete their Individual Oral Commentary);
and Group of Works (focus on drama using four plays from the PBL, and
students will write their examination paper in response to a prompt
using these four plays.)
World Studies I is a two-year
world history course. The purpose of World Studies is to develop
a greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and
contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies.
The first year class covers the Age of Revolutions, (1750-1914).
The second year covers Ideological Confrontations and International
Conflict (1914-1945) in the first semester and Economic and
Governmental Systems in the second semester.
The IBDP History program
consists of a standard level (SL) and higher level (HL) option for
students. It is a two-year program, which students take over the
course of their junior and senior years. Other than the
traditional papers, projects, tests and quizzes typically assigned in a
high school social studies class, the students will also be taking part
in external and internal assessments in their second year which are
given and/or monitored by the IB. The coursework will be covering
main developments of the 20th century, primarily aspects of the Cold
War.
Math
INTEGRATED
MATHEMATICS I (Grade 9)
The
Grade 9 curriculum consists of a variety of topics drawn from the
general areas of Algebra, Functions, Matrices, Probability, Statistics
and Geometry. The integrated approach allows the connections between
different mathematical topics to be explored. Throughout the course
multiple representations are used for example: algebraic, graphical,
and written. Considered together with the Pre I.B. Integrated
Mathematics II course these two years provide a thorough preparation
for I.B. mathematics.
INTEGRATED
MATHEMATICSII
(Grade 10)
Advanced Mathematics 1 is a one-year
course, and focuses on the concept of functions and graphs. General
properties of functions are considered. Linear, quadratic, exponential,
logarithmic and trigonometric functions are studied in detail. Also the
topics of vectors, inequalities and deductive geometry are covered.
Considered together with the Algebra 2 course, these two years provide
a comprehensive coverage of mathematics and provide a thorough
preparation for IB mathematics. Specific course content: Coordinate
geometry, Quadratic equations and functions, Exponential functions and
logarithms, Radicals (Surds), Congruence and similarity, Triangle
trigonometry and trigonometric functions, Inequalities, Deductive
geometry, Univariate data analysis and probability, Relations and
functions, Vectors
TEXT: "Mathematics for the International Student
10", Volmar, Haese et al. (A TI 83+ or TI84+ graphing
calculator is required)
IB MATH 11-12
(HL)
This course is a two-year course and is for students with a good
background in mathematics who are competent in a range of analytical
and technical skills. The majority of these students will be expecting
to include mathematics as a major component of their university
studies, either as a subject in its own right or within courses such as
physics, engineering and technology. Others may take this subject
because they have a strong interest in mathematics and enjoy meeting
its challenges and engaging with its problems. Specific course content:
Algebra, Functions and equations, Circular functions and trigonometry,
Matrices, Vectors, Statistics and probability, Calculus, Series and
differential equations. (A TI 83+ or 84+ graphing calculator is
required)
IB MATH 11-12
(SL)
IB
Mathematics SL covers a range of mathematics over two years. The
main topics are algebra, trigonometry, sequences, series, exponents,
logarithms, matrices, vectors, probability, statistics and
calculus. The calculus covers differentiation and integration,
including many of the types of functions just mentioned.
IB MATHS
11-12: MATH STUDIES
Math
Studies is designed to build confidence and encourage an appreciation
of mathematics in students who do not anticipate a need for mathematics
in their future studies. Students taking this course need to be already
equipped with fundamental skills and a rudimentary knowledge of basic
processes. The course concentrates on mathematics that can be applied
to contexts related as far as possible to common real-world
occurrences. The course includes project work, a piece of written work
based on personal research, guided and supervised by the teacher. The
project provides an opportunity for students to carry out a
mathematical investigation in the context of another course being
studied, a hobby or interest of their choice using skills learned
before and during the course. This process allows students to ask their
own questions about mathematics and to take responsibility for a part
of their own course of studies in mathematics.
Science
Gr. 9-10
SCIENCE
TThis two-year integrated course
incorporates concepts from the three main science disciplines.
Throughout, the scientific method is emphasized, as is the careful
recording of both qualitative and quantitative results. Students
will be expected to develop critical thinking and analytical skills in
order to understand and discuss key concepts. Safety will be a
priority, with students being taught correct use of equipment and how
to handle common laboratory chemicals. This course will provide a solid
grounding in science for all students as well as acting as a perfect
launching pad for advanced courses in grades 11 and 12.
IB BIOLOGY
11-12
IB Physics SL and HL is a
two-year course that covers mechanics, heat, waves, electricity,
forces, fields, nuclear physics, energy, power, climate change and
field motion, with a focus on astrophysics and electromagnetic
waves. An important part of the course is experimentation and
communication as shown in the Group 4 Project in which physics students
work with students from other science classes.
IB PHYSICS
11-12
IB Physics SL and HL is a
two-year course that covers mechanics, heat, waves, electricity,
forces, fields, nuclear physics, energy, power, climate change and
field motion, with a focus on astrophysics and electromagnetic
waves. An important part of the course is experimentation and
communication as shown in the Group 4 Project in which physics students
work with students from other science classes.
IB CHEMISTRY
11-12
The IBDP chemistry course is a
two-year course and is designed to prepare students for college level
science courses. It can be studied as a single science; however,
it ideally complements either the IBDP physics or biology course.
A solid understanding of basic algebra and good English skills are
essential for success in this course. Practical work is a key aspect of
this course and is designed to complement the syllabus. In IB
chemistry, students will continue to refine their planning,
collaborative and manipulative skills in order to obtain meaningful
data. The need to accurately communicate methods and conclusions
will be stressed. The development of the necessary skills to
analyze, evaluate and predict consequences of key findings will be a
vital component of this course.
Foreign Languages
Back to
TOP
JAPANESE
1
This course features basic
language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students
master the two writing systems (Hiragana and Katakana), the basic
elements of grammar and learn about 800 words. Students have the
ability to engage in simple conversation, to read, and to write with
formulaic and memorized words and phrases.
JJAPANESE
2
The aim of this course is for
students to master the basic elements of grammar, basic Kanji, and
useful words and phrases. They acquire the ability to take part in
everyday conversation and to read and write simple sentences. Most work
is introduced and conducted in Japanese. Students also increase their
understanding of Japanese
JAPANESE
3
Japanese 3 is an advanced course of Japanese as a Foreign Language
(JFL). There are four aspects in language acquisition: hearing,
speaking, reading and writing. Most of the students in the Japanese 3
class can speak Japanese very well, but they have difficulty with
reading and writing. Accordingly, the emphasis is put on improving
their reading and writing ability of contemporary Japanese. Learning
kanji is naturally an important part of their study. The teaching
material for reading mainly consists of Japanese newspaper articles
such as columns or letters to editors. Students improve their writing
skills through composition, summarizing what they read, or re-writing
Japanese folktales.
JAPANESE
4
This course promotes the reading
and writing skills of students through the study of new vocabulary,
idioms, and kanji. The course covers about 650 new kanjis. Students
cultivate an understanding of Japanese culture and customs through the
study of a wide range of literature.
JAPANESE
5
This course is designed for
students in 10th grade who are going to take IB program in 11th grade.
Students will learn skills how to write essays, which we required by
IB. Students also develop techniques of literary criticism. Students
will be able to use Japanese for purpose and in situations involving
sophisticated discussion.
IB Japanese A2
11-12
TThe Japanese A2 course is
designed for students with an already high level of competence in
Japanese. This course is based firmly on the study of both Japanese and
literature and on the reinforcement and refinement of Japanese skills,
Students will also be given the opportunity to explore Japanese
culture. The major objectives of the program are to develop techniques
of literary criticism, to foster an appreciation of literature and a
greater understanding of the human condition, and to stimulate critical
thinking. Students will thus be able to use Japanese for purposes and
in situations involving sophisticated discussion.
TEXT: Texts for class will come from novels.
Students will also use Kanji workbooks.
IB Japanese B 11-12
Japanese B is a two-year course that gives students the opportunity to
reach a high degree of competence in Japanese and explore the culture
using the language. The four primary language skills; listening,
speaking, reading, and writing are developed in an integrated way. The
students will prepare to take the IB Japanese B test at the end of the
two year program.
Fine Arts
Back to
TOP
HIGH SCHOOl THEATRE
Creativity and ensemble acting are the
emphasis in High School Theatre. As preparation for the IB program,
stimuli are introduced so that the students learn to put forth their
own unique productions based on them. Playwriting is further explored
as students write their own ten-minute plays. Ensemble acting in turn
is accomplished by the performance of short scenes, which can instill a
sense of responsibility in students when producing their own play
festival. The emphasis on acting rather than merely theory can thus
lead to a performance-based program.
HIGH SCHOOL ART
High
School Art is strongly recommended prior to enrolling in IB art.
During this class, students will become familiar with the concept of
using sketchbooks to document challenges and successes in their art
studies. This practice of working with a sketchbook will enable
students to develop their ideas in a well-researched and documented
fashion. This will in turn help to develop a deeper personal
connection between the student and the artwork. Another main goal
of art 9and 10 is the instruction of technical and artistic
fundamentals necessary for success in the IB course of study.
This will instill confidence and ability within the student and allow
them to create with an uninhibited approach.
CHOIR
The
High School choral program; “Concert Choir”, gives students the
opportunity to perform a variety of music at varying degrees of
difficulty. Students will focus on development of literacy as
well as vocal, choral and performance skills. Concert Choir
students will develop pieces in two, three and four part harmony and
will explore a varied repertoire of concert music. Development of
solo and small ensemble performances is also an integral part of the
choral program. Students will prepare, rehearse and perform for
the class as a Semester Project in each semester.
IB ART 11-12
IB Art
is a two-year course that begins in 11th grade and is designed to help
the students grow and explore their interests in art. Students
will research and develop ideas by keeping a detailed journal of
sketches and written investigation leading to their artwork. IB
Art requires a strong desire to explore art and grow as a visual
artist.
IB THEATRE 11-12
IB
Theatre, a two-year course, gives students a chance to experience a
broad range of activities and theatre traditions based in a range of
cultures. They will develop personal and interpersonal skills
necessary to appreciate and perform in various aspects of theatre. The
course will use the three pillars of the IB syllabus (theatre in the
making, theatre in performance and theatre in the world) to empower
students to discover more about themselves, their art and various
cultural approaches to theatre. The three pillars will be
cemented together by the completion of a reflective journal by all
students. Experience from the course, focused through the lens of
personal reflection will be the basis of the independent project, which
forms the final element of this course.
Semester & Elective
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION 9 & 10
By the end of an instructional
unit in a team sport or individual sport, the student will demonstrate
ability to perform the basic skills necessary to participate in that
sport. The student will participate, in game situations, using proper
rules and sportsmanship and apply appropriate strategy techniques.
Sports that will be covered in P.E. include: volleyball, basketball,
soccer, badminton, softball, tennis, team handball along with
activities including dance, fitness and weight training.
FITNESS
This course will be open to all high school students as an
alternative to a study hall class. The class will cover various
aspects of fitness training using both cardiovascular and resistive
equipment. The various aspects of fitness training including
stretching, weight-training, walking, running and biking will be taught
as elements in developing a healthy lifestyle. Students will also
be instructed in the basics of nutrition, which, along with exercise,
is a key component in developing a healthy lifestyle.
HEALTH
Health education is an integral
part of the total educational process that provides a framework for
students to develop physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
The goal of the health education program is two-fold: students will
obtain health skills or strategies in order to maintain, improve and
protect all aspects of personal health; students will also move toward
becoming health literate or having the capacity to obtain, interpret,
understand and use basic health information and services in ways that
promote health.
COMPUTER
APPLICATIONS
This course enables students to
understand and use the computer tools they will need in order to be
successful in NIS's high school program and beyond. Computer skills are
not taught in isolation but presented with concepts from World History,
Math, General Science or English. Consequently, students will
learn to design, develop, and build usable products that communicate
their understanding of these core subjects
YEARBOOK
The Yearbook class is a yearlong
course. By assuming responsibility as a yearbook staff member, each
student learns to work collaboratively as part of a larger team.
Students learn the process of how books are created, and how to use
color, photographs, and words to convey a theme. Students also learn
the rudiments of desktop publishing to produce a high quality
publication. Assessment is based on class participation, page design
and layout.
THEORY OF
KNOWLEDGE (TOK)
TThe Theory of Knowledge course
involves a critical investigation of one’s own knowledge.
Structured around the question, "How do we know what we claim to
know?", students determine the strengths and limitations of different
kinds of knowledge in terms of the methods and processes unique to
each. This question is investigated from the point of view of four
identified ways of knowing anchored in six areas of knowledge.
Questions of doubt and certainty, of beliefs and assumptions, of
ambiguity and fallacious reasoning are brought into the discussion of
“knowledge claims”.
Related High School Links:
Program | Profile | Grading | Course of Study | VHS Courses
International Bacccalaureate Programme | Facilities | HS Admissions
Frequently Asked Questions | Tuition & Fees | Financial Aid
Request for Admissions Information
Packet | Downloadable Forms
|
