Course Descriptions
2024-25 Course Descriptions
To view a list of all course descriptions on one page use the link below.
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Hero with a Thousand Faces is an exploration of the many facets of the “Hero’s Journey” (sometimes referred to as “monomyth). The class will explore how the archetype appears again and again in classic literature, film, games, and popular culture. Students will look for the pattern in choice texts and their own lives. Projects will include analyzing pop culture and creating original hero quests in fun formats like film, D & D campaigns, children’s books, etc.
This is semester 1 of a year-long Algebra 1 course. Algebra and Geometry are required for graduation.
Algebra 2 is a part of the traditional sequence of math classes set forth by the district. This course is meant for those that are looking to prepare for college and ramping up their personal student expectation to meet a more rigorous college-prep course.
This is an introductory Biology course that will primarily focus on the anatomy and physiology of the nervous, muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems. Students will take a fascinating in-depth look at the human body and be expected to engage in a variety of comparative anatomy dissections throughout the quarter.
Animating Social Change is a dual credit (1.0 social studies & .5 art credits ) where students will learn how to use animation to tell the story of advocacy or social change. In this class students will learn about social issues in society, their causes, and what is currently be done to help and eliminate the issue by various groups. Students will use the creative process to convert their learning around social issues into an animated short. This will involve planning, revising, and creating animations that advocate for the changes in a way that is understandable to an audience. Students will explain their creative and learning process through written reflection. Student animation will be shared with Shabazz and community audiences in the form of an animation film festival.
We will be infusing exclusively outdoor experiences with environmental science themes that supplement each experience. Hopefully it goes without saying, but this class will meet daily outside. The content of this course will be influenced by student interest and opportunities as they arise to get active and learn the skills to enjoy and learn from Wisconsin in all of it’s forms.
Cell Biology is a semester science course intended for freshmen/sophomores. The first quarter content focuses on the study of biomolecules and the structure and function of biological cells. The second quarter focuses on cellular processes and begins to lay the foundation of understanding how cells can interact with each other to form organisms. This course is an excellent precursor to Anatomy & Physiology and Genetics.
In this class students will explore the art form of ceramic and sculpture through artist exploration and artwork generation. Students will learn to engage in the full process a ceramic or sculpture artist goes through from generating ideas, visioning, sculpting a work using handbuilding techniques, and presenting the work to receive feedback. Students will also learn about the rich history of ceramic and sculpture artists in order to find inspiration.
Chemistry is a year-long for students new to high school science courses. First semester focuses on the structure of atoms and the nature of chemical bonding as well as the main groups of atoms, and the meaning behind the structure of the Periodic Table of the Elements. Second semester examines the fundamentals of organic chemistry, the properties of complex polymers, and the mathematical relationships in chemical reactions and how ideal gasses interact in these reactions. A lot of time is spent on learning about and using basic study skills, developing increasing responsibility and independence, and classroom discussion skills. Credit is earned using the District expectations and assessment occurs via written assessments, in-class work, and completion of laboratory write-ups. This is not an appropriate course series for experienced science students and it is recommended that such students seek alternative science courses offered at other times or by other instructors.
This highly engaging semester long course will ask students to take on the role of an active and informed citizen in a computer/classroom simulation. Topics will include basic US governmental structures, political philosophies, economics, law, legislation creation, rights, freedoms, responsibilities, and family. There will also be a strong focus on the teaching and practicing of collaboration skills. At the end of this course, students will take the required Civics test for graduation.
What shapes who you are and what you'll become? Are you willing to push yourself physically and mentally to think about life's big questions? This class will explore how our relationship with the natural world, diverse perspectives, and philosophies of those around us shape our current and future selves. This class will use nature and a community of mentors as a tool to explore what aspects of our lives have the most impact on who we become as adults in our next phase of life. Priority for this class will be given to seniors.
Algebra 2 is a part of the traditional sequence of math classes set forth by the district. This course is meant for those that are looking to prepare for college and ramping up their personal student expectation to meet a more rigorous college-prep course.
The goal of Diversity in Literature is to explore a variety of writing genres and subject matter, focusing on the various interpretations of the word “diversity.” Stories that lift up the experience of marginalized groups, underrepresented cultures, and experiences from around the world will be explored. In addition to subject matter, this course will look at diversity in genre, exploring styles of literature often missing from classrooms (ex. horror, bizarro, afrofuturism, fantasy, etc). Finally, this course will explore the diversity of what it means to be a “literary text” in the 21st century (film? tweets? Tik toks? We’ll figure it out together!).
Students who take this course should expect to routinely read independently, discuss with classmates, and engage in written literary analysis of the texts.
Bottom line: This will be more of a traditional English class format with nontraditional content.
This course will be an overview of Earth and space in order to better understand the foundational environmental cycles that create our world and universe as we know it. Students will build basic science skills and understanding while exploring how these fundamental concepts influence big issues and concepts in the world around us.
In this course students will have the opportunity to learn introductory ecology concepts while engaging in the environmental systems in the world around them first hand. Dig into the foundations of conservation, ecological cycles, and species identification while applying that knowledge through environmentalism: concern about and action aimed at protecting the environment. Students will explore how the complex dynamics of our society including race, politics, and education all tie into environmental issues and advocacy.
In this course, students will view, analyze, discuss in varied groups, and articulate their understanding in writing. Students will use the same standard techniques to read film as they would for non-fiction and fiction print texts. Students will practice speaking and listening skills in class discussions and presentations.