Update on Realignment for Albert Lea High School 8-12 Building School Year 8-12 Building School Year

Process used for 8 th Grade Curriculum Changes Curriculum Committee formed in August Committee met and discussed: What is it we want students to know? Reviewed State Standards regarding 8 th Grade coursework and requirements. Proposed several new elective classes for the 8 th grade students starting in Curriculum Committee formed in August Committee met and discussed: What is it we want students to know? Reviewed State Standards regarding 8 th Grade coursework and requirements. Proposed several new elective classes for the 8 th grade students starting in

Process used for Curriculum Changes Committee met and discussed: Integration of technology to assist student learning Teaching study skills to become effective learners Committee met and discussed: Integration of technology to assist student learning Teaching study skills to become effective learners

Process used for Curriculum Changes 1.Curriculum committee approval for new courses - Took place with ALHS staff on January 21, Review/approval of courses with Teacher Learning Committee and District Curriculum Committees – took place January Developed separate course registration guides for grades Curriculum committee approval for new courses - Took place with ALHS staff on January 21, Review/approval of courses with Teacher Learning Committee and District Curriculum Committees – took place January Developed separate course registration guides for grades 8-9

Elective Courses 8 elective courses will be available for 8 th grade Students Elective courses will run for one quarter (9 weeks in length) Music students will participate in four elective courses Non-Music students will take all 8 of the elective classes offered 8 elective courses will be available for 8 th grade Students Elective courses will run for one quarter (9 weeks in length) Music students will participate in four elective courses Non-Music students will take all 8 of the elective classes offered

Course Electives For 8 th graders School Year For 8 th graders School Year

Elective Courses Proposed for 8 th Graders 1.Art Survey – 9 week course Prerequisite: None Art Survey is an introductory high school art course. This course will include a variety a projects that will incorporate the elements of art and principles of design. This class will also teach students how to critique their work and the work of others. Some of the projects included in this class are: watercolor, soft pastels, mixed media collage, and clay. 1.Art Survey – 9 week course Prerequisite: None Art Survey is an introductory high school art course. This course will include a variety a projects that will incorporate the elements of art and principles of design. This class will also teach students how to critique their work and the work of others. Some of the projects included in this class are: watercolor, soft pastels, mixed media collage, and clay.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8 th Graders 2. Animals in Art - 9 week course Prerequisite: None Animals in Art is a mixed media art course that focuses on how animals have been and can be used as art subjects. This course will include a variety of projects that incorporate art elements, design principles, and art history. Some of the projects included in this class are: sumi-e ink painting, clay sculpture, mix media painting, and pastel drawing. This is a great course for anyone who has a love of animals. 2. Animals in Art - 9 week course Prerequisite: None Animals in Art is a mixed media art course that focuses on how animals have been and can be used as art subjects. This course will include a variety of projects that incorporate art elements, design principles, and art history. Some of the projects included in this class are: sumi-e ink painting, clay sculpture, mix media painting, and pastel drawing. This is a great course for anyone who has a love of animals.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8 th Graders 3. CLOUD COMPUTING – 9 week course This course will include using open source resources (Cloud Computing) such as Google documents, on line-presentation sources, on-line picture sources etc. Students will be accessing the internet for their resources and application programs. This course will continue to reinforce basic applications in addition to introducing new technology options available. The course will incorporate technology standards including: Basic operations and concepts, Social, ethical and human issues, technology productivity tools, communication tools, technology research tools, and Technology problem-solving. 3. CLOUD COMPUTING – 9 week course This course will include using open source resources (Cloud Computing) such as Google documents, on line-presentation sources, on-line picture sources etc. Students will be accessing the internet for their resources and application programs. This course will continue to reinforce basic applications in addition to introducing new technology options available. The course will incorporate technology standards including: Basic operations and concepts, Social, ethical and human issues, technology productivity tools, communication tools, technology research tools, and Technology problem-solving.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8 th Graders 4. Get Your Study On! – 9 week course focus – study skills Course Topics: Setting Goals, Writing Outline (taking effective notes), Test Taking Strategies, Study Helps Objective: To teach study skills to the students by using current events topics. This course meets student needs by addressing essential topics regarding the organizational skills needed to be a successful student. 4. Get Your Study On! – 9 week course focus – study skills Course Topics: Setting Goals, Writing Outline (taking effective notes), Test Taking Strategies, Study Helps Objective: To teach study skills to the students by using current events topics. This course meets student needs by addressing essential topics regarding the organizational skills needed to be a successful student.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8 th Graders 5. It’s About Time - 9 week course Students will learn how to conduct effective historical research and maximize their understanding of resources available to them at Albert Lea High School. Through a combination of classroom learning, practical application, computer games and a variety of other sources, students will have the opportunity to learn how to conduct research and analyze the information they find about a particular topic. Students will choose a topic of focus that is of particular Interest to them as the basis for research. By choosing their own topics – from any point in time – students will be more engaged and involved in obtaining information about the topic. 5. It’s About Time - 9 week course Students will learn how to conduct effective historical research and maximize their understanding of resources available to them at Albert Lea High School. Through a combination of classroom learning, practical application, computer games and a variety of other sources, students will have the opportunity to learn how to conduct research and analyze the information they find about a particular topic. Students will choose a topic of focus that is of particular Interest to them as the basis for research. By choosing their own topics – from any point in time – students will be more engaged and involved in obtaining information about the topic.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8 th Graders 6. Celebrating Spanish: Language and Cultures – 9 week course Prerequisites: none Did you know that millions of people speak Spanish as their first language? In this class, you will gain an awareness of the diversity of the cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. Some of the topics I this class include celebrations in Spanish speaking countries, families, Likes and dislikes, sports and food. You will also learn a few basics of the Spanish language to help you begin speaking the language. 6. Celebrating Spanish: Language and Cultures – 9 week course Prerequisites: none Did you know that millions of people speak Spanish as their first language? In this class, you will gain an awareness of the diversity of the cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. Some of the topics I this class include celebrations in Spanish speaking countries, families, Likes and dislikes, sports and food. You will also learn a few basics of the Spanish language to help you begin speaking the language.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8 th Graders 7. Life Skills – 9 week course This class is an opportunity to introduce students to the areas of Family & Consumer Sciences. Students will learn about nutrition, food and kitchen safety as well as a variety of cooking experiences. Applying decision making skills related to clothing and design including construction methods will be presented. Students will study child development and practice child care. Design elements used in housing and interior design will be evaluated. Students will learn techniques that demonstrate positive communication skills. 7. Life Skills – 9 week course This class is an opportunity to introduce students to the areas of Family & Consumer Sciences. Students will learn about nutrition, food and kitchen safety as well as a variety of cooking experiences. Applying decision making skills related to clothing and design including construction methods will be presented. Students will study child development and practice child care. Design elements used in housing and interior design will be evaluated. Students will learn techniques that demonstrate positive communication skills.

Elective Courses Proposed for 8 th Graders 8. Gateway Computing – 9 week course - Exploratory curriculum for industrial education. Students trace the history, development, and influence of Automation and robotics. They learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems. Students acquire knowledge and skills in problem solving, teamwork collaboration and innovation. (this is not a new course, but will be part of our elective classes for 8 th graders) 8. Gateway Computing – 9 week course - Exploratory curriculum for industrial education. Students trace the history, development, and influence of Automation and robotics. They learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation and computer control systems. Students acquire knowledge and skills in problem solving, teamwork collaboration and innovation. (this is not a new course, but will be part of our elective classes for 8 th graders)

Type of Schedule 8 th Graders will have 8 th graders will have a seven period day schedule Of those 7 periods 5 of those periods will be core classes that are required for students to take: These Full year classes include: Math English Science Social Studies Semester classes (half year) in: Health Physical Education 8 th graders will have a seven period day schedule Of those 7 periods 5 of those periods will be core classes that are required for students to take: These Full year classes include: Math English Science Social Studies Semester classes (half year) in: Health Physical Education

Schedule and Facilities Staying with seven period day school-wide (grades 8-12) Creation of an 8/9 House and a House. Reducing passing time between classes to five minutes. One 8/9 Lunch, two Lunches. Staying with seven period day school-wide (grades 8-12) Creation of an 8/9 House and a House. Reducing passing time between classes to five minutes. One 8/9 Lunch, two Lunches.

New Course Electives For grades School Year For grades School Year

New Course Proposals for Grades CIS Criminology – Semester Course Grades College Course based on existing criminology course with greater emphasis on theory, reading, and written reflections. The course offers a new elective with the possibility of earning college credit, perhaps to be offered on years alternating with CIS Modern European History. Students will receive 1 semester hour of college credit along with a more in depth introduction to criminology and theory development. 1.CIS Criminology – Semester Course Grades College Course based on existing criminology course with greater emphasis on theory, reading, and written reflections. The course offers a new elective with the possibility of earning college credit, perhaps to be offered on years alternating with CIS Modern European History. Students will receive 1 semester hour of college credit along with a more in depth introduction to criminology and theory development.

New Course Proposals for Grades Computer Arts - Semester Course grades Creating art such as drawing and painting using a computer. Computer Arts would be a second digital arts class that would use the Adobe Photoshop software. This course differs from Digital Photo because the focus is on creating art such as drawing and painting with a computer. This class will not focus on digital photography at all. This course is designed for students interested in computer imaging beyond photo manipulation and image enhancement. Teach knowledge of computer imaging including drawing, text, and visual manipulation, scanning, and animation 2. Computer Arts - Semester Course grades Creating art such as drawing and painting using a computer. Computer Arts would be a second digital arts class that would use the Adobe Photoshop software. This course differs from Digital Photo because the focus is on creating art such as drawing and painting with a computer. This class will not focus on digital photography at all. This course is designed for students interested in computer imaging beyond photo manipulation and image enhancement. Teach knowledge of computer imaging including drawing, text, and visual manipulation, scanning, and animation

New Course Proposals for Grades SOCIAL NETWORKING- Semester Course Grade: 9 Prerequisite: None This course will provide instruction in the proper use of social media, such as Face book and Twitter, in a safe environment. It will also cover computer applications utilizing a variety of current and new technologies. We will explore the impact of social media on our society and how to use it safely. Students will be evaluated on their ability to use and apply a variety of technology applications with accuracy and efficiency. Students will be more prepared to use technology in their classrooms and at home. 3. SOCIAL NETWORKING- Semester Course Grade: 9 Prerequisite: None This course will provide instruction in the proper use of social media, such as Face book and Twitter, in a safe environment. It will also cover computer applications utilizing a variety of current and new technologies. We will explore the impact of social media on our society and how to use it safely. Students will be evaluated on their ability to use and apply a variety of technology applications with accuracy and efficiency. Students will be more prepared to use technology in their classrooms and at home.

Realignment Changes for ALHS Addition of approximately faculty members to high school building with shifting staff. Addition of three computer labs. Increase in Special Education Space Needs. Increase to Storage Needs. Addition of approximately faculty members to high school building with shifting staff. Addition of three computer labs. Increase in Special Education Space Needs. Increase to Storage Needs.

Transition Committee -Tasks Registration Night - March 7 th and 8 th – Had 84% attendance - grades 8-9 – Had 75% attendance - grades Planning for School tours in May of Planning for Orientation Day in August Looking at Advisory Time in school day (ranging between daily and bi-monthly concepts) – Student Connectedness. Registration Night - March 7 th and 8 th – Had 84% attendance - grades 8-9 – Had 75% attendance - grades Planning for School tours in May of Planning for Orientation Day in August Looking at Advisory Time in school day (ranging between daily and bi-monthly concepts) – Student Connectedness.

Transition Committee - Tasks Looking at Transitional Experiences for incoming 8 th and 9 th grades and how to make them feel welcomed. Created a Video for 8 th and 9th grade students answering questions about ALHS Utilization of Successful Link Crew Program. Looking at Transitional Experiences for incoming 8 th and 9 th grades and how to make them feel welcomed. Created a Video for 8 th and 9th grade students answering questions about ALHS Utilization of Successful Link Crew Program.

Activities and Athletics Keeping 7/8 Sports programs in existence now. Adding opportunities for 8 th /9 th graders (Separate Student Council, proposal for additional play for 8th/9 th, Separate Dances, other Student Clubs, and more). Proposal is ready for the School Board on suggested revisions, updates, and additions. Keeping 7/8 Sports programs in existence now. Adding opportunities for 8 th /9 th graders (Separate Student Council, proposal for additional play for 8th/9 th, Separate Dances, other Student Clubs, and more). Proposal is ready for the School Board on suggested revisions, updates, and additions.