| Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fr Group Guidance | Soph Group Guidance | Jr Group Guidance | Senior Group Guidance *Psychology |
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Freshmen Group Guidance Grade 9 Required full year course (0.5 credits) This course is primarily concerned with orientation to high school, improving study skills, and dealing with teenage issues. The study skills include areas of note taking, concentration, study and test taking skills, and organizing study time. Teenage concerns such as drug and alcohol abuse, communication, self-confidence and developing a positive self-image are covered. Videos, class discussion, guest speakers and role-playing are used to enrich this program. Sophomore Group Guidance Grade 10 Required full year course (0.5 credits) Sophomore year begins with the presentation of the uniqueness of this year. We integrate the whole person (religious, emotional, intellectual, physical and social) using Erikson's stages as the structural model. Students explore their skills, interests, competencies and dreams as they relate to careers. Career exploration is emphasized using various self-directed searches. Testing programs and test taking techniques, including preparation for the PSAT, are also covered. Students are made aware of stress, depression and suicidal occurrences that they may encounter in their daily lives, as well as skills they need to help them cope with these issues. Students compile a personality/career portfolio in the fall, and compile another one in the spring which contains a resume and college information. Junior Group Guidance Grade 11 Required full year course (0.5 credits) Junior year helps students focus on a direction. Career development and college (or other post-high school options) are the focus of this year. Along with decision making skills, life and coping skills, stress management skills and value clarification skills are emphasized. Students are encouraged to research and discuss future plans with parents, teachers, and college and career representatives. This is a year for acquiring more information about self-development and options for post-high school. Specific topics which are covered include: PSAT preparation (this is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship), substance awareness, procedures for college admissions, and the ABC's of college planning along with a college research project. Juniors are encouraged to take the SAT I at least twice. (SAT prep is covered with PSAT prep since there are differences in the two standardized tests). The Junior year focus and preparation is to alleviate the anxiety and stressors prior to Senior year. Senior Group Guidance Grade 12 Required full year course (0.5 credits) The main focus of this course is to help seniors in formulating post-secondary plans. College representatives visit senior classes and make presentations of their individual programs. Seniors are instructed to take the SAT I early in the year. Students are instructed on the importance of visiting colleges and career schools of their choice, and of investigating financial aid programs. Students are helped with interview techniques and skills. Assistance in understanding college requirements and other pertinent sources of information are made available to the students during this course so that they will be able to make informed choices for their future. Seniors also learn about all forms of addiction, the need to understand them, and the dangers or challenges they will face as college freshmen. Psychology Grade 12 Elective full year course (4 credits) This introductory course in psychology is designed to give the students an overview of the topics and theories which apply to this field of study. Simply stated, psychology is the study of behavior - for the purposes of ths course - human behavior. When studying the individual, however, this process becomes more complicated in trying to understand how the individual behaves, thinks, and develops. This course will explore the following topics: Personality Theories (with an emphasis on Freud and Erikson); Personality Testing, Addictions, and the Addictive Personality (co-dependencies); Abnornal Behavior (Neurosis, Psychosis, and Personality Disorders); Theories of Treatment for Abnormal Behavior, Emotional States - Feelings, Thoughts, Actions (topic: Violence); States of Consciousness (ex. Sleep, dreams, hypnosis, drug altered states); Stages of Development - Physical and Psychological roles; Perseption/Learning - Forming stereotypes/attitudes; Conditioning, Learning and Reinforcement. Outside Reading Required. Prerequisite: Approval of Guidance Department
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