World Geography
Have you ever wondered why some places are deserts while other places get so much rain? What makes certain times of the year cooler than others? Why do some rivers run dry? Studying geography requires the ability to understand and use various tools. You'll learn how to use maps, charts, and other graphics to help learn about geography and the various regions of the world. Students will be asked to think critically about some of the information they are studying. The development of critical thinking skills is essential to learning more about the world around you. Some of the topics covered are 5 Themes of Geography, Cartography, Landforms, North America/Central America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia (Oceania), and Antarctica.
American Indian Cultures of Wisconsin
This course will examine the American Indian Tribes of Wisconsin. Throughout the semester, we will learn about the past and present of each of the major tribes. Special focus will be put on American Indian culture and issues that tribes are dealing with today. Students will be required to participate in class. Classroom attendance will also be very important because there will be many in class debates, discussions, and projects. There will also be many activities including but not limited to: Lacrosse, shelter building, dream catchers, American Indian food, creation stories, wild ricing, and more.
Social Studies 8
8th Grade U.S. History will examine the time period from the American Revolution to the aftermath of the Civil War. Emphasis will be placed on the birth and growth of our nation, the people responsible for that growth, and the many events that impacted and formed America. Students will be challenged to question the past, to look for connections to current events, and to dig deeper into the many stories of history.
High School Courses Middle School Students May Take
UNITED STATES HISTORY
A thematic course in U.S. History from the Civil War to the present. Emphasis is on the rise of industry, the depression, Prohibition, the rise of the United States as a world power, the world wars, the Cold War, the Vietnam conflict, and the cultural changes in the Western World. The Wisconsin State Civics Test will be given during this class. As a state requirement: each student MUST pass the test with a score of at least 60, to be eligible for graduation.
High School Courses
POLITICAL SCIENCE (Required for Graduation)
This course is a study of the origins, development, structure, and functions of American national government. Topics include the constitutional framework; federalism; the three branches of government, including the bureaucracy; civil rights and liberties; political participation and behavior; and policy formation. Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and participatory processes of the American political system. Basic concepts of state and local government and Native Americans and their relationships with the federal government are also examined.
AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
AP United States Government and Politics introduces students to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning, assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. Students study general concepts used to interpret U.S. Government and Politics and analyze specific topics, including:
• Constitutional Underpinnings
• Political Beliefs and Behaviors
• Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
• Institutions of National Government
• Public Policy
• Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
AMERICAN SOCIETY (Required for Graduation)
American Society is a course that focuses on the structure and function of society and the influence of social institutions on the individual. This course also provides an introduction to of some of the most pressing social problems facing the United States today. Throughout the course you will learn how to apply sociological research methods, concepts, and perspectives to unravel a diverse array of contemporary social issues. Topics we will examine include: culture, socialization, social norms and norm violations, economic inequality, and issues of race and ethnicity. We will take an intersectional approach to consider how race, gender, class, sexuality, and immigration status shape how these social trends and issues emerge, are experienced, and influence our individual and collective futures.
INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
In today’s society, crime and deviant behavior are often one of the top concerns of society members. From the nightly news to personal experiences with victimization, crime seems to be all around us. In this course, students will explore the field of criminology or the study of crime. In doing so, students will look at possible explanations for crime from psychological, biological, and sociological standpoints, explore the various types of crime and their consequences for society, and investigate how crime and criminals are handled by the criminal justice system. Key questions and topics will be centered on the following: Why do some individuals commit crimes but others don’t? What aspects in our culture and society promote crime and deviance? Why do individuals receive different punishments for the same crime? What factors shape the criminal case process, from arrest to punishments?
PSYCHOLOGY
A general survey of the principles of psychology. Emphasis is given to the areas of perception, conditioning, learning, abnormal behavior, and mental illness. The basic aim of this course is to acquaint the students with the present state of developments in the field of psychology.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
The purpose of AP Psychology is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. This class will prepare students for college level psychology courses through rigorous class requirements such as essays, research papers, scientific analysis, and experiments. The Advanced Placement exam may be taken through which, upon successful completion, a student can achieve college credit. The fee incurred for this exam will be the responsibility of the individual student.
GLOBAL STUDIES
Geography is the study of economic and cultural development. Heavy emphasis is placed on map study, geographic location of resources and climate areas, as well as, cultural patterns throughout the world. Emphasis is given to comparative economic and government systems. The course shall consist of written assignments, tests, projects and map quizzes as requirements for successful completion of this course.
ECONOMICS
This course will focus on basic economic principles as well as practical economic skills such as credit, savings, investing, prices, taxes and insurance. Students will learn about planning for careers beyond high school, selecting a tech school or college, saving and paying for higher education, and owning and operating a business. This course is a must for anyone who wants to learn how to successfully manage their money.
ONLINE ECONOMICS
This course will focus on basic economic principles as well as practical economic skills such as credit, savings, investing, prices, taxes and budgeting. Students will learn microeconomic principles such as supply and demand, competition, and marking. Macroeconomic topics like measuring the economy, the federal reserve system, and trace will also be covered in depth. This class will be entirely online.
UNITED STATES HISTORY (Required For Freshmen)
A thematic course in U.S. History from the Civil War to the present. Emphasis is on the rise of industry, the depression, Prohibition, the rise of the United States as a world power, the world wars, the Cold War, the Vietnam conflict, and the cultural changes in the Western World. The Wisconsin State Civics Test will be given during this class. As a state requirement: each student MUST pass the test with a score of at least 60, to be eligible for graduation.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY
The course is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States History. The program prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by a full year introductory college courses. Students should learn to assess historical materials their reference to a given interpretive problem, their reliability and their importance and weigh the evidence and interpretations in historical scholarship. An Advanced Placement exam may be taken through which, upon successful completion, a student can achieve college credit. The fee incurred for this exam will be the responsibility of the individual student.
WORLD HISTORY
This course traces the history of mankind from Ancient Civilizations (including Greece, Rome, Asia and the Middle East) to the growth of world cultures and the rise of European nations. Common themes include political systems, major world religions, economic development, and the lives and contributions of our ancestors.
INDIVIDUALIZED SOCIAL STUDIES
Developed and assigned by a committee.
