High School Grade 11 Curriculum
English & Language Arts
In our English 11 class, we will embark on a journey through American literature, exploring a diverse range of fictional and nonfictional works that have significantly influenced American culture, intellectual discussions, and government. By studying these literary masterpieces, students will refine the skills that they have learned as freshmen and sophomores in analyzing language and arguments from different authors. The readings will expose students to various writers and texts from multiple time periods and genres, including short stories, plays, and novels. Each unit will focus on specific themes and literary techniques found in these different forms of literature. These scholarly works will be central to our class discussions and written assignments, serving as the foundation for enhancing students’ writing abilities.
Additionally, students will concentrate on improving their expository, reflective, and persuasive writing skills. They will also enrich their vocabulary, improve grammar and sentence structure, effectively use evidence, organize essays, and enhance their oral presentation abilities. The primary goal of this course is to strengthen our students’ critical thinking and communication skills, which are essential for success in further academic pursuits or professional endeavors.
Our comprehensive standards-based LA curriculum follows The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects.
Math – Algebra II
In Algebra 2, students deepen and expand their understanding of functions and data analysis from previous courses. They further explore concepts related to linear, quadratic, and exponential functions while also building upon them and delve into topics of absolute value, logarithmic, polynomial, rational, square root, and cube root functions. Students also study trigonometric ratios and functions, analytic trigonometry, sequence and series, probability, and statistics. The course emphasizes developing quantitative literacy by integrating real-life scenarios, data sets, and contextual scenarios while using both traditional and technology-based methods for their exploration and modelling.
Our comprehensive standards-based math curriculum is aligned with the Common core Math Standards
Precalculus
This course is a natural progression from Algebra 2 and Geometry, aiming to prepare students thoroughly for calculus and college-level mathematics. It builds upon the conceptual understanding and skills acquired in these previous courses. Students will utilize mathematical tools to investigate everyday scenarios, cultivate an awareness of modelling and functions, and analyse scenarios using multiple representations. The course encompasses topics such as linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic, polynomial, rational, and trigonometric functions, equations, and inequalities. In addition, students will delve into complex numbers, analytic trigonometry, sequences and series, systems and matrices, and limits of functions. If time permits, students will explore additional topics in analytic geometry in two and three-dimensional coordinate systems. The course further emphasizes problem-solving and modelling of real-world situations through the use of traditional and technology-based approaches.
Our comprehensive standards-based math curriculum is aligned with the Common core Math Standards
https://corestandards.org/mathematics-standards/
Physics
The Physics course helps students recognize the nature and scope of physics and its relationship to the other sciences. Students will learn about basic topics such as motion, forces, energy, momentum, heat and heat transfer, waves, electricity, and magnetism. Students will be engaged in scientific inquiry, investigations, and labs so that they develop a conceptual understanding and basic scientific skills.
Our comprehensive standards-based Science curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
United States History (U.S. History)
U.S. History is a course that examines the nation’s political, diplomatic, intellectual, cultural, social, and economic history from the Pre-Columbian Period (1490s) to the present. Emphasis is placed on class discussion, the use of primary and secondary sources, critical reading, and analytical thinking and writing. Students learn to assess historical materials’ relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability, and their importance, and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. The skills that students will develop include Chronological Reasoning (Historical Causation, Patterns of Continuity and Change Over Time, Periodization), Comparison and Contextualization, Crafting Historical Arguments from Historical Evidence (Appropriate Use of Historical Evidence), and Historical Interpretation and Synthesis.
Technology- Computer Science
Our high school students study computer science skills that prepare them for introductory college-level programming. They explore object-oriented programming languages and software, with a focus on Java for a wide range of applications. The course introduces software engineering and design as students learn Java in preparation for AP® Computer Science A (AP® CSA). Students also learn the fundamentals of object-oriented programming (OOP) as they consider the overall design of their programs. As an AP testing center, our school offers students the opportunity to take the AP Computer Science A exam.
Additionally, students acquire skills in design technology. They learn to create solutions in the form of models, prototypes, products, or systems. Using 3D printers and design software, they bring creative ideas to life. Students can further explore these topics in our DP Design Technology course as part of the IBDP high school diploma program.
Physical Education
Working in groups, being leaders and followers, rights of others, fairness, rule compliance, speed accuracy, skill development, baseball, volleyball, soccer, track, swimming, tennis, and surfing.
Second Language
Hebrew, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Arabic – depending on the number of sign-ups.
Third Language – Mandarin (Mandatory)
This course introduces students to standard Mandarin Chinese language and is designed for students with little to no prior knowledge of spoken or written Mandarin. Students in this course focus on learning essential vocabulary, practicing pronunciation, and understanding simple grammatical structures. This knowledge prepares students to effectively communicate in Mandarin on a limited range of topics related to everyday situations. Students practice listening and speaking in real-life situations, learn to read and write Chinese characters, and examine how culture and language interact in China. In-class activities and course assignments aim to assist students as they develop the oral proficiency and confidence necessary to initiate simple conversations.
Music History
This course is designed to teach about the history of music; its evolution and impact throughout the years. Emphasis is also placed on developing a keen understanding of music through speaking, reading, and listening to music. Students learn musical terms, definitions, and other musical concepts. Music is then presented from a historical perspective with an emphasis on prominent composers and musical periods/styles. Ideas, customs, and political climates in relation to each musical period are examined. Students are introduced to famous artists and study each time period of music history by reading, listening to recordings, watching films, concerts, etc. Offering specific inputs on diverse music genres like opera, famous classical artists and their music, the history of soul, blues and rock, etc., helps gather an understanding of the global cultural and historical music history context. Music history projects are often finalized with different, varied presentations.
Art History
Art History is a course that studies the history of art from 8000 B.C.E. to the present. This course involves a study of how art has impacted society and world history. The central and key enduring questions that are addressed in this course include the following: What is art, and how is it made? Why and how does art change? How do we describe our thinking about art? Through these essential questions, students uniquely explore the big ideas of Art History, effectively and precisely articulating an artwork’s meaning and function, its maker’s methodology, and the ways it reflects and affects its historical and cultural context. With these enduring questions as the foundation, the Art History course is organized into ten cultural and chronological units, emphasizing daily practice of questioning techniques, methods of discussion, analytical paradigms, guided discovery, and independent learning. These strategies and techniques enable students to develop critical thinking and visual literacy skills with which they can deeply extract meaning from any artwork they encounter throughout their lives.
Economics (Microeconomics & Macroeconomics)
Microeconomics is an introductory course that focuses on the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual economic decision-makers. The course also develops students’ familiarity with the operation of product and factor markets, distributions of income, market failure, and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.
Macroeconomics is an introductory course that focuses on the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. The course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination; it also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. Students learn to use graphs, charts, and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts.
Psychology
The purpose of this course is to investigate why human beings think and act the way they do. This is an introductory course and will cover a wide range of topics. Students will be expected to expand on and explore various topics. The course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatments of psychological disorders, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.
Politics
Students will study the purposes, principles, and practices of American government as established by the Constitution. Students are expected to understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and how to exercise these rights and responsibilities in local, state, and national government. Students will learn the structure and processes of the government of the state of Tennessee and various local governments. The reading of primary source documents is a key feature of the United States Government and Civics standards.
SAT®
An integrated system of tests including the SAT. T.H.I.S provides prep courses and serves as a test center for the examination.
Advanced Placement® (AP®)
An undergraduate university-level curricula and examinations for high school students. Colleges and universities in the US and elsewhere worldwide may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain qualifying scores on the examinations. THIS offers AP courses and tests.
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP)
A two-year educational programme primarily aimed at 16-to-19-year-olds in 140 countries around the world. The programme provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognized by many universities worldwide. THIS offers IBDP courses and assessment.
