The upper school curriculum at Hale Academy is designed to ensure students’ mastery of concepts in a variety of traditional disciplines that competitive four-year colleges and universities require for admission and deem most impressive. Upper school students take six core academic courses per day and receive year-long instruction in fine arts, technology, and physical education. The curriculum at the upper school level is designed to fully prepare students for the strenuous demands that await them at the college level. In order for students to graduate from Hale Academy they must demonstrate that they have successfully completed a minimum of 23 academic credits at the ninth grade level and above. The required 23 credits are distributed as follows: 4 English,  4 Mathematics, 3 Foreign Language (4 preferred),  3 Science (4 preferred),  3 Social Studies and history (4 preferred) 6 electives.

Upper School Courses 2010-2011

 Biology:      Mrs. Karen Puracan

“La Chaim!”  To LIFE!  Welcome to the amazing world of living things!  As far as we know, our small blue planet is the only one with life.  Life can be as miniscule as microscopic bacteria, and as immense as a blue whale.  And never let anyone tell you that there is such a thing as a “simple life-form.” 

While the subject of biology can be difficult and possibly intimidating, this class intends to have FUN while we learn.  There will be many lab experiments, surprising research topics, we’ll toss in some games, and hopefully squeeze in a field trip or two along the way.  Be prepared to get dirty sometimes, smelly frequently, and to have a blast while doing it!

We will be introduced to the wide variety of living organisms on our planet, and possibly meet a few critters live, up-close and personal.  We will dive into the cell itself and see how it functions, from energy-production to waste management.  We’ll unravel the intricacies of DNA, and learn how a simple 4-letter code is responsible for every aspect of life.  We will also see what happens when something “goes wrong” in that code.   

As important as learning facts and figures is, however, it is meaningless without applying it to our daily lives.  An emphasis on conservation and stewardship, global citizenship and compassion will be made throughout the year.  In this light, the class will be doing a project on the topic of malaria.  By the end of the project, several families in a third-world country will be protected from this dreadful disease, and the students at Hale Academy will see that they really CAN make a real difference.

It is also important to know how to identify “good science” from “bad science”, how to discuss controversial or sensitive issues properly and logically.  We’ll be taking a look at a few of these issues,  and discovering the right way and the wrong way to debate them.

So, fasten your seatbelt, take a deep breath,  and get ready for LIFE!

Ecology:      Mrs. Karen Puracan

These days, the term “ecology” is tossed around political  circles like a hot potato, given either a positive or negative spin, depending on whose votes they are trying to win.  But how many people really know what it means?  Does it mean activism? Environmentalism?   It is often paired with titles such as “tree hugger,” “greenie,” and “mother earth.”   Is this accurate?

Plainly said, ecology is the study of the relationships between living and non-living things in the environment.   The living depends on and is influenced by the non-living, and vice-versa.  In order to understand the one, you must study both.  It uses chemistry, geology, biology, mathematics, and even sociology, psychology and anthropology.   It deals with ethics, law, economics- almost anything.

This class will be an introduction to Ecology, the first half focusing on 10 basic principles upon which all other ecological concepts and disciplines are founded, the second half applying these principles to Florida’s amazing and often unique environment.  

A strong emphasis on conservation, stewardship, and personal responsibility will be made throughout the entire class.  Students will be challenged to assess their own values, and to make any changes that will enable them to become better stewards of the earth.  They, in turn, will also challenge the rest of the student body at Hale Academy to help make our school an eco-friendly campus. 

This class will require several field trips, the locations, dates and times of which will be determined in the first half of the year. These trips are not recreational. They will be used as “labs” to apply concepts and skills learned in the classroom.  Among the possible places are Ocala National Forest, Payne’s Prairie, Lubee Bat Conservancy (Gainesville), a local spring (Juniper Springs?), and Silver Springs Conservation Area. 

The required textbook is “Elements of Ecology,” 7^th edition,  by Thomas M. Smith and Robert Leo Smith.  It is a college-level text, and as such can be held for future use.  A second text, used as a reference only and not required, is “Priceless Florida: Natural Ecosystems and Native Species,” by Ellie Whitney, et al.  It is available at most bookstores.  

Personal Wellness:       Mrs. Karen Puracan

Today’s teens are faced with a mind-boggling array of decisions and issues that even older siblings never encountered, let alone the parents!  The familiar list of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and teen pregnancy has now been amended to include bullying, violence, internet predators,  eating disorders and other harmful coping mechanisms.  Childhood obesity is now a major problem in America.

This Health and Wellness class covers all of these issues and more.  Aside from the usual topics such as how our body works, we will be learning how to care for each body system.  We’ll be keeping a “wellness journal”  to record thoughts, results of various activities and assignments, and goals.  

We will definitely not just have our noses buried in our books.  If we are learning about how our bodies work, we’d better work our bodies. In the physical fitness unit, we will all be testing our skills and stamina, and even learning some very relaxing stretches with a bit of yoga.  In the nutrition unit, we may even try some ethnic foods we might not normally be exposed to. 

An exciting and challenging part of the class will be the first-aid unit.  The students will all be taking the American Red Cross CPR/First Aid course, and will become certified through the American Red Cross upon passing the test.  Students will need to purchase the workbook. 

Details and a list of any needed supplies will be sent home with the students in the first week of class.

Human Sexuality:    Dr. Angela Reddy– Course Description Coming Soon!

World Literature:     Mrs. Cindy Marshall

Some of the most amazing and engaging literature available to us today was originally written in languages other than English. As our ability to “travel” the world via technology increases, we have fantastic opportunities to enjoy and learn from authors who only a few years ago were not accessible to most American readers. Hale’s World Literature course explores and discovers the works of authors from ancient empires, today’s “third world” countries, modern world cultural and financial centers: every place and time technology and the human imagination can take us. We will read and critically analyze each work, endeavoring to understand the life experiences and cultures that gave root to each author’s ideas and words. Vocabulary development and critical writing are integral components of this course. Textbooks include Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories, Oxford Book of Latin American Short Stories, and an advanced vocabulary development workbook. This course for juniors and seniors earns credit as English IV or V.

 

English I Honors–Exploring Literature:      Mrs. Cindy Marshall

The ability to read, interpret, and analyze works of fiction and nonfiction are imperative for college success. English I Honors will utilize a variety of American works of literature (plus that classic of high school freshman requirements, Romeo and Juliet) to develop and practice skills that will improve reading comprehension, encourage strong and meaningful composition, expand personal vocabulary, and broaden the personal horizons of each student. Among the books we’ll experience are The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Flowers for Algernon, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, A Separate Peace, and Huckleberry Finn. This course is for eighth and ninth grade students.

 

 Humanities/Art Appreciation:      Mrs. Cindy Marshall

What is art? That is the question we will strive to answer as we explore a world of inspiration and imagination. We will attempt to define the creative responses to life that separate humans from other animals. The course will investigate painting, sculpture, architecture, music, theater, opera and musical theater, dance, the printed image, literature, and movies. Classroom study and research will be combined with active participation, so that students can understand and experience – perhaps define for themselves – art in its many guises. This is a social studies and/or fine arts elective course open to upper school students.

 

College Grammar and Composition:      Mrs. Cindy Marshall

Recent studies by The College Board indicate that nearly half of all incoming college freshman require remedial grammar and composition in order to be successful in college. Many who do require remediation never graduate from college. Hale Academy is helping ensure that our students succeed in college English courses by providing a targeted focus on the basics: English grammar and sound composition principles. The first semester involves a comprehensive review of grammar rules and their exceptions. The second semester will review and practice the fundamentals of developing and producing college-level essays and other works of non-fiction. This course is required for Juniors and Seniors.

 

AP Psychology:      Mrs. Cindy Marshall

Advanced Placement Psychology introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Understanding Psychology (Kasschau) will be the starting point for exploring topics such as developmental psychology, physiological psychology, educational psychology, personality development and abnormal psychology, as well as social psychology. This course is open to upper school students. Students who successfully complete the course will earn advanced placement credit on their transcripts, and will have the opportunity to earn college credit by sitting for the national Advanced Placement Psychology exam in May, 2011.

American Government & Economics:  Course Description Coming Soon!      Mrs. Lorene de’Aranzeta

 Spanish (I, II, III, Conversational)–       Sra. Midori Storms & Sra. Fabiola Ruiz

The focus of Spanish in the upper school is to strengthen students’ existing proficiency of Spanish with continuous reinforcement. Students practice their conversational skills, provide and receive information, and express feelings and emotions through written or spoken language. Students present information, concepts and ideas to audiences. Higher levels of vocabulary expand their possibility in reading and conversation. In Spanish grammar, students review concepts introduced in previous years. Students read newspapers and magazine articles that open opportunities to further explore the Spanish culture.

Geometry:      Mr. Daren Johnson

Geometry students learn the properties of two- and three-dimensional objects, proofs and logic, as well as investigative strategies in drawing conclusions.  Students will learn relationships of geometric objects including points, lines, angles and planes, polygons, circles, polyhedra and other solids.

Algebra II-Course Description Coming Soon!      Mr. Daren Johnson

Precalculus-  Course Description Coming Soon!         Mr. Daren Johnson

English II & III Honors-      Mrs. de’Aranzeta–  Course Descriptions Coming Soon!

Chemistry-      Mr. Daren Johnson– Course Description Coming Soon!

Russian-      Mrs. Jane Levine– Course Description Coming Soon!

Career Focus Projects-     Mrs. Cindy Marshall–Descriptions Coming Soon!