High School

The Norman Howard School high school program (grades 9-12) offers a full academic curriculum in the areas of English language arts, math, social studies, and science. Basic skills instruction is offered in reading, writing, and math. In addition, students participate in physical education and fine art programs. Foreign language instruction is not offered through NHS; however, some students are tutored here in Spanish, German or French through their home school districts.

At the high school level, students are required to earn 22.5 credits in core courses and electives in order to graduate. In addition, students must pass commencement level tests; either NYS Regents or Regents Competency (RCT) level assessments in core subjects. Some high school students attend NHS part time, taking classes in district, at vocational centers, or at a local community college. Part time placement is encouraged as students work toward transitioning to less restrictive settings or post-secondary education.

Students are expected to pass all core and elective courses at the high school level. If a student does not pass a course, he/she is expected to make up that course during the summer, either through private tutoring or participation in a district-based summer school course. When students do not pass Regents or Competency finals, test preparation is worked into their schedules the following school year.

English Language Arts

The primary purpose of the English Department is to help students learn to communicate effectively and to introduce students to literature that helps them interpret and appreciate history, culture, and the world they live in today. The department recognizes the unique learning styles and needs of all students and strives to provide differentiated instruction that allows all students to learn. Our objectives are designed to foster academic growth through systematic strategy instruction in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. We provide metacognitive modeling and ample opportunities for guided and independent practice in both written expression and literary analysis. In the fostering of these skills, we encourage students to learn to critically evaluate and reflect on information.

Each grade explores an overarching theme for the year, and within that framework, teachers choose literature from a variety of genres that is suited to students’ interests reading levels, and maturity. In the 9th grade, students learn about personal responsibility and justice. In the 10th grade, students investigate the role of the individual in society and the way society can become corrupt when leaders value power more than justice. Juniors explore the theme of searching for a personal identity by reading some of the masterpieces of American literature. The senior class explores Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey”, using multicultural literature to see how obstacles may be overcome and personal growth and understanding achieved.

Writing

Focused strategy instruction and guided practice drive the NHS writing program. Each grade level curriculum uses consistent strategies and instructional language to develop and build on skills from one year to the next. These strategies are designed to help students refine their skills and increase their levels of independence in a variety of writing tasks.

English department faculty use a wide range of technology to help students acquire and demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Students use computers in the classrooms and computer lab to produce written work; scanners and color printers are often used to complete assignments. Smart Board and projection devices are used for group writing and editing. A broad array of resources that facilitate reading and writing are available in the computer lab and classrooms, including voice recognition, text parsing, word prediction, and text-to-speech software.

Math

The Math Department is dedicated to stimulate students’ math awareness, broaden their logical thinking, and enhance problem solving abilities. Instruction is delivered with four foci: conceptual understanding, application principles, reasoning and problem solving. The focus of the high school program is to extend previously learned material and problem solving skills into critical thinking skills that can be applied in future endeavors.

Lessons are presented in small, homogeneous groups and are developed with consideration of the overall pace and ability of each class. Students with processing difficulties are allowed extra time to absorb new information and to formulate responses. Attention is also given to building vocabulary specific to mathematics, which assists students in both the oral and written expression necessary to catalyze the learning process. Students whose disabilities are language-based are grouped together so that more intensive program modifications can be implemented, such as reading the text, test questions, directions, and responses to the student.

Small class sizes provide ample opportunities for individualized instruction, extra help, and allaying math related anxieties that our students often experience. Since our students vary in terms of their math abilities we offer a variety of math classes that fulfill credit requirements.

Science

The Science Department’s primary goal is to develop each student’s appreciation of the sciences while meeting his/her educational needs. The science program is highly structured and includes a combination of hands-on activities, lectures, modeling and demonstrations. Hands-on experiences and field trips enhance student understanding of content concepts and vocabulary, while making lessons practical and providing connections to real life experiences. The multimodal curriculum and small classes enable teachers to meet individual learning styles and needs.

Physical Setting is a Regents level course.
The first part is Astronomy, taken during the 9th grade year. The second half of the course, Physical Science, is taken during a student’s 10th grade year. Students are required to complete 30 laboratory hours over the course of the two years in order to be eligible to take the Regents exam offered in June of their 10th grade year.

General Science is a local level course that is offered during 9th grade. Topics include Living Systems, The Earth’s Changing Surface, Weather and Climate, Astronomy, Energy, Chemistry, Technology and Science Skills. Students take the Regents Competency Test (RCT) in Science at the end of the year and participate in lab experiences throughout the school year. (This class is offered pending the needs of our students.) 

Living Environment is a Regents level course offered in 10th grade. It is taken as a one or two year course. Topics covered include Living Organisms, Genetic Continuity, Reproduction & Development, Evolution, Ecology, Human Impact on the Ecosystem and Science Skills. Students are required to successfully complete 30 laboratory hours in order to take the state exam in June.

Ecology is a local level course offered in 11th or 12th grade. The nature of this course is interactive and hands on. Students study the environment through projects, games, books, the Internet, videos, field trips and labs. Lab work is incorporated into class throughout the year. Students take a local final exam at the end of the year.

Chemistry is a Regents level course offered in 11th or 12th grade. Topics include the Atom, Formulas & Equations, Physical Behavior of Matter, the Periodic Table, Bonding, Properties of Solutions, Kinetics and Equilibrium, Oxidation-Reduction, Acids, Bases & Salts, Organic & Nuclear Chemistry. Students must successfully complete 30 laboratory hours in order to take the state exam in June.

Social Studies

The Social Studies curriculum is organized around several key concepts in the areas of history, geography, economics, civics, citizenship, and government.

Global Studies is a two year course spanning 9th and 10th grades. Six major “global connections and linkages” are identified as the focus of the Global Studies curriculum. They are conflict, trade, cultural diffusion, migrations, belief systems, and multi-regional empires. Students prepare to take the Regents or RCT exam in June of their 10th grade year.

Depending on the needs of our students we may also offer a humanities course that integrates Social Studies and Literature with a focus on direct strategy and skill instruction. World Cultures & Geography is offered in grade 9, with the second part, World History & Literature, offered in grade 10. This course satisfies the Social Studies & English Language Arts credits and students prepare to take the Global Studies Regents or RCT exam in June of their 10th grade year.

In eleventh grade, students study United States history from the age of exploration to current domestic and foreign affairs. Students use a variety of skills to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of major ideas, eras, themes and turning points in the history of the United States. Student will take the Regents/RCT exam in June.

The 12th grade social studies curriculum consists of two half-year courses: Participation in Government (PIG) and Economics. In Participation in Government students study the necessity for establishing governments, the governmental system of the US and other nations, the United States Constitution and the roles, rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation. A quarter of their PIG grade is based on a variety of community service projects completed throughout the school year. The Economics curriculum helps students understand how the United States and other societies develop economic systems and how major decision-making units function in the United States and in other national economies.

Physical Education

At NHS, students participate in physical education classes two to three times per week. The Physical Education curriculum teaches students to understand and participate in activities that can develop and maintain life long physical fitness. There are some requirements that cross grade levels; for example, all students are required to walk or run a mile each year. At the same time, the program is quite flexible; the curriculum is adapted to meet individual student needs and physical abilities. The program largely focuses on activities that are readily accessible outside of the classroom and that do not demand especially well-developed athletic abilities. Our faculty strives to develop units that focus on individual development and an awareness of the importance of lifelong physical fitness.

The outdoor education component is an elective for students who are in good academic and behavioral standing in grades 9-12. Students work together to develop the physical, team building, and planning skills necessary to experience 5-day trips within a four-hour driving distance. These trips may include hiking and rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, white water canoeing or rafting. Students are responsible for packing their personal items, meal planning and preparation, as well as engaging in team problem solving and reflection in order to make the trips successful.

In addition to the structured physical education classes and the outdoor education program, students have the opportunity to participate in after-school physical education programs, including basketball, golf, soccer, and skiing/snowboarding.

Opposite Physical Education classes, high school students are able to select a variety of electives that rotate on a quarterly basis. In some cases a Science lab or Health class will also become part of this rotation.

Electives

Mythology and Modern Man

This course explores the questions of who are we, how did we get here, and how did all of this happen? Since the earliest examples of recorded history, man has attempted to explain the world in terms he can understand. Myths and legends are important tools that enable modern day students to understand the cultures and values of ancient societies. Units include the myths of Ancient Greece, Rome, Ancient Egypt, Norse cultures, Europe Middle Ages, Colonial America, the rise of monotheism, and modern urban legends.

History of Film

Film is a unique art that closely reflects the realities and perceptions of each generation. The study of film develops student awareness of cultural issues and attitudes of a given time period. Students gain insight into different directorial and acting styles and how these can affect an audience. Topics covered include: the Birth of Film, the Silent Era, the Great Depression and the 1930s, World War II and Hollywood, Film Noir, 1950s Cold War and Big Budget Films, 1960s Realism, 1970s and the Broadening of Boundaries, 1980s Yuppies and Teen Films, 1990s New Realism and the 21st Century.

Contemporary Issues

This 12th grade course is designed to aid in the development of a variety of skills such as negotiation, working in teams, problem solving, public speaking, time management and thinking and reading critically. Some topics are decided by the teacher, but many topics are driven by class interest.

Information Technology

This course is designed to teach the basics of computer use, social networking via Web 2.0, computer hardware, web design and computer networking.  It will give students computer skills they can use in the "real world" and will include a reading and writing component with an emphasis on information literacy.

High School Skills for Life

Related Service providers push into high school classes and work with students on various life skills. Some of the topics include the differences between high school and college, career exploration, time management, organizational strategies, how to write a resume, interviewing for a job, communication and social skills, etc.

Health

Health is offered to high school students in 10th grade. The purpose of the health curriculum is to develop understanding, attitudes, and behaviors that will result in the promotion of health and wellness and the prevention of disease and illness. The curriculum is designed to provide knowledge about vital and relevant health issues and to encourage individual life styles that promote health and wellness. The Health curriculum includes units in the following areas: Human Development, Substance Abuse, Nutrition and Fitness and Preventing Diseases. Students are required to complete reports or projects for each unit. In addition, students participate in simulation activities such as having to care for lifelike dolls over a one week period.