VOCATIONAL/OTHER ELECTIVES

Computer 1

Grades 9-12. Semester class. College bound students need a working knowledge of computer software in order to be successful throughout college and into the work place. Additionally, all college bound students need a strong keyboarding skill (speed and accuracy). Take this course to develop both your keyboarding skill and your command for integrating technology in your life. Throughout this course you will learn to master the #1 Word Processing software; MS Word. Skills in creating, editing and formatting reports for college, resume writing, desktop publishing are all skills included in this course. This course is a must for all college bound students.

Computer 2 .

Grades 9-12. Semester class. Students will learn to integrate software applications of word processing, desktop publishing, databases, and spreadsheets, and do beginning programming. Students will also learn the Internet. This course is recommended for all students.

Prerequisite: Recommend Computer 1 and experience using computers at the introductory level.

Meets UC and CSU “g” requirement

Computer Applications (ROP)

Grades 11-12. This competency-based course provides comprehensive instruction in word processing and other office skills, preparing students for entry level positions in a business office. Learning options include Windows file management and the standard Microsoft Office programs. Also include are internet skills. There is a review of general office procedures, business communication and job search preparation

Culinary Arts 1 & 2Video Description

Grades 9-12. These semester classes are designed to help students build skills in beginning and advanced food preparation. Both classes include activities associated with food preparation, which aid students to understand a good diet and create interesting and creative food. Students will gain increased knowledge of food techniques, kitchen sanitation, equipment, career information, and consumer information.

Gourmet Foods

Grades 10-12. This is a semester class for the more advanced food student. A serious but fun approach including: field trips to cooking academies and processing plants, guest chefs, Cordon Bleu French cuisine, exotic foreign flavors, American heritage, and soul food. Provides skills in technical knowledge necessary for those considering a career in the increasingly important field of food technology.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Culinary Arts 1 & 2

Fashion and Interior Design

Grades 9-12. The semester long class will help you develop and discover your creative ability while learning about the fashion and interior design industries. Students will learn about fashion design, merchandising, clothing construction, interior design, furnishings, architecture, and decor.

Fashion Merchandising (ROP)

Grades 11-12. This course is designed for students with a career goal in the field of fashion merchandising, marketing or management. Instruction in the concept areas of advertising, communications, display/visual merchandising, management, marketing, operations and product technology will provide students with a foundation in all aspects of the fashion industry. Individual research projects and portfolios will be designed and exhibited.

Life SkillsVideo Description

Grades 10-12. This semester course is designed for students who want to learn more about life beyond high school and what it takes to succeed when living “on your own”. You will learn about goals, budgeting, Credit Cards College, careers, housing, health, nutrition, parenting and relationships.

Careers in Teaching (ROP)

Grades 11-12. This entry level course is designed to provide students with knowledge of career opportunities in the field of teaching and other school site educational professions. Active class participation is enhanced by field work at school sites under the guidance of a mentor teacher. All students are required to observe and/or participate in a variety of settings and classrooms at the primary/elementary, middle/junior high and secondary levels. The course helps prepare students for entry into college or university teacher training programs.

Child Development 1

Grades10-12. We will explore the social, emotional, and physical development of children from conception to the toddler years. Focus will be placed on prenatal care, month-by-month prenatal development, baby safety, care and feeding of infants, the psychological developments of children from birth to the toddler years, and discipline issues. During the class each student will take a “Baby Think it Over” simulator to care for. This experience is designed to simulate what it would be like to be a teen parent. The final is an observation and lesson-planning activity with a toddler playgroup.

Child Development 2

Grades 10-12. We will explore the social, emotional, and physical development of children from the preschool years to late adolescence. Focus will be placed on parenting skills, discipline, child safety, child abuse and neglect, puberty, and the teen years. During the class, students will teach a lesson to elementary age children and demonstrate their knowledge of a specific subject area. The final will include a group presentation of the knowledge they have gained from the class. You do not need to take Child Development 1 to be in this class. There is no “Baby Think It Over” during this class.

Fire Science (ROP)

Grades 11-12. This course prepares students for entry-level positions in the fire fighting industry. Instruction includes fire science, use of firefighting equipment, methods of rescue, emergency procedures and fire department organization. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a practice interview for firefighters by taking a written test, physical ability test and oral exam

Marketing and Merchandising (ROP)Video Description

Grades 11-12. This course prepares students for entry-level positions in the retail marketing and merchandising industry. It combines instruction with paid or unpaid internship training in local businesses. Instruction includes sales techniques, customer relations, cashiering, inventory control, an overview of the retail industry and marketing economics. Special emphasis is placed on customer service skills.

Work Experience

Grades 11-12. Work Experience is a semester elective class, which combines paid employment experience with classroom instruction. Students attend class ONLY one hour each week (Mondays 8:30-9:20 or Tuesdays 7:30-8:20) and must work a minimum of 10 hours a week. This is the perfect course for college bound students working to earn money for college or any student needing extra units to graduate. The classroom curriculum includes work habits, attitudes, self-confidence, job-related skills and the creation of a personal portfolio in order to locate, secure, and retain employment. Students earn variable credit for this course up to 10 credits based on hours worked. Work Experience students are allowed to be unscheduled during 5^th or 6^th period in order to work. Student must secure their own job prior to the first day of class.

Journalism

Grades 9-12. Through the exploration and analysis of all types of journalistic writing, students will become aware of the purposes and responsibilities of the professional journalist. They will learn about the vast scope and influence of the mass media and develop basic news writing skills. This course does require that the student write on a variety of topics and journalistic styles. This course is highly recommended as a prerequisite for those students hoping to join the Newspaper class.

Meets UC and CSU “g” elective requirement

Newspaper (ROP)Video Description

Grades 11-12. This year-long course will produce the student newspaper. There will be an emphasis on basic skills of journalism including reporting, writing, editing and layout. Some after school time is required.

Prerequisite: Teacher permission and interview or completed Journalism

Meets the UC and CSU “g” elective requirement

Yearbook

Students write and produce California High School’s yearbook on In Design. This is a class for hard working students interested in working as a team to capture the Cal High school. Students will be trained on all aspects of the yearbook; interviewing, reporting, writing, editing, taking digital photos, creating pages on the computer, and selling senior personals. Interested students must apply in the spring. No previous experience required.

Prerequisite: Teacher permission and review

Building Basic Robots

Grades 9-12. This semester course provides a hands-on experience to build and test robots. It will introduce basic robotic applications using computers and Lego kits. The VEXKIT will also be introduced. Catch the robotics revolution!

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1

Robotics Engineering Technology (ROP)

This course explores the interaction of science and technology. Students will apply the scientific method and build on physics and mathematical concepts. Using the engineering design team concept as a model, students work in small groups to research, design, program and construct robotic devices used in competition.

Meets UC and CSU “g” Elective requirement

Prerequisites: Algebra, Geometry. Recommended: Computer programming, architectural design or physics

Pre-Engineering and Design

Grades 9-12. Students in this year-long class will investigate the various aspects of the engineering field with special emphasis in design and understanding of physical science principles. Fundamentals of engineering theory will be emphasized through the types of materials used in engineering and their applications as well as concepts in science and mathematics as it relates to engineering design. Students will use the tools and technologies of the engineering trade to design and conduct meaningful science and engineering investigations. Investigations and projects will be rooted in real, local environmental areas of concern, and promote exploration between science and society. Students will be applying concepts they learned in Algebra 1 and Geometry. Analytical skills are a must. California physics standards will be reinforced.

Prerequisites: Completed Algebra 1 and either concurrent in Geometry or Algebra 2.

Meets UC and CSU “g” elective

Engineering [Principles of] (ROP)Video Description

Grades 11-12. This course explores the interaction of science and technology. Students are introduced to different types of engineering (mechanical, civil, electrical, computer and chemical) as well as the underlying mathematics and scientific concepts associated with these disciplines. Students work in small groups to research, design and construct engineering projects.

Meets UC and CSU “g” Elective requirement

Prerequisite: Algebra II, Chemistry. Physics recommended

Sports Medicine (ROP)Video Description

This course explores human anatomy and physiology and lays the foundation for further study of these sciences. Students learn how systems of the body function and interact through physical activity. Students taking this class may be eligible for an after-school sports medicine practicum with the school’s athletic teams.

Meets UC and CSU “g” Elective requirement

Prerequisite Biology

Sports Medicine [Advanced] (ROP)

This class provides a framework of advanced skills for understanding functional anatomy and kinesiology, building on the concepts learned in Sports Medicine. The lecture/lab format focuses on clinical hands-on applications of theory and knowledge, including evaluation, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Internship opportunities are available at after-school athletic events and working with other health care professionals.

Prerequisite: Biology, Sports Medicine

Speech and Debate

Grades 9-12. The first semester focuses on development of positive and effective speaking, research and speech structuring skills. We begin the semester with some relatively easy speech assignments and progress to a more informational and persuasive speech by the end of the semester. Student development is fluid as the curriculum lends itself to promote growth with each assignment as the difficulty increases. Along with the speech portion, there is an informal debate aspect which is run through a webpage where students post responses to a set debate prompt each week. Students get a feel for debate in a more relaxed environment so that they can begin to develop necessary skills for the second semester. At the end of the first semester students will have all the necessary speaking skills to be able to debate effectively. The second semester focuses on all the important/relevant forms of debate. This semester requires a great deal more work, but many students will find it quite rewarding. By the end of the year, speech and debate skills will have blossomed and students will be effective speakers and debaters (and hopefully a great addition to the Speech and Debate team).

Meets UC and CSU “g” elective requirement

Mock Trial

Grades 9-12. Mock Trial is a project-based course. Students learn the basics of a criminal case and then focus on one particular case to reenact. Students act as attorneys, witnesses, and supporters. They create and practice direct examinations, cross-examinations, opening and closing statements, and objections. After-school time is required to compete in the Contra Costa County Mock Trial Competition in February, but most other work is done in class.

Prerequisite: Teacher interview and approval

Reading Strategies 180

Grade 9. Reading strategies with an emphasis on non-fiction literature. Strategies include: critical and deductive reasoning practice through the use of context clues, previewing techniques, comparison and contrast, cause and effect relationships, etc. Vocabulary development skills include root word comprehension and phonics and the use of the SCHOLASTIC READ 180 interactive reading skills program.

Prerequisite: Enrollment determined by score on annual assessment testing and/or teacher recommendation.

Leadership: Student Government

Grades 9-12. This is a semester class for Class Members/Sound Techs and a year course for Appointed Committee and Elected Officers. The Leadership/Student Council class is the governing body and activities center for California High School. It is made up of two classes as described below:

(3rd period) ASB Officers are elected into the class. A number of other positions including committee chairs are open to students through an application process. Positions for the upcoming school year are filled during the spring

of the previous school year with the exception of incoming freshmen. Students are responsible for the activities, spirit, clubs, and budget of the student body.

(4^th period) This leadership class is made up of all the class officers and members. It is lead by Leadership Officers that are selected through an application/interview process. This class oversees the individual class budgets, activities, and events including, but not limited to dances, talent show, lip sync, and ball/prom.

All leadership students must have a willingness to serve the student body as well as set a positive example to fellow students and the community.

Prerequisite: Election or appointment (See Constitution) in conjunction with 2.0 GPA and Contract

Youth Educators

Grades 11-12. Youth Educators is a class, which is part of a countywide program, called the Youth Educator program. This is a drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention program in which high school juniors and seniors teach eight grade classes at Iron Horse Middle School and some of the Health classes at our school. The content that is taught involves teaching skills to eight graders that will help them choose alternatives to drug, alcohol and tobacco use. High school Youth Educators also model that it is possible to be drug, alcohol and tobacco free in high school. Youth Educators will go through fall semester training in this class to prepare them to teach their own classes at participating schools in the spring semester. The training involves learning communication skills, teaching skills, community-building skills, stress management, relationship skills and relevant information regarding drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.

Prerequisite: Teacher interview and approval.

AVID-Advancement Via Individual Determination

Grades 9-12. AVID is a year-long program that helps prepare students in the middle with potential for success in rigorous secondary curriculum for four-year college eligibility. It is an academic elective program based on writing as a tool of learning, inquiry method, and collaborative grouping. The three main components of the program are academic instruction, tutorial support, and motivational activities. AVID Senior Seminar for seniors does meet the UC and CSU “g” elective requirement.

Prerequisite: Teacher and counselor recommendation