general elective courses online (high school)
|
STUDYING GENERAL ELECTIVES
Electives are classes outside the required core curriculum that students get to choose. You may find elective classes in subjects such as music, technology, computer programming, business, and more. Taking elective classes can give you a chance to explore your interests, or you may just want to take a credit that is less stressing for you.
Electives over and above the core curriculum, such as music, computer programming or business can provide an interdisciplinary overlap with more traditional courses, creating a richer learning experience. Colleges may have specific requirements outside the core courses, and electives are the place the student will want to take those if required. As a general rule, however, students should maintain a well-rounded and challenging schedule. |
GENERAL ELECTIVE COURSES
General elective courses will count as an elective toward the student's graduation. In some cases, as noted, an elective may meet a specific graduation requirement.
|
*One semester course. Music Appreciation may be taken to meet the Performing Arts requirement for graduation. Music Theory may be taken to meet the Practical Arts requirement for graduation.
ACT PREP
Have you improved your grades this year? Have you asked for recommendations? Check! Did you participate in extracurricular activities? Have you researched and visited different colleges? Don’t worry! After this course, you will have all the information you need to register, study for, and hopefully do well on the ACT.
Help high school students prepare for the ACT and success in college with this semester-long test prep course. The class provides students with an orientation to the exam and covers the essential components found in all current ACT prep materials.
Highlighting everything from registration to study strategies, the online course includes modules and practice tests for English, math, reading, science, and writing. The course also includes access to videos filled with helpful reviews and study tips. At the end of the semester, students designs their own personalized study plan for the days leading up to the exam.
Download a copy of the course ACT Prep Course Overview.
Help high school students prepare for the ACT and success in college with this semester-long test prep course. The class provides students with an orientation to the exam and covers the essential components found in all current ACT prep materials.
Highlighting everything from registration to study strategies, the online course includes modules and practice tests for English, math, reading, science, and writing. The course also includes access to videos filled with helpful reviews and study tips. At the end of the semester, students designs their own personalized study plan for the days leading up to the exam.
Download a copy of the course ACT Prep Course Overview.
COLLEGE PLANNER
Find your way through the complex business of choosing post-secondary options, college entrance requirements, financial planning, non-educational career option, critical and independent thinking, preparing for college entrance exams, application processes, scholarships and financial aid. College Planner is a one-semester high-school elective, with the following goals: guiding students in the entire college process; planning for college; selecting the right school; the application process; financial aid; guiding students who may not be headed to college.
The program focuses on the decision-making process of choosing a school, covering both the application process and financial requirements. Additionally, for those students who will not be attending college or university, the course surveys non-college options. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to do the following: articulate reasons for attending college and for choosing a specific institution over another; identify the planning steps to be taken by students during each year of high school; understand the basic differences between the SAT and ACT entrance exams, knowing how best to prepare for each one; understand the major costs of attending college and what financial aid options are available; identify post-high school options for individuals who will not be attending college; additionally, students will gain practice in report-writing, covering topics like God’s plan, admissions essays, college costs, and more.
Download a copy of the course College Planner Course Overview.
The program focuses on the decision-making process of choosing a school, covering both the application process and financial requirements. Additionally, for those students who will not be attending college or university, the course surveys non-college options. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to do the following: articulate reasons for attending college and for choosing a specific institution over another; identify the planning steps to be taken by students during each year of high school; understand the basic differences between the SAT and ACT entrance exams, knowing how best to prepare for each one; understand the major costs of attending college and what financial aid options are available; identify post-high school options for individuals who will not be attending college; additionally, students will gain practice in report-writing, covering topics like God’s plan, admissions essays, college costs, and more.
Download a copy of the course College Planner Course Overview.
CONSUMER MATH
Consumer Math is an introduction to the many ways in which math can be used in everyday life. The course gives practical advice on how to handle situations that involve money and math principles. Consumer Math focuses on the basic skills and methods of arithmetic and provides students the opportunity to develop experience with algebraic techniques of evaluating variables and equations, including geometric formulas and interest equations. Students will also be introduced to topics in statistics.
Consumer Math does not meet the requirement as one of the four credits required in math for high school graduation. Consumer Math is available as an elective.
The major areas of study in this course are as follows: Number Skills - number skills lessons consist of basic math review. They emphasize non-algebra-related topics, such as decimals, fractions, and percentages, topics that are typically covered before high school ; Statistics - statistics lessons are fairly advanced, providing instruction on sets and probability; measures of variation and distribution (such as standard deviation and z-scores); accurate sampling and confidence intervals; data interpretation; and graph creation and interpretation; Geometry - geometry lessons teach about measurement, focusing on applying measurement in the construction/building trades. These lessons cover ratio and proportion; perimeter, area, and volume of two- and three-dimensional figures (including pyramids, cones, cylinders, and spheres); and indirect measurement using similarity and right triangle relationships (including sine, cosine, and tangent); Personal Finance - Consumer Math also offers instruction on personal finance, covering topics like job acquisition, payroll deduction, commissions and tips, buying/leasing/renting goods and equipment, health insurance, asset depreciation, vacation and travel costs, retirement, life insurance, and will and estate planning; Taxes - some lessons address the issue of taxes, discussing federal, state, and local taxes, and also FICA and miscellaneous taxes; Banks and Financial Instruments - Consumer Math explores the world of banks and financial instruments, covering topics like savings and checking accounts; interest rates; stocks, bonds, and mutual funds; loan financing; credit cards; and mortgages.
Download a copy of the course Consumer Math Course Overview.
Consumer Math does not meet the requirement as one of the four credits required in math for high school graduation. Consumer Math is available as an elective.
The major areas of study in this course are as follows: Number Skills - number skills lessons consist of basic math review. They emphasize non-algebra-related topics, such as decimals, fractions, and percentages, topics that are typically covered before high school ; Statistics - statistics lessons are fairly advanced, providing instruction on sets and probability; measures of variation and distribution (such as standard deviation and z-scores); accurate sampling and confidence intervals; data interpretation; and graph creation and interpretation; Geometry - geometry lessons teach about measurement, focusing on applying measurement in the construction/building trades. These lessons cover ratio and proportion; perimeter, area, and volume of two- and three-dimensional figures (including pyramids, cones, cylinders, and spheres); and indirect measurement using similarity and right triangle relationships (including sine, cosine, and tangent); Personal Finance - Consumer Math also offers instruction on personal finance, covering topics like job acquisition, payroll deduction, commissions and tips, buying/leasing/renting goods and equipment, health insurance, asset depreciation, vacation and travel costs, retirement, life insurance, and will and estate planning; Taxes - some lessons address the issue of taxes, discussing federal, state, and local taxes, and also FICA and miscellaneous taxes; Banks and Financial Instruments - Consumer Math explores the world of banks and financial instruments, covering topics like savings and checking accounts; interest rates; stocks, bonds, and mutual funds; loan financing; credit cards; and mortgages.
Download a copy of the course Consumer Math Course Overview.
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE
This practical elective course helps students learn the skills they will need to become independent, productive members of God's family here on earth. From Christian character and appearance to decorating the home and financial freedom, personal and family living lessons cover a range of relevant, real-life topics for high school students. The course takes the students on an interactive exploration of the challenges they may face as they transition into adulthood, including constructive conflict resolution, nutrition and health, building healthy families, financial responsibility, and long-term employment. Students will also discover the joy of cooking, interior design, party planning, and relationships.
This elective uses a biblical principles to help high school students develop positive self-esteem and learn to successfully navigate relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and even those in the marketplace. The curriculum introduces students to character and appearance from a biblical perspective. The material also teaches about nutrition, clothing styles, home care and hospitality, personal finance, and child development and care.
Through this course, students will do the following: examine specific principles that will help develop their personal lives from a Christian perspective; learn about proper nutrition and demonstrate skill in preparing various food items; identify the purposes for making specific choices in clothes; prepare weekly and monthly budgets; develop skills necessary to care for children ranging from birth to young school-age; develop an understanding of relational dynamics with family members, friends, classmates, co-workers, and those encountered in the marketplace.
Download a copy of the course Family & Consumer Science Course Overview.
This elective uses a biblical principles to help high school students develop positive self-esteem and learn to successfully navigate relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and even those in the marketplace. The curriculum introduces students to character and appearance from a biblical perspective. The material also teaches about nutrition, clothing styles, home care and hospitality, personal finance, and child development and care.
Through this course, students will do the following: examine specific principles that will help develop their personal lives from a Christian perspective; learn about proper nutrition and demonstrate skill in preparing various food items; identify the purposes for making specific choices in clothes; prepare weekly and monthly budgets; develop skills necessary to care for children ranging from birth to young school-age; develop an understanding of relational dynamics with family members, friends, classmates, co-workers, and those encountered in the marketplace.
Download a copy of the course Family & Consumer Science Course Overview.
PERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY
Personal Financial Literacy is a semester-length elective designed to help high school students prepare for success in making financial decisions throughout their lives. Topics in the course address the advantages of making sound financial decisions in both the short and long term, income planning, money management, saving and investing, and consumer rights and responsibilities. Upon completion of Personal Financial Literacy, students should possess the knowledge and skills needed to do the following: Find and evaluate financial information from a variety of sources when making personal financial decisions; Understand the role of income, taxes, and research in developing and planning a career path; Develop systems for managing money (including saving and investing) tied to personal financial goals; Recognize and understand a consumer’s rights and responsibilities in a complex world market.
Students can learn practical money management skills and financial responsibility with this personal financial literacy course. Designed specifically for Christian high school students, Personal Financial Literacy is a semester-long course that addresses the advantages of making sound financial decisions in both the long and short-term. Young people today have constant exposure to persuasive media that can influence their financial patterns and habits. As part of this practical course, students will learn to evaluate these messages with a Christian worldview and find reliable information that will help them make sound decisions.
Download a copy of the course Personal Financial Literacy Course Overview.
Students can learn practical money management skills and financial responsibility with this personal financial literacy course. Designed specifically for Christian high school students, Personal Financial Literacy is a semester-long course that addresses the advantages of making sound financial decisions in both the long and short-term. Young people today have constant exposure to persuasive media that can influence their financial patterns and habits. As part of this practical course, students will learn to evaluate these messages with a Christian worldview and find reliable information that will help them make sound decisions.
Download a copy of the course Personal Financial Literacy Course Overview.
MUSIC APPRECIATION
The goal of this semester-long course is to provide instruction in basic musical elements, trace the development and growth of classical music, and give students a strong foundation for a greater appreciation of music. Students will examine music in the world around them and discover how they experience music. They'll be introduced to the basic elements and sounds of music and instruments. Students will learn the names and backgrounds of several famous musical composers. Students will also learn how and where classical music began, how it developed over the centuries, and the ways in which music and culture affect each other. Lastly, students will examine the ways modern music has been influenced by classical music.
Music Appreciation for grades 9-12 takes students from hearing music to active listening. Journeying through the development of classical music throughout history, students examine how music provides enjoyment and reflects the world around them. With this dynamic, media-rich elective, students learn effective techniques for listening and responding to music. Music Appreciation is part of a comprehensive online learning environment created for today's tech-savvy students. With anytime access from an Internet-connected computer, students learn with 21st century tools like animation, video clips, and a handy text-to-speech option.
Download a copy of the course Music Appreciation Course Overview.
Music Appreciation for grades 9-12 takes students from hearing music to active listening. Journeying through the development of classical music throughout history, students examine how music provides enjoyment and reflects the world around them. With this dynamic, media-rich elective, students learn effective techniques for listening and responding to music. Music Appreciation is part of a comprehensive online learning environment created for today's tech-savvy students. With anytime access from an Internet-connected computer, students learn with 21st century tools like animation, video clips, and a handy text-to-speech option.
Download a copy of the course Music Appreciation Course Overview.
MUSIC THEORY
Music Theory is a semester-length fine arts elective for high school students. The course requires no prior instrumental, vocal, or music theory study. Using the piano keyboard as a visual basis for comprehension, the course materials explore the nature of music, integrating these concepts into details of music. Throughout the series of assignments, ear training exercises are interspersed with the bones of composition technique, building in students the ability not only to hear and appreciate music, but step-by-step, to create it in written form as well. This highly interactive course culminates in the students producing original compositions, which while based on standard notation, demonstrate facets of personal expression. As the students’ ability to perform increases in the future, they will better understand music and therefore better demonstrate its intrinsic communication of emotion and ideas.
Laying the groundwork for a lifetime love of music, students in this course will discover the basics of music and even try their hand at composition. From rhythm and meter to making harmony and working with chords, this enriching elective allows students to explore music-making with online tools. Students will engage their imaginations as they conceive, write, and compose music and study note-reading.
Download a copy of the course Music Theory Course Overview.
Laying the groundwork for a lifetime love of music, students in this course will discover the basics of music and even try their hand at composition. From rhythm and meter to making harmony and working with chords, this enriching elective allows students to explore music-making with online tools. Students will engage their imaginations as they conceive, write, and compose music and study note-reading.
Download a copy of the course Music Theory Course Overview.
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is an introductory elective course for high school students. Throughout the course, students will examine influences on human actions and beliefs, factors influencing behavior and perception, and basic psychological theories. Students will develop and apply their understanding of psychology through lessons and projects that require interaction and observation of others.
Download a copy of the Psychology Overview.
- Unit 1: Students will be introduced to the beginnings of psychology, research methods, and ethics of the profession.
- Unit 2: Students will examine the biology of behavior, sensory processes, motivation, and stress.
- Unit 3: Students will learn about the stages of human development and personality.
- Unit 4: Students will discover the different methods of learning, aspects of memory, language, and levels of consciousness.
- Unit 5: Students will explore mental disorders and abnormal behaviors and how to treat them. They will also determine why people obey and influence other’s behavior.
Download a copy of the Psychology Overview.
