Course Descriptions
Art
Introduction to Art (All grades, 1 trimester)This introductory class is for students who may know nothing about art but would like to explore it. You do not have to be an artist or good at art to be successful in this class. We will cover the fundamentals of art and design and examine principles and elements of art in our own compositions. The class will cover rendering, shading, perspective, proportions, portraits and composition and explore a variety of artistic media. Students will be exposed to ideas and images from contemporary and historical artists and art movements. Creative thinking and problem solving will be used throughout the course and many of our projects will be about relating art to our lives. Although there are required projects you will have freedom to explore your own curiosities. This class will prepare students for success in all future art courses and is required prior to any other art course.
Ceramics/Pottery (All grades, 1 trimester, prerequisite: Introduction to Art)This class is for advanced ceramists or students who like to do get dirty when making art. We will explore building and carving techniques, as well as the intricacies of glazing. We will study ceramic artists but also other artisans so we can expand our understanding of art in relation to culture.
Drawing and Painting (All grades, 1 trimester, prerequisite: Introduction to Art)Students will spend time exploring and continuing skill building in creative composition through drawing and painting. Media and techniques may include pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, watercolor and acrylic. Areas of study will include historical and cultural diversity in art, development of personal expression, aesthetics and criticism, all seen through student projects. Art history will be explored, and we will learn the art and benefits from art critiquing.
Electives
Academic Support (All grades, year long)This course is designed to provide support and instruction for students on an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). Students will receive academic help in an individualized classroom environment. Instruction in reading, writing, and math as well as study skills and organizational skills will help support students in all of their classes.
Construction Math (All grades, 1 trimester)This is a math project based course. Students will complete three different projects which will comprise 75 percent of the coursework. Projects include: landscape and landscape design, building and materials construction, and building a “dream house”. This class is designed to advance student interest in math and arts through design and entrepreneurship.
Credit Recovery (10th grade and up, 1 trimester)This course offers students the opportunity to recover credits by combining computer programs and personal support. Counselor approval required.
Film Study (All grades, one trimester)Film Study will show the importance of the visual medium, beginning with the history of film and then moving to interpretation. Students will examine familiar storytelling devices (character, plot development, setting, point of view, etc.) as well as methods that filmmakers use to create powerful narratives and messages. Most importantly, students will develop criteria for evaluating and critiquing a variety of films. Be prepared to watch, think, discuss, and write about our favorite pastime.
Reading Skills (All grades, 1 trimester)This course addresses the reading needs and deficiencies of individual students. Students will engage in an individualized reading program in order to develop effective reading skills and strategies through writing activities and the exploration of meaningful literature. Students will track their individual progress toward the development of essential reading skills and becoming lifelong readers.
Real World Math (Elective, all grades, 1 trimester)This course is for those students who ask “when will I ever need this and why?” Real World Math is a hands-on course that is project based. Upon completion of the course students will have knowledge about personal finance, banking, consumer math, credit, and economics.
Senior Internship (Seniors only)
US Government Through Film (All grades, 1 trimester)This course provides an opportunity for students to employ their past learning of content and social science analysis skills. Students will view, interpret, analyze and critique important movies with government and historical content and review basic concepts of government. Does the film reach its objective with or without historical accuracy? Films will include a variety of approaches and several will be film classics.
Yearbook (All grades, recommended full year course)Assist in producing the school’s yearbook by being a staff member and see your work published. Students work on overall design, layout pages, write stories, take photos and complete all materials needed to submit the yearbook to the printing plant. Opportunities to polish writing, photography, art, editing and layout skills are plentiful. Students develop and refine computer skills using word processing, page layout, and photo manipulation programs while working on leadership and interpersonal communication skills dependent on position. No publication experience needed.
English/Language Arts
English 9 (House 9 required course, full year) English 9 is a general study of world literature with readings in mythology, poetry, short stories, and various novels. Communication skills, especially speech, are stressed. Writing assignments will include imaginative, narrative, and expository modes. Students will review grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and vocabulary.
English 10 (House 10 required course, full year) Students continue to explore a broad variety of literary forms, including plays, novels, short stories, and poetry. There is a concentration on reading comprehension and essay writing in several different modes. Students work in these areas to meet the CIM requirements. In addition, students will continue to develop communication skills. Grammar and usage is taught throughout the year.
English 11 (House 11 required course, full year)This course introduces students to their American literary heritage as they study the major periods and themes of American literature from the Colonial period to the present. Students can expect to read and discuss the major historical, social, and philosophical conflicts and values of our American society. Students can also expect to write about these subjects in various modes of writing.
English 12 (Senior Cohort required course, full year) Students develop language skills through studies in grammar, usage, diction, sentence combining, paragraph unity and coherence, and essay development with an emphasis on expository, imaginative, narrative and persuasive modes of writing. Themes for writing are largely inspired by studies in world literature, ranging from Greek epic and drama to modern poetry and prose.
Health and Physical Education
Health 1 (Recommended 10th grade, 1 trimester)This course will cover the main areas of health: mental, social, physical, and environmental. The area of mental and social health will focus on such areas as self-concept, personality, emotions and communication. The area of physical health will include body systems, behavior in relationships, abuse of alcohol, tobacco and drugs, communicable diseases, physical fitness, and nutrition. The purpose of this course is to enable the student to develop an appreciation of the importance of good health for everyday living.
Health 2 (Recommended 10th grade, 1 trimester)This course will cover areas of health not covered in Health 1. The area of mental health covers mental disorders, family living, death and dying. The area of physical health will include non-communicable and degenerative diseases, and the importance of a healthful life-style. Environmental health focuses on the preservation of the environment, consumer health, and career opportunities in the field of health. The purpose of this course is to enable the student to develop an appreciation of the importance of good health for continued productive living.
Physical Education (Recommended 9th grade, 1 trimester)This course is designed to help the student develop fundamental skills through various activities. The importance of physical, social and mental growth through activities is recognized. The student will participate in various team, individual and dual sports. These will include daily exercising, conditioning, fitness, and recreational games. Emphasis is directed toward daily participation and individual success through skills and lifetime activities.
Mathematics
At NUHS, our math curriculum takes a more integrated approach. In our Integrated Math courses a broad range of math concepts are covered each year to an increasing depth each year. Major concepts include: ratios and proportions, functions and graphing, slope, number sense, spatial relations, data collection and multiple representations. It is recommended that students progress through Integrated 3 for graduation. Students are placed in math course based on previous course history and teacher assessment of ability level.
Integrated 1 (All grades)
Integrated 2 (All grades)
Integrated 3 (All grades)
Science
Biology (House 9 required course, full year)This course is designed for students to develop a solid understanding of life science principles, inquiry skills, and conducting scientific investigations. As a result, students can apply their knowledge and skills to a variety of topics that include: bio-diversity, chemistry, cells, human body systems, DNA and genetics, biological evolution, plant and animal systems, and ecology. In addition to these topics, students will examine relationships between humans, the living world, and their environment. Students will also produce science CIM (Certification of Initial Mastery) work samples throughout the year.
Chemistry (House 11 required course, full year)This course is designed to help students gain an understanding of the organization of matter. Atomic and molecular structures as well as the interactions between these particles are among the topics studied. Students will be introduced to the chemistry laboratory setting and accompanying techniques with an emphasis on scientific inquiry. Students will also learn how chemistry impacts the world around them, in terms of possible career opportunities, and as members of society.
Environmental Science/ Sustainable Systems (Elective, all grades, 1 trimester)
Environmental Science/ Sustainable Systems class will focus on the study of our “Ecological Footprint.” An ecological footprint is an overall assessment of the total impact our lifestyles have on the environment. Specific topics covered in class will include looking at sustainable applications of energy use, urban development and housing, wastewater treatment, transportation models, food production and nutrition, and ethical disposal of waste products. Students will be in charge of the can/glass/bottle/paper recycling program at New Urban High School. Reading and discussions will focus on society’s current urban ecological practices and laws, assessing their effectiveness, and looking at alternatives.
Physical Science (House 9 required course, full year)This class focuses on the composition, properties and reactions of matter, concepts of force and motion and principles that explain them, and the structure, scale, and change over time of various celestial bodies. Students will also learn and apply the inquiry process with science work samples using these concepts. Basic concepts of measurement and lab safety will also be taught.
Social Studies
Current Political Issues (House 11 or Senior Cohort required course, 1 trimester)In this course we will examine current national and international issues in politics, geography, economics, and conflicts. Students will also look at the interrelationship between the US and the world and analyze how current events may impact that relationship.
Government 1 (House 9 required course, 1st trimester only)What is government? How does it affect our daily lives? How does economics relate to government? In this course we will explore the answers to those questions as well as examining the theories of major political thinkers who fueled the debate for the construction of the US Constitution. After analyzing the philosophical theories we will focus on the American Federal system of government.
Government 2 (House 10 required course, 1st trimester only)In this course we will examine the structure of our state government. We will focus on Oregon state geography, political parties, the Constitution, the Oregon state Constitution, and people who make up our local governments. We will also analyze Oregon’s economy and how we fit in a much larger economic system.
U.S. History (House 10 required course, 2nd and 3rd trimesters only)Covered topics include a review of American history before 1945, and in-depth study of America since 1945 including civil rights, the Great Society, and recent presidents. It will also include American and world issues such as the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, and the collapse of communism. Related economic, government, and geographic issues will be explored.
World History (House 9 required course, 2nd and 3rd trimesters only)
Course covers topics including immigration, the Progressive Era, the twenties, the Depression & New Deal, Imperialism, World War I & II, the Holocaust, and the revolutions. Students will also study concepts related to history from government, economics and geography. Students will practice and demonstrate the skills of social science analysis.
NUHS Courses