Semester 2

Elective Offerings

Add/Drop Process

Change of course requests must be made within the first 3 weeks of the start of the semester.
Requests are not a guarantee that your class will be changed.
All requests will be processed, and changes can be made based on whether there is space available in the desired class section.

Arts, Design & Communications

Historical Film Analysis Instructor: Ms. Willkomm

This course is centered around period movies that represent different historical eras/events. Students will watch clips of the chosen movies and have discussions about historical accuracy, costume/dress, the portrayal of historical figures, and how we can learn about history through films. Also, students will have the chance to explore how period movies represent the actual time they were created within versus the time they represent. Students will explore these concepts through discussion-based learning and journaling.

Film and Media Production Instructor: Mr. Houck

Students learn the three stages of video production and complete video projects in teams using professional cameras and editing software (Final Cut Pro).

Mural Arts Instructor: Mr. Brad Carney

Be part of Building 21’s creative mural experience. Students will learn to collaboratively design and paint a continuing series of murals which will be displayed in the main entrance stairway.

Band Instructor: Mr. Scamby

Practice percussion rudiments and cadences on drum pads and the drum set. This class is interactive and requires focus and participation.

Animation Instructor: Mr. Sean Tate

Learn all about the art of animation, beginning with drawing and illustration skills. Understand the structure for drawing the human body, then put it in motion across a series of frames that create movement for the characters in the scene. After developing foundational skills in drawing, students will be using computer software to create digital animations.

Debate Ms. Carter

Are you competitive? Do you like to think about issues going on in the world? Want to work on your public speaking or research skills? Then debate is for you! This class is focused on learning Public Forum debate, a format used in Philadelphia high school debate competitions. Public Forum is a 2-on-2 debate where you and a partner work together to debate a current events topic, competing against another team. With topics changing monthly, you'll get a chance to explore several different issues in the news in detail, and develop strong public speaking abilities. Our goal is to enter at least one Philadelphia competition this semester!

Knitting Instructor: Teacher Aster

In this class we will learn the basics of knitting; starting a project, different kinds of stitches to create different designs, and how to end a project. In addition, you will learn about different yarns, different needles, how to read, and understand labels on yarns, and reading patterns. We will be working on a class wide collaborative project as well as a small personal project for each student. This is a great opportunity to learn a relaxing, useful, and grounding craft!

Public Speaking Instructor: Ms. Moseley

Students will be having critical conversations about other conversations that are taking place. Students will be building cases about what they believe to be true or false. Students will be generating their own questions. Students will look at how these conversations and events are impacting how various ethnicities and cultures are perceived. The hope is that we can have public speakers and participate in podcasts.

Trades

Cosmetology Instructor: Ms. Sam

Do you love to wash, braid, style, or cut hair? Have you ever dreamed of owning your own salon or attending school for Cosmetology? In this class you will learn to professionally care for the hair, skin, and nails while developing skills in collaboration, professional communication, and creative expression. Cosmetology students will build a foundational understanding of these topics through bookwork, notes, discussion and quizzes and then apply their knowledge through hands-on practice. Students should come to class with an open mind, maintain strong attendance, and be punctual because the class covers a lot of crucial information.

DaEssence of Perfection x Building 21 Advanced Cosmetology Class will be different from the prior Intro to Cosmetology class, and will focus on advanced hair chemistry such as hair color, balayage, ombre and mutli dimentional highlights. We will focus on the level system and color theory so that all of the students have a firm understanding of the colors and the color wheel. We will review and practice proper color application, including proper balayage and ombre techniques. The class will also learn and understand making of custom wig units and sew installations. All students must be opened minded and willing to learn new healthy hair techniques. Punctuality and consistent attendance is vital because this class is very informative.

Culinary Arts Instructor: Ms. Jamela

This programs covers all the basic concepts of cooking including: knife skills, food safety, sauces, proper cooking temperatures, spices, etc. We also discuss the correlation of science and math to cooking and baking. Whether you are a novice or experienced cook you will have fun and leave this course with a vast understanding of Culinary Arts and the many opportunities it offers.

Intro to Construction First Builders

Like to work with your hands? Do you think you might be interested in a career in the construction trades? This semester we are partnering with First Builders to provide students with the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers in construction and to try your skills on some projects.

Social Emotional Learning

Health Advocacy: Period 3 Ms. Pierce

Health Advocacy This course looks at health issues and the underlying social, economic, and political factors that influence health and disease outcomes. It recognizes how these factors affect populations differently; and stresses the importance of engaging in public health advocacy in our own communities. To culminate the course, students will develop and implement advocacy projects to address meaningful health issues facing their communities.

Personal Fitness: This course will focus on the elements needed to be successful on your own personal fitness journey as well as help others on their path. Participants will create personalized workout and nutrition plans. Along the way they will learn the basics of muscular anatomy, gain an understanding of exercise safety and injury prevention, Hands only CPR, and explore careers related to Personal Fitness.

Personal Wellness Instructor: Ms. Grieb

This course will focus on the elements mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and nutrition. Students will practice community building and creative expression, while having the opportunity to connect with nature and foster body positivity.

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Medicine

Robotics Pd. 3 Instructor: Ms. Cogswell

Design thinking is a problem-solving process used in lots of career fields, including engineering. A core component of our work is prototyping, which means we will create, build, test, and improve our design solutions to a community challenge. You will be working in teams to identify a need or challenge in the school or larger community, and use the five step Design Thinking process to address it by practicing empathy, research skills, brainstorming, prototyping, and presenting to the people connected to the problem.

Game Design Instructor: Mr. Nate Bronstein

Students will be able to explore computer coding and programing, some principles of animation, and game design in order to develop their own digital game.

Computer Science Instructor: Mr. Whetzel

This course includes building a simple web site using HTML and CSS and use of microcomputers.

Personal

& Academic

Development Pathways

Chess Instructor: Mr. Harrington

Chess is an abstract strategy game and involves no hidden information. It is played on a chessboard with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. At the start, each player controls sixteen pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. The player controlling the white pieces moves first, followed by the player controlling the black pieces. The object of the game is to checkmate the opponent's king, whereby the king is under immediate attack (in "check") and there is no way for it to escape. There are also several ways a game can end in a draw.

Male Mentorship: Instructor: Marcus Smith

Students will discuss current problems occurring in their neighborhoods, households, and in the world. Students will be connect with peers in the school, and engage in debates and discussions about situations they deal with daily. We will watch short videos that will show and discuss some problems that young people face daily and then have discussions and assignments around these videos.

Girls Group: Instructor: Ms. Kesha

The girls group on Wednesdays focuses on issues such as high-risk behaviors, trauma, and sources of resilience and strength that at times young women forget exists within them. Our group space creates a supportive environment to speak openly about this issues, learn from others, and develop healthy ways of coping with difficult experiences and situations.

Senior Capstone

- Instructors: Mr. Hitchner & Ms. Ellison & Ms. Thomas

Elective Description: The Senior Project is the last formal learning experience of your Building 21 Educational Career. This project can show your potential, demonstrate prior learning, and help you understand a stronger sense of self.

More importantly, the Senior Project can offer you new possibilities, tapping into your interests at a transitional time in your life. The hope of Senior Project is to engage your sense of curiosity proactively by having you initiate, develop, and engage in a plan of action that will provide service to your community.

Study Skills Instructor: Mrs. Heller

This course is to prepare students to learn how they can implement skills that will improve their academic acheivement in classes.

Math Credit Recovery Instructor: Mr. Saint- Michael

This course is for students who have been rostered to Edgenuity for credit recovery.

Science Credit Recovery Instructor: Ms. Scoratow

This course is for students who have been rostered to Edgenuity for credit recovery.

Sophomore Support - - Instructors: Mr. McElroy

In Contemporary Issues (In Art), students will analyze how works of art are used to inform audiences about different social issues that shape communities. Students will look at music, photography, poetry, fashion, and other forms of art, while also exploring the many issues that serve as influences for their creators.

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