Practical Arts

Each Mt. Vernon graduate must complete 1 credit of a Practical Art. The following courses can count toward this requirement:

  • Introduction to Business
  • Computer Applications
  • Advanced Computer Application
  • Business & Personal Law
  • Accounting
  • Graphic Design (Yearbook)
  • AP Computer Science
  • Apparel & Textile Sciences
  • Nutrition & Wellness
  • Housing Environments & Design
  • Child Development, Care & Guidance
  • International Foods
  • Advanced Apparel & Textile Science
  • Family Relations
  • Agriculture Science I &II
  • Agriculture Structures
  • Animal Science
  • Veterinarian Science
  • Forestry
  • Conservation
  • Greenhouse Management
  • Agriculture Construction
  • Agriculture Co-Operative

Course Description

Intro to Business

This course will introduce students to the exciting and challenging world of business. Through the information and activities, your student will be better prepared to become a knowledgeable consumer, well-prepared employee, and effective citizen in our economy.

Intro to Business will serve as a background for other business courses in high school and college or the work place.

Pre-Requisites: None

Computer Applications

Computer Applications is a full year course designed for high school students who have completed keyboarding to gain proficiency in Microsoft Office. Including the areas of word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications, presentation applications, and desktop publishing.

Pre-Requisites: None

Advanced Computer Applications (Dual Credit)

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Computer Applications and wish to learn more about computer business applications using Microsoft Office. This is an independent study style class. Students will have an opportunity to gain the basic skills necessary for employment in any business-related environment. They will learn techniques and receive training on equipment/software used in many businesses today. Students will learn to use the computer for advanced word processing, database, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, and other applications.

Pre-Requisites: Full year of Computer Apps with 80% or better

Business & Personal Law

This course will introduce students to business and personal law as we look at contracts, consumerism, and sales agreements as well as criminal and civil law. Through the information and activities in the course, students will increase their preparation to be a knowledgeable consumer, well-prepared employee, and more informed citizen in our society.

Pre-Requisites: Juniors and seniors, sophomores by permission only.

Accounting

This course will introduce students to basic accounting principles. Accounting is an essential aspect of every business institution and organization. As future workers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs, students who understand the basic accounting principles will better manage their company’s financial resources as well as their personal finances and economic decisions.

Pre-Requisites: Preferably junior and senior students with solid GPA.


Graphic Design (Yearbook)

Students will learn how to properly layout yearbook spreads using Adobe InDesign as well as the proper techniques for photographing a variety of subjects and activities as well as editing photos using Adobe Photoshop. Students will also write captions and copy for the various layouts that encompass the yearbook.

Pre-Requisites: None


AP Computer Science

AP Computer Science consists of key concepts and principles (big ideas) of computing that are broadly influential. The course will focus on principles, because principles are durable, and they inform and constrain all the technologies and tools of computing. We focus less on technologies and tools because technologies and tools change quickly and knowledge about them is transient. The Python programming language and a musical development tool (Earsketch) will be used for labs and homework. Idle Python and Earsketch allows students to explore and discover computing concepts and create computational artifacts (software) that solve interesting problems. This course content is appropriate content to take the AP-Computer Science Principles test beginning in 2016-17.

Pre-Requisites: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2

Apparel & Textile Sciences ½

Students in this course will develop knowledge and skills related to: the history of the fashion industry, the elements and principles of design, science of textiles, basic clothing care, and basic construction techniques. Also, students will be required to assemble two woven pieces of fabric and construct two textiles pieces by the end of the semester.

Pre-Requisites: None

Nutrition & Wellness ½

This course prepares students to understand the principles of nutrition, and the relationship of nutrition to health and wellness. Students will learn how to select and prepare nutritious foods. As well as, understand meal management to meet individual and family food needs.

Pre-Requisites: None

Housing Environments & Design ½

This course introduces students to the behavioral, social, economic, functional, and aesthetic aspects of housing, interiors, and other built environments. The course includes instruction in analyzing, planning, designing, furnishing, and equipping residential, work, and leisure spaces to meet user needs.

Pre-Requisites: None

Child Development, Care & Guidance ½

The purpose of this course is to allow students, opportunities to develop competencies that will enable students to: make decisions that support the sound physical, mental, and social/emotional development of children of all development stages in their care; solve problems based on the developmental stages of children; and assess the impact of parents and child care workers on our society through observations of children in the home, child care centers, and public school settings. This course is Articulated with OTC Course(s): Introduction to Early Childhood ECD 101 and Practicum I ECD 135 for 6 Hours.

Pre-Requisites: None---However this class is articulated with OTC for 6 Hours, so students need to be studious and ready to work.

International Foods ½

Students in this course will enhance their knowledge and food preparations skills while studying a variety of cultures around the world. The students will research the cultural traditions, geography, nutrition, growing foods customs, purchasing of foods, and preparation techniques of foods from around the world.

Pre-Requisites: Nutrition & Wellness

Advanced Apparel & Textile Sciences ½

Students in this course will enhance and refine their skills related to clothing construction, textiles, and fashion design. Students will be required to create a clothing line using the principles and elements of design. Students will be required to use recycled resources to assemble a new textiles piece. Students will also be required to assemble textile product(s) by the end of the semester that meet advanced sewing skills standard criteria.

Pre-Requisites: Apparel & Textile Science

Family Relations ½

The course deals with developing positive human relationships and problem solving based upon the needs of individuals. Students discuss the decisions that strengthen and maintain family relationships and prepare individuals for marriage and parenthood.

Pre-Requisite: Juniors and Seniors

Agriculture Science 1

An introductory course for agricultural education. Agriculture Science 1 will form the foundation for a four year program each class building on the previous one. Students will study basic animal science, agricultural mechanics, leadership, FFA, agricultural business, and other general areas based on student interest each year.

Pre-requisites: None

Agriculture Science 2

As the second year of a four-year program, Agriculture Science 2 will emphasize plant science, agricultural mechanics, leadership, FFA, agronomy, and other general areas based on student interest each year.

Pre-requisites: Agriculture Science 1 or Instructor Approval

Ag Structures

Students will focus on developing the Ag Mechanics skills begun in Ag Science 1 and Ag Science 2. Students will also continue developing a Supervised Occupational Experience and participate in FFA and other FFA activities related to the curriculum.

Pre-Requisites: Agriculture 1 and 2 or Instructor Approval


Animal Science

Pre-Requisites: Junior or Senior w/ Instructor Approval

Vet Science

Pre-Requisites: Junior or Senior w/ Instructor Approval

Forestry

Pre-Requisites: Junior or Senior w/ Instructor Approval

Conservation

This is an advanced course designed for juniors and seniors. Students will study wildlife management, entomology, forestry, soil science, rangeland management, and leadership. This course can be taken as dual credit through Missouri State University.

Pre-Requisites: Junior or Senior w/ Instructor Approval


Greenhouse Management

This course will consist of general greenhouse production topics such as plant anatomy, houseplant care, floral arrangement, pest control, plant propagation, and operating a greenhouse. Students will best benefit from this course after having completed Agriculture Science 1 and 2 prior to enrollment.

Pre-Requisites:

Ag Construction

This advanced course utilizes welding in the development and construction of major metal shop projects. Units of study may include welding, project planning, safety, and project construction.

Pre-Requisites: Ag Science 2 or Junior or Senior w/ Instructor Approval

Agriculture Coop

Pre-Requisites: Instructor Approval