Application-Based Courses

JAZZ ENSEMBLE:  This is an introductory course designed for students to learn, practice, and perform beginning jazz concepts such as the blues, improvisation, jazz theory, history, and more. The group will perform at the Person High School Band’s annual concerts during the Fall and Spring semesters. The group may also perform at Jazz Music Performance Adjudication (MPA), and any other school, district, or community events as requested. Students will be evaluated on their ability to perform through Individual Performance Assessments, submitted as recordings to the director through an online platform. Students will also be evaluated on their performance at concerts, written performance reflections, and music theory quizzes. Application Required.(ONE UNIT) (10-12)

DIGITAL ART: Students will mix traditional drawing skills and techniques with modern technology to create digital art. Drawings, comic design, photo editing and animation are just a few things we will be exploring/ creating during this class. Class is open to Honors level arts students OR students who have previously had Sci-vis and/or Game Art Design with a teacher recommendation. Application Required.(ONE UNIT) (10-12)

JOURNALISM: Students will generate and publish news articles for our local newspaper, The Courier Times. Students will work to generate article ideas and conduct interviews. After they have gathered enough information to write an article that is at least 300 words, they will work to draft, edit, revise, and publish the article. This class is for students who are strong writers who can work under strict deadlines and enjoy presenting in print and broadcast media forms. Application Required. (One unit) (9-12)

SPORTS and EVENTS PRODUCTION: This course is designed to teach students to think critically, work collaboratively, and write, interview, and report ethically and effectively. They also learn how to integrate new and emerging multimedia tools and technologies into their storytelling, producing multi-platform content to publicize our school. Emphasis will be on promoting Person High School on our website, internal campus television network, journalism publications (campus-wide and in the community), and other internet applications. Application Required. (One unit) (10-12)

PEER GROUP CONNECTIONS Honors: Peer Group Connection (PGC) for High Schools is an evidence-based program that supports and eases students’ successful transition from middle to high school. The program taps into the power of high school juniors and seniors to create a nurturing environment for incoming freshmen. Once per week, pairs of junior and senior peer leaders meet with groups of 10-14 freshmen in outreach sessions designed to strengthen relationships among students across grades. These peer leaders are simultaneously enrolled in a daily, for-credit, year-long leadership course taught by school faculty during regular school hours. Application and interview required. (One unit) (11-12)

YEARBOOK: Students will publish the yearbook. They learn the techniques of advertising, yearbook layout design, copy writing, and/or photography. Application required. (One unit) (10-12)

Advanced Writing for Pre-AP Honors: This course is an intense but supportive learning environment designed to help students develop the advanced writing skills they will need for optimum success in upper-level honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and college courses.   Students will practice and develop independence in the five-step writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing) as they produce a wide variety of writing products.  Assignments will have a particular focus on informational and argumentative writing, as well as effective processes for conducting research, providing evidence, and citing sources appropriately.  Students will receive peer and teacher feedback through each step of the writing process, with teacher-student conferencing for individuals and small groups as the gold standard for feedback and student growth.   Targeted writing skills include grammar, syntax, diction, tone, essay structure, clarity of writing, development of ideas, and depth of subject matter, research skills, and effective use of evidence. (One unit) (9-10)