All resources in High School Special Courses/Electives

An Acre in Your Pocket

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This lesson gives students a better perspective as to how acreage is determined. Using the computer in their pocket students learn to calculate area in feet and acres. Using their results the can calculate biomass, board feet per acre, or even the amount of electrical fencing needed to protect a meadow.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Kevin Woodard

Advanced Automotive Technology Model

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This automotive course is designed for the third- and fourth-year student, providing advanced training to students as well as necessary skills and knowledge about the internal combustion engine, diesel engines, advanced car systems, and new/emerging careers in the automotive service industry. Upon completion, students will have an increased background of knowledge and skills to make repairs and adjustments on the various systems of the modern automobile, using up-to-date equipment and tools.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Agricultural Business Model

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Students will learn about agricultural business operation and management. Topics will include accounting, finance, economics, business organization, marketing, and sales. Students will learn about agricultural business operation and management. Topics will include accounting, finance, economics, business organization, marketing, and sales.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Agriscience / Intro to Agriculture

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The Agriscience/Intro to Agriculture course helps students acquire a broad understanding of a variety of agricultural areas, develop an awareness of the many career opportunities in agriculture, participate in occupationally relevant experiences, and work cooperatively with a group to develop and expand leadership abilities. Students study California agriculture, agricultural business, agricultural technologies, natural resources, and animal, plant, and soil sciences.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Animal Science

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In the Animal Science course, students study large, small, and specialty animals. Students explore the necessary elements--such as diet, genetics, habitat, and behavior--to create humane, ecologically and economically sustainable animal production systems.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Automotive General Services Technician Model

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The Vehicle Maintenance, Service, and Repair course is designed for students choosing the automotive industry as a career. It provides pre-employment training to students and teaches the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities for entry-level employment in the automotive service industry. Upon completion, students will have sufficient background to repair and make adjustments on the various systems of the modern automobile, using up-to-date equipment and tools.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Automotive Technology 1 and 2 Model

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This introductory automotive course is designed to provide basic training to students and teach the necessary skills, and knowledge about the internal combustion engine, basic car systems, and careers in the automotive service industry. Upon completion, students will have sufficient background to make minor repairs and adjustments on the various systems of the modern automobile, using up-to-date equipment and tools.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Biotechnology Research and Development Model

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Biotechnology is a large scientific field that uses research tools from chemistry and biology to study or solve problems, including human disease. Biotechnologies may be used to study the genetic material of viruses and bacteria to determine whether a disease is caused by particular disease-producing agents. Its techniques are also used to understand how genetic factors contribute to human disease. The information gathered in research can be used to develop diagnostic tests that enable speedy detection and identification of a disease so that an appropriate treatment can be developed. It can also help doctors screen their patients' genomes (all of an organism's genes) for existing diseases or a predisposition for diseases such as cancer.The standards for the Biotechnology Research and Development Pathway and related courses apply to occupations and functions in biotechnology research and development that apply primarily to human health. The standards specify the knowledge and skills common to occupations in this pathway. Students participating in a strong, industy-driven Biotechnology program can expect to conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. Additionally, students may use extended technologies to design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information pertinent to this field.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Cabinetmaking Model

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This competency-_based course prepares students for entry_ level positions in the cabinetmaking industry. Included in the course are cabinet design and styles, the use of advanced machines and equipment, computer_-aided manufacturing, special materials and commercial wood finishes and including green sustainable techniques and materials. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and skills by designing and building advanced wood projects. This course is for juniors and seniors only and may be taken for two years.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Careers in Education Model

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The Careers in Education Course is designed to prepare students for professional or learning support positions in education, pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. Students study human development, standards, regulations and codes, positive guidance and counseling techniques, age-appropriate and grade-appropriate learning strategies, learning theories, and standards-based curriculum and instructional design. Students can apply and practice their knowledge and skills at a variety of elementary and secondary sites. The course prepares students for entry into college or university teacher-training programs.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Child and Adolescent Development Model

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This concentration level course is a study of the physical, perceptual, cognitive, personality, and language developmental stages of children from conception through adolescence, including the principle theories of development and their application. The need for an understanding of how children develop and what influences their development is an important component of contributing to the demands of our complex society. Students will develop an understanding of children and the developmental process through readings, case studies, observations, individual research projects and group project work. Active class participation is enhanced by limited community classroom placement under the guidance of a mentor teacher. All students are required to observe and/or participate in settings and classrooms at the preschool/primary/elementary or middle/junior high levels at the end of the Spring semester.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Classes of Nutrients

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In this lesson students will learn about the five types of nutrients and their purposes. This lesson will also cover symptoms of nutritional deficiencies in livestock. I divide this lesson into two class periods. On the first day we talk about nutrients and the second day we talk about the importance of nutrients for body functions such as growth, reproduction, and maintenance. At the end, students will have to pass a quiz that covers most of the main information taught during these lessons as a means to exhibit proficient comprehension of the information and its importance.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Amanda Samons

Composting: Do the Rot Thing

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With prior knowledge of food and organic matter decomposition, students will use industry and extension publications to learn the processes of composting, as well as the benefits and challenges of compost production (available nutrient levels, community perceptions, hazardous materials, smell, and storage).

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Natalie Borba

Computer Technology & Repair Model

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This two-semester course provides instruction in the basics of computer construction and repair; emphasizes troubleshooting and diagnosis of hardware and software failures; provides the skills necessary to gain entry-level employment in the field of computer servicing. Students have the opportunity to service and repair a wide range of personal computers while learning theory of operation and gaining programming skills. Students will use a variety of service tools. The operation of each component of a computer is studied and tested while assembling test computers. Designed to provide a solid foundation as a basis for a student's continuing education in the computer sciences.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Creating a Resume

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Students will be able to create a complete resume representing their skills, experience, and educational background that will make them employable in todayŐs workforce. Students will create a resume using a Microsoft Word resume template.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan

Crop Production Methods

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Students will explore organic farming, conventional farming, and biotechnology farming methods through a close read approach. Then they will dive deeper into the different production methods by creating a video that discusses the merits and faults of each production method. Lastly, they will write an opinion piece for an agriculture journal that explains their stance as to the best farming practices.

Material Type: Lesson Plan

Author: Crystal Grooms

Culinary Arts 1 and 2 Model

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This course will provide skills in the area of food services and hospitality. These lessons are applicable to a capstone course in food service within a 3 seqence career pathway for Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism industry sector. The student receives training in kitchen safety and sanitation, equipment and facility use, knife skills, food preparation to include: cold pantry, salads, soups and sauces, introductory baking, meats and poultry, short order cook, hot-line, institutional cook, catering, cashiering, hostessing, waiter/waitress, and bussing. Students will participate in the planning, costing, preparation, serving, storage and critique of meals in project based learning. Nutrition and applied academic skills are incorporated in each unit. Career seeking and transferrable skills are incorporated into this curriculum culminating in a portfolio. Students that perform well could be placed in work-based learning environments.

Material Type: Full Course, Lesson Plan