Academic Electives - expanding learning opportunities

Academic electives are offered for enrichment only; thus, your work is assessed on a pass/fail basis. You choose two electives from any three categories: academic, performing and visual arts, and athletics. Students enrolled in the College Prep Program only choose one elective but may enroll in a second if they wish.

NOTE: Electives may vary from one summer to the next as insufficient enrollment maycause an elective or activity to be canceled. Conversely, an interest in a particular topic or discipline may lead to the creation of a new elective.

ENGLISH SKILLS
Writing Workshop
Short Stories

MODERN LANGUAGES
Introduction to Mandarin
Introduction Spanish

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I

PREPARATION FOR SSAT, SAT & TOEFL
SSAT Preparation
SAT Preparation
TOEFL Preparation

TECHNOLOGY
Introduction to Computers
Advanced Computer Applications
Web Page Design
Computer Design
Video & Film-Making Workshop

Writing Workshop
The goal of this course is to help you improve your writing skills, develop your style and find your voice. You learn to organize and to revise compositions carefully, to use original and secondary materials, to write research pieces in a clear, concise manner and to express yourself in a variety of creative styles.
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Short Stories
Native speakers of English and advanced ESL students learn to analyze and to interpret short stories. The course has four major objectives: to help you understand basic structure and elements of literature, to sharpen your reading comprehension skills, to encourage critical reading and to give you an opportunity to examine the short story as a unique literary genre.
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Introduction to Mandarin
If you are a beginner, this introduction to Mandarin allows you to build a basic vocabulary and syntax in order to engage in short conversations about daily routines. You will:

• write basic Chinese characters as well as their Romanized forms (pinyin),
• pronounce newly learned vocabulary in the correct tone,
• engage in short dialogues in Chinese,
• understand and respond to basic questions and commands in Mandarin
• become familiar with select aspects of Chinese culture

Introductory Spanish
You will learn basic vocabulary and grammar of the Spanish language. Role playing enables you to practice day-to-day living situations encountered in countries where Spanish is spoken.
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Pre-Algebra
This course is for students interested in acquiring a strong foundation in basic computational skills and arithmetic. Topics include percentages, fractions, operations, signed numbers and word problems.
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Algebra I
This course is for students who can use basic arithmetical concepts. Topics include first- and seconddegree equations, graphing, polynomial arithmetic, factoring, word problems and rational expressions.
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SSAT Preparation
If you are interested in applying to independent secondary schools, performance on the SSAT, a standardized test, is often required and plays a crucial role in your admission. In this course, you will familiarize yourself with the test and focus on question preparation and test-taking strategies. The course also helps you with other features of the admission process, from personal interviews to writing application essays.
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SAT Preparation
Focus on the verbal and mathematical skills and the test-taking techniques required for your success on the SAT. You take three or four diagnostic tests to determine progress over the summer and are given a plan for follow-up tests and additional study.
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TOEFL Preparation
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for entrance into most American colleges and universities. This course provides you a thorough review of the types of questions that appear on the TOEFL examination, including the Internet Based
Test (iBT). Intensive grammar review, as well as vocabulary, reading and listening comprehension exercises, is integrated with practice tests. Your errors are analyzed, and your teacher helps you to learn strategies to improve your areas of weakness. Unofficial pre-TOEFL and TOEFL exams are offered to provide you with feedback about your progress.
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Introduction to Computers
This course offers you an introduction to word processing and basic computer use. Other topics, including spreadsheets, databases, computer graphics, desktop publishing and the Internet are also covered.
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Advanced Computer Applications
Familiar with word processing, databases and spreadsheet applications? Explore more sophisticated uses of these and other programs in this course. Based on your abilities and interest, Advanced Computer Applications offers more intensive instruction in Filemaker Pro, desktop publishing and basic programming. The direction of the course is determined by the students in collaboration with the instructor. Classes are hands-on and project-based.
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Web Page Design
If you are interested in planning and creating web pages, you will use Dreamweaver web design software to learn how to create a master plan for your web page, provide navigation within the page itself as well as to other links, and use multimedia, including graphics, music, and animation to enhance the aesthetic appeal and effectiveness of your web page.
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Computer Design
Create a variety of projects utilizing several software programs including Photoshop. Use scanners and the Quick Cam and download information from the Internet to make dynamic designs. You should have a basic understanding of computers before enrolling.
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Video & Film-Making Workshop
Lights…camera…action…but first, learn an in-camera editing process and work in a new state-of-the-art editing suite, using Final Cut Pro along with related software programs to import and digitize clips, edit them in sequence and export completed projects to videotape. You collaborate in small groups and are required to perform in as well as film each other’s works.
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