Electives
Students are encouraged to take a variety of elective courses during their time at Keefe Tech. The District offers a number of courses in the arts and humanities as well as courses aligned with Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Pathways for engineering.
Electives
Grade 9
1162 – MYTHOLOGY - (Gr 9, 10, 11, 12) 1 CREDIT
This course will explore the question: how does ancient mythology connect with our lives today? Students will read and act out in class myths from around the world written as plays to learn how ancient myths can teach us lessons for today.
604 – INTRODUCTION TO FINE ARTS CP1 – (Gr 9-12) 1 CREDIT
Introduction to Art is the introduction to art classes. Students will learn how to use elements of art such as line, shape, and color as well as principles of design like balance, contrast, and movement. There are four units of study focusing on increasing ability in the techniques of Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Students will enhance artistic and creative abilities, understand art careers and current events, and see how art allows us to understand a visual language.
1132 - DRAMA & PLAY PRODUCTION - (Gr 9 & 11) 1 CREDIT
The Keefe Tech drama/play/production class will study and perform monologues and soliloquies, scenes, and the various play production formats. This is an applied class in which students will develop voice and movement through a variety of improvisational exercises performed both in the classroom and in the school auditorium. Students will be fluent in the rudimentary skills necessary to be successful as actors, directors, stage managers, backstage, and technical operators, depending upon their area(s) of focus. Students will be assessed on their proactive and enthusiastic class participation in addition to academic presentations, brief written responses, and journal entries. Students will learn that theatrical talents are versatile and may directly inform many on-the-job-skills regardless of career choice. Texts considered will include, but are in no way limited to, those written by the following playwrights: August Wilson, David Ives, Wendy Wasserstein, William Shakespeare, Craig Lucas, Arthur Miller, Sam Shepard, Moises Kaufman, Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Lorraine Hansberry.
617 – INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE CP1 1 CREDIT
Exploring Computer Science courses present students with the conceptual underpinnings of computer science through an exploration of human computer interaction, web design, computer programming, data modeling, and robotics. While these courses include programming, the focus is on the computational practices associated with doing computer science, rather than just a narrow focus on coding, syntax, or tools. Exploring Computer Science courses teach students the computational practices of algorithm design, problem solving, and programming within a context that is relevant to their lives.
Grade 10
1162 – MYTHOLOGY - (Gr 9, 10, 11, 12) 1 CREDIT
This course will explore the question: how does ancient mythology connect with our lives today? Students will read and act out in class myths from around the world written as plays to learn how ancient myths can teach us lessons for today.
604 – INTRODUCTION TO FINE ARTS CP1 – (Gr 9 -12) 1 CREDIT
Introduction to Art is the introduction to art classes. Students will learn how to use elements of art such as line, shape, and color as well as principles of design like balance, contrast, and movement. There are four units of study focusing on increasing ability in the techniques of Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Students will enhance artistic and creative abilities, understand art careers and current events, and see how art allows us to understand a visual language.
616 – COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY – (Gr 10, 11) 1 CREDIT
Computer Technology is a computer laboratory course. Students will use the computer for a variety of software applications and operations, additional computer information, computer trends, careers, and further educational opportunities. Students will select, combine, and apply appropriate software needed to function effectively in our rapidly changing technological, global society. Students will focus on advanced technology skills vital to business and industry, use technology to analyze and manage information and integrate software applications.
Grade 11
1162 – MYTHOLOGY - (Gr 9, 10, 11, 12) 1 CREDIT
This course will explore the question: how does ancient mythology connect with our lives today? Students will read and act out in class myths from around the world written as plays to learn how ancient myths can teach us lessons for today.
604 – INTRODUCTION TO FINE ARTS CP1 – (Gr 10-12) 1 CREDIT
Introduction to Art is the introduction to art classes. Students will learn how to use elements of art such as line, shape, and color as well as principles of design like balance, contrast, and movement. There are four units of study focusing on increasing ability in the techniques of Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Students will enhance artistic and creative abilities, understand art careers and current events, and see how art allows us to understand a visual language.
616 – COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY – (Gr 10, 11) 1 CREDIT
Computer Technology is a computer laboratory course. Students will use the computer for a variety of software applications and operations, additional computer information, computer trends, careers, and further educational opportunities. Students will select, combine, and apply appropriate software needed to function effectively in our rapidly changing technological, global society. Students will focus on advanced technology skills vital to business and industry, use technology to analyze and manage information and integrate software applications.
642 – CERAMICS CP1 1 CREDIT
This course is designed for students who have an interest in working with clay, and gives students experience in making functional as well as sculptural pieces, using a variety of techniques. (Pre Req: Intro to Fine Arts)
1132 - DRAMA & PLAY PRODUCTION - (Gr 9 & 11) 1 CREDIT
The Keefe Tech drama/play/production class will study and perform monologues and soliloquies, scenes, and the various play production formats. This is an applied class in which students will develop voice and movement through a variety of improvisational exercises performed both in the classroom and in the school auditorium. Students will be fluent in the rudimentary skills necessary to be successful as actors, directors, stage managers, backstage, and technical operators, depending upon their area(s) of focus. Students will be assessed on their proactive and enthusiastic class participation in addition to academic presentations, brief written responses, and journal entries. Students will learn that theatrical talents are versatile and may directly inform many on-the-job-skills regardless of career choice. Texts considered will include, but are in no way limited to, those written by the following playwrights: August Wilson, David Ives, Wendy Wasserstein, William Shakespeare, Craig Lucas, Arthur Miller, Sam Shepard, Moises Kaufman, Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Lorraine Hansberry.
643 Ceramics II- CP1 (Gr 11, 12) 1 CREDIT Description: Ceramics II is an art course that will explore advanced solutions to creative problems in clay, glaze and firing techniques as well as art history from around the world. Students will become very good at wheel work and hand building and be able to concentrate on creative solutions that help them realize greater personal expression applicable to all art. (Prerequisite: Ceramics I).
3031 - INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING DESIGN (HON) – (Gr. 11 & 12) 1 CREDIT
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) is a course that is appropriate for students who are interested in design and engineering or another technical career. The major focus of the IED course is to expose students to a design process, professional communication and collaboration methods, design ethics, and technical documentation. IED gives students the opportunity to develop skills in research and analysis, teamwork, technical writing, engineering graphics, and problem solving through activity-, project-, and problem-based (APPB) learning. Used in combination with a teaming approach, APPB-learning challenges students to continually hone their interpersonal skills and creative abilities while applying math, science, and technology knowledge learned in other courses to solve engineering design problems and communicate their solutions. IED also allows students to develop strategies to enable and direct their own learning--an ultimate goal of education.
Grade 12
1162 – MYTHOLOGY - (Gr 9, 10, 11, 12) 1 CREDIT
This course will explore the question: how does ancient mythology connect with our lives today? Students will read and act out in class myths from around the world written as plays to learn how ancient myths can teach us lessons for today.
603 - INTRODUCTION TO CAD - (Gr 12) 1 CREDIT
This is an introductory course that focuses on the basic skills required to create and edit drawings with SoftPlan software. Students are introduced to 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional software commonly used in the industry. This is a hands-on project- based class focused on reading and understanding detailed drawings. Projects consist of creating, editing, and dimensioning drawings.
604 – INTRODUCTION TO FINE ARTS CP1 – (Gr 10-12) 1 CREDIT
Introduction to Art is the introduction to art classes. Students will learn how to use elements of art such as line, shape, and color as well as principles of design like balance, contrast, and movement. There are four units of study focusing on increasing ability in the techniques of Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Students will enhance artistic and creative abilities, understand art careers and current events, and see how art allows us to understand a visual language.
642 – CERAMICS CP1 1 CREDIT
This course is designed for students who have an interest in working with clay, and gives students experience in making functional as well as sculptural pieces, using a variety of techniques. (Pre Req: Intro to Fine Arts)
643 Ceramics II- CP1 (Gr 11, 12) 1 CREDIT Description: Ceramics II is an art course that will explore advanced solutions to creative problems in clay, glaze and firing techniques as well as art history from around the world. Students will become very good at wheel work and hand building and be able to concentrate on creative solutions that help them realize greater personal expression applicable to all art. (Prerequisite: Ceramics I).
3031 - INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING DESIGN (HON) – (Gr. 11 & 12) 1 CREDIT
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) is a course that is appropriate for students who are interested in design and engineering or another technical career. The major focus of the IED course is to expose students to a design process, professional communication and collaboration methods, design ethics, and technical documentation. IED gives students the opportunity to develop skills in research and analysis, teamwork, technical writing, engineering graphics, and problem solving through activity-, project-, and problem-based (APPB) learning. Used in combination with a teaming approach, APPB-learning challenges students to continually hone their interpersonal skills and creative abilities while applying math, science, and technology knowledge learned in other courses to solve engineering design problems and communicate their solutions. IED also allows students to develop strategies to enable and direct their own learning--an ultimate goal of education.
4092 – INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY CP 1– (Gr 12) 1 CREDIT
This is a year-long course. The course is designed to introduce students to the systematic of human behavior. Students will be exposed to the psychological facts and principles associated with the major sub-fields within psychology. This course introduces the psychological basis of behavior, development, learning, memory, consciousness, personality, and abnormal psychology. Students will also explore how people use their mental processes to learn, solve problems, and face the challenges of their daily lives. An emphasis will be placed on the application of critical thinking skills, independent reading, individual and group projects, essay writing, research skills, and objective tests and quizzes.
753 - LEARNING STRATEGIES – (Gr 12) 1 CREDIT
This elective provides students with direct instruction to maximize success in on-going course work. Organizational skills, time- management skills, and note taking skills will support all major content areas: English math, science, social studies, and career and technical related theory.
Elective Teacher Contact Information
Electives beyond art are taught by members of other Academic Departments - please utilize the faculty and staff directory as needed.