Communication Arts

Rationale:  Communication Arts is the foundation from which life skills knowledge is attained.  In this increasingly complex world students need to be able to communicate effectively, analyze and locate information, recognize and solve problems, make informed decisions and act as responsible members of society.

To be considered proficient in Communication skills, each student receiving a diploma from Montgomery County R-II should have demonstrated mastery of the following goals as they progressed through the Communication Arts curriculum. 

1. Read, view, listen to, and evaluate written, visual, and oral communications.
2. Locate, gather, process, organize and evaluate written, visual, and oral communications.
3. Relate literature and other texts to prior experiences.
4. Analyze and evaluate how language and communications influence the cultures or era in which they are created.
5. Apply information, ideas, processes and skills learned in the study of communication arts to new situations and tasks.
6. Write about, visually represent and discuss written, visual, and oral communication demonstrating an understanding of information and ideas.
7. Create print and non-print communications for various audiences and for a variety of purposes.
8. Create print and non-print communications to publish or formally present information and ideas.
9. Participate in informal presentations and discussions.
10. Demonstrate proficiency in speaking and writing standard English.
11. Apply communication strategies to identify, understand and solve problems.
12. Analyze and evaluate problem-solving strategies of characters in fiction, nonfiction, drama and film
13. Analyze and evaluate problems involved in creating their own written, oral and visual communications.
14. Analyze and solve problems involved in creating their own written, oral and visual communications.
15. Apply communication skills and strategies to facilitate decision-making.
16. Analyze and evaluate decision-making processes involving language use, literature and daily experiences.
17. Make informed decisions regarding communications.

Science

Rationale:  As we move into a new century, science and technology will play an increasingly important role in our world.  In the Montgomery County R-II School District we will strive to foster scientific literacy by encouraging children to investigate, make observations and seek answers through the use of hands-on, minds-on activities.  We hope to foster in our children an understanding and appreciation of the natural world, so they might have a positive impact on the quality of life in the future.

To be proficient in science, each student graduating from Montgomery County R-II High School should have demonstrated mastery of the following goals as they progressed through the science curriculum.

1. Students will recognize the phenomena of the natural world as well as its diversity and unity.
2. Students will recognize that science, mathematics, and technology are interdependent, each with strengths and limitations.
3. Students will be able to communicate using scientific terminology and use the key concepts, principles and laws of science.
4. Students will gain, through hands-on lab experience, a clearer understanding of scientific methods and their applications in gathering, recording and analyzing information and ideas.
5. Students will connect science and everyday experiences and apply scientific principles to difficult problems that confront society.
6. Students will be able to apply knowledge of the human body to health issues that affect daily living.
7. Students will recognize the phenomena of the natural world as well as its diversity and unity.
8. Students will recognize that science, mathematics, and technology are interdependent, each with strengths and limitations.
9. Students will be able to communicate using scientific terminology and use the key concepts, principles and laws of science.
10. Students will gain, through hands-on lab experience, a clearer understanding of scientific methods and their applications in gathering, recording and analyzing information and ideas.
11. Students will connect science and everyday experiences and apply scientific principles to difficult problems that confront society.
12. Students will be able to apply knowledge of the human body to health issues that affect daily living.

Social Studies

Rationale:  The mission of social studies is to prepare young people for informed, responsible citizenship now and in the future.  The United States is becoming more culturally diverse, technologically advanced, and economically interdependent with the rest of the world. In order for students to live successfully and harmoniously, an understanding of ones own and other cultures, the democratic process, and trade and industry is necessary.  Montgomery County R-II will provide a variety of affective and cognitive experiences through the study of economic, civic/political, social/cultural, and historical and geographical perspectives.

To be considered proficient in Social Studies, each student receiving a diploma from Montgomery County R-II Schools should have demonstrated mastery of the following goals as they progressed through the social studies curriculum.

1. Analyze and apply rights and responsibilities of citizens in our constitutional democracy.
2. Recognize the impact of social, behavioral and cultural factors.
3. Interpret history in order to make responsible decisions.
4. Utilize geographical skills.
5. Appraise and solve social, behavioral and economic problems.

Mathematics

Rationale:  Mathematics is a knowledge/communications enabling students to adapt within a technologically based environment.  Students will develop the mathematical confidence to grow as individuals, to achieve the lifelong skills of reasoning and problem solving, and to be productive on our globally diverse society.

To be considered proficient in mathematics, each student receiving a diploma form Montgomery County R-II should have demonstrated mastery of the following goals as they progressed through the math curriculum.

1. Students will develop and demonstrate an understanding of the role mathematics will play in their lives as lifelong learners.
2. Students will develop and demonstrate a confidence in their own mathematical abilities.
3. Students will develop and demonstrate an ability to be mathematical communicators.
4. Students will develop and demonstrate an ability to be mathematical problem solvers.
5. Students will develop and demonstrate an ability to effectively reason mathematically.
6. Students will develop and demonstrate an ability to recognize the relationship between mathematics and other curriculum areas.

Comments or suggestions may be e-mailed to mbrown@mc-wildcats.org.

2008 © Montgomery Co. R-II Schools

May 02, 2008