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Located within the 75,000 acre Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore,
The Leelanau School provides the opportunity for students to experience
the natural world firsthand. As a department, we value and emphasize
the scientific method through data collection and analysis, firsthand
observation, and the application of analytical skills as frequently
as possible. Students are regularly in the field collecting information
on topics such as the health of freshwater ecosystems and bird populations
through the use of tracking, listening, reading and writing skills.
In contrast, participation in the lab for chemistry, physics, biotechnology
and anatomy is a daily experience. Exploration and constructive
style delivery methods are of major importance in this department.
Cross - curricular opportunities are utilized on a regular basis.
The use of digital photography, digital microscopy, film making
and sculpture are integral tools in several of our classes. Teachers
bring their strengths to each discipline they teach. Several of
the course offerings involve multiple teachers instructing specific
units which fall into their areas of expertise. It is a critical
departmental goal to provide every Leelanau student with as many
opportunities to learn about and to become comfortable in the natural
world. Appreciation comes from familiarity and knowledge about the
world. From appreciation comes concern and awareness, thus a cyclic
pattern of growth in knowledge and active involvement can then emerge.
Biology 1 – The Wild World of Plants, Animals, and Ecology
Do you know that the science of naming plants and animals with backbones,
identifying their anatomical parts, observing the way they breathe,
have evolved, reproduce, adapt and carry out life processes is so
fascinating that the entire fall and spring semesters are devoted
to combining a multitude of field trips and hands-on lab work to
make their secrets known to us? Winter is a time to strap on those
snow shoes and trek into the swamps, forests, meadows and bogs to
discover the way in which plants and animals interact with themselves
and the climatic conditions that surround them. This course is an excellent
foundation for enrolling in Biology 2 and, even if it is the only
course in Biology that you take, it will give you a lifelong memory
of some of the most basic understanding of life on this planet we
call earth!
Biology 2 – Life Big and Small
Imagine coming into your biology classroom, pulling on a pair of
waders, loading up a van with your classmates and traveling to a
variety of freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams to experience firsthand what it is like to live as an animal without a backbone! How
does such an organism breathe, eat, protect itself, reproduce, and
adapt to its environment? What are the evolutionary stages that
have passed that give it a formula for success? Discover for yourself,
with the help of your instructor and a myriad of resources, what
life is like as an invertebrate. Once winter arrives, we will explore
life on the molecular and cellular levels and learn how cells of
all types metabolize and propagate their genetic information to
the next generation. In the spring, it is back in the field to observe
life in the microscopic realm. By the end of the year, you will
never see the living world around you with the same set of eyes!
Marine Biology
This course is designed to give students first-hand experiences of what life is like in the marine ecosystem using an ecological
approach and sailing around the British and American Virgin Islands.
Students will employ all their senses as they snorkel the coral reefs, live on a 46-foot sailboat for seven days, sail from island to island, trek along the coastlines and inland roadways of Tortola and Virgin Gorda, and to observe the botanical, geological, and cultural life of these beautiful volcanic islands. Students will be expected to active participants in all aspects of meal preparations, sailing, journaling, and presenting their experiences to the entire school community. Students who are invited to participate in this program and successfully complete the course will earn one semester credit.
Human Anatomy, Physiology and Evolution
Biology 3 is a course designed to introduce students to an intensive study of the anatomy of the human body, how it functions and how humans fit in to the larger evolutionary picture. Anatomy will be covered by a systems approach. Each system of the body will be looked at with particular emphasis placed on correct terminology and an understanding of the individual organ anatomy and function. Throughout the year students have the ability to present material in a large variety of formats. Video production, collage, power point, song writing, skits, and traditional evaluations are all utilized to help the students with this vocabulary heavy course material. Sculpture, artistic rendition, dissections, and skeletal reconstruction, field trips and guest speakers all add to the diversity of the classroom.
Environmental Science – Freshwater Ecology, Terrestrial Ecosystems
and Energy
This is a course designed to introduce students to the study of
different aspects of the environment using a systems approach. The
units of study include Freshwater Ecology, Terrestrial Ecosystems,
and Energy. In the freshwater ecology unit, students will be in
the field regularly collecting data and studying various aspects
of the abundant freshwater ecosystems that surround our campus.
The unique aspects of wetlands, rivers and streams, inland lakes
and ponds and the Great Lakes will be studied. Taxonomy, chemistry,
limnology, and species diversity are aspects
of study that will help students answer questions about freshwater
ecosystem health and preservation. The impact of global and local
climate changes, human impact and history on our local systems are
of particular interest in this unit. Students will also investigate
aspects of local terrestrial ecosystems. Mature deciduous forests,
dune succession sequences, old-field succession, and the inter-relationship
of groups of animals and their surroundings will be the focus of
another unit of study. In the study of energy, having built on their
understanding of ecosystems, students will focus on the flow of
energy through various levels of organisms within an ecosystem.
This course will look at human energy consumption and production,
food supplies and the manipulation of the environment to produce
energy for the human race, the impact of costs and benefits of corporate
style agriculture and world food requirements for the future. Energy
production and consumption of all types are also introduced in this
course. Electrical, heating, and transportation energy systems are
analyzed and evaluated by learning to complete an energy audit on
buildings and looking at energy efficiency in construction techniques
and appliance design. Energy generation methods, including, nuclear,
hydro, wind, fossil fuel, solar, hydrogen and other technologies,
are the focus of this unit of study.
Earth Science - Earth Systems, Navigation, and Landscape Evolution
Earth Science is a course designed to introduce you to the systems of the earth and the physical processes active on, below and above its surface. The study of the Earth will include studying the different models of the earth, will look at the geographic overlays we have placed on the earth and how we have changed the way we see our planet. We will also be investigating the dynamic systems of the earth including rock composition, minerals, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes, mountain building, and resource management. Our study will also include weathering, soil and erosion, the effect of rivers and streams on the landscape, groundwater, glaciers and the effects of wind, waves and currents. More than half of the earths surface is covered by water and as such we will introduce oceanography and look at the earths oceans. Finally, we will look at weather and climate and how these systems impact the surface of the earth.
Chemistry – Elements, Molecules, Bonds, and Reactions
Chemistry is a high school level introduction to the exploration of chemical principles and the world of physical science. These chemical and physical principles are covered using a framework emphasizing the link between experience and the assimilation of new information into that framework of understanding. Students will participate in an entire year of guided activities while looking for patterns in evidence and examples and will be encouraged to come to their own conclusions. Often, nomenclature and formal definitions are frequently introduced after students have explored, scrutinized and developed a concept.
Most daily class sessions are built around a framework of student investigation. Topics are introduced through students exploring the topic using an introductory exercise focusing on the main goal of the lesson. Ideas generated by these activities are shared through follow-up discussions. Activities are varied and include, experiments, card sorts, work sheets with problems, model building, and others. Students work, for the most part, in small groups and are encouraged to comment and discuss the process they are going through. They are also encouraged to think and build their own understanding rather that be given rote, factual answers by the instructor.
Daily activities are followed by a making sense discussion. This procedure is used to formalize student understanding of the concept. The activities are processed with the entire class. Data and conclusions are shared, regardless of how far fetched. Students are asked to provide evidence to support their conclusions. Key concepts, ideas, tools and definitions are covered at this time.
Finally, questions are posed at the conclusion of class to provide both students and instructor with a quick assessment of the grasp of the day’s concept.
Physics – Physical Laws and The Universe
The physics course at Leelanau uses the conceptual physics approach
to addressing the understanding of the physical laws that govern
the universe. This approach places emphasis on doing physics in
order to understand the principles. This approach is sometimes referred
to as “concepts before computation.” A three stage learning
cycle is featured in this style of learning that consists of exploration,
concept development, and application. By exploring a concept first,
students gain valuable information before being asked to analyze
it. The idea that information is best learned if it answers a question
is central to this learning strategy. The exploration develops a
need for the information found in the concept before trying to master
that concept. Students will learn physics through a combination
of reading, teacher demonstrations, lectures and teacher-led activities
to help develop the content. Equations will be used as a guide to
thinking, rather then as a recipe for plugging in numerical values.
The use of equations to thoroughly understand the variables involved
in a problem or concept is a successful method of analysis and critical
to mastering higher order thinking skills. This delivery method
of learning physics allows students greater opportunity to verbalize
their understanding, question their teachers and other students
more readily, and develop greater security in their understanding
before they begin problem solving.
Astronomy – Stars, Planets, Galaxies, Solar Systems in Our
Universe
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the history,
techniques, materials, and methods of Astronomy, and by extension,
natural science. We intend to stretch our imaginations to be able
to visualize the geometries of the very small and the very large.
We hope to gain comfort with difficult concepts regarding the cycles
of all structures within the cosmos, including our own planet and
the solar system, all types of stars and their life cycles, galaxies
and their component parts, clusters of galaxies, and the past, present,
and future of the universe as it has been, and is currently understood.
Most importantly, we want to develop in students a delight in empirical,
scientific inquiry and an abiding curiosity about how the natural
world works.
At Leelanau, we view our math classes as an opportunity to improve
the learner’s problem-solving skills through investigations,
projects and practice. Whether or not the quadratic formula is remembered,
what Leelanau students learn in each math class will benefit them
for the rest of their lives. Traditionally, math students are accustomed
to sitting at their desks, watching a teacher instruct about mathematical
concepts, raising clarifying questions, and then are asked to work
out numerous problems with no real relevancy shown to how mathematics
may apply outside of the classroom. Our students develop a very
active and inquisitive learning style in mathematics and will have
the analytical skills to attack any problem and attack it with confidence
and logic.
Problem Solving
The class is designed around the concepts of problem solving, critical thinking, written communication, and oral communication. Students will work on a wide variety of real-life mathematical problems – some recreational and some more serious – but will be asked to solve problems themselves to promote self-efficacy and problem solving skills. This will be done primarily in groups, but there will be sufficient individual work to provide for individualized assessment. There will be emphasis on small group problem solving, individual written and oral communication. Participation will be necessary for success in this class. Students will be asked to explain their thinking and conclusions. The hoped for outcomes from successful completion of this course include a student with more confidence in his/her own abilities, with a set of working tools to help in problem solving for future math and science courses, and a willingness to TRY any kind of problem.
Algebra I - Equations, Inequalities, Variables, and Graphs
Throughout this two semester course the goal is for every student to know how to solve equations and inequalities, solve and graph linear equations, write equations in order to solve real world problems, solve ratios and proportions, and know how to work with exponents and polynomials. There will also be a focus on sharpening their basic math skills to ensure that we strengthen everyone’s mathematical foundation. We achieve this by teaching small classes so that we can individualize our teaching methods to suit each student’s learning style. We use hands-on instruction and relate topics to have real life application to engage the student and give meaning to the teaching of algebra.
Geometry - Properties of Shapes and Figures in the 1, 2, & 3 Dimensional Worlds
In this course the students will be able to identify and know the difference between essential geometry figures such as, points, lines, segments, ect. They will learn the properties and relationships of angles, polygons, and circles, and apply this to solving geometric problems; they will also know how to write basic proofs based on this. Students will be able to use the Pythagorean Theorem. They will learn to calculate two dimensional area, as well as surface area and volume of three dimensional objects. Since this class builds upon algebra I, there is a significant amount of algebra involved so the students can continue to strengthen their skills. We accomplish this by using a variety of methods and having the ability to individualize instruction based on student’s needs. Geometry is very visual, so we draw things out and use constructions to show properties and relationships among figures.
Algebra II - Systems, Functions, and Complex Equations
Algebra II is a continuation of the McDougal Littell sequence used in both Algebra I and Geometry. Students will review all the necessary algebraic tools and how they apply to real-world applications. Students then move on to inquire about different types of functions, beginning with linear models. Students then continue to explore the relations of linear, polynomial, quadratic, rational and logarithmic functions through projects, instruction and investigations, and it ends with a focus on trigonometric identities and properties. Students will be assessed on primarily tests, quizzes, homework, and projects, but will also be graded on their note-taking and organizational effort and less formally assessed through classroom interaction and group work. Throughout the course, students will be given hands-on assignments to develop conceptual understanding as well as more traditional teaching methods intermixed to develop college-ready study and learning skills. An emphasis will begin to be placed upon taking a more rigorous look at ingrained mathematical understanding as well as maintaining a more typical focus on higher-level thinking.
Pre Calculus - Trigonometry, Algebra, and a bit of Everything
Pre-Calculus is conceptually similar in many ways to Algebra II. Students will review all the necessary algebraic tools and how they apply to real-world applications, but through Pre-Calculus extend them to incorporate a more rigorous and defined approach to advanced mathematics. Students will start with analyzing functions of several types; polynomial, power, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric. Matrices will be covered in order to link them with explore systems of equations. This course then ends with discrete mathematics, which are a bridge to AP Statistics, and limits, which are a conceptual bridge to AP Calculus. The course will emphasis note-taking and study skills as well as developing conceptual understanding, which is paramount to success in the college arena (especially math). Students will be graded primarily on tests, quizzed, and homework, but will also be assessed on their note-taking and organizational skills in order to encourage development of methods for bridging their alternative learning styles with traditional college-level educational methods. Students will work with each other to develop these skills as well s their conceptual understanding of the material, and they will be shown ways of incorporating their individualized skills into undifferentiated instruction methods.
Calculus – A Whole World of Mathematics
Calculus is the mathematics of motion and change, centered around three important interrelated concepts: limits, derivatives, and integrals. In this course students will combine all of the math skills that they have been practicing over the past several years to open up a whole new world of mathematical thinking. Students will be graded mainly on homework and tests, but keeping pace and participating in class will be crucial for success. Calculus is a challenging topic, but it is also fun and highly rewarding when a student finally “gets it”. This math will lay a foundation for many more classes in the future, as nearly all sciences and many other branches of mathematics make use of the possibilities it reveals.
Statistics
Statistics is the mathematics involved in analyzing the events and behavior of the world around us. It is not a collection of formulas and rules, but rather a system of tools that integrates with our conceptual understanding of that which is around us. It is pattern recognition. It is the science of concrete relationships. Most math that students may have done in the past has involved putting numbers to meaning. Statistics is the other way around; it is the science of putting meaning to numbers. In this class students will learn how to take data, analyze that data, use that analysis to form new data, and analyze those analyses. They will be given projects, reports, test, homework and quizzes to formally assess their work, as well as informal oral assessment throughout the class via interactive and discovery learning. Students will gain a ground-level understanding of how statistics can be used and manipulated, and how the process of doing so is so important in the modern world.
Financial Literacy
How do you borrow money, not pay any interest, and actually get someone to pay you for having done so? Or why is making minimum monthly credit card payments a really BAD idea? What can you do – now – to be a millionaire by the time you retire? What is a credit score? How do you start building one and how do you keep track of it? What are stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and how does one really invest in the market? How do you manage a checking account? All these – and other mathematically related topics – are explored in this course which is intended to provide our students with, as the title says, Financial Literacy. Those who leave college in a state of financial illiteracy will be forever at the mercy of those who are financially literate. It is our hope that, with successful completion of this class, no Leelanau School graduate will be in the former group.
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