Electives - Course Descriptions

2021-2022 School Year

Some unique aspects of Quander Road electives: 

  • Some of our students access the FCPS Academies classes at their neighborhood school.

  • Most students participate in our Personal Development elective where students work on social and emotional skills, as well as specific course intervention and enrichment.

  • Our art classes are therapeutic classes. The small environment at Quander Road School allows for teachers to be flexible in accommodating student needs. Students enrolled in 2D Art and Design may choose to work with three dimensional materials on occasion.  Likewise, students enrolled in Studio Art and Design but who experience sensory difficulties with three dimensional materials may choose to focus on two dimensional projects for their coursework.

  • Our students do not dress out for PE.

Health & Physical Education Courses

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION 9 (730000) - REQUIRED

Grades: 9 Credit: one

Students gain knowledge and skills in a variety of individual, dual, and team sports/activities to develop competencies to promote an active lifestyle. Students begin to apply personal fitness planning concepts to individualized plans. One quarter of the course includes instruction in the health education topics of drug use prevention, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; emotional and social health; personal health; injury and violence prevention; disease prevention; and cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillation (CPR and AED).

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION 10 (740500) - REQUIRED

Grades: 10 Credit: one

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Health and Physical Education, grade 9

Students demonstrate competency in a lifetime sport or activity and demonstrate personal fitness planning. One quarter of the course includes instruction in the health education topics: personal and community health, nutrition, human growth and development, and injury and violence prevention. One quarter of the course includes the classroom component of driver education. The 90-minute Parent/Teen Traffic Safety Presentation is offered to fulfill the requirements of juvenile licensing. Grades from all quarters are averaged to determine the final course grade.

PERSONAL FITNESS 1 & 2

Grades: 10,11,12 Credit: 1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Health and Physical Education grade 9

Students in Advanced Physical Education are proficient in all fundamental movement skills and skill combinations and are competent in self-selected physical activities that they are likely to participate in throughout life. They understand and apply key movement and fitness principles and concepts for all activities in which they demonstrate competence. Students are good leaders and good followers, respect others, and anticipate and avoid unsafe physical activity situations. They develop the ability to understand and anticipate how physical activity interests and abilities change across a lifetime. Students focus on self-selected physical activities that can be participated in throughout life. They plan, implement, self-assess, and modify a personal fitness plan. Students are prepared to lead a physically active lifestyle.

Mathematics Courses

ALGEBRA 1 / PART 1 (313100)

Grades: 9, 10 Credit: one

Prerequisite: Middle School Mathematics

Algebra 1 / Part 1 extends students' understanding of the real number system and its properties through the study of variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, and analysis of data derived from real-world phenomena. Topics include linear equations and inequalities, linear relations and functions, measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), data analysis and middle school objectives as needed. Algebra 1 / Part 1 includes approximately sixty percent of the Virginia Standards of Learning for Algebra 1. Students who began 9th grade during the 2009-2010 school year or earlier must pass Algebra 1 to receive mathematics graduation credit for Algebra 1 / Part 1.

INDIVIDUALIZED MATH (312190)

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

The purpose of this course is to provide the foundational skills necessary to enter Algebra 1 for students who are performing below the fifth-grade level in mathematics. Students examine algebra- and geometry-preparatory concepts and skills; strategies for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; and number concepts and skills emphasizing proportional reasoning. Problem solving, communication, concept representation, and connections among mathematical ideas are presented in a hands-on learning environment. Students may need up to two years to complete the course but should move to the next course as soon as their mathematics skills warrant. This course emphasizes language objectives in addition to mathematics objectives and does not meet the mathematics graduation requirements; students earn elective credit.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS (788980)

Grades  9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

This elective course is designed to provide support to a student in core curricular areas and to provide direct instruction in specific learning strategies, study skills, time management, organization, and self-advocacy skills. Time is also allotted to address individual areas of need as identified in a student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP). While students may receive assistance on core curricular assignments, the course is not designed to serve as a study hall. Students enrolled in the course receive the equivalent of one period of instruction each day and earn an elective credit. This course may be taught for an elective credit all four years or more, as appropriate. Students successfully completing two years of this course will satisfy the sequential elective requirement for the Standard and Modified Standard Diploma.

STEM Courses

STEM DESIGN (843500)

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

DESIGN is a high school foundation course in technology and engineering education. The course provides balance between basic applied engineering implementing the newest technologies, and skill building in Computer Aided Design (CAD).  Students will be exposed to authentic problems which will assist in the development of personal skills in visualization, design, construction, digital development and problem-solving principles. Students will also implement standards and concepts from mathematics and science to fields such as Mechanical Motion, Energy, Electronics, and Transportation Systems.

Industry certification may be available as part of this course.  This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

STEM PRE-ENGINEERING (840500)

Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

Pre-Requisite: STEM Design 843500 required or teacher approval

STEM Pre-Engineering is the study of various technologies working together as a system.  The central theme of STEM Pre-Engineering is the integration of the technological systems of production, energy, communication, transportation, and other related current or emerging technologies.  Students work on individual and group activities that are integrated with core subjects and reinforce mathematics, science, and technical writing.  Integrated or thematic activities in this course challenge students to use the technological method to solve practical and critical thinking skills problems in a variety of systems or subsystems.

Industry certification may be available as part of this course.  This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

Studio Arts Courses

2-D STUDIO ART 1 (916011)

Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

Prerequisite: Studio Art and Design 1 or permission of the instructor

Improve skills and techniques to create two-dimensional artworks that may include drawing, painting, printmaking, and other two-dimensional art forms. Explore new approaches and directions in two-dimensional processes and use a variety of materials and tools to produce unique and meaningful artworks related to the theme of perceptions of self. Study the history of two-dimensional art forms to inform personal art-making and compile a required portfolio of personal artwork. This course may require the student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922

2-D STUDIO ART 2 (916111)

Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one

Prerequisite: 2-D STUDIO ART 1

Expand the study of two-dimensional art forms and applications while exploring and responding to social and contemporary issues. Build and apply in-depth knowledge of two-dimensional processes including technological applications to create original artworks that may include drawing, painting, printmaking, and other two-dimensional art forms. Investigate historical and cultural styles and leading artists of two-dimensional art forms to inform artmaking. Develop professional exhibition techniques through critique and evaluation and apply knowledge by arranging an exhibition of personal artwork and the artwork of others. Compile a final required portfolio that demonstrates expressive content, quality, concentration, and breadth of experience. This course may require the student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922

STUDIO ART & DESIGN 1 (912000)

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

Explore a variety of exciting opportunities and materials to inform the artmaking process. Learn to think conceptually and realize potential as a creative and critical thinker in order to meet the challenges of 21st century living. Explore personal interests while developing skills in the areas of drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and digital media. Course content includes art production, art appreciation, and studies in visual culture. This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

STUDIO ART & DESIGN 2 (913000)

Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

Prerequisite: STUDIO ART AND DESIGN 1

Cultivate previously developed artistic knowledge and skills learned in Studio Art and Design 1. Explore new combinations and possibilities in the use of two-dimensional and three-dimensional media including technological applications. Investigate contemporary topics as they relate to artistic expression and design. Ask questions, solve problems, create products, and communicate ideas in innovative ways. Course content includes art production, design thinking, art history and criticism, aesthetics, and studies in visual culture. This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

STUDIO ART & DESIGN 3 (914000)

Grades: 11, 12 Credit: one

Prerequisite: STUDIO ART AND DESIGN 2

Expand and improve artistic understandings and skills by using creative processes. Develop an individual style and voice to communicate ideas. Articulate responses to personal and global issues through the integration of traditional and electronic media. Present artworks in diverse formats. Course content includes art production, design application, art history, criticism, aesthetics, and studies in visual culture. This course requires a student materials fee as listed in FCPS Notice 5922.

 

Other Elective Courses

ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE (612000) - Online Course

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

Instruction in economics and personal finance prepares students to function effectively as consumers, savers, investors, entrepreneurs, and active citizens. Students learn how economies and markets operate and how the United States' economy is interconnected with the global economy. On a personal level, students learn that their own human capital (knowledge and skills) is their most valuable resource. Beginning with students entering ninth grade in fall 2011, one standard unit of credit in Economics and Personal Finance is required for graduation.

 

EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYMENT (EFE) Levels 1 (908561) and 2 (908761)

Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: Level 1 is one credit; level 2 is two credits

Students receive school-based and community-based instruction organized around an approved job that leads toward their career goal. The teacher-coordinator, on-the-job training sponsor, parent, and student develop an individualized training plan that identifies learning experiences according to the student's occupational objective. The on-the-job training is an extension of the classroom instruction coordinated by the classroom teacher into a coherent set of performance objectives and skills. Students enrolled in EFE Level 2 attend at least one EFE class and work a minimum of 396 hours (10 hours per week) in an approved and supervised part-time job for one credit.

 

FOOD AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT (825900)

Grades: 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

This course allows students to explore food safety and sanitation, food preparation and presentation of foods, global cuisines, and a variety of careers related to the hospitality, tourism and recreation industry. Skills in mathematics, science, and communications will be reinforced throughout the curriculum. In addition, emerging technologies used in related industries will be incorporated. 

 

LITERACY ESSENTIALS (118000)

Grades: 9,10,11 Credit: one

This course is designed to provide direct, explicit, and intensive reading and writing instruction to students who are two or more years below expected proficiency. Basic objectives of this course are focused on closing the gap between the students’ present levels of performance and the level of performance needed to successfully access the general curriculum.

 

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (781580)

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12 Credit: one

Designed for students whose social/emotional needs affect their school performance. Instructional topics include understanding yourself, goal setting, communication, building relationships, dealing with emotions, stress management, wellness, problem-solving, decision-making, self-advocacy, and career and transition. This course is appropriate for students who have documented social/emotional needs on their Individualized Educational Program (IEP).