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Departmental Courses

In most cases Third Formers take courses listed as a level I and Fourth Formers take courses listed as a level II. Fifth and Sixth Form courses are based on level of preparation, interest and personal academic needs. In most cases courses can be taken be either Fifth or Sixth Form students.

English Department

English I, a core curriculum course in the Third Form, reflects the goals and topics of the form’s theme – A Sense of Place: Community and Belonging. The focus is on the development of reading skills, comprehension, studying vocabulary in context, improving grammar skills, and developing sentence and paragraph writing techniques. Third Form students learn methods for analyzing readings and identifying literary devices such as setting and figures of speech. Students develop and look for connections between texts in the core program. Students also start developing their individual writing styles through memoirs, persuasive speeches, creative writing prompts, and analytical assignments. Students will use a variety of texts, short stories and poetry throughout their literary exploration.

English II emphasizes close reading skills and builds paragraph and essay writing skills as part of the form’s core curriculum. Fourth Formers learn the basic structure of a persuasive essay, with a special emphasis on forming meaningful and defensible theses with appropriate supporting evidence. Students learn to differentiate fact from opinion. They learn to rephrase or summarize what the teacher or a classmate has said and to take notes in a discussion setting. Nightly written responses to reading selections, which have included Beowulf, Henry V and Tale of Two Cities, prepare the students for active and productive classroom participation.

The English III curriculum is a survey of American literature. Students read a wide variety of texts, including classics, such as The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye, and The Grapes of Wrath, as well as some more contemporary selections. The curriculum covers each of the main literary genres of fiction, non-fiction, drama, short story, and poetry. English III students continue to hone the skills of close reading and expository writing acquired during their Third and Fourth Form years, as well as develop the new skill of individual analysis. Following the theme of the Fifth Form, the main challenge of English III is to develop the ability to independently deconstruct and analyze literature. This is achieved through student-centered class discussions and more open-ended writing assignments, including a paper that discourses with established literary criticism on one of the works we study. The goal of the English III curriculum is for students to develop the ability to develop and defend their own interpretations of what they are reading. In English III, students begin to develop the skills necessary to excel in college-level English courses.

The advanced section of English III follows the curriculum of the standard English III class, with additional texts. Students who were in the English II Advanced course last year have already been exposed to student-centered discussions, and are expected to master the skill of independent analysis of literature during their Fifth Form year. Advanced students must be self-motivated learners, who are eager to challenge themselves academically. This course is designed for students who are looking to enroll in the AP English course during their Sixth Form year, and therefore expectations are high.

English IV is a year-long course with specific objectives for each term; there is a strong emphasis on active reading, and careful writing and revision throughout the year. The course is built around literary works representing a variety of cultures and literary voices. Texts include The Lovely Bones, The Iowa Baseball Confederacy, A Separate Peace, Night, and Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned. Students are challenged to apply the ideas presented in these texts to their own evolving values and beliefs, recognizing connections between the works and real life experiences. In the Winter Term, students read and assess a variety of creative nonfiction styles, especially the work of authors such as John McPhee, Calvin Trillin, and Annie Dillard, and the term culminates in the production of a personally based, creative nonfiction writing project. In the Spring Term, sixth form teachers usually offer courses focused on a specific theme or issue; topics have included poetry, short stories, and the literature of boarding schools. Sixth form English students work throughout the year to become careful writers and thoughtful participants in student-centered discussions of their reading. Their goal is to become articulate and persuasive in making assertions and responding to others.

This course is geared toward successful results on the AP Exam for English Composition. The syllabus follows the College Board requirements. Extra reading is included to enhance the readiness of the students for college level English in a seminar style class. In particular, students in the fall read a play by William Shakespeare in advance of a class trip to the Hartford Stage Company. In addition, over the course of the year students read a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction to become familiar with and practiced in an abundance of literary styles. The stories and essays of authors such as James Joyce, Annie Dillard, John McPhee, and Richard Selzer receive particular attention.

Analytical and Creative Writing is designed to improve a student’s writing skills. Students develop an interest in writing, and strengthen the skills needed in college composition through careful practice of all phases of the writing process. Writers work on refining their individual voices and achieving fluency in expression with an emphasis with a major effort to improve the writing component of the SAT examination.

Enhanced English is offered for all four years (Enhanced English I, II, III, and IV). Each course has a focus on developing communication skills – spoken English as oral communications, reading, writing and pronunciation for students from other countries. There is also a cultural aspect included in the instruction. Designed to expose students to activities they might not experience in their home country. The goal is to totally immerse the students in the English language and American culture, to prepare them for study at South Kent School and an American college. Students will stay with this sequence until benchmarks are reached that support their readiness to compete in college using English as the language of instruction. Special preparation for these examinations in included in the program for the third and fourth years of this sequence.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

South Kent School’s goal is to provide students with an applications-oriented, investigative mathematics curriculum. Students learn to use appropriate strategies and tools including technology to solve problems, to communicate and reason mathematically, and to enhance their understanding of mathematics and real world issues. The TI-84 Silver Edition Calculator is required for all courses.

Algebra I serves as a formal introduction to the language and techniques of algebra. Students explore variables, rational numbers, solving equations and inequalities, and linear functions. Additional work includes exponents, exponential functions, radical expressions, polynomials, and factoring. Emphasis is placed on achieving a high level of proficiency, attacking word problems and analyzing real data sets. Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra

Algebra II expands on Algebra I concepts and introduces more advanced techniques. New topics include functions and functional notation, quadratic functions, logarithmic functions, rational functions, probability, and discrete mathematics. Emphasis is placed on understanding equations using tables, graphs and formulas. When appropriate, spreadsheets and computer graphing are included. Prerequisite: Algebra I

Geometry introduces and expands on mathematics of plane and three-dimensional figures. Topics include measuring angles, line segments, perimeters, areas, and volumes using real world applications. Deductive reasoning in the form of proofs is also introduced. In addition to the traditional construction tools, students use graphing calculators to investigate and establish geometric properties and to learn geometric concepts. Prerequisite: Algebra I

FTS bridges Algebra II and PreCalculus. The functions portion of the course includes an intensive review of functions, applications and modeling. The trigonometry portion reviews right triangle trigonometry and advances into the unit circle, graphing, analytic trigonometry and applications. The statistics portion reviews probability formulas and introduces discrete mathematics and principles. Emphasis is placed on applying concepts to word problems and real world applications. Computers and spreadsheets are used where applicable. This course leads to PreCalculus for underclassmen. Prerequisite: Geometry and Algebra II

PreCalculus serves as a foundation for calculus by providing the tools of functional analysis and the opportunity to model applications and make predictions. A basic library of functions is studied in depth. A keystone of the course is trigonometry and analytic trigonometry. Data analysis is integrated into all topics studied, and the TI-84 and other technology tools are used intensively. Emphasis is placed on proficiency in describing functions numerically, graphically and algebraically with and without the aid of technology. Prerequisite: Geometry, Algebra II, and department recommendation

This course serves as a foundation for the basics of calculus in preparation for a college calculus course. It begins with an intensive review of functions and their applications to develop numerical, graphical and analytical techniques of problem solving. The concepts of limits, derivatives and integrals are introduced with an emphasis on applications and practical problem solving. Prerequisite: PreCalculus

AP Statistics introduces students to the major tools for collecting, analyzing and drawing conclusions from data. A special emphasis is given to the interpretation of solutions and the communication of results. On completion of this course, students are prepared for the Advanced Placement Statistics examination of the College Board. Prerequisite: Grade of “A” or “B” in PreCalculus and department recommendation

In AP Calculus, the concepts of calculus are used to solve problems in a variety of contexts. Concepts are presented as real world applications; calculators and computers are used to develop concepts to solve problems, and the interpretation of problem solutions is given strong emphasis. On completion of this course, students are prepared for the Advanced Placement Calculus AB examination of the College Board. Prerequisite: Grade of “A” in PreCalculus and department recommendation

Offered for students who have passed the AP Calculus AB exam, Advanced Math covers a variety of college level topics in investigative, interactive ways. Potential subjects to be studied include logic, group theory, chaos theory, boolean algebra, information theory, topology, game theory, data modeling techniques, and any other topics the students suggest. Students also prepare for the AP Calculus BC examination of the College Board. Prerequisite: 4 or 5 on AP Calculus AB exam or department recommendation

HISTORY/ SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

History I introduces Third Form students to the study of history using a cultural model approach. This is in keeping with the overall theme of the Third Form, A Sense of Place: Community and Belonging. History I students are taught to analyze cultures, both past and present, using a frame of reference that considers family, government, religion, economy and education. History I students begin their study of culture by learning to apply the cultural model to their own school community. From there, the class works backwards in time. At the conclusion of this course, the students should be very familiar with a cultural model approach to the study of history, with specific applications to the cultural history of Egypt, Greece, Rome and the Early Middle Ages.

History II builds upon the skills developed in History I. Students are taught to apply the cultural model approach to modern world history from the Late Middle Ages through the Cold War Period. In keeping with the overall theme of the Fourth Form, The Quest: Coming of Age, students are encouraged to inquire into the meaning and nature of the hero in different cultures throughout history. At the conclusion of History II, students should be very familiar with the major historical and cultural movements of this time. Additionally, students should be able to answer the following questions: Why do cultures need heroes? What are the stages of a hero’s journey? What is the impact of cultural institutions on the individual and society? How do forces change these institutions? As in English, an honors section is available for advanced study.

US History students apply what they learned in History I and II to an in-depth analysis of United States History. Since Fifth Form students must begin to seriously position themselves for the college selection process, one section of this course is taught in a more “traditional” manner, with an eye on the SAT II test offered in the spring. The second section is presented with “process oriented” rather than “subject content” objectives. Its members are those students for whom this approach seems advisable. Often some of our history buffs prefer this approach. History III covers American history from the European migration to the present. Specific themes covered include the formation of the American character, westward expansion and the American dream, diversity, economic growth, religious values, the Cold War and Globalism.

US History Advanced covers the history of the United States from the colonial experience of Native Americans to Vietnam. As noted in the advanced English course description, the two courses will be interdisciplinary. Students will read text, novels, short stories, speeches and primary source documents from the time periods studies. Texts include A People's History of the United States, Mayflower, The Essential Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers, The Lincoln Douglas Debates, To End All Wars - Woodrow Wilson and the Quest for New World Order, and We Were Soldiers Once...and Young. Particular attention is devoted to the political, social, religious, and economic aspects of American exceptionalism. Westward expansion and the diversity of the population will be the starting points of discussion. Understanding “frame of reference” will be the focus of the class.

The basic tenets of macroeconomics will be developed with an emphasis on the driving forces economics trends have on a democracy. Because the effects of issues such as oil prices influence an overall global economy, the course also examines the political implications for a healthy world economy of growth within limits. Finally, the requirements to manage our natural environment while developing companies and industries, needs international commitments and cooperation. The overall goal is to develop an informed awareness of the processes that underlie a free enterprise system.

This course is geared toward successful completion of the AP Exam for U.S. Government and Politics. It defines and explores fundamental political theory and the day-to-day operations of the American government. This course is taught like a college-level history class; therefore it requires a substantial amount of reading, writing, and critical thinking. Though not necessarily a prerequisite, students should have an understanding of American history and major contemporary issues. In addition to preparing students for the AP exam, the course will provide students with the skills necessary to be an informed and involved citizen.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

As a required course for Third Formers, first year Latin provides the first steps to learning an ancient language which formed the foundation for all the Romance languages and also influenced many of the other modern world languages. In addition to the basic conjugations, declensions, pronouns, and related sentence structure necessary for basic reading, students also find in their vocabulary the roots of many words that have derivatives not only in English, but also in whatever Romance language they wish to study next. This knowledge of linguistics will also help them increase their scope of English reading vocabulary, which in turn will increase their general knowledge throughout life. In addition to the language element, weekly cultural modules will be presented on different aspects of Roman life.

This course follows Latin I and continues the study of the language and culture of the ancient Romans. Upon completion of the course students will have studied all aspects of the grammar of Latin and will have built a vocabulary sufficient for further study of the classic literature of Rome. Throughout the course students analyze grammar of both English and Latin, thereby developing their understanding of how languages work and how they convey meaning. Additionally as students study vocabulary they learn English words derived from Latin and strengthen their knowledge and understanding of both Latin and English. Further, throughout the course students learn about the history and culture of Rome and the influences of that ancient nation that have persisted in the western world through the ages.

The objective of this course is to introduce the students to culture and language by reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Spanish. Students are taught the use of the present, simple past and near future verb tenses. Students learn to understand and respond to simple questions and commands as well as read and comprehend simple texts. Basic grammar, as well as cultural material, is introduced. Students are evaluated through frequent vocabulary quizzes, lesson and chapter tests, oral assessments, homework, and class contributions.

This course is a continuation of Spanish I. It emphasizes oral work, more use of the present tense of regular and irregular verbs, as well as the preterite and imperfect tenses. Use of recorded material as well as dialogues and discussions help improve general comprehension and communication skills. Students increase their proficiency through additional reading and oral presentations. A continued emphasis is placed on cultural awareness.

This course is designed to bring students to an acceptable level of oral proficiency with an emphasis on the mastery of structure and vocabulary: to create with language, to participate in conversation, and to communicate in basic social situations. Extensive vocabulary and cultural knowledge are accomplished through short readings and topical essay writing. Verb tenses are expanded to include present, past, and future tenses. Cultural awareness is expanded through extensive use of newspaper and magazine articles, current events, and literary selections.

Spanish IV is designed for the advanced language student. Various materials are used to achieve a high level of accomplishment in oral and written communication. The Spanish IV-V curriculum will be expanded to include not only short stories but also novellas in Spanish. Students will be able to expand their use of verb tenses to include the concept of grammatical moods and their uses. The SAT II in Spanish may be taken at the completion of this course.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

This course makes use of the South Kent campus resources extensively and also includes a number of field trips off campus. Students are briefly exposed to geology, oceanography, ecology, meteorology, astronomy, anthropology and archaeology. Laboratories in each of these sciences are integral parts of the course. The key skills stressed are measurement, the scientific method, and text skills.

This course uses the theory of evolution as the key for helping students understand life in all its forms. Students focus on the cell, genetics and DNA research in an effort to understand the relationships among the different forms of life. There is an extensive laboratory component featuring traditional biology labs, such as dissections, and modern physiological labs, such as respiration. Data is gathered when appropriate using Vernier’s Lab-Pro system on computers.

This course is designed for students who already have a strong background in the biological sciences. It focuses on topics that will prepare the student for the SAT II examination in Biology. Topics such as intermediate metabolism, photosynthesis, molecular genetics, and evolution are presented using selected laboratories that develop skills in these areas. The chemistry of these processes will be extensively explored.

Chemistry is a general study of the structure and interaction of matter and energy. The course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of basic chemical principles, focusing principally on the conservation laws. It features extensive use of Excel Spreadsheets to process and analyze quantitative data. Besides being used for calculations, the TI 84 Silver Edition calculator contains special programs, such as the periodic table, that support problem solving. Most of the lab data, temperatures, pH, voltage, spectrophotometers, etc., is collected using the computer based Lab-Pro system from Vernier. Each lab station has its own computer.

In this course, students use chemical principles to begin to understand how the vast complexity of our world, living and non-living, is created from a limited number of elemental building blocks. Using laboratory investigations, reading/research, group projects, and classroom discussion, students learn how experimental observations can be used to explain phenomena of daily life and universal chemical laws. Topics covered, and problem-solving skills that are developed, are connected to real-world applications. Throughout the year, the theme of environmental sustainability is stressed. Each unit has a culminating project that requires student participation and cooperation for success. Attention is given to learning proper safety and data collection methods, scientific reporting, and the relationship between content and real life decisions.

Physics covers concepts in mechanics, including special relativity and an introduction to quantum physics, as well as properties of matter, heat, sound, light, kinematics, and magnetism. Most concepts are introduced by laboratory experiments using the Vernier systems. Because these students are more experienced in mathematics, usually taking calculus simultaneously, the concepts can be rigorously analyzed.

This is an introductory psychology course designed to give students a general overview of the field of psychology. A special emphasis is placed upon the study of psychology as a science rather than a general liberal arts discipline. Some of the major themes researched are: the brain and its behavior, heredity versus environment, nature versus nurture, the conscious versus the unconscious mind. The course will also expose students to various fields of psychological theories. The central theme of the course is: why is the study of psychology important when describing human behavior?

AP Psychology introduces students to the field of psychology as a science, rather than “common sense.” Students explore and become familiar with many subfields of psychology, including: personality, cognition, biological psychology, consciousness, sensation and perception, intelligence, memory, motivation, psychological disorders and treatment.

Advanced Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary lab science course focusing on how humans interact with their surroundings and how science is used to solve environmental problems. The course integrates ecology, meteorology, geology, chemistry, biology, and other scientific disciplines. Environmental sustainability and stewardship are the underlying themes. Students use the scientific method, learning how to observe natural systems, work with data, and carry out experiments that provide reliable results.

Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and connect with the nonliving parts of their environment. In this course, students examine questions such as: How much life is out there and why is the natural world so diverse? How do ecologists do research? How can we make sense of all the complex interactions in the natural world? How do organisms acquire and use energy and nutrients? How can we study and understand animal behavior? What is going on in South Kent's forest and aquatic ecosystems? To find answers to these questions, students read scientific articles, examine living and preserved organisms in the lab, refer to textbooks, and conduct experiments. Students also study local fields, forests, soil, and water environments during lab periods.

This is a year-long non-lab science course developed around the functioning of the human body. Emphasis is placed on areas such as muscles, bones, nutrition, influence of supplements that affect the lives of serious athletes. Most of the students who take the course have a strong athletic background. The course provides students with the necessary information to make wise choices as they pursue their athletic goals throughout college.

ART DEPARTMENT

This is a full-year course in which students learn about different forms of artistic expression, including both two-dimensional and three-dimensional design. The course focuses on drawing techniques, color theory, painting, collage, sculpture, and pottery. Aside from in-class projects, students are given a sketch book that is used throughout the entire year in which nightly homework assignments are performed. Work from this class is frequently exhibited throughout the school.

This is a term-long course that gives a quick snap-shot of two-dimensional and three-dimensional design. Students are given a sketch book that is used throughout the term in which nightly homework assignments are performed. The classroom projects will vary from term to term, but the goals remain the same. Work from this class is exhibited throughout the school.

Digital Communications is a year-long elective course offered to motivated Fifth and Sixth Formers. Students explore Convergence Journalism, in which all three mediums (print, video and online) are employed to tell a story. This course covers the basic principles (such as objectivity, fairness and accuracy), while showing students how to put these principles into practice. Skills are developed in reporting, interviewing, writing, editing, and layout. Video production is a major component to this course and students learn skills in filming, editing and producing by putting together multi-segmented shows for viewing online. Themes explored include writing scripts, scheduling and strip boarding, camera operation, lighting, audio production, directing, editing, and delivery.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Introduces basic concepts to develop a better understanding of music. Will examine notation, scale structures, intervals, chords, harmonic and melodic analysis, as well as some basic composition and other structural elements of music. Students will also be introduced to sight-singing, dictation and basic piano and conducting skills.

An introductory course designed to enhance listening ability and appreciation of music. Will study basic elements of music, characteristics of major historical periods, and the lives and works of composers within the Western musical tradition and beyond. This course includes in-class demonstrations, research projects and attendance at outside musical events.

Students interested in private lessons are encouraged take a lesson which meets once per week during their free period. The lessons offered during the 2010-11 year were: piano, guitar, drums, and cello. Other lessons can be established based on interest. Students also have an opportunity to perform in Chorus which includes both faculty and student singers. The chorus meets once per week and performs weekly at chapel.