The Freshman’s Guide to Ambiguous Classes
Caitlin Carter, Desk Editor
September 14, 2009
Filed under Features, Student Life
Poor freshmen. Our school’s freshest, most inexperienced class receives a pretty harsh reputation as clueless, height-challenged newbies prone to public embarrassment.
However, high school might not pose such an adjustment issue to most. Math, science, history, and English, while more difficult, are pretty straight-forward and based in a routine that goes back nine years before coming here.
However, a new student’s glimpse at a senior’s schedule might elicit a stammering, monosyllabic response of ignorance; to wit, “Huh?”
Honestly, with such ambiguous course titles like “Service Learning,” “Teacher Cadet,” and “Theory of Knowledge,” can you even expect an upperclassman to understand the purpose of these alternative electives? Before you resign yourself to this lack of knowledge (or decide to apply for a class without knowing what you will be required to do for it), take a gander at the explanations below.
Teacher Cadet
Starting with the most straightforward, the Teacher Cadet class, taught by Mrs. Butts, is a course aimed to prepare seniors for a prospective career in teaching. Current seniors may recall teacher cadets visiting their homerooms three years ago to aid in high school adjustment. While this practice stopped after that year, cadets still receive experience in dealing with younger students by participating in elementary or middle school shadowing. In addition, teacher cadets learn educational theory. Grace Manci, senior and current teacher cadet, explained the style of the class. “It’s taught mainly in lecture form, so it doesn’t get boring. We also have class discussions. So far we have learned about child psychology and high and low self-esteem.”
The students in the class are graded less on traditional tests and quizzes than on application of educational concepts through projects like creating children’s books and reporting on lessons during their school-shadowing. In return for their efforts, the teacher cadets may receive college credit.
There are other benefits to the class. Another teacher cadet, Jon Leverett, said that the class is beneficial “because it helps you learn how to relate knowledge to other people, and it gives you the opportunity to share your opinions and views.” He went on to say that the class’s training aspect extends beyond teaching. “I enjoy working with kids, and the class can help me when I interact with them at church as a youth leader.”
While this year saw the change from having one period of the class to having two, the group of students selected for it is still exclusive. Jon explained that “(the application process) did require teacher recommendations, and the application consisted of writing an essay about an influential teacher or why you wanted to become a teacher yourself.”
Service Learning
The second ambiguous class on our list is Service Learning, a twelve-student fourth-period class focused on serving both North Augusta High School and the community at large. Taught by Mrs. Oswald in the business department, it is inextricably linked with the Future Business Leaders of America, as every member of the class is an FBLA Chapter Officer. However, its work extends beyond that.
Jennifer Price explained its basic functions as: “Basically, if anybody needs anything, we try to help them out.” She also mentioned that the class provides an opportunity for the students to learn how to apply their personal abilities in a business context. “Those who are gifted with computers make fliers, PowerPoint presentations, and brochures for organizations that need them. Those of us with really good people skills go out into the community and help with social events like the Business Expo or a Chamber Convention. We learn how to work with what we’ve got and how to make the best out of every service job.”
The grades in Service Learning are similar to those in Teacher Cadet, as they are based more in participation than in academic examinations like tests. In addition to action during class-time, the students are graded on their reflections (written essays about their efforts during the class and how it has affected them as people) and community service.
While Jennifer admits that Service Learning involves a lot of time-consuming assignments and service projects, ultimately she recommends that anyone attempt to become involved in it. “With networking becoming such a big emphasis in our society these days, I would really recommend people getting involved with this class, as they can meet so many (business-related) people who will help them out later in life.” In addition, the class helps build necessary business skills. “In Service Learning, we are able to compromise and work more efficiently by using our unique abilities to get the job done. It’s not easy since we’re all so different in our ways of thinking sometimes, but it really does get us ready for the business world since compromise has to be second nature there.”
Theory of Knowledge
The final ambiguously-titled class is Theory of Knowledge, taught by Mrs. Creamer to three elite International Baccalaureate candidate students: Re’ven Smalls, Chloe Phillips, and Emeka Okafor. This class is the most difficult to describe because it is so comprehensive.
Chloe Phillips said that includes, “the different areas of knowledge: history, science, the arts, and a lot of others. We take different knowledge issues, present about them, and have group discussions.” One of the most well-tread concepts in the class is the review of logic and ethics, including “Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle.”
By far the most academic of these unique courses, Chloe concedes that the class can be difficult at times, with written papers and oral presentations comprising most of the grading process. However, she supports it, saying “The most fun things about the class are the discussions. You can truly express how you feel and link your feeling to the subject matter.”
Sadly, with the demise of the IB Program, this class is likely reaching its end. However, the other courses are open to future participation by underclassmen. With their strict application processes and requirements, it is important to master the basic subjects before you delve into senior ambiguity.
