Category: Summer Course Offerings

English IV A & B

Written by Jodie Hirsch on January 25, 2021. Posted in Course Catalog, English, OC, Summer Course Offerings.

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

English IV is a further exploration of language arts skills including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and media literacy. Studies here emphasize world literature in the form of essays, poetry, prose, drama, fiction, and nonfiction. This includes the recognition and appreciation of the diversity of human experience expressed through world mythology, literature, and culture. The focus is on expanding critical and analytical reading and writing skills to produce narrative, informative and persuasive pieces of writing. Students will need to emphasize direct evidence and make critical connections between what they read and what they write.

Prerequisites:

To be successful in this course, students should have successfully completed a freshman, sophomore, and junior-level English or Language Arts course.

Comprehensive Syllabus:

http://mtda.link/english4ab

Required Materials:

Most required materials are available online or will be available from school and public libraries. When available, links and/or sources of supplemental audio recordings, will be provided.

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available
Local schools may count either semester for credit for either A or B semester.

Lead Teacher:

Trisha Carlson, Kalispell Public Schools, trisha.carlson.mtda@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

English III A & B

Written by Jodie Hirsch on January 25, 2021. Posted in Course Catalog, English, OC, Summer Course Offerings.

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

English III includes a comprehensive study of writing, speaking, listening, and media literacy. Emphasis is on understanding, analyzing, and appreciating United States literature from all genres and time periods. A variety of cultural texts are used including Native American literature. The Common Core requirements for all areas of language arts are included in this class.

Prerequisites:

To be successful in this course, students should have successfully completed both a freshman and sophomore-level English or Language Arts course.

Comprehensive Syllabus:

English III Public Syllabus

Required Materials:

Materials will be provided in the course. Students will need to acquire the following novels, available in most school and public libraries:

First semester novels: Fools Crow, by James Welch
Second semester novel: Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Note: Huckleberry Finn is not read in the summer session.

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available
Local schools may count either semester for credit for either A or B semester.

Lead Teacher:

Caitlin Skinner, Bozeman High School, caitlin.skinner@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Digital Photography

Written by Jodie Hirsch on January 25, 2021. Posted in Art, Course Catalog, OC, Summer Course Offerings.

Course Length:

One semester

Course Description:

In Digital Photography, students will learn the basics of photographic composition and lighting, the basics of using a digital camera and the basics of preparing a digital darkroom. Students will also learn basic color theory and the fundamentals of image processing. Students will be introduced to the basic elements and principles of art and history of photography as a medium of expression. This course is designed for the student who has no background in photography.

Prerequisites:

Should be prepared to read and write at a 9th-grade level.

Comprehensive Syllabus:

http://mtda.link/digitalphotography

Required Materials:

Students require regular access to a working digital camera. Camera phones are not adequate for this course. To confirm that an individual camera is sufficient, please contact the lead teacher for details.

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This specific course requires that students will need to install the free, open-source editing program The GIMP, available at http://www.gimp.org/ or have access to the desktop version of Photoshop. GIMP works on Windows 7/8.1/10 or MacOS. The ChromeOS platform is not supported for this course.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: available
Spring: available

Lead Teacher:

Maggie Hunter, Powell County High School, maggie.hunter@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Health

Written by Jodie Hirsch on January 25, 2021. Posted in Course Catalog, Health-PE, OC, Summer Course Offerings.

Course Length:

One semester

Course Description:

This comprehensive health course provides students with essential knowledge and decision-making skills for a healthy lifestyle. Students analyze aspects of emotional, social, and physical health and how these realms of health influence each other. Students apply principles of health and wellness to their own lives. In addition, they study behavior change and set health goals to work on throughout the semester. Additional topics of study include healthy relationships, reproductive health, disease transmission, substance abuse, safety and injury prevention, environmental health, and consumer health.

Prerequisites:

None

Comprehensive Syllabus:

http://mtda.link/health

Required Materials:

None

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Assignments must be done in Microsoft Word or Pages.

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: available
Spring: available

Lead Teacher:

Lead Teacher: Trisha Harper, Billings Public Schools, trisha.harper@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Earth Science A & B

Written by Jodie Hirsch on January 25, 2021. Posted in Course Catalog, OC, Science, Summer Course Offerings.

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

This course will study the phenomena affecting the formation, history and current conditions of Earth, including its oceans and atmosphere. Topics include astronomy, geology, oceanography, and meteorology. Students will discover how earth science affects their lives by exploring topics related to Montana.

Prerequisites:

None

Comprehensive Syllabus:

http://mtda.link/earthscience

Required Materials

One sheet of plain white paper
Several sheets of old newspaper, or wax paper if available
One water-based marker (Note: do not use permanent marker)
One spray bottle containing water (place on “mist” setting)
Digital camera, if available
Water
A clean penny
Food coloring
Vegetable oil
Clear plastic cups
Dropper or Pipette
Ice cube
Black pepper
A bowl
Dish soap
Sponge or cloth
A heating source (sunlight, lamp, etc…) or a cooling source (refrigerator)
Balloon
Measuring tape or string and a ruler
Chocolate chip cookie
Toothpicks (flat and round)
Paperclips
Graph paper
Stopwatch, timer, or clock with second hand
One styrofoam ball or white table-tennis ball
One dowel rod, pencil, or another long holder for the sphere
Tape, if needed
Darkened room, preferably without windows
One lamp or source of light
Pan
Raw egg
Cracking device such as a teaspoon
Paper towels or newspaper

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available

Lead Teacher:

Bill Stockton, Arlee High School, bill.stockton@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Biology A & B

Written by Jodie Hirsch on January 25, 2021. Posted in Course Catalog, OC, Science, Summer Course Offerings.

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

Biology is a rigorous course that will introduce students to the living world around them. This course contains a mix of lab activities, projects, collaborative projects (not during Summer Sessions), video resources, and interactive learning activities. Topics include Chemistry of Life, Cells, Genetics, Ecology, Evolution, Classification, and Anatomy & Physiology. Critical thinking and writing skills will be developed throughout the course through reflective discussion questions.

Prerequisites:

Successful students exhibit strong individual study skills and have usually completed their freshman year of High School.

Comprehensive Syllabus:

Biology Public Syllabus

Required Materials:

Biology A

Required: Materials for student-designed laboratory set-up in lesson 2.01 (materials will vary)

Optional:

raw egg
string or thread or yarn
ruler
white vinegar
tap water
jar with a lid (like a mayonnaise jar)

Biology B Required:

Timer or watch that counts seconds
Sink
Blindfold
Washable paint or Food Coloring
Paper Towels
Soap

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

In addition to the MTDA general software requirements, this specific course requires that students should have access to word processing software (Microsoft Office for example). Free versions are available online (OpenOffice, LibreOffice)

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available

Lead Teacher:

Chris Putzler, Flathead High School, chris.putzler@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Personal Finance

Written by Jodie Hirsch on January 25, 2021. Posted in Career and Technical, Course Catalog, CTE: Business Education, OC, Summer Course Offerings.

Course Length:

One semester

Course Description:

Personal Finance is a course designed to help students understand the impact of individual choices on occupational goals and future earnings potential. Real-world topics covered will include income, money management, spending, and credit, as well as saving and investing. Students will design personal and household budgets; simulate the use of checking and saving accounts; demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management; and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes. This course will provide a foundation of understanding for making informed personal financial decisions.

Prerequisites:

Students should have basic high school math skills.

Comprehensive Syllabus:

http://mtda.link/personalfinance

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This specific course requires the following:

Audio capability is helpful and recommended.

Students must be able to access http://www.moneyskill.org/ Money Skill is an online reality-based personal financial course.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: available
Spring: available

Lead Teacher:

Rebecca Bates, Columbia Falls High School, rebecca.bates@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Algebra I A & B

Written by Jodie Hirsch on January 25, 2021. Posted in Course Catalog, Mathematics, OC, Summer Course Offerings.

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

This is an introductory course focusing on algebraic concepts and skills and their applications to real life situations. Students are encouraged to think about the geometrical and numerical meaning of what they are doing. Major topics include: linear equations, linear inequalities, ratios, geometric concepts, statistics and probability. Students will be introduced to the technological innovation called the TI-84 graphing calculator and computer software. The graphing calculator is used to solve problems, evaluate expressions, analyze data and visualize algebra.

Prerequisites:

Students should have either passed a pre-algebra course or have sufficient preparation for a high school level Algebra 1 course. This course was not designed to provide remedial instruction in math.

Comprehensive Syllabus:

Algebra I A & B Syllabus

Required Materials:

None

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This specific course requires that students will need to find a means to send some work samples to the instructor. The most common methods are scanning, taking pictures (with a cell phone camera or digital camera) or even faxing.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Summer 2023: A & B available

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available

Lead Teacher:

Vickie Walsh, Helena Public Schools, vickie.walsh@montanadigitalacademy.org

PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL COUNSELOR TO REGISTER FOR MTDA COURSES

Geometry A & B

Written by Jodie Hirsch on January 25, 2021. Posted in Course Catalog, Mathematics, OC, Summer Course Offerings.

Course Length:

Two one-semester courses (students must independently register for each semester)

Course Description:

Geometry is the study of geometric concepts using Algebra 1 math. Technology [graphing calculators and software programs] is used to explore and demonstrate geometric concepts when appropriate. Visualization skills and modeling are used for plane and three-dimensional objects. Major topics include basic geometric concepts, reasoning and proofs, similarity, right triangles and trigonometry, angles and parallel lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, congruency in terms of rigid motions and similarity transformations, area, surface area, and volume. Embedded in this course are the 8 mathematical principles as outlined in the Montana Common Core document.

Prerequisites:

Students must have Algebra One skills as well as General Math through the 8th grade.

Comprehensive Syllabus:

Geometry Public Syllabus link

Required Materials:

Students must have access to the following supplies: scientific calculator, proof resources, protractor, compass, tape measure for some project type assignments, index cards, various supplies for projects, access to a camera for some activities, graph paper [optional].

Specific Technical/Software Requirements in Addition to General Requirements:

Please review the general original credit software requirements at http://mtda.link/techreq

This specific course requires that students must have access to Geogebra, which is a free download. Instructions are available in the course. An offline installer is also available. To download students need to go to http://www.geogebra.org/cms/en/download.

Course Availability (subject to resource and teacher availability):

Fall: A semester available
Spring: B semester available

Lead Teacher:

Lynne Rider, Kalispell Middle School, lynne.rider@montanadigitalacademy.org