Shelby High School

Business

Interpersonal Communications


Grade Level:               All
Prerequisite(s):          
Length:                                    Semester
Credit:                          0.5
Requirement Fulfilled:      Business         

Content:
Students will learn various types of speeches, research, preparation, and presentation skills. The process of communication is a skill needed to be successful in numerous aspects of life. Students will be guided to improve one-on-one communication, in group, and public speaking and media literacy in relation to careers.

Expectations: 
Come prepared to class everyday.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Complete all assignments within specific time.
Study material outside of class.
Work independently or in small groups.
Participate in class discussions.
Present informative and persuasive speeches.

Skills Taught:            
Elements of communication; how communication affects your life; the process of communication; listening skills; interpersonal and group communication; preparation for public speaking; types of public speaking; debate and parliamentary procedure; mass communication and the performing arts.

Methods of Presentation:      
The instructor will use various methods, including:
Direct instruction
Demonstration
Discussion
Lecture
Audio-visual strategies

Activities Include:                  
Taking notes on lecture material, keeping a journal, giving several graded speeches,
participating in debates, developing vocabulary and syntax, improving speaking skills,
developing informative abilities, reading, group work and homework. The major project
for this class will be the construction and presentation of the I-Search project.

Public Speaking

Grade Level:               9,10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s):           None   
Length:                                    Year
Credit:                          1.0
Requirement Fulfilled:      Elective

Content:                     
Public Speaking is the study of the art of communication. It includes the study of
speaking and listening skills and is dependent upon practice of the craft. Public Speaking
strengthens the learner’s ability to plan, research, read, explain, analyze, synthesize, and
evaluate information.  The study of this art also enables the learner to grow in confidence
while gaining a sense of what is important in presentation, performance, and mature
communication.

Expectations:                         
Be in the classroom on time every day before the bell
Come prepared to class everyday
Follow all school rules in class.
Follow oral and written instructions quickly and express questions and concerns at appropriate time in a courteous manner.
Complete all homework and performance assignments within assigned time.
Interpret and draw conclusions, Organize information, memorize information, sequence information, plan argument format, rehearse and refine presentations and performance pieces, work independently or in small groups, participate in class discussions.
                                   
Skills Taught:
To organize a public speech
To construct a viable argument
To use primary research
To tell a story
To work with others and accept constructive criticism
To plan, prepare, and be responsible for quality work
To solve problems creatively
To express their own thoughts clearly
                                               
Methods of presentation:      
This is a hands-on class where students will be taught by performing all types of
competitive and public speaking formats.

Activities Include:                  

Discussion and Notes, Class performance, Reading, Writing, Debate Practice, Role

Playing, Testing and Self and Peer evaluation.

Computer Applications


Grade Level:                9,10,11,12
Prerequisite(s)              None
Credit                           .5
Requirement Fulfilled       Business

Content:
Computer Applications is a hands-on class designed to teach fundamentals of the operations of a computer including computer functions, computer types, peripheral devices, computer communication, file management, computer architecture, multimedia, and storage.  Computer applications are presented (see Skills Taught). Students learn Core level Microsoft Office XP, FrontPage, Picture It, Paint, and Internet. Students will research and defend what computer and peripherals they would buy for a price set by the teacher.

Expectations:
Obey Acceptable Use Policy
Work on assignments during class time each day
Follow oral and written instructions
Complete all assignments within specific time
Work independently and in small groups
Participate in class demonstrations and presentations
Help others

Skills Taught:
Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheets)
Microsoft PowerPoint (Presentations)
Microsoft Access (Databases)
Digital photography and imagery
Scanning
File storage and retrieval
Microsoft Paint (Graphics)
FrontPage (Web Page)
Picture It (Image manipulation)
Boolean search skills on World Wide Web

Methods of presentation:  Students spend the majority of class time on computers working independently and helping one another.  Presentations and reports are required on assigned topics.

Activities Include:
Online research.
Use of Smart Board in student presentation
Creation of music video
Integration of Microsoft XP applications

                                                                                                                     

Information Technology Essentials 1

(IT Essentials 1)

Grade Level:              10-12
Prerequisite(s)            Computer Applications
Length                         2 semesters
Credit                          1.0
Requirement Fulfilled       Business

Content:
Course content is sponsored and written by Hewlett-Packard Company and introduces students to information technology and data communications.  Students will develop the necessary skills to enter this field by building a computer, installing the operating system, adding peripherals, connecting the computer to a local area network and to the Internet. Students are prepared for Comp TIA’s A+ certifications.

Expectations:
  • Student must attend class regularly
  • Follow oral and written instruction
  • Complete all homework and laboratory assignments within specific time
  • Meet testing deadline.
  • Work independently and in pairs

Skills Taught:
  • Building a computer and installation of the motherboard, floppy and hard drives, CD-ROM and video cards
  • Installing and managing Windows operating systems
  • Adding peripherals and multimedia capabilities
  • Knowledge of local-area network architecture, networking protocols and the OSI Model, and TCP/IP utilities.
  • Connecting the computer to a local area network and the Internet.
  • Safety procedures relating to computers

Methods of Presentation:
  • Curriculum is presented online and is copyrighted by Cisco Systems.  Access is available only to students enrolled in Networking Academy classes. 
  • Students learn through completing labs designed by Hewlett-Packard.
  • Lecture and demonstrations.

Publications

Grade Level:              11, 12
Prerequisite(s):          Computer Applications
Length:                        Year
Credit:                         1.00
Requirement Fulfilled       Business

Content:
Publications class is dedicated to designing and publishing the yearbook and school newspaper.

Expectations:
Use class time to work on assignment
Follow oral instructions
Meet deadlines
Work independently without daily direction
Write articles and design pages as assigned
Some time is required outside of school for newspaper layout and/or photography

Skills Taught:
Journalism
Adobe PhotoShop 7 (digital image manipulation)
PageMaker 7 (publishing)
Book binding
Newspaper layout and printing
File management
Scanning
Digital camera operation

Methods of presentation:
Software skills are learned by doing exercises and assignments. The majority of class time is spent working independently on individual assignments.  These will include photo selection, cropping, manipulation, print instructions for printing press, page design, writing articles, and newspaper layout.  Each student must present and teach a component of PhotoShop.     

Activities Include:
Newspaper and Yearbook advertisement sales.
Taking photographs at events during and not during school hours.

AccountingGrade Level:              10, 11, and 12
Prerequisite(s):          Computer Applications
Length:                        year
Credit:                         1.0
Requirement Fulfilled:      Vocational

Content:
The purpose of this course will be to provide general information needed by all students in developing an understanding of the fundamental principles of a business or an individual set of financial books. 

Expectations:                        
Come prepared to class everyday.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Complete all homework and laboratories assignments within specific time.
Interpret and draw conclusions.
Work independently or in small groups.
Participate during class discussions.

Skills Taught:
The student will utilize the following in learning the skills necessary to be an effective bookkeeper:  will be able to start an accounting system, record entries, post entries, do a work sheet, income statement, balance sheet, close the ledger, practice set, maintain a checking account, reconcila a bank statement, understand basic tax terminology, payroll records, and record depreciation on assets.

Methods of Presentation:
The majority of class time will be used for discussion, guided practice, and independent or group work. 

Activities Include:
The students normally follow this process – Working together, on your own, application problems, challenge problems, and mastery problems.


Business Math

Grade Level:              10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s)            None
Length                         Year
Credit                          1.00
Requirement Fulfilled       Vocational Education

Content:                                
Business Math is the study of mathematics in daily use.

Expectations:                        
Come prepared to class everyday.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Complete all homework assignments within specific time.
Work independently or in small groups.
Participate during class discussions.

Skills Taught:           
Math skills involved are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  These skills are used in a variety of contexts: Car and Home purchases, interest rates, percentages, basic business skills in addition to other practical use topics.

Methods of presentation:
The majority of class time is used teaching lessons from the textbook. Text work is supplemented with additional resources.

Activities Include:
Practical applications.

Applicable activities and assignments relevant to daily life.

Applied Business

Grade Level:              11 and 12
Prerequisite(s):          Computer Applications
Length:                        1 year
Credit:                         1.0
Requirement Fulfilled:      Vocational

Content:
This class requires classroom and on-the-job training.  Students will also explore different career possibilities, job-finding skills, resume building, interviewing skills and other skills necessary for job placement.  There will also be a number of guest speakers which will be utilized in the classroom.  The second semester the students will learn by completing an internship with a local business.

Expectations:                        
Come prepared to class everyday.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Complete all homework and laboratories assignments within specific time.
Interpret and draw conclusions.
Work independently or in small groups.
Participate during class discussions.

Skills Taught:
Students will learn about different career possibilities, job-finding skills, resume building, interviewing skills and other skills necessary for job placement.  There will also be a number of guest speakers which will enable the students to learn about different careers.

Methods of Presentation:
The majority of class time will be used for discussion, guided practice, and independent or group work. 

Activities Include:
The students will schedule and introduce guest speakers.
The students will compile a portfolio.
The students will do various individual and group projects dealing with careers and businesses.