The mission of Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy is to prepare students for success in college and in a global marketplace, through challenging academic coursework in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), project- based learning, total immersion in technology, and career planning, while supporting their personal, and social development. The faculty, staff and administration have strong beliefs regarding Taylor’s charge as an educational institution. The beliefs expressed in this document are intended to guide stakeholders as we make critical decisions affecting the environment and education at Taylor.
ENGLISH
Reading 6 Honors
The sixth grade reading curriculum combines the grade level expectations of the seventh grade comprehensive curriculum prescribed by the state and implemented by Jefferson Parish. In order to attain honors credit, this course has a specific summer reading requirement of three books from a list of choices, outside reading of three hundred pages each quarter, and teacher course demands. Using a project-based instructional mode, students read a variety of literary genres from Elements of Literature, various supplemental materials, and online resources to further develop analytical and interpretive skills in literature. Interdisciplinary connections are made through projects that integrate areas of social, cultural, and historical interests.
English 6 Honors
The sixth grade English course focuses on the seventh grade comprehensive curriculum prescribed by the state and implemented by Jefferson Parish. In order to attain honors credit, students must present exemplary writing samples in three competitive contests. Through the writing process, students learn to develop skills in expository and narrative composition. Introducing and building the multi-paragraph essay form is one component of the program. Grammar, usage, and mechanics are taught through practice and application. Vocabulary development is done in context and through the Vocabulary Workshop series offering challenging exercises in verbal flexibility. Using a project-based approach, students further develop research-based production skills around a real interest, topic, problem, purpose, community need, and/or a real audience.
Reading 7 Honors
The seventh grade reading curriculum combines the grade level expectations of the eighth grade comprehensive curriculum prescribed by the state and implemented by Jefferson Parish. In order to attain honors credit, this course has a specific summer reading requirement of three books from a list of choices, outside reading of three hundred pages each quarter, and teacher course demands. Using a project-based instructional mode, students read a variety of literary genres from Elements of Literature, various supplemental materials, and online resources to further develop analytical and interpretive skills in literature. Interdisciplinary connections are made through projects that integrate areas of social, cultural, and political thought.
English 7 Honors
The seventh grade English course focuses on the eighth grade comprehensive curriculum prescribed by the state and implemented by Jefferson Parish. In order to attain honors credit, students must present exemplary writing samples in three competitive contests. Through the writing process, students learn to develop skills in expository and persuasive composition. Mastering the multi-paragraph essay form is one component of the program. Grammar, usage, and mechanics are taught through practice and application. Vocabulary development is done in context and through the Vocabulary Workshop series offering challenging experiences with new words. Using a project-based approach, students further develop research-based production skills around a real interest, topic, problem, purpose, community need, and/or a real audience.
English I Honors
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 7th grade
Within a GLE-aligned curriculum, English I honors is a comprehensive, project-based course, focusing on a study of literature, composition, and language, including vocabulary study, speaking, and listening. The literature component of the course encompasses reading, comprehending, and responding to various genres—short stories, poetry, novels, non-fiction, and drama. The writing component of the course emphasizes the writing process/craft to develop various modes (description, narration, exposition, and persuasion) of multi-paragraph essays for different purposes and audiences. Students must locate, select, and synthesize information from a variety of sources in order to present knowledge in a variety of formats, including the documented essay. The language component of the course integrates grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling in context of composition and literature. Also, the English I honors course requires summer reading, a minimum of 400 pages per nine weeks (a block semester) of outside reading, and entry into a minimum of two contests or competitions.
English II Honors
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English I Honors
Within a GLE-aligned curriculum, English II is a comprehensive project-based course, offering a study of literature, composition, and language, including speaking and listening. The literature component encompasses reading, comprehending, and responding to various short stories, poetry, novels, non-fiction & drama. The composition content of the course emphasizes the writing process/craft to develop various modes of writing for different purposes and audiences. Students must locate, select, and synthesize information from a variety of sources. The language component of the course integrates grammar, usage, mechanics and spelling into reading and writing. Also, the English II honors course requires summer reading, a minimum of 400 pages per nine weeks (a block semester) of outside reading, and entry into a minimum of two contests or competitions.
English III Honors
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors English I and II
In a GLE-aligned curriculum, this chronological course focuses on a project-based study of American literature. English III focuses on interpreting works form literature through close reading, thinking critically, and written analysis. Additionally, students apply oral communication skills and read extensively in American literature spanning from America’s inception through contemporary literature. Writing assignments vary in form and purpose, requiring students to write at least two literary analysis essays per quarter and one research paper. Also, the English III honors course requires summer reading, a minimum of 400 pages per nine weeks (a block semester) of outside reading, and entry into a minimum of two contests or competitions.
The course covers a rigorous pace and requires daily homework.
English IV Honors
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors English I, II, III
This course is an examination of British and world literature through reading short stories, novels, drama, poetry, and essays. Students will respond orally and in writing to the literature through literary, political, and cultural analysis. Using the Project Based Learning Approach (PBL), students will connect their reading and writing to their own personal experiences as well as current events. Additionally, students of this course will build upon their writing ability by mastering the writing process and the use of Standard Written English. Also, the English IV honors course requires summer reading, a minimum of 400 pages per nine weeks (a block semester) of outside reading, and entry into a minimum of two contests or competitions.
The course covers a rigorous pace and requires daily homework.
MATHEMATICS
Core Plus Course 1 (Integrated Math 1 - Honors)
Math 1 goals require students to: (1) make sense out of real-world data through the use of graphical displays and summary statistics; (2) recognize important patterns of change among variables and represent those patterns using tables of numerical data, coordinate graphs, verbal descriptions, and symbolic rules; (3) develop confidence and skill in using linear functions to model and solve problems in situations that exhibit constant (or nearly constant) rates of change or slope; (4) use vertex-edge graphs to represent and analyze real-world situations involving relationships among a finite number of elements, including scheduling, managing conflicts, and finding efficient routes (if time becomes a factor, this unit will be incorporated with the matrix unit in Math2); (5) use exponential functions to model and solve problems in situations that exhibit exponential growth or decay; and (6) develop confidence and skill in using simulation methods (particularly those involving the use of random numbers) to make sense of real-world situations involving chance.
Core Plus Course 2 (Integrated Math 2 - Honors)
Math2 goals require students to: (1) develop visualization skills and an understanding of the properties of space-shapes including symmetry, area, and volume; (2) use matrices, matrix operations, and matrix properties to represent and solve problems from a variety of real-world settings while connecting important mathematical ideas from several mathematics strands (for example, representing and solving systems of equations); (3) develop understandings of coordinate methods for representing and analyzing relations among geometric shapes, and for describing geometric change; (4) develop under-standings of the strength of association between two variables, how to measure the degree of the relation, and how to use this measure as a tool to create and interpret prediction lines for paired data [correlation and variability in prediction]; (5) recognize data patterns that involve direct or inverse power variation, to construct and analyze those models and combinations such as quadratic models, and to apply those models to a variety of problems; and (6) model and analyze physical phenomena with triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles and to use these shapes to investigate trigonometric functions, angular velocity, and periodic change.
Core Plus Course 3 (Integrated Math 3 - Honors)
Core Plus Course 3 (Math3) goals require students to: (1) explore multi-variable models to construct and reason with linked quantitative variables and relations involving several variables and several constraints (use systems of equations to represent and solve various problems); (2) critically analyze situations such as elections (where there are more than two choices) and sample surveys, including political polling, in order to model public opinion and increase understanding of how public opinion can be measured; (3) represent and draw inferences about algebraic relations and functions using symbolic expressions and manipulations (formalization of function concept and algebraic symbol manipulations); (4) develop formal reasoning and deduction in geometric settings [counterexamples, assumptions in proof; conclusions concerning special angle pairs; similarity and congruence of triangles and their applications; and necessary and sufficient conditions for parallelograms]; (5) under-stand measurement of variation and use the normal distribution as a model of variation, as well as explore probability and statistical inference involved in the control charts used in industry for statistical process control; (6) recognize various function patterns in numerical and graphical data, as well as interpret and construct appropriate symbolic representations (function rules and transformed graphs) modeling those data; and (7) represent, analyze, and solve problems in situations involving sequential and recursive change [arithmetic, geometric, and other sequences and series].
Algebra I
Algebra I provides a formal development of the algebraic skills and
concepts necessary for students to succeed in advanced courses. In
particular, the instructional program in this course provides for the
use of algebraic skills in a wide range of problem-solving situations.
The concept of function is emphasized throughout the course. Topics
include: (1) operations with real numbers, (2) linear equations and
inequalities, (3) relations and functions, (4) polynomials, (5)
algebraic fractions, and (6) nonlinear equations.
Algebra II
Algebra II is a continuation and an extension of the study of Algebra I. Topics of study include field properties and theorems; set theory; operations with rational and irrational expressions; factoring of rational expressions; in-depth study of linear equations and inequalities; absolute value equations; quadratic equations; solving systems of linear and quadratic equations; graphing of constant, linear, absolute value, and quadratic equations; properties of higher degree equations; and operations with rational and irrational exponents. Technology is used to support and extend the concepts to be studied. Some content is presented using PBL (project based learning or problem based learning) to help students make stronger connections between the mathematics they are learning and how it relates to the world in which they live.
Geometry
Geometry students examine the properties of two- and three-dimensional
objects. Proof and logic, as well as investigative strategies in drawing
conclusions, are stressed. Properties and relationships of geometric
objects include the study of: (1) points, lines, angles and planes; (2)
polygons, with a special focus on quadrilaterals, triangles, right
triangles; (3) circles; and (4) polyhedra and other solids. Use of
graphing calculators and computer drawing programs is encouraged.
Advanced Functions and Statistics - Honors
Functions and Statistics targets students who are more likely to take statistics at the next level. This course expands the concepts pertaining to functions that were taught in earlier grades and provides a review of essential mathematical skills and algebraic concepts needed in this course and in future courses. Functions are presented through several units: Functions, Power Functions and Polynomial Functions, Power Functions and Rational Functions, and Power Functions and Radical Functions. Each type of function is analyzed based on its algebraic and graphic characteristics and properties. Technology is used to support and extend the concepts to be studied. The course presents a rigorous study of functions through multiple representations: graphs, tables of values, algebraic equations, and verbal descriptions. Functions that model physical phenomena are used as examples to study the concepts of domain, range, and function composition. Translations, dilations and reflections of functions will also be explored in order to deepen student understanding of functions and the families to which they belong. Probability and normal distributions are briefly covered in the Univariate Statistics unit. Although this course does not emphasize trigonometric modeling with graphs, there is a heavy focus on triangular models of trigonometry: right triangle trigonometric ratios, as well as oblique triangle relationships found in the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines. Real world applications and projects form the basis for learning functions, statistics, and trigonometry through problem-solving situated in context.
Pre-Calculus - Honors
This course incorporates the study of trigonometry, elementary functions, analytic geometry, and mathematics analysis topics as preparation for calculus. Topics include the study of complex numbers; polynomial, logarithmic, exponential, rational, right trigonometric, and circular functions and their relations, inverses and graphs; trigonometric identities and equations; solutions of right and oblique triangles; vectors; the polar coordinate system; conic sections; Boolean algebra and symbolic logic; mathematical induction; matrix algebra; sequences and series; and limits and continuity.
Functions are a fundamental mathematical concept and as such have been part of the mathematics curriculum for much of the student’s school career. This course expands the concepts pertaining to functions that were taught in earlier grades and provides a review of essential mathematical skills and algebraic concepts needed in this course and in future courses. Technology is used to support and extend the concepts to be studied. Units are designed to focus on polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, as well as trigonometric ratios and functions using the four main representations of functions: graphs, tables of values, algebraic equations, and verbal descriptions. Emphasis is placed upon analyzing each function and using that information to sketch the graphs. Modeling real-life problems using exponential growth and decay, as well as fitting exponential and logarithmic models to sets of data, play an important role in this course. Real world applications and projects using previously identified functions form the basis for learning mathematics through problem-solving situated in context. The course culminates in the study of mathematical models and problem solving that focuses on sequences, series, conic sections, and parametric equations.
SCIENCE
Science 6
Sixth grade students investigate the principles of physical science through activities, projects and focused learning. Students learn to apply the scientific method to solve problems and collect data in a variety of laboratory experiments.
Science 7
Seventh grade students investigate the science of living things through activities, projects, and focused learning.
Science 8
Prerequisite: Completion of 7th grade Science
Through a project based curriculum and hands-on laboratory exercises students will cover topics such as introductory physical science, structure of the Earth, Earth history, Earth in the solar system, as well as, science and the environment.
Physical Science
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: completion of Science 8
The course will integrate earth science concepts with physical science concepts through a project based curriculum and hands-on laboratory exercises. The topics covered will include measurement and symbolic representation, atomic structure, properties of matter, chemical reactions, forces and motion, and energy.
Honors Biology
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of Physical Science
Students will investigate the molecular basis of Biology in a project-based curriculum and through hands-on laboratory exercises. The course will cover topics such as the cell, the molecular basis of heredity, biological evolution, interdependence of organisms, systems and behaviors of organisms, as well as, personal and community health.
Honors Chemistry
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Biology
Students investigate the properties of matter through hands on laboratory experiments. Students are expected to master the ability to describe chemical reactions through balanced equations and perform routine chemical calculations. Students have access to a variety of technology to enable to data collection, analysis, and presentation of results in multimedia such as wikis and videos. Students take advantage of the Ochsner iLab facility to perform a distillation and synthesis of esters.
Senior Project is a required course for graduation from Taylor and results in an academic endorsement on the high school diploma. At the end of their Junior year, students begin to consider a research question in an area of interest. Senior students write an extensive research paper and choose a mentor to advise their investigation. Students complete twenty hours of internship off-campus, providing them with an opportunity for hands-on experience in the field of study. As a result of the internship, students construct a portfolio with a product and present their work to a panel of community members.
Physics
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry
This course focuses on the fundamental concepts and theories of general physics, including the mechanics of particles, rigid bodies, electricity, magnetism, light and sound. This course has an included laboratory component to explore concepts introduced in the class.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Biology
This intensive course will focus on structural and functional relationships of the human organism at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels. The course will review general principles of biology. The course will include a detailed study of the skeletal, cardiovascular, muscular, and nervous systems of humans.
Principles of Engineering
This course explores technology systems and manufacturing processes as well as addresses the social and political consequences of technological change. This course includes hands-on, real world problem solving challenges for students.
Oceanography and Marine Science
This course is designed to give the student a better understanding of marine and estuarine ecosystems of the world. Special emphasis is given to the marine and estuarine ecosystems of Louisiana. This course will reinforce and expand upon concepts taught in biology and integrated science. Students will also focus on marine invertebrates, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Studies 7
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of 6th Grade
This course covers topics in American history, from the country’s birth through the
nineteenth century. The course also investigates the United States’ global relationships, foreign policy, and current
events. The role of a citizen, geographic influences on the nation’s development, and the development and
responsibilities of the branches of government are also emphasized.
Social Studies 8 – Louisiana History
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of 7th grade
The study of history, geography, civics, sociology, economics, culture and other social-science subjects related to Louisiana.
Students will cover: early settlers in Louisiana, European colonization, Acadian History, Louisiana Purchase, statehood, Civil War, Reconstruction, WWII home front, Civil Rights, and other contemporary trends and issues.
World Geography
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of 7th grade
All students must complete one year of World Geography during the high school years (9th-12th). Students learn
through a problem-solving approach to determine the connections between economics and several problems in
societies around the world, such as health, literacy, infant mortality, and other issues through the use of the CIA Factbook. Students then solve the identified problems while also identifying and solving issues dealing with
physical geography.
Free Enterprise
Credit: ½ Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: None
All students must complete one semester of Free Enterprise during the high school years (9th-12th). Through a
problem-solving approach, students research the relationship between economics and this country’s free enterprise
system. This year, students worked in teams to design hypothetical products that have never been on the market.
They conducted marketing research to determine their target market and re-design their products. Finally, they designed an advertising campaign to sell their hypothetical products.
Civics
Credit: ½ Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: None
All students must complete one semester of Civics during the high school years (9th-12th). Students learn, through a
problem-solving, project-based approach about the Constitution and its beginnings; political parties and elections;
individual rights, federalism and the three branches of government; and state and local government. This year,
Civics students at Patrick F. Taylor, researched the causes of the levee failures during Hurricane Katrina; designed
new levees; researched the federal budget to find funds to rebuild the area; and started an email-writing campaign to
convince members of Congress to vote for the rebuilding of this area. Additionally, Civics students will debate
important U.S. Supreme Court Cases.
Sociology
Credit: ½ Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of 8th grade
This course will introduce you to the study of human society and social behavior. Topics that will be considered for
study may include: (1) Culture and Social Structure such as diversity, conformity, adaptation, and structure (2) The
Individual in Society such as adolescents, adults, deviant behavior, and social control (3) Social Inequality
concerning stratification, racial and ethnic relations, gender, age, and health (4) Social Institutions including family,
politics, education, religion, and mass media (5) The Changing Social World including population, urbanization,
movements, and modernization. Students can expect to do both individual and group research that includes
interviews and outside reading.
Psychology
Credit: ½ Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of 8th grade
This course will introduce you to the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. In addition to
learning psychological methods, research, and ethics, topics that will be considered for study include: (1) Body and
Mind such as the biology of behavior, sensation, perception, and consciousness (2) Learning and Cognition
including memory, thinking, intelligence, and language (3) Development such as infancy, childhood, adolescence,
and adulthood (4) Personality including motivation, emotions, psychological tests, and gender roles (5) Health and
Adjustment including stress, psychological disorders, and therapy (6) Social Psychology including social cognition,
social interaction Students can expect to conduct experiments using surveys, samples, and observations as well as
performing both independent and group research.
American History
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of 10th grade
This course focuses on United States history from Reconstruction to present day. Students will explore the eras of industrialization, progressivism, World War 1 and 2, the Great Depression and New Deal, the Civil Rights era and the Cold War using a variety of primary sources and projects designed to challenge and ignite student thinking. Students are required to participate in an American History themed competition and critically read a number of historical fiction and nonfiction texts.
12th grade World History
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of 11th grade
The study of history, geography, civics, sociology, economics, culture and other social-science subjects related to World History (1350 A.D. – present).
Students will cover: Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and Age of
Enlightenment, Age of Exploration, Agricultural Revolution, Industrial Revolution, influential nations and empires, prevalent political and economic systems of the 1900s, global conflict, and other contemporary trends and issues.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Spanish I
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of 7th grade
Students will learn the basics of the Spanish language. They will make use of video and audio resources, CD-ROMs, and on-line materials in addition to working on traditional pen and paper exercises, oral drilling and live face-to-face practice. The course includes grammar, vocabulary, writing, and listening and speaking skills. The culture of Hispanic America and Spain also forms a significant part of the course. The students will be using the textbook ¡En Español Uno! They will be given two consumable workbooks and a CD-ROM. Sound recordings from native speakers will complement the vocabulary lessons, and an integrated DVD program will link the exercises to real life situations and lively conversations.
Spanish II
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish I
Spanish II is an intermediate-level course which adheres to the Louisiana Content Standards and Benchmarks for Foreign Language Courses. As in Spanish I, we will continue to focus on Spanish as a collection of four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The aim of this course is to strengthen these skills, thus enabling students to communicate in a great variety of situations.
Spanish II will begin with a brief initial review of key concepts taught in Spanish I. We will use the textbook ¡En Espaol Dos! which builds directly on the materials and methods used in Spanish I. Students will improve auditory skills by listening to dialogues/narratives recorded by native speakers of Spanish from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries, as well as by watching and modeling video clips. Students will also read in Spanish on topics of a practical nature, such as advertisements, tourist information, newspaper/magazine articles, signs, menus, and business/personal letters. Students' progress will be evaluated according to workbook and audio exercises, class presentations, dramatic performances, active participation in discussions, and frequent quizzing. Project Based Learning will be used, where possible, to support students in the course.
Spanish III
Credit: 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of Spanish II (and native speakers upon consultation)
This course is set up to meet the needs of college-preparatory high school students. Students will use the third year level textbook En español III. They will be given two workbooks and a CD-ROM, which includes all the new material presented in the textbook. While students will still be working on the four basic language skills (listening, speaking, writing, reading) they will learn to make use of language that goes beyond casual conversation, such as the subjunctive voice. They will learn how Spanish differs from country to country. Spanish III has two major projects which involve the reading, interpretation and presentation of newspaper articles culled from the internet, and the making of an original Spanish language news presentation to be submitted on disc.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education
Credit: ½ or 1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: None
All 8th graders must take P.E. All students must complete two years of P.E. during the high school years (9th-12th).
Physical education gives the students building blocks for good health: physical fitness and skills, coordination, and
good sportsmanship. Students will to learn to assess their own physical fitness and maintain healthy levels of
physical activity. They will learn new skills and improve performance, while gaining the self discipline to take part
in individual and group activities. Students, who participate in physical education activities on a regular basis, learn
the benefits of that participation and value its contribution to a healthy lifestyle.
Health Education
Credit: ½ Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: None
All students must complete one semester of Health during the high school years (9th-12th). Health education gives
students the knowledge and skills to thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It will help the students
to recognize the causes of ill health and to understand the benefits of prevention, good hygiene, and appropriate
medical care. Health education also includes a set of skills to help students to be better aware of the decisions they
face of conflicting messages, thus assisting them to live healthier lives.
TECHNOLOGY
Webmastering I
Credit: ½ Carnegie Unit
Prerequisite: Completion of 7th grade
This course will familiarize students with the creation and management of Webpages and Websites. Students will
learn basic HTML structure and formatting, Webpage creation using Macromedia Dreamweaver, and image creation
and alteration using Macromedia Fireworks.
Webmastering II
Credit: ½ Carnegie Unit
Prerequisites: Completion of Webmastering I, consent of teacher
This course is a continuation of Webmastering I. Students will explore advanced topics in Web development and
digital media.