Wantagh High School program grows

Literary Lyrics – The Story Behind the Song

Students will engage in scholarly analysis of lyrics and their poetic qualities. Students will read, write, listen to, and discuss song lyrics, their literary qualities, and their impact on our culture. Students will synthesize their knowledge through the creation of original works. This course provides an excellent foundation for college level readiness in literary analysis and high-level scholarly discussion.

Sports Science: An Introduction to the Physics of Sports

An introduction to the physics of sports will examine fundamental ideas in physics through the lens of athletics. The course will be organized into units based on different popular athletic games (i.e. basketball, baseball, football, and Olympic sports). It will explore how the laws of physics apply to games and plays in a variety of athletic activities. Students will study concepts found in the New York State Core Curriculum for Physics.

Advanced Placement Music Theory

AP Music Theory is an advanced level course engaging students in high level music learning as assessed by the College Board’s AP Music Theory Examination. The AP Music Theory course is designed to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. These abilities will be developed through various auditory, performance, written, creative, and analytical exercises. Although this course focuses on music of the Common Practice Period (1600 – 1900), materials and processes found in other styles and genres are also studied. Students will sit for the Advanced Placement Music Theory Examination in May.

Figure, Fashion, and Costume

In this course, figure, fashion, and costume will be explored as a form of visual art contextualized in history. Figurative and fashion/textile design works will be examined as they relate to the industry. Artistic productions will be studied to identify differences, connections, and evolution over the decades. Major artists of multiple genres will be researched to discover what influenced the work and how the work influenced others in the art world and society at large. Exploration of color, proportion in human anatomy, pattern, texture, abstraction, and exaggeration will be included. The creation of original art in class using various mediums will highlight student understanding.

Introduction to Film and Video

The video component will allow students to learn the proper use of video cameras and to create a number of short videos ranging in length from 30 seconds to five minutes. Projects will include creating an original infomercial, a music video, a promotional spot, a public service announcement, and a news segment. Aspects of animation will also be explored.

The film component of the course will allow students to create a short film ranging in length from 15 to 30 minutes. All aspects of filmmaking will be explored including scriptwriting, storyboarding, cinematography, casting, directing, editing, and post-production. Filming of both indoor and outdoor live action segments will be required.

Food and Nutrition

This course will serve a dual role by providing a relevant learning opportunity while also serving as a unique hands-on and career-related experience. Students will research and prepare healthful recipes while studying current nutrition and wellness topics. Students will become familiar with vegetable, fruit, and whole grain cooking methods as well as the basic preparation of dairy and meat products. An emphasis on food safety, sanitation, and proper knife skills will be central to the curriculum. Additionally, career opportunities in the hospitality industry will be introduced and discussed.