Archives for October 2010

High School Subjects – What Subjects Will You Have To Take?

Secondary school subject choices have changed in the last century. Great grandparents of the current high school generation often were fortunate to be able to go beyond elementary school. Students had eight grades of school and often had subjects that today’s scholars won’t study until upper grades of high school. Students of the early 20th century were required to pass examinations to prove their proficiency in grammar, spelling, arithmetic and classical languages. A variety of high school subjects allows students to make better informed choices about possible careers.

Today, though, the range of subjects is much wider than historical students. There are schools that focus on certain types of subjects. For example, a student may complete college preparatory classes. Students can focus on various trade tracks. These might include dental assistant, beautician, mechanics or computer technology. Other schools can provide more education focused on the arts. Students might be able to study dance, music or theater.

General studies at almost every high school are set by state and sometimes federal standards. Students must complete a certain number of instruction hours or days of class before a graduation diploma or certificate is issued. These usually include classes in English, science, math, history, health, physical education and sometimes arts. Some states require study of a second language.

Today, many schools require students to learn keyboarding. The proficiency in using and understanding computer keyboards and software is critical for maintaining communication with others around the globe. Although most children have some exposure to computer games and the Internet, not all are able to make efficient use of the tools.

It’s important for adolescents to get a broad choice of subjects in secondary school, rather than focusing on just one range of subjects. A student who likes mathematics and related subjects such as geometry, trigonometry and calculus should also get a grounding in literature and grammar. While the student may not think subjects outside a field of immediate interest, high school should be the place where a wide range of basics can be experienced. Most people change careers more than once over the course of a lifetime, so using the secondary school years to learn as much as possible about many subjects is more important than detailed study of a single subject.

In addition to more traditional subjects, many schools now require some life experiences training. The belief is that students should understand how to balance a checkbook, open a bank account and create a budget. The life experiences classes can be very flexible in nature and may be included within the framework of other classes. With traditional gender roles and classes less obvious in today’s classroom, students may learn how to change oil in an automobile and how to do some simple cooking tasks.

Understanding how to put a sentence together and communicate thoughts to others is another part of classes. Some schools offer classes such as speech, but communications practice is more likely to be part of an English Composition curriculum. Plays and theater productions, including musicals are part of the optional subjects in some school.

Understanding the world in which they live is one of the high school subjects that is often part of the history classes. It might be as much current affairs as historical affairs. A good grasp of the panorama of history is important for learning how today’s culture is affected by what has occurred in the past.

Additional information at: http://www.pennfoster.edu/diploma/index.html?semkey=Q101057

High School Reunions – What To Expect

High school reunions are often the subject of comedy, but they are not always scary experiences. Much of the difference between an embarrassing experience and one that makes you look forward to the next reunion is the planning that goes into the event. Of course, most people tend to remember the good times more than the negative ones as they get further in time from the high school years. Some other individuals require many years before they can bring themselves to attend. Keep in mind that high school is not a positive experience for many.

Often, after ten years or so, you start to wonder whether your classmates turned out differently than you expected. Curiosity brings many people to their class reunions. One of the first things that you can expect is that the school gymnasium and auditorium is much smaller than you remember. Of course, the classrooms are also smaller and the teachers usually seem shorter.

Although a ten year reunion is not as noticeable, you will probably see that your classmates have begun to look older too. Many of them look more and more like their parents. If you are attending a fifteen or twenty year reunion, chances are good that you will mistake classmates for their parents. Some of the people you remembered as cheerleaders and football stars are now grandparents.

You can expect to see lots of pictures from classmates. These might be pictures of happenings that involved you, or that you wish you had been involved in. If you were not interested in the activities that happened at the time, you may enjoy sharing pictures at the reunion. Depending upon the graduating year, the pictures might be photographs in albums, video tapes (remember those) or DVD images shared via websites, blogs and social media.

Food and drinks are expected at your class reunion. You might have a gourmet cook or two amongst your classmates who would love to show off their skills. Usually these events are catered so that everyone can participate in the socialization part. Drinks are another aspect of a reunion. Depending upon the distance in years from graduation, being able to enjoy alcoholic beverages with friends may be more important once it’s legal.

There will always be at least one person who will have too much to drink and become obnoxious. The social connections are sometimes a problem amongst attendees. If there are classmates who have married and are now divorced, it can lead to some uncomfortable moments. Of course, the parties to a divorce often look at reunions as an opportunity to show that they are doing fine without the ex-spouse.

Usually there will be a number of remembering type games and there may even be some awards, real and fake, given out. Who has the youngest child? Who has the most children? Who has been married the most times? Who has traveled the most distance from the home town? These can be fun as long as they don’t get too personal.

You can expect most high school reunions will break up much later than was planned with many promises to do it all over again the following year. This rarely happens – because most high school reunions are held every 10 years, so you’ve got a while before you have to go through it all again.

Additional resource links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_School_Reunion_%28TV_series%29

High School Clubs – About The Various Clubs You Can Join In High School

Dozens of high school clubs are available in the largest schools, while smaller schools may have only a few. Clubs that are sanctioned by the school administration often fall into one or more of four categories. These categories are community service, fund raising, career awareness and interpersonal dynamics. Most clubs will have some sort of fund raising activities, regardless of the stated purpose of the club.

Career oriented clubs are mostly self-explanatory. Students might be interested in engineering, science, agriculture or teaching. You can find organizations for each of these career fields and others in most high schools. For students who have interests in particular fields, career related clubs allows for networking with other people with the same interests. The structure of the career club may allow for speakers at club meetings. or working in intern programs under adult members of the particular career.

Community service clubs at the high school level are also usually linked to adult clubs that perform the same function. Some examples of service clubs are Red Cross, Kiwanis Key Club and the Lions Club. Students join these clubs in many cases to fulfill a school requirement for a certain number of hours of community service prior to graduation. These community service organizations might be nationally known or might be specific to a local need.

Fund raising clubs are also a popular choice, especially if the young people can get linked to world wide organizations. These funds are often raised for a particular cause or problem. Examples of this is causes related to the environment or funding cancer research. The students may obtain pledges from others to raise awareness of an event.

Interpersonal dynamics organizations, also known as social clubs, usually have no particular driving purpose, other than for students of common social interests to meet and gather. The last group is a group that can be vary different from school to school. It might revolve around cultural groups, religious bonds, hobbies or talents. An informal or formal group of musicians might become a band. Students might form a dance group for learning and presenting folk dances.

High school organizations fulfill a need for people to be part of a group. Structure and knowledge of the clubs by the teachers and administrators of the school lends an air of knowledge and cooperation. Although there is an investment of time by educators, they tend to recognize the value of the organizations. Often, class time is allowed in order to encourage students to work on club projects.

Humans are social creatures, and teen students seem to have a greater need to be associated with peers. At the same time, A productive club or project helps to encourage a team effort as opposed to single activities. Some types of club activities that would seem like just plain hard work will be fun when a group of people are involved and working together.

If you have kids of high school age, encouragement is the way to get them involved in extracurricular activities. High school clubs should be something selected by the student, not mandated. A variety of choices ensure that students will be able to find a club in which to participate.

Find out more: http://www.dosomething.org/clubs/resources/what-you-get?gclid=CKOxxviotqUCFYdc2godCRNCXw

Understanding High School Report Cards

Many things are different in schools today but one dynamic that has not altered is the assigning of high school report cards to students. Grades can be used for a variety of means, they help to show parents how well their sons and daughters have performed and can be used to ensure students are allocated to the right programs. Also it is a great way to illicit better results from individual students that are found to be underachieving. High school report cards also play an important role when it comes to gaining admission in a college.

The largest majority of schools still use the traditional system of grading. This involves awarding alphanumeric grades, typically from A – F, or expressed as a percentage. Most teachers have complete autonomy when it comes to judging student performance and issuing grades. Only a few high schools have strict guidelines relating to filling out information on report cards.

Though parents are often under the impression that the grades that are given to their teenage sons and daughters focus primarily on achievement, the fact is that many teachers also consider a variety of other factors. These considerations can include student effort, participation, progress, attitude, and behaviour.

A report card has a greater importance than just highlighting academic prowess, it is seen as a way of ensuring correct feedback is given to students and their families. At the end of the day each parent will have a different understanding as to which grading elements are important.

Given the fact that most teachers have free reign when developing their own grading polices and the fact that there can be considerable differences in the curriculum given in different districts and states, it can be difficult to compare the information on report cards. Research for the US Department of Education found that in a study that compared the grades of students in high poverty schools and affluent schools there were major differences in the standards required to achieve the highest grading.

To be given a better indication of the actual level of academic achievement it can be better to focus on the results from end of course examinations. These usually follow a set format within a particular state and are marked by examiners who are not known to the individual students. Many states now include end of course exams as an intrinsic component of their assessment system.

A lot of schools are now choosing to experiment with report cards that illustrate student progress towards acquiring specific standards. This involves identifying the level of knowledge that a student is expected to master at a particular level and then presenting a curriculum and testing that matches.

High school report cards that feature teacher comments and phrases relating to a level a student has reached can be more desirable that simply using the old fashioned A-F marking system. The issue with this new type of marking is that it can be difficult for a college to evaluate whether or not a particular student meets their eligibility requirements in full.

Additional information at:  https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/reportcard/

High School Band

A high school band is a talented group of musical students who are aged between fourteen and eighteen years old. They are required to rehearse as a unit and give performances to the school, public, and in various competitions. Most bands that are put together in high school would consist of players of wind instruments and percussion instruments.


The concept of high school bands is more common in the US as opposed to other countries. It is a tradition that dates back more than a hundred years and one that is still immensely popular today. As there is usually special funding provided to school bands it is an activity that attracts musically gifted students who enjoy using their talents. In the UK school bands can also be found, though here the focus is primarily on pure brass brands.

High school bands are most often very competitive. As children grow older it is likely that they develop an interest in music. Within the high school age range there is a greeter expectation to become an accomplished musician. It is suggested that bands at this level pose a greater challenge to students and also encourage them to develop their skill and aptitude when compared to middle school level.

The music that is performed can feature highly complex passages, as well as involved phrasing, and intricate rhythms. The selections that are chosen to perform can be varied, in part it would depend upon the guidance and expectations of the teachers that are unemployed in the schools music department.

Most bands are expected to successfully play and perform a wide range of musical styles, this can include relaxed melodies and serious program music. For a large number of students a school band is the best expression and outlet for their musical education. It offers a way to develop friendships with like minded students and also can provide a means to travel and tour both within the state and nationally.

It is expected that a school band is accomplished at playing a traditional repertoire of standards. For example this can include Holst’s Second Suite in F and First Suite in E Flat. Graingers Lincolnshire Posy and Children’s March are also well used favorites. The high school band can be called on to perform at a variety of functions both within the school premises and the wider community.

The number of performers in a band will vary depending upon the availability of musical students as well as the academic schedule. It may be the case that certain students are called upon to play a number of different instruments as opposed to single piece.

Many schools in the US also have a marching band. These may contain as few as eleven students or as many as a hundred or more. They have become a common feature at school sporting events such as football games and provide entertainment for a set amount of time. Marching bands are generally a more common sight during the late summer months and early fall, at other times of year the weather can be prohibitive to outdoor performance.

Find out more: http://www.mcqueenband.org/

High School Sports – What Types Are There?

High school sports are a great way for students to develop social skills and also ensure that they remain fit and healthy through their academic life. There are in fact a number of sporting activities and teams that students between the ages of fourteen and eighteen can partake of. Basketball, baseball, and football are perhaps the most well known though today there is also other activities such as soccer, cross country, track & field, and others that are becoming common.

It is important that all teenagers are encouraged to stay active and physically fit. In adulthood we often have very little time to dedicate to sports, therefore it is essential that young people can make the most of the opportunities available in high school. When taking part in a high school sport, students can learn about how team work is often the key to success and that when individuals pull together as a unit great possibilities can arise.

Apart from the health and social aspects of taking up a sport, being talented in a particular activity can also open the door to college scholarships.  This is can be an important consideration for students who may not be the best at academics and are looking for an edge to get into a college or university.

Many top athletes in a high school may be offered the option of one hundred per cent scholarship at a top college. In fact many well known universities and colleges, as well as professional teams, attend high school games in search of prospective talent.

It is true that the habits that are developed in school can often last a lifetime. Sports coaches that work in schools are trained in a lot more than simply getting students to achieve the best results. They can also ensure your kids develop health eating habits and build a character that is often missing from today’s society.

If a student develops a passion for a particular sport it can also help them to stay out of trouble. Teenagers who are active in their school teams are less likely to get in to trouble with their teachers or end up on the wrong side of the tracks. In today’s society there are a large number of unhealthy temptations that are common place in society such as drugs and alcohol, by being active in a sports team it can make sure that the student develops an understanding of how to behave and what is detrimental to their wellbeing.

Another important consideration is that many teenagers suffer from low self esteem. This can result in seriously problems when it comes to finding a role in later life. If they were to thrive in a sports team they can enhance their self esteem and confidence dramatically. It can be a great way for them to feel good about themselves and more so if they struggle with academic subjects.

High school is not always an easy time in a teenager’s life. By becoming a member of a sports team they will be more willing to attend school and have a positive reason for getting up in the morning.

For more information, click here: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/high_school.html

High School Extracurricular Activities – Sports, Clubs, Band, Theater

There are a number of high school extracurricular activities a student can take part in. It is important to realise that school is not just about acquiring academic knowledge. It is a time in a teenager’s life where they can develop life long relationships and learn important social skills that would place them in a desirable position for after graduation.
High  School  Extracurricular  Activities

Extracurricular activities are also a great method for finding a way into a desirable college. Most further education establishments today place a great importance on the activities a student has partaken of during their schooling, it may even open a door to receiving a special scholarship that would not be available to other students.

It is important that teenagers are allowed to develop an interest in the type of pursuits and activities that they enjoy. Their natural talent and inclinations should be encouraged, by doing so they can develop a sense of self worth and independence that may otherwise be lacking.

The most well known extracurricular activity is sports. Every high school has a number of sports teams that can ensure students stay in the best physical condition and develop an understanding of the importance of teamwork to achieve goals. No matter where the school is located there should be the option of joining a baseball, basketball, football, and soccer team, this goes for both male and female students. Memories of taking part in high school sporting competitions can last a lifetime.

Most high schools also have various clubs that you can choose from. These can be a great way for a student to increase their interest in a particular hobby or activity, as well as give back to the community. For example there is likely to be clubs dedicated to crafts, drama, literature, community help, foreign language, science, IT, as well as more civic minded groups dedicated to community service. Joining a club is a perfect way for teenagers to meet like minded individuals and build lasting friendships and relationships as well as enjoy a feeling of camaraderie.  Joining a club is also a great way to perform community service and give back to your community.

A lot of schools would also offer students the chance of joining a musical society. The type of group or society would depend in part on the decisions of the schools musical department as well as the ability of students that have enrolled at the establishment. High school bands are as common today as they have ever been, though there can also be the option of joining a jazz band, choir, marching band, or orchestra. Most schools musical societies ask their members to give performances on days when special events are being held.

It may be the case that the high school also offers theater as an extracurricular activity. Many students, no matter what the gender, have an interest in cinema and stage performance. Some of the country’s best known entertainment stars began their careers in their high school theater group.

By taking part in live stage performances students can enhance their confidence and develop skills that would be important in their life at a later date. Theater is also a great way for a student to improve their academic ability in subjects such as English language and English literature.

Learn more, click here: http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/25/Q425/AboutUs/Overview/Extracurricular+Activities.htm

High School Basketball

High school basketball leagues and associations have slightly different rules then those used in collegiate and professional games. As the players are between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, the regulations are tailored to this consideration. School sport promotes a competitive spirit alongside development and sportsmanship.

You may know that in the professional leagues the three point line is twenty three feet and nine inches in front of each basket. In the high school game the same line is positioned nineteen feet and nine inches from the basket. This allows still developing athletes to be able to achieve a desirable performance.

In a professional basketball game each quarter is twelve minutes in duration. This differs at the high school level in so much that the games are forty minutes in length with each quarter only lasting ten minutes. The reason is to ensure that the young players do not overexert themselves.

The rules and regulations are determined by the National Federation of State High School Associations. There is a thirty five second shot clock that is restarted each time the possession of the ball changes play. An offensive player can remain in the free throw area for a maximum of just three seconds before they must give the ball over.

Another important aspect of the high school game relates to carrying the ball. The rules that are in place dictate that a player can take only a single step after starting his dribble, this has resulted in offensive players shuffling their feet as they try to off balance the defenders. If such a move involves moving both the free foot and pivot foot the player will be penalized. A dribbler must also ensure his hand is on the top of the ball during dribbling as otherwise he will be called up for palming, the same penalty is given to those players that like to place their hand underneath the ball in an attempt to gain extra control.

High school basketball also enforces an alternate possession rule as opposed to requiring a jump ball whenever there is shared possession. The only time during a game when a jump ball is signaled is at the start of the game and at the beginning of the overtime. At any other time when there is joint possession the referee will alternate the ownership of the in bound ball between the two teams.

Most local states school sporting associations will also enforce specific regulations that players, coaches, and teams are supposed to abide by. For example they may stipulate when the season can begin and when it should end, this usually coincides with the start and finishing of the school year.

There is also usually a stipulation that students can only participate in a fixed number of quarters in a particular season. This is to ensure that the players are given an adequate amount of rest and recuperation time which if not in place would otherwise lead to physical and mental exhaustion and a deterioration in academic performance.

Additional resource links: http://www.rooseveltbasketball.org/

High School Baseball

If you have enjoyed playing in Little League and then followed this up with a stint playing baseball in your middle school, the natural progression would be to join you high school baseball team. At this level the competition is a lot more intense. Baseball is amongst the most popular sporting activities that can be taken up at high school level and unlike football it is possible to be head hunted for a professional team prior to graduating.

It is important to note that the rules that govern the high school game are very similar to that in the professional competition, though there are a few important differences. In high school baseball each team has ten players, nine of which can be in the field at one time. A designated hitter is allowed to bat in place of a particular fielder and not just as a replacement for the pitcher. The mound would be exactly sixty feet and six inches away from the home plate.

In the high school game the bases are kept ninety feet apart and are fifteen inches square. There is no safety given at first base. A baseball that bounces over the perimeter line would be termed a ground rule double. Each runner is allowed two bases though it is up to the umpire to choose to allow an additional base if he is under the belief that an extra base would have been reached if the ball was still in play.

All players taking part in the school baseball are required to wear helmets when it is their turn to bat as well as when on the base-paths. It is up to the player to decide to use a face-mask or not. All catchers must use catcher’s masks, shin guards, and chest protectors. If a catcher opts for a traditional mask this must include a throat protector, but this is not required if wearing a goalie type mask.

To be eligible for a high school team you must first of all meet classroom eligibility requirements. This would involve achieving acceptable grades and the right amount of attendance. It is also a prerequisite to complete a physical examination and be given consent by a parent or guardian.

There are certain player rules that you would need to familiarize yourself with if you are to develop a great reputation for the game. Strict pitch counts are given for each pitcher which are monitored closely by the coaches. The rules that are enforced are primarily there to ensure safer base running and to minimize risk of injury to participants.

To be considered for you local school team you will need to ensure you are in the best physical condition. The exercise programs that are used in training exist to increase flexibility and strength.

Most states have strict rules that govern schedules and workouts to minimize the risk of injury and to encourage fair play. The state will also set a limit on the number of games a team can participate in.

Learn more, click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school_baseball_in_Japan

High School Football

High school football is one of the most enjoyed interschool sporting activities that is played in America. Also known by the name prep football, it is a sport that dates back to the development of the game back in the nineteenth century. Fast forward to today and we see that its popularity has never decreased. In fact it is a sport that has developed a huge following and a long list of traditions.

High School Football

The rules that govern high school football are established by the NFHS, otherwise known as the National Federation for State High School Associations. As the sport has the same ancestry as the college game the basic rules are the same though there are a few differences worth noting. The quarters are of twelve minutes in duration instead of fifteen. The kick-offs happen from the forty yard line whereas in the NFL and college game it takes place on the thirty inch line.

Other notable differences are that if the ball crosses the plane of a goal line during a missed field goal the referee then calls for a touchback from the twenty yard line, also each kick that crosses the goal line is instantly determined a touchback. Whether overtime is allowed depends upon the state association which is being used.

The training that is expected of players most often begins with conditioning exercises such as weightlifting and speed and agility workouts. When this begins would depend upon the state and the high school in question. It may start as early as a couple of weeks after the close of the previous season or as late as the month of August. Towards the end of the summer regular practice begins that involve daily sessions each afternoon apart from on the actual game days.

A typical high school football season would involve around ten games. The first match takes place at the start of September and the last regular season clash would occur in the middle of November. The best teams and largest schools can receive crowds of thousands of spectators and may even play at a college stadium to ensure maximum possible attendance.

Most high school football games take place on Friday evenings though they may also occur on a Thursday or Saturday. This would depend upon the available facilities such as whether or not the field has adequate illumination.

At the end of the regular season there is a short break before the playoffs begin. Regional champions would take part in elimination matches which determine the state champions. In large urban areas there are city leagues, whilst in smaller states the playoffs are seeded on a state-wide basis. Championship games take place on neutral ground, typically an NFL or college stadium large enough to hold a big crowd. These stadiums are also better suited to cope with bad weather which can occur in the month of December when the championships are decided.

The national champions are decided by mathematical formulas that take into consideration various factors such as the mean margin of victory and the strength of the seasons performances.

For more information, click here: http://www.simsburygridiron.org/