Specialized Options

Junior and senior students in this course will attend classes every-other day and will serve as peer mentors for a group of freshman students. The goals of this program are to:

1. Offer leadership/facilitation training to upper class students.

2. Assist freshman and new students in their transition to Somers High School.

3. Provide team-building experiences that will challenge and develop each student’s perception of themselves, improve interpersonal skills and encourage personal growth in an environment of mutual respect and appreciation.

All upper class students must apply for acceptance into the program in the spring of either their sophomore or junior year. A letter will be mailed home each year, in late winter or early spring, which will explain the selection criteria and application process. Students will be invited to apply for one of approximately 50 seats in this course. Those that are accepted will be enrolled In a one-credit elective course that will meet every-other day, for the full year.

This course is an introduction to Early Childhood Education. The course is designed as a hands-on experiential-based approach to learning through the use of the Tusker Tots program. Students will gain insight into the stages of development and use the necessary knowledge to interact with the tots and begin developing developmentally appropriate lesson plans to conduct with them. Assignments include creating and implementing lesson plans, researching subject-related articles, classroom observations, and a comprehensive project. Students in grades 9-11 will have priority in enrolling in this course to allow for completion of the sequence.

This course is an advanced look into Early Childhood Education. The course is designed as a hands-on experiential-based approach to learning through the use of the Tusker Tots program. Students will act as mentors for level I students as they take on a leadership role in the Tots program. Students will gain knowledge about major theorists and theories in child development and use the necessary skills to improve performance in the classroom. The major theorists and theories of psychological development that are introduced provide a focal point for a comprehensive culminating project.

Prerequisite: Early Childhood Education I & teacher approval

This a culminating course that provides a rigorous and intensive look at the field of Early Childhood Education as it pertains to various careers in Human Services. Students will gain knowledge about the college process and implement this knowledge in a practical way as they research various forms of education after high school. Students will also be provided with the skills and tools necessary for advancement into a career of their choice. Independent and facilitated research is conducted, which includes the necessary qualifications for advancement into the work-force, appropriate child settings and placements, and an in-depth look into the students’ career choice utilizing networking or shadowing experiences as well as culminating research in various careers in Human Services. Prerequisite: Early Childhood Education I and II, or Early Childhood Education I and have an expressed interest in a career in Human Services.

Tusker 101 is a course that supports all 9th grade students’ successful academic and personal transition to high school. This course meets once every eight days out of the cycle, opposite science lab and PE. Through this course, students will learn practical skills of effective communication, utilizing resources within the school, digital citizenship, academic integrity and developing a personal career path. This course is designed to support student success in all subjects as students move through year 4 of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. This is required, non-credited P/F course.

Tusker 102 is a course for all 10th graders designed to extend the learning of Tusker 101. This course meets once every eight days out of the cycle, opposite science lab and PE. In Tusker 102, students are provided with a supportive environment to explore their knowledge, interests, and skills for all four years of high school and beyond. The International Baccalaureate Approaches to Learning skills (ATL) practiced in this course help students to develop the research and critical thinking skills necessary to support their Middle Years Program Personal Projects that culminate in 10th grade. These skills will extend to support student success in all subjects as they move through year five of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (grades 6-10)