The topics we study in depth are Stoichiometry (the concept of the mole, balancing equations, solving for the masses of the reactants and products, and conservation of mass), the four basic chemical reactions (synthesis, decomposition, single displacement, and double displacement), and molarity (concentration of acids and bases). Several titrations are performed with different acids, bases, and indicators. The ions of several metals are observed through the “flame test” experiment. The general properties of acids and bases are discussed and tested in order to see the relevance of this study to everyday life.
Instructor: Carolyn Ver Pault
Students read Dante’s Inferno and discuss the major themes in essays and in class.
Instructor: Deirdre Somers
This course is a detailed study of electrostatics phenomena and magnetic phenomena, which are continuously compared and contrasted. It begins with an introduction of charges based on phenomena observed. The electroscope, the Van de Graaf, the Whimshurst machine, the electrophorus, the Faraday cage, and the Leyden jar, are observed in action, studied, and discussed in details. The transition to electromagnetism follows the historical development, from the invention of the battery by Volta to the discoveries of Oersted, Faraday, and Ampere. We will observe and study in detail the creation of magnetic fields by an electric current, the force between electric currents, the production of electric current by changing magnetic fields, and other related phenomena. Students will also be involved with the works of some of the major technological achievements in the field, including the microphone/speaker system, the AC generator, the electric motor, the AM radio receiver, and others. As part of the course requirement, each student will build an AC generator or an electric motor from scratch, as independent projects. This course is a detailed study of electrostatics phenomena and magnetic phenomena, which are continuously compared and contrasted. It begins with an introduction of charges based on phenomena observed. The electroscope, the Van de Graaf, the Whimshurst machine, the electrophorus, the Faraday cage, and the Leyden jar, are observed in action, studied, and discussed in details. The transition to electromagnetism follows the historical development, from the invention of the battery by Volta to the discoveries of Oersted, Faraday, and Ampere. We will observe and study in detail the creation of magnetic fields by an electric current, the force between electric currents, the production of electric current by changing magnetic fields, and other related phenomena. Students will also be involved with the works of some of the major technological achievements in the field, including the microphone/speaker system, the AC generator, the electric motor, the AM radio receiver, and others. As part of the course requirement, each student will build an AC generator or an electric motor from scratch, as independent projects.
Instructor: Victor Kim
Students study the periods of music which have influenced music of the twentieth century. The periods covered are Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic.
Instructor: Aymeric Dupre La Tour
The class reads two medieval romances: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Perceval, or the Story of the Holy Grail by Chrétien de Troyes. In addition to discussion, the class writes essays, learns poems, illustrates stylized notebooks, and produces an original project. A field trip to the Cloisters and/or the Cathedral of St. John the Divine concludes the work.
Instructor: Alexios Kritas
Projective Geometry covers an historical view of the mathematical breakthroughs symbolizing new realms of thought. A comprehensive and hands-on experience of projective transformations and in particular, the geometrical experience of infinity, gives students a real experience of synthesizing these new ideas.
Instructor: Victor Kim
During this block the students read Shakespeare’s plays and poems. Through intensive writing and performance exercises students engage the Bard, his cultural context, and performance values on several different levels.
Instructor: Deirdre Somers
The goal of this course is to acquaint you with the world’s major religions and to look at the influence these religions have had on the course of human history. We will focus on the development and essential tenants of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and ‘Hinduism. This course will have a combination of lecture and discussion. While I want to have lively conversations about religion, spirituality and god(s), it is also important that we maintain a level of respect in our discussions at all times. It is my hope that everyone steps into the classroom with an open mind and the willingness to explore and ponder new ideas.
Instructor: Emmie Yaeger
This course is a survey of the animal kingdom. Students will be asked to compare and contrast the major animal phyla. A trip to the Bronx Zoo will provide the opportunity to observe and analyze animal behavior.
Instructor: Carolyn Ver Pault
This is a one year course of study covering atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding and the kinetic theory of gases and liquids. Theoretical concepts are investigated in the laboratory and by means of problem solving. Acids, bases, salts, and oxidation-reduction equations are explored theoretically and experimentally. Two sections will be offered; one section will require advanced math skills.
Instructor: Carolyn Ver Pault or Victor Kim
In preparation for the Literary Play, students begin a study of drama. Students keep research journals and write reflective essays. The course includes a unit of poetry in which poetic elements such as figurative language, tone, rhythm, and rhyme are studied. The class looks at the writings of the early romantic poet William Blake and the modern poet Wallace Stevens. Students write analytical essays focusing on the interpretation of various poems and short stories through the use of brainstorming, free writing, drafting and revising.
Instructor: Alexios Kritas
The students do basic eurythmic exercises, such as three-fold walking, and contraction and expansion. Using forms and gestures, the students enter into the inner being of the movement of sound, speech and tone. Speech eurythmy includes: vowels and consonants, poems/poets studied in literature lessons, rhyme forms, meter, construction, thinking/feeling/willing forms, Apollonian and Dionysian forms, symmetrical and geometrical forms. Gestures for soul moods, color, the planets and the zodiac are studied. Tone eurythmy includes: pitch, rhythm, beat, major, minor, dissonance, the intervals and tones.
Instructor: Sabine Kully
In third year French, German and Spanish students continue to advance their work in grammar, reading, writing, and speaking. Poems, plays and readings from the Medieval and Renaissance periods are studied.
Instructors: Reina White, Peter Goble, and Perla Yanovitch
This is primer course for calculus. The concept of function is reviewed and expanded to include linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. The graphing calculator is introduced and used throughout the course to operate with real-life data and applications. Students are taught to examine a situation from numerical, graphical and analytical perspectives. The last trimester deals with analytic trigonometry: fundamental identities, solving trigonometric equations, sum and difference formulas, Law of Sines and Law of Cosines. The course ends with a brief look at sequences, series and sigma notation.
Instructor: Rosemarie Ferrara or Michael Gentile
Math III provides a straightforward program of study with continual reinforcement and progressive confidence building. The topics covered include a chapter on real numbers, linear equations, functions and graphs, systems of linear equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, simplifying expressions, radical equations and complex rational expressions. Practice of sample SAT’s are offered to keep the students comfortable with this particular type of examination format. The graphing calculator is introduced and used frequently in this course.
Instructor: Rosemarie Ferrara or Michael Gentile
The Eleventh Grade completes units in soccer, volleyball, team handball, basketball and softball. The students play recreational team games such as kickball and agility drills. During these units, students learn skills, terminology, and rules. They also apply their knowledge and skills to game situations. Fitness and cardiovascular activities are presented throughout the year. Safe playing techniques and sportsmanship are always emphasized.
In social (ballroom) dancing, we review the steps and variations learned previously. Although new material is taught, the main goals are to enjoy social dancing, to lead and follow well, and to improve one’s style.
Instructors: Bonnie Bolz, Paul LeSueur, and Robert Weschler
The juniors experienced a variety of media during this year. With each project, they utilized the expressive power of light and dark contrast while learning to be sensitive to the more subtle transitional moments in the work. There was also progressive movement toward a greater exploration of color – sometimes in pastel or acrylic paint. In the final project, the beautiful medium of colored light was enjoyed as each student created a stained glass mosaic.
Instructor: Nancy Metz
Students will make a clay sculpture sculpt ure of the human head.
Instructor: Nancy Metz
The junior year in handwork is devoted to working with paper fibers, mainly in paper making and bookbinding. We begin the 11 week block by learning to make simple paper from recycled fibers: wood, cotton and linen. Students then learn to carefully measure and cut thick fiber board for making book covers and to cover them with precisely cut and glued exotic papers and fabrics, including their own handmade paper. The pages for the book are then designed, cut and carefully bound together and the entire book is bound. Next the students use these skills to create a portfolio that will be used in one of their main lesson blocks. A complex multi-signature hardbound book follows this and then a project of the students own choosing that incorporates some form of paper engineering is completed prior to the final review at which all their paper and books are presented to the entire class.
Instructor: Jeffrey Katzman