FOCUS
The FOCUS program is designed for students currently in grades 6, 7 or 8.
| Course Descriptions: FOCUS Blue FOCUS Gold |
Curriculum
Students in the FOCUS program have the opportunity to immerse themselves in six different courses while improving their skills in:
- Critical reading
- Time management
- Oral presentations
- Internet/Library research
- Creative writing
- Note-taking
- Data collection and recording
- Problem solving
- Class discussion
Program Placement
To ensure both proper placement of students and maintain a challenging and creative curriculum, FOCUS has two tracks.
- FOCUS Blue is designed for students who have completed grade 6 or 7.
- FOCUS Gold is designed for returning FOCUS students and any student who has completed grade 8.
Note: Based upon the strength of their applications, students who have completed grade 7 will be placed in either the FOCUS Blue or Gold program.
Eligibility
Students are required to submit an application, application fee, personal essay, current transcript, school recommendation, two teacher recommendations, and a graded English paper. Students who have taken the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) are encouraged to submit those scores for proper placement.
Course Schedules
Focus Blue and Gold are four-week programs broken into two, two-week sessions. Each session offers the same courses. Students enroll in three of the courses in Session I (one for each class period), and three different courses in Session 2 (again, one for each class period).
Courses offered and period number in which they run:
| FOCUS Blue | FOCUS Gold |
| Period 1 Ceramics The Mad Scientist The Writing Process Who Are The Heroes? Period 2 Concepts in Algebra (Blue)* Bridge Building The Joy of Reading Public Speaking Period 3 Exploring Famous Cities Mathematical Applications Environmental Science The Reporter |
Period 1 Phenomenal Physics First Principles Concepts in Geometry Marvelous Myths Period 2 Concepts in Algebra (Gold)* The Critical Essay Concepts in Chemistry Writing the Research Paper Period 3 Latin I and II Concepts in Biology Dynamite Data Everyday Economics |
*Results on an in-class placement test will determine whether students are placed in Topics in Algebra Blue or Gold.
SAMPLE FOCUS SCHEDULES
| FOCUS Blue | FOCUS Gold |
|
Session I (Weeks 1 & 2) PERIOD 1 Ceramics PERIOD 2 The Joy of Reading PERIOD 3 Environmental Science Session II (Weeks 3 & 4) PERIOD 1 Who Are The Heroes? PERIOD 2 Bridge Building PERIOD 3 The Reporter |
Session I (Weeks 1 & 2) PERIOD 1 Marvelous Myths PERIOD 2 Concepts in Chemistry PERIOD 3 Dynamite Data Session II (Weeks 3 & 4) PERIOD 1 Concepts in Geometry PERIOD 2 The Critical Essay PERIOD 3 Everyday Economics |
Course Descriptions
FOCUS Blue
ARTS
FBA70 Ceramics
This hands-on course examines the basic fundamentals of clay construction. Strong emphasis is placed on freedom of expression using hand-building and wheel-throwing skills, glazing techniques, and firing procedures. Students produce two to three pieces during the class. (Art Fee: $40. Fee covers the cost of supplies)
ENGLISH
FBE70 The Joy of Reading
This course introduces students to the world of literature, including major writers and different genres—short stories, novels, plays, and personal essays. Class discussions, oral presentations, and team projects enhance students’ understanding and enjoyment of literature. The course will also focus on creative and expository writing.
FBE71 The Writing Process
Students receive instruction in the writing process—prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. The goal is to develop the ability to write grammatically correct, clear, coherent sentences and construct unified paragraphs. The course also stresses grammar, usage, and vocabulary development.
FBE72 The Reporter
Have you always wanted to be reporter? In this course, students read and then learn to write interviews, personal profiles, travel articles, sports essays, and movie reviews. The focus is on the personal essay, paying special attention to how nonfiction writers incorporate fictional techniques into their articles.
FBE73 Public Speaking
Oral presentation is an essential component of effective communication. Learning to organize one’s thoughts and to present them effectively are critical life skills. In this course, students learn to express themselves with greater confidence in small and large group settings, practicing prepared and extemporaneous speeches in both informal and formal settings. Students critique each other’s presentations.
SOCIAL STUDIES
FBH71 Who Are The Heroes?
How do we define a hero? How do we know who is and who will be a hero? Through discussion, debate and research, students identify those whom the world calls heroic. Heroes could be political leaders, men and women of character and influence, or sports figures. Students will research and report on their own selection for a 21st-century hero.
FBH72 Exploring Famous Cities
How has life in New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco changed since the 1800s? What happened in these cities that contributed to their reputation and character today? Why have certain ethnic groups occupied these cities? How have the economic, political and social fabrics of these places evolved? Take a look back at these and other cities by exploring their past, evaluating them today and predicting their futures.
MATHEMATICS
All FOCUS math classes will require students to bring a graphing calculator (TI 83 plus or TI 84 recommended).
FBM70 Mathematical Applications
Games, puzzles, and paradoxes are used to engage students in investigating fundamental ideas of mathematics through interesting (and sometimes surprising) patterns. Inductive and deductive reasoning, number sequences, logarithms, functions, probability and statistics, and graphs are explored.
FBM71
Concepts in Algebra (Blue)
This course covers pre-algebra and basic algebra concepts, which strengthens and enriches basic skills and number sense. This is not a course for students who have had Algebra I. Topics may include whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers and some basic algebra. The major focus is applications, problem-solving and solving equations. Results on an in-class placement test will determine whether students are placed in Concepts in Algebra Blue or Gold.
SCIENCE
FBS70 The Mad Scientist
This course is designed to help students understand the how and why of basic lab practices. A variety of fun-filled labs gives students familiarity with lab apparatus, writing lab reports, data presentation and interpretation of scientific inquiry - the skills necessary for future, more advanced science classes.
FBS71 Environmental Science
In a world increasingly concerned with environmental issues, this course introduces students to the importance of solving problems revolving around the central issues of pollution, depletion of resources, biodiversity, and over-population.
FBS72 Bridge Building
Want to be an engineer? How about the greatest architect of the 21st century? Then this course is for you. The mathematics involved is similar in both the designs of early European and modern structures. This intensive, project-oriented course explores concepts in geometry and physics.
FOCUS Gold
ENGLISH
FGE71 The Critical Essay
One of the most important skills a student can acquire is the ability to learn to write an effective essay. While helping students to write both descriptively and critically, teachers emphasize grammar, usage, punctuation, sentence construction, and paragraph organization.
FGE72 Marvelous Myths
Myths form a reference point for countless works of art and literature and are a keystone of Western culture. In this course students will read and discuss major mythological cycles (the Creation, the Trojan War, for example), explore the shared themes in world mythology, and begin to recognize both mythological characters and their significance. Classroom work will be enhanced by Power Point demonstrations of the representation of myth and mythological characters in art.
SOCIAL STUDIES
FGH70 Writing the Research Paper
You have just been asked to write your first serious research paper. Your teacher wants you to explore documents, take notes, provide an outline, use footnotes, prepare a bibliography, and present a thoughtful, well-documented paper. What next? Students will work closely with the teacher to prepare a paper on a topic of their choice. Work will include refinement and definition of topics, disciplined use of the library and Internet, and proper source documentation.
FGH71 First Principles
In high school you will be faced with a series of history courses that will challenge you to think about the way societies, governments, and economies work. This course is designed to bring to life some of these basic concepts — liberalism, conservatism, racism, feminism, human rights, capitalism, and communism.
FGH72 Everyday Economics
Why do fruits and vegetables cost more in the winter? What market forces determine the price of gas at the pump? Economics is a vital subject for educating students to live in our global economy. Fundamental concepts of supply and demand, opportunity costs and trade are explained using real-life examples.
LANGUAGE
FGL70 Latin I and Latin II
Latin I and Latin II are for students with no prior background in Latin, who wish to gain an advantage in their future language studies. Latin is the fundamental root of all Romance languages (French, Spanish, and Italian) as well as English. This introductory Latin course will explore the structure of language. Students will master the parts of speech and basic syntax (the formation of phrases, clauses and sentences) using Latin vocabulary. Students will read short stories in Latin daily and focus on sentence structure, original Latin quotes and etymology. Note: Students who enroll in Latin I for the first two weeks of the program are required to enroll in Latin II for the second two weeks.
MATHEMATICS
All FOCUS math classes will require students to bring a graphing calculator (TI 83 plus or TI 84 recommended).
FGM70 Concepts in Geometry
Students are exposed to various topics in geometry, including the Pythagorean theorem, angle relationships, properties of parallel lines, polygon angles and tessellations. At the end of the course, students are able to explore various topics in topology. The software program, The Geometer’s Sketchpad, is used to enhance understanding of course concepts and to develop the concept of proof.
FGM71 Dynamite Data
Students review various techniques for analyzing data before delving into a data analysis project of their own design. The first week features activities focusing on critical thinking, graphing techniques and data analysis. In the second week, students collect, analyze and present data using the skills learned. This course uses real-world examples to introduce the many uses of statistics in today’s society.
FGM72
Topics in Algebra (Gold)
Students review some of the fundamental concepts from Algebra 1 and are exposed to topics that allow them to see how algebra is part of the business world. Students learn to analyze algebraic and geometric patterns, apply their analysis skills in the study of fractals, and learn about the limitations of inductive reasoning. Slopes of lines are explored as a precursor to the study of graphing linear equations and inequalities in various forms. These skills extend as students discover patterns in parabolas, and learn about systems of linear equations. Finally, students use numerous skills as they tackle business problems involving linear programming and decision trees.
Results on an in-class placement test will determine whether students are placed in Topics in Algebra Blue or Gold.
SCIENCE
FGS70 Phenomenal Physics
What makes a baseball curve? How do eyeglasses help you see? This hands-on course explores various properties of physics and applies them to laboratory experiences. Students learn about force, motion, and energy in fun-filled experiments.
FGS71 Concepts in Biology
Biological principles and concepts are studied using the inductive approach, and laboratory investigations allow students to explore the relationships between the principles and applications of biology. The study of cells, genetics and DNA may be introduced as appropriate.
FGS72 Concepts in Chemistry
Through the use of chemical demonstrations and hands-on laboratory experiments, students learn about the makeup of the atom, ionic and covalent bonds, types of chemical reactions and methods to note chemical change.