https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics Academic related Middle School Forum Questions en-us 2021-02-25 20:01:35 UTC 2021-04-19 21:14:27 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308022009 There are no AP courses available for freshman to take. In sophomore year, there are many more options, but I recommend not taking too many. The only core class that offers an AP is history (AP World History) and in some cases, math, but it depends on what level math you are in. There are also elective AP courses you can take in sophomore year, such as AP Human Geography. Here is a link to the Langley course catalog that shows which courses you can take each year of high school: https://insys.fcps.edu/CourseCatOnline/frontPanel/415/nocourselist/0/0/0/1;title=Home
Also keep in mind that some courses have prerequisites and you may not be allowed to take the course if you didn't take the prerequisite course.]]> 2021-03-14 20:15:39 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308022009 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308023135 Standard courses give you the minimum that you need to pass a course. These classes cover the same general content as the others, but there will be less projects, easier tests/quizzes, and less involved material.

Honors courses are the next step up from standard. These classes will be on the same topic as standard classes, but they go more in depth about that topic. For instance, if a standard class teaches about the Han dynasty, when it was and what their customs were, an Honors class will teach the same things but also go into more depth, for example how the Han dynasty impacts modern civilization and what it would have been like to live during that period as different castes, races, and genders. Honors classes will also have harder tests/quizzes, more homework and after school requirements, and more projects and in-class work than standard classes. 

AP classes are going to be the hardest of all the course options. They goes extremely in-depth in the materials, the tests and quizzes are more difficult, and the course load is heavy. There can be many hours of homework after school, and the teachers will be less lenient when it comes to late work or failing the class. If you're planning on taking an AP course and don't feel you are doing well in an honors or standard version of the class that you're taking this year, you may want to reconsider or ask your teacher what they think you should do.

For honors and AP courses, but especially for AP, make sure that you are going to have enough time to complete all the work and have enough confidence/support to succeed in the higher-level class. ]]> 2021-03-14 20:16:23 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308023135 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308023766 Duel Enrollment happens when a course allows the students to enroll in both high school and a college for that course, and would give college credit. 

Langley offers Duel Enrollment for advanced math (Multivariable Calculus + Matrix Algebra - one course for each semester and you have to select both). Seniors can also select Duel Enrollment in English. Both courses would allow the student to enroll in George Mason University. 

If you are interested, you can also ask your teacher for that subject or your counselor.  ]]> 2021-03-14 20:16:47 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308023766 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308025999 Gym is offered online over the summer and it consists of daily synchronous lessons. Students who take the course are expected to do a lot of work on their own as well.
You can sign up for online P.E. through your counselor.]]> 2021-03-14 20:18:15 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308025999 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308026276 Electives work the exact same way they worked it middle school. There are two type of electives: semester and year-long ones. You are allowed two electives your freshman year (because gym is required). You can either chose two year-long ones, or a combination of semester and year-long electives. Semester electives are usually taken in pre-chosen pairs, for instance forensics and debate. You can take four semester elective, two year-long electives, or two semesters and one year-long elective. ]]> 2021-03-14 20:18:26 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308026276 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308028215 Here's a link to graduation requirements, https://www.fcps.edu/graduation-requirements-and-course-planning/first-time-ninth-2018-19, you can also ask your counselor about meeting the requirements for either diploma.]]> 2021-03-14 20:19:34 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308028215 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308029052 Some students feel they can take all honors classes and do well in them and others don't. I would say it is ultimately up to you if you feel you can take all honors courses freshman year. Make your decision based on how you feel you will do in your classes and that you are challenging yourself.]]> 2021-03-14 20:20:06 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308029052 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308030557 The freshman course load is a bit more than in middle school, and it also depends on what courses you are taking. As long as you keep track of all of your assignments and have good time management, your course load shouldn't get too stressful.]]> 2021-03-14 20:21:01 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308030557 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308031338 The best way to reduce stress is always preparation. As long as you're sure you know the material, you'll be far less stressed out about quizzes or tests. Another technique is to stay organized. It doesn't sound like something that would make a huge impact on how you learn, but keeping track of your assignments and their due dates relieves all the stress of wondering if you've really completed all your homework or if you're missing some important materials. Finally, staying healthy is a great way to reduce stress. When you have more energy and are well-rested, you're less stressed and less likely to miss important things, like assignments or lessons. ]]> 2021-03-14 20:21:27 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308031338 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308032437 Usually teachers weigh certain assignments differently, for example, homework can be worth 10% of a quarter's grade while tests and quizzes can be worth 40%. How teachers grade you really just depends on what course you are taking. However, the grading scale is the same for every course. Here is a link to the grading scale for Langley: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/grading-and-reporting/secondary/grading-scale]]> 2021-03-14 20:22:09 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308032437 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308032635 In general, there's more content, so taking notes is pretty important. In English and History, there is a lot of analyzing texts; I'd also say there is slightly more work as well. Over the course of the year, teachers try to reduce reliance on study guides. I've also noticed that math tests have fewer questions with each question being worth more. Other than that, they're pretty similar, at least in the first year.]]> 2021-03-14 20:22:17 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308032635 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308033105 Your counselors are crucial to your experience at Langley and your plans for the future. Your counselors are the ones who help you decide which colleges to apply to, which courses to take, and make sure you have all your graduation requirements. Not only are they important to those who need help with stress or discussing a difficult circumstance in their life, but they also help you out academically, making sure you're challenging yourself but not taking courses that you won't be able to handle.]]> 2021-03-14 20:22:37 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308033105 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308033309 It's hard for me to answer this question as a rising sophomore because my freshman year has been entirely virtual, and therefore my grade and I been given a lot of "grace and space" - for obvious reasons. However, there are some things that don't change at all, whether you're in middle school or high-school, in-person or virtual. 
It depends on what teacher you get, but across the board high-school teachers are just as nice if not nicer than middle school teachers. They want to help you, and they understand you're in a new environment and don't totally know how everything works. However, your high-school scores and course selections, among other things, are what determines your future and what colleges you are going to. Because of this, teachers are going to be a bit stricter about certain things, including late work, in order to get you ready for university and in order to make sure you live up to your full academic potential. As long as you listen and learn from your mistakes, though, I wouldn't worry at all about the strictness of high-school teachers or how lenient they are about late work. ]]> 2021-03-14 20:22:45 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308033309 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308033787 Try to stay focused all year and pick up good study habits. Improving your time management and getting used to high school is really helpful in the long run and will definitely help you in sophomore, junior, and senior year.]]> 2021-03-14 20:23:04 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308033787 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308034743 I wouldn't say there are any requirements, everyone has a different study technique that works best for them. However, I do have some recommendations. Find as many practice questions as you can handle. SAT Prep books or taking a Prep class are great ways to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that will be on the actual test. Also, Khan Academy offers some great study material. At the end of the day though, everyone studies in their own way and do what is best for you.]]> 2021-03-14 20:23:44 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308034743 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308035044 The PSAT is usually in mid-October in a normal school year. There are four sections on the PSAT: english, writing, non-calculator math, and calculator math.]]> 2021-03-14 20:23:56 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308035044 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308037582 In senior year, students get a lot of freedom on what science course they want to take. Here is a link that shows all of the science courses offered to students at Langley: https://insys.fcps.edu/CourseCatOnline/reportPanel/415/12/0/0/0/1;title=reportPanelSideNav

For an Advanced Diploma, students need to take science courses from at least three different science disciplines, for example biology, chemistry, and physics, and as long as they meet that requirement, many of the courses in the list are an option for students in their senior year.]]> 2021-03-14 20:25:29 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308037582 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308038502 To switch out of a course, you will need to complete a schedule change packet and talk with your teacher about leaving the class. It's no big deal if you are switching out of a class near the beginning of the year and teachers will work with you to catch up with the rest of the class. ]]> 2021-03-14 20:26:04 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308038502 https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308046243 Academy classes are classes you can take but are not offered by Langley High School. For example, you can take electives at Marshall or through FCPS online Academy. 

You are not required to any take Academy course, but courses taken at Academy can count towards graduation requirement.

I think talking to your counselor if you are interested in taking any Academy course would be helpful as well.]]> 2021-03-14 20:30:59 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308046243 reyesgabrielle https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308055202 I find that taking a break from your work for an hour or two and participate in activities that you enjoy is a great way to reduce stress. If you find solace in individual activities, you can exercise, whether it be going for a walk/run, doing an indoor workout video, etc. If you prefer indoor activities, you could draw, journal, re-organize, practice an instrument, or listen to music. If spending time with others helps you calm down, another stress reducing method is to spend some time connecting with friends, which is especially important in this current socially distancing environment. In addition, you could spend time with your family by watching a show, baking, talking, or playing games together.]]> 2021-03-14 20:36:37 UTC https://padlet.com/middle_school_forum/cooper_academics/wish/1308055202