W-WCHS Science Department's Academic Initiatives: Course Sequencing and Vocabulary Building
THE ACADEMIC CORNER

One of the most significant academic initiatives the Washington- Wilkes Comprehensive High School Science department implemented this year was to make Biology a 9th grade course and Physical Science a 10th grade course. In this initial year, 9th and 10th graders are taking Biology.

The WWCHS Science department found, as have high school science teachers in other schools, that 9th grade students often struggle with the math required in the Physical Science course. Algebra I level math is a significant part of Physical Science, but many of the students were taking Algebra I or the Concepts of Problem Solving/ Algebra course in the 9th grade while taking Physical Science. The students spent more time trying to

do the math rather than understanding the scientific concepts being taught. Moving Physical Science to the 10th grade year allows students time to take an Algebra course and get a firm mathematical foundation before applying these mathematical concepts in Physical Science; therefore leading to better understanding of the concepts. The WWCHS Science department expects to see improvements in the students' performance in Physical Science and a higher retention of what has been learned throughout the course.

Biology requires extensive memorization, especially in vocabulary. The Science department has partnered with the English department in working on the vocabulary aspect of Biology. At the be-

ginning of the school year, English teachers were given the vocabulary requirements for Biology and are using these words as they teach, particularly Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

Due to the large number of students taking Biology this year, three Biology teachers were necessary. They have worked together in planning the required lessons, which are based on the Georgia Performance Standards for Biology. This assures that all students are exposed to the same content. The Science department is now in its third year of implementation with the new Georgia Performance Standards.

The WWCHS Science department consists of Marilyn Tate (department chairperson), John Aiken, Jennifer Atkinson and Gary Butts.

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