Biology
Course Description:
This course is a two semester introductory course to basic Biology. The course begins with an introduction to the basics of science and scientific thinking along with an introduction to the study of Biology and its importance. We introduce the basic unit of life, the cell, and study its structure, functions, growth and division. We then move on to studying the major systems of the human body among them the nervous, respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. We conclude the course with a unit on ecology, focusing on the earth, its various ecosystems, populations of plants and animals. As well, we will look at our unique role as humans in the biosphere.
Biology Megama with Netiv Meir:
Five point biology is offered in conjunction with Netiv Meir. Students are able to choose to take their megamot with Netiv Meir and have a joint class with their Israeli friends. This program encourages students to integrate into an Israeli program while still doing most of their studies at YTA.
Physics
Five point physics is offered in conjunction with Netiv Meir. Students are able to choose to take their megamot (major) with Netiv Meir and have a joint class with their Israeli friends. This program encourages students to integrate into an Israeli program while still doing most of their studies at YTA.
Computer Science
Grade 9:
The Grade 9 course in Computer Science covers topics of computer literacy in the following applications:
Word, Powerpoint, MovieMaker and Excel. The course also covers an introduction to topics of computer science without actually programming, such as: Binary Numbers, Encoding and Decoding, Image Processing, Finding Errors and Correcting Them, Graph Theory, Search Methods.
Grade 10:
The Grade 10 curriculum offers an introduction to the elements of programming in the Java programming language: input/output statements, assignment statements, integer and double data types, if statements, for and while loops, sums and counters, using library functions, writing your own functions, generating random numbers, character and string data types, and one dimensional arrays. This course covers approximately half the material required for 3 points Bagrut in Computer Science.
Approximately half of the class time is lecture and half involves running programs on computers in the computer lab. Worksheets distributed by the teacher will be used instead of a textbook. It is important to keep these worksheets in a looseleaf binder as all exams in computer science (including Bagrut exams) are open book exams.
English
YTA students are unique in the Israeli education system in their fluency in spoken English. Some, however, will require reinforcement in other areas of the language such as reading comprehension and written expression. These areas will be developed in class. Concurrently, all students will complete the five units of Bagrut English by the end of Grade 11. In mid second term, they will practice their comprehension skills in a series of tests with the goal of excelling in the Bagrut exams.
Grade 9
The Literature segment will offer an understanding of different literary styles and devices as a means of self-expression and as a tool for relating to human society and the students’ own lives. It will also teach the students to analyze texts by using textual evidence. In addition, this segment will create opportunities for class discussions and oral presentations as a means to develop self-confidence in expressing ideas and emotions in the appropriate register and with grammatical accuracy.
The Composition segment will help students develop a critical appreciation of the writing process, including knowledge of format, expression of emotions, opinions and the process of editing.
In the Mechanics segment, students will learn mechanical skills, punctuation, spelling, grammar etc in order to maximize both the quality and clarity of their compositions.
Classroom Expectations
The classes will read short stories and present written/oral reports of critical analysis and personal responses including comparison of texts.
One full length novel will be studied and analyzed as will a selection of 10 poems.
Grades 10 & 11
The main focus are on reading and writing. The goals of reading are to gain exposure to the literary genres, to increase understanding of literature via some of the vocabulary and concepts of literary criticism, to develop a basic aesthetic appreciation of literature, to distinguish the characteristics of several genres and to see their interrelatedness, to increase general vocabulary, and to promote the habit of reading.
The goals of writing are to overcome writing anxiety and to begin to experience writing as empowerment rather than as drudgery, to learn how to generate, organize, and develop ideas, to improve editing skills, especially in terms of clarity and precision in diction and in mechanics, and to make journal writing a habit.
A requirement of the 5-point Bagrut is a research project. As an extension of the above goals, students will use this project to develop skills in: Introduction/time management, prewriting, organization, documentation, working with mentors, research and development, preparing visual/verbal progress report(s) and bibliographies, editing, creating oral reports and visual aids.
An additional requirement of the English program is for students to gain proficiency in the Higher Order Thinking Skills. They will learn to identify the HOTS and use them effectively as an analysis tool of literature.
Classroom Expectations
In Reading, students will be expected to read the short stories and poems as assigned, as well as the novel. They will also begin to fulfill the requirements for the Bagrut review books and all writing assignments.
Mathematics
Grade 9
Math in Grade 9 includes courses in both Algebra and Geometry. At the end of the 9th year, the students will be ready to commence their Bagrut track in Math at the 3-, 4-, or 5-point level. Students will choose their level of Bagrut in consultation with their classroom teacher and their own expectations of themselves.
Classroom Expectations: To come to all 4 periods per week on time and with all supplies. Supplies include: textbooks, notebooks, pencils and calculator. All homework assignments should be completed in full.
Two textbooks will be utilized: In Algebra, we will use the second part of אלגברה לכתה ח’, מאת אתי עוזרי ויצחק שלו. In Geometry, we will use גיאומטריה חישובית, חלק א’ by the same authors. Three exams are planned per semester, with frequent quizzes.
Grade 10
The Math curriculum in Grade 10 prepares the students for their first Bagrut exam in Mathematics. The students will be assigned to one of two Math groupings with variant requirements during the school year and on the end-of-the-year Bagrut exam. Students with more advanced math aptitude and problem solving skills will be assigned to the 4-Point class, or even 5-Point class (taught in Hebrew in Netiv Meir). Students will need to pass at least one unit per year in Math in order to pass their Bagrut requirement. Students in “3-Point Math” will complete Exam #35001 and continue forward ; students in “4-Point Math” will complete Exam #35003 and continue forward. New material will be introduced and mastered during the 100 hours of instruction until Pesach. Thereafter, review and guided practice will prepare the students for the Bagrut exam.
Classroom Expectations
To come to class with all necessary supplies; to practice solving problems during the lesson; to complete the homework on the evening assigned.
Textbooks
The 3-Point students will use מתמטיקה במבנה הצבירה לתלמידי 3 יחידות לימוד שאלון א’, מאת גבי יקואל. The 4-Point students will use מתמטיקה במבנה הצבירה לתלמידי 3-4 יחידות לימוד, שאלון ג‘, מאת גבי יקואל. Four to six exams are planned in addition to weekly quizzes and two pre-Bagrut practice exams (מתכונות).
Grade 11
Students in Grade 11, 4 Points Math review Word Problems and Coordinate Geometry. They then proceed to the new units of 1)Probability (and Statistics), 2) Advanced Topics in Trigonometry, 3) Differential Calculus (including Trigonometry, functions and applications), 4) Integral Calculus.
They may expect to complete all the new topics in the month between Purim and Pesach and then begin the review and practice leading to the Bagrut examination. This will include a review of Euclidean Geometry and proofs in addition to the material listed above.
Classroom Expectations: To come to class with all necessary supplies; to practice solving problems during the lesson; to complete the homework on the evening assigned. Four to six exams are planned in addition to weekly quizzes and two pre-Bagrut practice exams (מתכונות).
The textbook is “Book B for 804 Math” by Gabi Yekuel, published by Mishbetzet Publications.
Grade 12
Students in Grade 12 focus on the successful completion of their Math requirements. In order to earn a Bagrut diploma, students must have completed at least 3 Points of Math.
Classroom Expectations: To come to class with all necessary supplies; to practice solving problems during the lesson; to complete the homework on the evening assigned.
The 4-Point students will use מתמטיקה במבנה הצבירה לתלמידי 4 יחידות לימוד, שאלון ה’, מאת גבי יקואל. Four to six exams are planned in addition to weekly quizzes and two pre-Bagrut practice exams (מתכונות).
History
The overall goals of the History curriculum include knowing the major events in Jewish and world history, understanding and identifying the historical processes that occurred in these events, and analyzing the interconnection between Jewish and world history.
Two Bagrut units are covered, one exam is held in Grade 10 and the other in Grade 11 or 12.
Grade 10
The curriculum is divided into two parts: A. Modern Jewish History and B. the Second Temple period. Unit A on Modern Jewish History covers the period between 1860-1918. We will review the Pre-Zionist era in Eretz Yisrael (the “Old Yishuv”), the development of the Zionist Movement and the situation in other parts of the Jewish world in the Modern Age, major developments and events in world history during this period, and basic concepts relating to World War I.
Part B will survey the Second Temple period from 67 BCE to 138 CE. We will review the events leading to the occupation of Judea by the Romans to the Bar Kochva rebellion, to the final destruction of the Judean remnants to their final expulsion by the Romans.
Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to attend every lesson and participate in all classroom activities and discussions. Assignments must be completed in English and Hebrew, as assigned. Tests and quizzes will be assigned throughout the year to prepare the students for the Bagrut exam at year’s end.
Grade 11 or 12
The curriculum includes modern Jewish and world history from the end of WWI to the Six Day War, 1919 – 1967. This material is divided into two parts: Part I includes the development of the Zionist movement leading to the creation of the State of Israel and concluding with a survey of the first two decades of the State. These developments will be presented in the context of world history and its impact on the Jewish world. Part I accounts for 58% of the final mark (ציון שנתי). A Bagrut exam on this material follows at the end of the year.
Part 2 of the course covers the Holocaust and World War II. Students will prepare a research paper on a Holocaust-related topic in Hebrew or English. In addition, there will be a final exam on this Part to be marked by the teacher. The final exam, together with the research paper will account for 42% of the final mark (ציון שנתי).
Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to attend every lesson and participate in all classroom activities and discussions. Assignments must be completed in English and Hebrew, as assigned. Tests and quizzes will be assigned throughout the year to prepare the students for the Bagrut exam. Students must complete the research paper on a Holocaust-related topic and the Internal Exam on this period.e