This permits a student to automatically have a self-selected connection to the adult in the room. The Journal of Educational Psychology recently reported that in a study of almost students and their 25 teachers, researchers found that when teachers and students were given information about five similarities they shared, the knowledge helped improve student-teacher relationships and academic achievement.
Electives can also do double duty as vehicles for core content standards. And teachers can help ensure that electives are not thought of as inferior to core classes by guaranteeing that they help carry the weight of teaching literacy along with core classes. Elective teachers can provide evidence of the learning happening by doing three key things:. Yearbook, robotics, film society, photography, world languages, theater, speech and debate, music appreciation, and current events—all of these classes can tap into reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
I think it would help eradicate the myth of electives being nonessential if we dropped the grade-point average prerequisite and other requirements that grant students access. Student choice, after all, must be about the student, not the process of selection. Being able to select classes reflects the same process that they will see again in college. The fact is, while many consider electives the B story in a school, they can, in fact, set the tone for a campus and play a huge role in engagement.
To connect the class to my interest in biology, my final project was a photo catalog of a local forest's tree species that I ended up later using for a biology project on biodiversity. If you do choose to do something like this, make the connection clear for colleges because they may not be able to infer it themselves. You can do this by mentioning the connection in your personal statement or asking teachers to include it in their letter of recommendation.
Remember, not every elective has to relate to your academic focus, and don't try to invent connections where none exist. Any of these interest you? Take an elective that focuses on one of them! High school electives are important because they offer you a chance to study new topics while providing colleges with another example of your academic abilities and interests.
Colleges like to see a deep interest in a particular topic, so at least some of your electives should relate to your academic focus and remember, there are creative ways to do this.
Also remember to choose electives you are legitimately interested in because electives are one of the few areas in high school where you can take pretty much any course you want! Looking for a list of all the electives that are offered in high schools?
We've got a complete list of electives for you! Browse through it to see which subjects strike your fancy. Also thinking about which foreign language to take? Read our complete guide to choosing a foreign language so you know which is the best language for you to study.
Considering the AP or IB program? Learn the differences between the two and which program you should take. One of the single most important parts of your college application is what classes you choose to take in high school in conjunction with how well you do in those classes. Our team of PrepScholar admissions experts have compiled their knowledge into this single guide to planning out your high school course schedule. She has taught English and biology in several countries.
Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers. How to Get a Perfect , by a Perfect Scorer. Score on SAT Math. Score on SAT Reading. Score on SAT Writing. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? How to Get a Perfect 4. How to Write an Amazing College Essay. A Comprehensive Guide. Choose Your Test. So which high school electives should you take, exactly?
What Are Electives? Why Are Electives Important? Looks like somebody really enjoyed their animal science elective Examples of Commonly Offered Electives The options students have for electives can vary widely between high schools, due to a number of factors like location, financial resources, size of the student body, and student interests.
Computer science: programming, graphic design, web design English: journalism, creative writing, speech and debate Family and consumer science: nutrition, child development, culinary courses Math and Science: environmental science, zoology, astronomy, statistics Social Studies: psychology, anthropology, economics Visual and Performing Arts: drawing, painting, photography, choir, band Looking for even more electives?
Step 1: Learn Which Electives Your School Offers To find this information, look through your school's course catalog , which most high schools send to students or have available on their website.
Step 2: Figure Out How Many Electives You'll Be Able to Take If your school doesn't automatically do this, either on your own or with your guidance counselor, draw up a rough plan of the classes you need to take in order to graduate. Remember to leave room for lunch!
Step 4: Look for Electives Related to Your Academic Focus A good way to develop a strong college application is to have a clear interest in a particular subject most likely the topic you plan to study in college. Step 5: Look for Electives You Find Particularly Interesting As I mentioned above, electives don't always need to relate to your academic focus; it's OK to take a few that just sound cool.
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Last week, we looked at the theory and inherent value of general education courses. Today, we consider another requirement to earn your accredited online degree : Electives. American collegiate degrees differ from European college degrees.
Degrees earned in American college and universities generally include three categories of courses: required general education, required courses for specific majors and electives, which allow students some latitude of choice. At Grantham, you have program electives and general electives. The University Catalog provides a holistic view of all the programs, procedures and courses offered at Grantham.
She remembers what it was like to be a working mother and trying to find classes to fit her schedule. There will likely be less time spent preparing and researching and more time spent reading and discussing. It goes back to what we talked about last National Cheese Pizza Day.
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