Electives

Academic Challenge: Chess (0.5 credit). Students learn strategies and improve chess skills, as well as compete at regional and state competitions.

Academic Challenge:  Community Problem Solvers (1 credit). FPS is an academic challenge consisting of teams of students who participate with students in regional, state, and, possibly, international competitions. Teams apply their FPS skills to real problems in their community. A community problem is a problem that exists within the school, local community, region, state or nation. Implementation of the action plan is included in this component. Teams move from hypothetical issues to real world, authentic concerns. The top Community Problem Solving Team projects are invited to the FPSP International Conference in June.

Academic Challenge:  Future Problem Solvers (1 credit).  FPS is an academic challenge consisting of teams of four to six students who participate with students in regional, state, and, possibly, international competitions.  This program uses a six-step problem solving process wherein students analyze a future scenario, generate challenges, select an underlying problem, produce solution ideas, generate criteria with which to evaluate possible solutions, apply criteria to choose the best solution, and develop an action plan.  The process requires students to use and develop creativity, flexibility, and fluency in their thinking.  Students also learn to research and apply prior knowledge to new problems and ideas.  For more information, including current team results, refer to Eagle News.

Academic Challenge: Odyssey of the Mind (1 credit) OM is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Students apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.  For more information, including current team results, refer to Eagle News.

Community First Aid and Safety (0.25 credit).  This course will inform and enable lay responders to feel more confident in their ability to act appropriately in the event of an emergency.

Creating Your Future (0.5 credit).  This course will allow you to investigate the critical aspects of planning what you will do once you have completed high school.  Your future depends on the dreams, interests, education, work experiences, and goals you set now.  In this course you will explore: careers that might match you according to your interests, abilities, values, learning styles, and personality traits; educational requirements for your career choices; planning for high school; preparing for school to job; planning and preparing for post secondary educational options; creating and maintaining a portfolio; and financial planning.

Effective Communication Skills: Anger Management (0.25 credit). Just because anger s a natural phenomenon doesn t mean it has to be a natural disaster. Understanding where it comes from, what it means, and what to do about it can make all the difference. This course gives students the chance to hone skills for managing anger  for making sense of it and for making the most of it when it erupts.

Health (1 credit).  This course provides a comprehensive health and physical education curriculum combining scientifically accurate health content with application of the skills necessary to achieve optimal health and wellness.

History of Scientific Discoveries Volume I (0.5 credit). This course introduces basic conceptual physics and chemistry. Students will develop an understanding of the history and changes in physics and chemistry over time while learning concepts of physics and chemistry. Students will also gain insight into the development of qualitative ideas into quantitative thought.

History of Scientific Discoveries Volume II (0.5 credit). This course introduces basic conceptual physics and chemistry. Students will develop an understanding of the history and changes in physics and chemistry over time while learning concepts of physics and chemistry. Students will also gain insight into the development of qualitative ideas into quantitative thought.

Physical Education: Basketball (0.5 credit).  As a member of the Community Sports Conference, students to compete with other Arizona Charter schools. Currently we only have a boy’s basketball team but would love to recruit a girl’s basketball team.  No prior experience is necessary.

Physical Education: Flag Football. (0.5 credit). Students have the opportunity to compete in age-group competition and learn skills for teamwork and personal improvement.

Physical Education: Soccer. (0.5 credit). As a member of the Southern Arizona Athletic Association, students compete with other Arizona Charter schools. No prior experience is necessary.

Physical Education: Swim Team. (0.5 credit). Students have the opportunity to compete in age-group competition and learn skills for teamwork and personal improvement.

Study Skills: An Introduction to Reference Books (0.25 credit).  This course introduces some of the references used at Southern Arizona Community Academy. It is also useful as an introduction to the system of instruction employed at SACA.  The course is designed in the same fashion as the entire curriculum of academic course work at SACA.  Each student will also begin to explore his/her future.  All students are required to take this course upon enrollment at SACA.

Workplace Skills: Auto Repair (0.25 credit).  This course discusses topics of Auto Repair, including discovering a problem, cost analysis, moving the vehicle, taking inventory, getting a charge, belts, putting on breaks, and testing work.  In this course students will also complete a project, either interviewing a worker in the industry or researching a topic.

Workplace Skills: Construction (0.25 credit).  This course discusses topics of Construction, including exploring possibilities, cleaning and setting up, making plans, how commodes work, designing, shopping, making connections, and turning it on.  In this course students will also complete a project, either interviewing a worker in the industry or researching a topic.

Workplace Skills: Electrical (0.25 credit).  This course discusses topics of Electrical systems, including safety, tools, wiring basics, finding the power, installing the box, getting plugged in, switches, wire, installing switches, and installing lights.  In this course students will also complete a project, either interviewing a worker in the industry or researching a topic.

Workplace Skills: Home Remodeling (0.25 credit).  This course discusses topics of Home Remodeling, including cost analysis, safety, cabinets, painting, problems, eliminating pests, and beautifying inside/outside.  In this course students will also complete a project, either interviewing a worker in the industry or researching a topic.

Workplace Skills:  Carpentry (0.25 credit).  This course discusses topics of Carpentry, including teamwork, plans, getting started, planning the walls, raising the walls, shopping for supplies, painting, and adding beauty.  In this course students will also complete a project, either interviewing a worker in the industry or researching a topic.