EL SEGUNDO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

EL SEGUNDO HIGH SCHOOL

COURSE OF STUDY

Course Title: Academic Decathlon

Department: Applied and Fine Arts

Grade Levels: 9 - 12

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students in this course prepare for the Academic Decathlon competition in February. It is comprised of ten events. There are seven multiple-choice exams- one in each of the following subject areas: Art, Economics, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Social Science, and Super Quiz (Science). The Super Quiz event includes an oral relay portion in addition to the written exam. Both the Super Quiz written exam and the Super Quiz oral relay are in multiple-choice format. Students will also take an Essay exam and will be judged in a Speech event as well s an Interview event.

Following the competition, the students continue to participate in essay writing and speaking competitions, until the following year’s course of study is made available in May.

Length: One year

Prerequisite for Enrollment: none

Recommendation for Enrollment: Interest

Type of Course: Elective

COURSE OUTLINE AND STANDARDS

Based on the United States Academic Decathlon standards

1.0 The multiple choice exams in Art, Economics, Language and Literature, Music, and Social Science each have 50 questions.

2.0 The math exam has 25 questions.

3.0 The written Super Quiz exam has 40 questions.

4.0 The Super Quiz oral relay has either 5 or 10 questions per student.

5.0 Students will be given 30 minutes to complete each of the written multiple-choice exams.

6.0 Students will have 50 minutes to complete the Essay exam.

7.0 The competition tests will be written in accordance with the topics and percentages assigned each year.

8.0 Students will be required to solve questions on each test that require the use of higher-order thinking skills.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

1. Students work collaboratively to learn the material.

2. Lectures are delivered on topics relative to the curricula.

3. Field trips are taken to concerts and art museums to familiarize students with the curricula.

4. Practice tests are taken to prepare for the competition.

EVALUATION/GRADING OF STUDENT WORK

1. Students are assessed based on their commitment to learning the course of study. 2. Participation in class, extra-curricular field trips and study sessions outside school

hours are considered in the assessment.

3. Adhering to deadlines is an important aspect of assessment.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

All instructional materials are comprised of the course of study prescribed by and marketed by the United States Academic Decathlon.