The 10 Most Unusual Classes at Lake Forest High School

Do you ever daydream about going back to high school — without the bullies and the mean girls and the final exams, of course? Well you might start if you flip through the Lake Forest High School course catalogue.

I picked 10 classes that jumped out as interesting and unusual. Here they are in no particular order. Any of these you wish you’d taken in school? Any others you think should have made the list?

Body and Regulation

In this course, students will have the opportunity to visit a medical facility and learn first-hand about medical procedures and the human body. … Students will apply their knowledge and understanding to case studies of human diseases, human embryology, development and inheritance.

CAD Architecture 1

The student will learn to design a home, draw leisure time projects, and gather information to make a good home purchase in the future. Topics include: the AutoCAD drafting program, drafting techniques, floor plan development, principles of good design, construction principles, interior design, and real estate investing.

Home Improvement and Design

This semester long course will cover a variety of topics such as the safe use of tools, electrical house wiring, small engine maintenance and repair, principles of real estate, construction techniques, drywall installation/repair, plumbing, the use of fastening and measuring devices, interior finishing and decorating design principles.

Animation

In this semester course, students learn the theory and technique of various types and styles of animation, including stop motion, claymation, cel animation, and 2D computer animation in Flash. They will learn to edit sound and video to enhance their animation. Students will study the history of animation and learn to critique contemporary animation. This course is project based learning and students will complete animated shorts in all medium studies.

Computerized Accounting 1

This semester course provides students with a basic foundation of accounting theory. This is meant as a beginning course in which students will learn both the theory and function of a basic computerized accounting system. The computerized accounting system used in this course is a comprehensive accounting package that rivals many commercial accounting packages used in business today and helps establish an accounting foundation that will be used as a basis for further study and preparation for entering a technology-oriented market.

Consumer Education

To enhance consumer competency, this semester course addresses four topics of concern to all individuals: decision making, financial management, resource management and the economy. Areas of study include decision making, consumer action, advertising, earning and managing income, money and banking, saving and investing, consumer credit, life and health insurance, transportation, housing, taxes and our economic system. This course will provide the tools and skills necessary to function as a responsible consumer citizen.

Introduction to Fashion Merchandising

This semester course is designed to provide fundamental knowledge of the fashion field as a foundation for post secondary study and fashion careers. This course covers the nature of the fashion field and how it operates — from the development of fibers and fabrics to the production and marketing of apparel and accessories. Units of study include creating and marketing fashion, predicting the direction of fashion, exposure to different types of apparel, fashion retailing, fashion promotion and career sin the fashion field.

Guitar Technique and Musicianship

This semester-long course teaches musicianship through playing guitar. Previous music and/or guitar experience is helpful but not required. Emphasis is on the development of technique, sight-reading ability, understanding of music notation, and expressive performance.

Telecom New Media 5 and 6

In these semester courses, students work independently to plan, produce and edit extensive major projects. Approved project proposals must be submitted within the first week of the semester, with regular production scheduled. Students provide instruction and production assistance to others in the TV courses. Participation as a crew member in at least two live remote television productions is required.

Clockwise

Clockwise, an honors seminar given at the senior level, is a multi-disciplinary course with Time as its theme. This one-semester course looks at Time from many different perspectives including those of philosophy, art, science, literature, anthropology and astronomy. Faculty from Lake Forest High School teach Clockwise while professors from Lake Forest College and experts drawn from the community at large serve as guest lecturers.

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