Summer Session
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Summer Programs NMH Summer Session

College Prep Program Minor Courses

These minor courses are for students in the College Prep Program or for English as a Second Language students who are entering grades 10-12. (Note: ESL students who are 15 and entering grade 9 choose minor courses and sports from the College Prep offerings.) Some minor courses have an additional fee, as noted in the course description.

Minor courses meet for 1.5 hours, four afternoons a week—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. All work is conducted in class, and there is no assigned homework.

Students enrolled in the following morning major courses have additional class sessions during the afternoon minor course time: US History, Literature and Composition, Economics, Psychology, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These students do not take a minor course unless they wish to apply for Guitar (there will be sessions of this minor course during both the first and second halves of the afternoon). If a student in one of the above major courses wishes to apply for Guitar, she/he takes that minor course instead of a sport during the second half of the afternoon. Otherwise, she/he is required to take a sport.

All other students participating in the College Prep Program or English as a Second Language are required to take a minor course and a sport. Certain minor courses may fill quickly, so please be sure to list three choices on your Application for Admission.

Art Studio
This course provides a basic introduction to drawing, painting, papier mâché, clay, and wire. It also explores color theory, perspective, and composition. Materials fee: $50.

Choral Performance
For students of all skill levels, this class provides instruction in technique, harmonization, and diction. Students listen to and discuss great performances of choral music to provide a contextual understanding. The class presents a performance of their polished work during the final week of the session.

College Counseling Workshop
Taught by an experienced college counselor, this course is designed to offer many insights into successfully navigating this complex process. Topics include developing a list of prospective schools, writing a strong application essay, application strategies, trends in college admissions, testing, financial aid and scholarships, and the role of athletics and special talents/interests in the admission process. Group discussion and individual counseling are involved, and the instructor leads trips to local colleges and universities of interest to students. This course meets twice a week during the College Prep Program sports time, so that any interested students (even those enrolled in another minor course or afternoon session of their major course) may participate. Students are excused from their sports commitment on days that this course meets. For students entering grades 11 and 12.

Community Service
This course is designed to raise awareness of local and global needs, to offer support and work to various organizations, and to instill the values in offering one's time, energy, and other resources to those in need. Students share past experiences with community service projects and, from such discussion, establish class goals and a schedule of service projects. Discussion and action revolves around general themes such as homelessness and housing, health care, education, and children. In a typical summer, students visit a homeless shelter and a nursing home, help produce agricultural products at the NMH Farm, volunteer in a children's reading program at a local library, and raise money for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts or other charities through various projects.

Computer-based Presentation
The focus of this course is on developing high-quality presentations using software such as PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop. In addition to learning the technical elements of various software programs, students develop their own presentation skills, so that each final product is a well-coordinated blend of a polished computer project and an effective personal delivery of the presentation to their peer audience.

Creating With Multimedia
This course has an emphasis on digital media work, developing skills in digital photography and video. Students use programs such as Photoshop, IMovie, and IPhoto to edit photos, create slideshows, and produce short videos. Students should bring their own digital camera.

Creative Writing
Each class presents students with group exercises, personal tutoring, and shared criticism. The emphasis is on encouraging the strengths of each student through projects and exercises in fiction, poetry, drama, and personal narrative.

Cross-Cultural Communication
The course includes discussions among American and international students, values clarification, examination of nonverbal communication, and viewing of films. The class also sponsors several activities designed to promote the celebration of the different cultures represented at NMH Summer Session.

Drama
Students explore theater "games," improvisation, and mime. They practice presenting monologues and evaluate each other on these presentations. In the final weeks, they prepare a production to be presented to the community at the end of the session.

English as a Second Language
For students taking ESL as their morning major class, this course is designed to provide additional instruction and practice in English, using activities, games, sports, video production, student presentations, and discussions.

Guitar
This course is designed for both beginning and experienced guitarists. Emphasis is placed on basic chord progressions, plectrum and finger-style techniques, and reading skills. Students who wish to pursue interests of their own have the opportunity to do so. Students provide their own guitar, acoustic or electric (guitars may be rented from a local music store for approximately $75 for the session). Individual guitar lessons also are available.

Journalism
Students are introduced to journalism as the class produces an NMH Summer Session newspaper. The students conduct interviews, take photographs, and write editorials, feature articles, and sports pieces, as well as proofread, edit, and design pages. The course also stresses the importance of keeping informed about local and worldwide current events, and forming educated opinions about political, cultural, social, and economic issues. Students read a newspaper of their choice each day, from the school library or the Internet, and then discuss the current issues that are important to them.

Public Speaking
This course provides students with an opportunity to learn the principles of effective public speaking and gives them a chance to practice what they are learning. Participants try various forms of public address, from brief improvisational talks to formal speeches.

Reading and Study Skills
This course offers practice in effective reading techniques: previewing, skimming, finding the main idea and supporting details, understanding vocabulary through context, and recognizing signals of the author. Literal and critical comprehension skills are strengthened through daily reading and discussions of fictional pieces and newspaper and magazine articles.