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Academic Endeavors ...
Mind Development ... @TU
Student Profile Miriam Acosta
“TU has taught me to think outside the box, not to look at life as a straight line. You can say it’s curved my mind.” Miriam Acosta '05
Student Profile Armand Rodriguez
“I wanted to go to a school that had a challenging academic program that would prepare me for college but I also wanted one that had a strong music program. Talent Unlimited offers both.” Armand Rodriguez '06
Science >>> Unearth Science @ TU
What is life? What is the smallest particle in the world? Does E really equal MC squared? And what does E=MC squared mean? The answers to these questions plus many, many more will be explored in TU's exciting, inquiry-based science classes. Come explore our Living Environment, Biochemistry, Ecology, Chemistry, and Physics classes.
Math >>> Math is Fundamental @ TU
English >>> Language is Power @ TU
Social Studies >>> History in the Making @ TU
Knowledge of the past, opens our eyes to the present and helps us change the future.
Student Profile Ricardo Cabanas
“I'm especially fascinated by history. Teachers here show how the events of the past still matter today. They're passionate about it, and
as a result, so am I.” Ricardo Cabanas '05
English ... done well
Come take a journey with us through time, from 800 BC to present, as we explore the lives and periods captured in novels, dramas and epic poems. Learn how the great 6th century Scandinavian warrior Beowulf battles the great monster Grendelin and how Homer's Odysseus charms the gods and outwits his enemies during his twenty-year odyssey. The English program at Talent Unlimited [TU] is built on this journey and the exploration and examination of literature. It is a four-year, college-prep English Program built on analysis and contextual study of world literature, independent reading, and the development of oral and written expression. Each course focuses on seminal works of major literary periods, as well as pieces of literature that resonate strongly with today's youth like Black Boy, Monster, Catcher in the Rye and The Da Vinci Code. The "writing process," that is, prewriting, drafting and editing are emphasized in all classes. This process is used to prepare students for the Regents and S.A.T examinations. Advanced placement courses are offered in the school as well as at Hunter College for eligible students.
Language is Power
     
The Beginnings ...
English 1 and 2 aim to develop a solid base of knowledge and skills for reading and writing. Students will read as a class and independently, working to develop habits of mind that will foster lifelong reading and learning. Through a partnership with Epic Theatre Center, students will participate in workshops to develop and produce an adaptation of Sophocles’ tragedy, Antigone. Instruction in writing will focus on producing and developing a variety of written pieces, including book reviews, essays, and narrative. Course objectives are aligned with New York State ELA standards.
Student Profile Charlie Peppers
“Literature can upset us. It can make us laugh. It can allow us to identify with other people and their experiences.” Charlie Peppers '07
When sophomore Charlie Peppers enrolled at TU, he was already an experienced television actor with plans to hone his skills on the stage. “I did TV commercials and shows in junior high, and wanted to focus on acting. Since then I’ve come to take writing very seriously as well.” Charlie cites enthusiastic teaching, progressive curricula, and interdisciplinary programs like the Epic Theatre Center program among the reasons for his growing interest in literature. As a member of Honors Rep, he still values the “privilege” of acting every day, but like many of his classmates at TU, his aspirations have grown along with his skills.
American Literature (English 5 & 6)
American Literature is a year-long course in literary study and composition. Students will examine great American literary works of various genres through historical, social, cultural and artistic lenses. Students will read as a class and independently, working to develop habits of mind that will foster lifelong reading and learning. Instruction in writing will focus on producing and developing a variety of written pieces, including book reviews, essays, and narratives. Coursework is designed to prepare students for the ELA Regents examination in June.
World Literature Is Appreciated @ TU
Language is Power
     
Literature & Composition
In English 3 & 4, students are exposed to a variform selection of western literature, drawn from a diverse body of sources ranging from ancient Greece to contemporary America. Texts are chosen to build upon the literacy skills base established during first year English courses, and to present new challenges in the students’ progression toward college level proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and general data interpretation. In this course, ELA standards* provide the framework for instructional topics and class exercises, which reflect an intensive focus on analytical reading and writing.
Senior Seminar of World Literature and Composition II explores select literary works that address classic universal human themes that have and continue to challenge & perplex humankind. Lessons center on probing complex issues of ethics and values that these respective authors examine and present for readers' perusal. To complement the study of these themes,there is extensive study of
literary & rhetorical devices authors use as tools to convey their perspective on small-scale to large-scale life issues.
The power of language is regularly examined by exploring authors' diction, syntax, and connotative meanings of vocabulary in context.
Students will learn a wide assortment of writing techniques to enhance the quality of their writing so that their writing is engaging, cohesive, and cogent.
Literary research is an inherent component of the course preparing seniors for the rigorous demands of college research papers.
Writing Workshops @ TU
Together we work on developing the Writing Process, which is the method that all teachers at TU espouse. What makes good writing? How can we express ourselves more clearly? How do we catch ourselves from making those same mistakes? Together we learn how to brainstorm, organize, focus and draft our writing. We proofread each other’s work. We prepare “publishable” material… and are proud of it! Writing Workshop – Fall or Spring – is a fabulous way to become more proficient in an art that is difficult and complex, but that is SO important!
Head Start With AP Classes...
Advanced Placement English is a study of seminal movements in world literature. As a university level literatureand composition course it culminates in an examination administered in May of each school year. Upon passing this challenging examination, students are elligible to receive 3-6 college credits at their selected university.
The course affords students the opportunity to read college level literature entailing in depth analysis of literary works by notable authors: William Faulkner, Joseph Heller, D.H Lawrence, Thomas Hardy, Gustave Flaubert, Franz Kafka, Albert Camus, Jean Paul Sartre, J.D. Salinger, Dorothy Parker, Thomas Wolfe, Aldous Huxley, Feodore Dostoyevsky, Anthony Burgess and others.
Students will fine tune their writing skills in the following areas: sentence structure, essay introductory paragraph strategies, paragraph unity, supporting paragraph development, concluding paragraph strategies; research paper composition, establishing a research-based thesis.
     
Languages
Hola! Bienvenidos! Vamos a Aprender el Espanol!
Come join the fun and excitement in our Spanish classes as we embark on an
unforgettable journey to learn and explore the Spanish language and
culture. Through an array and wealth of interactive and creative teaching
and learning opportunities, we guarantee a valuable, useful, comfortable
and most enjoyable learning experience for everyone.
As our students are very articulate and expressive, we welcome their
enthusiasm, motivation, eagerness and committment into the foreign
language classroom. These qualities are prerequisites for life-long
learning and for recognizing the multicultural diversity in our society.
Currently, we offer a three(3) year sequence of study in Spanish. We
provide an atmosphere for second language learning that embraces the
students' artistic and individual expression and mutual respect. Our
students master the necessary speaking, listening, reading and writing
skills from a basic to an advanced level through small-group and
student-centered instruction. In addition to the required unit exams,
homework and classwork, students prepare and create dialogues and other
communicative activities and presentations. Furthermore, students prepare
and write compositions and essays that reflect a variety of regents-based
writing tasks as well as cultural topics in Spanish.
Through this educational and yet meaningful journey, our students
experience every flavor of learning that will help them acquire the
essential knowledge and appreciation of the Spanish language and culture.
As a result, not only will our students successfully pass the Spanish
Regents, but they will be able to communicate and work effectively in a
sophisticated, global and international environment.
Language Is A Resource @ TU
SPANISH YEAR I - (Spanish 1/2)
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of basic
Spanish vocabulary, expressions and conversational skills. This course
will introduce the students to thematic vocabulary, grammatical structures
used to engage in basic Spanish conversation. This course will provide
students with many learning opportunities in speaking, reading, writing
and listening in Spanish.
SPANISH YEAR II - (Spanish 3/4)
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of Spanish
grammar, vocabulary, expressions, and conversational skills, building upon
skills learned in Spanish Year I. This course will introduce students to
the use of verb structures and specific grammatical structures to enrich
the speaking and writing process. This course will further build upon
reading and listening comprehension skills through regents - type
passages, short stories and other activities in Spanish.
SPANISH YEAR III - (Spanish 5/6 - Regents)
This course is designed to provide students with an intensive review of
Spanish grammar, vocabulary, verb structures, expressions and
conversational skills, building upon skills learned in Spanish Year II.
This course will provide students with interactive opportunities to engage
in speaking, reading, writing and listening skills as students prepare for
the Comprehensive Spanish Regents Examination in June 2006. A variety of
past regents materials, and regents exams and other interactive materials
will be used to meet all the needs of the students in this course.
Languages Are Fundamental
Athletics...
JREC >>> Go Teams
Basketball Soccer Volleyball >>> Get In The Game
Talented Unlimited students may participate in men's basketball, women's basketball, men's volleyball, women's volleyball, men's soccer or women's soccer, as part of the JREC athletic program. TU athletes are an integral part of the combined JREC teams, which consist of athletes from all four of the building's high schools, and compete against other schools in the Public School Athletic League.
Pilates Body Conditioning I (9th grade)
The course is designed to introduce the Pilates technique of body conditioning. The emphasis will be on developing an understanding of the proper movement skills to improve posture, muscle tone, flexibility, balance and coordination. Students will gain knowledge and practical understanding of the unique exercise and mat work system. Students will reinforce and transfer their knowledge to their dance training, fitness aspirations as well as the life long benefits for good health. Students will gain an understanding and appreciation for fitness and body conditioning through active participation as well as further studies and related projects in anatomy, injury prevention, wellness, historical philosophies, and alternative fitness programs.
Pilates Body Conditioning II (10th grade)
The course is a continuation of the Pilates body conditioning I. The class will continue to develop an understanding of the proper movement skills to improve posture, muscle tone, flexibility, balance and coordination. Students learn the mat work series at the advanced level and will also learn modified programs while using hand-held weights and stretch bands.
Social Science Introduction ...
Columbus, conqueror or explorer? Iraq, another Vietnam?
What led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
What distinguishes a great civilization?
What is good government?
Is America really the land of the free and the home of the brave?
How is the civilized world defined?
Is technology a blessing or a curse?
These are the type of essential questions that frame the course work in social studies.
    
Global Studies United States History Economics United States Government
Students at TU complete a challenging four-year Social Studies program including Regents-based Global and U.S. History curricula infused with long-term, whole-grade interdisciplinary projects. This year, Antigone, The Trial of Robespierre, The Freedom Project and The American History Apprentice (modeled after the TV reality series) will provide opportunities for students to hone their performance, research and writing skills in a creative context.
Global Studies I,II,III,IV ...
In Talent Unlimited’s global history classroom, we encourage students to step outside their world. Global History is viewed as a mosaic, one big multi-cultural picture made up of thousands of stories.
Students will study multiple perspectives of historical world events as they piece together the “truth” of our global world. In our highly connected global community it is important for students to know where they came from in order to know where they are going.
Curriculum:
Global I - II
The first year of global history begins with the introduction to Global History and Geography, and continues with the Ancient World: Civilizations and Religion, Expanding Zones of Exchange and Encounter, Global Interactions, and the First Global Age.
Global III – IV
We encourage the second year students to develop the skills needed to advance their critical thinking as well as advanced writing. We continue the global journey through the First Global Age, An Age of Revolution, A Half Century of Crisis and Achievement, The 20th Century Since 1945, and Global Connections and Interactions in our Modern World.
Knowledge of the past, opens our eyes to the present and helps us change the future
US History
In the beginning, the first Americans walked across the Bering Strait, they would only be the first of many immigrants this continent would welcome.
Our 11th grade students are guided through study and interaction to make historical and political connections in American History while preparing to become citizen artists. We would like to instill in our students an appreciation and understanding of American history that allows them to make connections between past, present and future. As historian Stephen Ambrose has said, “the past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future.”
Curriculum:
Important topics and critical questions are researched and analyzed to impart on our students a deeper
sense of what it means to be an American. The year begins with in-depth look at the Natives, the Exploreres and human progress, and ends with a comprehensive evaluation of American policies at home and abroad in the 21st century. Some critical questions we may look at are:
Columbus: Explorer or Conqueror?
Were the Founding Fathers guilty of treason?
Could the Civil War have been avoided?
Was there reason enough for fighting the Korean War and Vietnam War?
How effective were the Civil Rights Movements?
How have landmark Supreme Court cases affected our daily lives?
The History Of The United States ... @ TU
Program Highlights:
American History students have many opportunities to explore the citizen artist aspect in American History. They participate in mock presidential and state election debates, compete for the title of the next American History Apprentice, create in teams Civil War Board games, run for election across the fifty states to gain the most electoral votes, and in collaboration with our EPIC Theater partnership create the Amendment project.
To Ricardo Cabanas, history is much more than textbooks and lectures; it is a living thing. “I’ve studied in my U.S. History class, for example, how the Civil War has affected and continues to affect our country and its policies. It’s exciting to make those connections.” Historical connections are not the only kind that Ricardo has made at TU. As a vocal major, Ricardo also recognizes the “poise and confidence” that his study of the arts has brought to his academic performance, and his extensive volunteer work in a variety of school programs has made him one of TU’s true “citizen artists.” “Being at TU, and singing everyday has really opened me up, and allowed me to get involved in ways that I wouldn’t have when I first got here. It is a unique place.”
United States Government ...
In order to become an effective citizen artist it is necessary to become a knowledgeable citizen. U.S. Government provides students with the
knowledge, skills, and resources to play an active role in American society.
Curriculum
The United States Government curriculum will focus on answering such
essential questions as:
- Why is the United States Constitution a living, breathing document?
- How has government affected the evolution of the American citizen?
- Is America a true democracy?
As knowledgeable citizens students will analyze the American government
through the study of primary documents, in-depth research, and
student-centered instruction.
Economics
If you believe that money makes the world go round, Economics is for you! Don’t worry, we will not make you rich, or reduce you to poverty. But we will explain and argue why those things happen to others. Economics is not luck, but truly knowing how the systems work.
Economics provides students with the economic knowledge and skills that enable them to function as informed and economically literate citizens in our society and in the world. The course is designed to be used with all students, emphasizes rational decision making, and encourages students to become wiser consumers as well as better citizens. Papers, Exams, and student led instruction augment the passion and anxiety of economics.
Math ... In The House | Math Introduction
Ever wonder what the slope of the Coney Island roller coaster is?
Are numbers real? What is infinity?
This is what mathematical thinkers think about. Well… at least part of the time. And that’s the goal of the mathematics program to get student to think mathematically, to understand concepts, and apply them to solve real-world problems, not simply memorize formulas and theorems.
Four years of rigorous math courses are offered at Talent Unlimited, including Regents endorsed Integrated Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Precalculus and Calculus. Talent Unlimited has also partnered with the College Now Program at Hunter College to provide credited, college-level math courses as well as provide additional resources in mathematics for our students.
The third semester of the Math A course aims to begin to prepare students for the Regents exam administered at the end of the fourth semester. Emphasis in this course is placed on problem solving. Students should be able to apply all skills learned to solving real world problems. Topics covered in this semester include algebra, statistics, geometry and trigonometry.
Student Profile Miriam Acosta
“TU has taught me to think outside the box, not to look at life as a straight line.
You can say it’s curved my mind.” Miriam Acosta '05
Miriam Acosta represents the union of talent, diligence and commitment to community. She is saludatorian, having excelled at physics, chemistry and precalculus and is taking college courses at Hunter College. She is an accomplished musician who plays the flute, piccolo and mellophone. She is Secretary of Student Government and in this role has planned and managed many exciting events, including dances and fund-raisers like the faculty versus students basketball game.
Algebra ... In The House 
Students will build on the skills they learned in Algebra I and further investigate functions to be able to apply algebra in the real world. They will further develop their problem solving skills and learn to apply and evaluate algebraic principles and trigonometry. Students will deepen their understanding of the principles of functions to establish mathematical patterns and predictions. Students will gain a basic understanding of how interest is calculated including how much a pair of designer jeans will really cost if they are bought with a credit card.
Where do we use algebra? Find Out ...
     
Trig ... In The House
Where do we use trigonometry?
Students learn to better understand structures and shapes and relate these objects to the coordinate plane. Students learn the properties of sin, cosine, and tangent and thier applications in the real world, and students really begin to see mathematics come to life.
Geometry ...
Geometry is Essential 
Where do we use geometry?
Hurry ... get the heavy door thru the doorway.
Students will learn the properties of different shapes and how to manipulate them. They will use these properties to measure and understand things that are all around us. Students will begin to develop a basic understanding of engineering structures and how geometry is used in designing engineering structures such as buildings and bridges.
Pre-Calc ... In The House ... Door To Calculus
Do you know that your money compounds exponentially if it is invested in the right accounts?
Where do we use Pre-Calc?
Pre-calculus is a foundational mathematical discipline, and is intended to
prepare students for the study of calculus. Pre-calculus includes a review
of algebra, as well as an introduction to exponential, logarithmic function
and more advanced trigonometric functions.
Calculus ... 
Do you know that the difference between a successful and a disasterous
launch is less than one millionth of a degree of an angle?
Where do we use Calculus?
Calculus is a branch of mathematics with its foundation in algebra and
geometry. It involves two major ideas. First, differential calculus
includes the study of rates of change and involves the differentiation of
mathematical functions, velocity, acceleration, and the slopes of curves.
Second, integral calculus involves the idea of integration and uses a the
idea of area bounded by the graph of functions.
Science Introduction
Science is Natural @ TU
Ever wonder how many atoms are in the palm of your hand?
What causes gravity? 
Why the combination of potassium and water causes an explosive reaction?
What will happen to our planet if the green house effect continues?
Students at Talent Unlimited investigate these types of questions in a student centered, |
