Mr. Maruna
Sciences Instructor
"I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all." ~ Ecclesiastes 9:11
“To thine own self be true” ~ William Shakespeare
I see my teaching as analogous to guiding the construction of a house. The two most important goals are setting a strong foundation and instilling motivation in the builders to continue the construction to completion and onward into the next project.
PHYSICS
GRADE 12
Credit: 1 (5/A Grading) • Full Year
Prerequisites: Physical Science or General Science, Biology I, Chemistry, Math 4
This course is a basic study of the fundamental laws of mechanical physics with a focus on the problem-solving approach to measurement, motion, forces, vectors, universal gravitation, momentum, work, energy, simple machines, waves, sound, light, and engineering-based projects.CHEMISTRY
GRADES 11 - 12
Credit: 1 • Full Year
Prerequisites: Algebra II or Concurrent Algebra II
The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the fundamental principles in the science of chemistry. Emphasis is placed on the atomic theory, the mole concept, chemical reactions, chemical equations, physical and organic chemistry and proper laboratory techniques.ALGEBRA I
GRADES 9 - 10
Credit: 1 • Full Year
Prerequisites: Pre-algebra; test scores; teacher recommendation
This course is basic study of algebraic concepts with focus on signed numbers, integers, exponents, and solving equations. It also includes introduction to linear equations in two unknowns and factoring polynomials. In preparation for science courses, students will work with scientific notation, ratio, percent, variation problems, and unit conversion.OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY
GRADE 11
Credits: .50 • One Semester
Prerequisites: Theology I; Religious Fine Arts I; Theology II; Religious Fine Arts II
A reading intensive look at the stories and histories included in the Old Testament, from Genesis to the exile of the Jews from Israel. Students will be reading, journaling on and mapping out the major events of the Bible’s Old Testament.NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY
GRADE 11
Credit: .50 • One Semester
Prerequisites: Theology I; Religious Fine Arts I; Theology II; Religious Fine Arts II
A reading intensive look at the life of Jesus and the early church, including studies in some Apocryphal writings, angels and church relics. Students will be reading, journaling on and mapping out the major events of the Bible’s New Testament.DRAMA & THEATER
GRADES 9 - 12
Credit: 1 • Full Year
Prerequisites: None
This course introduces students to the basics of the craft and art of theatre through firsthand experience, reading, viewing, terminology and theatre games. Students will work together as an ensemble to produce two full length shows (the fall show generally being a light comedy and the spring show most often a more serious drama). Students will learn proper stage technique, vocabulary, set design, methodology and will be exposed to various forms of theatre. May be repeated.
Years in education: 17
Years at Routt Catholic High School: 13
Hobbies:
Writing and research on:
Local history
Piasa Bird of Alton, Illinois
Robert Earl Hughes of Fishhook, Illinois
Audubon’s Washington Eagle
The Lawndale (IL) Thunderbird and other attempted avian abductions
The Mad Gasser of Mattoon (IL)
Big cat/Cougar sightings in Illinois
Nineteenth century snake myths
Fortean biology
To relax, I occasionally do Gyotaku.
Junior Class Cosponsor, Commissioner of the Fantasy Football and Fantasy Baseball leagues, and School Play Director.
Email Mr. Maruna at smaruna@routtcatholic.com