High School Course CatalogueHistory:
C334/C335 World Geography C (College Prep) (One year) World Geography is designed to familiarize college prep high school students with both the physical location of places as well as differences and similarities among the various countries of the world. Students will be exposed to the economic, political, social, and geographic characteristics and trends in major world regions. In addition, students will learn and practice the various social studies skills such as map reading, graph and chart interpretation, oral communications, library research techniques, and paragraph and essay writing within a social science context. Included in the course of study is a career awareness unit C337 World Geography H (Honors) World Geography is designed to familiarize college prep high school students with both the physical location of places as well as differences and similarities among the various countries of the world. Students will be exposed to the economic, political, social, and geographic characteristics and trends in major world regions. In addition, students will learn and practice the various social studies skills such as map reading, graph and chart interpretation, oral communications, library research techniques, and paragraph and essay writing within a social science context. Included in the course of study is a career awareness unit. Instruction and assignments are characterized by acceleration, depth, complexity, novelty and more independence. C411 World History C (One year) World History presents a survey of the most important events in world history and the major conflicts which have shaped our world today. The year begins with an introduction to current world issues and then continues with a focus on the expansion of the west and the growing interdependence of people and cultures throughout the world. Students will develop analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills. C421 World History HWorld History presents a survey of the most important events in world history and the major conflicts which have shaped our world today. The year begins with an introduction to current world issues and then continues with a focus on the expansion of the west and the growing interdependence of people and cultures throughout the world. Students will develop analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills. Instruction and assignments are characterized by acceleration, depth, complexity, novelty, and more independence. C606 U.S. History C (One year) U. S. History is a survey of the major events which have created today’s U.S.A. and the contributions of its diverse population. At the College Prep level, an emphasis is placed on the research, analytical, and writing skills and intellectual sophistication necessary for success in college. C811 American Government C (One Semester) American Government emphasis is placed on concepts, examination of theory and original documents of democracy, along with required participation in: a political campaign, writing elected officials, a voter registration drive, an interview of a government official, a trial simulation and a semester project on an issue of public concern using analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills. C812 Economics C (One Semester) Economics is an in-depth treatise of macro and micro economics using “real world” applications, and a survey of the field of economics. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a solid background in economics and help students develop the research, analytical, and writing skills needed to achieve in college work. C984 Journey for Justice in America (One year) Journey for Justice in America is a course designed to provide students with the necessary skills and content knowledge in American Government to pursue a career in the government services and legal sectors, as well as become informed, active citizens in their respective communities. Students will understand the principles on which the United Stated was founded, the structure of government at the federal, state, and local levels, the individual and civil liberties needed to maintain a democratic society, and the way in which order is maintained through law enforcement and the judiciary. English: E220 English 1 C (College Prep) (One year) English 1 C is a standards-based college preparatory course in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students apply and increase mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills to their work in increasingly sophisticated ways. Students read and analyze literature, write narrative and expository texts and deliver oral presentations. Students also analyze informational text and produce career related documents. E230 English 1 H (Honors) (College Prep) (One year) English 1 H is standards-based courses in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students apply and increase mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly sophisticated ways. Students read and analyze literature, write narrative and expository texts, and deliver oral presentations. Students also analyze informational text and produce career related documents. Instruction and assignments in these classes are characterized by acceleration, depth, complexity and novelty and more independence E420 English 2 C (College Prep) (One year) English 2 C is a standards-based course in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students apply and increase mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly sophisticated ways. Students analyze literature, informational and career oriented texts. Students use narration, exposition, persuasion, and description to produce complex writing assignments. E430 English 2 H (College Prep)(One year) - Prerequisite for English 2 MYP: English 1 MYP English 2 H is standards-based courses in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students apply and increase mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly sophisticated ways. Students analyze literature, informational and career oriented texts. Students use narration, exposition, persuasion, and description to complete complex writing assignments. Instruction and assignments in this class are characterized by acceleration, depth, complexity, novelty and with more independence. E620 English 3 C (College Prep) (One year) English 3 C is a standards-based course in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students apply and increase mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly sophisticated ways. Students use a variety of research strategies and resources to complete complex writing assignments. American literature provides the focus for the course. E634 English Language and Composition AP (One year) - Prerequisites: Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in English 2H/MYP and teacher recommendation. English 3 H is a standards-based courses in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students apply and increase mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly sophisticated ways. American literature provides the focus for the course. Students use a variety of research strategies and resources to complete complex writing assignments. Instruction and assignments in this class are characterized by acceleration, depth, complexity, novelty and with more independence. E820 English 4 C (College Prep)(One year) English 4 C is a standards-based course in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students apply and increase mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly sophisticated ways. British and world literature provide the focus for the course. Students write in a variety of genres, including reflective compositions, historical investigations, job applications and resumes. E824 English 4 ERWC C (CSU Expository Reading and Writing Course) (One year) The goal of the Expository Reading and Writing Course is to prepare college-bound seniors for the literacy demands of higher education. Through a sequence of fourteen rigorous instructional modules, students in this yearlong, rhetoric-based course develop advanced proficiency in expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing. The cornerstone of the course—the assignment template—presents a process for helping students read, comprehend, and respond to nonfiction and literary texts. Modules also provide instruction in research methods and documentation conventions. Students will be expected to increase their awareness of the rhetorical strategies employed by authors and to apply those strategies in their own writing. They will read closely to examine the relationship between an author’s argument or theme and his or her audience and purpose; to analyze the impact of structural and rhetorical strategies; and to examine the social, political, and philosophical assumptions that underlie the text. By the end of the course, students will be expected to use this process independently when reading unfamiliar texts and writing in response to them. Course texts include contemporary essays, newspaper and magazine articles, editorials, reports, biographies, memos, assorted public documents, and other nonfiction texts. The course materials also include modules on two full-length works (one novel and one work of nonfiction). Written assessments and holistic scoring guides conclude each unit. E860 English Literature and Composition (AP) (One year) - Prerequisites: Students must earn a grade of “B” or better in English 3 H/AP teacher recommendation, reading test scores at or above 12th grade level. English Literature & Composition is a standards-based course in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students apply an increased mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly sophisticated ways. British and world literature and recommended readings for Advanced Placement provide the focus for the course. Students are prepared for the Advanced Placement exam with instruction and assignments characterized by acceleration, depth, complexity, novelty and more independence. Foreign Language: F240 Spanish 1 (One year) Spanish 1 emphasizes communication in Spanish using basic vocabulary and an introduction to the structure of the language. Students learn the skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish at an introductory level and will be evaluated on their demonstrated ability in these skills. They will learn about the cultures of Spanish-speaking peoples and will experience appropriate cultural activities. F440 Spanish 2 - Prerequisite: Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in Spanish 1 and/or teacher approval. Spanish 2 requires students to apply and increase mastery of previously learned knowledge and skills.Grammatically correct, effective oral and written communication is emphasized. Student/student and student/teacher communications are the primary activities. Expansion of vocabulary and the skillful use of grammatical structures are the principle focus. F300 Spanish for Native Speakers 1 (One year) This beginning course corresponding to Spanish 1AB is designed for students already able to understand and speak the language as used in everyday situations. Emphasis is on listening, speaking, reading, writing and special problems with structure and vocabulary. Specifically designed for those students who already speak Spanish; to better serve the specific needs of the colleges native Spanish speaking student population. Mathematics: M221 Algebra 1(One year) Algebra 1 presents the study of real numbers as a deductive system. Students learn to identify and use arithmetic properties with integers, rational, and irrational numbers; use operations with exponents; solve equations and inequalities; graph linear equations; solve a system of two linear equations algebraically and graphically; recognize geometric shapes and solve measurements; and apply basic factoring techniques to second degree polynomials. M421 Geometry (One year) - Prerequisite: Algebra 1 In Geometry, students will learn to identify and use relationships among angles, lines, and planes; know and use the effect of motion on figures in the coordinate plane and space including rotations, translations, and reflections; construct and judge a logical argument using inductive and deductive reasoning and geometric proofs; understand and prove basic theorems; prove congruence; solve problems involving perimeter, circumference, area, volume, and surface, and use geometric models to find the probability of events. M427 Geometry H (One year) - Prerequisite: A grade of “B” or better in Algebra 1 or teacher approval. Geometry H and Geometry P IB complement and expand upon the basic geometry course, integrating synthetic, coordinate and transformational geometries. M621 Algebra 2 (One year) - Prerequisite: Successful completion of Geometry Algebra 2 covers more advanced topics in Algebra and is built around problems. Students will spend time discussing problems in small groups and will develop an understanding of advanced algebraic concepts and applications. M821 Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus (One year) - Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 2 Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus covers the basic concepts in Trigonometry and their applications. Additionally, the Pre-Calculus instruction covers a number of advanced mathematical topics that will prepare the student for college math courses, including Calculus. M825 Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus H (One year) - Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra 2 H and Geometry H and the recommendation of the previous math teacher, or completion of Algebra 2 and Geometry with grades of “B” or better and recommendation of the previous math teacher. Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus H and involve a study of circular and trigonometric functions and related applications. It also includes a review of algebraic functions, analytic geometry of the conic sections, math induction, set theory, functions as mappings, properties and graphing of higher degree functions, and an introduction to Calculus Science: S251 Physical Science 1 C (One year) Physical Science 1 is an activity-based, introductory, college prep science class covering basic knowledge from the Earth, Life, and Physical Sciences. Physical Science provides the necessary learning situations to help students succeed in an introductory college course. The class satisfies the “G” requirement for the UC/CSU system. S261 Biology 1 C (One year) Biology, a lab science, is designed to introduce students to the unifying themes that integrate the major topics of biology. Area of study includes cells, heredity, evolution, organisms, ecology, populations and physiology. The class satisfies the “D” requirement for the UC/CSU system. S263 Biology 1 H Biology 1 H is a fast-paced and rigorous first year course designed to introduce students to the unifying themes that integrate the major topics of Biology. Successful students develop a conceptual understanding of the themes and topics and are able to apply critical thinking skills to environmental and social issues. Areas of study include molecules, cells, heredity, evolution, organisms, and population. The class satisfies the “D” requirement for the UC/CSU system. S337 Health Science (One year) - Prerequisite: Physical Science and Biology 1 or Biology 1 H. Health Science is a one-year elective course designed to meet the third year science requirement for high school graduation. Health Science covers the topics of personal health, physical fitness, nutrition, systems of the human body, personal and emotional health, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use and abuse, and human sexuality. *Parental permission is required for the Human Sexuality phase of the class. S408 Chemistry 1 C (College Prep) (One year) - Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1 with a grade of “C” or better, knowledge of percents, ratios, scientific notation and the metric system. Chemistry 1 C is designed to familiarize students with a laboratory course that correlates chemical theory with laboratory investigation. Students will learn how chemistry applies to their everyday life, and also how to incorporate problem-solving procedures and techniques into their environment. The class satisfies the “D” requirement for the UC/CSU system. S433 Chemistry 1 H (Honors) (One year) - Prerequisite: Algebra 1 with a grade of “A” or “B” and concurrently taking Algebra 2, or completion of Algebra 2 with a grade of “C” or higher. Chemistry 1 H is an in-depth and accelerated introductory course designed to give students a firm background in the theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry. This course is an intense, mathematical approach to chemistry designed for students going into the Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, etc. Topics include molar relationships, chemical reactions and equations, chemical bonding, states of matter, equilibrium, reaction rates, thermodynamics, acids and bases, and qualitative analysis. Extensive student laboratory work will be utilized in this course. After completion of this program, students will be eligible for enrollment in the Advanced Placement or IB Chemistry courses. The class satisfies the “D” requirement for the UC/CSU system. S442 Physiology (One year) - Prerequisite: Biology and Physical Science with a grade of “C” or better. Physiology, a comprehensive one-year class, is a third year science class meant for college bound students. This course is a study of anatomy and the functions of the human body. The course involves labs, dissections as well as basic clinical tests, and frank discussions of normal and abnormal functions of the body systems. Student projects, group work and oral presentations are required. The class satisfies the “D” requirement for the UC/CSU system S444 Physiology H (One year) Physiology Lab H is an in-depth and accelerated introductory course designed to give students a firm background in human anatomy and physiology, and is designed to meet the University of California requirement for a lab science. Designed to acquaint students with the organization and function of the body, it is a prerequisite for advanced science courses necessary for the healthcare industry. The course content will include the levels of organization of the body from cell through entire organisms. The class satisfies the “D” requirement for the UC/CSU system. . |
Middle School Course Catalogue6th Grade
English/Language Arts The English/Language Arts program for grade 6 is a balanced and comprehensive program that is focused on the processes of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These standards are taught in an integrated and inter-related manner. Course components include the study of rich and varied literature; writing in the genres of narrative, persuasive, expository, and response to literature, direct instruction in language arts skills and strategies, including vocabulary development, spelling and grammar; a balance of oral and written language activities; and on-going diagnosis and assessment. Social Studies The Social Studies program for grade 6 focuses on early humans and the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, Asia, America, Greece, and Rome. Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious and social structure of the early civilizations. Focus in this program is placed on the everyday lives, problems, and accomplishments of these civilizations. Students will analyze the interactions among the various cultures and their lasting contribution to today’s societies. Students will learn through various methods including class discussions, lectures, reading, note taking, art projects, writing assignments, cooperative group activities and research projects. Mathematics Math 6 is a California Standards based course that is aligned with California’s Mathematic Framework and Content Standards. This course prepares students for 7th grade Pre-Algebra and 8th grade Algebra. Math 6 presents the study of mathematical ideas, development of thinking and problem solving skills, and to how to maintain and apply basic computational skills. Students learn use fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, percents, statistics and data collection, integers, geometry, probability, exponents, measurement, introduction to equations and algebraic functions. Science Science 6 is a California Standards based course that is aligned with California’s Science Framework and Content Standards. Science 6 presents the study of the scientific thinking processes, how scientific principles are applied, and further develop critical thinking skills with problem solving, decision making, and research and inquiry. Students learn concepts and ideas in energy/electricity, dynamic earth, earth science, oceanography, matter; and develop a science fair project following the steps of the scientific method. 7th Grade Social Studies In this course, students study the political, economic, and social changes from the fifth century to modern times. Students make connections between historical events, such as the rise and fall of empires and the rise of democracy, and understand long-term changes and recurring patterns in world history. Students complete a comprehensive study of the history, geography, nations, and cultures of North and South America, and they also hone their social studies skills by reading primary source documents, forming historical hypotheses, and drawing conclusions to the facts presented. Mathematics Algebra Readiness (Pre-Algebra). Students are introduced to basic algebraic principles in this course by solving equations and inequalities with positive and negative integers, decimals, and fractions. Students move on to working with ratios, proportions, and percents, and then to solving two-step and multi-step equations and inequalities. A look into relations and functions demonstrate how to find the slope, y -intercept, and solve systems of linear equations. Algebra skills are applied across math disciplines with the study of right triangles, data analysis, and probability. Science The seventh grade science course provides students with a general understanding of the concepts of life science. Students investigate the structure, function, and processes of living things. Students learn how cells divide, grow, and convert matter and energy to sustain life. They learn how organisms reproduce and pass hereditary characteristics from one generation to the next. Students investigate similarities and differences in living organisms, and how living things have changed over time. Students learn about the human body systems and factors that are responsible for maintaining human health. Students learn to conduct scientific investigations, think scientifically, and use scientific tools and technologies. Students learn to communicate scientific information and processes, and understand how developments in science and technology affect society and the environment. 8th Grade English/Language Arts The English curriculum for 8th grade focuses on further development of critical reading and persuasive expression in speaking and writing. The students demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. Writing becomes increasingly important as the students prepare for the high school years, so students plan, draft, revise, and edit writing, with emphasis on exposition and persuasion. Students are expected to respond critically to literature and to demonstrate critical thinking through their writing in all subject areas. Students continue to develop an appreciation for literature through a study of a wide variety of selections and are be asked to describe themes or inferred main ideas, interpret cause and effect relationships, and draw conclusions from a variety of literary and informational selections. Social Studies The history curriculum in the 8th grade explores United States history from the formation on the country through World War I. A significant amount of time is spent on the key areas of American development in the first 150 years after the Revolutionary War. Students also explore the fundamentals of the United States Constitution through its drafting through the most current Amendments passed. Through a detailed analysis of the foundation of the country, the students gain an understanding of the key dates and periods that allowed the United States of America to grow as a small country, into the international super-power that we are today. Mathematics Algebra Readiness in the 8th grade is designed to prepare students for the formal study of algebra, geometry, and advanced mathematical concepts. Students work towards fluency and proficiency in problem-solving strategies and basic operations including, but not limited to, fractions, decimals, statistics and probability, integers, and exponents. The course textbook, Algebra Readiness, by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, is aligned to the California Mathematics Content Standards for 8th grade. The content standards are stranded and they build upon each other year to year. Science Physical Science in the 8th grade is designed to give students the necessary skills for a smooth transition from elementary physical science standards to high school physical science standards. The purpose is to give all students an overview of common strands in physical science including, but not limited to, the nature of matter, laws of energy, matter, motion and forces, and energy transformation. The course will provide students opportunities to explore how science affects every aspect of their lives. The course textbook, Focus on Physical Science, by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, is aligned to the California Science Content Standards for 8th grade. Middle School Elective – PSA Public Safety Academy Middle School Elective is a Character Counts based course that educates 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the 6 Pillars of Character. Students learn the importance of leadership and taking leadership roles in our community and in our world, including participation in community service. Students develop understanding for the roles in firefighting, law enforcement, and the military. |