Curriculum Detail

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Modern Language

  • American Sign Language 1

    This is an introductory course to fingerspelling, basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Development of expressive and receptive comprehension. Provides an introduction to Deaf culture and history.

  • American Sign Language 2

    In this course, students develop more complex signing skills using ASL sentence structure and syntax that builds from the previous year. Vocabulary retention is emphasized. Deaf culture and history are emphasized through a variety of activities. Comprehension skills will be evaluated through express and receptive assessments and exercises.

    Prerequisite: American Sign Language 1 with a grade of C or better.

  • American Sign Language 3

    This advanced course focuses on the mastery of sentence structure, syntax and with an emphasis on storytelling. Conversational skills are expected to reach an advanced pace. Students will be able to have a greater understanding
    of Deaf culture and its history.

    Prerequisite: American Sign Language 2 with a grade of B- or better, or by teacher recommendation.

  • AP Spanish

    This course is intended to prepare students for the Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Language Exam. Students are expected to practice speaking Spanish outside of class as well as in class. Students are expected to complete assigned readings and practice outside of class. Students will engage in conversations about readings, and they will learn advanced grammatical structures. Students considering AP courses should be prepared for a rigorous learning experience. AP students are required to take the AP Spanish Language Exam.

    Prerequisite: Honors Spanish 3 with a grade of A or better, or Spanish 3 with a grade of A- or better, in addition to a teacher recommendation. 

  • French 1

    In this course, students are introduced to effective strategies for beginning French language learning. Listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading are emphasized through oral and written exercises. Students will examine the practices, products, and perspectives of the French-speaking culture through studying art, music, history, and popular culture. 

  • French 2

    In this course, students are introduced to effective strategies for beginning French language learning. Listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading are emphasized through oral and written exercises. Students will examine the practices, products, and perspectives of the French-speaking culture through studying art, music, history, and popular culture. 

    Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in French 1 or 80% score of the French proficiency test

  • French 2 (H)

    This course is designed for freshmen who have studied two or more years of French in junior high and have received an above average score on a French proficiency test. French 1 students at above test average scores may take this course. A faster pace continuation of the French language and Francophone culture that highlights interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational modes of communication in preparation for continued studies in French will be utilized through the pre AP course model.

    Prerequisite: A score of 85% or better on the French proficiency test, or a grade of A+ in French 1 and/or a teacher
    recommendation.

  • French 3

    In this course, students continue to build effective strategies for intermediate to advanced intermediate French language learning by encouraging the use of language and cultural understanding for self-directed purposes. Listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading are emphasized through oral and written exercises. This course looks at the interrelations among the practices, products, and perspectives of the French-speaking culture through cultural identitiy.

    Prerequisite: French 2 with a grade of C or better or meeting the proficiency score. 

  • French 3

    In this course, students continue to build effective strategies for intermediate to advanced intermediate French language learning by encouraging the use of language and cultural understanding for self-directed purposes. Listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading are emphasized through oral and written exercises. This course looks at the interrelations among the practices, products, and perspectives of the French-speaking culture through cultural identitiy.

    Prerequisite: French 2 with a grade of C or better

  • French 4

    In this course, students continue to build effective strategies for advanced French language learning by integrating the continued development of language skills and cultural understanding with other content areas and the community beyond the classroom. The use and influence of the French language and culture in the community beyond the classroom will be explored through the identification and evaluation of resources intended for native French speakers. 

  • French 4 (H)

    Honors French 4 emphasizes the usage of previously learned language skills to enhance their cultural knowledge of both themselves and the French speaking people of the world. Language skills are reinforced through authentic language, such as classical literature text and modern media. Major currents in French history and thought will be explored inviting cross curricular synthesis with ideas first discovered in language arts, history and art classes. Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to apply to produce and recognize target language material. Through this advanced study of French, students will learn to clarify and produce a more prodigious level of language with both their native language and the target language itself.

    Prerequisite: H French 3 with a grade of B or better.

  • Honors American Sign Language 2

    This is an advanced course designed for students who want to deepen their understanding of the language and culture
    of the Deaf community. This immersive class has an emphasis on expressive and receptive singing skills. Vocabulary,
    grammar, history and cultural components will be introduced at a more advanced pace.

    UC Approval in process

    Prerequisite: American Sign Language 1 with a grade of A- or better in both semesters.

  • Honors American Sign Language 3

    This advanced course is focused on building upon a student’s intermediate ASL skills. Grammar coverage will include complex conversations that involve the ASL grammar, syntax, vocabulary and signing production. Continued emphasis on Deaf culture will be explored with introduction of Deaf authors and literature. This course has a goal of using the target language only in the classroom. This course will be run concurrently with regular ASL 3. Honors students will have the same curriculum in addition to more project-based assessments, opportunities to lead/teach class discussions, and
    analyzing Deaf literature.

    UC Approval in process

    Prerequisite: American Sign Language 2 with an A- in both semesters

  • Spanish 1

    In this course, students are introduced to effective strategies for beginning Spanish language learning. Listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading are emphasized through oral and written exercises. Students will examine the practices, products, and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking culture through studying art, music, history, and popular culture. 

  • Spanish 1 (H)

    This course is designed for students who already have established excellent study habits and have some Spanish language knowledge. Interpersonal communication is emphasized through listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading exercises. Students will also examine the practices, products, and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking culture through studying art, music, history and popular culture. This course moves at a more rapid pace and includes activities designed to prepare students for the AP Spanish Language class.

    Prerequisite: Placement in Honors English 9 or qualifying score on the placement test and department approval.

  • Spanish 2

    In this course, students continue to build effective strategies for intermediate Spanish language learning by encouraging the use of language and cultural understanding for self-directed purposes. Listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading are stressed through oral and written exercises. This course further emphasizes making connections across content areas utilizing knowledge of Spanish culture in art, music, history, and popular culture. 

    Prerequisite: Spanish 1 with a grade of C or better or qualifying score on the placement test.

  • Spanish 2 (H)

    This course builds upon interpersonal communication, listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading exercises. Students will have opportunities to make and respond to requests and questions in expanded contexts, participate independently in conversations on familiar topics, and write cohesive passages with greater independence using appropriate formats. Students also develop stronger reading and listening comprehension skills utilizing longer and more complex passages. This course further examines the practices, products, and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking culture through studying art, music, history, and popular culture. This course moves at a more rapid pace and includes activities designed to prepare students for the AP Spanish Language class. 

    Prerequisite: H Spanish 1 with a grade of A- or better, Spanish 1 with a grade of A- or better, interview with the teacher, and a placement test and department approval.

  • Spanish 3

    In this course, students continue to build effective strategies for intermediate to advanced intermediate Spanish language learning by encouraging the use of language and cultural understanding for self-directed purposes. Listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading are emphasized through oral and written exercises. This course looks at the interrelations among the practices, products, and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking culture through cultural identity. 

    Prerequisite: Spanish 2 with a grade of C or better.

  • Spanish 3 (H)

    This course continues to build upon interpersonal communication, listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and reading exercises. Students will have opportunities to initiate, sustain, and close conversations. They will exchange detailed information in oral and written form, and write cohesive information with greater detail. Students also develop stronger reading and listening comprehension skills utilizing cognates, synonyms and antonyms to derive meaning from oral and written communication. This course looks at the interrelations among the practices, products, and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking culture through cultural identity. This course moves at a more rapid pace and includes activities designed to prepare students for the AP Spanish Language class. 

    Prerequisite: Honors Spanish 2 with a grade of B- or better, or Spanish 2 with a grade of A- or better and department approval

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