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English
● Recognizes the value of language diversity and cultural identity ● Prepares students with 21st century skills that will benefit them in the labor market and global society ● Provides employers, universities and grant/scholarship providers with a method to recognize applicants for their dedication to attainment of biliteracy
What are the requirements to demonstrate proficiency in English and other languages?
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● ACT - English Score of 18 or higher and/or ELPA 21 - Proficient - Level 3 ● Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (Spanish, French, etc.) ● Recommended to take Spanish 3 or 4 and Spanish Teacher Recommendations
English 9
Grade Level: 9 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Considerations: Freshman requirement Course Description: English 9 is designed to build on reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, vocabulary, analyzing and interpreting skills. Literature selections include shorter fiction, poetry, nonfiction, novels and drama. Writing includes analysis paragraphs and personal/informational essays.
English 10
Grade Level 10 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: English 9 Considerations: Sophomore requirement Course Description: English 10 is designed to build on reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, analyzing and interpreting skills. Literature selections include shorter fiction and nonfiction works, novels and plays. Writing will include the paragraph and short essays.
American Literature
Grade Level: 11 - 12 Credits: 1 Length : 2 semesters Prerequisites: English 9, 10 Considerations: 4yr / 2yr graduation option requirement. Students who are more advanced in English may substitute British Literature. Course Description: This course explores American writing, social norms and consequences, historical events and movements, and social trends via oral
traditions, poems, short stories, novels, and plays. You will be examining various writing styles and ideas while gaining an appreciation for American history and literature. You will also be dissecting and analyzing literature as readers, writers, and Americans.
British Literature
Grade Level: 11 - 12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: English 9, 10 Considerations: 4yr / 2yr graduation option requirement. Students who are more advanced in English should take this in addition to or in place of American Literature. Course Description: British Literature is organized as a historical survey focusing on British writers of six time periods. Studying British Literature allows us to analyze writing and how it was influenced by historical events.
Creative Writing
Grade Level: 10 -12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisites: English 9 Considerations: Elective course for any graduation option. Course Description: This course is designed to help you grow as a writer. With your voice as the guide, you will create with words. The writing process will be the driving force, but as you grow as a writer, your flexibility and creativity will as well. You will also take a stab at poetry and read and analyze a novel of your choice.
Mystery Stories
Grade Level: 10 -12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisites: English 9 Considerations: Elective course for any graduation option. Course Description: This course is centered around the mystery genre. You will be exploring detective fiction by incorporating clues and foreshadowing while building suspense for your reader. Not only will you be producing your own mysteries, but also, you ’ll be reading suspenseful stories by famous authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Basic Composition
Grade Level: 11 - 12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisite: English 9,10 Considerations: Required for Work Force graduation option. Course Description: Basic Composition is designed for those who may have difficulties expressing themselves through writing. Emphasis will be on organizing information from the prewriting stage to the final copy. Editing skills will be included, as well as sentence structure, grammar, and usage.
Advanced Composition
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisite: English 9,10 Considerations: Required for 4 yr/2 yr graduation option. Course Description: Advanced Composition deals with the composition skills needed for college. Assignments will include narrative, descriptive, expository and analytical writing. In addition, students will write a research paper. Students will utilize the writing process and peer discussion.
Grade Level: 12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: English 9, 10, and American or British Literature Considerations: Advanced Composition is recommended prior to enrollment. Course Description: AP English Literature and Composition is designed to engage students in the
careful reading and critical analysis of literature. Literature selections will cover several genres and periods—from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century. Students should expect to have nightly homework in the form of reading and annotation. Active participation in discussions analyzing the literature is required. Writing will include dialectical journals and analysis essays. Students are strongly encouraged to take the national AP exam.
Science Fiction
Grade Level: 10 -12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisite: English 9 Course Description: This course is centered around the science fiction genre using classic and contemporary texts often paired with films. Students will focus on themes such as time travel, consequences of technological and scientific advances, imaginary worlds and more. Through analytical writing, students will make connections between science fiction & modern-day life.
Communication Studies
Grade Level: 9 - 10 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Course Description: This course focuses on providing students with the many communication skills needed in today ’ s world. Students will develop their speaking and listening skills by participating in class discussions, giving presentations and creating their own podcasts.
Applied Algebra I
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Course Description: This course works through the first half of the Algebra curriculum with a focus on the application of the concepts. Topics include: operations with real numbers, linear equations and inequalities and relations and functions.
Applied Algebra II
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Applied Algebra I Course Description: This course works through the second half of the Algebra curriculum with a focus on the application of the concepts. Topics include: polynomials, algebraic fractions, and nonlinear equations.
Math 360
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Applied Algebra II or Geometry Considerations: Intended for students preparing for post high school occupation. Students are not able to take this course after successfully taking Advanced Algebra. Course Description: This course is designed to prepare students for the math they will face as adults living in today ’ s society. An emphasis placed on reading instructions, charts, probability and statistics as well as basic Algebra & Geometry concepts will be reviewed. Geometry applications of two-dimensional and three-dimensional figures as well as basic probability are covered.
Algebra
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Course Description: Algebra provides a formal development of the algebraic skills and concepts necessary to succeed in advanced courses. In particular, this course teaches the use of algebraic skills in a wide range of problem-solving situations. The concept of function is emphasized throughout the course. Topics include: (1) operations with real numbers, (2) linear equations and inequalities, (3) relations and functions, (4) polynomials, (5) algebraic fractions, and (6) nonlinear equations.
Geometry
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Applied Algebra II or Algebra Course Description: Geometry examines the properties of two- and three-dimensional objects. Proof and logic, as well as investigative strategies in drawing conclusions, are stressed. Properties and relationships of geometric objects include the study of: (1) points, lines, angles and planes; (2) polygons, with a special focus on quadrilaterals, triangles, right triangles; (3) circles; and (4) polyhedra and other solids.
Advanced Algebra
Grade Level: 9-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Geometry Considerations: Required minimum math course for students following the program of study to prepare for 2 year college/specialty career and 4 year college.
Course Description: This course is designed to build on algebraic and geometric concepts. It develops advanced algebra skills such as systems of equations, advanced polynomials, imaginary and complex numbers, quadratics, and includes an introduction of trigonometric functions. It also introduces matrices and their properties. The content of this course is important for students ’ success on both the ACT and college mathematics entrance exams such as the ALEKS Test.
KCC: Statistics
Grade Level: 11 - 12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra ~ students must also take aplacement test at Kirkwood(ALEXStest) to make sureyou areprofient andready for a college mathcourse. Considerations: This course can be taken after Advanced Algebra, Pre-Calculus, or AP Calculus. Course Description: Focuses on descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation and variance) and introduces correlation and linear regression. Emphasizes inferential statistics and probability distributions as applied to confidence intervals, hypothesis testing of means and proportions, and applications to business and other fields.
Pre-Calculus
Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra Considerations: This course can be taken after Advanced Algebra or after Statistics. Course Description: This course is an extension of Advanced Algebra with the emphasis in Trigonometry and Limits. All major areas covered in Advanced Algebra are reinforced at a greater depth with additional applications. This course is designed to encompass all the topics necessary to be successful in a college level mathematics course Advanced Placement Calculus
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus Course Description: This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college Calculus I course. The course can be divided into three broad areas that include limits, derivatives, and integrals. An emphasis will be placed on developing the students ’ understanding of the concepts of calculus and providing experience with its methods and applications. A multirepresentational approach to calculus will be used with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Students are encouraged to earn college credit and a great experience by taking the national AP exam.
SCIENCE
Biology
Grade Level: 9 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Considerations: Students will need a 3-ring binder for this course. Course Description: Biology is the study of life. Students will be introduced to the basic principles of living things. Topics to be covered include information and concepts related to the structure and processes of molecules and organisms, ecology and the interactions of ecosystems, heredity and variation, and biological evolution. Students will practice using lab equipment, design and conduct experiments, collect data, and write laboratory reports.
Anatomy and Physiology
Grade Level: 10-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisite: Biology Course Description: This course is designed for students who have an interest in the human body. Students will study the structure and function of major body systems. Much memorization is required.
Advanced Biology
NOT OFFERED 2020-2021
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: .5 Length: 1 semester Prerequisite: Biology and Chemistry is recommended Considerations: An AP Biology review book is strongly recommended. Course Description: This is a rigorous lab-based course designed to prepare students for college level science classes. Topics to be covered included biochemistry, the cell, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. Good study skills and a strong work ethic are required.
AP Biology
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 Semesters Prerequisite: Biology and Advanced Biology Considerations: An AP Biology review book is strongly recommended. Course Description: This is an extremely rigorous lab based course designed to prepare students for college level science classes. The AP biology curriculum covers; ● Cell communication and cell cycle ● Heredity ● Gene Expression and regulation ● Natural selection ● Ecology Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP Biology examination upon completion of the course. Good study skills and a strong work ethic are required.
Physical Science
Grade Level: 11-12 Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Considerations: This course is recommended for juniors/seniors to help prepare them for Chemistry and/or Physics or to fulfill the third science requirement. Course description: During the second semester students will explore physical principles such as energy, machines, work, sound, light, and electricity. The first semester is designed to explore chemical principles such as atoms, chemical formulas, writing & balancing chemical equations, and examining chemical reactions. Both semesters include multiple laboratories and projects.
Chemistry
Grade level: 11-12
Credits: 1 Length: 2 semesters Considerations: Complete Geometry prior to taking. It is recommended that if you received a
