EL Courses
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EL Reading and Writing Courses
- EL English 1 Reading & EL English 1 Writing (double period) - This double-period course focuses on expanding social English and introducing general academic language skills for the beginning group of English Language Learners, using an integrated approach to build English literacy. The writing course integrates oral language skills with writing and grammar instruction to develop basic English literacy and communication skills. The reading course provides reading strategies to improve comprehension and reading rate, as well as expanding basic English vocabulary and introducing general academic vocabulary.
- EL English 2 Reading & EL English 2 Writing (double period) - This double-period course focuses on building general academic language skills for the developing group of English Language Learners, using an integrated approach to reading and writing instruction. The writing course incorporates grammar study with a writing workshop approach that emphasizes a multi-stage, process writing. Students focus intensively the development of effective, well-developed short writing on a range of topics. The reading course focuses on the introduction of academic reading skills in a variety of contexts, including literary fiction and textbook reading, as well as developing a more specific academic English vocabulary.
- EL English 3 Reading & EL English 3 Writing (double period) - This double-period course focuses on building technical academic language skills for the expanding group of English Language Learners, using an integrated approach to reading and writing instruction. The writing course incorporates grammar study with a writing workshop approach that emphasizes a multistage, process writing. Students learn basic academic essay writing, on literary and other academic topics. The reading course focuses on the expansion of academic reading skills by covering literature in all genres and making connections to content through literary analysis.
- EL English 4 Reading & EL English 4 Writing (double period) - This double-period course focuses on expanding social English and building genera academic language skills for the bridging group of English Language Learners, using an integrated approach to reading and writing instruction. The writin class emphasizes grammar and usage work to develop academic proofreadin skills. The writing workshop approach emphasizes a multi-stage process, where students apply the elements of brainstorming, planning, drafting, and revision The writing work prepares them for successful entry into mainstream classes The reading class integrates with the writing class, while working to build more advanced academic skills, including note taking, annotation, vocabular building and advanced reading strategies. Reading comes from a variety of tim periods and literary modes, including drama, mythology, poetry, journalism, fiction and non-fiction, including classics of English and American literature.
- EL English Resource - This course serves advanced English Language Learners as they transition into mainstream English and social studies classes. The course helps students develop skills in reading strategies, find and use relevant background information, make careful choices about managing the writing process, develop strong habits in proofreading and editing, increase college-level vocabulary, and strengthen study skills. The primary focus is helping students incorporate these strategies into their daily habits, so that they can become independent learners. The teacher will be in contact with English and social studies teachers, but the primary focus on helping students develop their own self-advocacy skills. This course is taken in addition to a mainstream English class and receives minor credit. Enrollment is based on placement by the EL Coordinator.
Math Courses
- EL Math Resource - This course serves English Language Learners as they transition into mainstream math classes. The course primarily helps students identify new vocabulary in advance of each chapter and provides strategies for learning and properly applying the terms. Additionally, there is support for understanding math concepts as they relate to the difficulties faced by an English Language Learner. The teacher will be in contact with the classroom math teacher, but there is also a focus on helping students develop their own self-advocacy skills. This course is taken in addition to a mainstream math class and receives minor credit. Enrollment is based on placement by the EL Coordinator.
Science Courses
- EL Science Resource - This course serves English Language Learners as they transition into mainstream science classes. The course helps students prepare for units by making connections to background knowledge from their previous science classes. Students also identify new vocabulary in advance of each chapter and learn strategies for memorizing and using the terms in speaking and writing. Additionally, the teacher will review the expectations of laboratory-based science and the steps for writing a lab report. The teacher will be in contact with the classroom science teacher, but students will be expected to develop their own self-advocacy skills. This course is taken in addition to a mainstream science class, during off-lab days, and receives minor credit. Enrollment is based on placement by the ESL Coordinator.
- EL Biology - In this laboratory science course, studies include four major themes: Ecology Cellular Biology and Genetics, Evolution, and Human Anatomy and Physiology (including the dissection of the fetal pig). Each area will be explored using laboratory exercises, library and Internet research, group projects and presentations. This course will be activity and project-based. All students will observe and participate in the same activities regardless of English proficiency. Students will work closely with staff to develop academic vocabulary and laboratory skills to be successful in other science classes. Also, students will work closely on effective textbook reading and analytic writing skills suited to their level of English proficiency. Meaningful, interactive problem-solving experiences that develop language skills will be used. This course applies toward the biology graduation requirement.
Social Studies Courses
- EL World History (offered alternate years) - In this course, students will explore the question, "How do history and culture inform our understanding of the world today?" through quarter-long regional studies that explore the history of the world's social, economic, political and cultural development. In each regional unit, students will study the connections between the history of the region and conditions in the region today. The course emphasizes such skill areas as expository writing, oral communication, evaluation of primary sources, map analysis, research techniques, and proficiency with information technology and multimedia. The EL section includes special emphasis on acquiring content-specific academic vocabulary, understanding cultural background and context, and developing proficiency in academic reading, speaking and writing.
- EL United States History (offered alternate years for juniors and seniors) - This is a survey course that traces the key historic and social developments of the American experience from its pre-colonial origins to the present. Students acquire an understanding of American culture by studying the political and economic systems, the development of value systems and interactions among the many groups that live in the United States. The course emphasizes such skill areas as map analysis, evaluation of primary sources, library research techniques, expository writing, and multimedia presentations. This course includes the study of the federal and state constitutions and fulfills the graduation requirements for United States History. The EL section includes special emphasis on acquiring content-specific academic vocabulary, understanding cultural background and context, and developing proficiency in academic reading speaking and writing.