Course Catalog

This course advances students’ ability to think algebraically, taking their earlier work with linear, exponential, and quadratic equations and expanding on it with polynomials and more advanced equation types. Students will work with rational, radical, logarithmic, inverse, and piecewise functions. They will also extend their studies to include systems of equations and inequalities, trigonometry, complex numbers, and statistics. The course emphasizes using these algebraic concepts to solve problems and help people in many walks of life. The course employs many tools to teach students these concepts, including interactive graphing, videos that walk through problems, and many practice items.

Financial Algebra is designed to instruct students in algebraic thinking while also preparing them to navigate a number of financial applications. Students will explore how algebraic knowledge is connected to many financial situations, including investing, using credit, paying taxes, and shopping for insurance. In studying these topics, students will learn about the linear, exponential, and quadratic relationships that apply to financial applications. In addition, the course will help prepare students to tackle the wide variety of financial decisions they will face in life, from setting up their first budget to planning for retirement.

These two semester-long courses are designed to enable all students at the high-school level to develop a deep understanding of the math objectives covered and leave them ready for their next steps in mathematics. The courses are built to the Common Core State Standards. The three units in Semester A advance students through the study of single-variable expressions to systems of equations, while Semester B covers functions, advanced functions, and concludes with a practical look at the uses of geometry and trigonometry.

Beginning with the simplification of rational and polynomial expressions, Semester A takes students through the next steps in mastering the principles of integrated math. These two semester-long courses focus on meeting Common Core objectives with engaging and interactive content. Semester B begins with the derivation of the trigonometric formula for the area of a triangle, and proceeds through the use of functions and on developing the critical thinking skills necessary to make logical and meaningful inferences from data.

Math 7 builds on material learned in earlier grades, including fractions, decimals, and percentages and introduces students to concepts they will continue to use throughout their study of mathematics. Among these are surface area, volume, and probability. Real-world applications facilitate understanding, and students are provided multiple opportunities to master these skills through practice problems within lessons, homework drills, and graded assignments.

Precalculus builds on algebraic concepts to prepare students for calculus. The course begins with a review of basic algebraic concepts and moves into operations with functions, where students manipulate functions and their graphs. Precalculus also provides a detailed look at trigonometric functions, their graphs, the trigonometric identities, and the unit circle. Finally, students are introduced to polar coordinates, parametric equations, and limits.

This course provides a strong foundation in grammar and the writing process. It emphasizes simple but useful composition and language mechanics strategies with multiple opportunities for modeling practical, real-world writing situations that will enable students to improve their written communication skills quickly. Through a variety of grade-appropriate reading selections, students develop a clear understanding of key literary genres and their distinguishing characteristics.

Extends the skills developed in English 7 through detailed study of parts of sentences and paragraphs to understand their importance to good writing. Students also acquire study skills such as time management and improved test-taking strategies. Other topics include punctuation, word choice, syntax, varying of sentence structure, subordination and coordination, detail and elaboration, effective use of reference materials, and proofreading.

This course focuses on using personal experiences, opinions, and interests as a foundation for developing effective writing skills. Skills acquired in English I are reinforced and refined. Literary models demonstrate paragraph unity and more sophisticated word choice. A research paper is required for completion of course. Topics include grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, organizing compositions, and the research paper.

In keeping with the model established in English 11, these courses emphasize the study of literature in the context of specific historical periods, beginning with the Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods in Britain. Each lesson includes tutorials and embedded lesson activities that provide for a more engaging and effective learning experience. Semester B covers the romantic, Victorian, and modern eras. End of unit tests ensure mastery of the concepts taught in each unit, and exemptive pretests allow students to focus on content that they have yet to master.

The Contemporary World is a year-long course designed to strengthen learners’ knowledge about the modern world. Multimedia tools including custom videos as well as videos from the BBC, custom maps, and interactive timelines will help engage learners as they complete this course. Learners will explore the importance of geography, the influence of culture, and the relationship humans have with the physical environment. They will also focus on the responsibility of citizens, democracy in the United States, U.S. legal systems, and the U.S. economy. Ultimately, learners will complete this course as global citizens with an understanding of how to help and better their community and the world.

In Middle School U.S. History, learners will explore historical American events with the help of innovative videos, timelines, and interactive maps and images. The course covers colonial America through the Reconstruction period. Learners will develop historical thinking and geography skills, which they will use throughout the course to heighten their understanding of the material. Specific topics of study include the U.S. Constitution, the administrations of George Washington and John Adams, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

The interactive, problem-centered, and inquiry-based units in U.S. Government emphasize the acquisition, mastery, and processing of information. Semester A units include study of the foundations of American government and the American political culture, with units 2 and 3 covering the U.S. constitution, including its roots in Greek and English law, and the various institutions that impact American politics. 

In an increasingly interconnected world, equipping students to develop a better understanding of our global neighbors is critical to ensuring that they are college and career ready. These semester-long courses empower students to increase their knowledge of the world in which they live and how its diverse geographies shape the international community. Semester A units begin with an overview of the physical world and the tools necessary to exploring it effectively. Subsequent units survey each continent and its physical characteristics and engage students and encourage them to develop a global perspective.

This inquiry- and virtual-lab-based course is designed to support modern science curriculum and teaching practices. It robustly meets NGSS learning standards for high school biology. Content topics include cells, organ systems, heredity, organization of organisms, evolution, energy use in organisms, and the interdependence of ecosystems.

Each lesson includes one or more inquiry-based activities that can be performed online within the context of the lesson. In addition, the course includes a number of virtual lab activities in which students will exercise experimental design, data analysis, and data interpretation skills while working through a simulated laboratory situation.

Lab materials note: None of the virtual labs require specialized laboratory materials or tools. Some virtual labs do allow students to make use of common, household items—such as paper and a pencil—if they choose.

This inquiry- and lab-based course is designed to support modern science curriculum and teaching practices. It robustly meets NGSS learning standards associated with middle school Earth and space science. Content topics include Earth and space systems and interactions, the history of the Earth, the Earth’s systems, weather and climate, climate change, and human impacts on the Earth.

Each lesson includes one or more inquiry-based activities that can be performed online within the context of the lesson. In addition, the course includes a significant number of hands-on lab activities. Approximately 40% of student time in this course is devoted to true lab experiences, as defined by the National Research Council (2006, p. 3).

Lab materials note: All hands-on labs employ relatively-common household materials. Please refer to the Student Syllabus or Teacher’s Guide for details on lab materials.

The lessons in this course employ direct-instruction approaches. They include application and Inquiry-oriented activities that facilitate the development of higher-order cognitive skills, such as logical reasoning, sense-making, and problem solving.

Lab materials note: None of the virtual labs require specialized laboratory materials or tools. Some virtual labs do allow students to make use of common, household items—such as paper and a pencil—if they choose.

This inquiry- and lab-based course is designed to support modern science curriculum and teaching practices. It robustly meets NGSS learning standards associated with middle school physical science. Content topics include structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, forces and motion, force fields, energy, and waves.

Each lesson includes one or more inquiry-based activities that can be performed online within the context of the lesson. In addition, the course includes a significant number of hands-on lab activities. Approximately 40% of student time in this course is devoted to true lab experiences, as defined by the National Research Council (2006, p. 3).

Lab materials note: All hands-on labs employ relatively-common household materials. Please refer to the Student Syllabus or Teacher’s Guide for details on lab materials.

This inquiry- and lab-based course is designed to support modern science curriculum and teaching practices. It robustly meets NGSS learning standards associated with a sixth-grade integrated science course (NGSS Appendix K: Modified Conceptual Progression Model, p. 19), focusing on basic physical science, Earth and space science, and ecosystems. Content topics include structure and properties of matter, forces and motion, the Earth and space, the history of the Earth, the interdependence of ecosystems, and weather and climate.

Each lesson includes one or more inquiry-based activities that can be performed online within the context of the lesson. In addition, the course includes a significant number of hands-on lab activities. Approximately 40% of student time in this course is devoted to true lab experiences, as defined by the National Research Council (2006, p. 3).

Lab materials note: All hands-on labs employ relatively-common household materials. Please refer to the Student Syllabus or Teacher’s Guide for details on lab materials.

Built on the same sound pedagogy and proven course design methodologies as all of our courses, Medical Terminology helps students understand the structure and meaning of medical terms and identify medical terminology associated with various body systems. As the health care industry becomes more and more complex, developing expertise in accurately and efficiently identifying medical terms and their specific application is essential to a growing variety of health care careers. This course begins to prepare your students for those careers. 

This course is designed to enable students at high school level to develop the knowledge and skills related to audio video techniques that they can use in their careers. This course discusses the elements of audio video production, preproduction activities, media production techniques, and postproduction activities. The course is based on Career Technical Education (CTE) standards designed to help students develop technical knowledge and skills needed for success in the audio video production industry.

This course is designed to enable students at high school level to develop information management skills that they can use during in their careers in business organizations. This course discusses career opportunities available in Business Information Management, computing technology for business, connecting through the internet, working with documents, working with spreadsheets, working with a presentation program, working with databases, web page design, and project management. The course is based on Career Technical Education (CTE) standards designed to help students develop technical knowledge and skills needed for success in the business information management industry.

The course is designed to enable students to learn the key skills and information that they need to work as certified nurse aides. The course will help students develop an understanding of the human body, physical and nutritional needs, mental health needs and teach them to provide culturally competent and quality care to clients in a safe and healthy environment. The course is based on the NNAAP Exam syllabus and is designed to prepare students to take the exam and become certified nurse aides.

The course has animations and videos that demonstrate key skills that students must acquire to work as nurse aides. The practice test at the end of the course gives students practice on the written exam that they’ll need to give to become certified nurse aides.

This course is focused on the exam objectives of CompTIA A+ 220-1001. Students will learn about computer hardware and networking, including concepts related to virtualization and cloud computing. Students will learn about mobile devices and their features. Students will learn how to identify and troubleshoot problems related to hardware, networking, printers, storage devices, and mobile devices.

Unit activities in the course help students to develop and apply critical thinking skills.

Animations and screenshot-based slideshows included in the lesson keep students engaged. Students can understand technical concepts easily.

Simulations provide students a real computer environment to practice various procedural steps. These simulations emulate the CompTIA A+ performance-based questions.

Practice test at the end of the course help students to practice questions that are parallel to the CompTIA A+ 220-1001 certification exam.

This course is a two-semester course focused on the exam objectives of CompTIA Network+ certification N10-007. Students will learn about the types of networks, network topologies, the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, Internet protocol addresses, routing, and switching. Students will learn about wireless technologies, virtualization, cloud concepts, and network services. Students will learn about network cables, connectors, network devices, network storage technologies, and wide area networks. Students will learn about network documentation, network monitoring, and remote access methods. Students will learn about business continuity, disaster recovery methods, physical and logical security methods. Students will learn how to secure a wireless network. Students will also learn about network attacks, and various device hardening and mitigation techniques. Finally, students will learn how to troubleshoot issues related to wired connectivity, wireless connectivity, and network services.

Unit activities in the course help students to develop and apply critical thinking skills. Animations included in the lesson keep students engaged. Students can understand technical concepts very easily. Simulations provide students a real computer environment to practice various procedural steps. These simulations emulate the CompTIA Network+ performance-based questions. Practice Test at the end of the course help students to attempt questions that are similar to CompTIA Network+ certification N10-007 exam.

This course is designed to enable students at the high school level to develop basic computer skills that they can use during their college education and also in their careers. This course is designed to enable all students at the high school level to develop the critical skills and knowledge that they will need to be successful in careers throughout their lives. The course is based on Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards designed to help students prepare for entry into a wide range of careers and/or into postsecondary education.

This is an effective and comprehensive introduction to careers in the rapidly expanding world of digital art. The course covers creative and practical aspects of digital art in 15 lessons that are enhanced with online discussions and a variety of activities. Beginning with a history of digital art, the course goes on to issues of design, color, and layout. While students will experience creation of digital art, they will also learn about converting traditional art to digital formats. 

This semester-long course is based on Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards to help students prepare for entry into a wide range of careers and/or into postsecondary education. It is designed to enable students at high school level to develop electronic communication skills that they can use in their careers.

This course helps students understand and practice critical life and workplace readiness skills identified by employers, state boards of education, and Advance CTE. These skills include personal characteristics, such as positive work ethic, integrity, self-representation, and resourcefulness, as well as key people skills, communication skills, and broadly-applicable professional and technical skills. These skills are universally valuable but sometimes assumed or glossed over in more career-specific courses. For that reason, this provides students with a solid foundation in their career studies.

This is a two-semester CTE course for high school students who want to understand the rapidly growing and evolving energy field, with special emphasis on electrical energy and on new and emerging energy technologies. The course is designed to address state standards in the Energy and STEM domains as well as the Energy Industry Fundamentals Certificate Program (EIFCP) standards developed by the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD). Unit topics include the energy industry; energy science and efficiency; electrical generation, transmission, and distribution; conventional, alternative, and emerging energy sources; health, safety, and security issues; and energy careers and pathways, from entry level to professional.

This course will help students develop an understanding of the industry with a focus on topics such as history of graphic design, types of digital images, graphic design tools, storing and manipulating images, design elements and principles, copyright laws, and printing images. The course is based on Career Technical Education (CTE) standards designed to help students develop technical knowledge and skills needed for success in the graphic design industry.

This course is designed to enable all students at the high-school level to learn the basics of health science. The course will help the students develop an understanding of the academic qualifications, personal skills, training, and use of healthcare tools required to work in the healthcare industry. The course is based on Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards to help students develop technical knowledge and skills needed for success in the healthcare industry.

This course is designed to introduce students to the process involved in creating a mobile app. Students learn about history of and upcoming trends in mobile app development. They explore career options in mobile app development and describe skills and training required for mobile app development. They also describe the types of apps available in the market. Moreover, they learn about platforms for developing Android mobile apps. Further, they learn about the Android development environment. Finally, they create the user interface of an app and make it interactive in Android Studio.

This Elective course introduces students to the field of cybersecurity, focusing primarily on personal computer use and vulnerabilities while also highlighting the wider scope of cybersecurity from a societal and career perspective. Specific topics include computer security, VPN and wireless security, risk management, and laws, standards, and ethics related to cybersecurity.

This course is designed to introduce students to the process involved in creating an app. Students learn about history of and upcoming trends in mobile app development. They explore career options in mobile app development and describe skills and training required for mobile app development. They also describe the types of apps available in the market. Moreover, they learn about various platforms for developing iOS mobile apps. Further, they learn about the iOS development environment. Finally, they create the user interface of an app and make it interactive in Xcode.

Throughout this course, your students will learn about various career options in the agriculture, food, and natural resources industries. They will learn about technology, safety, and regulatory issues in agricultural science. They will also learn about some topics related to agriculture, such as international agriculture and world trade, sustainability, environmental management, research, development, and future trends in the industry. The course helps students navigate the rising demand for sustainable food sources while also meeting the challenge of producing higher yields to feed a growing world. 

This course appeals to your students' familiarity with a variety of sensory inputs and stimulus. With an emphasis on visual arts, the 14 lessons introduce learners to careers in design, photography, performing arts, fashion, and journalism, among others. This engaging course covers inherently engaging topics that will stimulate your students as they consider careers in which the arts, technology, and communications intersect.

This course is designed to enable all students at the high school level to learn the basics of education and training. Students will learn about the various trends and factors that influence the education industry. This course introduces various career opportunities in the field of education. The units in this course include personal and professional skills needed in various education careers, child growth and development, child health, delivering instruction, and technology in education.The course is based on Career Technical Education (CTE) standards designed to help students develop technical knowledge and skills needed for success in the education industry.

This course is designed to enable all students at the high school level to learn the basics of government and public administration. Students explore career opportunities in the field of government and public administration. They also learn about the career-related skills, such as job acquisition skills, reading and writing, and mathematics they need to possess as professionals in this field. They learn about the safe and healthy working conditions necessary in the field of government and public administration. This course covers topics such as: the influence of geography and technology, and networking and communication as they relate to government and public administration. The course is based on Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards designed to help students prepare for entry into a wide range of careers in government and public administration industry.

The hospitality and tourism industry offers a dynamic career path that will pique the interest of many of your students. This course emphasizes learning the practical aspects of the industry and promotes the development of critical-thinking skills required in real-world situations. The 14-lesson course will introduce your students to the basics of hospitality and tourism, and will help them evaluate their skills and prepare for a career in this growing and exciting industry.

Building on the fundamentals learned in Information Technology 1A, this course takes the next steps in preparing learners for a career in information technology. Covering software, hardware, and implementation topics, the course also addresses the security and ethical issues that your students will face in an IT career. Combining lessons, online and offline activities, and interactive discussions, the course will provide a practical yet cutting edge look at the issues faced by leading IT professionals today and in the future. 

Principles of Manufacturing is a course comprising of 15 lessons to help your students understand various manufacturing processes, concepts, and systems, and to introduce them to the various career paths available to them in manufacturing. This course emphasizes STEM principles while also covering practical aspects of manufacturing such as marketing and regulatory issues, as well as issues related to launching and managing a manufacturing business. 

This course is designed to enable all students at the high school level to develop communication skills they will need to be successful in a profession. Students learn about the key aspects of the communication process. They learn to apply communication protocol and appropriate language skills in professional and social communication. Students also explore effective strategies to address diversity in communication. Finally, students familiarize themselves with reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. This course covers topics such as commination in business organizations and technology for communication. The course is based on Career Technical Education (CTE) standards designed to help students prepare for communication in a wide range of professions.

This two-semester course is focused on the concepts related to robots and how to construct a robot. Students will learn about the history and applications of robotics. Students will learn about the job opportunities and employability skills in the field of robotics. Students will also learn about the basic concepts of six simple machines, electricity, electronic circuits, Boolean algebra, magnetics, and their applicability to robotics. Students will apply safety procedures and construct a simple robot. Students will also learn about project management and engineering design process. Students will learn about the programming languages used in robotics. Students will create a simple robotic arm. Students will also construct a robot using programming. Student will learn about ethics and laws related to robotics. Students will also learn how to test and maintain a robot. Online discussions and unit activities require students to develop and apply critical thinking skills, while the included games appeal to a variety of learning styles and keep students engaged.

Required lab materials note: This course contains hands-on labs that employ relatively-common household materials to provide a valuable laboratory experience. Please refer to the Student Syllabus or Teacher’s Guide for a detailed list of required lab materials and options for purchasing kits.

This semester-long course traces the experiences of Africans in the Americas from 1500 to the present day. In this course, students will explore history, politics, and culture. Although the course proceeds in chronological order, lessons are also grouped by themes and trends in African American history. Therefore, some time periods and important people are featured in more than one lesson.

This one-semester course is focused on the history, applications, and innovations of artificial intelligence. Students will learn about intelligence agents, problem solving using search algorithms, knowledge representation, and reasoning in artificial intelligence. Students will also learn about the basic concepts of machine learning and natural language processing (NLP). Students will also learn about expert systems, computer vision and robotics. This 12-lesson course also covers ethics and safety related to artificial intelligence. Online discussions and course activities require students to develop and apply critical thinking skills, while the included games appeal to a variety of learning styles and keep students engaged.

This course is designed to introduce students to the history of environmental science in the United States, ecological interactions and succession , environmental change , adaptation, and biogeochemical cycles. Students will learn about the importance of environmental science as an interdisciplinary field. They will describe the importance of biodiversity to the survival of organisms, and learn about ecological pyramids . They will discuss the effects of climate change an d explore different types of adaptation . They will describe the steps of the water cycle, and discuss how carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous cycle in the global environment.

This one-semester course is focused on the Holocaust, a tragic time in history that resulted in the killing of six million Jewish people in Europe. Students trace this period in history from the aftermath of the First World War to the roots of anti-Semitism and the rise of Adolf Hitler to the aftermath of the Holocaust. The 14 lessons in the course explore the history of the Jewish community in Europe and what they were subjected to at the hands of the Nazis, including their experiences in the ghettos, concentration camps, and termination camps. Students learn about how Nazis victimized non-Jewish people who were against the Third Reich. The course also covers the Jewish resistance and their fight for liberation, the trials after the Second World War, and the impact of the Holocaust on the world. This course combines a variety of content types, including lessons, activities, discussions, and games to keep students engaged as they trace this tragic period in history.

Introduction to Archaeology is a one-semester course with 14 lessons that discuss the work and techniques involved in archaeology, and the prospects of an archaeologist. This course covers subject areas such as: history of modern archaeology, discoveries in archaeology, careers in archaeology, research techniques, evidence, site excavation, and many more.

From Components of Fashion to Haute Couture to Production, this course is focused on the practical aspects of career preparation in the fashion design industry. The 17 lessons in the course provide students with both breadth and depth, as they explore the full gamut of relevant topics in fashion design. Online discussions and course activities require students to develop and apply critical thinking skills while the included games appeal to a variety of learning styles and keep students engaged. Fascinating and practical, Introduction to Fashion design will appeal to, and enrich, many of your students.

This course is designed to introduce students to oceanic features and processes, ocean habitats and ecosystems, life forms in the ocean, and different types of interactions in the ocean. Students will learn about the formation and characteristic features of the oceans. They will learn about the scientific method and explore careers available in marine biology. They will learn about the characteristic features of different taxonomic groups found in the ocean. They will learn about the different habitats, life forms, and ecosystems that exist in the oceans and explore the different types of adaptation s marine creatures possess to survive in the ocean. They will learn about succession and the flow of energy in marine ecosystems. They will also learn about the resources that the oceans provide and the threats that the oceans face from human activities.

This Elective course provides students an introduction to the field of philosophy and its great, timeless questions. Students explore the origin and evolution of philosophy as a discipline and learn about the times, lives, and intellectual contributions of essential philosophers.

This course is designed to introduce all students at the high school level to the fundamentals of veterinary science, measures to control diseases in animals, and the impact of toxins and poisons on animal health. The students will explore the history of veterinary science and the skills and requirements for a successful career in the veterinary industry. They will also explore the physiology and anatomy of animals, learn how to evaluate animal health and determine effective treatments for infectious and noninfectious diseases in animals. Additionally, they will learn about zoonotic diseases, and the impact of toxins and poisons on animal health.

Introduction to World Religions is a one-semester course with 14 lessons that discuss the origins, beliefs, and practices related to various world religions. The target audience for this course is high school students. This course covers subject areas such as: primal religious traditions, sacred stories, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, contemporary religious movements, and many more.

Introduction to Mythology and Folklore is a one-semester course with 15 lessons that discuss myths, legends, and folklore from around the world. This course covers subjects such as Mythology, Legend, Folklore, Gods and the Goddesses, natural events, and wonders of the world.

By providing historical perspectives, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of the roots of Native American culture. The topics addressed include an exploration of the Native American history in the arctic and subarctic, various regions of the U.S., and the development of Native American life.

Financial literacy is an increasingly essential capability as students prepare for the workforce, and this 18-lesson course provides the information they need to determine if a career in finance is right for them. The course uses games and online discussions to effectively facilitate learning, while introducing your learners to a variety of topics, including investment strategies, money management, asset valuation, and personal finance.

Revolutionary Ideas in Science is a one-semester course with 15 lessons that cover the discoveries and inventions in science from pre-historic to present times. This course covers subject areas such as: prehistoric science, technology, ancient and medieval science, the scientific revolution, thermodynamics and electricity, and many more.

In this course, students will explore the evolution of sociology as a distinct discipline while learning about sociological concepts and processes. They will learn how the individual relates to and impacts society. Students will also learn about the influence of culture, social structure, socialization, and social change on themselves and others. The course combines a variety of content types, including lessons, activities, discussions, and games to engage learners as the discover sociology as a subject and as a career. 

This one-semester course explores what goes into the making of a theater and film production. The course has 14 lessons that focus on the pre-production, production, and post-production stages of theater and film productions. Students will be introduced to theater and film, and their different genres and subgenres. They will also learn about roles and responsibilities of the cast and crew, including the director, actors, screenplay writers, set designers, wardrobe stylists and costume designers, and makeup artists. The course also covers technical aspects, such as lighting and sound. Students will also learn about the influence of the audience on theater, cinema, and film production. The course combines a variety of content types, including lessons, activities, discussions, and games to keep students engaged as they discover the world of theater, cinema, and film production.

The AP® Spanish Language and Culture course is an advanced language course in which students are directly prepared for the AP® Spanish Language and Culture test. It uses as its foundation the three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive and presentational. The course is conducted almost exclusively in Spanish. The course is based on the six themes required by the College Board: (1) global challenges, (2) science and technology, (3) contemporary life, (4) personal and public identities, (5) families and communities, and (6) beauty and aesthetics. The course teaches language structures in context and focuses on the development of fluency to convey meaning. Students explore culture in both contemporary and historical contexts to develop an awareness and appreciation of cultural products, practices, and perspectives. Students should expect to listen to, read, and understand a wide-variety of authentic Spanish-language materials and sources, demonstrate proficiency in interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational communication using Spanish, gain knowledge and understanding of the cultures of Spanish speaking areas of the world, use Spanish to connect with other disciplines and expand knowledge in a wide-variety of contexts, develop insight into the nature of the Spanish language and its culture, and use Spanish to participate in communities at home and around the world. The AP® Spanish Language and Culture course is a college level course. The intensity, quality, and amount of course material can be compared to that of a third-year college course. 

*Available only through EdOptions Academy*

Building upon the prior prerequisite course, emphasis in this course is placed upon comprehension and signing. Learners will also continue to establish their communication skills and foster their understanding of deaf culture. In addition to learning classifiers, glossing, and mouth morphemes, students will explore vocabulary for descriptions, directions, shopping, making purchases, and dealing with emergencies.

Students continue their introduction to Chinese with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. The course consists of 180 lesson days formatted in an intuitive calendar view, which can be divided into two 90-day semesters. The course represents an ideal blend of language learning pedagogy and online learning. As students begin the course, they construct their own Avatar that accumulates “Avatar bucks”—by performing well on course tasks—to use to purchase materials (clothing, gadgets, scenery, etc.) at the “Avatar store”. Each week consists of an ongoing adventure story, a new vocabulary theme and grammar concept, numerous interactive games reinforcing vocabulary and grammar, reading and listening comprehension activities, speaking and writing activities, and multimedia cultural presentations covering major Chinese-speaking countries. The course has been carefully aligned to national standards as set forth by ACTFL (the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).

Each of these semesters is designed to build on the principles mastered in French 1 and use a combination of online curriculum, electronic learning activities, and supporting interactive activities to fully engage learners. Unit pretests, post-tests, and end-of-semester tests identify strengths and weaknesses, helping to create a more personalized and effective learning experience. As with French 1, these 90-day courses emphasize practical communication skills while also building intercultural awareness and sensitivity.