Course Offerings - Grade 9

ENGLISH - Academic Literacy - Course No.: 9522L

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Students may choose to continue their development of reading skills by re-enrolling for grade and credit.

Academic Literacy provides small group and individualized instruction to improve the student’s reading level. The program is designed to remediate reading skills and improve the reading levels of students who are reading below grade level. This course is individually structured to improve the student’s ability to phonetically read the written word, improve silent reading fluency, use comprehension strategies effectively, and improve vocabulary. This course receives graduation credit, but does not count toward the English requirement.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

Academic Literacy II - Course No.: 9529L

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Global Scholar Course, Students may choose to continue their development of reading skills by re-enrolling for grade and credit.

PREREQUISITE: Placement

Academic Literacy III - Course No.: 9533L

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Students may choose to continue their development of reading skills by re-enrolling for grade and credit.

PREREQUISITE: Placement

ENGLISH - English Language Arts Laboratory - Course No.: 9701R

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Writing Intensive

English Language Arts Laboratory is designed to teach the four aspects of language use: functional reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and is built upon each student’s prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing. Journalistic writing will be introduced and incorporated into the curriculum. Students will be introduced to various genres of literature with writing exercises linked to reading selections. Specific topics and objectives may vary according to the student’s IEP.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

ENGLISH - Freshman Literature and Composition - Course No.: 9546L, 9646B

GRADES: 9 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Writing Intensive

Freshman Literature and Composition is structured to improve listening, reading, speaking, research and writing skills with critical thinking underpinning all of these strands. Students will practice literary interpretation through a variety of critical lenses. There is an emphasis on organizing and proofreading written work through sentence, paragraph and essay structure, as well as direct instruction on vocabulary, grammar and writing mechanics. Students will also compose a variety of written pieces focusing on making claims and supporting those claims through textual evidence. Freshman Literature and Composition fulfills the first year English requirement.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

HEALTH - Health - Course No.: 9528LS

GRADES: 9, 10 LENGTH: 1 Sem CREDIT: 0.5

Health is a one semester course that students take in lieu of physical education. The structure of the class emphasizes wellness, responsible decision-making and planning for a healthy lifestyle. Topics the students examine include: mental, emotional, and social wellness, prevention education, safety, substance education, nutrition, weight control, sexual health, stress and stress management.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

HEALTH - Health Skills - Course No.: 9702RF, 9703RS

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: 1 Sem (Semester 1 only) CREDIT: 0.5

Health Skills is a one semester course that students take in lieu of physical education. The structure of the class emphasizes wellness, responsible decision-making and planning for a healthy lifestyle. Topics the students examine include: mental, emotional, and social wellness, prevention education, safety, substance education, nutrition, weight control, sexual health, stress and stress management.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

MATHEMATICS - Algebra I 2 Period Option - Course No.: 9502L

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Meets 2 consecutive periods. A TI-84+ graphing calculator is required.

Algebra I 2 Period Option is a course designed for students not ready for the pace of a single period Algebra I course. Topics include properties of real numbers, solving equations and inequalities, linear functions, systems of equations, properties of exponents and exponential functions, polynomials and factoring, quadratic functions and equations, radical expressions and equations, rational expressions and functions, and data analysis and probability. Emphasis is placed on problem solving and constructing mathematical arguments. This course fulfills the Algebra I component of Illinois’ math graduation requirement.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

MATHEMATICS - Algebraic Concepts - Course No.: 9594L

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0

Algebraic Concepts is designed to review math foundations, continuing onto a pre-algebra curriculum that will fully prepare students for Algebra I the following year. Course topics typically include linear equations and systems of equations, quadratics and radicals, probability and statistics and a geometry unit.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

MATHEMATICS - Math Applications - Course No.: 9599L

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0

Math Applications will review math foundations and continue to develop general math skills in relation to adult daily living skills using basic math skills, algebra and geometry concepts. Examples of such topics may include elapsed time, money, budgeting, travel, calendar skills and other daily applications.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

MATHEMATICS - Math Foundations - Course No.: 9597L

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0

Math Foundations is designed to teach general math skills, extend these skills to include some pre-algebra, algebra topics, and geometry topics and use these skills in a variety of practical, consumer, business, and occupational applications. Course topics typically include number line, fractions, numerical operations, expressions and basic geometry.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

SCIENCE - Earth and Space Sciences - Course No.: 9535L

GRADES: 9 or Placement LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0

Earth and Space Sciences is a lab science course focusing on the Earth and Space Sciences. The introduction to the course enhances students basic science skills (measuring, scientific method, graphing, structure of matter) and is followed by units on Geology, Meteorology, and Astronomy. The course utilizes a hands on approach to foster proper lab technique and critical thinking as well as preparing students for future science classes.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

SOCIAL STUDIES - Geography - Course No.: 9506L, 9662B

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER:Global Scholar Course

Geography is an introduction to the study of the people of the world and their ways of life. The introductory unit emphasizes the practical use of maps and globes and reading including place location and geographical data. The remainder of the course is devoted to the study of the various physical and cultural regions of the world. A mapping/writing research project is required each semester.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

SOCIAL STUDIES - Geography Skills - Course No.: 9707R

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0

Geography skills is an introduction to the study of the people of the world and their ways of life. The introductory unit emphasizes the practical use of maps and globes and reading including place location and geographical data. The remainder of the course is devoted to the study of the various physical and cultural regions of the world. A mapping/writing research project is required each semester.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

SOCIAL STUDIES - U. S. Government Skills - Course No.: 9704RF, 9705RS

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: 1 Sem (Semester 1 only) CREDIT: 0.5

U.S. Government Skills includes the fundamentals of the United States Constitution, State and local governments, the evolutionary development of the political process, and the rights and responsibilities of United States citizenship. Completion of the State mandated service learning component is required for the successful completion of this course.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

SOCIAL STUDIES - United States History Skills - Course No.: 9706R

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0

United States History Skills is a broad survey of the major social, economic, political and cultural events, concepts and themes that have been the focus in the development of the United States. This course also includes an emphasis in literacy and writing skills through the use of primary and secondary resources. Research work is required each semester.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

TUTORIAL - Tutorial - Course No.: 9510L, 9600L, 9601L, 9602L

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH: Full Year CREDIT: 1.0 OTHER: Grades will be issued on a credit/no credit basis. Students supported on an indirect/check-in basis do not receive credit.

Tutorial courses are designed to address individual student IEP needs in academic, functional, social and/or behavioral areas. The course emphasizes the development of self-advocacy and problem solving skills as well as provides academic support in identified deficit areas. Tutorial courses are designed to aid students enrolled in general education and/or special education courses and vary in the level of support provided based on student’s independent level of functioning.
PREREQUISITE: Placement

ADDITIONAL SPECIAL SERVICES COURSES - In School Work Experience - Course No.: 9595L

GRADES: 9, 10, 11, 12 LENGTH:Full Year CREDIT: 0.5 per semester /OTHER: Students must have a good attendance record.

In School Work Experience provides a structured in-school job experience for eligible students with Special Services. Students work in school offices or on school related projects in the classroom. Emphasis is on following directions, appropriate social interactions with a variety of adults and peers, and development of pre-employment skills.
PREREQUISITE: Placement