Enclosure #
April 27, 2015
Course Proposal Brief Descriptions
For 2015-2016
American Multicultural Studies
Worthington Kilbourne High School
American Multicultural Studies.pdf
American Multicultural Studies is an elective course that challenges students to examine
key events in American history from the perspective of non-dominant cultures. In the
course students will analyze the causes and effects of events, focusing on the historical
background to current diversity issues. Students will come to have a better understanding
of the diverse ethnicities which have contributed to American history and contemporary
American culture. Students will explore various answers to the questions, “Who is an
American?” and “What is America?”
CCSS Math 1A
CCSS Math 1A.pdf
CCSS Math 1A is part 1 of the first course in a sequence of courses designed to provide
students with a rigorous program of study in mathematics. Course content includes
relationships between quantities, linear and exponential relationships, reasoning with
equations as well as congruence, proof, and constructions. The course is designed to
remain fluid to adapt to student needs as well as provide teaching strategies that allow
students more time to learn math. This approach to learning should include, but is not
limited to, in-depth, hands-on opportunities for students to solve problems. Students who
successfully complete CCSS Math 1A should enroll in CCSS Math 1B and will take the
Integrated Mathematics 1 Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) and the End-of-Year
Assessment (EOY) at the end of CCSS Math 1B course. Counselor approval required.
CCSS Math 1B
CCSS Math 1B.pdf
CCSS Math 1B is part 2 of the first course in a sequence of courses designed to provide
students with a rigorous program of study in mathematics. Course content includes a
continued focus on linear and exponential relationships, descriptive statistics, congruence,
proof, constructions as well as connecting Algebra and Geometry through coordinates. The
course is designed to remain fluid to adapt to student needs as well as provide teaching
strategies that allow students more time to learn math. This approach to learning should
include, but is not limited to, in-depth, hands-on opportunities for students to solve
problems. Students who successfully complete CCSS Math 1A should enroll in CCSS Math
1B and will take the Integrated Mathematics 1 Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) and
the End-of-Year Assessment (EOY) at the end of CCSS Math 1B course. Counselor approval
required.
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Enclosure #
April 27, 2015
Pre-Calculus
Pre-Calculus.pdf
Pre-Calculus integrates the major ideas of functions, trigonometry, and solving equations
and inequalities needed for calculus. Some of the functions analyzed include linear,
exponential, logarithmic, quadratic, power, polynomial, rational, and trigonometric, along
with transformations of these functions. Other topics include matrices, polar coordinates,
logic, complex numbers, modular arithmetic, mathematical induction, graphs, and vectors.
This class prepares students for AP Calculus AB.
Honors Pre-Calculus
Honors Pre-Calculus.pdf
Pre-Calculus integrates the major ideas of functions, trigonometry, and solving equations
and inequalities needed for calculus. Some of the functions analyzed include linear,
exponential, logarithmic, quadratic, power, polynomial, rational, and trigonometric, along
with transformations of these functions. Other topics include matrices, polar coordinates,
logic, complex numbers, modular arithmetic, mathematical induction, graphs, and vectors.
Limits and differentiation are added to the honors course. This class prepares students for
AP Calculus BC.
AP Physics 2
Physics2 AP Physics2 Curriculum.pdf
Prerequisites: AP Physics 1 or Physics 1
Length: 2 semesters
Credits: 1.0
The key concepts and related content that define the algebra based AP Physics 1 are
organized around underlying principles called the big ideas, which encompass the core
scientific principles, theories and processes of physics that cut across traditional content
boundaries and provide students a broad way of thinking about the physical
world. Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that
explores topics such as fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV
diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetic fields;
electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear
physics. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking
and reasoning skills.
IB Biology SL
IB Biology SL.pdf
The IB Diploma Program biology standard level course covers the relationship of structure
and function at all levels of complexity. Students learn about cell theory, the chemistry of
living things, plant structure and growth, and the difference between genes and alleles,
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among many other topics, to further their understanding of and learning about biology.
Throughout this challenging course, students become aware of how scientists work and
communicate with each other. Further, students enjoy multiple opportunities for scientific
study and creative inquiry within a global context.
(Adapted from the IB Biology Standard Level Subject Brief, published 2010)
IB Music SL
IB Music SL.pdf
The IB Diploma Programme standard level music course seeks to develop students’
knowledge and potential as musicians, both personally and collaboratively. IB Diploma
Programme music students are required to study musical perception and actively listen to
a wide range of music from different parts of the world, musical cultures and time periods.
They also develop aural perception and understanding of music by learning about musical
elements, including form and structure, notations, musical terminology and context.
Through the course of study, students become aware of how musicians work and
communicate. In addition, the course enables students to:
● enjoy lifelong engagement with the arts
● become informed, reflective and critical practitioners in the arts
● understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts
● explore and value the diversity of the arts across time, place and cultures
● express ideas with confidence and competence
● develop perceptual and analytical skills
● develop their knowledge and potential as musicians, both personally and
collaboratively
(Adapted from the IB Music Standard Level Subject Brief, published 2010)
IB Visual Arts SL/HL
IB Visual Arts SLHL.pdf
The IB Diploma Programme visual arts course encourages students to challenge their own
creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in
which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while
working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to
exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts,
students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide
range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want
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to go on to study visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking
lifelong enrichment through visual arts.
The aims of the Visual Arts SL and HL courses are to enable students to:
1. enjoy lifelong engagement with the arts
2. become informed, reflective and critical practitioners in the arts
3. understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts
4. explore and value the diversity of the arts across time, place and cultures
5. express ideas with confidence and competence
6. develop perceptual and analytical skills.
7. make artwork that is influenced by personal and cultural contexts
8. become informed and critical observers and makers of visual
culture and media
9. develop skills, techniques and processes in order to communicate concepts and ideas.
(Adapted from the IB Visual Arts Standard Level/Higher Level Subject Brief, published
2014)
Course Proposal Name Changes
Transition to College Mathematics
(Formerly Algebra 3)
Extensions of Algebra and Trigonometry/Transitions to College Mathematics is an
alternative for those students who do not feel ready for the pace and abstraction of the PreCalculus course. This course reviews and extends the algebraic concepts used in CCSS
Mathematics 3 including further study of linear and quadratic equations and functions,
polynomials and rational functions, trigonometry, logarithms, sequences, series,
probability, descriptive statistics, and the complex number system. This course is designed
to assist with the transition to a college preparatory program.
Introduction to Programming Logic
(Formerly Introduction to Java)
Students receive an introduction to the concepts of programming logic in a lab setting
while developing programs for curricular and non-curricular applications and problem
solving. Topics include computer systems, program design using flowcharts, program
implementation and analysis, testing and debugging. The course covers the basic units of
logic: sequence, selection, and loop. Programming languages used may include python,
java, and UML.
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Enclosure #
April 27, 2015
WKHS News/Advanced Communication Technology
(Formerly Advanced Communication Technology)
Same course description, this is a name change only.
Course Handbook Description Changes
Senior Composition
Same class, same course title, the language in the course description has been updated to
reflect the current instruction students will receive in the class.
Senior Composition is a semester-long writing course that fulfills a senior requirement.
This course emphasizes the writing process from the beginning ideas to the final writing of
the complete composition, as well as emphasizing individual goal setting and development
as a writer. Writing assignments develop career and college readiness, including
narratives, arguments, informational texts and literary analysis. Modes of expression
include essays, research papers, presentations, and multi-media projects. Collecting,
evaluating, and organizing evidence to develop valid conclusions is stressed, as well as
command of the conventions of Standard Written English. Students review grammar,
usage, and mechanics. Mentor texts are included to give students a basis for writing.
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