Course Descriptions - Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science
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Mathematics
Algebra 1 A/B
Algebra 1 v7.0 is a completely re-designed course that offers 100% alignment to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. The specific standard alignment for each lesson is visible to both educators and students. In addition to the emphasis on alignment, the lessons in the new course are designed to be shorter in length than lessons of previous versions, offering focused exploration of topics to make concepts more digestible for students.
Practice questions are included with each lesson, including technology-enhanced items and explanations to assist students in their understanding of the concepts. New features to support student mastery include worksheets for practice and guided notes to help students record key takeaways as they move through the tutorial.
The course is also built around student engagement, with more interactive lessons and videos that work through examples and model problem-solving skills. This fresh new look and feel for the course was inspired by educator feedback.
Educators were also involved in the course at the design-level, as many unit activities, worksheets, and video scripts were written by current algebra classroom teachers. Algebra 1 v7.0 reflects our commitment to standards alignment and putting the needs of educators and students first in all aspects of course design.
Algebra 2 A/B
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.
Consumer Mathematics
This course explains how four basic mathematical operations addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division can be used to solve real-life problems. It addresses practical applications for math, such as wages, taxes, money management, and interest and credit. Projects for the Real World activities are included that promote cross-curricular learning and higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.
Financial Mathematics A/B
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.
Geometry A/B
A comprehensive examination of geometric concepts, each lesson provides thorough explanations and builds on prior lessons. Step-by-step instruction and multiple opportunities for self-check practice develop skills and confidence in students as they progress through the course. The course features animations, which allow students to manipulate angles or create shapes, such as triangles, engage students in learning and enhance mastery. Labs extend comprehension by giving students hand-on experiences.
Integrated Math 1 A/B
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.
Integrated Math 2 A/B
Building on the concepts covered in Integrated Math 1, these courses are based on proven pedagogical principles and employ sound course design to effectively help students master rules of exponents and polynomials, advanced single-variable quadratic equations, independent and conditional probability, and more. Online and offline activities combine to create an engaging learning experience that prepares high school learners for their next step in their studies of mathematics.
Integrated Math 3 A/B
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 6 A/B
This semester-long middle school course will provide students with a deep understanding and mastery of the objectives that will prepare them for algebra. It is aligned to Common Core State Standards, and is based on best practices in the teaching of mathematics and the disciplines of STEM learning. Students will develop 21st century skills as they master ratios and proportional relationships; the number system; and number visualization. The course is highly engaging while being easy for teachers to customize and manage.
Math 7 A/B
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.
Math 8 A/B
This course is designed to enable all students at the middle school level to develop a deep understanding of math objectives and leaves students ready for algebra. The first semester covers objectives in transformations, linear equations, systems of equations, and functions. The second semester focuses on scientific notation, roots, the Pythagorean Theorem and volume, and statistics and probability. The course is based on the Common Core State Standards Initiative and on a modern understanding of student learning in mathematics.
Precalculus A/B
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.
Probability & Statistics
This course is designed for students in grades 11 and 12 who may not have attained a deep and integrated understanding of the topics in earlier grades. Students acquire a comprehensive understanding of how to represent and interpret data; how to relate data sets; independent and conditional probability; applying probability; making relevant inferences and conclusions; and how to use probability to make decisions.
English Language Arts
Business English A/B
Business English is designed to strengthen students' ability to read and write in the workplace. Writing for business purposes is a main focus of the course. Students will learn how to communicate effectively through email and instant messaging, as well as format specific types of business messages and workplace documents. The role of digital media, visuals, and graphics in workplace communication will be explored. The importance of professionalism, ethics, and other positive skills are also emphasized in the course. Additionally, guidance is provided to help students through the process of searching, applying, and interviewing for a job.
English 06 A/B
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.
English 07 A/B
English 7 Integrates the study of writing and literature through the examination of a variety of genres. Students identify the elements of composition in the reading selections to understand their function and effect on the reader. Practice is provided in narrative and expository writing. Topics include comparison and contrast, persuasion, and cause and effect essays, as well as descriptive and figurative language. Lessons are supplemented with vocabulary development, grammar, and syntax exercises, along with an introduction to verbal phrases and research tools.
English 08 A/B
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.
English 09 A/B
English 9 v6.0 is a completely new course built for and 100% aligned to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. A balance of fiction and nonfiction texts are used throughout the course, and each unit is designed around a thematic concept to provide cohesiveness to the skillsbased lessons and activities that make up the unit.
The course intertwines the development of reading skills with the development of writing, speaking and listening, and language skills. Students can look forward to a course where the information is delivered in easy-to-digest chunks using student-friendly language, with assessments that are tightly aligned to the concepts and skills learned in the lesson.
The course design reflects educator feedback about student engagement by featuring a variety of interactions, videos, and new student resources, such as worksheets and guided notes. Educators were also involved with writing activities and worksheets for this course. English 9 v6.0 reflects our commitment to standards alignment and putting the needs of educators and students first in all aspects of course design
English 09 with Augmented Reality
English 9 with Augmented Reality v6.0 is a completely new course built for and 100% aligned to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. A balance of fiction and nonfiction texts are used throughout the course, and each unit is designed around a thematic concept to provide cohesiveness to the skills-based lessons and activities that make up the unit. The course intertwines the development of reading skills with the development of writing, speaking and listening, and language skills. Students can look forward to a course where the information is delivered in easyto-digest chunks using student-friendly language, with assessments that are tightly aligned to the concepts and skills learned in the lesson. The course design reflects educator feedback about student engagement by featuring a variety of interactions, videos, and new student resources, such as worksheets and guided notes. Educators were also involved with writing activities and worksheets for this course. English 9 with Augmented Reality v6.0 reflects our commitment to standards alignment and putting the needs of educators and students first in all aspects of course design. This course also includes Augmented Reality activities in partnership with Boulevard Arts. The AR activities in this course are designed to immerse students in their English Language Arts learning while providing access to famous works of art for cross-curricular learning purposes.
English 10 A/B
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.
English 11 A/B
English 11A explores the relation between American history and literature from the colonial period through the realism and naturalism eras. English 11B explores the relation between American history and literature from the modernist period through the contemporary era, and presents learners with relevant cultural and political history. Readings are scaffolded with pre-reading information, interactions, and activities to actively engage learners in the content. The lessons in both semesters focus on developing grammar, vocabulary, speech, and writing skills.
English 12 A/B
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.
Social Studies
Civics A/B
Interactive, problem-centered, and inquiry-based, each unit in Civics emphasizes the acquisition, mastery, and processing of information. Every unit features both factual and conceptual study questions, Instructional strategies include Socratic instruction, student-centered learning, and experiential learning. Topics covered range from Basic Concepts of Power and Authority and National Institutions of Government to analyses of society and citizenship.
Contemporary World A/B
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.
Economics
This course covers basic economic problems such as scarcity, choice, and effective use of resources. It also covers topics on a larger scale such as market structures and international trade. It particularly focuses on the US economy and analyzes the role of the government and the Federal Reserve System.
Michigan World History and Geography A/B
Michigan high school students taking this course will get a true survey of world history. Beginning with the study of early human societies and the invention of agriculture, this course takes the students on a journey through time, from ancient societies up through the modern era. This course employs many interactive features like maps and images with clickable hot spots that students can explore to get more information about things such as regions, cities, and geographical features on a map and artistic techniques and features in famous works of art. Best of all, this course is aligned to the Michigan state standards of learning and to the English Language Arts (ELA) Standards for History and Social Studies.
Middle School U.S. History A/B
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.
Middle School World History A/B
In Middle School World History, learners will study major historical world events from early human societies through to the present day. 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 year-long course. They will explore the development of early humans and early civilizations. They will be introduced to the origins of major world religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Also, learners will study the medieval period. Historical thinking and geography skills will be taught and utilized throughout the course.
U.S. Government
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.
U.S. History A/B
This course not only introduces students to early U.S. History, but it also provides them with an essential understanding of how to read, understand, and interpret history. For example, the first unit, The Historical Process, teaches reading and writing about history; gathering and interpreting historical sources; and analyzing historical information. While covering historical events from the founding events and principles of the United States through contemporary events, the course also promotes a cross-disciplinary understanding that promotes a holistic perspective of U.S. History.
World Geography A/B
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.
World History A/B
In World History, learners will explore historical world events with the help of innovative videos, timelines, and interactive maps and images. Learners will develop historical thinking skills and apply them to their study of European exploration, the Renaissance the Reformation, and major world revolutions. They will also study World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and the benefits and challenges of living in the modern world.
World History Survey A/B
In World History Survey, learners will study major historical events from early human societies through to the present day. 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 year-long course. Topics of study include early civilizations, world religions, the Renaissance, the World Wars, and the globalized world of today.
Science
Biology A/B
This inquiry- and 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 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: Most hands-on labs employ relatively-common household materials. A few labs require specialized scientific equipment or materials, such as a microscope, slides, or biological samples. These few specialized labs are optional but provide valuable laboratory experience. School laboratories may be used for these specialized labs or single-student Edmentum Lab Kits may be purchased from Ward's Science. Please refer to the Student Syllabus or Teacher's Guide for details on lab materials.
Biology with Virtual Labs A/B
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, 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 itemssuch as paper and a pencilif they choose.
Chemistry A/B
This inquiry- and lab-based course is designed to support modern science curriculum and teaching practices. It robustly meets NGSS learning standards associated with high school chemistry along with additional concepts and standards typically included in a full-year high school chemistry course. Content topics include aenergy toms and elements, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, quantitative chemistry, molecular-level forces, solutions, and energy and changes in matter.
It also addresses additional concepts and standards typically included in a full-year high school chemistry course, including molar concentrations, acidbase reactions, advanced stoichiometry, gas laws, and organic compounds. 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: Most hands-on labs employ relatively-common household materials. A few labs require specialized scientific equipment or materials, such as an electronic balance (0.01g), graduated cylinders, test tubes, and chemical reagents. These few specialized labs are optional but provide valuable laboratory experience. School laboratories may be used for these specialized labs or single-student Edmentum Lab Kits may be purchased from Ward's Science. Please refer to the Student Syllabus or Teacher's Guide for details on lab materials.
Earth and Space Science A/B
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.
High School Earth and Space Science A/B
This inquiry- and lab-based course is designed to support modern science curriculum and teaching practices. It robustly meets NGSS learning standards associated with high school Earth and space science. Content topics include scientific processes and methods, the universe, the Precambrian Earth, the Earth's materials and tectonics, the hydrosphere and atmosphere, and human interactions with the Earth's systems and resources.
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: Most hands-on labs employ relatively-common household materials. A few labs require specialized scientific equipment or materials, such as an electronic balance (0.01g), graduated cylinders, and a water testing kit. These few specialized labs are optional but provide valuable laboratory experience. School laboratories may be used for these specialized labs or single-student Edmentum Lab Kits may be purchased from Ward's Science. Please refer to the Student Syllabus or Teacher's Guide for details on lab materials.
Integrated Physics & Chemistry A/B
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 itemssuch as paper and a pencilif they choose.
Life Science A/B
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 life science. Content topics include cells and human body systems, structure and functions of living organisms, genes and adaptations, evolution, energy flow in ecosystems, and 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 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.
Physical Science A/B
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.
Physics A/B
Physics introduces students to the physics of motion, properties of matter, force, heat, vector, light, and sound. Students learn the history of physics from the discoveries of Galileo and Newton to those of contemporary physicists. The course focuses more on explanation than calculation and prepares students for introductory quantitative physics at the college level. Additional areas of discussion include gases and liquids, atoms, electricity, magnetism, and nuclear physics.
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 itemssuch as paper and a pencilif they choose.
Science 6 A/B
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.
Science 7 A/B
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 seventh-grade integrated science course (NGSS Appendix K: Modified Conceptual Progression Model, p. 19), focusing on cells, the life cycle, nutrition, chemical reactions, force fields, and energy. Content topics include cells and human body systems, the life cycle, nutrition and energy, chemical reactions, force fields, and energy.
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.
Science 8 A/B
This inquiry- and lab-based course is designed to support modern science curriculum and teaching practices. It robustly meets NGSS learning standards associated with an eighth-grade integrated science course (NGSS Appendix K: Modified Conceptual Progression Model, p. 19). Content topics include genes and adaptations, evolution, energy and the Earth, the Earth's changing climate, waves, and technology 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.