Latin School of Chicago

Middle and Upper Schools Curriculum Guide 2019-20

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The English program is designed to encourage students' love for the language, develop their command of reading and writing and increase their confidence and pleasure in expressing themselves. The faculty seeks to refine students' literary, critical and argumentative analysis while fostering an appreciation of the art of poetry, fiction and nonfiction. The curriculum is designed to help students articulate their responses to literature and their perceptions of themselves and their world. 9 TH GR ADE Introduces literary genres. Students read stories, novels, poems, plays and essays by writers from diverse backgrounds. e course hones critical reading, writing and speaking skills through essays, creative assignments and lively discussions. 10 TH GR ADE A global literature course, which emphasizes close reading as well as analytical, personal and creative writing. Each student selects a literature elective on a region, such as Africa, Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, Latin America, or the Middle East. 11 TH GR ADE Explores American culture and literature. Each student chooses an American literature elective, but every class covers the same core skills. Electives: American Civilization, American Seeker, e New Americans, Silenced America 12 TH GR ADE Electives: Black Voices, Creative Writing Seminar, Disenchantment and Fantasy Literature, Great Novellas, LGBTQ+ Literature, e Meaning of Life, Mexican American Literature, Modern and Contemporary Poetry, e Places You'll Go, Poetry and Flash Fiction Writing, Punching the Clock, Shakespeare, Writer's Workshop, Wonder When You'll Miss Me The history and social studies program helps students become active and informed citizens. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to: (1) understand how the connection of personal, local, national and global phenomena produce patterns of change; (2) articulate informed opinions; (3) recognize how aspects of culture and identity combine and conflict to produce unique civilizations over time. Students become critical thinkers and hone their research, writing and communication skills. 9 TH GR ADE Global Studies: Networks, Hierarchy, and Culture — Students analyze the sources of historical change, including the interaction of hierarchies and networks. ey examine the formation of agricultural and urban communities, the explosion of Axial Age civilizations, and — in the modern world — the expansion of colonialism and global spread of revolution. Skills development is focused around the reading and writing process, self-assessments and faculty feedback and documenting their growth in an e-portfolio. 10 TH GR ADE Global studies courses are designed to help students understand the contemporary world, its critical issues, and some of the factors and events that molded it. Semester electives include: World Religions, Nazi Mind, Global Art and Culture, Russian Revolutions, Latin American Revolutions, What is Race?, Spice, Middle East, Modern China, Human Rights and International Law (Students in grade 12 may choose to take these courses with departmental permission.) 11 TH –12 TH GR ADES Electives: United States Social History, Honors United States History and Historiography, Honors American Civilization, Honors European History, Economics, Honors American Politics, Honors Comparative and Global Politics, AP Psychology, Genocide and Human Rights (GOA*), Logic, Rhetoric, and Ethics, International Macroeconomics (GOA), Intro to Psychology (GOA), 9/11 in a Global Context (GOA), Abnormal Psychology (GOA), Comparative Religions (GOA), Gender Studies (GOA). *Global Online Academy Students enter the upper school mathematics program with different levels of preparedness. To best meet the needs of these differing learning styles and abilities, regular, honors and AP levels of certain math courses are offered. Upper school students must complete three credits, including Algebra 2 and Geometry. 9 TH –12 TH GR ADES Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2, Geometry, Honors Geometry, Precalculus, Honors Precalculus, Accelerated Honors Precalculus and Honors Differential Calculus, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Honors Multivariable Calculus, AP Statistics 10 TH –12 TH GR ADES Electives: Advanced Geometry, Probability, Statistics: Graphical Display of Data, Statistics: Hypothesis Testing, Finance & Math 1, Finance & Math 2, Chicago Social Justice in Action, Advanced Topics The upper school science program focuses the attention of the students on the key concepts of science and stresses the processes of science. Through hands- on lab work, traditional and multimedia lectures and group discussion, students develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Students must successfully complete three years of science study, including one year each of: Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Electives are generally open to students in grade 11–12. 9 TH GR ADE Physics, Honors Physics 10 TH GR ADE Chemistry, Honors Chemistry 11 TH –12 TH GR ADES Biology, Honors Biology, Honors Advanced Biology; Genetics and Evolution, Honors Advanced Biology; Ecology and Evolution, AP Chemistry, Physics 2, AP Physics C, Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 & 2, Medicinal Chemistry 1 & 2, Neuropsychology, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Stellar Astronomy, Cosmology The upper school language department offers proficiency-based programs in French, Latin, Mandarin and Spanish. Students must successfully complete a minimum of three consecutive years of a language. Students can take a second language as an elective. The classroom experience is grounded in the three modes of communication (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational) for modern languages. French, Mandarin and Spanish classes are conducted in the target language, use realia, and students utilize their language skills in a variety of real-life situations. Through the Latin curriculum students develop reading proficiency. All languages offer opportunities abroad. 9 TH –12 TH GR ADES Latin: Novice, Intermediate Mid, Intermediate High, Advanced Low, Advanced Mid, Advanced High, Superior French: Novice, Novice High, Intermediate Low, Intermediate Mid, Intermediate High, French Language and Culture, French Literature Mandarin: Novice, Novice High, Intermediate Low, Intermediate Mid, Intermediate High Spanish: Novice, Novice High, Intermediate Low, Intermediate Mid, Intermediate High, Literature, Language and Culture and Spanish for Heritage speakers. The mission of the physical education program is to help students achieve active and healthy lives and benefit from positive outcomes associated with good health. Ninth grade students are enrolled in PE during the first or second semester as part of their Wellness block; students in grades 10 –12 must earn the remaining four quarters of credit (three-sport athletes in grades 10 –12 are exempt from the PE requirement and seasonal athletes are required to only take PE during the off- season if needed). 9 TH GR ADE Lifetime Fitness and Nutrition, Hatha Yoga, Dance, Lifetime Sport and Activity 10 TH –12 TH GR ADES Yoga/Pilates, Fitness Training, Lifetime Sport and Fitness, Dance, Lifeguarding Athletics: Students will earn .25 PE credit per season ISP: Students may qualify for an Independent Study if applicable and approved by the department. Music, Theater, Dance, Movement The performing arts program promotes success in a nurturing environment that helps students develop self-esteem, gives them freedom to learn from artistic risks and encourages them to take pride in their accomplishments. Students have many opportunities to share their art with others through public concerts, plays and presentations. 9 TH –12 TH GR ADES Acting Company, Chorus, Improv Company, Speech, Stagecraft, Band, Chicago Dance, Dance Technique, Dance Company, Dance Making, Dance Mentorship 10 TH –12 TH GR ADES Intermediate Acting Company, Intermediate Improv, Advanced Improv, Playwriting/Directing, Intro to Music Technology, Music eory 11 TH –12 TH GR ADES Advanced Acting Company, Independent Study The visual arts department believes that the best way to learn artistic values is to create art. The study of aesthetics, technique and history plays a vital part in learning to work analytically to solve problems, to respect others' forms of expression and to interact in group efforts. Learning about the art of others builds art appreciation. Creating their own work gives students the opportunity to both appreciate the process of art making and personalize their own expressive voice, choice and individual interests. Students share their art with others through exhibits, publications and presentations. 9 TH GR ADES Global Studies Visual Arts (Required) Architectural Drafting and Design (CAD), Computer Graphic Design, Digital Image Making, Digital Visual Arts, Filmmaking, Drawing 1 & 2, Fashion Design, Painting Studio, Photography, Advanced Photography: Digital, Printmaking, Observational Painting, Sculpture 1 10 TH –12 TH GR ADES Modern Art History, Painting 2, Sculpture 2, Independent Study 11 TH –12 TH GR ADES AP Art Studio Our multi-faceted global education program enables Latin students to become globally aware and understand the interconnection of cultures; embrace differences and show empathy that reaches beyond national boundaries. Nurtured in the classroom and through a rich variety of co-curriculars, students' global competencies are enhanced by Project Week and a Global Experience Program that focuses on exchange opportunities, language immersion programs and international partnerships. Students in the computer science program explore the many aspects of computer science and apply this knowledge to projects of their own design. The two semester long Computer Science Principles sequence explores the foundational principles of computer science, focusing on how computers and programming are used as tools for problem-solving, creation and innovation. Later semester electives introduce students to theoretical and practical applications of these concepts. Coursework is heavily project-based and students solve complex computing problems, analyze and manipulate data and design interactive applications. 9 TH –12 TH GR ADES Computer Science Principles I, Computer Science Principles II, Honors Advanced Programming, Web Application Development, Modern Computing: NAND to Tetris, Algorithms and Data Structures Service learning is critical in teaching students an awareness of the world outside themselves and the needs of others. Our JK–12 program is based on the tenets of empathy, awareness and action. In the upper school, service learning is a graduation requirement. Ninth grade students must complete ten hours and eleventh grade students must complete 20 hours of service during the school year. Latin students regularly volunteer with up to 70 different organizations in Chicago. A significant number of those are relationships the school has developed through its Uptown Community Partnership. Last year, upper school students completed about 8,000 hours of community service, more than half of them in Uptown. The upper school library program is focused on building students' information literacy skills. Students have opportunities to practice information access, evaluation, appreciation and creation through programming and integrated instruction. The library is available for students as a collaborative study space and its multi-format resources are used by community members for both formal and informal learning. College counseling is an integrated and personal process for all students at Latin. Counselors meet with students individually, lead tenth and eleventh grade college classes and conduct grade-level meetings and conferences with families. All Latin students learn to collect reliable information, plan for standardized testing, organize applications, present themselves to college representatives and write personal essays for applications. College counselors also work with faculty and advisers to insure that students and faculty are receiving accurate and timely information about college planning. 9 TH GR ADE Grade-level meetings with students and parents to answer questions about what to expect for the college process. 10 TH GR ADE Parents are introduced to the college process at Latin in detail and the tenth grade class meets with the college counselors at least once per semester. All Latin tenth grade students take a diagnostic standardized test to prepare for eleventh grade. 11 TH GR ADE Mandatory classes offered by the college counseling office help students understand the current college landscape; research skills and learning to articulate their own personal interests and choices are large themes. Individual and family college meetings are mandatory. All Latin eleventh grade students take the PSAT and Latin offers its own test-prep elective. 12 TH GR ADE Individual counseling with students and families continues as well as scheduled college classes. Counselors assist with essays, applications, and presentation skills. Latin hosts over 130 college representatives and counselors also help students investigate financial support, gap years and choose colleges in the spring. The upper school learning resources office supports students in becoming successful, independent learners and strong self-advocates. Learning Resources directs students to the full range of school-based resources at Latin in support of that goal. The office directly works with students who are diagnosed with learning differences, though it is available to all Upper School students. Students may independently seek support from Learning Resources, but faculty, staff or families may also refer students. Among its specific functions, learning resources consults with administrators, teachers and families and serves as a liaison with independent diagnosticians, therapists and tutors. In the short term, if desired by a student, the learning specialists can provide support in such areas as organization and time management, note-taking, reading comprehension and learning and study strategies. For students requiring longer-term support or course-specific assistance, the learning specialist can facilitate content-based support from the student's teacher and, if necessary, outside support. Counselors offer assistance to students who may be experiencing psychological stress, social difficulties and acute crisis, or are participating in high-risk behaviors. Any student or family member may request to be referred to one of the counselors, who will work collaboratively with families to develop the best plan to address that student's needs. Latin's counselors offer an open and accepting environment in which each student is treated with care while promoting respect for diversity, equity and inclusion. Counselors teach in the affective ed program as well as provide programs around social and emotional wellness for students and families throughout the year. PERFORMING ARTS SCIENCE LANGUAGES HISTORY & SOCIAL STUDIES MATHEMATICS ENGLISH 9 TH GRADE 10 TH GRADE 11 TH GRADE 12 TH GRADE PHYSICAL EDUCATION VISUAL ARTS GLOBAL INITIATIVES COMPUTER SCIENCE SERVICE LEARNING LIBRARY COLLEGE COUNSELING COUNSELING LEARNING RESOURCES Upper School 2019/2020 CURRICULUM MAP Questions? Visit www.latinschool.org, or email us at info@latinschool.org

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