Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Series

Online PD Courses

Our courses align and comply with various national standards in the development and support of digital learning environments. All courses are university accredited and offer graduate credit in addition to PD clock hours. Certificates of completion are issued to teachers to use for re-licensure or recertification.

Teacher training courses align with the Learning Forward Standards for Professional Development guiding course content and design for optimal learning experience.
Educator training aligns with current National Standards for Quality Online Programs and the National Standards for Quality Online Teaching ensuring best practices in the development of digital learning environments.
All courses align with International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards for students, teachers, and teacher leaders.
iLC Signature PD courses are designed to be practical-based and to be delivered directly into practice

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Onsite and Virtual Workshops

iLearn Collaborative onsite and virtual workshops support your district and school goals and are tailored to your teachers’ specific learning needs. Participants will receive hands-on training in instructional best practices from expert learning facilitators. Ongoing training following our workshops is provided through iLC’s professional development courses and ongoing coaching.

Teacher Coaching

Our coaching model is student-centered and non-evaluative, taking the focus off the teacher and emphasizing how students can be supported to increase overall academic achievement. Available both in-person and virtually, our delivery will be customized to meet the needs of your school and staff and can include the following:

Thought partner
Data Analysis Support
Lesson Planning Support
Follow Up Coaching to support PD Trainings/Workshops
Modeling and Observations
Grade Level or Department Team Support
PLC Support

Leadership Support

We provide your school and district leaders with strategies to support teachers as they participate in a teacher-focused professional development process. Our coaching is aligned to a Thought Partnership model that allows leaders to reflect on their needs and the needs of their staff and strategize ways to best support them in effective implementation. Based on your school’s needs, the coaching can be conducted in one-on-one sessions and/or in leadership team sessions. Some examples of areas of support include:

Strategic Planning for Online and Blended Instructional Models
Online and Blended Educational Model support
Year-Over-Year Analysis
Implementation of District or School Improvement Plans
Leadership Training

Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA)

The iLearn Collaborative CNA process identifies current strengths and targets areas for growth in your school. Through a multi-step process, our consultants work with you to determine the root causes of challenges and compile a report to detail priorities, recommendations, and next steps.

Digital Learning Network

More information coming soon!

Terms & Conditions

Donation Refund Policy

We are grateful for your donation and support of our organization. If you have made an error in making your donation or change your mind about contributing to our organization please contact us. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your donation by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same credit card.

Automated Recurring Donation Cancellation

Ongoing support is important to enabling projects to continue their work, so we encourage donors to continue to contribute to projects over time. But if you must cancel your recurring donation, please notify us.

Privacy Policy

What Information Do We Collect? When you visit our website you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and website use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our website.
Personal Information You Choose to Provide We may request that you voluntarily supply us with personal information, including your email address, postal address, home or work telephone number and other personal information for such purposes as correspondence, placing an order, requesting an estimate, or participating in online surveys. If you choose to correspond with us through email, we may retain the content of your email messages together with your email address and our responses. We provide the same protections for these electronic communications that we employ in the maintenance of information received by mail and telephone.
Website Use Information Similar to other websites, our site may utilize a standard technology called “cookies” (see explanation below, “What Are Cookies?”) and web server logs to collect information about how our website is used. Information gathered through cookies and server logs may include the date and time of visits, the pages viewed, time spent at our website, and the sites visited just before and just after ours. This information is collected on an aggregate basis. None of this information is associated with you as an individual.
How Do We Use the Information That You Provide to Us? Broadly speaking, we use personal information for purposes of administering our business activities, providing service and support and making available other products and services to our customers and prospective customers. Occasionally, we may also use the information we collect to notify you about important changes to our website, new services and special offers we think you will find valuable. The lists used to send you product and service offers are developed and managed under our traditional standards designed to safeguard the security and privacy of all personal information provided by our users. You may at any time to notify us of your desire not to receive these offers.
What Are Cookies? Cookies are a feature of web browser software that allows web servers to recognize the computer used to access a website. Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored by a user’s web browser on the user’s hard drive. Cookies can remember what information a user accesses on one web page to simplify subsequent interactions with that website by the same user or to use the information to streamline the user’s transactions on related web pages. This makes it easier for a user to move from web page to web page and to complete commercial transactions over the Internet. Cookies should make your online experience easier and more personalized.
How Do We Use Information Collected From Cookies? We use website browser software tools such as cookies and web server logs to gather information about our website users’ browsing activities, in order to constantly improve our website and better serve our users. This information assists us to design and arrange our web pages in the most user-friendly manner and to continually improve our website to better meet the needs of our users and prospective users. Cookies help us collect important business and technical statistics. The information in the cookies lets us trace the paths followed by users to our website as they move from one page to another. Web server logs allow us to count how many people visit our website and evaluate our website’s visitor capacity. We do not use these technologies to capture your individual email address or any personally identifying information about you.
Notice of New Services and Changes Occasionally, we may use the information we collect to notify you about important changes to our website, new services and special offers we think you will find valuable. As a user of our website, you will be given the opportunity to notify us of your desire not to receive these offers by clicking on a response box when you receive such an offer or by sending us an email request.
How Do We Secure Information Transmissions? When you send confidential personal information to us on our website, a secure server software which we have licensed encrypts all information you input before it is sent to us. The information is scrambled en route and decoded once it reaches our website. Other email that you may send to us may not be secure unless we advise you that security measures will be in place prior to your transmitting the information. For that reason, we ask that you do not send confidential information such as Social Security, credit card, or account numbers to us through an unsecured email.
How Do We Protect Your Information? Information Security — We utilize encryption/security software to safeguard the confidentiality of personal information we collect from unauthorized access or disclosure and accidental loss, alteration or destruction. Evaluation of Information Protection Practices — Periodically, our operations and business practices are reviewed for compliance with organization policies and procedures governing the security, confidentiality and quality of our information. Employee Access, Training and Expectations — Our organization values, ethical standards, policies and practices are committed to the protection of user information. In general, our business practices limit employee access to confidential information, and limit the use and disclosure of such information to authorized persons, processes and transactions.
How Can You Access and Correct Your Information? You may request access to all your personally identifiable information that we collect online and maintain in our database by emailing us using the contact form provided to you within the site structure of our website.
Do We Disclose Information to Outside Parties? We may provide aggregate information about our customers, sales, website traffic patterns and related website information to our affiliates or reputable third parties, but this information will not include personally identifying data, except as otherwise provided in this privacy policy.
What About Legally Compelled Disclosure of Information? We may disclose information when legally compelled to do so, in other words, when we, in good faith, believe that the law requires it or for the protection of our legal rights.
Permission to Use of Materials The right to download and store or output the materials in our website is granted for the user’s personal use only, and materials may not be reproduced in any edited form. Any other reproduction, transmission, performance, display or editing of these materials by any means mechanical or electronic without our express written permission is strictly prohibited. Users wishing to obtain permission to reprint or reproduce any materials appearing on this site may contact us directly.

Child Development and Parenting

Term: 1 semester

Prerequisites: none

The Child Development/Parenting course provides students with knowledge about the physical, mental, emotional, and social growth and development of children from conception to adolescence. Course content typically includes topics such as prenatal and birth processes; responsibilities and difficulties of parenthood; fundamentals of children’s emotional and physical development; and the appropriate care of infants, toddlers, young children and school-aged children. Students interested in careers with children and/or psychology will find this class an excellent experience.

Computer Applications

Term: 1 semester

Prerequisites: none

Computer Applications Semester 1 is designed to familiarize students with computers and their applications. Students will learn the basics of Microsoft Office using focusing on word processing and the use of spreadsheets. Students will also learn how to validate information found on the Internet. The semester will finish with a look at Multimedia Presentations.

AP Calculus BC

Term: 1 Year

AP Calculus BC is roughly equivalent to both first and second semester college calculus courses and extends the content learned in AB to different types of equations and introduces the topic of sequences and series. The AP course covers topics in differential and integral calculus, including concepts and skills of limits, derivatives, definite integrals, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and series. The course teaches students to approach calculus concepts and problems when they are represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally, and to make connections among these representations. Students learn how to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and support conclusions.

AP Calculus AB

Term: 1 Year

Building enduring mathematical understanding requires understanding the why and how of mathematics in addition to mastering the necessary procedures and skills. To foster this deeper level of learning, AP Calculus AB is designed to develop mathematical knowledge conceptually, guiding you to connect topics and representations throughout the course and to apply strategies and techniques to accurately solve diverse types of problems.

AP Art History

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: none

Students explore a variety of topics including Prehistoric Art, the Art of the Ancient Near East, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Etruscan Art, Ancient Roman Art, Early Christian Art, Byzantine Art, Islamic and Medieval Art, Romanesque Art, Gothic Art, 14th Century Italian Art, The Renaissance, Baroque Art, The Enlightenment, Modernism, and Postmodern Art in preparation for the AP exam.

AP Environmental Science

Term: 1 Year

The AP Environmental Science course is the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science, through which students engage with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. The course requires that students identify and analyze natural and human-made environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary, embracing topics from geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.

AP Physics 1

Term: 1 Year

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits.

World History

Course Length: 1 Year

Students will spend two semesters exploring the history of the world through a variety of perspectives. Students will discover how ancient civilizations continue to impact the world they live in today, analyze how empires rose and fell through time, learn about the effects of revolutions of the past and present, and take a close look at the modern era of globalization. Throughout the course, students will be exposed to different perspectives of history. They will gain an understanding of how historians interpret history, the sources they use, and how that process can change our view of the past and the present.

World Geography

Term: 1 Year

This course addresses the Five Themes of Geography. Through exploration of location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region, students will examine processes and events that have influenced population, settlement, culture, natural resources and the impact of the relationship between humans and the environment. Using geographic tools, students will analyze data, evaluate sources and data using diverse viewpoints, hypothesize, draw conclusions, and analyze issues of human and physical Geography.

World Area Studies: Eastern Hemisphere (7th grade social studies)

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: None

Students will explore the geography of the Eastern Hemisphere by first exploring the past and developing civilizations. They will then learn about different governmental systems and how citizens’ responsibilities and freedoms differ between each system. Next students will explore resources, and how and why those resources are traded between countries. Lastly, students will learn about globalization and how different countries interact culturally and politically. All the while, students will compare the Eastern Hemisphere with their own cultures and political systems here in the United States.

World Area Studies: Western Hemisphere - 6th Grade

Term: 1 Year

Students will spend two semesters exploring the history and geography of the early civilizations of the Western Hemisphere through a variety of perspectives. Students will discover how ancient civilizations continue to impact the world they live in today, analyze how empires rose and fell through time, learn about the effects of revolutions of the past and present, and take a close look at the modern era of globalization. Throughout the course, students will be exposed to different perspectives of history and geography. They will gain an understanding of how historians interpret history, the sources they use, and how that process can change our view of the past and the present.

Web Page Design (MS)

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: none

Web Page Design courses teach students how to design websites by introducing them to and refining their knowledge of site planning, page layout, graphic design, and the use of markup languages—such as Extensible Hypertext Markup, JavaScript, Dynamic HTML, and Document Object Model—to develop and maintain a web page. These courses may also cover security and privacy issues, copyright infringement, trademarks, and other legal issues relating to the use of the Internet. Advanced topics may include the use of forms and scripts for database access, transfer methods, and networking fundamentals.

Web Page Design (HS)

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: none

Web Page Design courses teach students how to design web sites by introducing them to and refining their knowledge of site planning, page layout, graphic design, and the use of markup languages—such as Extensible Hypertext Markup, JavaScript, Dynamic HTML, and Document Object Model—to develop and maintain a web page. These courses may also cover security and privacy issues, copyright infringement, trademarks, and other legal issues relating to the use of the Internet. Advanced topics may include the use of forms and scripts for database access, transfer methods, and networking fundamentals.

Visual Arts (MS)

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: none

Students explore a variety of topics including the elements and principles of art, digital painting, the works of various artists, careers in the arts, sketching and drawing methods, the process of critiquing art, and photography.

Spanish III (HS)

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Spanish II

Spanish 3 focuses on the past, future and compound tenses, vocabulary usage and contextual comprehension is essential. This course builds upon fundamentals learned and master in Spanish I. The same emphasis that Spanish I and 2 had in pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, useful phrases and the ability to understand read, write, listen and speak simple Spanish will continue in this course. Also, this course will continue and further explore the cultural exposure to the wonders found in the Spanish world.

Spanish II (HS)

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Spanish I

Through thematic units, students will expand their skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Students will develop a functional command of words and phrases that deal with immediate needs and common everyday situations or while traveling in limited situations. Students will demonstrate comprehension of simple questions and statements about various topics. The content expansion includes the use of familiar words and phrases applicable with common commands, frequent instructions, and courtesy interchanges. Students will be able to recognize and properly use present and past tense grammar structures.

Spanish I (HS)

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: None

Designed to introduce students to Spanish language and culture, Spanish I courses emphasize basic grammar and syntax, simple vocabulary, and the spoken accent so that students can read, write, speak, and understand the language at a basic level within predictable areas of need, using customary courtesies and conventions. Spanish culture is introduced through the art, literature, customs, and history of Spanish-speaking people.

Science 8

Term: 1 Year

Students explore conservation of mass and energy, energy transfers and transformations, the physics of force and motion, the physics of light and waves, space, seasons, weather and climate, ecosystems, variation and genetic diversity . This course meets the Colorado State Standards for middle school science. Laboratory exercises include virtual simulations and hands on experiences with household items.

Science 7

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: None

Students explore a variety of topics including Basic Chemistry, Human Biology, Physiology, Adaptive Sciences, Geologic History, Plate Tectonics, and Healthy Decision Making. Laboratory exercises include virtual simulations and hands-on experiences with household items. It is recommended that students have access to a webcam to complete course projects.

Songwriting and Composition (HS)

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: none

Students explore a variety of topics including, but not limited to: the elements of music, music notation and recording programs online, and lyric writing. Students will create and share original compositions. Students must be able to download the online software to complete course projects. It may also be helpful to have headphones or earbuds, and access to a printer.

Russian II

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Russian I

Designed to develop a student’s knowledge of Russian language and culture, the emphasis in this course is on learning more advanced language structure and vocabulary, in addition to gaining more experience in reading, writing and speaking Russian. Russian culture is discussed through art, music, literature, customs, and history of Russian-speaking people.

Russian I

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: none

Designed to introduce students to Russian language and culture, the emphasis in this course is on learning basic language structure and vocabulary, in addition to gaining experience in reading, writing and speaking Russian. Russian culture is introduced through art, literature, customs, and history of Russian-speaking people.

Recreational Sports

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: None

Colorado has an abundant number of outdoor recreational opportunities available including hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, mountaineering, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and more. In addition to learning about and/or participating in some of these activities, this course is designed to give students the knowledge and skills to participate safely.

Psychology

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: None

Due to the complexity of modern society and the many options facing each individual, students can use knowledge of psychology to better understand themselves and their relationship to others. Through a study of psychology, students will learn to maximize their full potential, make appropriate decisions based on self-awareness, and better cope with life situations. This course meets Colorado Academic Standards for Social Studies.

PreCalculus/Trigonometry

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Algebra II

This course meets the Colorado State Standards for Mathematics. Throughout the course students will develop and apply the following advanced Algebra and Trigonometry skills: Functions and Systems, Polynomials and Rational Functions, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, Conic Sections, Trigonometry, Parametric and Polar Graphs, and Their Equations, Vectors and Matrices, and Sequences and Series.

Physics

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra I, Earth Science and Biology.

Physics courses involve the study of the forces and laws of nature affecting matter, such as equilibrium, motion, momentum, and the relationships between matter and energy. The study of physics includes an examination of sound, light, and magnetic and electric phenomena.

Psychology

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: None

Due to the complexity of modern society and the many options facing each individual, students can use knowledge of psychology to better understand themselves and their relationship to others. Through a study of psychology, students will learn to maximize their full potential, make appropriate decisions based on self-awareness, and better cope with life situations. This course meets Colorado Academic Standards for Social Studies.

PreCalculus/Trigonometry

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Algebra II

This course meets the Colorado State Standards for Mathematics. Throughout the course students will develop and apply the following advanced Algebra and Trigonometry skills: Functions and Systems, Polynomials and Rational Functions, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, Conic Sections, Trigonometry, Parametric and Polar Graphs, and Their Equations, Vectors and Matrices, and Sequences and Series.

Physics

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra I, Earth Science and Biology.

Physics courses involve the study of the forces and laws of nature affecting matter, such as equilibrium, motion, momentum, and the relationships between matter and energy. The study of physics includes an examination of sound, light, and magnetic and electric phenomena.

Philosophy

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: none

Students will spend the semester discovering the beginning concepts of philosophy and evaluating their own personal philosophy. The course begins by defining philosophy and developing a base for philosophical argument. Students then explore various branches of philosophy such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, aesthetics, religious philosophy, Eastern thought, and social and political philosophy. As students develop their knowledge around these topics, they regularly check in with their own philosophical beliefs. By the end of the semester, students are able to articulate a personal philosophy based on the ideas and concepts of the course and of famous philosophers before them.

Music History and Appreciation (MS)

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: none

Students explore a variety of topics including, but not limited to: the elements of music, the history of Western classical music, music of the Americas, and world music. This course includes an extensive listening list covering a wide variety of music, as well as giving students opportunities to show understanding of basic musical elements and the ability to compare/contrast music of differing genres and describe music using musical terminology. It is recommended that students have access to headphones or earbuds in order to complete this course.

Music History

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: none

Students explore a brief overview of the history of western classical music, as well as an in-depth look at the music of the Americas throughout history including, but not limited to: Native American music, the American Songbook, Country, Pop, Rock, Jazz, and Hip-Hop. There is an extensive listening component to this course as students will be exposed to many different types and genres of music and will need to describe and compare/contrast what they hear.. It is recommended that students have access to headphones or earbuds for this course.

Modern US History

Term: 1 Year

This course addresses the social, economic, political, and military aspects of the United States from the Progressive Era (1890’s) to the present. Through exploration of recurring American issues and significant themes, students will examine contacts and exchanges among groups and cultures and how these have influenced American perspectives. Using important events, students will formulate historical questions, evaluate sources and data using diverse viewpoints, hypothesize, draw conclusions, and analyze issues of the American experience.

Math 8/Pre-Algebra

Term: 1 Year

This course prepares students for the year long Algebra 1 course in high school. The focus of this course is building the foundation necessary for success in the study of Algebra. The instruction will concentrate on the number system, expressions and equations, functions, algebra-based geometry, and an introduction to bi-variate statistics.

Math 7

Term: 1 Year

Students will learn a variety of topics including proportional reasoning, expressions and equations, probability and statistics, and geometry. This course uses a combination of exploration, direct instruction, group discussion, and projects to address the needs of different learners. The topics in this course meet the Colorado State Standards for Grade 7 Mathematics.

Marine Biology

Term: 1 Semester

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Earth Science or Biology, and concurrently enrolled in the one not taken as a 9th grader if you are 10th grader.

A Marine Biology course is a laboratory-based exploration of the oceans and the marine ecosystems found in them. They explore the biology of the marine organisms, topography, chemistry, diversity and resources found in the ocean.

Lifetime Fitness for Middle School

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: none

Lifetime Fitness has two components; online learning as well as exercise geared for lifetime physical fitness. During the online learning, you’ll acquire the skills, habits and knowledge necessary for lifelong fitness. Topics include: Physical Activity Pyramid, principles of physical fitness and self-management skills. During the exercise component, you’ll engage in regular physical activity, as well as create and carry out a personalized fitness plan.

Lifetime Fitness -High School

Term: 1 Semester

Lifetime Fitness is a comprehensive PE course designed for general education student’s in high school. Lifetime Fitness (PE) build the skills they need to protect, enhance, and promote their own fitness and the health of others.

Life Management

Term: 1 semester

Prerequisite: none

Students in Life Management will demonstrate problem-solving, communication skills, computation/estimation, career choice, paycheck management and decision making skills for living on their own. Students will apply knowledge to real-world situations like managing resources and finances, paying bills, using credit, applying for loans, selecting apartments and cars, and balancing checkbooks to meet their short and long term goals. Becoming an effective consumer will be emphasized. In addition, topics covered may include investment planning, taxes, personal wellness, and time management.

Journalism

Term: 1 Year

Journalism is a semester course designed for students interested in newspaper journalism and developing their skills as a writer. The course explores the contemporary media and the ethical responsibility issues inherent in the press today. Students will learn the fundamentals of news, feature, and editorial writing. Copy reading, news style and editing will be stressed. Students will create numerous original stories using varied structures and writing techniques. Much of the course will focus on the students developing and improving their writing in a variety of styles and formats. Voice, tone, syntax, vocabulary, structure, and editing techniques will all be addressed.

Introduction to Foods and Nutrition

Length: 1 semester

Prerequisites: none

In this course, students will have an introduction to the basic principles of nutrition, wellness, and food preparation. The course will be focusing on healthy food and lifestyle choices. The overall goal is to enhance student knowledge of food choices and help students improve their daily choices.

Health

Term: 1 semester

Health is a semester long course earning students .5 credits while addressing the Colorado Health Education Standards: Physical & Personal Wellness, Emotional and Social Wellness, Prevention & Risk Management. Students will explore health as a holistic concept and the interconnection between one’s mental, social, physical and emotional health and others. Students will learn how to set personal goals. They will learn to evaluate and analyze situations and resources to help make healthy decisions in regards to lifelong health and wellness. They will analyze their current diets and the many influences on food choice. Students will explore healthy relationships. They will address the consequences and effects of use/non-use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Students will also work on communication and refusal skills in relationship to personal safety and violence prevention and awareness. Students will be assessed in a variety of modes including: self-checks/reflections, interactive quizzes, projects, exams, written assignments and participation in classroom discussions.

Geometry

Term: 1 Year

Throughout this course, students will apply algebraic concepts to two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometric shapes. Students will use inductive and deductive reasoning to solve real-world problems and prove geometric relationships. Students will perform geometric constructions and use geometric constructions to solve problems. This course meets the Colorado State Standards for Mathematics with an emphasis on Standard 4: Shape, Dimension, and Geometric Relationships.

Forensic Science

Course Length: 1 Year

Prerequisites: none

This course explores the skills necessary to solve a crime scene utilizing the knowledge acquired in fieldwork, laboratory evaluation, and medical science. Participants will evaluate evidence such as DNA, blood and body fluids, and hair and tissue fibers as well as study processes such as fingerprint testing. By the end of the course, participants will incorporate knowledge from Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science to examine and evaluate a final crime scene and submit a project. Forensics meets the Colorado State Standards and follows the BSCS 5E model as a best practice for instruction.

Event Training

Course Length: 1 semester

Prerequisites: none

Students will analyze their current fitness, learn how to create and follow through with a training plan and the importance of nutrition in sports. They will learn the risks of inactivity and learn how to manage stress. Through daily exercise, they will build up to their final assessment which will be the completion of a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, triathlon or other organized sporting events.

English 12

Term: 1 Year

English/Language Arts 12 blends and combines purposes, patterns, and genres in writing while incorporating research and rhetoric techniques. Collaboration and critical thinking lead to more complex presentations and products with students honing their comprehension skills while reading more complicated literary and nonfiction texts.

English 11

Term: 1 year

English 11 is a year-long course that emphasizes the development of an academic persona to further students skills in reading, writing, analyzing, interpreting, viewing, synthesizing, and presenting. The students will explore a variety of strategies to effectively interpret, evaluate, and synthesize meaning through analyzing various literary theories throughout several time periods with the purpose of creating more sophisticated readers, thinkers, and writers. Students will analyze texts and media for advanced rhetorical strategies, fallacies, logic, and arrangement to eventually apply to national issues using each of these devices through written and oral presentations. Using advanced and sophisticated strategies in premises, purposes, and propositions in a variety of works, students will analyze and implement argumentation methods by justifying and documenting evidence and presenting the arguments effectively to an authentic audience. The development of sophisticated interpreters, readers, writers, and oral conveyors is emphasized throughout the course.

English 10

Term: 1 year

English 10 is a year-long course that emphasizes the fundamental language skills of reading, writing, thinking, viewing, and presenting. An emphasis on vocabulary and composition skills is an on-going part of the class. Students refine their skills of written expression by writing compare contrast, literary analysis, research, persuasive, and narrative essays. Students analyze important themes in classic and modern works of various literary genres including short story, novel, and non-fiction. Topics include author’s purpose and perspective, exploration of human motives and conflicts, the study of figurative, connotative, and technical vocabulary in context, literary devices, and the art of persuasion. The development of critical reading and writing skills is a major emphasis of the course.

English 9

Term: 1 Year

English 9 is a course where students will build a strong base of knowledge that much of their high school education will be founded upon. In this course, students will be challenged through a variety of tasks, which incorporate the five aspects of an English classroom: reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing. This course follows the CAP curriculum for all 9th graders in the Jefferson County Public Schools. The goal of this course is to increase students’ cognitive understanding and critical thinking skills. This goal will be met through the rigor and sophistication of the lessons and activities, the challenging assessments, and the complex texts and materials that the students will be exposed to during this course. Students will study both reading and writing in depth through numerous genres and lenses, they will study and experience diverse interests, cultures, perspectives, learning styles, and how intelligence is cultivated in higher level critical and creative thinking skills such as interpretation, problem-solving, and investigation. Students will develop these skills through inquiry-based activities and by exploring the text not only through a world-view lens but also through a critical/investigative lens. Students are asked to dig beneath the surface to focus on the how and why something happens the way it does. Through leveled questions and engaging discussions, students will build skills that assist them in deciphering a topic and communicating their understanding not only through their writing but also through speaking and discussion with classmates.

English 8

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: none

English 8 is a course where students will build a strong base of knowledge that much of their future high school education will be founded upon. In this course students will be challenged through a variety of tasks, which incorporate the five aspects of an English classroom: reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing. The goal of this course is to increase students’ cognitive understanding and critical thinking skills. This goal will be met through the rigor and sophistication of the lessons and activities, the challenging assessments, and the complex texts and materials that the students will be exposed to during this course.

Economics

Term: 1 Semester

This is a general economics course. The course allows the students to understand key economic concepts. The students will also analyze typical economic questions in the context of the everyday life of a young person. The course materials will provide all students exposure to key economic concepts and help build understanding of the relevance of economics in everyday life. Unit concepts include: scarcity and abundance; supply and demand; consumer and the firm; consumer vs. the firm; the national economy; and the tax and cost of living.

Earth Science

Term: 1 Year

Students explore a variety of topics including astronomy, geologic history, tectonics, surface interactions, natural resources, climate, meteorology and cumulates with the study of natural hazards. This course meets the Colorado State Standards for Earth Systems Science and follows the BSCS 5E model as a best practice of instruction. Laboratory exercises include virtual simulations and hands on experiences with household items. It is recommended that students have access to a webcam and microphone to complete course projects.

Early US History (8th grade social studies)

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: none

Students journey through the history of our nation from the early days of the American Revolution through the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Students will develop skills in reading, writing, research, and thinking like a historian as they explore primary and secondary sources to learn the events that moved the United States through these eras. This course meets the Colorado State Standards for Social Studies.

Digital Photography

Term: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: none

Students will learn the basic digital camera techniques needed to create fine art photography. These include camera usage, camera techniques, planning, and evaluation. They will participate in critiques of student work. Students will also learn about the history of photography. Basic photo editing and image manipulation will be introduced. Students will be using online editing software during this class. Student assignments will meet the established standards for art education at the district, state, and national levels.

Creative Art

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: none

This class is designed to inspire your creativity while learning how to explore several different visual art mediums. This includes drawing, painting, art history, digital art, 3D art, and mix media. Over the semester, students will acquire skills in creating their own artwork. This course is designed to enhance the development of visual art abilities through expression, process analytical and critical thinking while learning visually.

Computer Graphics: Production Design

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: none

Students will actively learn about the field of Computer Graphics, creating works of art that focus on communication and composition using a variety of digital art making tools. Students will develop art vocabulary and apply this into a series of projects and critiques. Art assignments will include logo design, photo manipulation, digital painting, poster design, and more. An emphasis on the principles of design and elements of art as they relate to computer graphics will be integrated throughout the course. Art history and research will also be pertinent aspects of the class, providing students with depth and breadth of knowledge.

Computer Applications Semester 2

Term: 1 semester

Prerequisites: none

Computer Applications Semester 2 is designed to take students deeper into the use of computer applications. During this semester students will learn to write code using CodeAcademy. They will learn to create web pages using Kompozer. Students will take a brief look at computer graphics using Pixlr. Students will also learn to create a computer video game using Scratch. The semester will end with another look at coding using Code.org.

Civics

Term: 1 Semester

All students will be future members of a democracy that can only exist with citizen participation. A strong foundation in the principles of American civics, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, is necessary to produce informed citizens capable of making responsible decisions and voting. As per the Colorado Academic Standards, this course provides a knowledge of the rules, rights, and responsibilities of citizens that helps to create a common political culture that furthers American ideals of democracy and equality. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Civil Government graduation requirement.

Chemistry

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Algebra 1

Chemistry involves studying the composition, properties, and reactions of substances. These courses typically explore such concepts as the behaviors of solids, liquids, and gases; acid/base and oxidation/reduction reactions; and atomic structure. Chemical formulas and equations and nuclear reactions are also studied.

Career Exploration for Middle School

Term: 1 semester

Prerequisites: none

Career Exploration courses help students identify and evaluate personal goals, priorities, aptitudes, and interests with the goal of helping them make informed decisions about their careers. The courses expose students to various sources of information on career and training options and may also assist them in developing job search and employ-ability skills.

Career Exploration

Term: 1 Semester

Career Exploration will help you identify and evaluate personal goals, priorities, aptitudes, and interests with the goal of helping you make informed decisions about potential careers. You will be exposed to various sources of information on career and training options. This course will help assist you in developing job search and employ-ability skills such as: interviewing, completing job applications, and the development of a resume and cover letter. You will also learn the skills needed to retain employment and seek advancement. Money management and communication skills will also be covered.

Calculus II

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: Calculus I or AP Calculus AB

The second of a three-semester sequence (MATH 1401, 2411, 2421) in Calculus. This mathematics course also fulfills the CORE University requirement for mathematics. The topics include exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, techniques of integration, indeterminate forms, improper integrals, sequences, infinite series, and polar calculus. Applications are emphasized. This course is designed to build upon beginning integration techniques developed in Calculus I and lead toward the use of integration in several different applications and settings. Theory is also emphasized particularly within the study of sequences and infinite series.

Biology

Term: 1 Year

Over the course of the year Biology will cover the characteristics of living things and life processes. Semesters 1 and 2 include cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, microorganisms, fungi, plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, and physiology.

Algebra 2

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry

This course meets the Colorado State Standards for Mathematics. Throughout the course students will develop and apply the following advanced Algebra skills: Functions, Systems and Transformations, Complex Numbers Through Quadratics, Polynomial Functions and Equations, Rational Exponents and Radical Functions, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, Trigonometric Ratios and Functions, Statistics and Data Analysis and Rational Functions.

Anthropology

Course Length: 1 Semester

Prerequisites: none

Students discover the world of anthropology from a variety of perspectives. Students will learn about the career paths, tools, and methods of anthropologists, archaeologists, and forensic scientists. The first half of the semester will focus primarily on Physical Anthropology, exploring the world of archaeology and ancient civilizations. The second half of the course focuses on Cultural Anthropology and students will then have the chance to learn about the diverse cultures of the world.

Algebra 1

Term: 1 Year

Prerequisites: Pre-Algebra

Students will use reasoning around previously learned content to solve problems while providing models to justify their solutions. Students will apply reasoning to real world problems and make connections between content. Topics covered in this course including linear equations and inequalities, functions, systems of equations, polynomials and quadratics, exponential growth and decay, and radical functions.