Program of Studies

SCIENCE

Physics
In this course, students will gain an understanding of the basic principles of matter :

speed/velocity acceleration force Newton’s laws of motion and gravity the laws of conservation of energy and momentum the principles of heat, energy and heat transfer the laws governing the movement and behavior of longitudinal and transverse energy waves concepts related to electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism the principles governing the electromagnetic spectrum

Students will gain access to this content while concomitantly honing their reading comprehension, written expression, communication, advocacy, and team building skills. This course is structured with performance tasks designed with the principles of Universal Learning and Multiple Intelligences in mind. Some examples are :

multisensory lessons group discussion/brainstorming sessions cooperative and individual written and/or art assignments kinesthetic laboratory investigations/demonstrations met linguistic awareness activities computer projects (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Front Page, Publisher), and explicit mnemonic strategy instruction

Biology
In this course, students will gain an understanding of the geological time scale, the origin of Life on Earth, spontaneous generation, the process of fossilization and radioactive dating, evolution, taxonomy, the cell theory, levels of organization in multicultural organisms, cell biology and cellular process (diffusion, osmosis, active transport, photosynthesis, aerobic respiration, mitosis, & meiosis); characteristics and chemistry of living things, genetics, ecology, life cycles (water, oxygen-carbon dioxide, nitrogen), & pollution.

Students will gain access to this content while concomitantly honing their reading comprehension, written expression, communication, advocacy, and team building skills. This course is structured with performance tasks designed with the principles of Universal Learning and Multiple Intelligences in mind.

Some examples are :

multisensory lessons group discussion/brainstorming sessions cooperative and individual written and/or art assignments kinesthetic laboratory investigations/demonstrations metalinguistic awareness activities computer projects (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Front Page, Publisher), and explicit mnemonic strategy instruction

Anatomy
In this course, students will gain an understanding of the levels of organization in the human body and participate in investigations of the following organ systems skeletal, muscle, digestive, cardiac, respiratory, excretory, nervous (as well as the senses), endocrine, reproductive, and immune. Students will gain access to this content while concomitantly honing their reading comprehension, written expression, communication, advocacy, and team building skills. This course is structured with performance tasks designed with the principles of Universal Learning and Multiple Intelligence in mind.

Some examples are :

multisensory lessons group discussion/brainstorming sessions cooperative and individual written and/or art assignments kinesthetic laboratory investigations/demonstrations metalinguistic awareness activities computer projects (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Front Page, Publisher)

Earth Science
In this course, students will gain an understanding of the geological time scale, Earth’s continents, topography and mapping, Earth’s interior and how the internal/external structure of the Earth is continuously changing, Earth’s atmosphere, weather/climates, and bodies of water, pollution and Earth’s natural resources/recycling, and the universe. Students will gain access to this content while concomitantly honing their reading comprehension, written expression, communication, advocacy, and team building skills. This course is structured with performance tasks designed with the principles of Universal Learning and Multiple Intelligences in mind.

Some examples are :

multisensory lessons group discussion/brainstorming sessions cooperative and individual written and/or art assignments kinesthetic laboratory investigations/demonstrationsmetalinguistic awareness activities, computer projects (e.g., PowerPoint, Front Page, Publisher), and explicit mnemonic strategy instruction

Integrated Science/General Science
The course is an integrated model of the three courses above and is designed to aid those students who may not have retained information from the previous year and require a lengthy review and more structured instruction within the classroom. More manipulatives and real life adaptations are utilized in the instruction of this course. Emphasis is also added to the standards addressed on the MCAS STE exams.

Chemistry
This course takes a comprehensive approach to chemistry. The course’s curriculum is in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Some topics areas are :

matter and its phases atomic structure chemical bonding chemical reactions Acids and bases and radioactivity

Students will refine and use essential skills used in the sciences. There is an emphasis on problem solving with an eye towards the use of the scientific method. Evaluation is based on tests and quizzes, projects, lab reports and class participation

Meteorology
The course investigates weather patterns, the atmosphere, as well as the impact of specific weather phenomena on cultures, landscape, and population. Natural disasters are studied as part of this elective and systems to alert people are examined.