This program is designed for non-native speakers of English. Its goal is to prepare and support students to function proficiently in all subjects in which English is the mode of instruction. The program is open to non-native speakers of English at levels ranging from emerging literacy through high-intermediate skills. It aims to help integrate students in American culture, both socially and academically, and to understand all aspects of American education. Students will be assessed upon arrival and at the conclusion of each year by the ELL teachers. Their placement in a particular ELL level continues for that entire academic year. The goal is to progress through the four levels of the program in four years. Students at the lower levels are offered a selection of courses designed to accommodate their needs as new speakers of English. This serves to maintain their focus on English acquisition and ensures future success in more academically challenging courses.
CLASSES:
All English Language Learners will be assessed in writing and reading. They will subsequently be assigned to the appropriate level based on the results of that assessment and review of student transcripts. Students with fewer than 2 years of study in the US are encouraged to begin at Level 1. Students will be assessed at the conclusion of each year of study.
Level 1: The skills learned at this level are essential for success at the higher levels of ELL as well as in the mainstream content courses. Mastery of the skills at this level may take two years and credit will be awarded for consecutive years in Level 1. Students at this level will receive sheltered content area instruction. Sheltered content courses include Social Studies, Science and Math. Level 2: Students entering in 9th grade with fewer than two years of education in the U.S. are encouraged to begin at Level 1. In Level 2, students will have one hour of direct ESL reading instruction and may continue to receive sheltered content instruction. Sheltered content courses include Social Studies, Science and Math. Level 3: Students who have spent fewer than 2 years in the US educational system are encouraged to begin at Level 1. Students who enter with more than 2 years and are initially placed in Level 3 are encouraged to begin their career at South in ELL 2 for one year in order to pass the MCA in their first year at South before moving to more demanding courses. In Level 3, students will have one hour of direct English instruction. The students' math classes will be determined by the teacher. At this level, students will have the option of applying to any of the Small Learning Communities at South and still receive ELL services. Level 4: Students who enter at Level 4 and have not passed the MCA Reading/Writing are encouraged to take ELL 3 /4 classes in order to pass these tests.
ELL 1: Basic Reading Open to: Level 1 English Language Learners (ELL) Prerequisite: Some literacy in first language. Length: Year-long This course is open to non-native speakers of English with some literacy in their first language and basic competency in writing the alphabet and understanding some of the phonetic relationships needed to read in English. The goal of this course is to achieve mastery of basic vocabulary, spelling and reading at the 4th-5th grade level in order to be able to read the texts in the sheltered math, science and social studies classes. This course will use Hampton Brown High Point/The Basics/Level A Curriculum which teaches reading from the very beginning level. Basic vocabulary, grammar skills, phonics skills and decoding decoding strategies are an important part of this class. After successfully completing this course, students will advance to ELL 2.
ELL 2/3: Reading Open to: Level 2 English Language Learners (ELL) Prerequisite: ELL 1 Length: Year-long This course is open to Upper Level 1 and Level 2 students. Students should be competent in writing the alphabet and understanding basic vocabulary in English. The goal of this course is to learn content area vocabulary and concepts in order to be successful in content area classes. This course will use Hampton Brown High Point/ Level A/Level B Curriculum. The course will also include interdisciplinary collaboration with content area teachers. Homework and class participation are expected and necessary aspects of this course. After successfully completing the Checklist of Skills required for Level 2, students will advance to ELL 3. ELL 4: Advanced Reading/Writing Open to: Level 3 or 4 English Language Learners (ELL) Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 2. Length: Year-long This course is designed to help non-native English speakers improve their reading, writing, speaking, listening and organizational skills. It will assist the students‘ understanding of how to complete the steps of academic research. It emphasizes essential concepts and their practical applications, as well as the development of vocabulary. Verbal skills are emphasized in this class and students should be able to stand up in front of the class and present a well organized and thoughtfully prepared speech. Class participation, independent reading, weekly written assignments, class presentations and homework are necessary for success in this course.
Sheltered Content Instruction Courses: English 9 Open to: All English Language Learners (ELL) Length: Year-Long This sheltered content class focuses on the study of HUMANS-the ways we think, the ways we have formed cultures and civilizations, the ways we have shaped history. In Humanities 1/English 9-ELL, we will discover cultures and civilizations that have formed the world as we know it, and we will discover what our impact has been on history. We will uncover connections and relationships with people in Africa, ancient Greece, Mexico, and other people around the world as we think about what our responsibilities are as a global community in the present. Through the lens of our ‗Essential Questions‘, we will study novels, plays, poems, films, documents, texts, stories and essays, as well as other works by authors and artists from around the world. We will approach these works from multiple points of view, in order to learn to be effective critical thinkers. We will ask powerful questions as we move beyond the surface details of the works we study in order to understand them deeply and to make important connections between what we study and our own lives and world.
English 10 Open to: All English Language Learners (ELL) Length: Year-long This sheltered content class focuses on how American culture shapes us and we, in turn, shape the culture. During this year we will investigate some American cultural movements, the work of significant artists and the impact of historical events to see how our culture has evolved. This content will be coordinated with AP US History/ United States History-ELL in which students are concurrently enrolled. Research, expository and analytic writing are emphasized throughout the year. Through the lens of our themes, we will study novels, plays, poems, films, documents, texts, stories and essays, as well as other works by authors and artists from America. We will approach these works from multiple points of view, in order to learn to be effective critical thinkers. We will ask powerful questions as we move beyond the surface details of the works we study in order to understand them deeply and to make important connections between what we study and our own lives and culture. Algebra 1 Open to: All English Language Learners (ELL) Length: Year-long This sheltered content class is designed for non-native English speaking students who are ready for high school Algebra 1. This class will focus on high level academic language as well as challenging Mathematics. This class is the first year of a four year sequential curriculum of theory and problem based mathematics. This course stresses problem solving using the language of algebra. Algebraic solutions communicate mathematical ideas with clarity and precision. Topics include: signed numbers, real numbers, data analysis and probability, formulas, sets, factoring, linear and quadratic equations, graphing, radicals, and problem solving. In this course, students will be introduced to the graphing calculator. This algebra course is required for college entrance exams, high school chemistry and physics, and careers in science, math, law, and most trades and businesses.
World Studies Open to: All English Language Learners (ELL) Length: Year-long The sheltered content course is designed to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts, in interaction with different types of human societies. The course highlights the nature of changes in international cultures throughout history and their causes and consequences. The course builds on an understanding of cultural institutional, and technological advances that set the human stage. Reading comprehension and writing skills are emphasized. Further, the course will focus on developing students‘ critical thinking, verbal and writing skills to meet the demands of higher level social studies courses.
United States History Open to: All English Language Learners (ELL) Length: Year-long This sheltered content social studies class is a required course designed for non-native English speakers to survey American history from the age of exploration to the present. Within each unit events are looked at from several perspectives such as geographic, political, economic, and social influence. The course is enriched with various activities which help students learn academic skills as well as historical content. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills, essay writing, reading skills, and interpretation of original documents and historiography.
Government/Economics & AP Human Geography Open to: All English Language Learners (ELL) Length: Year-long This required sheltered content social studies course is designed to help non-native English speakers cover topics primarily concerned with the United States government at all levels – federal, legislative, and judicial. The Constitution, voting behavior, and the three branches will all be addressed. Analyzing Supreme Court decisions and staging mock trials will also be important tools in this section of the class. The economics component covers basic concepts used in both micro and macro economics. Topics such as supply and demand, productivity, taxation and investment, inflation and gross national and domestic product are introduced. The purpose of the AP course in Human Geography is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth‘s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences in a global context. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking skills, essay writing, and reading skills. Biology/Physics Open to: All English Language Learners (ELL) Length: Year-long All incoming 9th grade students will take a half year of Biology and a half year of Physics. Physical Science Open to: All English Language Learners (ELL) Length: Year-long This science class is designed to help non-native English speakers improve both their science and academic language skills. It will also assist the students‘ understanding of science and its use within the context of American culture. The course introduces the principles of physics, chemistry, measurement, and data analysis. Topics covered include motion, force, energy, electricity and magnetism, properties of matter, chemical reactions, and formulas with an emphasis on development of students‘ scientific vocabulary. Successful completion of the course requires that the student learn basic techniques for handling laboratory apparatus, making measurements, analyzing data, and graphing results.