HS Applied Studies
Course Descriptions
LIFE SKILLS ENGLISH 9
GRADE 9
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Students will learn and practice basic English grammar skills needed to communicate with others in the community, and interpret written communication. Emphasis will be placed on developing sight word vocabulary so that words and phrases encountered in everyday life can be meaningfully interpreted. Decoding, spelling, and comprehension skills are taught in relation to naturally occurring events or stories.
LIFE SKILLS ENGLISH 10
GRADE 10
Prerequisite(s): LIFE SKILLS ENGLISH 9
This course helps students develop language skills needed in their daily lives. Students will practice finding information; understanding how information resources are organized; and how to use reference tools. Introduction of various types of vocabulary found on forms will be studied to develop an understanding of business forms that students will utilize as independent adults.
LIFE SKILLS ENGLISH 11
GRADE 11
Prerequisite(s): LIFE SKILLS ENGLISH 10
This course helps students practice writing skills that they will need for transition into the community. Activities include practice writing with short answers, essay responses, messages and memos, letters and reports.
LIFE SKILLS ENGLISH 12
GRADE 12
Prerequisite(s): LIFE SKILLS ENGLISH 11
Emphasis will be placed on the development of communication skills for students planning to work following graduation. Job-related skills such as filling out applications, understanding and completing work forms as well as other job-related activities will be discussed and practiced.
SOCIAL SKILLS I
GRADES: 9-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
This course provides an overview of functional communication (listening and writing), necessary for success within the classroom and community. Functional reading and writing skills will be developed to assist the student within the classroom and the community. The student will also develop functional age appropriate skills that will assist him/her to move about his/her community using various natural support systems.
SOCIAL SKILLS II
GRADES: 10-12
Prerequisite(s): SOCIAL SKILLS I
Social Skills II introduces functional independence within the school system and community by developing skills to enhance his/her present level of functioning in the community. The course will emphasize survival skills, including transportation, and functional reading and writing skills needed for independent communication with others. Students will become aware of following rules in various environments. (hall, movies, assemblies…)
SOCIAL SKILLS III
GRADES: 11-12
Prerequisite(s): SOCIAL SKILLS II
Functional skills needed for reading, understanding and completing various types of forms are emphasized in Social Skills III. The application of skills learned in previous social skills classes is utilized in classroom simulations to reinforce understanding. Exploring and researching various agencies that may be of assistance to the student upon graduation will be introduced in Social Skills III. Exploring various hobbies and leisure activities will be discussed.
SOCIAL SKILLS IV
GRADE 12
Prerequisite(s): SOCIAL SKILLS III
During the Social Skills IV, skills necessary for communicating with the public will be emphasized. To enhance understanding of appropriate actions to be taken in various situations, the student will utilize classroom simulations and role playing of various social situations. Public and personal safety will be studied along with conflict resolution and anger management skills. Students will plan leisure activities to include budgeting time and money.
LIFE SKILLS SCIENCE I
GRADES: 9-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Students will learn basic information regarding general science to include force, motion, energy, investigations, matter, and life processes. Instruction will be based on the Science Aligned Standards of Learning for the Virginia Department of Education and the student’s instructional needs.
LIFE SKILLS SCIENCE II
GRADES: 10-12
Prerequisite(s): LIFE SKILLS SCIENCE I
Students will learn basic information regarding weather, climate, weathering, investigations, solar system, resources, rocks, and minerals. Instruction will be based on the Science Aligned Standards of Learning for the Virginia Department of Education and the student’s instructional needs.
LIFE SKILLS GEOGRAPHY
GRADES: 9-10
Prerequisite(s): NONE
This course is designed to teach basic geography skills including: state, capitol, address, county, and border states. Students will also develop functional map skills. LIFE SKILLS HISTORY GRADE 11 Prerequisite(s): NONE This course promotes functional skills necessary to becoming a contributing member of society. Emphasis will be placed on rules and regulations in school and the community. Current events and the relationship of government will be covered. Understanding the two-party system and the importance of voting will be covered in this course. The student will also be given the information as to their rights as a US citizen.
LIFE SKILLS MATH 9
GRADE 9
Prerequisite(s): NONE
This course provides the foundation for daily living math skills. Students will be introduced to fundamental math skills necessary for functioning independently as an adult.
LIFE SKILLS MATH 10
GRADE 10
Prerequisite(s):LIFE SKILLS MATH 9
This course will continue to build upon the daily living math skills necessary for adult living. Students will perform math skills in simulation activities to demonstrate ability to function on their own. Budgeting, maintaining a checking account, computing money, and measurements for daily living will be covered.
LIFE SKILLS MATH 11
GRADE 11
Prerequisite(s): LIFE SKILLS MATH 10
Daily living math skills will be shown in practical application through demonstration both in the classroom and in the community. Students will develop banking skills, consumer credit skills, and housing skills relating to mathematics, insurance skills, and transportation skills relating to mathematics.
LIFE SKILLS MATH 12
GRADE 12
Prerequisite(s): LIFE SKILLS MATH 11
This course provides practical application of daily living math, both at school and in the community. Students will demonstrate the ability to determine correct mathematical procedures to use in everyday adult living. Skills to be covered will be budgeting based upon income, determining wages, consumer skills, ordering by mail, maintaining a checking account, the importance of credit and how to apply for credit.
CAREER EDUCATION I
GRADES: 9-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
This course covers the reason and purpose of planning a career and understanding employment trends. Assessing strengths and weaknesses and deciding one’s personal lifestyle are discussed. Exploration of various careers will emphasize the nature of work, working conditions, employment trends, training and other qualifications, income and related occupations. Introduction and expansion of career vocabulary is developed during Career Education I.
CAREER EDUCATION II
GRADES: 10-12
Prerequisite(s): CAREER EDUCATION I
Career Education II includes the identification of eight categories of careers. Vocabulary expansion and proper use of terminology are emphasized during this course. Career research techniques are introduced, along with the importance of making practical career decisions. Local businesses are identified and development of related vocabulary is emphasized. Techniques for getting a job are introduced during this course.
CAREER EDUCATION III AND IV
GRADES: 11-12
Prerequisite(s): CAREER EDUCATION II
This year-long course is designed to teach students how to prepare for, and participate in, different job interviews. The student will research various careers, which will familiarize him/her with different jobs that may be available and necessary prerequisite(s) for each job. The student will explore various community agencies that can assist with acquiring a job. The student will be required to seek out personal interviews and applications from prospective local employers. Participation in career job shadowing and/or a 90-hour non-paid apprenticeship is also required. (Apprenticeship is conditional on local employer’s participation.)
CAREER EDUCATION V AND VI
GRADE 12
Prerequisite(s): CAREER EDUCATION IV
The emphasis of this year-long course is the practical application of career education. The student will actively seek employment, and participate in interviews. The student is required to participate in job shadowing and/or 90-hour non-paid apprenticeships based on their interest(s). This course emphasizes acquiring a job, learning new employment skills, working with people, how to keep a job, the most common problems related to employment, and how to go about changing jobs. (Apprenticeship is conditional on local employer’s participation.)
LIFE SKILLS PHYSICAL EDUCATION
GRADES: 9–12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Students taking this class will perform exercises and activities that are beneficial to their growth and development. Enrollment is restricted to those students who have this program as a component of their Individualized Education Program.
LIFE SKILLS ART
GRADES: 9 –12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Students taking this class will develop manipulative skills through creative processes. All art activities will be beneficial to individual growth and development. Enrollment is restricted to those students who have this program as a component of their Individualized Education Program.
RESOURCE
GRADES: 9-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE This course is designed for students who require extra support and reinforcement in academic classes as indicated in the student’s Individualized Education Program.
LIFE SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING I
GRADES: 9-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Students taking this class will practice tasks required for independent life skills needed in the home and community. Life skills tasks and activities will be instructed and evaluated in simulated settings. Life Skills activities may include using appliances, cooking, citizenship, doing laundry, accessing public and community resources.
LIFE SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING II
GRADES: 9-12
Prerequisite(s): LIFE SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING I
Students taking this class will practice tasks required for independent life skills needed in the home and community. Life skills tasks and activities will be instructed and evaluated in the classroom and through weekly community outings. Students will be provided individualized instruction to increase student’s independence with specific tasks for transition services.
STUDY SKILLS
GRADES: 9-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
The students will learn and practice organizational skills, such as methods to remember facts, keeping a notebook organized, keeping a calendar, taking good notes, using graphic organizers, etc. Emphasis is placed on appropriate behaviors in given situations, such as ways to communicate with peers and adults, and appropriate ways to react to different situations. The rules in the student handbook will be reinforced. LIFE
SKILLS HEALTH
GRADES: 9-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
This course provides instruction to students in preventing and controlling diseases, consumer health practices, nutrition, alcohol and drug awareness, basic hygiene, basic first aid, and emotional health.
LIFE SKILLS DRIVER’S EDUCATION
GRADES: 10-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Students will be provided instruction in driver’s education to prepare them in getting their learner’s permit. Students will learn the rules and regulations for safe driving. This course is provided in addition to the required driver’s education course. Students under the age of 19 must pass the required driver’s education course to complete requirements to obtain a driver’s license.
LIFE SKILLS COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
GRADES: 9-12
Prerequisite(s): NONE
Students will be provided instruction in keyboarding and computer applications in a small learning environment. Students will develop or refine skills in basic typing, uses of a computer, using the Internet, saving documents, and opening/operating basic computer software. Students will apply keyboarding and computer skills to produce a variety of personal and business documents.