Special Services

063 - HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH 9-12: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 9 - 12 [Watch Course Video]

In this course, students will be practicing and developing critical thinking skills through reading, writing, and speaking. Students will also engage in an informative essay/speech and presentation, improve their research skills, vocabulary, and develop skills in grammar, usage, and mechanics. 

065 - ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS STRATEGIES 9-10: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9 – 12 [Watch Course Video]

067 - ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS STRATEGIES 11-12

This course provides small group direct instruction in the areas of reading, writing, and communication. Students will work on individual goals while aligning with state standards in the area of English/Language Arts using a variety of research-based materials and curricula. The use of technology is also incorporated into the design of this course. Curriculum and instruction will be tailored to meet each individual learner’s needs.

089 - APPLIED ENGLISH & LIFE SKILLS: 4 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 9 – 12 [Course Information Slides]

This Applied English Life Skills course provides specially designed, small group, direct instruction in reading, writing, life skills, and communication. Students will continue to work on individual goals and objectives in the area of language arts given a variety of materials and methods, including research-based curriculum and teaching strategies. Curriculum and instruction will be tailored to meet each individual learner’s needs. Students are admitted into this class by the case manager and teacher recommendation. 

Student Testimonials:

• “This is a great class! Great staff.”

• “Lots of fun.”

• “Love VERY much.”

• “I am happy.”

• “It is fun and exciting.”

• “I like this class because the teacher lets me eat snacks.”

• “The teacher makes the assignments 10x better!”

• “I get to know things.”

• “My reading and writing skills are better.”

• “It’s totally awesome.”

• “Applied English Life Skills is a really fun class to be in. We learn a lot about life skills.”

066 - FUNCTIONAL/LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM: Credits vary, Grades 9 – 12 

This program is designed to meet the needs of students with developmental cognitive disabilities. Students will be involved in hands-on, real-life learning situations that take place in the school and community. The program will address the areas of communication, home/daily living, jobs and job training, post-secondary education, recreation/leisure and adapted physical education, and community instruction. 

070 - ESSENTIAL STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS 9-10: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9 – 12 [View Course Video]

075 - ESSENTIAL STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS 11-12:

This course is designed to help students develop and improve strategies for life-long learning through participation in activities and group discussions. Topics include organizational strategies, goal setting, communication skills, research skills, note-taking strategies, test-taking strategies, and characteristics of successful students. An overarching emphasis of the class is for students to develop self-advocacy skills and learn how to independently access and request IEP accommodations/modifications. 

074 - SERVICE BASED LEARNING: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9 – 12 [Watch Course Video]

This course is an entry-level course in which students learn work skills in a business environment. It is designed to meet the needs of students in a specially designed classroom through service and the application of skills. The students will participate in our student-run businesses (Lakers Breakfast Nook and The Crew). Students gain skills in communication, organization, food safety, money, soft skills, and telephone etiquette. These businesses help students gain self-confidence and pride in their work skills.

078 - PAES LAB: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9 – 12 

Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) is a research-based, functional skills curriculum with an embedded formative assessment of career potential and employability skills. PAES is an assessment system that identifies functional skill levels, career interests, aptitude for community-based employment, and work behavior strengths and barriers to success. In this class, you will work through 200+ tasks in the areas of Construction/Industrial, Computer Technology, Processing/Production, Business/Marketing, and Consumer/Service. PAES is a simulated work environment that encourages students to work independently and become effective problem solvers. 

083 - INTRODUCTION TO EMPLOYMENT: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9 – 12 [Watch Course Video]

Introduction to Employment is a course that is designed to prepare students for the world of work. The course curriculum will include topics such as individual interest and abilities as related to employment, seeking employment, developing a resume, interviewing techniques, and how to succeed in a job/career. 

084 - EMPLOYMENT INTERNSHIP: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 10-12 

Prerequisite: Introduction to Employment

Class and employment time are scheduled through blocks of the school day with some students continuing to work beyond the school day. This course is designed for either students who are just entering the workforce or for students who are focused on a particular career. Students receive assistance and support from Work Coordinators and Job Coaches in seeking employment and succeeding at their jobs. Regular communication between the Work Coordinators, Job Coaches, students, and employers is necessary. Transportation is provided. 

088 - DISTRICT 284 EMPLOYMENT INTERNSHIP: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 10 – 12

Prerequisite: Introduction to Employment

Wayzata High School has created a unique introduction to professional employment as students become WHS employees in training. This course is designed to transition students into community employment with job skills that are designed to give them success in their future professions. 16-year-old students are hired in as paid WHS (coached) employees by the human resources department, interviewed by job coordinators, and go through new hire orientation. The positions available are culinary team members, custodial team members in package delivery, or district laundry professionals. District 284 also has volunteer positions in our school store for students that are under the age of sixteen. While in this school-based internship students/employees work alongside other WHS employees and job coaches learning communication skills, professional development, professional social skills, self-advocacy, time management, and other job-specific skills that will prepare them as they enter into the community workforce. 

064 - ALGEBRA 2/FINANCIAL ALGEBRA: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 11 – 12 [Watch Course Video]

These courses provide small-group direct instruction in math. Students will work on individual goals while aligning with state standards in the area of mathematics. The use of technology is also incorporated into the design of this course. Curriculum and instruction will be tailored to meet each individual learner’s needs.

068 - HIGH SCHOOL MATH 9-12:  2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 9 - 12 [Watch Course Video]

The focus of this course will be on improving math skills, as well as, practicing these math skills in everyday situations. We will use the curriculum Mindset Mathematics as the foundation for this course. Students will also practice calculator skills and become comfortable with the calculator as a tool to aid in their math success. The class will involve direct instruction; the practice of math skills covered that day, as well as, class activities. We will use the program Dreambox on a daily basis to differentiate instructional practice. 

069 - ALGEBRA/GEOMETRY STRATEGIES: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9 – 10 [Watch Course Video]

These courses provide small-group direct instruction in math. Students will work on individual goals while aligning with state standards in the area of mathematics. The use of technology is also incorporated into the design of this course. Curriculum and instruction will be tailored to meet each individual learner’s needs. 

087 - APPLIED MATH & LIFE SKILLS: 4 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 9 – 12  [Course information slides]

Applied Math Skills provides small group instruction covering a variety of everyday math skills such as problem-solving, budgeting, time management, etc. Each section will be tailored to the student’s unique learning needs. Students will continue to develop math skills that are practical for real-life application. 

043SE - UNIFIED PHYSICAL EDUCATION: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9 – 12 [Watch Course Video] 

This combined General Education and Adapted Physical Education class will allow students to improve performance of self and others in recreational and fitness activities. Students will have the opportunity to participate in and make modifications for themselves and/or others in units of adventure education (ropes course, climbing wall), outdoor recreational activities (cross country skiing, bocce, golf), indoor recreational activities (archery, badminton, table tennis, indoor tennis), movement activities (dance, yoga, drumming), fitness activities (muscular strength/endurance, aerobic capacity, flexibility), along with the opportunity to participate in the adapted athletics sports of soccer, floor hockey, and softball in the roles of coordinator, coach, official, scorekeeper, and athlete. Students will also be introduced to the Paralympic sports of Goalball and sitting volleyball. Students will leave this class with a greater knowledge of how to analyze barriers and modify physical activity patterns appropriately, as needed. 

680SE - UNIFIED MUSICAL THEATRE: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 09 – 12 [Watch Course Video] 

Unified Theatre is a course designed for the inclusion of students in general education and students in special education to work together in a performance-based theatre environment. Course objectives include the development of communication skills, foundations of characterization, and introduction to rehearsal and performance techniques.  Students will collaborate in active daily work, including theatrical warm-ups, character exploration and development activities, improvisation, rehearsal strategies, and audience etiquette. This course will meet for one term, and the course will culminate in a final public performance by the students. There will be a lab fee associated with this course. 

867SE - UNIFIED ARTS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10 – 12  [Watch Course Video] 

This combined General Education and Special Education class will allow students to engage in hands-on learning opportunities in the Visual and Culinary Arts. Students will have the opportunity to complete personal artworks, learn about the elements and principles of design and use self-expression in Visual Arts. In Culinary Arts, students will participate in food labs while focusing on kitchen safety by using equipment to gain independence and recipe reading while working collaboratively with peers. Students will also practice grocery shopping strategies and etiquette when eating in a social setting. 

059 - EL SOCIAL STUDIES: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9-12

This course is designed for English learners whose overall English language proficiency has been measured between 1.0-2.0 on the WIDA scale. The content in this course is general world history and civics in order to grow students’ vocabulary in the field of social studies. Students will practice English by listening, speaking, reading, and writing in social studies with a focus on building vocabulary, reading fluency, listening comprehension, speaking practice, and simple written sentence structures. 

060 - EL GOVERNMENT CITIZENSHIP: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9 – 12 

This section of Government and Citizenship is designed for students who qualify for EL services, or who recently exited from EL and are building background knowledge to engage with social studies courses in the United States. In this course, students will build their English proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking with a focus on explaining and arguing using reasons and evidence. This course emphasizes the study of U.S. citizenship and constitutional rights. Students are encouraged to develop a personal perspective through the investigation of the U.S. Constitution and its connection to current events. 

061 - EL US HISTORY: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9 – 12 

This section of US History is designed for students who qualify for EL services, or who recently exited from EL and are building background knowledge to engage with social studies courses in the United States. In this course, students will build their English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking with a focus on explaining and arguing using reasons and evidence. Students will also practice identifying the historical context in order to interpret people and events in US history. Students are encouraged to make connections between America's past and present in order to better understand the people, progress, and problems of this nation. 

062 - EL WORLD HISTORY: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 9 – 12

This section of World History is designed for students who qualify for EL services, or who recently exited from EL and are building background knowledge to engage with social studies courses in the United States. In this course, students will build their English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking with a focus on explaining historical events and making claims about the past that draw on text evidence. Students will study history by reading and analyzing primary sources, photographs, other images, and direct accounts from past people.  

071 - EL LEVEL 1: 4 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 9 – 12 

This course is designed for English learners whose English language skills are at levels 1-2. The focus of this course is on the four domains of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students work on academic as well as conversational English skills. Students will be introduced to the academic language of language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics.

072 - EL LEVEL 2: 4 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 9 – 12 

This course is designed for English learners whose English language skills are at levels 2-3. The focus of this course is on the four domains of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In this class, students work on the academic language necessary for success in the content-area classrooms. Students will increase proficiency in the academic language related to language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics. Finally, students build critical thinking skills as they read, discuss, and analyze a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts.

073 - EL LEVEL 3-4: 4 Terms / 4 Credits, Grades 9 – 12 

This course is designed for English learners whose language skills are at levels 3-4. The focus of this course is on the four domains of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In this class, students work on the academic language necessary for success in the content-area classrooms. Students will refine their use of academic language related to language arts, social studies, science, and mathematics. Finally, students build critical thinking skills as they read, discuss, and analyze a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts.

076 - ECONOMICS SUPPORT: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 12

This course is offered to 12th-grade students who qualify for EL services. It is taken in addition to the required 12th-grade course Economics, An Applied Public Policy and Social Science Analysis (EAPPSSA). In this course, students will build their English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking with a focus on the vocabulary and writing skills required to be successful in EAPPSSA.

086 - EL ECONOMICS: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 12

This section of Economics is designed for students who qualify for EL services, or who recently exited from EL and are building background knowledge to engage with social studies courses in the United States. In this course, students will build their English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking with a focus on research and analysis of authentic texts. These skills are applied to examine public policy responses to social and economic problems in the US and abroad.

080 - SOCIAL MANAGEMENT: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grade 9  [Watch Course Video]

081 - SOCIAL MANAGEMENT: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grade 10

082 - SOCIAL MANAGEMENT: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 11-12 

This is a course for students with Asperger’s Syndrome and similar autism spectrum disorders. The course will cover study skills, organization, self-esteem issues, social relationships, and other life skills, including independent living, job skills and self-advocacy.

090 - SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL): 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 9 -12

This course provides intensive instruction in the five pillars of Social Emotional Learning; Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making in order to provide students with the skills necessary to be successful in general education classrooms the community, and their post-secondary goals. Learning objectives for this course are individualized and align with students' IEP goals and objectives.

091 - SEL Social Studies Strategies: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 9-10

This course provides instruction in Social Studies for students in grades 9-10.  This course provides support in the five pillars of Social Emotional Learning - Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making in addition to social studies-related content. This course provides students with this instruction in order to provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in general education classrooms, the community, and their post-secondary goals.

092 - Social Emotional Life Skills: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 11-12

This course provides instruction in Social Studies for students in grades 11-12. This course provides support in the five pillars of Social Emotional Learning - Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making in addition to social studies-related content. This course provides students with this instruction in order to provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in general education classrooms, the community, and their post-secondary goals.

093 - SEL English 10 Strategies: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 9-10

This course provides instruction in English for students in grades 9-10. This course provides support in the five pillars of Social Emotional Learning - Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making in addition to English-related content. This course provides students with this instruction in order to provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in general education classrooms, the community, and their post-secondary goals.

094 - SEL English A/English B: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 11-12

This course provides instruction in English for students in grades 11-12. This course provides support in the five pillars of Social Emotional Learning - Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making in addition to English-related content. This course provides students with this instruction in order to provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in general education classrooms, the community, and their post-secondary goals.

095 - SEL Mathematics Strategies: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 9-10

This course provides instruction in Math for students in grades 9-10. This course provides support in the five pillars of Social Emotional Learning - Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making in addition to math-related content. This course provides students with this instruction in order to provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in general education classrooms, the community, and their post-secondary goals.

096 - SEL Algebra 2/Financial Algebra: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 11-12

This course provides instruction in Math for students in grades 11-12. This course provides support in the five pillars of Social Emotional Learning - Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making in addition to math-related content. This course provides students with this instruction in order to provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in general education classrooms, the community, and their post-secondary goals.

098 - SEL Science Strategies: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 9-10

This course provides instruction in Science for students in grades 9-10. This course provides support in the five pillars of Social Emotional Learning - Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making in addition to science-related content. This course provides students with this instruction in order to provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in general education classrooms, the community, and their post-secondary goals.

099 - SEL Geology/Environmental Science: 2-4 Terms / 2-4 Credits, Grades 11-12

This course provides instruction in Science for students in grades 11-12. This course provides support in the five pillars of Social Emotional Learning - Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making in addition to science-related content. This course provides students with this instruction in order to provide them with the skills necessary to be successful in general education classrooms, the community, and their post-secondary goals.