Westhill High School
Special Education Department
Special Education Services in General Education Classes
Consultant Teacher Direct Services
Special education teacher support offered in general education classrooms
Consultant teacher direct services mean specially designed instruction provided to an individual student with a disability or to a group of students with disabilities by a certified special education teacher to aid the student(s) to access general education class instruction.
Consultant Teacher Indirect Services
Special education teacher consultation with the general education teacher
Consultant teacher indirect services mean consultation provided by a certified special education teacher to a general education teacher to assist the general education teacher in adjusting the learning environment and/or modifying his/her instructional methods to meet the individual needs of a student with a disability who attends the general education class.
Westhill High School
Special Education Department
Special Education Class Descriptions
ENGLISH
English I - 9th Grade
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the Next Generation Learning Standards, this course builds on students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing. Short stories, novels, and poetry are used as mentor texts to further writing instruction. ** English I and English II can be taught concurrently. **
English 9
15:1:1
The Next Generation Learning Standards are prioritized for instruction in this course. Using both fiction and nonfiction texts, students will develop close reading skills and strategies for identifying claims. Writing instruction will focus on identifying and incorporating evidence from the text to support a claim. Additional attention will be paid to the development of grammar, vocabulary, and the mechanics of writing.
English II - 10th grade
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the Next Generation Learning Standards, this course focuses on multi-paragraph essay writing. Through the study of a variety of genres of literature, students focus on improving their reading fluency and reading comprehension skills. They use evidence from the text to support writing tasks on the central idea of a text. ** English I and English II can be taught concurrently. **
English 10
15:1:1
The Next Generation Learning Standards are prioritized for instruction in this course. Attention is focused on further development of writing and supporting claims with textual evidence. Students use literary elements and devices to expand their understanding of the author's intent and practice writing techniques to develop a literary analysis.
English III - 11th grade
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the Next Generation Learning Standards, this course focuses on literary analysis of American literature. Students practice using literary elements and textual evidence to support written arguments. Students are prepared for the Regents Examination in English Language Arts. ** English III and English IV can be taught concurrently. **
English 11
15:1
The Next Generation Learning Standards are prioritized for instruction in this course. Using American literature, students expand on their critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. A focus is placed on argument writing and literary analysis. Students develop skills that prepare them for the Regents Examination in English Language Arts.
English IV - 12th grade
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the Next Generation Learning Standards, this course focuses on critical thinking and analysis of modern text. Additionally, students learn technical writing skills, which prepare them for post-secondary life.
English 12
15:1
The Next Generation Learning Standards are prioritized for instruction in this course.
Students use a wide range of texts (fiction, nonfiction, and film) required in post-secondary work and education to develop more independent critical thinking skills.
MATHEMATICS
Math I - 9th grade
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the Next Generation Learning Standards, this course reinforces and expands students’ foundational math skills, such as arithmetic operations using rational numbers; area, perimeter, and volume of geometric figures, congruence and similarity, angle relationships, the Pythagorean theorem, the rectangular coordinate system, sets and logic, ratio and proportion, estimation, formulas, solving and graphing simple equations and inequalities.
Math II
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the Next Generation Learning Standards, this course uses basic algebraic and geometry skills to prepare students for Foundations of Algebra. Topics include studying the properties of rational numbers, ratio, proportion, estimation, exponents and radicals, the rectangular coordinate system, sets and logic, formulas, and solving first-degree equations and inequalities.
Foundations of Algebra
15:1:1
This course is intended to build a foundation in beginning Algebra by covering a variety of topics, such as properties of rational numbers, ratio, proportion, estimation, exponents and radicals, the rectangular coordinate system, sets and logic, formulas, and solving equations and inequalities. A graphing calculator is required for this class and will be used for exploration, checking student work, and calculations. It may be used on the local final exam.
Algebra I
15:1:1
The Next Generation Learning Standards are prioritized for instruction in this course. Topics include linear expression, equations, inequalities, systems of equations/inequalities, functions, exponents and exponential functions, polynomials, quadratic equations and their graphs, and statistics. This course prepares students for the NYS Algebra I Common Core Regents exam. A graphing calculator is required for this class, and may be used on the Regents exam.
Consumer Math I
15:1:1
Consumer Math I reinforces general mathematical topics and applies these skills to consumer problems and situations. Topics include budgeting, taxation, credit, banking services, and managing personal income. Students in this course learn the fundamentals of running an in-house coffee service. This course provides students with CDOS credit. ** Consumer Math I and Consumer Math II can be taught concurrently. **
Consumer Math II
15:1:1
Consumer Math II builds on the skills and concepts taught in Consumer Math I. The teacher and students set goals for further study of workplace mathematics, to include evaluation of experiences in applying skills. Students in this course apply their skills through running an in-house coffee service. This course provides students with CDOS credit. ** Consumer Math I and Consumer Math II can be taught concurrently. **
SCIENCE
Science I - 9th grade
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the Next Generation Learning Standards, this course offers insight into the environment through a study of the history of Earth and exploration of geology, astronomy, meteorology, and geography. Labs are completed during the class period.
Science II - 10th grade
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the Next Generation Learning Standards, this course provides students with the fundamental concepts of life and life processes. Topics include a study of cell structure and function, general plant and animal physiology, and genetics. Labs are completed during the class period. Students will take the Living Environment Regents exam at the end of the course.
Earth Science
15:1:1
The Next Generation Learning Standards are prioritized for this course. Topics covered are centered on the Earth’s natural processes such as weathering, erosion, and plate tectonics. Meteorology, rock formation, mineral identification, astronomy, and environmental awareness are also included. The successful completion of 1,200 laboratory minutes is a prerequisite for taking the NYS Physical Setting/Earth Science Regents Exam at the end of the course. Labs are completed during the course period.
Living Environment
15:1
The Next Generation Learning Standards are prioritized for this course. Topics covered in this course provide students with a concrete understanding of biology. Major areas of study include scientific inquiry, human physiology, reproduction, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Successful completion of 1200 laboratory minutes is a prerequisite for taking the NYS Living Environment Regents Exam at the end of the course. Labs are completed during the course period.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Studies I
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the New York State Social Studies Framework, this course provides students with a foundational understanding of history from the Ancient World to the Americas. Close reading and claim-based basic writing skills are developed throughout the course. This course requires students to manipulate content through multiple media and hands-on learning opportunities. Topics focus on the physical environment; the relationship between people and the land; and the movement of people, goods, and ideas. ** Social Studies I and Social Studies II can be taught concurrently. **
Global 9
15:1
The New York State Social Studies Framework is prioritized for this course. A focus is placed on key events and global historical developments spanning from the Ancient World to the Americas. Key themes of interactions over time, shifts in political power, and the role of belief systems are emphasized. Close reading and claim-based writing skills are developed throughout the course.
Social Studies II
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the New York State Social Studies Framework, this course provides students with a deeper understanding of the interplay between the environment, the people, and the movement of goods and ideas. A focus is placed on the 18th century to modern day. Students develop skills and content knowledge to prepare them for the Regents Examination in Global History and Geography. ** Social Studies I and Social Studies II can be taught concurrently. **
Global 10
15:1
The New York State Social Studies Framework is prioritized for this course. Students continue to develop their reading, writing, and research skills through the lens of enduring issues. The time period covered in this course is approximately 1750 - present. Students develop skills and content knowledge to prepare them for the Regents Examination in Global History and Geography.
Social Studies III
12:1:1
Aligned to the essential standards of the New York State Social Studies Framework, this course provides students with a foundational understanding of the history of the United States. Topics include a historical overview of political, military, scientific, and social developments. Students practice writing skills and learn content to prepare them for the Regents Examination in United States History and Government.
US History 11
15:1
The New York State Social Studies Framework is prioritized for this course. Through a chronological study of United States history, students learn about the development of the nation; constitutional and landmark Supreme Court cases; and a historical overview of political, economic, civic, medical, scientific, and social developments. This course provides students the opportunity to analyze primary and secondary source historical documents. Additionally, it prepares students to write a multi-paragraph stimulus-based question essay and civic literacy essay. This course culminates in the Regents Examination in United States History and Government..
Economics - 12th Grade
15:1
The New York State Social Studies Framework is prioritized for this one-semester course. Instruction includes developing an understanding of the basic economic concepts necessary to function as a citizen of the United States. Through the use of real-world examples, students learn how to become informed consumers. Additional topics include the principles of economics, laws of supply and demand, money management, taxes, and investments.
Government - 12th Grade
15:1
The New York State Social Studies Framework is prioritized for this one-semester course. Students examine critical issues in society and learn strategies to become informed citizens. Topics include the systems of government and responsibilities of citizens.