Introduction to French: In addition to foreign language learning, this course endeavors to develop students’ skills in literary and cultural analysis and critical thinking. It is expected that the knowledge gained by the acquisition of a new language and its literature and culture will translate into an improvement of the students’ critical thinking and an enrichment of their entire life, and it will encourage respect for other peoples. Acquiring a new language provides a new perspective on the world that will foster the acceptance of diverse views and promote understanding among the people of the world.
French II: This class adds to the student's understanding of the structure of the French language and also increases the student's vocabulary. The emphasis on fundamentals continues in this course. Cultural awareness focuses on the thirty-five French-speaking countries of the world. Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Introduction to French.
Read 180: Students who enter Alta Vista who or 4 more years below grade level in reading will receive remedial instruction in reading using READ 180, an intensive reading intervention program that addresses the problem of adolescent illiteracy and special needs reading on multiple fronts, which include the use of technology, print, and intensive professional development for the instructor. In the READ 180 classroom, students will move in 20-minute blocks through computer-based reading instruction, small group, skills-based instruction at their level with the teacher, and an independent reading rotation where they will access reading materials lexiled to their current reading level. READ 180 is proven to meet the needs of struggling readers whose reading achievement is below proficient level. The program directly addresses individual needs through differentiated instruction, adaptive and instructional software, high-interest literature, and direct instruction in reading, writing, and vocabulary skills. Effective implementation of the READ 180 program has been shown to yield increases in student achievement of 2-3 grade levels in 1-2 academic years.