Courses Of Study

Grades 1-6 Courses of study for grades 1 through 6 shall include the following: - Reading/Language Arts: knowledge and appreciation of language and literature, and the skills of speaking, reading, listening, spelling, handwriting, and composition (Education Code 51210) - English Language Development: English Learning students will receive specially designed instruction in the acquisition of academic skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English as a second language, designed for their specific level of fluency. - Mathematics: concepts, operational skills and problem solving (Education Code 51210) - Social sciences: age-appropriate instruction drawing upon the disciplines of anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology, including instruction in: (Education Code 51210) - The history, resources, development, and government of California and the United States Instruction shall include the early history of California and a study of the role and contributions of men and women, black Americans, American Indians, Mexicans, Asians, Pacific Island people, and other ethnic groups to the economic, political, and social development of California and the United States, with particular emphasis on portraying the role of these groups in contemporary society. (Education Code 51204.5) - The development of the American economic system, including the role of the entrepreneur and labor - The relations of persons to their human and natural environments - Eastern and western cultures and civilizations - Contemporary issues - The wise use of natural resources Science: biological and physical aspects, with emphasis on experimental inquiry and the place of humans in ecological systems (Education Code 51210) - Visual and performing arts: instruction in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts aimed at developing aesthetic appreciation and creative expression (Education Code 51210) - Health: principles and practices of individual, family, and community health (Education Code 51210) The adopted course of study shall provide instruction at the appropriate grade levels and subject areas in: (Education Code 51202) - Personal and public safety and accident prevention, including instruction in emergency first aid, hemorrhage control, treatment for poisoning, resuscitation techniques, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation when appropriate equipment is available - Fire prevention - The protection and conservation of resources, including the necessity for the protection of our environment - Sexually transmitted disease - The effects of alcohol, narcotics, drugs, and tobacco upon the human body - Violence as a public health issue - Physical education, with emphasis on physical activities conducive to health and vigor of body and mind (Education Code 51210) - Career awareness exploration Grades 7-8 Courses of study for grades 7 through 8 shall include the following: - English: knowledge and appreciation of literature, language and composition, and the skills of reading, listening, and speaking (Education Code 51220) - English Language Development: knowledge and appreciation of literature, language and composition, and the skills of reading, listening, and speaking (Education Code 51220) - Social sciences: age-appropriate instruction drawing upon the disciplines of anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology and sociology, with instruction in: (Education Code 51220) - The history, resources, development, and government of California and the United States, including: - Early California history, and the role and contributions of both men and women, black Americans, American Indians, Mexicans, Asians, Pacific Island people and other ethnic groups to the economic, political and social development of California and the nation, with particular emphasis on the role of these groups in contemporary society (Education Code 51204.5) - World War II and the American role in that war and the Vietnam War, including the "Secret War" in Laos and role of Southeast Asians in that war - Eastern and western cultures and civilizations - Human rights issues, with particular attention to the study of the inhumanity of genocide, slavery, and the Holocaust - Contemporary issues - Foreign language(s): understanding, speaking, reading, and writing, beginning not later than grade 7 (Education Code 51220) - Physical education: with emphasis on physical activities conducive to health and vigor of body and mind, as required by Education Code 51222 (Education Code 51220) - Science: physical and biological aspects; emphasis on basic concepts, theories, and processes of scientific investigation and on the place of humans in ecological systems; appropriate applications of the interrelation and interdependence of the sciences (Education Code 51220) - Mathematics: mathematical understandings, operational skills and problem-solving procedures; algebra (Education Code 51220, 51224.5) - Visual and performing arts: dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, with emphasis upon development of aesthetic appreciation and creative expression (Education Code 51220) - HIV/AIDS prevention (Education Code 51934) - Personal and public safety, accident prevention and health, including instruction in: (Education Code 51202, 51203) - Emergency first aid, hemorrhage control, treatment for poisoning, resuscitation techniques, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation when appropriate equipment is available - Fire prevention - The protection and conservation of resources, including the necessity for the protection of our environment - Sexually-transmitted disease - Violence as a public health issue In addition, the course of study for grade 7 and/or 8 may include parenting skills and education that address at least all of the following: (Education Code 51220.5) - Child growth and development - Parental responsibilities - Household budgeting - Child abuse and neglect issues - Personal hygiene - Maintenance of healthy relationships - Teen parenting issues - Self-esteem