Craig High School

401 S. Randall Ave Janesville, WI 53545  608-743-5251

• Apprenticeship
• Technical College
• 4 Year College
• Military
• Workforce

All curriculum and instruction in the School District of Janesville at any grade level is based on the Common Core Standards.

Formative Assessment

Is part of the instructional process. When incorporated into classroom practice, it provides the information needed to adjust teaching and learning as they happen. In this sense, formative assessment informs both teachers and students about student understanding at a point when timely adjustments can be made. One distinction is to think of formative assessment as “practice.”

Summative Assessment

Is administered periodically to determine, at a particular point in time, what students know and don’t know.

Summative Assessments are an important part of district and classroom programs. These assessments serve as an accountability measure used in the grading process. An example of this would be an end-of-unit test, lab, or project.

In high school, students can earn 1 credit for a course that lasts all year, or 1/2 credit per course per semester. A student earns this credit by demonstrating performance at the A, B, C, or D level. Over four years, the student needs 26.5 credits to graduate. There are specifications on the number of credits needed in each content area as well. All students are monitored by their assigned high school counselor to ensure they are on track to earn the credits required to graduate.

Other opportunities are also available in high school for students to earn job certifications and college credit.

 

• Honors: Honors courses are designed to challenge your student with faster-paced, more in-depth content.  
• Dual Credit: Dual Credit courses are college courses that high school students may take and receive both high school and college credit.
• Type 1: Advanced Placement: The Advanced Placement Program (AP) is a cooperative educational endeavor between high schools, Blackhawk Technical College, colleges, or universities.  It allows students to enroll in college-level courses while in high school, and gives them the opportunity to show mastery by taking an AP exam.
• Type 2: Transcripted Credit agreements allow School District of Janesville (SDJ) students to take BTC courses.  Classes offered for Transcripted Credit are free of charge to the student and are taught by SDJ teachers who are certified by the Wisconsin Technical College System. These are college courses that will produce a permanent college transcript and grade point average for each student. If you believe that producing a permanent college transcript and grade point is not in your best interest academically, please consider requesting a non-transcripted credit (TC) course. If you need more information about Transcripted Credit, see your counselor before requesting courses. Students receive a permanent, official BTC transcript and a college G.P.A. recognized by many technical colleges and universities in Wisconsin. Please look for the BTC symbol, which identifies specific courses that may be granted Technical College Credit.
• Type 3: Advanced Standing courses are equivalent to a BTC course and are taught by high school teachers. Classes offered for Advanced Standing credit are free of charge to students and are taught at the local high school. Students who receive a "B" or better are awarded technical college credit only when they enroll in a program at BTC. Advanced Standing classes vary by high school so check with your school counselor to find out what classes are offered to you at your school.  Please look for the BTC symbol, which identifies specific courses that may be granted Technical College Credit.

AVID Elective:  AVID Elective is a class for specific 9th,10th, and 11th-grade students who have applied and been accepted. The AVID Elective Class is a rigorous environment in which students gain the knowledge, skills, and habits to succeed in college. AVID is a daily academic class that focuses on teaching students the academic and organizational skills they need to succeed in challenging high school and college courses. Students in the AVID Elective Class visit colleges, have business and community leaders as guest speakers, and have opportunities for job internships and mentors.

There is an emphasis on analytical writing, preparation for college entrance and placement exams, study skills, test-taking, note-taking, and research. These skills are all supported through WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) strategies used throughout the AVID elective and its core curriculum.

Students may create a personalized English pathway based on their interests in reading, writing, and speaking, as well as their post-secondary plans. Although students can use their interest in earning AP English credit to guide their grade 9 course selection, they are free to select future English classes based on their interests and plans during each subject selection process.  The English department offers juniors and seniors capstone experiences to earn post-secondary credit through AP English Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition, as well as through Transcripted Credit (TC) agreements with Blackhawk Technical College for English Comp I and Speech. 

Freshmen have four choices for the grade 9 English requirement:

• English 9: Students will study conflict, identity, and responsibility through literature and informational texts. Non-fiction, poetry, and short stories will also be used to prompt writing and extend the study of essential questions. Critical thinking skills and close reading of text are emphasized. Students will complete short research projects and continue building vocabulary knowledge and skills. Writing instruction will focus on paragraph writing that uses textual evidence and on multi-paragraph persuasive essay writing. Grammar instruction will include sentence structure, punctuation, and proper usage.
• English 9 Honors: Students will study conflict, identity, and responsibility through literature and informational texts. Non-fiction, poetry, and short stories will also be used to prompt writing and extend the study of essential questions. Critical thinking skills and close reading of text are heavily emphasized, and students will complete research projects and continue building vocabulary knowledge and skills. Writing instruction will focus on paragraph writing that uses textual evidence and on multi-paragraph essay writing. Grammar instruction will include sentence structure, punctuation, and proper usage.  Note: What sets this course apart from a “regular” level course is extensive, independent reading and analysis of text.
• Accelerated English 9-10 Honors: This yearlong course is for students who are especially committed to challenging their reading and writing skills, as it takes them on a journey through the English 9-honors and English 10-honors curriculum. Following completion of this course, students will enroll in English 11 Honors during their sophomore year. Students will experience increased levels of written and oral analysis of literature, informational texts, drama, and poetry. Non-fiction selections will be used to prompt writing and extend the study of issues and themes. It is expected that students will be able to read independently. Students who register for this course are proficient or advanced writers and readers and will continue to develop those skills.

Note: What sets this course apart from an “honors” course is the additional extensive outside reading and writing, which require students to put forth considerable effort. Students will need to demonstrate strong independent work habits.

• English 10 Honors:  The emphasis for this course is exploring the themes of identity, perspective, nature, liberty, change, and power in the human experience. Non-fiction selections will be used to prompt writing and extend the study of literature. Critical thinking skills and close reading of text are emphasized. Writing instruction will focus on using textual evidence to support analysis and on writing multi-paragraph argumentative essays. In addition, students will use the research process as they write a research paper. Vocabulary instruction will continue to build vocabulary knowledge and skills, with a focus on figurative language, multiple-meaning words, and the impact of word choice on tone and mood. Grammar instruction will focus on parts of a sentence, phrases, and clauses, with an application to applying these skills to construct correct and varied sentences in students’ writing. Note: This course requires extensive outside reading and writing.  Students will need to demonstrate strong independent work habits and put forth considerable effort.

English

9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade
Accelerated English 9-10 Honors	English 11	AP English Lang & Comp. or AP English Lit & Comp	AP English Lang & Comp or AP English Lit & Comp
Honors Course Sequence  English 9 Honors	English 10 Honors	English 11 Honors	AP English Lang & Comp, AP English Lit & Comp, or TC Speech & TC English Composition 1
Traditional Course Sequence English 9	English 10	English 11	English 12 or English Elective (AP English Lang., AO English Lit, AP Seminar, TC Speech, TC English Comp. Creative Writing, Novel Studies, Sci Fi & Fantasy, Social Justice Writing Through Films

English elective courses that do not count towards the English credit requirement may be taken concurrently with courses listed above. Intro to Media & Journalism, Intro to Theater & Acting, Multimedia Production, Yearbook, Newspaper, Advanced Acting

.

When choosing your math class, you will want to have a conversation with your current math teacher about the next best course sequence for you.

Algebra 1 

The fundamental purpose of this course is to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learned in the middle grades. Students will deepen and extend their understanding of linear and exponential relationships and engage in methods for analyzing, solving, and using quadratic functions, as well as make sense of problems in order to solve.

Algebra 1 Honors

This course includes all topics covered in Algebra 1, along with additional related content, such as linear programming. This course requires students to demonstrate deeper proficiencies in conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application of the standards. Students will apply the Math Practice Standards in order to solve complex problems that require multiple steps.

Geometry

The fundamental purpose of this course is to formalize and extend students’ geometric experiences. Students explore complex geometric situations and deepen their explanations of geometric relationships, moving towards formal mathematical arguments. Course content will also include transformations. Students will make sense of problem situations in order to solve.

Geometry Honors

This course includes all topics covered in Geometry and additional content standards, such as applications of the Law of Sines and Cosines to find unknown measurements 

in triangles. This course requires students to demonstrate deeper proficiencies in conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application of the standards. Students will apply the Math Practice Standards in order to solve complex problems that require multiple steps.

Algebra 2

Students will build on their work with linear, quadratic, and exponential functions, and extend their repertoire of functions to include polynomial, rational, and radical functions. 

They will work closely with expressions and continue to expand their ability to model situations and solve equations, including exponential equations, using the properties of logarithms. Students will make sense of problem situations in order to solve.

Algebra 2 Honors

This course includes all topics covered in Algebra 2 and additional content standards, such as inverse relations and functions and matrices. This course requires students to demonstrate deeper proficiencies in conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application of the standards. Students will apply the Math Practice Standards in order to solve complex problems that require multiple steps. 

Students are required to take 1.0 (one full credit) of a physical science, 1.0 (one full credit) of a life science, and 1.0 additional science credit.

*LIFE SCIENCES include: Biology, Biology Honors, AP Biology, Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems,Medical Interventions, Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Microbiology, Applied Microbiology, Genetics I, Genetics II, Forensic Science, AP Environmental Science, Animal Science, Plant Science, Intro to Veterinary Science

*PHYSICAL SCIENCES include: Physical Science, Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Physics I, AP Physics II, Principles of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
 

Physical Science is the study of natural, non-living objects, while Life Science is the scientific study of living organisms.  Physical and Life sciences may seem totally different, but there is some overlap between them.  As in all sciences, students are expected to learn to think like a scientist by focusing on the national science practice standards; 

1. Asking questions and defining problems
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using Mathematics and computational thinking
6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
7. Engaging in an argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Honors/Pre-AP Courses

Honors courses in science follow the same course standards but require students to engage in more independent learning and to extend their practice in critical thinking and the communication of scientific methods.  These courses help prepare students for the demands of college-level AP Courses.

Science

9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade
Highly Accelerated Course Sequence: Chemistry	AP Biology	AP Science Courses and Science Electives (AP Chemistry, AP Physics I or AP Physics II, AP Environmental  Science, AS Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, Applied Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Forensic Science I & II, Genetics I & II, Medical Terminology, Principles of Engineering, Earth Science I & II)	AP Science Courses and Science Electives (AP Chemistry, AP Physics I or AP Physics II, AP Environmental  Science, AS Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, Applied Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Forensic Science I & II, Genetics I & II, Medical Terminology, Principles of Engineering, Earth Science I & II)
Accelerated Course Sequence:	Physical Science, Chemistry, or Chemistry Honors	AP Science Courses and Science Electives (AP Chemistry, AP Physics I or AP Physics II, AP Environmental  Science, AS Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, Applied Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Forensic Science I & II, Genetics I & II, Medical Terminology, Principles of Engineering, Earth Science I & II)	AP Science Courses and Science Electives (AP Chemistry, AP Physics I or AP Physics II, AP Environmental  Science, AS Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, Applied Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Forensic Science I & II, Genetics I & II, Medical Terminology, Principles of Engineering, Earth Science I & II)
Traditional Course Sequence:	Human Body Systems	Medical Interventions	Biomedical Innovation

Students may create a personalized social studies pathway based on their interests in geography, history, and the social sciences, as well as their post-secondary plans.  Although students can use their interest in earning AP social studies credit to guide their grade 9 course selection, they are free to select their next social studies class based on their current interests and future plans during each subject selection process.  All students must earn full credit in either U.S. History or AP U.S. History, and an additional two credits of required (R) social studies classes to satisfy graduation requirements.  Many students will elect to take social studies as a senior to earn either AP social studies credit or transcripted credit (TC) credit at Blackhawk Technical College.

Freshmen have three choices for the grade 9 social studies requirement

World Studies: 

Students will understand major themes of modern world history and their impact on our present world. Such an understanding is rooted in an investigation of the geographic, historic, economic, anthropologic, and political elements of the world’s diverse regions. Therefore, this course combines aspects of world history with elements of human and physical geography. To build skills for future high school courses, a special emphasis will also be placed on developing the following skills: map analysis, primary & secondary source analysis, and using analysis of evidence to support written claims.

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY:

This class introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface.  Human geography incorporates concepts and methods from several social sciences, including economics, geography, history, and sociology.  The course topics include the following: Geography: Nature and perspectives; Population; Cultural Patterns and Processes; Political organization of space; Agriculture and Rural land use; Industrialization and Economic Development; Cities and Urban land use.  This course will require outside reading and writing, and students will need to demonstrate strong independent work habits. Students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement exam. Upon post-secondary enrollment, students may receive credit, advanced placement, or both for a one-semester introductory college human geography course.
 

AP WORLD HISTORY:

In this class, students will study the history of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania from 8000 BCE to the present day.  Students will be expected to read college-level texts, write essays, and critically analyze historical evidence. There will be required outside reading and writing, which will require students to maintain strong independent work habits. Students will have the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement exam. Based on the exam score, students may receive credit, advanced placement, or both for one semester of an introductory world history course at a postsecondary college or university. 

9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade
Accelerated Course Sequence: AP Human Geography (Recommended) or AP World History	AP United States History	Social Studies Electives (AP Psychology, AP European History, AP US Government, AP World History, TC Psychology, TC Sociology, Economics, Humanities A & B, Multicultural American History, Contemporary Issues, History Through Art I & II)	(AP Psychology, AP European History, AP US Government, AP World History, TC Psychology, TC Sociology, Economics, Humanities A & B, Multicultural American History, Contemporary Issues, History Through Art I & II)
Traditional Course Sequence: World Studies	United States History	Social Studies Electives (AP Psychology, AP European History, AP US Government, AP World History, TC Psychology, TC Sociology, Economics, Humanities A & B, Multicultural American History, Contemporary Issues, History Through Art I & II)	(AP Psychology, AP European History, AP US Government, AP World History, TC Psychology, TC Sociology, Economics, Humanities A & B, Multicultural American History, Contemporary Issues, History Through Art I & II)

In some grades, there are additional requirements that need to be met for graduation:

9th Grade

Freshman Seminar is a ½-credit required course for all 9th-grade students. Study skills, self-advocacy, and college and career readiness will be areas of focus, along with other skills necessary for success in the high school setting.  In addition, students in the freshman seminar will use Career Cruising, a program that helps them develop a four-year high school educational plan aligned with their post-secondary goals. If a student enrolls after their freshman year, they will need to take a class called Seminar, which is comparable to Freshman Seminar.

10th Grade

Health is a ½-credit course required for all 10th-grade students.  This course takes a basic approach to health issues with an emphasis on decision-making and healthy lifestyles.  Through individual, small-group, hands-on activities, students will cover topics such as the human body, personal health and wellness (nutrition, exercise, disease prevention), mental health, the use and misuse of drugs, family living and relationships, dating and sexuality, and health and society.  Students will take notes, participate in classroom discussions and role playing, listen attentively to speakers, complete assignments, analyze media reports, conduct demonstrations, and make presentations to the class.

11th Grade

Personal Finance is a ½ credit course required for all 11th-grade students.  This course is designed to equip high school students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their personal finances effectively.  Students will learn “real-life” skills that they can use throughout their own lives.  Students will learn about investing in a variety of securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.).  Other topics covered include: Careers, post-secondary planning, financial aid, college applications, analyzing pay and benefits, taxes, budgeting, use of banking services, real estate, credit, buying an automobile, buying a home, and insurance. In addition, students will use Career Cruising, a program that will help them develop a four-year high school education plan aligned with their post-secondary goals. 

Physical Education

• Core Physical Education Grade 9
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Grades 10-12
• Freshman Weight Training Grade 9
• Physical Education Cadet Leadership Grades 11-12
• Core Physical Education Grades 10-12
• Pre Cadet Leadershop Class (p) Grades 10-11
• Athletic Performance and Training Grades 10-12
• Coaching and Officiating Sports Grades 11-12
• Lifetime Health & Fitness Grades10-12
• Strength, Agility, & Conditioning I Grades 10-12
• Strength, Agility, & Conditioning II (p) Grades 10-12
• Physical Education Advanced Grades 11-12
• Team Sports Grades 10-12
• Adventure Physical Education Grade 12

Family and Consumer Science

• *FACS Co-Op (p) Grade 11-12
• Assistant Childcare Teacher A.C.C.T (p) Grades 11-12
• AS Child Development Grades 10-12
• AS EC Education: Infant & Toddler Grades 10-12
• AS EC Education: Health, Safety, & Nutrition Grades 10-12
• Health Occupations Grades 10-12
• AS Medical Terminology Grades 10-12
• AS Culinary Arts I Grades 9-12
• AS Culinary Arts II (p) Grades 9-12
• AS Culinary Arts III Part 1 (p) Grades 10-12
• AS Culinary Arts III Part 2 (p) Grades 10-12
• AS Culinary Arts IV Part 1 (p) Grades 11-12
• AS Culinary Arts IV Part 2 (p) Grades 11-12
• Global Foods (p) Grades 10-12
• Principles of Baking (p) Grades 10-12
• AS Aspiring Educators Grades 10-12

Computer Science

• *Robotics, Engineering, and Programming Grades 9-12
• *TC Advanced Computer Science AB (p) Grades 11-12
• *AP Computer Science A - JAVA (p) Grades 10-12
• *AP Computer Science Principals (p) Grades 10-12
• Game Design 1 (p) Grades 9-12
• Game Design 2 (p) Grades 9-12
• Web Design Grades 9-12

Interdisciplinary

• Leadership Skills Grades 9-12
• Tech Squad (c) Grades 9-12
• Internship Grades 11-12
• Youth Apprenticeship Grades 11-12
• Elevate Global Business Grades 11-12
• Elevate Business Communications Grades 11-12
• Elevate Business Finance & Processes Grades 11-12
• International Seminar
• Junior / Senior Internship

World Language

• *Chinese I Language and Culture Grades 9-12
• *Chinese II Language and Culture (p) Grades 9-12
• *Chinese III Language and Culture (p) Grades 9-12
• *Chinese IV Language and Culture (p) Grades 10-12
• *Chinese V Language and Culture (p) Grades 11-12
• *AP Chinese (p) Grade 12
• *French I Language and Culture Grades 9-12
• *French II Language and Culture (p) Grades 9-12
• *French III Language and Culture (p) Grades 9-12
• *French IV Language and Culture (p) Grades 10-12
• *French V Language and Culture (p) Grades 11-12
• *AP French (p) Grade 12

Choir

• *Serenade Choir Grades 9-12
• *Power Chords Grades 9-12
• *Cantorum (p) Grades 10-12
• *Bella Voice Grades 10-12 Audition Only
• *Accelerated Cantorum Choir Honors (p) Grades 11-12

Band

• *Concert Band (p) Grade 9
• *Jazz Ensemble (p) Grades 10-12
• *Symphonic Band (p) Grades 10-12
• *Wind Ensemble (p) Grades 10-12
• *Accelerated Wind Ensemble Honors (p) Grades 11-12

Orchestra

• *Philharmonic Orchestra (p) Grades 9-12
• *Symphonic Orchestra (p) Grades 10-12
• *Accelerated Orchestra Honors 

Other

• *AP Music Theory (p) Grades 11-12
• *Intro to Music Theory Music History Grades 10-12
• *Intro to Theater Design / Construction Grades 9-12
• *Moves and Music Grades 10-12
• *Elements of Dance Grades 9-12

Tech Ed & Engineering

Graphic Communications

• Graphic Communications 1 Grades 9-12 
• Graphic Communications 2 Grades 9-12
• *Graphic Communications 3 Grades 10-12
• Advanced Graphic Communications (p) Grades 11-12

Engineering

• *PLTW Introduction to Engineering & Design Grades 9-12
• *PLTW Aerospace Engineering (p) Grades 10-12
• *PLTW Civil Engineering & Architecture (p) Grades 10-12
• *Robotics Engineering & Programming Grades 9-12
• *PLTW Computer Integrated Manufacturing (p) Grades 10-12
• *PLTW Digital Electronics (p) Grades 10-12
• *PLTW Principles of Engineering Grades 10-12

Construction

• Construction and Woodworking 1 Grades 9 -12
• Construction and Woodworking 2 Grades 9 -12
• *Construction and Woodworking 3 Grades 10 -12
• *Advanced Graphic Communications (p) Grades 11-12

Manufacturing

• Manufacturing 1 Grades 9-12 
• Manufacturing 2 Grades 9-12 
• Manufacturing 3 Grades 10-12 
• *Manufacturing 4 Grades 11-12 
• Welding 1 (p) Grades 10-12
• Welding 2 (p) Grades 10-12
• PLWT Computer Integrated Manufacturing Grades 10-12

Transportation

• Automotive 1 - Small Engines Grades 9-12
• Automotive 2 (p) Grades 9-12
• Automotive 3 (p) Grades 10-12
• Automotive 4 (p) Grades 11-12

*Year-long class
(p) Prerequisit
(c) Consent of Instructor