Academic Support and Intervention Courses

9988 Academic Strategies II

2 semesters; 1 credit per year
The student attends three or fewer Special Education classes (less than 50% Special Education classes). Staff consults with regular education teachers regarding the student’s progress. The student is assigned to a support person with intensive services. The Emotional Development resource teacher provides each student with a maximum of structure and support. The student is reinforced with a behavior management system.

2187 Career/Consumer Math

Open to Seniors
2 semesters; 2 credits
This course is intended for seniors who will enter the world of work following graduation. The course reinforces the consumer math skills of budgeting, credit management, shopping, and checking. The second semester provides additional review and practice in measurement, spatial awareness, and calculations needed for vocational/military mathematics aptitude testing.

2014/2016 General Math

Open to EAC/SED students only
2 semesters; 2 credits
This course focuses on improving basic computation skills. Emphasis is on developing an understanding of those concepts involved in the number system and numeration, computation, and the application of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents.

9998/2 Social Seminar

1 semester; No credit
This class focuses on the student and his/her relationships with others. Self-image, peer relationships, goal setting, feelings, and group dynamics are some of the subjects studied.

707 Community Integrated Transition Education (CITE)

The philosophy of the CITE Program is to provide an outcome-based program that will promote students’ optimal independence in the home and community by teaching individualized, age-appropriate life skills.
Upon completion of four years of high school and by recommendation of the IEP, TEAM students may be recommended for participation in the Community Integrated Transition Education Program. The curriculum focus is on life and vocational skills that are age appropriate and community based. The seven curriculum areas are:

1. Parent/Adult Services - Students/families will develop an awareness of adult services.
2. Academics - Instruction will focus on skills needed to participate in the community as independently as possible.
3. Vocation - Students will participate in community-based vocational training.
4. Community - Students will increase knowledge and independence in the community.
5. Domestic - Students will increase independence in home-based activities.
6. Recreation/Leisure - Students will explore community options for using free time productively.
7. Transportation - Students will work toward using transportation independently for work and community activities.                                           

This is a non-credit earning program. Progress toward IEP goals will be documented.

2179 Applied Math

Semester 1 only; 1 credit
Designed to meet the IEP of the student, this course teaches a basic knowledge of math skills, including time telling, money, calculator, and measurement.

2719 Applied Math 1-2

2 semesters; 2 credits
This course prepares students to use mathematics in daily living and provides a review of the four basic computational skills and their application to whole numbers and decimals.

2729 Applied Math 3-4

2 semesters; 2 credits
This continuation of math in daily living uses different situations and a slightly more difficult book.

2739 Applied Math 5-6

2 semesters; 2 credits
This continuation of applying math in daily living includes fractions, decimals, geometry, algebra, percentages, metrics and other units of measure.

1139 English 1-2

2 semesters; 2 credits
This course is designed to help the student develop skills in and understanding of basic grammar, punctuation, and writing.

1239 English 3-4

2 semesters; 2 credits
This course is designed to help the students develop improved writing skills and understand the practical application of basic grammar at a level higher than that which has been learned.

1319 English 5-6

2 semesters; 2 credits
This course is designed to help the students develop a better understanding and appreciation of American literature in conjunction with the development of better writing and expression skills.

1419 English 7-8

2 semesters; 2 credits
This course is designed to apply basic English skills to functional life settings and experiences.

5019 Foundations of Health Education

2 semesters; 2 credits
Studies the human body and health care, including basic first aid, toxic substances, sex education, and disease prevention and control. Credit in this course may not be applied toward the high school’s graduation requirement of two laboratory science credits.

1179 Elements of Reasoning & Writing Level A-F

2 semesters; 2 credits
This direct instruction program is presented in six levels, A through F.  This program teaches higher-order thinking skills that are needed for later reading, writing, and thinking.  This program gives students the critical-thinking skills they need to analyze situations clearly and reach conclusions logically, equipping them to express themselves with precision and clarity as they write.

3989 Skills Development

2 semesters; 2 credits
Students will acquire a basic knowledge of community resources, self-determination, current events, activities of daily living, and a variety of necessary life skills.  Students will apply classroom skills in a variety of school and community settings for the purpose of skill generalization.

6516 Contemporary Art & Expression in Modern Society

Open to all students
1 semester; 1 credit
Contemporary Art & Expression in Modern Society is a multi-faceted approach to discovering the therapeutic benefits of art through creation, study and appreciation.  The class would be designed specifically for Special Education students in the Social Emotional Development Program.  Students receiving services in the SED Program are unable to be successful in the general education setting due to social anxiety or other manifestations of their Emotional Disability.  The course will include three facets of study to include art therapy, Art History, and art techniques.  Course will utilize text, multimedia and social media to explore art.  Students would travel to various museums throughout the city of Chicago, as well as see local resources. 

1149 English 1-2

2 semesters; 2 credits
Class work is designed to meet the individual educational plans of TEAM students and consists of a variety of hands-on activities and projects. Students will develop basic calendar skills as well as skills in using a newspaper to obtain information and maintain knowledge of current events. Students will acquire a basic knowledge of reading, comprehension, writing, and spelling skills.

1249 English 3-4

2 semesters; 2 credits
A continuation of English 1-2 above.

1309 English 5-6

2 semesters; 2 credits
A continuation of English 3-4 above.

1409 English 7-8

2 semesters; 2 credits
A continuation of English 5-6 above.

7489 Home Economics

2 semesters; 2 credits
Housekeeping, kitchen safety, and cooking skills are covered.

7499 Living Skills

2 semesters; 2 credits
Personal grooming skills including oral hygiene, first aid, health rules, and social skills are covered.

3979 Recreation and Leisure

2 semesters; 2 credits
This class teaches recreational and leisure skills to assist students in the development of their social skills and recreational/leisure interests for life-long entertainment.

Reading Program

117, 1167, 1169 Elements of Reading

Open to qualified freshmen by recommendation. Students who register for this course should also register for Essentials of English.
2 semesters; 4 elective credits
This double period course is designed to help incoming freshmen reach the appropriate reading proficiency for success in high school and on standardized tests.  Using a research-based comprehensive program, this course provides explicit reading instruction and progressive lessons focusing on comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency to best improve student reading abilities.

935 Literacy Seminar

Prerequisite:  Freshmen only; based upon 8th grade performance
2 semesters; 2 credits
This course provides strategic reading instruction to increase the student’s ability to read content area text across various disciplines. Students learn to read for different purposes with different types of text and to read for depth. The course helps students acquire necessary skills and knowledge to support improvements in content area reading. The course also helps students form positive student habits such as note taking, organization, and study strategies. This class is one period.

936 Literacy Connections

Prerequisite: Sophomores only; based upon 9th grade performance
2 semesters; 2 credits
This course provides support for sophomores whose freshman reading data suggest that the student would benefit from additional reading enrichment.  This course focuses on improving literal and inferential reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and the application of skills for all disciplines. This course is designed to increase the student’s ability to successfully read and understand materials to improve academic performance across the content areas and to build lifelong literacy skills. The course also helps students form positive student habits such as note taking, organization, and study strategies. This class is one period.

941 College and Career Literacy

Prerequisite: Juniors only; based upon 10th grade performance
2 semesters; 2 credits
This course provides support for juniors whose sophomore reading assessment data suggest that the student would benefit from additional reading enrichment. This course focuses on improving literal and inferential reading comprehension, reading endurance, vocabulary development, and the application of skills for all disciplines. This course is designed to increase the student’s ability to successfully read and understand materials to improve academic performance across the content areas and to build lifelong literacy skills. The course also helps students acquire, practice, and improve skills necessary for success on the PSAE/ACT college admission testing and other identified college/career admission assessments. This class is one period.

Academic Learning Program

The Academic Learning Program includes Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports and interventions for students. Components of the program include the Academic Enrichment course and In-School Credit Recovery courses taken online with the support of a teacher. Students are recommended for the program on both a part-time and full-time basis by their Pupil Support Services (PSS) team. Parent and administrative approval is required. Students within the program are supported by the program staff which includes teachers, counselors, a student advocate, and a program coordinator.

117x World Studies Immersion/Literacy Support (also see English & History course offerings)

Open to qualified freshmen approved for the transition program
2 semesters; 2 credits
World Studies Immersion combines English, Literacy and History curricula and integrates the disciplines to expand the student’s experience.  As a part of the three period World Studies Immersion course, students are enrolled in WSI English, WSI History and WSI Literacy Seminar. WSI Literacy Seminar provides intensive, direct reading instruction to increase vocabulary, reading comprehension, word study, and reading rate. By immersing the reading strategies and instruction into the World Studies class, students will benefit from the reinforcement and practice of applying their skills. 

900 Academic Enrichment

Prerequisite:  Counselor and/or administrator recommendation
2 semesters; 2 credits
The focus of this course is to support students in developing and applying positive academic behaviors and skills to increase their success in high school. Students receive hands-on support and guidance in navigating various aspects of the school. They will explore their learning strengths, obtain study strategies, and learn to manage and prioritize their time. Students will develop organizational skills, understand how to manage their school materials and will engage in ongoing goal setting and goal progress monitoring. Additionally, the course provides support to students in constructing a positive academic and social identity while developing skills to build positive relationships between their peers and adults within the school. The course is centered on executive functions and social-emotional support.

Academic Support Courses

943/2 Leadership

Open to juniors and seniors
2 semesters; 2 credits
The Leadership class at OPRFHS pairs Junior and Senior mentors chosen through a rigorous selection process with freshmen students enrolled in study halls and select mathematics classes.  The Leadership juniors and seniors typically meet two days per week to develop leadership, mentorship, and tutoring skills.  Those junior or senior mentors push into freshmen study halls and mathematics classes to help build community, provide academic assistance, and offer emotional support for the remainder of the week.  The goal of the course is to allow students to play integral roles in creating spaces which center around our students’ cultural wealth and values to transform the culture of t school into one of the shared responsibility, care and respect.