High School

Mathematics:

In high school, students will develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and use mathematical ways of thinking to solve real-world problems. Unlike previous grades where learning objectives are organized by grade level, high school learning objectives are organized by concepts—such as algebra, functions, or geometry—that students will learn and master in various mathematics courses. These concepts build on what students learned in grade eight and move toward greater depth of knowledge and skills throughout high school. Here’s a brief snapshot of some of the work students will be doing in these areas:

Creating and solving equations (mathematical statements that use letters to represent unknown numbers, such as 2x-6y+z=14) with two or more variables to describe numbers or relationships
Building an understanding of rational numbers (such as ¾) to include rational expressions (such as 3/(x-4))
Using the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it. For example, recognizing that x8 − y8 is the difference between two squares and can also be written (x4)2 − (y4)2
Adding, subtracting, and multiplying polynomials (an expression with multiple terms such as 5xy2 + 2xy −7)
Interpreting the slope of a line as the rate of change in two variables and the intercept as the constant term in a linear model
Building and analyzing functions that describe relationships between quantities and using function notation (for example, f(x) denotes the output of f corresponding to the input of x)
Representing and performing operations with complex numbers (numbers such as 3+5i, where i is an imaginary number and i2 = -1)
Understanding the rules of probability and using them to interpret data and evaluate the outcomes of decisions
Distinguishing between correlation and causation
Interpreting quantitative and categorical data
Understanding and proving geometric theorems (mathematical statements whose truth can be proven on the basis of previously proven or accepted statements)
Using algebraic reasoning to prove geometric theorems
Applying geometric concepts to model real-life situations

Parent Roadmap - Supporting your child in High School Mathematics

English Language Arts

In high school, students will closely and critically read complex works of literature and informational texts. In writing and through class discussions, students will interpret what they read and present analysis based on appropriate examples and evidence from the text. They will assess the strength of an author’s or speaker’s points and assumptions based on evidence from the text. Additionally, students will expand their literary and cultural knowledge by reading great classic and contemporary works representative of various time periods, cultures, and world views. High school students will develop the skill, fluency, and concentration to produce high-quality writing, as well as the capacity to edit and improve their writing over multiple drafts. Here’s a brief snapshot of some of the work students will be doing in these areas:

Reading and analyzing foundational works of American and world literature and examining how two or more texts from the same time period treat similar themes or topics
Citing strong evidence from a text to analyze what it says explicitly as well as what it infers, including determining when a text leaves a point unclear or unproven
Identifying and evaluating the reasoning used in historical documents, including the application of constitutional or legal principles
Supporting arguments in an analysis of challenging topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence
Conducting short- and long-term research projects to answer a question or solve a problem
Participating effectively in group discussions, expressing ideas clearly and persuasively and building on the ideas of others
Demonstrating understanding of complex or figurative language (such as hyperbole), and distinguishing what is directly stated in a text from what is actually meant
Understanding the role that figurative language plays in a text
Presenting information using multiple media formats (such as graphics or audio/visual presentations) to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence

Parent Roadmap - Supporting your child in High School English Language Arts