Reading
(English Elective Courses)
North Chicago Community High School is committed to fostering each student into a confident, effective reader. The primary goals are to expand student literacy to allow learners to use reading as a tool for life-long learning and enrichment and to also grow to be knowledgeable, productive adults. To meet this goal, freshman reading two or more years below grade level will be enrolled in a required reading course. Sophomores will also be required to take a reading course if their reading level is two or more years below grade level on the Plan Test. Juniors who score two or more levels below grade level on the Plan or PSAT Test will be required to take a “Fast ForWord” reading course and a Psychology of Testing course the second semester of their junior year.
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Course Descriptions
Prerequisite: Freshman students reading two or more years below on the Gates Reading Test
Grades: 9
Credits: ¼
Length: 1 quarter
This elective course gives students the opportunity to increase their reading skills and abilities. Students are given an individual assessment to determine each participant’s reading strengths and weaknesses. A student / teacher contract (individual plan) is then developed with instruction geared towards building upon strengths and eliminating deficiencies. This course will include a balanced reading program consisting of the following areas: comprehension, fluency, decoding, study skills, writing, and higher order thinking strategies.
reading improvement ii
Prerequisite: Sophomore students reading two or more years below on the Gates Reading Test
Grades: 10
Credits: ¼
Length: 1 quarter
This elective course gives students the opportunity to increase their reading skills and abilities. Students are given an individual assessment to determine each participant’s reading strengths and weakness. A student-teacher contract (individual plan) is then developed with instruction geared toward building upon strengths and eliminating deficiencies. This course will include a balanced reading program consisting of the following areas: comprehension, fluency, decoding, study skills, writing and higher order thinking strategies.
reading improvement iii
Prerequisite: Junior students reading two or more years below on the Plan Test, PSAT Test, Gates-MacGinities Reading Test
Credits: ¼
Grades: 11
Length: 1 quarter
This elective course gives students the opportunity to increase their reading skills and abilities. Students are given an individual assessment to determine each participant’s reading strengths and weakness. A student-teacher contract (individual plan) is then developed with instruction geared toward building upon strengths and eliminating deficiencies. This course will include a balanced reading program consisting of the following areas: comprehension, fluency, decoding, study skills, writing and higher order thinking strategies.
fast forword
Prerequisite: Junior students reading two or more years below on the Plan or PSAT Test, Gates-MacGinities Reading Test
Credits: ¼
Grades: 11
Length: 1 quarter
High school juniors are selected to participate this a computer-based reading program that helps students rapidly improve language, reading and learning skills. Students receive instruction via the computer with individual programs monitored on a daily basis. Students are chosen for this program based upon previous testing criteria (i.e., scores from the Plan test, Gates-MacGinities Reading test). The purpose of this program is to show reading growth as evidenced through pre and post testing information.
psychology of testing
Prerequisite: Junior students reading two or more years below on the Plan, PSAE Test, Gates-MacGinities Reading Test
Credits: ¼
Grades: 11
Length: 1 quarter
Students will have the opportunity to learn new techniques and be able to take the PSAE and ACT test with greater confidence. This course will include test-taking strategies, taking practice tests, learning new study skills, and advanced reading strategies. Students will be working with guidance, Princeton Review, and other test preparation programs to enhance their skills.