El Zahraa American

School

Course Description

 El Zahraa American School

Curriculums and School Courses

(I) English Language Arts

Grades 10 to 12:

Standard: Common Core

Textbooks:

  • Collections, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Writer’s Choice, Glencoe
  • Vocabulary Workshop, Sadlier

Course Description:

The textbook is closely aligned with the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards. Each collection, selection, and performance task in the textbook connects to one or more of the standards for English Language Arts. Our course is divided into five strands: Reading Literature, Reading Informational Text, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language.

In the Reading course, students will:

  • Read closely to determine what the text says and cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking.
  • Determine central ideas or themes of a text, analyze their development, and summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
  • Analyze word choices.
  • Analyze the structure of the text.
  • Assess the content and style of a text.
  • Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, analyzing the text’s themes or topics.

In the Writing course, students will:

  • Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of topics.
  • Write informative texts to examine and convey complex ideas.
  • Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events.
  • Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience.
  • Develop and strengthen writing as needed.
  • Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, drawing evidence from literary and/or informational texts to support analysis.

In the Listening and Speaking course, students will:

  • Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations.
  • Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats.
  • Evaluate speakers’ points of view.
  • Ensure that the information presented is supported by evidence.
  • Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays.

In the Language course, students will:

  • Demonstrate command of English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
  • Demonstrate command of English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
  • Apply knowledge of language to understand its functions in different contexts.
  • Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.
  • Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances.
  • Acquire and use a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.

(II) Social Studies:

Standard: California

Grade 10

Textbook: World History and Geography, McGraw Hill Education, Jackson J. Spiel Vogel, Ph.D.

Course Description:

Students study major turning points that shaped the modern world from the late fifteenth century through the present, including the causes and courses of the two world wars and the revolutions that led to recent democratic beliefs. They trace the rise of democratic ideas and develop an understanding of the historical roots of current world issues, especially as they pertain to international relations. They extrapolate from the American experience that democratic ideals are often achieved at a high price and are not practiced everywhere in the world.

Grade 11:

Textbook: United States History, Deverell White

Course Description:

Students trace the discovery of the American continents, the foundation of the Constitution, and the rise of democratic ideas. They develop an understanding of the historical roots of current world issues, especially as they pertain to international relations. They extrapolate from the American experience that democratic ideals are often achieved at a high price and are not practiced everywhere in the world. Students will also learn about the most famous American presidents who significantly impacted the nation’s history.

Grade 12:

Textbook: Introduction to Business

Course Description:

Individuals trained in fields such as business management, international trade, and various financial services specialties (e.g., accounting, banking, and investing) will find that their skills are highly marketable. Students master basic business principles and procedures before proceeding to career path specializations. The specializations emphasize concepts of accounting and finance, including computer applications, taxes, investments, and asset management, as well as pathways in international business and business management. Because almost every business and organization has a financial and management component, students will find opportunities in many career paths beyond those in business and finance.

(III) Mathematics:

Standard: Common Core

Grade 10

Textbook: Geometry, McDougal

Course Description:

This course includes:

  • Coordinate Geometry: Students will learn about the coordinate plane, the properties of each quadrant, using segments and congruence, midpoints and distance formulas, copying and bisecting segments and angles, finding and using slopes of lines, writing and graphing equations of lines, proving theorems about perpendicular lines, using the equations of a circle, and finding the diameter or radius using the midpoint and distance formulas.
  • Transformations: Students will learn to translate, reflect, rotate, and dilate objects using known rules.
  • Trigonometry: Covering co-functions, the law of sines, the law of cosines, quadratic functions, complex numbers, similarity, and probability.

Grade 11

Textbook: Algebra 2, Pre-calculus, Holt

Course Description:

This course covers:

  • Sequences and series, arithmetic sequences, and geometric sequences.
  • Graphing different types of functions and discussing functions graphically and algebraically.
  • Calculating limits at specific points, properties of limits, and limits involving infinity, including trigonometric functions.
  • The definition of matrices, matrix operations, determinants, Cramer’s rule, and calculating the inverse of matrices.
  • The definition of exponential functions and logarithms, converting between logarithmic and exponential forms, and solving exponential equations using logarithms.

Grade 12

Advanced Math

Textbook: Pre-calculus, Holt

Course Description:

In this course, students will study the derivative of a function and its various interpretations, all of which are useful when dealing with differential calculus. These interpretations include the formal definition of the derivative, the notion of differentiable functions, critical points, intervals of increasing and decreasing for 2nd and 3rd degree functions, local maxima and minima for 2nd and 3rd degree functions, inflection points, and convexity. The relationship between integration and differentiation, integration and its applications, and the Binomial Theorem will also be covered.

Grade 12

Statistics:

Textbook: Understanding Statistics, Graham Upton and Ian Cook

Course Description:

In this course, students will study Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation coefficients, probability and axioms, discrete and continuous random variables and their probability density functions, and normal distribution (how to calculate its probability using tables) and its properties.

(IV) Science:

Standard: California State Standards & NGSS

Grade 10

Textbook: Holt Science

Course Description:

Students study Chemistry, Physics, and Biology through hands-on experiments, inquiry-based learning, and real-world applications.

  • Chemistry: Focuses on matter, atomic structure, chemical reactions, and energy changes.
  • Physics: Covers motion, forces, energy, waves, and electricity, emphasizing problem-solving and experimentation.
  • Biology: Explores cells, genetics, evolution, ecosystems, and human body systems.

The curriculum develops critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and practical laboratory skills to prepare students for advanced science courses and future STEM careers.

Grade 11

Chemistry

Textbook: Modern Chemistry, Holt

Course Description:

This course will cover quantum chemistry. Students will study Bohr’s model and quantum numbers, leading to electronic configuration. The course also includes an overview of the periodic table, types of chemical bonds, hybridization, and how to predict the spatial shape of certain molecules. Another subject area will be an introduction to organic chemistry, in which students will study saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, including their nomenclature and physical and chemical properties. Additionally, students will study electrochemistry, voltaic cells, electrolysis, Faraday’s laws, chemical equilibrium, and types of reactions.

Grade 12

Biology

Textbook: Biology, Holt McDougal

Course Description:

This course enables students to explore a branch of science (Biology) that deals with all living organisms, their different types, levels of organization, development, evolution, growth, ecology, habitat, and life interactions, as well as the classification of living organisms and molecular biology.

Grade 12

Physics

Textbook: Physics, Harcourt

Course Description:

This course covers kinematics in one and two dimensions, as well as forces and vectors. Students will study work, energy, and power, leading to momentum and the conservation of energy. Circular motion and gravitation, translational and rotational equilibrium, fluid mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, basic thermodynamics, the ideal gas law, and systems of thermodynamics will also be covered. Finally, students will study atomic and nuclear physics. Good math skills are critical for success in this course.

Prerequisites: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II.

AI and Robotics Program (Grades 10–11)

Our AI Program equips students with the knowledge and skills to explore the world of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Mechatronics, and Machine Learning. Through hands-on projects and real-world problem-solving, students learn how intelligent systems are designed, programmed, and applied in everyday life.

The program encourages creativity, teamwork, and innovation as students build and program robots, design automated systems, and develop AI models that can learn and make decisions. This course prepares learners for future studies and careers in STEM, engineering, and computer science.

(V) French

Standard: California

Grade 10:

Textbook: Café Crème 1

Course Description:

In this course, students will have multiple opportunities to listen and respond to texts and to others, speak and interact with others, read, view, and respond to a variety of texts, and write various texts for many different purposes and audiences through reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and writing composition, in addition to various activities and projects. The course covers most of the standard culture standards (1, 2, 3, 4), communication standards (1, 2, 3, 4), and connection standards (1, 2).

By teaching this course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics from authentic texts, using technology as appropriate to access information.
  • Interact and negotiate meaning in various real-world settings and for multiple purposes in spoken, signed (ASL), or written conversations, using technology as appropriate to collaborate and share information, reactions, feelings, and opinions.
  • Present information, concepts, and ideas to inform, narrate, explain, and persuade on a variety of topics and for multiple purposes in culturally appropriate ways, adapting to various audiences of listeners, readers, or viewers, using the most suitable media and technologies to present and publish.
  • Use language in highly predictable common daily settings (NOVICE), transactional and some informal settings (INTERMEDIATE), most informal and formal settings (ADVANCED), informal, formal, and professional settings, and unfamiliar and problem situations (SUPERIOR) in their communities and in the globalized world.
  • Use structures: sounds, parameters (ASL), writing systems (NOVICE), basic word and sentence formation (INTERMEDIATE), structures for major time frames, text structures for paragraph-level discourse (ADVANCED), and all structures (SUPERIOR), including text structures for extended discourse in order to communicate.

Grade 11:

Textbook: Café Crème 2

Course Description:

In this course, students will have multiple opportunities to listen and respond to texts and to others, speak and interact with others, read, view, and respond to a variety of texts, and write various texts for many different purposes and audiences through reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and writing composition, in addition to various activities and projects. The course covers most of the standard culture standards (1, 2, 3, 4), communication standards (1, 2, 3, 4), and connection standards (1, 2).

By teaching this course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics from authentic texts, using technology as appropriate to access information.
  • Interact and negotiate meaning in various real-world settings and for multiple purposes in spoken, signed (ASL), or written conversations, using technology as appropriate to collaborate and share information, reactions, feelings, and opinions.
  • Present information, concepts, and ideas to inform, narrate, explain, and persuade on a variety of topics and for multiple purposes in culturally appropriate ways, adapting to various audiences of listeners, readers, or viewers, using the most suitable media and technologies to present and publish.
  • Use language in highly predictable common daily settings (NOVICE), transactional and some informal settings (INTERMEDIATE), most informal and formal settings (ADVANCED), informal, formal, and professional settings, and unfamiliar and problem situations (SUPERIOR) in their communities and in the globalized world.
  • Use structures: sounds, parameters (ASL), writing systems (NOVICE), basic word and sentence formation (INTERMEDIATE), structures for major time frames, text structures for paragraph-level discourse (ADVANCED), and all structures (SUPERIOR), including text structures for extended discourse in order to communicate.

(VI) Computer

Standard: Common Core

Grade 10:

Course Description:

Students will develop a strong understanding of how to effectively create images using the advanced version of Adobe Illustrator 2025. They will explore the program’s interface and tools, learn to utilize these tools effectively, and discover how to apply the program in their daily lives. The course will integrate with other subjects, allowing students to use Adobe Illustrator 2025 for their projects. Activities may include contributing to the school magazine, modifying the school logo, and participating in the design of the school website.

Additionally, the course aims to prepare students for university requirements and promote lifelong learning, aligning with the school’s mission and vision.

Grade 11:

Course Description:

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to create web applications using the advanced version of Microsoft Visual Basic 2025. They will explore the program’s interface, including the toolbox, designer view, code viewer, and properties window. The course will emphasize effective use of the program’s tools and their practical applications in daily life. It will also integrate with other subjects, enabling students to work on projects using Microsoft Visual Basic 2025. Activities may include collaborating on the code for the school website.

This course is designed to prepare students for university requirements and support their long-term educational goals, in line with the school’s mission and vision.

(VII) Spanish

Grade 10:

Course Description:

By the end of this course, students will be able to recognize the Spanish alphabet, initiate conversations using greetings, and ask people about their name, surname, and nationality. They will also learn how to inquire about someone’s origins and become familiar with the nationalities of each country in Spanish. Additionally, students will learn vocabulary related to professions, strengthen their ability to communicate in Spanish, and understand demonstrative adjectives, family members, possessive adjectives, numbers, and ordinal numbers. Grammatical concepts will also be covered to enhance their understanding of the language.

Grade 11:

Course Description:

By the end of this course, students will be able to describe a person based on height, weight, hair, and eye color. They will also learn vocabulary related to types of dwellings, rooms in a house, directions, and household items that will help them describe their home. Students will learn about definite and indefinite articles, how to ask for/tell the time, the days of the week, months, seasons of the year, and how to express the weather. They will also identify groceries, fruits, and vegetables in Spanish and ask about favorites. Grammatical concepts will be covered to enhance their understanding of the language.

Grade 12:

Course Description:

By the end of this course, students will acquire essential and meaningful information about Spain, including the number of autonomous communities, its location on the map, and its capital. They will also learn about Christmas in Spain and Madrid. Students will engage in full Spanish dialogues discussing important themes such as daily routines and vacations.

(VIII) Art

Standard: California/Virginia

All Grades

Course Description:

In this course, students will develop an understanding of the ancient roots of Western art and enhance their skills in two- and three-dimensional arts through projects based on the fundamentals of design and the study of color theory. A wide variety of media and techniques will be presented to prepare students for courses in painting and printmaking.

(IX) Music

Standard: California

All Grades

Course Description:

This course is designed to develop and improve students’ musical abilities and skills. An introduction to the study of music theory will include learning to read treble and bass clefs, notation of pitches and rhythms on the staff system, and reading and writing intervals and scales, in addition to melodic and rhythmic structures. The course will also include a historical study of Western music traditions, examining musical style and structure, and relationships with other art forms.

This course aims to improve students’ skills related to music, including reading, notation, singing, and playing different instruments.

(X) Physical Education

Standard: California

All Grades

Course Description:

This course focuses on developing team strategies and enhancing competition levels, as it is designed to refine fundamental skills. Sports activities include volleyball, basketball, handball, and football.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Acquire the skills necessary for playing volleyball, basketball, handball, and football.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of rules, safety practices, and procedures, and apply that knowledge to a range of movement situations.
  • Engage in a variety of appropriate physical activities inside and outside of school that promote the development and improvement of physical fitness levels.
  • Demonstrate the scoring systems of these games.

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