Program of Studies
World Language Courses
American Sign Language
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American Sign Language 1
During this course the students will study the vocabulary, grammar, and structure of ASL in order to learn expressive (signing) and receptive (comprehension) skills. Deaf culture and the literature of ASL will also be studied.
The course is mainly conducted in ASL. Students will be evaluated using tests, quizzes, written reports, homework assignments, daily participation, and assessment of student video. ASL is memorizing and studying the vocabulary and grammar of the language.
Course Number: 630
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-11
Fees: None
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American Sign Language 2
This class is designed to develop more fully the student’s ability to comprehend and express ASL. The majority of the class is conducted in ASL, including instructions, information, and activities. Each student will have the opportunity to create original dialogues, practice communicating about various daily situations, and learn to talk about his/her own interests and experiences in ASL.
Cultural awareness and sensitivity will be emphasized by interaction with the deaf community. Students will also continue to view videos of native ASL speakers. This fast-paced course requires daily work participating in class, memorizing vocabulary, studying the language structure, and preparing for tests, assignments, reports, and student videos.
Course Number: 632
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 11-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Novice-Mid in American Sign Language I.
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American Sign Language 3
By the time you reach this level of sign language you should be fluent. This class is conducted in ASL, including activities, information, questions and answers. You will practice various conversations with classmates in ASL as well as make up your own to sign to the class. Body language and facial features are extremely important to get your point across in ASL
Students will continue the video activities and interpreting from the previous levels but more challenging. We will explore various career opportunities available using ASL and have guest speakers talk about how it is important to know/use ASL at their job. You are expected to remember vocabulary from the last two years and will add onto it.
Course Number: 634
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Novice-High in American Sign Language II.
French
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French 1
The study for French begins with strategies for learning a second language. Subsequent units introduce basic communication, grammar, and writing skills and vocabulary. Students will be introduced to French speaking communities and practices around the globe through real life, everyday activities that deal with food, school, family, and sports and leisure activities.
Proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing is developed through interaction with a variety of media such as videos, music, games, and the Internet.Course Number: 640
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: None
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French 2
Cultural themes in Level 2 focus on additional French-speaking communities. More complex grammatical concepts and vocabulary build on the basic skills acquired in Level 1.
The method of instruction again stresses interaction with a variety of themes, including shopping, vacation, travel, architecture, and more. Students will also examine issues in today’s French speaking communities.Course Number: 642
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Novice-Mid in French I.
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French 3
French 3 continues the study of the French language. The francophone communities of Europe, Africa and North America are presented in greater detail.
A multimedia approach is used to enhance the acquisition of active language skills. This year includes a review of previously studied concepts while incorporating new grammatical structures, vocabulary, and cultural themes such as cooking, travel, art, media, and more.
Course Number: 644
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Novice-High in French II.
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Honors French 4
French 4 is designed to continue the development of all language skills to increase proficiency on college placement tests in French. As students read novels and short stories, comprehension and fluency are increased through class discussion. Writing skills are fine-tuned through short compositions. Students will work to the attainment of mid-level intermediate proficiency of the LinguaFolio assessment.
Students will understand the main idea and many details of written and oral communication, will state a point of view and converse effectively, will describe events and experiences, give opinions, narrate a story, and present a simple oral or written communication with details. An appreciation of French customs and history is also developed with videos and individual projects. Students will be exposed to advanced placement tasks, strategies, and concepts.
Course Number: 646H
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 11-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Intermediate-Low in French III.
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Advanced Placement (AP) French
The three modes of communication (Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentational) defined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century are foundational to the AP French Language and Culture course. The AP course provides students with opportunities to demonstrate their proficiency in each of the three modes in the Intermediate to Pre-Advanced range as described in the ACTFL Performance Guidelines for K-12 Learners.
The AP French Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of products, both tangible (e.g., tools, books, music) and intangible (e.g., laws, conventions)Course Number: 648AP
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 11-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Intermediate-Mid in Honors French IV; students eligible for free/reduced lunch should check with their counselor about AP exam fee waivers.
German
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German 1
Available at Central Only
This course is a study of the language and culture of German-speaking people. Emphasis is placed on the development of listening and speaking skills. Vocabulary and grammar are taught through conversational situations, language games and videos.
Course Number: 650
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: None
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German 2
Available at Central Only
German 2 continues to build on the content from German 1 as vocabulary continues to increase. New grammar concepts are introduced resulting in improved speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
Course Number: 652
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Novice-Mid in German 1.
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German 3
Available at Central Only
German 3 rounds out the development of a basic proficiency in the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It also reviews and expands all of the basic grammatical structures.
German history will be taught and discussed through texts and movies. Awareness is expanded and a greater emphasis is placed on vocabulary development and reading and writing skills through various types of German media.Course Number: 654
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Novice-High in German 2.
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Honors German 4
Available at Central Only
German 4 continues to strengthen learned vocabulary and grammatical structures and emphasizes preparation for the AP German course through a variety of authentic texts. Students will work to achieve the mid-level intermediate proficiency of the Lingua-Folio assessment.
Course Number: 656H
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 11-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Intermediate-Low in German 3.
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Honors German 5
Honors German 5 develops a deeper understanding of the language, continuing to develop skills that include even more complex grammatical structures. The course expands competency in all four language skills on various topics not previously covered in German 1-4. The majority, of course, materials will be authentic texts such as novels, movies, podcasts, articles, etc. Students will work to achieve the intermediate-high to advanced-low proficiency levels of the LinguaFolio assessment.
Course Number: 658H
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 11-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Intermediate-Mid in German 4.
Spanish
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Spanish 1
This course is a study of the language and culture of Spanish-speaking people. Students will be introduced to Spanish speaking countries and practices through instruction based on topics such as family, school, leisure activities, and food. Communication skills are emphasized, along with a strong foundation in vocabulary and basic grammar structures.
Proficiency in the language is developed through interaction with authentic materials such as videos, text, and music.Course Number: 670
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: None
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Spanish 2
Spanish 2 is a continuation of Spanish 1. Basic grammar and vocabulary are expanded to cover more complex concepts and students learn new verb tenses.
Culture studies add to the students’ understanding of the Hispanic people. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are stressed to improve the understanding of both the language and the people who speak it.Course Number: 672
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Novice-Mid in Spanish 1.
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Spanish 3
Spanish 3 presents a period of review and expansion of grammatical structures. The major emphasis of this course is on communicative competence.
Listening and oral skills are stressed. Writing skills are developed through paragraph construction. Culture studies add to the students' understanding of the Hispanic people.Course Number: 674
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 9-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Novice-High in Spanish 2.
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Honors Spanish 4
Spanish 4 is designed to continue the development of all language skills to increase proficiency on college placement tests in Spanish. Student reading and listening comprehension and fluency is increased through authentic written, audio, and text materials. Writing skills are fine-tuned through short compositions on a variety of topics.
Students will work to attain mid-level intermediate proficiency. Students will understand the main idea and many details of written and oral communication, will state a point of view and converse effectively, will describe events and experiences, give opinions, narrate a story, and present a simple oral or written communication with details. An appreciation of Spanish customs and history is also developed with videos and individual projects.Course Number: 676H
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1
Grade: 10-12
Fees: None
Additional: Required proficiency of Intermediate-Low in Spanish 3.
Global Scholars Program
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Global Scholars - Year One
This course provides hands-on experiences, simulations, and practical examples and strategies for global studies and cultural competence. Students will gain
For correct rostering, all adds/drops must be communicated through marie_hurt@plsd.us and not through the high school counselors. A student’s placement in the program requires payment to an outside partner. To improve fiscal efficiency, for students who do not intend to participate, drops/adds need to be communicated to Dr. Hurt by May 1st, 2023 for changes to the 23-24 school schedules.
This course provides hands-on experiences, simulations, and practical examples and strategies for global studies and cultural competence. Students will gain a deeper understanding of and define intercultural competence, explore the “other” and the value of varied perspectives throughout their school communities, gain insights into cultural nuances and effective interaction with local-global cultures and develop a skills tool-kit to leverage the global landscape of their classrooms and school communities to enrich all students’ experiences.
In Year 1, students will attend four off-campus events at universities and businesses and select four enrichment experiences under the following themes: Investigate the World, Recognize Perspectives, Communicate Ideas, and Take Action. Students can modify assignments that they are already creating in their Pickerington Schools courses for credit. Successful completion of Year 1 activities is required for participation in Year 2.
Course Number: 681
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1 credit upon completion of three-year program
Grade: 9-12
a deeper understanding of and define intercultural competence, explore the “other” and the value of varied perspectives throughout their school communities, gain insights into cultural nuances and effective interaction with local-global cultures, and develop a skills tool-kit to leverage the global landscape of their classrooms and school communities to enrich all students’ experiences.
In Year 1, student will attend four off-campus events at universities and businesses and select four enrichment experiences under the following themes: Investigate the World, Recognize Perspectives, Communicate Ideas, and Take Action. Students can modify assignments that they are already creating in their PLSD courses for credit. Successful completion of Year 1 activities is required for participation in Year 2.
- Course Number: 681
- Duration: Full Year
- Credits: 1 credit upon completion of three-year program
- Grade: 9-12
- Fees: None
Additional: Must be concurrently enrolled in a World Language course in PLSD
There is an application for this program.
Apply online using your PLSD student email account here
For correct rostering, all adds/drops must be communicated through marie_hurt@plsd.us and not through the counselors. Dr Hurt will communicate the add/drop to the students’ counselor to be added to the student’s schedule. A student’s placement in the program requires a payment to an outside partner. So that the district uses its funds efficiently and does not pay for students who do not intend to participate, drops/adds need to be communicated to Dr. Hurt by May 1st, 2022 for changes to the 22-23 school schedules.
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Global Scholars - Year Two
For correct rostering, all adds/drops must be communicated through marie_hurt@plsd.us and not through the high school counselors. A student’s placement in the program requires payment to an outside partner. To improve fiscal efficiency, students who do not intend to participate drops/adds need to be communicated to Dr. Hurt by May 1st, 2023 for changes to the 23-24 school schedules.
Students who have successfully completed Year 1 will be automatically enrolled for Year 2. This course provides hands-on experiences, simulations, and practical examples and strategies for global studies and cultural competence. Students will gain a deeper understanding of and define intercultural competence, explore the “other” and the value of varied perspectives throughout their school communities, gain insights into cultural nuances and effective interaction with local-global cultures and develop a skills tool-kit to leverage the global landscape of their classrooms and school communities to enrich all students’ experiences.
In Year 2, students will attend off-campus events at universities and businesses and complete a globally-focused E-course on the following topics: Investigate the World, Recognize Perspectives, Communicate Ideas, and Take Action. Successful completion of Year 1 activities is required for participation in Year 2.
Course Number: 682
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1 credit upon completion of a three-year program
Grade: 10-12
Fees: None
Additional: Must have completed three credits of one world language or be concurrently enrolled in a world language.
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Global Scholars - Year Three
For correct rostering, all adds/drops must be communicated through marie_hurt@plsd.us and not through the high school counselors. A student’s placement in the program requires a payment to an outside partner. To improve fiscal efficiency, students who do not intend to participate, drops/adds need to be communicated to Dr. Hurt by May 1st, 2023 for changes to the 23-24 school schedules.
Students who have successfully completed Year 2 will be automatically enrolled for Year 3. This course provides hands-on experiences, simulations, and practical examples and strategies for global studies and cultural competence. Students will gain a deeper understanding of and define intercultural competence, explore the “other” and the value of varied perspectives throughout their school communities, gain insights into cultural nuances and effective interaction with local-global cultures and develop a skills tool-kit to leverage the global landscape of their classrooms and school communities to enrich all students’ experiences.
In Year 3, students working with an advisor will complete a capstone project based on their global experiences in Years 1 and 2. The student will present this project at various events in Pickerington and downtown Columbus.
Course Number: 683
Duration: Full Year
Credits: 1 credit upon completion of the three-year program
Grade: 11-12
Fees: None
