Electives

AP Computer Science Princples

Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles introduces students to computer science through programming. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.

Applied Learning Skills

This credited elective course focuses on improving academic and work performance based on learning styles. Teacher-directed lessons address time management, improving reading speed (skimming and scanning), test-taking/study strategies, note-taking/outlining skills, organization, and homework completion. Students will be able to identify their learning strengths and how to use them to improve their overall academic performance.

Applied Learning Skills Lab

The Learning Skills program is designed to assist students to learn, understand, and reinforce concepts and/or assignments presented in the general curriculum. Students have the opportunity to develop and strengthen good study habits and learning strategies through various instructional methods. Specific goals and objectives pertaining to individual students will be integrated into the class. The Learning Skills teacher will collaborate with each student’s general curriculum teachers on an ongoing basis to develop study strategies and design lessons to best meet the academic requirements of the regular classroom subjects. Learning Lab Skills is a support class for students taking regular education classes. Emphasis is placed on core classes.

ESL 1/2

Al Salaam Academy welcomes new and returning international students to the Language Enrichment Center where English language learning is provided on a daily basis through the English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses. The purpose of ESL 1/2 is to provide English instruction for nonnative speakers of English. Students will develop English proficiency through the areas of speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Emphasis will be on developing proficiency in three major areas: social language, academic language, and socio-cultural knowledge. Students will participate in activities to develop competence in English through social interaction and academic achievement. Levels of English proficiency will range from basic to intermediate.

ESL 3

The purpose of ESL 3 is to provide English instruction for students who have achieved intermediate to high intermediate levels of English proficiency. Students will focus on speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. Emphasis will be on speaking and reading proficiency in the major areas of social language, academic language, and socio-cultural knowledge. Students participate in activities to develop competence in English through social interaction and academic achievement using and understanding English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings.

Introduction to Teaching

Students will discover the rewarding world of education in this introductory class as they explore the foundations of teaching, classroom management strategies, and instructional techniques. They will gain practical experience through observations and hands-on activities, while reflecting on the impact of effective teaching on student learning and development.

Leadership: Developing Future Leaders

Through discussion, reading, and hands-on implementation, students will discover the components of leadership as these first pertain to themselves as individuals. In addition, students will learn how to develop a growth culture within a team or organization in order to lead others effectively.

Personal Finance

Students in this elective course will gain a foundation in economics that will enable them to function effectively as consumers, workers, savers, investors, entrepreneurs, and active citizens. Participants will study how the world’s economies and markets operate, how they are interconnected, and how developments in the financial sector impact their lives. Topics will include financial basics such as banking, loans and interest, obtaining credit, weighing costs and benefits, insurance, savings and investments. Students will explore what to consider when making decisions about careers, housing, automobiles and health care.

Speech and Communication

This course is designed to assist students in furthering their understanding of media literacy, and to learn the elements of speech communications through the study and performance of speeches. Media studies will emphasize news, advertising, film, the internet, and television, to see how various types of media create meaning. Examples in each category will be studied through assignments involving research and analysis. The study of speeches will focus on the content and performance of speeches, including, but not limited to, persuasive, informative, and demonstrative speeches. Students will be expected to deliver speeches in class.

*Technical Writing

Unlike other forms of writing (creative, academic, informal), technical writing focuses on clear, concise writing that is informative or instructive in nature. While technical writing is not about the minutiae of grammar, its focus on being straightforward relies on the rules of language to communicate clearly.
Technical writing can include STEM fields (such as computer science and engineering) but also areas such as business, health systems, and marketing. This type of writing includes both end-use instruction, such as manuals for consumers, and internal documents, such as process reports. This course provides students instruction and practice in “real world” writing—progress reports, expenditure accounts, manuals, instructions, directions, summaries—the sort of day-to-day writing that people do in almost every career field.

Sports Management

This introductory course emphasizes basic management principles as they relate to sports-related enterprises. A variety of marketing techniques and approaches are analyzed to broaden students’ background and better allow them to develop effective and comprehensive sports marketing plans. Areas of focus will include: creating, developing, and marketing a brand; the importance of keeping a budget for an organization, facility, or team; the importance of fundraising; and the different styles and methods used to gain revenue for the sports-related enterprise.

Writing for College/Creative Writing

  1. Writing for College: This course serves as an introduction to college and professional writing. Writing skills are stressed throughout the semester via writing prompts, four formal essays, one research paper, and various reading responses—both verbal and written. The emphasis of this course is on how to write at a college level. Students will learn to write for a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

  2. Creative Writing: Students will unleash their imaginations and explore the art of storytelling in Creative Writing. This course is designed to inspire and develop creative writing skills through a variety of engaging activities and writing exercises.

Additional College Credit online courses are available by request.