Curriculum & Instruction
- Department Overview
- Assessment
- AVID
- English Language Arts
- Health & Physical Education
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High School
- Advanced Placement & Dual Credit
- Graduation Requirements
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Program of Studies
- Agriculture
- Biomedical Sciences (CTE)
- Arts: Performance & Visual
- Business Management & Education (CTE)
- Driver's Education
- English Language Arts
- English Learner (EL)
- Family & Consumer Science
- General Electives
- Graphic & Digital Communication
- Health & Physical Education
- Health Science (CTE)
- Information Technology (CTE)
- Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC)
- Marketing (CTE)
- Mathematics
- Music
- Science
- Service Learning
- Social Studies
- Special Services
- Supplementary Services
- Technology Engineering / Project Lead the Way (PLTW) (CTE)
- Trade & Industry (CTE)
- World Languages
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- The Arts
- World Languages
World Language Curriculum
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West Fargo Public Schools provides opportunities for students to explore other languages.
At the middle school level, students have the opportunity to take a quarter long world language class in grades 6-8. Students learn vocabulary that would be used in daily life a variety of languages, including Latin, German, Spanish, and French. In addition, students experience elements that make up each unique culture.
At the high school level, students can expand on a world language by taking year-long courses in Spanish, French, or German. The classes focus on five different elements to create a well-rounded learning experience. These elements are communicating in another language, gaining knowledge and understanding of other cultures, connecting with other disciplines and acquiring new information, developing insight into the nature of language and culture, and participating in multilingual communities at home and around the world.
Course Descriptions
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French I
Students are introduced to the foundations necessary to communicate in French, such as varied vocabulary and basic sentence structure. This is taught in a global context of exploring contemporary life in the French-speaking world. Topics include greeting others, past-time activities and sports, education, dining out, shopping, and French homes. Every lesson has rich and modern cultural information embedded throughout. For further practice and enrichment, each student has access to a multi-media platform connected to the daily lesson. Students are assessed in a variety of authentic ways, with the final exams being entirely production-based. Come see how learning French expands your horizons, develops your intellect, and prepares you to experience the rich and engaging world in which we live.
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French II
In the second year of studying the French language and culture, students will learn more about places in the world where French is spoken, or la Francophonie. They will also learn exciting things about the language, like how to talk about parts of a car, describe a day at an amusement park, talk about professions that interest you, discuss your daily routine, and more. They will develop more skills for traveling, like navigating a French airport, describing a painting they see at a museum, or reserving a room in a hotel. Students are assessed in a variety of authentic ways, with final exams being entirely production-based. Due to higher rigor in this intermediate level, many students find independent practice necessary to their success. This class fulfills part of the North Dakota Scholorship and is a must if your goal is to explore a French speaking country!
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French III
In this upper-level course, students develop more sophisticated vocabulary and grammar, as their spoken and written communication in French becomes more fluent and natural. Students will learn langauge for real life situations, and by the end of the coursethey will be able to engage in conversations with French-speakers on a wide variety of subjects, using the language and extensive cultural information they have learned. In class, students can expect to engage in pair and group work on a regular basis and to participate actively in class, expressing themselves entirely in French. For further practice and enrichment, each student has access to a multi-media platform connected to the daily lesson. Students are assessed in a variety of authentic ways, with the final exams being entirely production-based. Students who are college-bound should especially consider this course, as it is designed to prepare them for the AP French Language & Culture course.
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French IV
French IV is a college-level course intended for students in their fourth year of study of 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 French IV course. Students who enroll in this course should have a good command of the grammar and considerable competence in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Exclusive use of French by teacher and students for active communication is required in the classroom. Students will use a variety of authentic materials and resources to discuss advanced cultural topics, making personal connections to La Francophonie. Unit exams are mock-AP style and students are encouraged to take the AP French IV exam at the end of the course.
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German I
Communication is the goal for all of our German classes. This will be accomplished by studying the culture, vocabulary, and language structures of German. This course covers the basics of introductory conversations and themes such as sports, recreation, shopping, and others that are relevant to everyday life. By studying the similarities and differences of German culture and daily life, students will be able to communicate their basic needs and understand another way of life, thus helping students to become good global citizens.
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German II
This intermediate course provides continual growth in the target language, while adding to the students’ cultural knowledge and understanding. Celebrations, transportation, and aspects of travel and sight-seeing are themes in this course. Completing the sequence of levels 1 & 2 also fulfills part of the North Dakota Scholarship requirement. Work will be done independently, in small groups, and as an entire class for a better understanding of the German language. This course prepares students for foreign travel, and there are so many German-speaking countries to choose from!
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German III
Students will continue to increase their vocabulary and expand their ability to communicate in the target language. This will be done by the use textbooks, as well as some more authentic texts and short stories. Translations and the understanding of the structure of the language will be done both individually and in groups. Students will be encouraged to communicate in German, in order to continue the growth of their language. The additional topics for this class are time expressions, daily errands, traveling, reasoning, relationships, expressions of feelings, giving advice, rights/responsibilities, and the media.
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German IV
This advanced course continues the students’ expansion of their language skills utilizing more authentic texts. Higher level reading selections, projects and conversations will analyze advanced cultural topics and help make personal connections to the German speakers of the world. Students will be responsible for speaking German throughout the class. A minimum of 2 presentations will be made to the rest of the class, on a subject chosen by the student and approved by the teacher. Imagine how accomplished you’ll feel after completing this course!
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Spanish I
This is a beginning level course where students will explore the Spanish language by focusing on critical novice sentence structures and vocabulary. Students will create comparisons and connections to the customs and cultures prevalent in the diverse Spanish speaking world through music, art, geography, holidays and daily activities. This partnership of communication and cultures opens the doors to becoming a global citizen. *Completion of Spanish I and Spanish II is a requirement for the North Dakota Scholarship.
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Spanish II
This is an intermediate level course where students continue studying the themes of Spanish I at a deeper level. The continued study of Spanish will broaden students’ perspectives of themselves and the diverse Spanish speaking cultures. Students who complete Spanish II will be able to engage peers and native speakers in multiple modes of communication in a variety of topics in the present and the past. Completion of this course ensures that students are ready to travel to Spanish speaking areas and are able to communicate basic needs. *Completion of Spanish I and Spanish II is a requirement for the North Dakota Scholarship.
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Spanish III
This is an upper level course that will continue to challenge students to use learned structures and vocabulary as well as cover more rigorous material. The course promotes an environment where use of language in all modes of communication becomes more fluent and natural. College bound students should especially consider this course as it prepares them for rigorous course content. Students who complete the course may potentially test out of beginning level college credits. *Students who complete this course may qualify to participate in a biannual trip to a Spanish speaking country.
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Spanish IV
This is an advanced level course that prepares students to use the language almost exclusively. Students study complex topics of study that range from issues of well-being, life after graduation, and technology, to topics like myth, art, and history. More importantly, students will go beyond basic communication and express opinions and beliefs on this topics using advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures. The use of authentic texts and literature are utilized to create connections to other disciplines through the Spanish language lens. Students will continue to understand the customs and cultures prevalent in the immensely diverse Spanish speaking world. Students who complete the course may potentially test out of beginning/intermediate level college credits. *Students who complete this course may qualify to participate in a biannual trip to a Spanish speaking country.