Rebecca Amos Institute
Program
of Studies
The Rebecca Amos
Institute (RAI) is one of two alternative programs offered by MarthaÕs Vineyard
Regional High School. RAI students
and faculty work together to create an environment that fosters personal, social
and scholastic growth for 11th and 12th graders. Classes are offered in small group
settings with curriculum being driven by student need. All coursework follows the rigors
established by the traditional MVRHS day program and supports students who are
college bound as well as those interested in entering vocational programs upon
graduation. RAI is designed
to work with students who have the capacity to ask questions, persevere, and
explore different styles of learning.
Courses listed below are offered according to student interest and need.
2.5 Credits Semester College 1
Along side English 9, 10, 11, and 12 courses, the following may also be taken to fulfill the MVRHS graduation requirement for English.
AMERICAN
LITERATURE (COLLEGE
PREPARATION ENGLISH)
2.5 Credits Semester College 1
This course is a college preparatory
course in effective writing and critical reading. Students will be involved in a challenging study of
literature, through American authors, themes, and movements. Critical reading and writing skills
will be developed in the context of the works studied. In addition, students will learn
strategies for vocabulary development, and methods for writing the college
essay.
CREATIVE
WRITING
2.5 Credits Semester College 1
In this seminar,
students will be involved in developing their ability to write creatively. Students will learn how to critically
evaluate prose, poetry, personal essays, screenplays, and song lyrics in order to
understand and implement creative technique. Copies of student work will form the basis for most class
discussions, and emphasis will be placed on revision. Self-selected portfolios will serve as the midterm/final
exam.
LANGUAGE OF
LIFE
2.5 Credits Semester College 1
This course
focuses on language skills necessary to function in the world of work,
community and family.
Individualized instruction will be provided in developing and applying
basic language skills for use in practical life and pre-vocational situations.
MCAS/SAT
PREPARATORY
2.5 Credits Semester College II
This course is
primarily for students who have not successfully completed the ELA MCAS, as
well as for those students who have not mastered basic reading, writing, and
learning skills. Students will
develop test-taking strategies and participate in a word study designed to
develop studentsÕ knowledge of word origin as a means of uncovering meaning in
unfamiliar language.
READING/WRITING
WORKSHOP
2.5 Credits Semester College 1
This course is
designed around both the reading and writing workshop models. Students will be allowed to read and
critically evaluate published works of their choice within a given genre and
will keep a reading journal in which to apply their growing knowledge of the
structure, style, and themes of literature. Mini-lessons and group discussions will provide students
with direct instruction and a forum in which to discuss findings. The writing workshop component will
develop studentsÕ ability to write clearly and effectively about
literature. Student writing
assignments will include reflective writing, literary analysis, expository
writing, persuasive writing, and creative writing.
GLOBAL
STUDIES 9
Global Studies 9
is the first of a two-year course.
The class will cover the following topics: world geography, ecology, issues in the world, economics,
China, Japan, Russia, Africa and the Middle East. The Middle Ages to the Reformation, Medieval, Renaissance,
and reformation in Europe, The Age of Exploration, Pre-Columbian Civilizations,
Latin America, Democracy and the Age of revolutionary Change, Foundations in
democracy, Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, American revolution and
the French Revolution.
GLOBAL
STUDIES 10
Global Studies
10 is a survey on 20th Century World History. Units include the Age of Imperialism, The Causes and
Consequences of WWI, the Russian Revolution, The Rise of Totalitarianism, WWII,
the Holocaust and Cold War.
US GOVERNMENT
2.5 Credits Semester College CA
This course
studies the basic principles of the American political and economic system as
reflected in our local, state, and federal institutions. Emphasis will be placed on our
political process, separation of powers, and the system of checks and balances,
basic economic principles. There
is a strong emphasis on current events impacting the United States and the
world. Contemporary issues are
explored through a variety of media and students are encouraged to learn
through research, debate, and participation.
US HISTORY
U.S. History is
a survey course with an emphasis on the multicultural fabric that makes up
American society. Students are
encouraged to understand and appreciate the value of diversity while gaining a
strong sense of global history.
Discussion of current events is an integral part of the course
encouraging students to remain open to continued learning. The course begins with a brief review
of the Civil War era and continues through Reconstruction, 19th and
20th century America.
Throughout the course, students will be involved in research assignments
including the Vineyard History Project where students use a variety of skills
to learn more about their island history.
The course utilizes film, American literature, and guest speakers from
our community to give students a more complete understanding of U.S.
history. This has a multi-year
component designed to both prepare students to pass the state competency exam
as well as meet MVRHS requirements for graduation.
PSYCHOLOGY
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
This course will introduce students to the
fundamentals of modern psychological thought. Students will understand the history of psychology in the 19th
and 20th centuries.
Changing views of psychology are examined in this course as are the
issues specifically related to understanding human behavior.
This course
provides individualized instruction and strategies for successfully completing
the MCAS Exam.
ALGEBRA 1
5 Credits Full
Year College
1
This first year
course is the formal introduction to Algebra. Topics covered include: patterns, operations, functions,
functions, polynomials and factoring, rationales, radicals, coordinate
geometry, probability and statistics, and transformations.
5
Credits Full Year College 1
Prerequisite: Algebra 1
This course is a
continuation of Geometry. Topics
include a variety of functions, linear functions, and representation of data,
modeling with quadratic equations, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic
functions.
GEOMETRY
5
Credits Full Year College 1
Prerequisite: Algebra 1
Students will
explore real life problems, and apply principles of algebra and geometry to
critically and analytically find solutions. Studying reasoning will help students learn to write with
clarity and precision. A
comprehensive portfolio of tasks will be developed throughout the year. Topics covered include introduction to
proof, logic, parallels, polygons, congruence, perimeter, area, volume,
similarity, circles, trigonometry and applications.
5 Credits Full
Year College
II
This course
provides individualized instruction in developing and applying basic math
skills for use in practical life and pre-vocational situations.
This course
provides individualized instruction and strategies for successfully completing
the MCAS Exam. Basic math skills,
algebra, and geometry are extensively reviewed.
In Integrated
Science, we use a curriculum developed by Voyages Through Time. Individual modules are used to touch on biology,
earth science, geology and astronomy.
For example, students explore the evolution of earth and its planetary
systems while engaging in experiments, and hands on activities. This Integrated Science curriculum was
chosen in consultation with the MVRHS Science faculty. It has a multi-year component,
which will meet MVRHS graduation requirements.
2.5 Credits Semester College II
This course
provides individualized instruction and strategies for successfully completing
the MCAS Exam.
2.5 Credits Semester College 1
This course is a
study of the physical and biological processes of nature using MarthaÕs
Vineyard as our laboratory. We
will examine geologic, plant and animal life and how they interact. This course will involve a great deal
of walking across the properties of the MV Land Bank. These distances may range from 1 to 5 miles per class
meeting.
COOKING
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
Food
preparation basics will be explored in this semester course. Recipe terminology, kitchen math,
kitchen safety, reading and following a recipe, and basic meal preparation
skills will be highlighted in this Òhands-onÓ introductory food preparation
course.
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
Local artists
selected by student need and interest will teach this class.
1.25 Credits Semester Unweighted
All RAI community members are required to
participate in this seminar.
Subjects of governance, personal problem solving, and group dynamics are
incorporated into weekly sessions.
DRUM WORKSHOP
1.25 Credits Semester Unweighted
Drum Workshop
programming has tremendous value as a powerful musical experience
an introduction
to the instruments and traditions of a variety of cultures. Our program would
focus on developing a roster of rhythms from West Africa, Haiti, Cuba and
Brazil. The ensemble
is essentially an attractive, active and fulfilling medium for participants to
experience a living metaphor for the workings of a community, and an
opportunity to enhance individual self esteem, refine communication skills,
nurture the spirit of cooperation, and develop a sense of oneself as part of
something greater. Our curriculum is based in authentic, African and Caribbean
traditions.
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
The independent
study option is primarily intended for those students who wish to study
something not traditionally offered by the RAI. Students will write a proposal with a faculty member, use
professionals with knowledge to guide their learning and be evaluated according
to the rigorous criterion established at the beginning of their semester.
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
This semester
long course uses educational games to instill important math concepts. Math skills such as logic and
probability are used to play such games as cribbage, scrabble, mastermind,
Sudoku, and chess.
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
Students who
take this course will gain historical, cultural and critical appreciation for
the art of filmmaking. Students
will develop critical thinking skills as applied to the analysis,
interpretation, and assessment of films and demonstrate sophisticated analytic
skills through written and oral communication. Weekly in-class film screenings will be followed by
discussion.
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
Students use
this course as an avenue to deeply study a subject that is of interest to them.
Working independently, students are required to submit a timeline and outline
of their projected final project.
All portfolios must touch on the subjects of English, history, math and
science. All portfolios must
include a PowerPoint presentation in addition to a well-written and developed
essay.
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
Using the
mediums of photography and prose, students will create stories reflecting
island
lives.
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted Students will learn about the breadth of learning
disabilities as well as the specifics.
They will identify the symptoms of learning disabilities; examine their
underlying causes and their impact on emotional, social and educational
development. In addition, educational remediation and other treatment
approaches will be explored.
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
TTC is a course designed to explore the latest trends
and developments in the fast moving world of computers and technology. This course will evolve as technology
changes; students will help choose areas of investigation.
HEALTH
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
The curriculum
includes units about the systems of the body, mental health, human sexuality,
drugs, decision-making, nutrition, and diseases. The class uses community resources as an integral component
of the studentsÕ learning experience.
A variety of assignments will be required, culminating in an oral
presentation and a well-developed research paper on a subject meeting with
faculty approval relating to the study of health.
2.5 Credits Semester Unweighted
The primary
focus of this conversational language course is on developing studentsÕ
communication skills in everyday situations. Classes are highly interactive and
students have many opportunities to develop fluency by practicing
conversational strategies in role-plays and creative game activities. This
course is designed to make the study of language an opportunity for students to
immerse themselves in another culture, and potentially, an alternative way of
looking at life.
SCHOOL TO
CAREERS/WORKSTUDY
Work-study is an
option for those students in good academic standing who wish to explore career
options while still enrolled in high school. Placement and availability of jobs depend on many variables:
scheduling to accommodate the students individualized schedule, economic need,
and the studentÕs areas of interest.
A strong work ethic must be maintained on the work site. Students are granted credits based on
the number of hours documented by the employer. Transportation to and from work is the responsibility of the
student.
MENTORSHIPS
MentorshipÕs are
available to a select number of students who wish to work directly under the
direction of an outside mentor.
These students will be matched up with a professional in their areas of
interest and complete a project under the tutelage of their mentor.