Online Courses for High School Students in Alaska

Alaska's Learning Network:
Alaska's Learning Network (AKLN) provides distance / virtual education to high school students throughout the state of Alaska. AKLN is a consortium of all 54 school districts in Alaska and our online courses are meant to fulfill a need in Alaska to provide highly qualified instructors and rigorous courses not currently available in rural Alaska. High school courses in English, Math, History and Social Studies, Alaska Studies, and World Languages will be offered this fall. Our aim is to improve student achievement through online learning and professional development opportunities.

Online Homeschool Courses for High School Students (Grades 9-12)

- Literary Analysis and Composition I:
In this course, ENG102, students work on their written and oral communication skills, while strengthening their ability to understand and analyze works of literature, both classic and modern. Literature: Students read short stories, poetry, drama, novels, essays, and informative articles. The course sharpens reading comprehension skills and engages readers in literary analysis as they consider important human issues and challenging ideas. Students also learn to read for information in nonfiction texts.

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Explorations: An Anthology of Literature, Volume A; English Language Handbook; Vocabulary from Classical Roots, Book B; Julius Caesar for Young People

- Literary Analysis and Composition II:
In this course, ENG202, students build on their language skills while reading classic and modern works of literature and improving their writing skills. Literature: Students read short stories, poetry, drama, and novels, sharpening their reading comprehension skills and analyzing important human issues. 

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Explorations: An Anthology of Literature, Volume Bathe Miracle Worker, by William Gibson

- Pre-Algebra:
In this course, MTH112, students learns computational and problem solving skills and the language of algebra. Students translate word phrases and sentences into mathematical expressions; analyze geometric figures; solve problems involving percentages, ratios, and proportions; graph different kinds of equations and inequalities; calculate statistical measures and probabilities; apply the Pythagorean theorem; and explain strategies for solving real-world problems.

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Pre-Algebra: Reference Guide and Problem Sets

- Algebra I:
In this course, MTH122, students explore the tools of algebra. Students learn to identify the structure and properties of ethereal number system; complete operations with integers another rational numbers; work with square roots and irrational numbers; graph linear equations; solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable; solve systems of linear equations; use ratios, proportions, and percentages to solve problems; use algebraic applications in geometry including the Pythagorean theorem and formulas for measuring area and volume; complete an introduction to polynomials; and understand logic and reasoning.

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Algebra I: Reference Guide and Problem Sets

- Geometry:
In this course, MTH202, students learn to recognize and work with core geometric concepts in various contexts. They develop sound ideas of inductive and deductive reasoning, logic, concepts, and techniques of Euclidean plane and solid geometry, as well as solid, basic understanding of mathematical structure, method, and applications of Euclidean plane and solid geometry. 

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Geometry: A Reference Guide; a drawing compass, protractor, and ruler

- Algebra II:
This course, MTH302, builds upon algebraic concepts covered in Algebra I. Students solve open-ended problems and learn to think critically. Topics include conic sections; functions and their graphs; quadratic functions; inverse functions; and advanced polynomial functions. Students are introduced to rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions; sequences and series; and data analysis.

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: None

- Geography and World Cultures:
This one-semester course, HST212, introduces students to the countless ways in which geography influences human relationships, politics, society, economics, science, technology, and the arts. Special emphasis is placed on the way geographically derived information is expressed in maps, charts, and graphs in order tot each students how to analyze and create such documents.

Course length: One semester
Materials: None

- World History:
This course, HST102, traces the development of civilizations around the world from prehistory to the present, with a special emphasis on key periods and primary sources. The course covers major events in world history, including the development and influence of human-geographic relationships, political and social structures, economics, science and technology, and the arts. 

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: None

- US History:
This course, HST302, is a full-year survey that provides students with a view of American history from the first migrations of nomadic people to North America to recent events. Readings are drawn from K12’s The American Odyssey: A History of the United States. Online lessons help students organize their study, explore topics, review in preparation for assessments, and practice skills of historical thinking and analysis. 

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: The American Odyssey: A History of the United States

- Alaska Studies:
This course is designed for juniors and seniors. We are going to spend the semester exploring the history, people, and economy of what makes Alaska unique. As we begin this journey together, think about why Alaska has held such a mystique and fascination for folks to visit.

- Environmental Science:
This course, SCI010, surveys key topic areas including the application of scientific process to environmental analysis; ecology; energy flow; ecological structures; earth systems; and atmospheric, land, and water science. Topics also include the management of natural resources and analysis of private and governmental decisions involving the environment. 

Course length: One semester
Materials: None Prerequisites: Success in previous high school science course and a teacher/school counselor recommendation

- Life Science: Oceanography:
In this introductory course, SCI020, students construct an applied knowledge of the characteristics of aquatic systems. Students study ocean structure and marine ecology through hands-on exploration of coastal waters, open ocean waters, deep ocean waters, coral reefs, kelp forests, deep ocean vents, and tide pools. 

Course length: One semester
Materials: Common household materials for labs
Prerequisites: SCI202 or SCI203: Biology and SCI102: Physical Science, or equivalents

- Physical Science:
In this course, SCI102, students explore the relationship between matter and energy by investigating force and motion, the structure of atoms, the structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, and the interactions of energy and matter.

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Physical Science: A Laboratory Guide;materials for laboratory experiments

- Earth Science:
This course, SCI 112, provides students with a solid earth science curriculum, focusing on geology, oceanography, astronomy, weather, and climate. The program consists of online lessons, unassociated reference book, collaborative activities, and hands-on laboratories students can conduct at home. 

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Earth Science: A Reference Guide; materials for laboratory experiments

- Biology:
In this course, SCI202, students focus on the chemistry of living things: the cell, genetics, evolution, the structure and function of living things, and ecology. The program consists of online lessons including extensive animations, an associated reference book, collaborative activities, and hands-on laboratory experiments students can conduct at home. K12 provides all lab materials that cannot easily be found in the home.

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Biology: A Reference Guide; materials for laboratory experiments, including a compound microscope

- Spanish I:
In this course, WLG100, students begin their introduction to Spanish with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are initially trained to recognize key sounds and basic vocabulary, not only in written form but also through ear training that leads quickly to oral production. 

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Vex Everyday Spanish and English Dictionary
Prerequisites: None Note: Students who have already succeeded in middle school Spanish 2 should enroll in Spanish II rather than in Spanish I.

- Spanish II:
In this continuing introduction to Spanish, WLG200, students deepen their focus on four key skills in foreign language acquisition: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Continuing storyline introduces and reinforces new vocabulary, while activities prompt students to analyze meaning from context, and then to reproduce new vocabulary in real-life oral expression. 

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Vex Everyday Spanish and English Dictionary
Prerequisites: WLG100: Spanish I, middle school Spanish 1 and2, or equivalent

- German I:
In this course, WLG120, students begin their introduction to German with fundamental building blocks in four key areas of foreign language study: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are initially trained to recognize key sounds and basic vocabulary, not only in written form but also through ear training that leads quickly to oral production.

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Langenscheidt’s Standard German Dictionary

- German II:
In this continuing introduction to German, WLG220, students deepen their focus on four key skills in foreign language acquisition: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. A continuing storyline introduces and reinforces new vocabulary, while activities prompt students to analyze meaning from context, and then to reproduce new vocabulary items in functional real-life oral expression. 

Course length: Two semesters
Materials: Langenscheidt’s Standard German Dictionary
Prerequisites: WLG120: German I, middle school German 1and 2, or equivalent