Curriculum Overview 20-21

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CURRICULUM
OVERVIEWS
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20-21

A M E R I C A N S C H O O L O F G U A T E M A L A
Lower School
Grades PreK-1
C U R R I C U L U M O V E R V I E W
TAKING THE FIRST STEPS ON THE JOURNEY TOWARDS A MEANINGFUL LIFE
The Lower School Grades PreK-1 educational experience is the first step in the CAG
experience. The Lower School Grades PreK-1 program, grades Pre-K through Grade
One, is based on the premise that children construct meaning and knowledge through
diverse, multi-sensory experiences that allow them to explore, ask questions, and
make discoveries. Student-centered learning experiences and projects, as well as
teacher directed ones, are geared toward skill development as well as bilingualism. We
believe that every child is a unique individual and should learn to take responsibility for
themselves and their surroundings while being treated with respect.

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Lower School PreK-1
Curriculum Overview
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS:
The Lower School Grades PreK-1 section seeks to lay the foundation for CAG students to become
successful readers, writers, speakers, and listeners. Pre-Kindergarten begins this important work by
using theme-based units where students can develop a variety of literacy skills. In Kindergarten and
Grade One, more groundwork is laid through the use of Reader's and Writer's Workshop. This is a
dynamic approach to literacy that is flexible as to meet the needs of each individual learner.
MATHEMATICS:
The Lower School Grades PreK-1 math curriculum is focused around building a strong foundation in
mathematical concepts that include number sense and mathematical practices using the Common Core
State Standards (CCSS). Students in Lower School Grades PreK-1 learn and build strong conceptual
understanding of numbers to 100. Addition and subtraction is a strong focus, beginning with
manipulatives, moving to doing math with pictures, and finally doing math in a more abstract manner.
Students learn the meaning of math symbols and understand how numbers to 20 are made and begin
to understand place value as some tens and some ones. Students are introduced to shapes, building and
taking apart both 2D and 3D shapes, reading graphs and as they grow in early childhood, learning to tell
time and measuring. Students develop a growth mindset toward math and understand the importance
learning from mistakes. Ultimately, through the Lower School Grades PreK-1 math experience, students
build a love for numbers and math.
SCIENCE:
Students at the Lower School Grades PreK-1 level cover the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
using Project Based Learning and STEAM (Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)
approaches to instruction. These instructional methods allow students to develop a deep understanding
of content through the process of exploring, collaborating, creating, and sharing. In Pre-Kindergarten
students use the Creative Curriculum and STEAM during Science time. In Kindergarten and Grade One,
students gain a foundational understanding of the NGSS standards and STEAM. All Lower School Grades
PreK-1 students create meaningful connections with the world around them, make observations and
find solutions, participate in hands-on investigations, and develop problem solving skills while working in
groups. At the end of the Project Approach units, students from Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and
Grade One collaborate in their classroom to create meaningful presentations to showcase their learning.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
The Social Studies program in Lower School Grades PreK-1, promotes a strong understanding of local
citizenship and the connection with global citizenship. The program is designed to create a foundation
that promotes awareness of the world around them, and their place in it. The Lower School Grades PreK-
1 Social Studies program is structured into daily routines, and extends to Values and special events such
Independence Day celebrations. Students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of Social
Studies performance indicators through project based learning.
LENGUAJE:
En la sección Pre-Primaria de Lower School, se cultiva y fomenta cuidadosamente el amor por la lectura y
la escritura. Por medio de la enseñanza de la literatura balanceada y una metodología constructivista,
los niños de 4 a 7 años alcanzan las destrezas básicas en el nivel inicial. Se respeta el ritmo de trabajo de
cada alumno a través de una enseñanza diferenciada, desarrollando sus propias habilidades en las área
de lectura, escritura, expresión oral y audición. Es en esta etapa de escolaridad en donde se establecen
las bases del desarrollo del lenguaje y por esa razón, nuestro propósito es desarrollar en los alumnos
aquellas destrezas que les permitan llegar a ser exitosos lectores, escritores y comunicadores. Son
elementos claves en el desarrollo de las destrezas básicas en esta clase: el Taller de Lectores, Taller de
Escritores, trabajo en grupos diferenciados, expresión oral, trabajo en parejas, retroalimentación y
conferencia uno a uno en lectura y escritura e instrucción uno a uno.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
El currículo de Estudios Sociales de la sección Pre-Primaria de Lower School tiene como objetivo preparar
a los alumnos para ser ciudadanos activos y comprometidos con la sociedad guatemalteca y con el
mundo, valorando la diversidad cultural de nuestro país y de nuestra institución educativa. Por medio
del currículo de AERO (American Education Reaches Out) los alumnos desarrollan distintas destrezas para
aprender a ser ciudadanos responsables, a resolver problemas eficazmente y a tomar decisiones
asertivas utilizando el pensamiento crítico. En esta clase se trabaja con base al desarrollo de destrezas
propuestas por AERO (American Education Reaches Out), que promueve un marco curricular que da
consistencia a través de las secciones, de Kindergarten a Grado 12.
TECHNOLOGY:
The Lower School Grades PreK-1 Technology program is designed to promote students development of
executive functions, visual perception skills, logical thinking, creativity, problem solving, communication,
teamwork and growth mindset while they begin to become empowered learners, digital citizens,
knowledge constructors, innovative designers, computational thinkers, creative communicators and
collaborators. In the Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) classes, Robotics, STEAM
(Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and Project-based Learning classes, Lower
School Grades PreK-1 students wonder, imagine, explore, plan/code, build, test, improve their projects
and communicate about their learning and experiences.

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EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
El programa de Educación Física en la primera infancia está diseñado para desarrollar las habilidades
motrices básicas de los estudiantes, brindándoles las herramientas necesarias, a través del juego y de
una amplia variedad de actividades físicas, la sana competencia y la confianza para alcanzar su máximo
potencial motriz y social.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
The Lower School Grades PreK-1 Character Development program supports the social, emotional and
ethical development of children in a comprehensive framework. The program is based on the Six Pillars
of Character (citizenship, responsibility, respect, trustworthiness, caring and fairness) as well as socialemotional
development. Students discover how to be their best selves and do their best work aligned
with the CAG mission and the VIDAS student profile.
ARTE:
La enseñanza de Arte en esta etapa provee una oportunidad en la cual los alumnos aprenden a expresar
su imaginación y a desarrollar destrezas artísticas en un ambiente relajado, creativo y divertido. A través
del uso de distintos materiales, los alumnos experimentan y producen sus propias obras de arte. Se
promueven la creatividad y la expresión individual de cada alumno en un espacio de libertad dentro
tanto como se dedica una atención especial a la enseñanza de elementos de arte que el currículo
sugiere. En esta clase, se persigue reflejar la visión del CAG, VIDAS, apoyando a los alumnos en el
desarrollo de su proceso creativo y en su reflexión sobre el mismo, en la búsqueda de significado a
través de la exposición al arte en todas sus manifestaciones y descubriendo el significado y el valor que
el arte tiene en sus vidas.
MÚSICA:
El programa de Música en la sección Pre-Primaria de Lower School busca el desarrollo del máximo
potencial de los alumnos más jóvenes para sentar bases sólidas que fortalezcan su desarrollo en los
años venideros. Se inicia con el desarrollo de destrezas básicas como la discriminación auditiva, la
senso-percepción y la coordinación motora. Posteriormente, se desarrolla la apreciación musical a
través de la lectura rítmica y melódica así como la instrumentación Orff. Finalmente, esta clase se integra
en la enseñanza de otras materias, brindando a los alumnos la oportunidad de reforzar contenidos de
otras clases como Lenguaje, Ciencias y Estudios Sociales. Aprenden a desarrollar destrezas escénicas por
medio de varias presentaciones artísticas que se llevan a cabo a lo largo del año. En esta etapa de
formación, descubrimos los talentos artísticos y estimulamos a los alumnos a llegar a su máxima
expresión para que en el futuro aporten valor a las comunidades guatemaltecas y del mundo.

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Pre-Kindergarten
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Students in Pre-Kindergarten are immersed in literacy through a variety of themes each year. Through a
center-based approach, students receive focused attention and instruction to build the essential skills
needed to become readers and writers. Teachers also use whole class instruction to engage students in
interactive read alouds.
MATH:
In Pre-Kindergarten, through exploration, play, and guided activities, students build a deep
understanding of number sense up to 10. Pre-Kindergarten students engage in hands-on activities that
focus on creating groups of objects to match a given number, recognizing numbers both in written and
spoken form, as well as breaking down and composing numbers up to 5. Students practice counting in
English up to 20 by the end of the year. Aside from number sense, much emphasis is placed on learning
about patterns, sorting objects by multiple characteristics, and recognizing different 2D shapes. Pre-
Kindergarten students also learn basic comparing skills, as well as a number of different positional
words to describe the location of an object in relation to another object.
SCIENCE:
Using the Creative Curriculum, students focus on different themed science units. Pre-Kindergarten
themes include balls, recycling, and buildings. Upon completion, students end with a final product to
show their learning. Students acquire skills in oral language, pre-reading, and fine and gross motor
development.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
Students in Pre-Kindergarten become active participants in their class community. Upon completion of
Pre-Kindergarten, students will have an understanding of the components of a community and how to
positively engage in a community.

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LENGUAJE:
En Pre-Kindergarten la enseñanza del lenguaje se fundamenta en el “Currículo Creativo”. Este currículo
se basa en el desarrollo de destrezas de investigación que promueven en los niños, a través de la
exploración y el descubrimiento como método de aprendizaje, la exploración de temas relativos a
ciencias naturales y estudios sociales mientras adquieren destrezas en las otras áreas del aprendizaje,
tales como: lenguaje, lectoescritura, matemáticas, tecnología y las artes.
La estructura de este currículo se basa en llevar a cabo actividades lúdicas dentro y fuera del salón para
trabajar las cuatro áreas básicas de desarrollo en el nivel preescolar:
Socio-emocional (Regulación de emociones y actitudes, relaciones positivas, cooperación y
participación).
Física (Destrezas de desplazamiento, equilibrio corporal, desarrollo motriz y coordinación gruesa y
fina).
Lenguaje (Escucha y comprende lenguaje cada vez más complejo, expresa sus necesidades, entabla
conversaciones respetando reglas sociales).
Cognitiva (Observa, explora, procesa, recuerda y asocia experiencias, resuelve problemas, comunica y
representa ideas).
El Currículo Creativo cuenta con 38 objetivos para trabajar las áreas de desarrollo descritas con
anterioridad. Estos se trabajan con base en progresiones del desarrollo, las cuales identifican las
expectativas de logro generalizadas para los niños como un proceso preparatorio necesario para
cumplir los estándares comunes estatales (Common Core Standards) del siguiente año en Kindergarten.
El desarrollo de las destrezas básicas se trabaja a través de centros y áreas de interés, las cuales se
detallan a continuación:
Blocks: A lo largo del ciclo escolar, se utiliza una variedad de trozos hechos con diferentes materiales con el
propósito de desarrollar la tonicidad muscular y destrezas motrices, el pensamiento abstracto, por medio del
diseño y la ejecución del mismo, el lenguaje oral y destrezas sociales al compartir el espacio con otros niños.
Exploración y descubrimiento: Se trabaja con el propósito de exponer a nuestros alumnos a un contacto
mayor con la naturaleza para que desarrollen la habilidad de observar, predecir y experimentar con diferentes
materiales y texturas.
Cocina: Se llevan a cabo con el fin de desarrollar el pensamiento creativo y abstracto, mientras se trabajan las
unidades de medidas básicas y se desarrollan destrezas sociales y vocabulario específico del área (taza, cucharón,
espátula, etc.).
Tecnología: Se utiliza como un complemento para reforzar conceptos específicos aprendidos en las áreas de
Lenguaje y Matemática.
Biblioteca: Se trabaja con el fin específico de despertar un genuino gusto por la lectura. Se refuerza el desarrollo
de vocabulario mientras que nuestros alumnos tienen la oportunidad de explorar diferentes textos relacionados
con los temas de estudio de cada unidad.
Juegos y Juguetes: Realizando actividades dirigidas y/o libres como juegos de mesa, diseño de plantillas o copia
de patrones, rompecabezas, etc. para reforzar contenido académico de forma divertida.
Juego Dramático: En este centro se estimula el pensamiento abstracto al asumir e interpretar un rol específico,
se desarrolla vocabulario y destrezas sociales, así como destrezas motrices y hábitos de independencia, por
ejemplo: al ponerse y quitarse los disfraces y diferentes prendas de vestir.
Arte: Es un espacio dedicado para despertar y trabajar la creatividad, mientras se desarrollan destrezas motrices
necesarias en este nivel como la tonicidad muscular y la habilidad para tomar correctamente los utensilios de
escritura.

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ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
Estudios Sociales se refiere al estudio de las personas y sus condiciones de vida tanto en el presente
como en el pasado, cómo trabajan, cómo se relacionan con los demás, así como la forma en que
cambian y se adaptan según su contexto y/o ambiente. Las experiencias cotidianas de la vida de los
alumnos de Pre-Kindergarten son la base para el aprendizaje de Estudios Sociales. En el nivel Preescolar
los niños empiezan a aprender estos conceptos mediante la exploración de su entorno físico, por
ejemplo: al trepar, correr, gatear y jugar en su ambiente escolar. Los alumnos también aprenden sobre
los cambios que ocurren con el paso del tiempo (Historia) mediante el establecimiento de rutinas
predecibles en su horario, o por medio de actividades en las áreas de juego dramático donde asumen
diferentes roles de miembros importantes que conforman una comunidad. Los alumnos de Pre-
Kindergarten aprenden diferentes valores y específicamente sobre “civismo”, cuando se enseña de
forma explícita en la clase a través de actividades en las que colaboran unos con otros y resuelven
pequeños problemas de forma positiva respetando a los demás.
A continuación se describen los componentes esenciales que se trabajan en el área de Estudios Sociales
del Currículo Creativo:
Geografía básica: Conocer su entorno escolar, contextualizarse con el país en el que viven y su
entorno. Esto incluye: exploración, adaptación y desenvolvimiento en su ambiente.
Seres Humanos: Identificar, valorar y respetar similitudes y diferencias en las tradiciones y en las
personas que conforman la comunidad educativa. Aprender destrezas sociales básicas para
interactuar de forma respetuosa con los demás. Respetar los límites y reglas para el bien común.
Aprender acerca de cómo las personas pueden afectar y cambiar el ambiente ya sea cuidándolo o
haciéndole daño. Comparar y contrastar cómo los seres humanos cambian con el tiempo.
EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
Con la Educación Física en Pre-Kíndergarten, se inicia el primer programa avanzado de actividad física
para los niños a través de procesos pedagógicos y sistemáticos que tienen como fin primordial: formar,
fomentar y contribuir al desarrollo de todas las potencialidades de nuestros alumnos. Entre ellas: el
desarrollo psicomotriz, la integración social y cultural, la estimulación psicológica y cognitiva, la
enseñanza de valores bien orientados mientras que se despierta en los niños el interés y la motivación
por aprender, para que en el futuro puedan ser personas que aporten valor a un mundo globalizado.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Students in Pre-Kindergarten engage in biweekly Character Development/Values classes where they
learn about and reflect on the Six Pillars of Character. They learn developmentally appropriate socialemotional
skills such as recognizing their emotions, knowing themselves, and self-control. Students
engage in activities that help them think about daily situations where they need these skills and the
Pillars needed to make good choices in and out of school. Students learn strategies for building
relationships, solving conflicts, and nurturing friendships.

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ARTE:
La enseñanza del Arte en Pre-Kindergarten provee oportunidades a través de las cuales los alumnos
aprenden a expresar su imaginación y a explorar sus propias ideas. El arte promueve la
experimentación y creación con diferentes materiales por medio de nuevos métodos y técnicas para
lograr el producto deseado. Cortar con tijeras, rasgar, sostener un crayón o un pincel y colorear son
algunas de las actividades que son esenciales en el desarrollo de la motricidad fina y la coordinación ojomano.
A través del arte, los niños desarrollan destrezas básicas en un ambiente relajado, creativo y
divertido. Aprender a dibujar sujetando adecuadamente el lápiz y cortando figuras de papel a una edad
temprana, beneficia a cada alumno en su desarrollo lecto-escritor.
MÚSICA:
Los alumnos de Pre-Kindergarten están expuestos a la música a través de varias actividades que les
permitirán escuchar e interactuar con una gran variedad de sonidos. Como parte de las actividades que
se desarrollan en esta clase, los alumnos pueden jugar con instrumentos musicales, escuchar y cantar
un amplio repertorio de canciones, elaborar sus propias melodías a través del juego dirigido y ser
expuestos a distintos géneros musicales y formas de expresión musical.

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Kindergarten
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Students in Kindergarten learn essential literacy skills through the use of Reader's and Writer's
Workshop. This approach allows teachers to be flexible and meet with students either one on one or in
small groups that are catered to their specific needs. Many foundational skills are learned in
Kindergarten that continue to support students in later years.
MATHEMATICS:
Students in Kindergarten develop a strong number sense by moving from concrete activities to abstract
thinking. Through hands-on activities with age appropriate manipulatives, students learn what numbers
represent and how to show numbers in different ways. Alongside understanding number
representations, addition and subtraction vocabulary and strategies help students learn how to
compose and decompose numbers from 0-10. Furthermore, students are introduced to comparing,
classifying, and sorting items. Students will review and build upon their knowledge of 2D and 3D shapes
from Pre-Kindergarten.
SCIENCE:
Using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as a guide, students will explore forces and
interactions, describe what living things need to survive, investigate the impact humans have on the
environment, observe weather conditions, and explore the relationship between the Sun and Earth.
Students will engage in scientific practices such as making observations, analyzing data, and finding
solutions as they explore different scientific concepts. At the end of year, students will engage in a
student-driven Project Approach learning experience presentation that offers them an opportunity to
present their learning in front of an audience. Students acquire skills in oral language development,
public speaking, as well as working as a team.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
Students in Kindergarten become active participants in and contribute positively to their class
community. Students make connections, develop strategies to resolve conflicts, and have an
understanding of their unique identity in their class community. Students understand the importance of
the balance between rights, responsibilities, and rules.

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LENGUAJE:
Los alumnos de Kindergarten inician el desarrollo de las habilidades necesarias para el aprendizaje de la
lectura y la escritura. En esta etapa, descubren el gusto por estas áreas por medio de lecturas que se
hacen en voz alta, las cuales proveen a los alumnos de oportunidades para involucrarse y disfrutar del
texto promoviendo discusiones y dramatizaciones. Se fomenta el desarrollo de las destrezas auditivas y
la participación activa en donde los alumnos comparten ideas y preguntas en las discusiones grupales.
Se desarrolla también la conciencia fonológica, el vocabulario y el lenguaje oral, las cuales son esenciales
para sentar las bases que darán paso al proceso de lectoescritura. En esta clase se cuenta con varios
recursos, entre ellos, se el programa del Taller de Escritores y Lectores de Lucy Calkins. En este grado,
los alumnos comienzan a experimentar con la escritura y se les motiva a usar dibujos y letras para
compartir información, opiniones y textos narrativos. En lectura, exploran diariamente los libros de la
biblioteca del aula para obtener información y mejorar sus destrezas en esta área por medio de libros
adaptados a cada nivel.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
En Kindergarten se prepara a los alumnos para participar como ciudadanos que aporten de manera
constructiva a su comunidad. Aprenden, valoran y respetan las semejanzas y diferencias entre las
personas de diferentes culturas. Aprenden a seguir las reglas y a respetar a las figuras de autoridad que
reflejan las cualidades de un buen ciudadano. Entre ellas: la honestidad, la responsabilidad, el respeto, la
justicia y el civismo. Reconocen la importancia de los símbolos patrios que representan a Guatemala.
EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
El programa de Educación Física en Kindergarten está diseñado para que los estudiantes desarrollen
cada una de sus habilidades físicas y sociales a través de desafíos apropiados a su edad y desarrollo.
Estas actividades les ayudan tanto a desarrollar las destrezas sociales que les permiten interactuar con
sus compañeros como en el desarrollo psicológico, físico e intelectual, el trabajo en equipo y valores,
teniendo como resultado una educación integrada por medio de juegos y actividades físicas.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Students in Kindergarten take a weekly Values class where they learn about and practice the Six Pillars of
Character and develop skills in emotional intelligence and building relationships. Students engage in
activities that help them learn and practice age appropriate strategies for integrating these skills in their
day to day school life. Students learn strategies for solving conflicts with peers peacefully, with little
intervention from adults.

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ARTE:
La enseñanza del arte en Kindergarten beneficia el desarrollo del lenguaje y la lecto-escritura en los
alumnos de esta edad escolar ya que el hecho de crear arte y hablar acerca de su creación, les ofrece
oportunidades para aumentar su vocabulario y utilizar palabras descriptivas. Los alumnos aprenden a
expresar su imaginación explorando sus ideas. En esta etapa, los niños tienen oportunidades para
experimentar con diferentes materiales e inventar nuevos métodos y técnicas para alcanzar el producto
deseado. Cortar, sostener un pincel, rasgar un papel y colorear son destrezas esenciales para desarrollar
la creatividad, la motricidad fina y la coordinación ojo-mano. El ambiente propicio para que se
"produzca" el arte es siempre relajado, creativo y divertido. Los alumnos son guiados a través de
actividades en las que conocen, identifican y aplican los elementos del diseño (línea, figuras y color).
Aprenden a dibujar sujetando correctamente los materiales de trabajo y a ser capaces de utilizar
distintos materiales para generar todo tipo de obras de arte. Estas destrezas beneficiarán a los alumnos
en su desarrollo presente y en los años que están por venir.
MÚSICA:
Los estudiantes de Kindergarten desarrollan destrezas básicas por medio de actividades divertidas.
Desarrollan destrezas básicas en la áreas de movimiento y canto. Por medio de juegos se les introduce
al aprendizaje del pentagrama, a la teoría musical y a la notación por medio de la instrumentación Orff.
Los alumnos también desarrollan destrezas escénicas, al participar en diferentes presentaciones a lo
largo del año y culminando con un proyecto de integración PBL (Project Based Learning) en el que
realizan una asamblea final, la cual presentan a sus padres al final del ciclo escolar.

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Grade One
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Building on the foundational skills developed in Kindergarten, students in Grade One learn essential
literacy skills through the use of Reader's and Writer's Workshop. This approach allows teachers to be
flexible and meet with students either one on one or in small groups that are catered to their specific
needs. Many more foundational skills are learned in Grade One that continue to support students in
later years.
MATH:
In Grade One, students build on their foundational mathematical knowledge of addition and subtraction
and are able to compute within 100. Students do this by using a variety of strategies which include, but
are not limited to, counting on, making a ten, decomposing a number, and relating addition and
subtraction. Students compare numbers by understanding the concept of place value. They continue to
gain a concrete understanding of 2D and 3D shapes and their attributes. Additionally, students learn to
order three objects by length and compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.
Furthermore, students are introduced to the concept of time. They learn to tell and write time by the
hour and half hour, using both analog and digital clocks.
SCIENCE:
Using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as a guide, students will conduct investigations
around vibrations, light, and sounds, focus on survival with plants and animals, examine inheritance of
traits, and observe patterns of the sun, moon and stars.
Students will engage in scientific practices such as making observations, analyzing data, and finding
solutions as they explore different scientific concepts. At the end of year, students will engage in a
student-driven Project Approach learning experience presentation that offers them an opportunity to
present their learning in front of an audience. Students acquire skills in oral language development,
public speaking, as well as working as a team.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
Upon completion of Grade One, students will have an in depth understanding of their identity and its
relationship to their community. They are introduced to basic geography and apply that knowledge to
expand their global view.
LENGUAJE:
Los alumnos de Grado 1 disfrutan el tiempo de lectura independiente y en parejas. A principios de
Grado 1, se construyen hábitos saludables de lectura, con los cuales los alumnos aprenden a enfocarse
en el texto durante períodos de tiempo cada vez más prolongados. Posteriormente, durante el
desarrollo de las unidades, los alumnos conocen diferentes géneros literarios, recorren desde libros de
ficción a textos informativos, reforzando las destrezas de fluidez, comprensión y precisión en cada uno
de ellos. A través de las unidades de lectura los alumnos adquieren las estrategias de: automonitoreo,
lectura en parejas, volver a leer las palabras difíciles, separar palabras por sonidos o sílabas y
entonación apropiada. En el área de lectura, todos los alumnos trabajan en grupos diferenciados a cargo
de un maestro quien les ayuda a afianzar las destrezas en su nivel lector. En el área de escritura, se
fomentan las rutinas, los procedimientos, hábitos y el uso adecuado de los materiales de escritura. Los
alumnos inician el proceso de escritura con narraciones personales, utilizando los pasos para escribir
una historia. Inician con el uso de un organizador gráfico, desarrollan sus ideas en secuencia y aplican el
uso correcto de las convenciones del idioma. Luego, escriben diferentes géneros literarios como: textos
informativos, de ficción y persuasivos. El propósito del taller de escritura es crear independencia y el
gusto por una escritura por placer, donde se respeta y se fomenta el ritmo de trabajo de cada
estudiante.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
En Grado 1, se desarrollan contenidos que tienen como finalidad formar ciudadanos responsables. Los
alumnos aprenden a conocer y a apreciar al país en el que viven y a la comunidad escolar a la que
asisten. El año inicia con actividades de celebración por la independencia de Guatemala en las que los
alumnos participan activamente. Entre ellas, están las actividades cívicas y las que les enseñan acerca
de las tradiciones de la cultura guatemalteca. Posteriormente en el año, los alumnos participan en
actividades en las que aprenden acerca de la importancia de las herencias y tradiciones familiares, el
árbol genealógico y los grados de consanguinidad, con el propósito de darle valor a sus raíces. Los
alumnos también son expuestos a una variedad de actividades que buscan desarrollar y reforzar los seis
pilares del carácter: civismo, justicia, responsabilidad, respeto, confiabilidad y bondad, los cuales
conforman la base de la actuación de todo ciudadano.

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EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
Los alumnos de Grado 1 participan en un programa de Educación Física diseñado para desarrollar
habilidades motrices gruesas que enfatizan el conocimiento del esquema corporal, el equilibrio corporal,
el ritmo motriz, las leyes de la enseñanza motriz: correr, saltar, lanzar, atrapar; a través de diversas
actividades y el juego que les permiten adquirir las herramientas necesarias para alcanzar su máximo
potencial motriz y social.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Students in Grade One take a weekly Values class where they continue to practice the Six Pillars of
Character and develop skills in emotional intelligence and building relationships. Students engage in
activities that help them learn and practice age appropriate strategies for integrating these skills in their
day to day school life. Students continue to build strategies learned in Kindergarten for solving conflicts
with peers peacefully, with little intervention from adults.
ARTE:
La enseñanza del arte es beneficiosa en el desarrollo del lenguaje y la lecto-escritura de los alumnos de
esta edad ya que el hecho de crear arte y hablar acerca de esta creación, les ofrece oportunidades para
aumentar el vocabulario y utilizar palabras descriptivas. Los alumnos también aprenden a expresar su
imaginación explorando sus ideas. En esta clase, los alumnos tienen oportunidades para experimentar
con diferentes materiales y conocer nuevos métodos y técnicas para alcanzar el producto deseado.
Cortar, sostener un pincel, rasgar un papel y colorear son destrezas básicas esenciales que los alumnos
de este grado deben adquirir para desarrollar la creatividad, la motricidad fina y la coordinación ojomano.
El ambiente propicio para que se ""produzca"" el arte siempre es relajado, creativo y divertido.
Los alumnos son guiados a través de actividades en la que conocen, identifican y aplican los elementos
del diseño (línea, figuras y color). Aprenden a dibujar sujetando correctamente los materiales de trabajo
y a ser capaces de utilizar distintos materiales para generar todo tipo de obras de arte. Estas destrezas
beneficiarán al niño en su desarrollo presente y en los años que están por venir.
MÚSICA:
En esta clase, los alumnos evolucionan de la fase de exposición e iniciación de destrezas a una de mayor
autonomía. Siguiendo la misma forma de aprendizaje del grado anterior, los alumnos refuerzan los
conocimientos básicos de la teoría musical a través de actividades divertidas, en su preparación hacia los
grados de Primaria. Afianzan la lectura rítmica con instrumentos de percusión sencilla, la lectura en
pentagrama utilizando la instrumentación Orff y participan en ensambles musicales sencillos.
Paralelamente, los alumnos participan en diferentes presentaciones a lo largo del año, poniendo en
práctica todas las destrezas aprendidas en clase. Al igual que en los grados anteriores, existe una
integración de esta clase con proyectos PBL (Project Based Learning), en donde los alumnos integran los
conocimientos aprendidos acerca de un tema. Culminan este trabajo con una presentación en escena
que ofrecen a sus padres al final del ciclo escolar.

A M E R I C A N S C H O O L O F G U A T E M A L A
Lower School
Grades 2-5
C U R R I C U L U M O V E R V I E W
NURTURING A MEANINGFUL LIFE
Building on the seeds planted during Lower School Grades PreK-1 section, Grades Two
through Five continues to nurture a meaningful life for CAG students in these grades
with a stimulating and challenging environment. The program continues with a
bilingual learning environment filled with exciting and diverse learning opportunities,
including enriching experiences in academic areas, the arts, technology, engineering,
physical education, and a wide variety of extended extra-curricular activities after the
regular elementary school day.

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Lower School Grades 2-5
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Language Arts in the Lower School Grades 2-5 section continues to build on the foundation laid in the
early years for developing successful readers, writers, speakers, and listeners while continuing to
develop a love for literacy. During these years, students transition from learning to read to reading to
learn. In addition to whole class explorations in a rich array of texts, including classics, historical fiction,
non-fiction, poetry, and folk tales, students continue to select and read books of their own choice and
engage in a “Workshop” approach to reading and writing. Through close reading, discussion, written
responses, and creative projects, students develop foundations in research and literary analysis.
MATH:
The Lower School Grades 2-5, math curriculum is grounded in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
and develops mathematically proficient students with a deep understanding of foundational concepts
that will help them to succeed in a global society. In Lower School Grades 2-5, students move from
numbers within 20 to numbers into the thousands and decimals into the thousandths place. Their place
value knowledge will grow from understanding how to relate hundreds, tens, and ones to how to
understand the relative value of two place values. Students will move through the four operations--
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Throughout their years in Lower School Grades 2-5,
they will progress from multi-digit addition and subtraction to subtracting decimals and fractions.
Students move from repeated addition and equal groups, the foundations of multiplication and division,
to multiplying and dividing decimals and fractions. Students begin in Lower School Grades 2-5 with
partitioning shapes into equal parts and progress to visually representing all four operations with
fractional parts. Students grow in their geometry knowledge from basic shapes to the corresponding
parts, like angles and lines. Throughout their years, students work with different data and measurement
concepts like time, volume, and area. In all areas, they will work with real-world problems and on
applying the mathematical practices.
SCIENCE:
Students in the Lower School Grades 2-5 section cover the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
using a constructivist lens. A constructivist philosophy is based on the concept that learning is the result
of "mental construction" or doing. The NGSS reflect the latest research and advances in modern science
and throughout this experience students are encouraged to think critically, analyze information, and
solve complex problems. The NGSS are arranged in a way that at each grade level students are given
multiple opportunities to build on the scientific core ideas, the science and engineering practices, and
cross cutting concepts from the previous grade.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
The Social Studies program in Grades 2-5 asks students to examine specific historical events and
geographical locations and compare this to their own lives. Specifically students are asked to think
critically about how issues are connected among global, local, and personal realms. Students engage in
real-world problem-solving through projects and investigations. The Grades 2-5 Social Studies program
is created using the AERO Framework of standards and performance indicators.
LENGUAJE:
En los grados 2-5 de la sección Lower School, la clase de Lenguaje se enfoca en el desarrollo de destrezas
de lectura a través de la Literatura Balanceada. Entre los recursos de lectura que se utilizan, está el
programa del Taller del Lector el cual ofrece a los alumnos la oportunidad de interactuar con diferentes
tipos de textos. Los alumnos trabajan en el taller del lector de acuerdo al nivel en el que se encuentran y
realizan diferentes actividades tales como: lectura independiente, lectura en parejas, lectura en grupos
pequeños, clubes de lectura, lectura en voz alta y lectura guiada para así alcanzar el nivel esperado en
cada grado. En el área de escritura, los alumnos son expuestos a diferentes tipos de textos: narrativa,
opinión e informativa. Para la redacción de estos textos, los alumnos siguen el proceso del Taller del
escritor (generar ideas, seleccionar idea, escribir borrador, revisar, editar y publicar). Fortalecen también
sus destrezas de expresión oral y audición, las cuales contribuyen al desarrollo del pensamiento crítico y
a desarrollar una comunicación efectiva, fluida y constructiva, apropiada a este grado.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
El programa de Estudios Sociales de los grados 2-5 se enfoca en desarrollar una ciudadanía
comprometida y responsable en los alumnos para que ellos se sientan motivados a convivir en una
sociedad global. Tiene como objetivo primordial profundizar en el desarrollo de destrezas de
pensamiento crítico, en la comunicación efectiva, el trabajo en equipo, la resolución de problemas, la
interacción social, el conocimiento y respeto entre y hacia las personas de otras culturas. Además, se
promueve la construcción del aprendizaje a través de experiencias basadas en el análisis de situaciones
actuales. Se fomenta la creatividad, la innovación y la investigación con temas de interés para los
diferentes grados de la sección. De esta manera, se pretende desarrollar en los alumnos una conciencia
social y ambiental para mejorar las comunidades locales. En esta clase se trabaja con base al desarrollo
de destrezas propuestas por AERO (American Education Reaches Out), que promueve un marco curricular
que da consistencia a través de las secciones, de Kindergarten a Grado 12.
TECHNOLOGY:
The Technology program in Grades 2-5 fosters skills in exploration and inquiry, communication,
creativity, discovery, problem solving, and thinking skills. The Grades 2-5 Technology program seeks to
inspire students to work collaboratively in appropriate and responsible ways by using different
technology resources in order to demonstrate their learning in different ways. The students recognize
their rights and responsibilities as members of an interconnected global world and demonstrate
commitment to their own learning. The components of the Technology program in Elementary are: ICT
(Information, Communication, and Technology), Robotics, Coding and STEAM.

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EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
El programa de Educación Física en los grados 2-5 fomenta el valor y la importancia que el ejercicio físico
tiene en la vida de los seres humanos. Desarrolla hábitos de salud motriz, emocional y social. Brinda a
los alumnos las herramientas necesarias que les permitan llegar a ser individuos responsables de su
propia salud y que les motiven a continuar, a lo largo de su vida, practicando la actividad física y el
deporte para alcanzar una vida plena y una salud integral.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
El Programa de Valores en los grados 2-5 se enfoca en el desarrollo de los Seis Pilares del Carácter:
respeto, bondad, responsabilidad, justicia, ciudadanía y confiabilidad y lo hace por medio de actividades
innovadoras, dinámicas y orientadas a satisfacer las necesidades e intereses de los alumnos de estas
edades. Las actividades que se realizan fomentan la participación activa de los alumnos y promueven la
concientización de estos ante las necesidades de otras personas y a vivir una vida significativa. De esta
manera se contribuye a alcanzar la misión y el perfil del estudiante del CAG plasmado en VIDAS.
MÚSICA:
La enseñanza de la Educación Musical en los grados 2-5 inicia con el contacto con los instrumentos de
percusión asociados al lenguaje rítmico musical. Se trabaja con la escala pentatónica y se estudian los
sonidos según la secuencia sol, mi, la, do, re. Se le da importancia a la improvisación, a la creatividad, a la
creación de música y se presta especial atención al canto. Generamos pasión por el ritmo y la palabra
percutida, por lo que trabajamos con el lenguaje asociado con la música. Posteriormente, cuando los
alumnos ya dominan la etapa de la prelectura musical, se hace énfasis en los elementos del canto tales
como la afinación, el ritmo grupal al practicar canciones tradicionales de otras culturas y otro tipo de
canciones populares en español e inglés. Se trabaja también con instrumentos musicales en su estado
más elemental. La metodología utilizada en clase, se basa en actividades lúdicas a través de las cuales se
fomenta en los alumnos el valor que tiene el respeto hacia la multiculturalidad y a todas sus
manifestaciones con el fin de crear mayor sensibilidad y empatía por su entorno social y natural.

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Grade 2
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Grade Two Language Arts builds on our students existing knowledge and rich linguistic experiences in
Early Childhood and develops increased competency and fluency with literacy skills. Students read and
comprehend literature, including stories and poetry to make connections and determine a central
message. Students think deeply about characters and build interpretations. Students in Grade Two
develop vocabulary and gain experiences in text features that contribute to their comprehension of the
text. Students in Grade Two write and produce narrative and informative pieces of their own and learn
to edit and revise to strengthen their writing. Students participate in collaborative conversations with
their peers and teachers in small and larger groups.
MATH:
In Grade Two, students build on their foundational number sense and are introduced to new topics. A
major focus of the year is the understanding of place value. Students need to know how to read and
write numbers, fluently skip count, draw representations of numbers, add ten or a hundred to a given
number, determine even and odd, and understand the difference between ones, tens, and hundreds.
They use this knowledge to add three-digit numbers up to 1,000 and to solve word problems for
numbers within 100. Students will have a strong knowledge of shapes and their properties. At the end of
the year, students practice the foundations of multiplication and division by using repeated addition,
skip counting, and making equal groups. Students are introduced to fractions by partitioning shapes and
learning basic vocabulary such as half, third, and quarter.
SCIENCE:
In Grade Two science, students participate in three different units of scientific study throughout the year.
Students are engaged with life science topics on plant and animal relationships, earth science topics on
changing landforms, and physical science topics on structure and properties of matter and chemical
reactions. Students engage in science practices such as planning and carrying out investigations,
analyzing and interpreting data, and constructing explanations. In engineering, students define
problems and design solutions based on different proposals that are communicated and tested in order
to improve.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
In Grade Two Social Studies, students focus on learning about their local community, Guatemala City,
through the lenses of geography, culture, and government. Students participate in learning communities
to extend their knowledge, research topics to gather information, and create projects to demonstrate
their learning.
LENGUAJE:
En el área de lectura, se expone a los alumnos de este grado a libros con menos ilustraciones y más
texto. Luego exploran y leen textos informativos variados. Posteriormente, se les expone a libros
organizados en capítulos y finalmente, disfrutan de la lectura de libros de series. En el área de escritura,
los alumnos empiezan a escribir cuentos de hadas incluyendo los diferentes elementos de un cuento.
Investigan y escriben también textos informativos acerca de un tema en el cual se consideran expertos.
La última escritura que realizan en el año es una carta dedicada a una audiencia específicamente
seleccionada para expresar una opinión sustentada en razones y ejemplos. Para complementar la
escritura, se busca fortalecer el desarrollo de destrezas y conocimiento de elementos claves de
ortografía y gramática tales como: uso de mayúsculas, puntuación, redacción de oraciones complejas
que expresan orden y sentido y el uso de palabras de enlace. En las áreas de expresión oral y audición,
se refuerzan hábitos de escucha activa, expresión oportuna y adecuada, saber pedir la palabras y
esperar turnos para expresar ideas y seguir una conversación, entre otros.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
En la clase de Estudios Sociales, los alumnos de grado 2 son expuestos a diversas temas que se
desarrollan a través de varias unidades a lo largo del ciclo escolar. Se inicia con el desarrollo de las
destrezas necesarias para la lectura de mapas. Seguidamente, conocen más acerca de Guatemala y de
su Independencia. Se introducen nuevos conceptos de algunos hechos geográficos, los beneficios que
estos ofrecen a las poblaciones y el impacto que tienen en el ambiente. Posteriormente, los alumnos
aprenden las estrategias que les permiten cuidar el ambiente y evitar así, los diferentes tipos de
contaminación. También se identifican las diferentes clases de comunidades que existen, de las
poblaciones que habitan en ellas, de las características propias de cada una y las interacciones que se
dan naturalmente entre sus habitantes. Los alumnos inician un recorrido por las diversas épocas de la
historia de Guatemala, hasta llegar a la época actual en donde se identifican las características de un
líder y el impacto que este tiene en el desarrollo de la sociedad. Culminan el ciclo escolar con un
proyecto que les enseña el valor que tiene el proceso de producción en una comunidad convirtiéndose
ellos en pequeños emprendedores. Este proceso busca atender a las necesidades de un mundo
cambiante y global.

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TECHNOLOGY:
Students in Grade Two begin to develop their understanding of the reach of technology as they become
aware of themselves as “digital citizens.” During technology classes, students learn how to create a
strong password for the local CAG network and the educational Gmail account. They learn how to write
an email applying netiquette and about what it means to be an ethical digital citizen. They learn about
internet safety and privacy and apply these skills to their own networks. Students work collaboratively
while researching and applying a variety of apps for iPads and Google Suite for education.
EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
El programa de Educación Física en este grado busca fomentar el valor y la importancia que tiene el
ejercicio físico en la vida de nuestros alumnos. En esta clase se fomenta el desarrollo de hábitos
saludables en las áreas motriz, emocional y social. Los alumnos aprenden acerca de herramientas
necesarias que les permitan ser responsables de su bienestar personal y a contribuir con el bienestar
social de su comunidad a través de la actividad física y el deporte.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Character development is integrated across all content areas. To reinforce these skills, Grade Two
students have morning meetings daily and class meetings every two weeks. Students engage in
character focused activities once-twice a trimester related to the “value of the month”. Students also
participate in a community service activity focused on supporting the needs of students of a public
school.
As a method for prevention, students learn about bullying. Students are able to identify what bullying is,
the types of bullying, the participants in bullying , and the CAG student reporting system.
ARTE:
El desarrollo del Arte juega un papel muy importante en la formación de todos los seres humanos.
Además de estimular el aprendizaje en otras materias como la lectura o las matemáticas, el desarrollo
de destrezas tales como pintar, dibujar o modelar son actividades imprescindibles para el desarrollo de
la percepción, la motricidad fina y la interacción social. Las actividades que se desarrollan en la clase de
arte, proporcionan oportunidades para que los alumnos expresen su propia creatividad, potencialicen
su autoestima y el concepto de autoconocimiento. Cada obra y proyecto de arte que producen, les
genera el sentimiento de haber alcanzado un logro. Los alumnos también aprenden a cooperar con
otros al realizar trabajos artísticos en grupo. Aprenden a ser conscientes de su contribución personal al
trabajo colectivo y desarrollan, además, el sentimiento de pertenencia a un grupo. El desarrollo de la
motricidad fina, la coordinación ojo-mano, la lateralidad y el sentido del ritmo se desarrollan gracias a
las diversas formas de expresión artística que se trabajan en este grado. La diversidad de los materiales
que se utilizan en los diferentes proyectos y el contenido curricular que se sigue, permiten a los alumnos
desarrollar las competencias propias de su edad.

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MÚSICA:
Los alumnos trabajan por medio de proyectos musicales que les permiten conocer los elementos
básicos de la lectura musical: el pentagrama, la clave de sol, las notas musicales, las figuras musicales y
sus silencios correspondientes. Practican las 6 primeras estrofas del Himno Nacional de Guatemala, el
Himno del CAG y el Himno de los Estados Unidos de América. En todo momento se relacionan los
contenidos de esta clase con el programa de valores que promueve Character Counts! Trabajan también
en un proyecto en el que utilizan su cuerpo y el movimiento como recursos para la apropiación de los
contenidos rítmicos. Se expone a los alumnos a la audición de obras musicales de diversos tipos, al
conocimiento de su procedencia y a la interrelación entre ritmo y música, elementos que les permiten
relacionar las acentuaciones rítmicas y del lenguaje. Aprenden acerca de los motivos rítmicos
característicos de las canciones y en el área de lectura musical, estudian el tiempo y el silencio en frases
de 8 compases. En el último proyecto del año, los alumnos aprenden acerca de los elementos básicos
del teatro, especialmente la comedia e inician con los conceptos básicos de la flauta dulce.

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Grade 3
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Grade Three Language Arts continues to develop increased competency and fluency with literacy skills
within the domains of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students report on topics and texts, tell
stories, and recount experiences with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, and clear
communication. Students develop significant ideas, discuss complexities in characters, and continue to
develop vocabulary as they experience literature through various lenses. Students in Grade Three write
and produce narrative, opinion, and explanatory pieces of their own and learn to edit and revise to
strengthen their writing. Students participate in collaborative conversations with their peers and
teachers in small and larger groups.
MATH:
Grade Three mathematics continues to build on the solid number sense foundation built in the early
years. Students in Grade Three fluently add, subtract, multiply, and divide within 100, multiply one-digit
whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range 10-90. Students continue to develop conceptual
mathematical understanding in Grade Three through experiences with interpreting products and
quotients of whole numbers. Students use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word
problems, determine the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation, apply
properties of operations as strategies to multiply and divide, and begin to develop understanding of
division as an unknown-factor problem. Understanding fractions becomes increasingly complex as
students build on their foundational knowledge. Students also tell and write time fluently, draw scaled
pictures and bar graphs to represent data sets with several categories, recognize area as an attribute of
plane figures, and understand concepts of area measurement.
SCIENCE:
In Grade Three, students participate in three different units of scientific study throughout the year.
Students are engaged with life science topics on inheritance and traits as well as the environment and
survival, earth science topics on weather and climate, and physical science topics on forces and
interactions. Students engage in science practices such as planning and carrying out investigations,
analyzing and interpreting data, and constructing explanations. In engineering, students define
problems and design solutions based on different proposals that are communicated and tested in order
to improve.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
Students in Grade Three examine the geography of Guatemala as well as the needs and responsibilities
of citizens of Guatemala and the world. Students develop an understanding of their wants and needs
and the economic principles involved in businesses. Finally, students are introduced to the parts of
culture and how cultures across the world have similarities and differences.
LENGUAJE:
Los alumnos de Grado 3 desarrollan, a lo largo del año, estrategias que les permiten alcanzar el nivel
esperado en el área de lectura. Para ello, trabajan con diferentes tipos de texto: narrativa de ficción,
ficción realista e informativa. Se trabaja en clubes de lectura en los que se desarrolla el pensamiento
crítico y analítico, según el nivel de los alumnos. Además, se fortalecen las destrezas de expresión oral y
audición por medio de: la entonación adecuada al expresarse, escuchar la opinión de otros,
desenvolverse con un vocabulario adecuado, esperar su turno para hablar y darle continuidad a una
conversación. En el área de escritura, los estudiantes redactan diferentes textos como: narrativa
personal, narrativa de ficción, textos informativos y persuasivos. Para lograr estas metas, los alumnos
aprenden también acerca de los elementos claves de la ortografía y la gramática del idioma español y
realizan ejercicios prácticos en los textos escritos. Practican la escritura de oraciones complejas y la
redacción de ideas completas con relación a un tema y a la generación de ideas. Aprenden a identificar
los verbos y sus diferentes conjugaciones y los pronombres dentro de una oración así como aprender a
clasificar las palabras según su acento.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
En Grado 3, los alumnos inician con el estudio de los eventos más relevantes de la historia de
Guatemala, fomentando su identidad y reconociendo el valor histórico de la Cultura Maya y su
repercusión en la época actual. Partiendo del estudio de los eventos más relevantes de la historia
guatemalteca, los alumnos conocen acerca de los Cuatro Pueblos que conforman la población
guatemalteca, comparándola con la diversidad cultural del CAG. Además, se promueve la importancia
que tiene la convivencia pacífica en un Estado democrático organizado así como la importancia del
trabajo y el impacto que los líderes del país ejercen en el desarrollo de la sociedad. Los alumnos
aprenden a comprender las interacciones y relaciones de interdependencia que se dan entre las
comunidades y el ambiente físico en donde estas conviven. Los alumnos participan en proyectos que
les permiten aprender acerca de las actividades económicas fundamentales del departamento de
Guatemala. Aprenden acerca de las estrategias que pueden poner en práctica para el cuidado del
ambiente y cómo este se puede afectar por agentes naturales, por la intervención directa de los seres
humanos y por el impacto positivo o negativo que la tecnología pueden tener en el desarrollo de
Guatemala. En el desarrollo de cada uno de estos temas se busca desarrollar un pensamiento crítico, el
trabajo en equipo, la investigación y una comunicación activa para crear un aprendizaje significativo.

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TECHNOLOGY:
In Grade Three, students continue learning about digital citizenship through a variety of apps for iPads,
Google Suite for education, and websites. Students work collaboratively to research and create reports
and displays of their learning. They share their new learnings with a specific audience using a variety of
digital media tools in order to uniquely express their constructed knowledge. Grade Three students
develop and integrate the skills they learn in technology with the academic areas from their classroom.
EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
Los estudiantes de Grado 3 continúan con el desarrollo de las habilidades motrices gruesas como:
correr, saltar, lanzar y atrapar a través del juego y de la profundización en el conocimiento del esquema
corporal, el equilibrio, el ritmo y la repetición. El objetivo primordial de estas actividades es sentar las
bases para el desarrollo de las destrezas motrices más complejas que los alumnos necesitarán trabajar
en los años venideros.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Character development is integrated across all content areas. To reinforce these skills, Grade Three
students have morning meetings daily and class meetings every two weeks. Students engage in
character focused activities once-twice a trimester related to the “value of the month”. Students also
participate in a community service activity supporting la Asociación Defensores de la Naturaleza.
As a method for prevention, students reinforce their learning about bullying. Students are able to
identify what bullying is, the types bullying, the participants in bullying, and the CAG student reporting
system.
ARTE:
El arte conforma un lenguaje que se desarrolla a través de la combinación de diferentes elementos, tales
como el movimiento, un gesto, una palabra, una imagen y la luz, entre otros. Todos ellos nos permiten
expresarnos y tienen como finalidad, contribuir al desarrollo de la creatividad. En el arte no hay
respuestas correctas ni equivocadas. En esta clase, los alumnos de Grado 3, expresan sus
pensamientos, sus sentimientos y sus intereses a través de los dibujos y pinturas que realizan.
Demuestran el conocimiento que poseen de su ambiente por medio de su expresión creadora. Esta
clase es un medio para que los alumnos se expresen de forma individual a medida que perciben,
comprenden e interpretan el medio que les rodea. Los niños son seres dinámicos y el arte para ellos se
convierte en un lenguaje que estimula su pensamiento y con el que completan su desarrollo como seres
sociales, a través de la realización de proyectos individuales y en grupo.

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MÚSICA:
Los alumnos de Grado 3 inician su primer proyecto en esta clase profundizando en los elementos de la
lectura musical, la música académica y su importancia en el desarrollo integral del ser humano.
Estudian el Himno Nacional de Guatemala y del CAG Continúan ejercitándose en el uso y la lectura del
pentagrama así como en el conocimiento de la función de los símbolos musicales más importantes.
Aprenden a interpretar varias melodías en flauta dulce en la tonalidad de do mayor y practican el
xilófono para reforzar el aprendizaje de las notas musicales. En el área de canto, practican canciones
relacionadas con las distintas actividades que se desarrollan durante el ciclo escolar tanto en inglés
como en español. Participan de manera grupal, ejecutando ritmos y reconociendo al cuerpo humano
como instrumento de producciones rítmicas. Culminan el ciclo escolar con un proyecto de ejecución y
producción rítmica sobre textos poéticos, atendiendo a las acentuaciones del ritmo musical y del
lenguaje, a la discriminación, ejecución y producción de motivos rítmicos, a la práctica musical con la
flauta dulce y a la elaboración de un guión de una obra teatral basada en un cuento clásico.

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Grade 4
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Grade Four Language Arts continues to develop increased competency and fluency with literacy skills
within the domains of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students are supported in their literacy
skill progress as they learn to read more deeply, read more difficult texts, and challenge themselves to
be more interpretive. Students develop significant ideas, discuss complications and complexities in
characters, and continue to develop vocabulary as they experience literature through various lenses.
Students in Grade Four write and produce opinion, informative/explanatory, and narrative pieces of their
own and further develop planning, editing, and revision skills to strengthen their writing. Students
participate in collaborative conversations with their peers and teachers in small and larger groups.
MATHEMATICS:
Having gained a solid foundation in conceptual mathematical understanding of basic number sense,
students in Grade Four take their mathematical thinking and practices to a new level. Students at this
level fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm, multiply a whole
number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number and two two-digit numbers, find whole-number
quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors. In Grade Four, students
solve multi-step word problems, find all factor pairs for a whole number in the range 1-100, read and
write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form, and use
place value understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers to any place. They solve two-step word
problems using the four operations, involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of
objects, and money. Students compare two fractions with different numerators and different
denominators, add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators, and solve word problems
involving addition, subtraction, and multiplication of a fraction by a whole number. Students
demonstrate their understanding with decimal notation and apply the area and perimeter formulas for
rectangles in real world and mathematical problems, draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles
(right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines, and classify two-dimensional figures based on
the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines, or the presence or absence of angles.

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SCIENCE:
In Grade Four science, students are engaged with life science topics on the structure and function of
animal adaptations for survival, earth science topics on the Earth's Features and processes that shape
the Earth, and physical science topics on energy conversions. Students continue to engage in science
practices with more depth such as planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting
data, and constructing explanations. In engineering, students define problems and design solutions
based on different proposals that are communicated and tested in order to improve.
SOCIAL STUDIES:
Students focus on cause and effect through three major lenses during Grade Four Social Studies:
colonization, revolution, and government. Students investigate what it means to live in a new place with
unknown challenges, analyze the premises of a revolution (both the causes and the outcomes), and
study multiple forms of government.
LENGUAJE:
Los alumnos de Grado 4, practican estrategias que mejoran sus destrezas de comprensión lectora
aplicadas en diferentes tipos de texto. Durante la primera unidad de lectura, analizan a profundidad
textos narrativos y la función de sus personajes dentro de la obra. En la segunda unidad conocen acerca
de las características de los textos informativos y practican estrategias para ampliar su vocabulario a
través del uso de técnicas como claves de contexto, asociación de palabras por medio de sinónimo y
antónimos. En la tercera unidad los alumnos se acercan a libros de historia relacionados con la
conquista de América y desarrollan el pensamiento crítico a través de un debate que se realiza al final de
esa unidad. En esa unidad, refuerzan también las destrezas de expresión oral y audición para sustentar
argumentos claros para defender su punto de vista. Por último, leen textos de ficción histórica y realizan
una investigación acerca de un tema de su interés siguiendo la estructura aprendida en clase.
Finalmente, escriben un texto informativo con la información que obtuvieron en su investigación. En la
última unidad de escritura del año, identifican y analizan textos de opinión para redactar uno propio. En
gramática y ortografía, refuerzan la práctica de escritura de oraciones complejas y redactan párrafos con
ideas claras. Refuerzan también la identificación de sustantivos, adjetivos y verbos a través de la práctica
diaria.

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ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
En Grado 4, el programa de Estudios Sociales se enfoca en analizar los aspectos importantes de la
historia de Guatemala y en conocer las características generales de su cultura y de sus departamentos.
En Historia, los alumnos conocen acerca del Poblamiento de América, la Civilización Maya, el
Descubrimiento de América por los europeos y la Conquista de Guatemala. En Geografía, los alumnos
exploran Guatemala y sus departamentos y aplican las destrezas de lectura de mapas para reconocer la
ubicación geográfica de diferentes lugares. El aprendizaje es integral, ya que se construye a través de
proyectos en equipo, investigaciones, lectura de textos, presentaciones, lectura e interpretación de
mapas y centros de aprendizaje. A través de estos temas y estrategias de enseñanza-aprendizaje, los
alumnos desarrollan el pensamiento crítico, la creatividad, la comunicación efectiva, la expresión oral y
auditiva y valores tales como: responsabilidad, respeto, tolerancia, liderazgo, justicia, cooperación y
conciencia ambiental.
TECHNOLOGY:
Students in Grade Four learn how to communicate for a variety of purposes and audiences by using
different technology tools and resources. Students construct their knowledge through the use of a
variety of Google Suite apps. Students also continue to develop their digital citizenship skills through
targeted activities and projects. Grade Four students integrate technology with their academic work in
which they work collaboratively to pursue meaningful learning.
EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
Los alumnos de Grado 4 participan activamente en un programa de Educación Física diseñado para
continuar con el desarrollo de habilidades motrices complejas que ameritan mayor coordinación y
dominio corporal. El dominio de estas destrezas les permite a los alumnos empezar con la iniciación
deportiva. Adquieren los conocimientos fundamentales de varios deportes, entre ellos están: el
Atletismo, el Baloncesto, el Fútbol, el Voleibol, la Gimnasia Rítmica y el Badmington, que también les
ayudan a reforzar las destrezas propias del desarrollo motriz y social propio de esta edad.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Character development is integrated across all content areas. To reinforce these skills, Grade Four
students have morning meetings daily and class meetings every two weeks. Students engage in
character focused activities once-twice a trimester related to the “value of the month”. Students also
participate in a community service activity supporting ONG Good Neighbors Guatemala.
As a method for prevention, students reinforce their learning about bullying. Students are able to
identify what bullying is, the types bullying, the participants in bullying, and the CAG student reporting
system.

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ARTE:
Para los alumnos de Grado 4, las diferentes expresiones artísticas que aprenden son algunas de las
formas de crear, de expresarse, de comunicarse y de representar su realidad. El arte es a la vez, un
lenguaje y una actividad propia que complementa su desarrollo integral mientras que les permite
potenciar su creatividad y sentido estético.
El arte es una forma de apropiarse de su cultura y de construir su identidad, una oportunidad para
valorar, conocer y hacer suyas las tradiciones y expresiones que caracterizan cada comunidad. Los
proyectos desarrollados en esta clase complementan las destrezas de forma individual y de grupo. La
forma en cómo los alumnos controlan su cuerpo, guían su grafismo y ejecutan ciertos trabajos, son
todos elementos claves que revelan su desarrollo físico ya que refleja su habilidad en la coordinación
visual y motriz. Los temas que los alumnos trabajan en Arte son desarrollados para formar personas
sociales con una sensibilidad estética, que les permita alcanzar la Misión del CAG.
MÚSICA:
Los alumnos en Grado 4 continúan con la práctica completa de los himnos de Guatemala, EUA y del
CAG. Aprenden canciones guatemaltecas y las relacionan con anécdotas sobresalientes de sus
compositores. Inician el año con un proyecto musical basado en actividades artísticas: Stomp, drama,
baile, e instrumentación musical. En el segundo proyecto practican la escala de Do Mayor y Fa mayor en
instrumentación Orff y también en flauta dulce. Aprenden melodías en estas dos tonalidades, estudian
los símbolos musicales y los ponen en práctica realizando sus propios patrones melódicos y rítmicos de
manera individual y en grupos pequeños. En el tercer proyecto musical del año, los alumnos realizan
una audición reflexiva y comprensiva. Estudian el sonido desde el entorno natural y social: el paisaje, los
animales, la comunidad, la escuela y el hogar. Conocen sobre las fuentes sonoras no convencionales y
las características de la voz como la onomatopeya. Durante el tercer trimestre presentan la actividad
artística que han trabajado durante todo el ciclo escolar, así como una presentación musical con
instrumentación Orff. En el área de canto los alumnos cantan canciones acordes a la época.

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Grade 5
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Grade Five Language Arts challenges students toward intellectual independence. The literacy program at
this level consolidates the foundations built throughout the elementary years and introduces students to
the skills needed to succeed in later years. Students practice close reading, engage with complex and
higher-level nonfiction emphasizing strong foundational skills, and further develop skills in argument
and advocacy. Students are supported in their literacy skill progress as they learn to read more deeply,
read more difficult texts, and develop higher-level thinking and analytic skills. Students in Grade Five
write reflective personal narratives, research reports, and essays which balance use of evidence and
analysis.
MATH:
In Grade Five, students use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in a wide variety of
contexts. They learn and practice the order of operations to solve equations. Students fluently use the
four operations in equations involving decimals to the hundredths place. To demonstrate this
mathematical understanding, students use models, drawings, or other representations to explain their
strategies. Students are able to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators, even in word
problems. They understand how fractions relate to division and how fractions are used to represent
numbers between whole numbers. Students visually represent multiplication of fractions. In
measurement, students convert units within the same measurement system, measure volume using a
variety of units, and compute the volume of rectangular prisms using the algorithm.
SCIENCE:
In Grade Five science, students are engaged with life science topics that include matter and energy in
organisms and ecosystems, earth science topics on the Earth’s systems and stars and the solar system,
and physical science topics on the properties of matter and their reactions to chemicals. Students build
on previous experiences and continue progress using science practices such as planning and carrying
out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, and constructing explanations. In engineering,
students define problems and design solutions based on different proposals that are going to be
communicated and tested in order to improve based on criteria and constraints.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
Students analyze historical and current events to investigate the following concepts: how culture and
personal identity influence how people interact, including conflict and conflict resolution; causes and
effects of human migration; and personal identity and the connection to human rights.
LENGUAJE:
Los alumnos de Grado 5, desarrollan estrategias de lectura que les permiten profundizar en la
comprensión de textos variados: fantasía, ficción, ficción realista y no ficción. Trabajan en clubes de
lectura en donde se estimula el pensamiento crítico y analítico. Además, refuerzan las destrezas de
expresión oral ya que deben utilizar un vocabulario adecuado a este grado para comunicar sus ideas y
reflexiones. Escriben narraciones personales y de fantasía, textos de no ficción y realizan investigaciones
para informar y persuadir al lector a través de ensayos. Para esto, los alumnos redactan textos usando
variedad de párrafos. En el proceso de escritura se refuerzan las áreas de ortografía y gramática.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
En Estudios Sociales, los alumnos de Grado 5 desarrollan destrezas de lectura de mapas para ubicarse
en un lugar y tiempo específicos. Realizan investigaciones para obtener información de lugares de
interés, identifican las características básicas de las culturas que estudian en clase, aprendan acerca de
la ubicación geográfica, de hechos históricos relevantes y situaciones actuales de los países que
conforman el istmo centroamericano. Aprenden acerca de cómo se pobló el continente americano a
través del estudio de las teorías: Estrecho de Bering, Oceánica y Australiana. Los alumnos participan en
diferentes actividades a través de las cuales, viajan en el tiempo y se hasta llegar a la época
precolombina para explorar la Civilización Maya. Finalmente, los alumnos comparan y contrastan los
acontecimientos históricos más relevantes que ocurrían en América y en otros continentes durante el
siglo XVI, eventos que dieron paso a los viajes de exploración que cambiaron el mundo.
TECHNOLOGY:
Students in Grade Five continue using a variety of technology tools and resources in order to
communicate effectively with different audiences. Students use Google suite apps and other platforms
to construct knowledge and create artifacts. Students develop specific skills from academic areas
integrated with technology in which they work collaboratively to pursue meaningful learning. Students
further develop and refine their digital citizenship skills throughout all the activities and projects.

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EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
Los alumnos de Grado 5 participan activamente en un programa de Educación Física diseñado para
continuar con el desarrollo de habilidades motrices complejas que ameritan mayor coordinación y
dominio corporal. El dominio de estas destrezas les permite a los alumnos empezar con la iniciación
deportiva. Adquieren los conocimientos fundamentales de varios deportes, entre ellos están: el
Atletismo, el Baloncesto, el Fútbol, el Voleibol, la Gimnasia Rítmica y el Badmington, que también les
ayudan a reforzar las destrezas propias del desarrollo motriz y social propio de esta edad.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Character development is integrated across all content areas. To reinforce these skills, Grade Five
students have morning meetings daily and class meetings every two weeks. Students engage in
character focused activities once-twice a trimester related to the “value of the month”. Students also
participate in a community service activity supporting ONG Operación Sonrisa.
As a method for prevention, students reinforce their learning about bullying. Students are able to
identify what bullying is, the types bullying, the participants in bullying, and the CAG student reporting
system.
Students in Grade Five begin the Human Development program. A professional expert provides a lesson
about puberty. The lesson is offered to parents and students separately to learn about the physical and
emotional changes for students of this age group.
ARTE:
La presencia del arte en la educación, contribuye al desarrollo integral y pleno de los niños y jóvenes.
Enriquece tanto el desarrollo de las habilidades y destrezas de los estudiantes, como el
emprendimiento, la innovación, la creatividad y la curiosidad. Es una manifestación de la diversidad
cultural y al mismo tiempo el medio ideal a través del cual se comunican los conocimientos culturales
que se trasmiten de generación en generación en una sociedad.
El arte se vale de diferentes lenguajes y medios: para la pintura son las formas y los colores; para la
escultura los volúmenes y las formas; para la arquitectura, las formas y el espacio. Su importancia radica
en la formación de seres humanos sensibles, empáticos y creativos que sean un elemento clave de
interacción social. Los alumnos de Grado 5, desarrollan proyectos creativos cuyo contenido está basado
en el currículo, los elementos y principios del diseño y el conocimiento de los diferentes estilos del arte
que han surgido a la largo de la historia universal.

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MÚSICA:
Los alumnos de Grado 5, inician el primer proyecto del año con una audición reflexiva, en ella identifican
las cualidades del sonido de diversos fragmentos musicales y en las canciones aprendidas en clase.
Aprenden acerca de las características básicas del sonido: altura, sonidos continuos y graduales: graveagudo-medio
hasta con 4 elementos y realizan actividades lúdicas relacionadas a los movimientos
corporales. En canto continúan practicando los himnos completos de Guatemala, USA y del CAG. En el
segundo proyecto musical del año conocen las cualidad de la voz humana: los recursos de emisión,
discriminación auditiva y traducción corporal y gráfica de la “altura”. Reproducen de manera vocal e
instrumental para ejecutar las características del sonido, conocen las divisiones de un coro y de una
orquesta sinfónica. En el tercer proyecto del año, los alumnos refuerzan y practican la función del
pentagrama, la clave de Sol, el compás de 4/4, las principales figuras musicales y sus respectivos
silencios, practican la posición de las notas musicales y las interpretan en el glockenspiel y flauta dulce.
Al igual que en todos los demás grados de Primaria, los alumnos aprenden y practican canciones
relacionadas a distintas festividades del año, tanto en inglés como en español.

A M E R I C A N S C H O O L O F G U A T E M A L A
Middle School
Grades 6-8
C U R R I C U L U M O V E R V I E W
CHARTING THE COURSE TOWARDS A LIFE OF MEANING
The Middle School, grades 6-8, provides a learning environment designed to meet the
unique needs and interests of young adolescents. The Middle School section is a bridge
between the Elementary and High School and where the journey towards a meaningful
life continues to solidify. The purpose of the CAG middle school experience is to help
students acquire skills for future success in school and life, while following a balanced
and age-appropriate program that transitions them to a deeper and more robust
learning experience. Our curricular programs address academic excellence,
developmental responsiveness, character development, and relationship and
community building.

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Middle School
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Literature is a window into new ideas, cultures, lives, and experiences outside our own, as well an
opportunity to see our own experiences reflected on the printed page. The Middle School English
Language Arts program stresses the appreciation of literature and writing as well as the continued
development of skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening based on the Common Core State
Standards (CCSS). Students read and explore a variety of literary genres and write clear and precise
prose while continuing to develop skills in revising and editing their writing, using correct usage,
punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
MATHEMATICS:
The Middle School math curriculum is based on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and carefully
structured to lead from the concrete arithmetic of elementary school to more abstract mathematical
understanding and practices. In Middle School, students are formally introduced to and develop
understanding of proportional relationships and using ratios and rates to solve real world problems.
Students extend their idea of number to include rational numbers, then use rational numbers in the four
operations, as well as algebraic expressions and equations. By the end of middle school, students are
able to reason about expressions and equations and can model them. They will be able to understand
the concept of a function and use functions to describe relationships. Students expand their knowledge
of geometry to include area, surface area, and volume, eventually applying the Pythagorean Theorem.
Statistical thinking is developed in students and drawing inferences based about populations based on
samples. Throughout these areas, students will apply math skills in real-world problems and use the
mathematical practices to develop their thinking.
SCIENCE:
Students in middle school develop understanding of key concepts to help make sense of Life, Earth and
Physical sciences. Instruction is based on research showing that students learn best by actively
participating in inquiry-based laboratory activities, group work, and projects. Students are encouraged to
ask questions, to take risks, to collaborate, and to think! The Middle School science program is made of
three separate courses based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and utilizes Amplify
Science as a primary resource. Each grade level course integrates topics from Life, Earth, and Physical
Science throughout the year. Scientific phenomena are used to explore and expand students' science
understanding of disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and cross-cutting concepts.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
The Social Studies program in Middle School provides a general overview of Western Civilization from
Ancient History all the way to the Industrial Revolution. Throughout the program, students will develop
critical thinking, writing, and research skills within the AERO Standards Framework. In addition, students
are discouraged from regurgitating facts and encouraged to evaluate, analyze, compare and contrast,
and summarize to demonstrate their understanding of content with respect to the AERO Standards. The
Middle School Social Studies Program is comprised of 3 important epochs: Ancient History (Human
Origins - 476 C.E.), Medieval History (500 - 1500 C.E.), and Beginnings of the Modern World (1500 - late
1800's).
LENGUAJE:
En la Sección Intermedia el enfoque principal es la enseñanza del lenguaje para hacer de los alumnos,
comunicadores efectivos al hablar, al escuchar, al leer y al escribir. La clase se basa en el desarrollo de
destrezas presentadas en los estándares del Common Core por medio de la aplicación de una variedad
de metodologías íntimamente ligadas a la tecnología. Las áreas que se desarrollan en esta clase son:
expresión oral, expresión escrita, comprensión auditiva y lectura con el fin de desarrollar el pensamiento
crítico, resolver problemas, analizar, evaluar y sintetizar la información para entender diferentes puntos
de vista. Se fomenta la participación y el crecimiento personal de los alumnos de manera que
contribuyan éticamente con el mejoramiento de su entorno.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
En la clase de Estudios Sociales de la Sección Intermedia se fomenta y desarrolla la formación ciudadana
reflexiva creando conciencia social en los alumnos y motivándoles a ser líderes involucrados y
comprometidos con el desarrollo de su comunidad y de su país. Se impulsa el aprendizaje activo en la
resolución de problemas y desafíos propios de su realidad. Se fomenta el espíritu analítico, el juicio
crítico y propositivo dentro del proceso de investigación social con un enfoque interdisciplinario. Los
alumnos utilizan métodos de investigación, herramientas e innovaciones tecnológicas para llevar a cabo
sus proyectos de clase, tanto en grupo como individuales. Aprenden también acerca de las
características básicas del desarrollo sostenible y de la gran importancia que tiene su implementación en
diferentes comunidades y sociedades como la guatemalteca para proteger y conservar el medio natural
que nos rodea. En esta clase se trabaja con base al desarrollo de destrezas propuestas por AERO
(American Education Reaches Out), que promueve un marco curricular que da consistencia a través de
las secciones, de Kindergarten a Grado 12.
TECHNOLOGY:
The Middle School Technology program offers opportunities for students to develop their potential to
the fullest and inspire them to be responsible digital citizens. It is based on the ISTE Standards for
students. Through the implementation of these standards, students use technology tools to establish
their own goals and reach them, to demonstrate their learning and work, and to reinforce of their rights
and responsibilities in an interconnected digital world. Students’ perspectives are broadened in the use
of different digital tools. Students become knowledge creators using different tools, styles, formats and
digital media to then communicate efficiently and creatively.

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HEALTH:
E l curso de Health en la Sección Intermedia tiene el propósito de responder a las necesidades propias de
los estudiantes durante el desarrollo de la adolescencia. Esta etapa está claramente identificada por
una serie de cambios físicos, emocionales y psico-sociales que los alumnos necesitan aprender a
manejar para llevar una vida saludable. Este curso sienta las bases para la próxima etapa escolar y de
vida al promover en los alumnos el conocimiento de sí mismos y al brindarles herramientas para su
autocuidado. La salud integral incluye las áreas emocional, psicosocial y física y el propósito de esta
clase es proveer a los alumnos de las herramientas que les ayuden a alcanzar su bienestar general.
Este curso integra también componentes de las funciones ejecutivas, anatomía y fisiología del cuerpo
humano, sociología de la familia, psicología del desarrollo, desarrollo y crecimiento humano, relaciones
interpersonales y, también, la toma de decisiones responsables. La progresión del contenido en los tres
años de Intermedia se desarrolla buscando una alineación con las secciones Primaria y Secundaria.
Se promueven en los estudiantes prácticas saludables de autoconocimiento y convivencia a través del
desarrollo de destrezas que les permitan superar exitosamente los cambios propios de la adolescencia,
vivir una vida equilibrada y tomar decisiones responsables que impacten su presente y su futuro.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
The middle school Physical Education program at CAG stresses lifelong fitness, physical literacy,
cooperative games, the understanding of rules and strategies that pertain to particular sports, and the
importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. The program empowers all students to take lifelong
personal responsibility for engaging in health-related physical activity and to recognize the intrinsic
rewards of being active in ways they enjoy. Students are exposed to a variety of games and activities that
help to demonstrate physical activity as an important part of a meaningful life and and to make
informed decisions that promote healthy development of the whole person. Sports, standard based
games and promotion of values of and through physical education.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Character Development in Middle School supports the mission of the school and promotes the
development of skills, habits, and attitudes that help students to achieve the CAG student profile, VIDAS.
Character development is incorporated in subject area classes and co- curricular activities to address
the social and emotional needs that students have in Middle School. The Character Development
program is integrated across activities such as the advisory program, service learning projects,
assemblies, appreciation activities, health and technology classes, and school counseling activities. Each
grade level team has selected four Habits of Mind to teach, promote and reinforce them in their classes,
as well as ethical values.

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ARTE:
El programa de Arte en la Sección Intermedia potencializa en los alumnos y reafirma las destrezas que
han aprendido en los grados de PrePrimaria y Primaria. Refuerza el desarrollo de la creatividad y la
individualidad a través de la elaboración de proyectos integrados con otras materias. Se estimula a los
alumnos a hacer uso de la tecnología como un recurso de apoyo y de innovación para incorporar
elementos en los diferentes proyectos que se realizan.
MÚSICA:
En la Sección Intermedia el programa de Música tiene como propósito primordial que los alumnos
desarrollen y perfeccionen las destrezas motoras, psicológicas, cognitivas, físicas y sociales propias de
esta edad, con el fin de que puedan analizar el proceso de aprendizaje que se requiere en la ejecución
de un instrumento y en la lectura musical.
DRAMA:
En la Sección Intermedia, la clase de Drama se basa en la inducción inicial de la actuación de manera
individual y en grupo. Se continúa con el trabajo colaborativo llevando a cabo presentaciones que se
adaptan a diversos públicos. El programa está diseñado para crear e inspirar el proceso creativo en las
prácticas teatrales.

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Grade 6
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Grade Six Language Arts is an intensive, skills-based class that challenges students to become critical
readers and writers. Throughout this course, students study a variety of texts in different genres, and
take what they learn through reading studies and apply their knowledge in their own writing. Each
trimester, students focus on a different area of literacy. Trimester 1 focuses on narrative reading and
writing. Trimester 2 focuses on argumentative texts through both literature and informational texts.
Trimester 3 focuses on the structures and styles of informational texts in reading and writing. The course
culminates in a multi-genre based research paper where students combine their understanding of
narrative, argumentative, and informational texts into one research project. Throughout every trimester,
students will continue to hone their spelling and grammar skills, expand their vocabulary, and practice
their communication skills with their classmates in the areas of speaking and listening.
MATHEMATICS:
Students in Grade Six learn to connect ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and
use concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems. They develop their understanding of division of
fractions and extend previous understanding of number to the system of rational numbers, which
includes positive and negative integers. Students work to compute fluently when dividing multi-digit
numbers and when using the four operations with decimal numbers. Further study includes application
of previous understanding of arithmetic to one-step algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities,
and demonstrating the use of variables to represent an unknown. Students learn to find the area of
triangles and other polygons as well as volume of selected 3-dimensional shapes. Students develop
statistical thinking by describing and summarizing numerical data sets.
SCIENCE:
The Grade Six science program includes focus on: Microbiomes, Metabolism, Traits & Heredity, Thermal
Energy, Ocean, Atmosphere, &Climate, Weather Patterns, and Earth's Changing Climate. To provide
context for these topics, students learn about the history and nature of science. Students develop skills
in asking questions, developing and utilizing models, utilizing the scientific/design processes to conduct
investigations, analyzing and interpreting data with appropriate mathematical tools, as well as gather,
read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess for credibility, accuracy,
and possible bias.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
In Social Studies, Grade Six students study and analyze ancient cultures and civilizations primarily
through the structure of the following concepts: geography, culture, social institutions/norms and
identity. Students complete various projects and writing assignments which require critical thinking,
collaboration, research, and effective communication.
LENGUAJE:
La clase de Lenguaje en Grado 6, pretende ser un andamio para desarrollar en los estudiantes las
destrezas que los ayuden a utilizar el idioma español, de tal manera que sus mensajes, tanto orales
como escritos, sean comprendidos por todas las personas con quienes interactúan. Asimismo, se
enfatiza el desarrollo de destrezas que capaciten a los alumnos para saber escuchar, entender e
interpretar los mensajes y expresar sus ideas con facilidad.
Los estándares propuestos en el Common Core, son la guía de todos aquellos aspectos que el alumno
debe desarrollar, para demostrar dominio del idioma en este nivel. Los alumnos tienen la oportunidad
de aplicar los conocimientos que van adquiriendo en variedad de actividades: al leer, al escribir, al
expresarse oralmente y al utilizar el lenguaje de manera adecuada. Para determinar que los alumnos
estén desarrollando las destrezas descritas en los estándares, se diseñan diferentes actividades que les
permitan identificarlas, practicarlas y reforzarlas. Entre estas actividades están: producciones escritas de
diferente índole, ejercicios de comprensión de lectura, evaluaciones formativas, evaluaciones sumativas
y proyectos en donde tendrán la oportunidad de demostrar el nivel de proficiencia alcanzado en los
diferentes estándares evaluados.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
Este curso iniciará con el estudio de aspectos generales de Guatemala y América Central. En cada uno de
estos grandes temas, se estudiarán aspectos históricos, geográficos y temas de actualidad. Durante el
año, los alumnos trabajarán el desarrollo de las destrezas planteadas por AERO (American Education
Reaches Out), las cuales abarcan temas muy amplios tales como: Tiempo, Continuidad e Historia;
Conexiones y Conflicto; Geografía; Cultura; Sociedad e Identidad; Gobierno; Producción, Distribución y
Consumo; Ciencia, Tecnología y Sociedad. Los alumnos aprenden acerca de la orientación e
interpretación de símbolos en mapas, comparación de diferentes clase de mapas, lectura, uso de la
escala para medir distancias, interpretación de gráficas y tablas de información, hacer, leer e interpretar
líneas de tiempo, tomar notas de clase y de vídeos, seguimiento de instrucciones, uso de fuentes de
información (bibliográficas y electrónicas), conferencias en grupo, redactar y hacer un diorama, lectura
de revistas, hacer informes y clasificación de información, entre otras. En todas las actividades se
desarrollarán destrezas de pensamiento crítico a través de debates y mesas redonda.

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TECHNOLOGY:
Students in Grade Six learn to do formal research in Social Studies and Science classes, format their first
essays in the Language Arts class, and use a variety of creation tools to represent their learning. In Grade
Six, students use the Google Classroom platform for all classes.
EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
La clase de Educación Física de Grado 6 contribuye al bienestar físico, social, intelectual y emocional de
los alumnos. Les ofrece la oportunidad de disfrutar del éxito y desarrollar la perseverancia como
cualidad necesaria para alcanzar toda clase de metas. Este programa se basa en el desarrollo de
destrezas propuestas tanto en la Guía de California como en el CNB de Guatemala. Los alumnos
desarrollan destrezas que les permitan resolver problemas, tomar de decisiones y ejercitar su liderazgo.
La aplicación de conceptos psicológicos y sociológicos, incluyendo los valores de respeto,
responsabilidad, civismo, bondad, confiabilidad y justicia. Los alumnos trabajan con estrategias que les
permiten aprender a ejercer el autocontrol emocional y, a la vez, estimulan el desarrollo de una
autoestima positiva. Los alumnos practican la toma de decisiones asertivas y analizan la importancia que
estas tienen para llevar una vida plena y saludable.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Grade Six students participate in many daily activities to support their Character Development. In
addition to integration of skills in regular content-area classes, students engage in the following classes
that focus on specific areas of Character Development: Health and Technology classes, Service Learning
Projects, and an Advisory program to develop skills, habits and attitudes that support students during
the transition from Elementary to Middle School.
ARTE:
En la clase de Arte los alumnos de Grado 6 tiene la oportunidad de refinar sus trazos mediante el
estudio de las técnicas del claroscuro y del puntillismo en las cuales aprenden diferentes conceptos que
les servirán en los siguientes niveles. Los alumnos también tienen la oportunidad de implementar el uso
del Ipad como un recurso más para obtener información específica y para observar fotografías y
tutoriales cuando sea pertinente. Además, tienen la oportunidad de: aprender una pincelada de Historia
del Arte, reforzar los valores que han trabajado desde Primaria, conocer acerca de cómo vivir la misión y
la visión del CAG a través del arte y de analizar cómo todos estos elementos sentarán las bases que les
ayuden a vivir una vida plena. Los alumnos tienen la oportunidad de implementar el uso del Ipad como
un recurso más para observar fotografías y tutoriales cuando sea pertinente.

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MÚSICA:
Desde el inicio del trimestre, los alumnos de Grado 6 trabajan con elementos rítmicos de la notación
musical, entre ellos: figura de redondas, blancas con punto, blanca, negra, corchea, tresillo, semicorchea,
silencios, sonido, valor y duración. También trabajan con elementos de movimientos corporales rítmicos,
práctica vocal, partes de la guitarra y acordes elementales. Al final del trimestre, la totalidad de los
alumnos del grado hacen una presentación de canto y de baile en la que demuestran todos los
conocimientos y las destrezas adquiridas en el salón de clase.
DRAMA:
La clase de Drama de Grado 6 se basa en la expresión corporal. Entre los proyectos a desarrollar
durante el trimestre están los siguientes: manejo de títeres (voz y expresión creativa), creación de
cortometrajes, películas, anuncios en donde se utiliza la tecnología y las destrezas de actuación. Los
alumnos aprenden acerca de la Importancia de la improvisación a través de varios juegos teatrales los
cuales les ayudan a crear un ambiente seguro, tanto dentro del aula como en los proyectos que llevan a
cabo en equipo.

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Grade 7
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Grade Seven Language Arts is an intensive, skills-based class designed to continue to challenge students
as critical readers and writers. The class is designed to systematically refine skills in reading, writing,
speaking, and listening in standard, U.S. English. Students practice reading comprehension through a
wide variety of literature types, including short stories, poems, and novels. Students practice the genres
of expository, narrative, and persuasive writing through guided essay writing. Students also practice
writing poetry. Students deliver several oral presentations during the year, as well as being encouraged
to speak English in class in order to allow them to practice their speaking skills. Students practice
listening and comprehension skills through enjoying audio versions of short stories. Throughout every
trimester, students will continue to hone their spelling and grammar skills, expand their vocabulary and
language usage, and practice their communication skills with their classmates in the areas of speaking
and listening.
MATHEMATICS:
Grade Seven students develop an understanding of and apply proportional relationships. They use
proportions to solve single and multi-step problems. Students develop an understanding of operations
with rational numbers and work with expressions and linear equations. Students solve problems
involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and work with two- and threedimensional
shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume. They begin informal
work with random sampling to generate data sets and learn about the importance of representative
samples for drawing inferences.
SCIENCE:
The Grade Seven Life Science course provides students with an exploration of Earth systems and Earth’s
place in the Solar System. Students will use inquiry, design, experimentation, protocols, and tools to
understand Earth’s processes and the natural world.The course offers many topics for study including:
Geology on Mars, Plate Tectonics, Plate Motion Engineering, Rock Transformations, Phase Change,
Chemical Reactions, Population and Resources. To provide context for these topics, students learn
about the history and nature of science. Students develop skills in asking questions, developing and
utilizing models, utilizing the scientific/design processes to conduct investigations, analyzing and
interpreting data with appropriate mathematical tools, as well as gather, read, and synthesize
information from multiple appropriate sources and assess for credibility, accuracy, and possible bias.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
Grade Seven students study and evaluate the effectiveness of feudalism in the Middle Ages based on
how well it brought political order, economic stability, prosperity and opportunity to the people living
during this time period. In addition, students analyze and evaluate Christianity and Islam and their
effects through various projects and writing assignments that involve critical thinking, collaboration with
group members, and research. Lastly, students finish the academic school year studying the Crusades
and their influence on future generations.
LENGUAJE:
La clase de Lenguaje en Grado 7, refuerza las destrezas que los alumnos han adquirido en los grados
anteriores e introduce nuevas que les servirán en Grado 8. El Colegio Americano de Guatemala
preocupado por cumplir a cabalidad con su Misión, establece que cada alumno alcance su máximo
potencial y les inspire a llevar una vida significativa y responsable. Es decir que, a través del aprendizaje
basado en proyectos, el aprendizaje cooperativo, el aprendizaje basado en el desarrollo del
pensamiento crítico y el aprendizaje constructivista, se desarrollan las destrezas de escritura, lectura,
comunicación oral y comprensión auditiva, establecidas en el “Common Core. Cada una de ellas
contribuirá a que los alumnos egresen del CAG como pensadores, comunicadores y líderes preparados
para hacerle frente al mundo globalizado en el que les tocará desenvolverse. Por lo tanto, durante el
ciclo escolar se desarrollan actividades de redacción tales como: periodística, literaria, y académica. Así
mismo, cada estudiante tiene la oportunidad de llevar a cabo presentaciones orales, formales e
informales, de fortalecer su comprensión lectora así como de desarrollar el análisis crítico a través de
obras de la literatura juvenil.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
En este curso, los alumnos de Grado 7 estudian una visión diferente acerca de la Historia de Guatemala
y de América, enfocándose en las áreas de geografía física, geografía humana, aspectos culturales y
asuntos de actualidad. Analizan los cambios y acontecimientos históricos de mayor relevancia ocurridos
en Guatemala y en el continente americano. Refuerzan las destrezas de lectura de mapas y desarrollan
proyectos en los que integran otras disciplinas de las Ciencias Sociales. Realizan prácticas y laboratorios
de arqueología, antropología, paleografía, y restauración. Los alumnos realizan investigaciones sobre
temas de interés y escriben informes con base en la información obtenida, aprenden a hacer entrevistas
y pequeños documentales para complementar la elaboración de proyectos y presentaciones. En esta
clase se trabaja con base al desarrollo de destrezas propuestas por AERO (American Education Reaches
Out), que promueve un marco curricular que da consistencia a través de las secciones, de Kindergarten a
Grado 12.

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TECHNOLOGY:
Building on the technology skills developed previously, students in Grade Seven have many
opportunities to continue to develop as responsible digital citizens. Students refine research,
collaboration, and presentation skills through integrated work in Language Arts, Science, and Social
Studies classes as well as continue to develop discrete typing and formatting skills to more fluently
communicate their writing. Students develop mathematical logic and computational thinking by learning
introductory coding.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Physical Education provides students the continuing opportunity to learn through a developmentally
appropriate, comprehensive, sequentially planned program aligned with the Physical Education Model
Content Standards for California Public Schools and Guatemala CNB Curriculum. In this grade, the
emphasis is meeting challenges and making decisions. The focus of this course is the application of
movement skills and knowledge to individual and dual physical activities; the assessment and
maintenance of physical fitness to improve health and performance; the requisite knowledge of physical
fitness concepts, principles, and strategies; and the application of psychological and sociological
concepts including self responsibility, positive social interaction and group dynamics. All these aspects
are aimed at the promotion of values.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Grade Seven students participate in many daily activities to support their Character Development. In
addition to integration of skills in regular content-area classes, students engage in the following classes
that focus on specific areas of Character Development: Health and Technology classes, Service Learning
Projects, and an Advisory program to develop skills, habits and attitudes that support students in
developing empathy and relationships.
ARTE:
Los alumnos de Grado 7 aprenden acerca de la Historia del Arte y a conocer más a fondo la técnica de la
pintura acrílica. Los alumnos realizan proyectos variados en los que integran las destrezas que
aprenden en esta clase con otras materias para reforzar destrezas. Además, los estudiantes reafirman
conocimientos básicos de técnicas simples como el uso del crayón de madera para poder desarrollar
proyectos creativos con los cuales se refuerzan los ideales implícitos en la misión y visión del CAG así
como los Seis Pilares del Programa de Valores y los Hábitos de la Mente. Los alumnos tienen la
oportunidad también de incorporar el uso de la tecnología en esta clase y de hacer consultas en el Ipad
para ampliar conceptos y también como un recurso para obtener información de temas de interés
cuando sea pertinente.

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MÚSICA:
El programa de Grado 7 se considera uno de los más cargados y enriquecedores, tanto de la clase de
Música como de la Sección Intermedia ya que permite a los alumnos experimentar y aplicar
conocimientos aprendidos anteriormente, al aprender a interpretar un instrumento musical. Es decir,
que además de reconocer las partes de cada instrumento, también aprenden a reproducir música
utilizando elementos rítmicos, melódicos y de lectura musical. Los instrumentos con los que los alumnos
trabajan son: bajo eléctrico, guitarra eléctrica, batería acústica, guitarra acústica y piano. Durante la
enseñanza en este grado, no se realiza ninguna presentación con padres, sino que se llevan a cabo
proyectos para los alumnos de otros grados o secciones del CAG.
DRAMA:
La clase de Drama de Grado 7 se basa en la escuela de grado 6. La música se utiliza para estimular la
expresión corporal de los alumnos. Además, se involucran en la creación de montajes escénicos entre
los cuales están la representación de una historia con la técnica del teatro de sombras. En ella son los
mismos alumnos quienes trabajan colaborativamente creando desde la historia inicial hasta la
representación escénica final. Esta actividad les permite a los alumnos actuar de manera organizada,
gestionar y elegir los recursos necesarios que mejor se adapten al contexto de su proyecto. Realizan
también cortometrajes relacionados con temas de actualidad de nuestro país y con esto, aprenden a
integrar la tecnología con destrezas teatrales, creando y editando sus propias producciones. Los
alumnos adquieren estrategias que les enseñan a improvisar con las cuales crean un ambiente seguro y
de trabajo en equipo.

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Grade 8
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
Grade Eight Language Arts is a standards based, student centered class where we will read, write, speak,
create, problem solve, and more - in English!
Grade Eight students read and interact with a variety of short stories, poems, informational articles, and
novels. Students also engage with each other through participation in literature circles throughout the
year. Literature circle themes include nonconformity and human rights. Through an integrated
approach with their Social Studies course, students research human rights violations in a country of their
choice and work diligently to produce an informative essay.
MATHEMATICS:
In Grade Eight mathematics, students learn that there are numbers that are not rational. Students work
with radicals and integer exponents. Students analyze and solve linear equations while understanding
the connections between proportional relationships, lines and linear equations. Students define,
compare and analyze functions, then use functions to model relationships between quantities. In
Geometry, Grade Eight students solve real world and mathematical problems involving the Pythagorean
Theorem as well as volumes of cylinders, cones and spheres. Students understand how performing
rotations, reflections, translations and dilations affect congruence and similarity. Students continue their
study of statistics by investigating patterns of association in bivariate data.
SCIENCE:
Grade Eight science focuses on Space Systems, Astronomy, History of the Earth / Biological Evolution,
Forces, Motion, and Human Energy and Interactions. Students construct scientific explanations and engage in
argument from evidence. Students gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate
sources; plan investigations; and describe the phenomena using appropriate models.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
In Social Studies, Grade Eight students study the foundations of the modern world through an
exploration of key revolutions and developments between 1450 and 1850. Students study and analyze
how intellectual changes (Enlightenment and the Renaissance), political changes (French Revolution,
Haitian Revolution), and physical changes (Industrial Revolution, Imperialism), helped to lay the
foundations of the physical and political world we live in today.
LENGUAJE:
El ser humano es un ser social por excelencia y por ello, necesita desarrollar la destrezas que le
permitan comunicarse eficazmente en cualquiera de las formas de expresión. Por tal razón, la clase de
lenguaje en Grado 8, tiene como propósito desarrollar todas las destrezas planteadas en el “Common
Core”. Entre ellas: ectura. expresión oral, escrita y comprensión auditiva para que el estudiante pueda
sentirse seguro y capaz de comunicarse de manera efectiva, precisa y culta con su entorno. Esto se hace
con el fin de cumplir con la misión y la visión del Colegio Americano de Guatemala. Durante el ciclo
escolar, los alumnos participan en diferentes actividades y llevan a cabo diversos proyectos entre los
que se pueden mencionar: proyectos de escritura, presentaciones orales, trabajos grupales, proyectos
integrados, lecturas cortas y lectura de libros como: El Popol Vuh (versión juvenil), La ciudad de las
bestias e Historia de un Pepe. También realizan investigaciones de temas de interés y elaboran de
ensayos.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
La clase de Estudios Sociales de Grado 8 se enfoca en la temática de Guatemala y su conexión con el
contexto mundial. Los alumnos estudian la relación que Guatemala ha establecido con otros países y
continentes en varios aspectos: económico, político social y cultural dentro de la realidad de un mundo
globalizado. Por ejemplo, la relación de Guatemala con la Unión Europea y los acuerdos comerciales
que ha firmado con los países de Asia. Se estudian temas de geografía física y humana. Los alumnos
aprenden de aspectos variados de otras culturas. Se hace énfasis en temas de interés para desarrollar
conciencia por el cuidado del medio natural. Los alumnos trabajan con lectura e interpretación de
mapas, lectura y análisis de documentos, práctica de debates y otras técnicas de exposición oral. Utilizan
la tecnología para hacer investigaciones y otras consultas. El programa incluye temas de actualidad, de
investigación histórica y aspectos de formación ciudadana. En esta clase se trabaja con base al
desarrollo de destrezas propuestas por AERO (American Education Reaches Out), que promueve un
marco curricular que da consistencia a través de las secciones, de Kindergarten a Grado 12.

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TECHNOLOGY:
Building on the technology skills developed previously, students in Grade Eight continue to have many
opportunities to develop as responsible and innovative digital citizens. Students refine research,
collaboration, and presentation skills through integrated work in Language Arts, Lenguaje, Science,
Estudios Sociales, and Social Studies classes as well as continue to develop discrete typing and
formatting skills to more fluently communicate their writing. Students use various digital tools to present
the content in many ways. Students use a variety of apps to make conceptual maps, vokis, and timelines
to present the different topics during the class.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
The overarching goal in PE Grade Eight is to foster an environment of learning and love for physical
activity. Students will do this through a variety of team games and sports that promote cooperation,
teamwork, and continued motor skill development. Emphasis will be put on not only working well
together physically and athletically, but also mentally and emotionally. Sportsmanship, attitude and
effort are paramount to each student's success. In addition, in line with California Physical Education
standards, students work on age appropriate skills and are introduced to personal fitness concepts
intended to promote and enforce the importance of lifetime fitness.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Grade Eight students participate in many daily activities to support their Character Development. In
addition to integration of skills in regular content-area classes, students engage in the following classes
that focus on specific areas of Character Development: Health and Technology classes, Service Learning
Projects, and an Advisory program to develop skills, habits and attitudes that support students in
developing leadership skills.
ARTE:
En Grado 8, los alumnos tiene la oportunidad de continuar profundizando más con la técnica de
acuarela para desarrollar su creatividad. Aprenden también acerca de cómo está formada la figura
humana. Refuerzan la técnica del claroscuro, implementan el uso del Ipad y la tecnología para apoyarse
en la elaboración de sus trabajos de arte y llevan a cabo proyectos integrados con otras materias por
medio de los cuales se trabaja por reforzar los valores que la institución promueve y así, alcanzar la
misión y la visión del CAG.

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MÚSICA:
Es en Grado 8 en donde los alumnos realizan un concierto de clausura para poder experimentar acerca
de todos los elementos indispensables que se requieren para llevar a cabo una presentación en vivo.
Los alumnos tienen toda la libertad de elegir el instrumento con el que más se identifiquen para
participar en dicha presentación. Se hace énfasis con los alumnos acerca de los aspectos vitales que
deben tener en cuenta al realizar esta presentación: trabajo en equipo, perseverancia, honestidad y
responsabilidad los cuales determinarán la calidad general de la presentación final. En este grado, los
alumnos ya conocen, cómo afinar guitarras, cómo tocar tablatura, acordes convencionales, cómo
reproducir ritmos y lo último que deben aprender ahora, es cómo ensamblar y lograr una armonía
musical y social.
DRAMA:
La clase de Drama en Grado 8 refuerza las destrezas y los conocimientos aprendidos en grados 6 y 7.
Uno de los temas principales en este trimestre es el estudio de los 13 signos del teatro. Los alumnos se
involucran en la creación de montajes escénicos ya sea teatro cómico, teatro de sombras, actuaciones
de clase y presentaciones cortas en grupo e individuales. Estas presentaciones forman parte de la
presentación final que cada sección organiza para presentar a los padres de familia del grado y a todos
los alumnos de los otros grados de la Sección intermedia. Los alumnos son los encargados de elaborar
todo el material que necesitan para sus presentaciones, desde la utilería, el maquillaje y la selección y el
uso de luces entre otros aspectos necesarios para la escenografía.

A M E R I C A N S C H O O L O F G U A T E M A L A
High School
Grades 9-12
C U R R I C U L U M O V E R V I E W
THE MEANINGFUL LIFE JOURNEY CONTINUES
As students continue with their educational experience, the CAG High School
recognizes the unique characteristics and needs of teenage students in the 21st
century through a holistic approach to education that supports their development as
complete human beings. High School students work towards fulfilling our school
mission as they develop the skills that will help them become successful adults and
positive contributors to the world around them. Our students graduate as bilingual and
bicultural individuals, who are independent, critical-thinkers and lifelong learners who
contribute to community.
HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CATALOG, CLICK HERE:
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/fullscreen/60017993/hs-course-catalog

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High School
Curriculum Overview
LANGUAGE ARTS:
The High School English department seeks to build confident, college-ready students through a rigorous
program of reading, writing, and thinking. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are followed from
Grade Nine to Twelve in order to provide students will a progression of learning experiences. Students
write college-level essays, read selected works of classic fiction and nonfiction, and have regular
opportunities to collaborate with and present information to their peers. In addition, Grade Eleven and
Twelve students who qualify and are interested in more of a challenge may take AP Composition and AP
Literature.
MATHEMATICS:
The High School Mathematics curriculum provides students with a comprehensive foundation so that
they can use reasoning and problem-solving skills to investigate and solve both abstract and practical
problems in mathematics. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are followed as students study a
core of algebra, geometry, statistics, and trigonometry in an integrated format and develop the critical
thinking skills needed for mathematical competence and for the study of advanced mathematics. The
high school math program culminates in a core Calculus course of study. Advanced Placement courses
are available in Calculus and Statistics are available for qualified students.
SCIENCE:
The High School Science department supports students in developing a complex understanding of how
science works through the scientific method and engineering process by project based learning.
Students gain understanding how the central unifying theories have been developed from core ideas
and cross-cutting concepts, and understanding how these ideas and concepts are interconnected to
explain the world around us. Students become scientifically literate, are able to critically analyze data,
and form data-driven opinions to make informed decisions based on logic in their daily lives, as well as
for the community as a whole. The High School program includes: Physical Sciences, Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, AP Biology, Anatomy, and Introduction to Engineering.

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SOCIAL STUDIES:
The Social Studies program in High School fosters critical thinking, research and communication skills as
well as collaboration. In High School, students develop their understanding and knowledge of the world
so that they may be active, responsible, 21st century global citizens. The High School Social Studies
Program is organized by grade levels. In Grade Nine, all students take World History followed by US
History in Grade Ten. In Grades Eleven and Twelve, students choose from a variety of Social Studies AP
and elective courses, including AP World History, AP US History, AP Microeconomics, AP
Macroeconomics, Government & Politics, and Contemporary Issues.
LENGUAJE:
El uso efectivo del lenguaje implica el manejo de las destrezas fundamentales de comunicación, a través
de las que se alcanzará el desarrollo holístico de los estudiantes que les permitirá ser protagonistas de la
sociedad global. Por ello, es indispensable el rol del docente en la implementación de estrategias
constructivistas, enlazadas al aprendizaje basado en proyectos (PBL), para alcanzar los estándares
propuestos en el Common Core y lograr el reforzamiento de los valores que coadyuven al crecimiento
de los estudiantes, que responda al perfil VIDAS.
ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
El curso de Estudios Sociales en la Sección Secundaria, prepara a los estudiantes para ser ciudadanos
capaces de desempeñar un rol activo en la construcción de la sociedad guatemalteca y global.
La enseñanza en esta clase se enfoca, principalmente, en la participación consciente y efectiva del
alumno como responsable de su propio aprendizaje. Para lograrlo, se utilizan diferentes métodos de
investigación y análisis crítico de la problemática y realidad nacional e internacional, dentro del contexto
histórico, sociocultural, político y económico con el fin último de proponer posibles e innovadoras
soluciones.
En esta clase se trabaja con base al desarrollo de destrezas propuestas por AERO (American Education
Reaches Out), que promueve un marco curricular que da consistencia a través de las secciones, de
Kindergarten a Grado 12.
TECHNOLOGY:
The High School offers opportunities for students to continue developing creativity, innovation, and
responsible digital citizen skills through the application of previously acquired knowledge in the area of
Technology. In addition, it offers a range of technology-based courses that respond to the future needs
of our students. The High School section analyzes the various offerings of university courses and,
through courses such as Digital Art and Design, Graphic Design and Desktop Publishing, provides an
introduction to the careers of your students' interest. The components of the Technology program in
High School are: Research, Digital Citizenship, Multimedia manipulation, Robotics, Coding, Innovation,
Creativity, and Global Collaboration.

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EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
En esta clase, los estudiantes de la Sección Secundaria adquieren y desarrollan las destrezas necesarias
para participar con fluidez y confianza en una amplia variedad de actividades físicas que promueven la
salud integral, el juego limpio, el trabajo en equipo, el deporte, la cooperación y el crecimiento individual
y de grupo.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
The Character Development program in High School supports the mission of the school and seeks to
develop the VIDAS profile in our student body. Through different curricular and co-curricular initiatives,
students are encouraged to practice positive values and traits that have a direct impact in their own
development and well being, and in their community. The Character Development program is comprised
of the values reinforced in the Six Pillars of Character and the Habits of Mind integrated in all subject
areas as well as various programs including: the advisory program, the health prevention program, the
counseling and vocational program, the bullying prevention program, the community service program,
and the clubs (students´ leadership program). The High School Character Development program
promotes the personal, social, and emotional well being of students according to their developmental
stage.
ARTE:
En la clase de Arte en la Sección Secundaria, los estudiantes tienen la oportunidad de seguir
desarrollando la creatividad y las destrezas artísticas para el dibujo. Aprenden acerca la teoría, el
vocabulario propio del Arte, una amplia variedad de técnicas, de los materiales diversos y cómo usarlos
en sus proyectos. Muy integrados a la enseñanza de estos contenidos artísticos, se tienen al perfil del
estudiante del CAG, VIDAS, así como al Programa de Valores y a los Hábitos de la Mente que el Colegio
persigue, para que los estudiantes logren vivir vidas significativas.
MÚSICA:
El programa de Música en la Sección Secundaria se enfoca en el desarrollo instrumental musical para
alumnos de todos los grados y en el desarrollo vocal para los estudiantes del Programa de Bachillerato
Avanzado. Los estudiantes siguen reforzando las destrezas de la lectura musical así como aquellas que
les permiten alcanzar un nivel técnico satisfactorio en la interpretación de su instrumento. El trabajo
que realizan en esta clase complementa su educación integral, les permite expresarse por medio de la
música y el canto y contribuir así, al logro del perfil del estudiante del CAG, VIDAS. Gracias a este
enfoque de trabajo nuestros alumnos desarrollan también la sensibilidad artística que les permite
apreciar las manifestaciones estéticas así como el trabajo en equipo, herramientas utilísimas para
alcanzar una vida plena.

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DRAMA:
La clase de Drama en la Sección Secundaria fomenta en sus estudiantes, la creación en grupo, la
presentación de obras teatrales en inglés y en español, la improvisación, la creación espontánea y la
apreciación de una obra teatral y sus respectivos símbolos. Los estudiantes aprenden también acerca
de la apreciación cinematográfica, la creación de vídeos cortos con técnica e integran el uso de la
tecnología como una práctica dentro de la clase.

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Grade 9
Curriculum Overview
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS:
English Language Arts 9 will guide students through a balanced and comprehensive program based on
Common Core Standards, that is designed to ensure proficiency in reading and writing. Students will also
develop an ability to comprehend and compose, appreciate, analyze, and enjoy the Language Arts.
Students will be exposed to a variety of American and World Literature and authors to create an
awareness of and appreciation for the various forms of literature. This course's ultimate goal is to foster
an awareness of the various types of literature and the ability to examine them critically and analytically.
ENGLISH FOR LANGUAGE LEARNERS I (ENGLISH (ESL) 1):
The English for Language Learners class is designed to help emerging English language learners acquire
the necessary vocabulary and grammar to communicate effectively. Students will improve their listening,
speaking, reading, and writing skills in English while focusing on the three modes of communication:
interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive. Students will read various texts, including literature and
informational texts, to develop skills like summarizing and analyzing to prepare them for English
Language Arts.
IDIOMA ESPAÑOL:
En la clase de Idioma Español de noveno grado se trabajan destrezas y habilidades que mejorarán la
lectura, escritura, compresión, manejo de vocabulario, comunicación oral y escrita. Se leerán obras
literarias donde se analizarán los vocabularios, las ideas y las técnicas adecuadas al nivel, para el
dominio del idioma. Se harán pruebas escritas, pruebas orales, trabajos escritos y diferentes actividades
que favorecerán el desarrollo integral del idioma y el uso de las estrategias como el Aprendizaje a través
de Proyectos (PBL). Es importante la participación activa de manera oral o escrita, con mucho
entusiasmo para el aprendizaje.
Materiales: libros de lectura asignados, hojas de papel y recursos informáticos.

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ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
Este curso está diseñado para que nuestros alumnos conozcan más sobre Guatemala. Realizaremos un
viaje por su historia, su cultura, su geografía y otros aspectos importantes así como el estudio de
eventos actuales. Nos apoyaremos en las ciencias auxiliares y cómo éstas favorecen la comprensión y el
desarrollo del programa. Desarrollaremos competencias que favorezcan la empatía, la valoración y el
respeto por la diversidad cultural y étnica de Guatemala. Así también se implementarán diferentes
actividades que les ayudarán a los alumnos a comprender mejor el entorno social y económico de las
diferentes regiones del país y de la comunidad en donde viven.
WORLD HISTORY:
Topics covered include World History from the early 1750s to the modern-day beginning with different
forms of government and the Industrial Revolution. The course focuses on building key Social Studies
skills such as: analyzing primary sources, summarizing content, writing thesis statements, analyzing data
and charts, and debate skills. Although relevant topics are from all over the world, the course generally
focuses on European and Western cultures. Many of the significant changes in the world during this
period have their epicenter in the Western world.
GLOBAL ISSUES:
This course is designed to introduce students to "global issues"- those significant problems that affect
people and the environment, both at present and in the future. Individual units include:
a focused study of issues related to sustainability, population growth and carrying capacity,
global trends and environmental sustainability,
human rights and quality of life,
governance, and
a research unit on sustainable solutions.
Students are expected to be prepared to critically analyze several current issues and their
interconnectedness, global impact, and generate possible solutions to these issues.
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY:
The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of
patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface.
Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic
organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools
geographers use in their research and applications.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 92% in 8th grade Social Studies and English classes.
Recommendation from 8th grade Social Studies and English teachers.

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INTEGRATED MATH 1:
This course emphasizes mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and communication with the
integration of functions, algebra, geometry, statistics, probability, measurement, and use of
mathematical language. Topics will be studied in the context of connections with other subject areas and
through real-life applications, the use of technology when deemed appropriate, and focused on
collaboration and 21st-century learning objectives. Students will practice using patterns and modeling
and conjectures to increase their understanding and competency in mathematics. Critical areas of
instruction will include:
algebraic studies,
understanding the concept of a function,
deepening the understanding of linear relationships,
applying linear models to data,
establishing criteria for congruence,
geometric constructions, and
applying the Pythagorean Theorem to the coordinate plane.
INTEGRATED SCIENCE:
This course is designed to investigate our world's physical, chemical, and biological properties and
processes. An important goal is to develop the skills and critical thinking necessary to succeed in biology,
chemistry, and physics. We will focus on scientific investigations that increase a student's skills in
research and communication, measurements, mathematics, graphical awareness, and laboratory skills.
General topics include Motion, Forces, Energy, Work, States of Matter, Periodic Table of Elements,
Bonding, Reactions, Acids/Bases, Kinetic Molecular Theory, Nuclear Energy, Macromolecules, Energy in
Organisms, Photosynthesis and Biological Systems.
HEALTH/LIFE SKILLS:
In this course, students explore topics within the three components of Health and Wellness. Within
Mental Health, they explore their own happiness and learn how stress impacts their lives. The unit
focuses on teaching students an application of the techniques and ideas that are learned as a means of
assisting them in their own lives. When looking at Physical Health and Wellness, students investigate
their own physical fitness levels, what can be done to bring about improvements, and develop and work
towards a physical activity goal. Students also examine how poor nutrition can harm their overall health.
The latter part of the course focuses on the exploration of Social Health and Wellness through topics
such as alcohol, drug, and tobacco use, and human sexuality education.
EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
Este curso está diseñado para exponer a los estudiantes a una amplia variedad de deportes en equipo.
En cada unidad o deporte se incorporarán calentamientos, actividades, normas/regulaciones y métodos
de entrenamiento de un deporte específico. Como se trata de la primera clase de educación física que se
requiere en el nivel de secundaria, ésta es una clase más exigente que la que los estudiantes pueden
haber experimentado previamente. Se espera participación y cooperación completa en todo momento,
acompañada de una actitud positiva y conducta adecuada.

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BAND:
This course provides performance opportunities for instrumental and vocal musicians in the school
community. Advanced Band continues the instrumental development of advanced musicians who began
their musical training in Grade 9th and 10th or outside school. We have several performances
throughout the year.
Prerequisite: Band teacher recommendation or placement test.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE:
The Percussion Ensemble is for percussionists who have had previous band experience in grade 9 and
are interested in further developing their ability in the percussive arts. Emphasis is placed on the
fundamentals of comprehensive percussion performance (snare drum, timpani, keyboards, and drum
set), including tonal concepts, technical skills, rehearsal skills, aural skills, and rudimentary music theory.
Members are required to perform for various school performances and sectional rehearsals. Attendance
at these functions, when scheduled outside of school hours, is a course requirement. Members of the
Percussion Ensemble combine with musicians of the Concert Band to perform at large concerts.
Prerequisite: Band teacher recommendation or placement test.
ARTE:
Este curso se desarrolla a través de proyectos que integran la investigación teórica y gráfica, la
creatividad, el dibujo, el volumen, el claroscuro y la teoría del color por medio de variedad de técnicas.
Se fundamenta en la teoría y la historia del arte para aplicarlo como un medio de expresión y recreación
sana. Se practica el manejo de hábitos de orden, seguimiento de instrucciones, secuencias y rutinas de
trabajo. Se ejecutan proyectos para exposiciones generales en las celebraciones del 15 de septiembre,
Noche de Luces, Semana de valores y para el concurso de portadas y carátulas del anuario ALA. Durante
todo el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el aprendizaje de
vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares, del perfil del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y
en los valores.
DRAMA:
This is a fundamental class that is designed for students with little or no experience in drama. It
promotes the enjoyment and appreciation of all aspects of theater. Classwork is centered on public
speaking, improvisation, puppet creation, acting, shadow theater, pantomime, analysis of plays (13
symbols and their meaning), and paper masks.
DRAWING AND PAINTING:
Students can expect to gain a strong foundation in drawing and painting in this beginning level class.
Composition, the visual element, the principles of design, and the techniques and concepts of drawing
and painting will be covered. The end goals are to increase artistic self-confidence, increase one's
understanding of the theory and practice of drawing /painting and to produce successful works.

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SCULPTURE AND 3D ART:
This course will introduce three-dimensional processes and materials as well as develop the student's
ability to analyze form and space relationships. Students will design and create sculptural pieces with a
variety of materials.
ART TECHNIQUES/TÉCNICAS ARTÍSTICAS:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar diferentes técnicas artísticas como el
claroscuro a lápiz, caligrafía, la acuarela, el acrílico, la témpera, el óleo, el modelado y moldeado en
plastilina y arcilla, al aplicarlas en temas libres y en los proyectos que se realizan para las exposiciones
del 15 de septiembre, Semana de valores, Noche de Luces, Carátulas y Portadas del anuario ALA.
Durante todo el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el
aprendizaje de vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil del estudiante
(CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.
ACUARELA:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar el dibujo como base fundamental para
la aplicación de las técnicas artísticas, conocer sobre su origen, a los artistas famosos que la han
aplicado como ejemplos, a utilizar apropiadamente los materiales que requiere la técnica, los
procedimientos de limpieza, abordar las diferentes formas de aplicar la técnica de la acuarela en escalas
tonales, el círculo cromático, prácticas para el logro de aguadas de color, húmedo sobre húmedo,
húmedo sobre seco, reservas de blanco, conocer y aplicar la teoría de la composición y del color en
diferentes temas libres. Durante el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de
Marzano para el aprendizaje de vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil
del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.
PINTURA AL ÓLEO:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar el dibujo como base fundamental para
la aplicación de las técnicas artísticas, conocer sobre su origen, a los artistas famosos que la han
aplicado como ejemplos, utilizar apropiadamente los materiales que requiere la técnica, los
procedimientos de limpieza, abordar las diferentes formas de aplicar la técnica de pintura al óleo
empastado, veladuras, escalas tonales, el círculo de los colores, nombre de los colores en esta técnica,
conocer y aplicar la teoría de la composición y del color en diferentes temas libres. Durante el proceso
de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el aprendizaje de vocabulario, en
la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.

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INTRO TO PHOTOGRAPHY:
This course will help students improve their skills by taking photographs knowing the basics of digital
photography. This is intended to enhance their artistic and thinking skills and their perception of the
society in which they live. Students will be guided to understand that photography is not only a means to
portray others, but also to portray themselves. That is why the semiotic knowledge to build a
photograph is indispensable, and therefore it will be studied during the course. Intro to Photography will
focus on camera handling, Semiotics (construction of the image), Artistic photography, and Social
photography.
Requirement: Each student must have their own camera (basic characteristics)
INNOVATIVE STORYTELLING:
This course will teach the fundamentals of creating and sharing meaningful stories that are crafted to
bring about a shift in the collective consciousness of our community. This course will not only bring
hands-on experience with next-generation skills like photo and video production, but it will also aim to
produce critical content to spark conversations about the topics/stories that are often unspoken. Learn
to utilize the design thinking approach to produce high-quality stories.

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Mini Term Options
As these are driven by student interest, listings may change with time.
CODING:
Coding is "the literacy of the 21st century". In this course, students will learn foundational programming
concepts and how to solve problems like a programmer. Students will learn how to code in Java and
improve their programming and problem-solving skills. They will be able to read and understand
programs and descriptions of the design and development process leading to such programs; The
course will also highlight the ethical and social implications of computer use. This course is equivalent to
a first-semester, college-level course in computer science.
INTRODUCTION TO VIDEOGAMES DESIGN:
Learn how to code in Swift and build an APP along with exploring the introductory concepts of gaming
and the mechanics behind them.
WEB DEVELOPMENT:
The Web Development course is an introduction to the design, creation, and maintenance of web pages.
Students will be able to Learn the foundational programming for web development: for example: (HTML,
CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, PHP, PHPMyAdmin, SQL, WordPress, Grav, mobile Frameworks), and learn
how the various facets function together in a web environment. The course provides a solid web
development foundation, focusing on content and client-side (browser).
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity working with computers.
GENETICS:
The course is designed to expand upon the Genetics unit introduced in the Biology courses and to show
the importance of Genetics in taking our understanding of humans to a new level. The goal is to make
students aware of the complexity of designing organisms (more specifically humans) and demonstrate
both the fragility and sturdiness of the materials that make up our genomes. Students in the Genetics
course continue to develop knowledge in the core disciplinary ideas described in the Next Generation
Science Standards (NGSS), including science as inquiry. The course will introduce students to the
scientific methodologies used in the study of genetics investigations. This course aims to apply the Next
Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Crosscutting Concepts that bridge disciplinary boundaries, uniting
core ideas throughout science and engineering.

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ASTRONOMY:
This course aims to enable students to develop and apply knowledge of the universe and compare the
conditions, properties, and motions of bodies in space. Emphasis shall be placed on concepts basic to
Earth, including materials, processes, history, and the environment. This course introduces you to the
composition and structure of the universe. Astronomy is the scientific study of the contents of the entire
universe. This course will provide the student with a study of the universe and the conditions, properties,
and motions of bodies in space. The content includes, but is not limited to, historical astronomy,
astronomical instruments, the celestial sphere, the solar system, the Earth as a system in space, the
earth/moon system, the sun as a star, and stars. In this course, students will have the opportunity to use
CAG's telescope in our very own observatory.
ART & MATH:
A course focused on the integration of mathematical principles and artistic techniques. This blended
course takes students through a journey of connecting a sometimes concrete linear subject and
combines it with a creative realm with endless possibilities. Students will create pieces of art using
various mediums that represent mathematics through multiple different formats.
CREATIVE WRITING:
In this course, students will explore creative writing through a variety of lenses and lines of thinking.
Students will dive into different forms of creative writing and the creative writing process, discovering
their own skills and techniques.
SHORT STORIES:
This course focuses on the skill of creating a big concept and fitting it into a short story. Students will
storyboard their ideas and learn about creative ways to grasp the reader’s attention through choice
words in small spaces.
WORLD WARS:
World War I and II remains the most total and most destructive conflicts in human history. They involved
all the major industrial countries, wrought unparalleled destruction, and targeted civilians to a previously
unprecedented extent. The course will focus on the major military, diplomatic choices of the wars, and
discuss the war's impact on societies and the individuals who fought or had to endure it. The course's
goal will be to understand the major events and understand the "why" of these events. Students will
analyze these events using a wide range of primary and secondary sources.

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PSYCHOLOGY:
Psychology is a full year class that is offered as an elective. Throughout the year, students learn about
the discipline of psychology as the study of human behavior and its connections to the brain and the
body; specifically, the lobes and hemispheres of the brain, the nervous system, and the endocrine
system. Students will be expected to understand basic research methods and theoretical perspectives
on psychological behavior. Additionally, they learn about human development throughout the lifespan,
sleep and dreams, and theories of motivation and emotion, such as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Also
covered are theories of personality from the perspectives of behaviorists, psychoanalytic, social learning,
cognitive, and humanistic, as well as the different therapies that each entails. Lastly, the course covers
psychological testing to evaluate academic performance, measure mental abilities, and identify
personality characteristics. Students are expected to think critically about why humans behave the way
they do and understand behavior to apply it to their own lives.
GRAPHIC NOVELS AND VISUAL STORYTELLING:
From simple cartoons to rich graphic novels, today's best artists create work that combines exciting
visual styles with compelling stories and characters. Learn to write for comics, adapt classic books, create
characters with unique looks, and wrap everything up for print and online publishing.
CALIGRAFÍA ARTÍSTICA (LETTERING):
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer y aprender a utilizar correctamente los
materiales que se necesitan para hacer caligrafía artística como marcadores con puntas especiales,
pinceles recargables, pinceles en diferentes puntas, papeles preparados para la práctica previa, papel de
acuarela y otros soportes. Dominar las etapas del proceso de la caligrafía artística, aprender a dibujar
letras en diferentes estilos, diseñar rótulos creativos, combinar las cualidades de la acuarela con la
rotulación y desarrollar un estilo personal al momento de resolver un proyecto de diseño que combine
la caligrafía artística, el dibujo y la pintura a la acuarela.
MANDALAS CRETIVAS:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer el origen, aprender a dibujar con las
bases de la geometría aplicada, los esquemas básicos para la creación de diseños circulares al estilo de
las mandalas que se manifiestan en las diversas culturas milenarias. Aprenderán a organizar dentro de
los esquemas, diseños con ritmos repetitivos, alternos o contrapuestos. Pintar en técnicas de
puntillismo, achurados y sombreados con pintura acrílica, marcadores y crayones. Dominar y aplicar los
procesos ejercitados en un estilo personal para resolver un proyecto de diseño creativo.

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Grade 10
Curriculum Overview
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS:
This course emphasizes the development of literacy, communication and critical thinking skills necessary
for success in academic and daily life. Students will analyze literary texts from various periods, countries,
and cultures, as well as a range of informational and graphic texts. Students will create oral, written, and
media texts in a variety of forms. An important focus will be on using language with precision and clarity,
and incorporating stylistic devices appropriately and effectively. This course is intended to prepare
students for 11th Grade English and Advanced Placement courses.
ENGLISH FOR LANGUAGE LEARNERS II (ENGLISH (ESL) 2):
The English for Language Learners class continues to develop vocabulary and grammar to help students
communicate effectively. Throughout the course, students will improve their listening, speaking, reading
and writing skills in English while focusing on the three modes of communication: interpersonal,
presentational and interpretive. Students will read a variety of texts, including literature and
informational texts to develop skills like summarizing and analyzing to prepare them for English
Language Arts.
IDIOMA ESPAÑOL:
El plan académico contempla la enseñanza de la lengua y la literatura como elemento esencial en la
formación integral de los estudiantes, estimulando su capacidad analítica y autónoma de pensamiento,
el desarrollo de la imaginación y creatividad. El curso hace un acercamiento al contexto histórico y
social de la Época Grecolatina, Edad Media, Renacimiento, Barroco e Ilustración, Siglo XIX y Siglo XX, para
entender la mentalidad reflejada en las obras de estas corrientes literarias, analizando géneros
literarios, autores y obras más representativas. Esto constituye una magnífica oportunidad para cultivar
la sensibilidad y la comprensión hacia otras formas de vida, pensamiento, valores, creencias y
concepciones del mundo, asumiendo actitudes críticas frente a la obra al interpretar los elementos
ideológicos que se exponen. Formar profesionales técnicos académicos que se desempeñen con
eficiencia y efectividad para la competitividad, aplicando el conocimiento con el razonamiento para una
mejor convivencia en el campo laboral y personal.

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HISTORIA DE GUATEMALA:
El curso de Historia de Guatemala está diseñado para que los alumnos identifiquen características del
territorio guatemalteco así como acontecimientos importantes a través de las diferentes épocas de su
historia. Con estos elementos, facilitar la comprensión, el impacto y relación que han tenido en la
actualidad. Los alumnos tienen la oportunidad de investigar sobre detalles que describen sus
características y los hechos históricos para poder analizar cuánto han influido en el desarrollo del país. A
través del estudio, investigación y desarrollo de distintas actividades relacionadas al contenido, empatía,
tolerancia y valoración de los actores sociales y elementos del pasado y presente que conforman
nuestra sociedad e identidad cultural.
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY:
The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of
patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface.
Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic
organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools
geographers use in their research and applications.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 92% in 8th grade Social Studies and English classes.
Recommendation of 8th grade Social Studies and English teachers.
U.S. HISTORY:
The U.S. History course allows students to identify various significant events in U.S. history and to
discuss, question, and develop an understanding of their causes and impacts. Students will have the
opportunity to create and defend researched arguments, compare and contrast various social, political,
and economic structures, and make connections between the past and present.
AP UNITED STATED HISTORY:
This course allows 10th-grade students (and interested 11th and 12th-grade students) to look at
American History's breadth. The students will not only focus on key historical events but will also discuss,
question, develop, and understand the causes and effects of History. They will look closely at the "why"
of events that have taken place. Students will have the opportunity to create and defend researched
arguments, compare and contrast various social, political, and economic structures, and make
connections between the past and present. This class prepares students to take the AP exam in U.S.
History in May. The course closely follows the College Board's AP curriculum (which is available on their
website). This is an intense and demanding course that requires nightly homework and readings, but it
will prepare students for university-level history and humanities classes.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in previous Social Studies and English classes.
Recommendation of last Social Studies and English teachers.

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INTEGRATED MATH II:
This course extends upon the mathematical content from Integrated Mathematics I. This course
emphasizes mathematical modeling, variation, algorithmic thinking, and multiple mathematical
representations to understand how and why mathematical models can be applied to specific situations.
Students practice extending the laws of exponents to rational expressions, examining quadratic
functions, and comparing these to linear and exponential functions. In addition, students focus on
creating and solving equations and inequalities with linear, quadratic, and exponential expressions,
using matrices and matrix as a data organization tool, and developing their understanding of factoring
and its applications, as well as establishing and proving the similarity between triangles by using
proportional reasoning skills. These topics will continue to be explored in the context of connections to
other disciplines and the real-world applications of mathematical concepts.
COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES:
The AP Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory
college computing course. Students will develop computational thinking skills, such as using
computational tools to analyze and study data and work with large data sets. The course engages
students in the creative aspects of the field by allowing them to develop computational artifacts based
on their interests. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working
individually and collaboratively to solve problems and discussing and writing about the impacts these
solutions could have on their community, society, and the world. The course has been designed to use
Python programming language.
Prerequisites:
It is recommended that a student in the AP Computer Science Principles course has successfully
completed a first-year high school algebra course with a strong foundation of basic linear functions.
Recommendation of last Math and English teacher.
BIOLOGY:
This year-long high school course engages students in the study of life and living organisms by
examining biology in the real world. It encompasses traditional concepts in biology and encourages
exploration of new discoveries in the field. The components include biochemistry, cell biology, cell
processes, heredity and reproduction, the evolution of life, taxonomy, human body systems and ecology.
We will be using Phenomenon-Driven Storylines which replace traditional curricula and are aligned with
the Next Generation Science Standards. Through the NGSS standards and the Storylines, students will
develop a thorough understanding of content as well as improve key skills like communication,
collaboration, inquiry, problem solving and creative thinking.

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AP BIOLOGY:
The AP Biology course is designed to enable you to develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such
as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting
concepts in and across domains. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in
subsequent college courses. This is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their
understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics:
chemistry of life, cellular structure and function, cellular energetics, cell communication and cell cycle,
heredity, gene expression and regulation, natural selection and ecology.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in Biology or for grade 9 students minimum 92% in grade 9 Science and Math
Recommendation of last Science teacher
LIFE SKILLS/HEALTH:
In this course, students will explore teamwork and leadership, goal setting and career planning. In each
unit, students examine current theories and how they apply to their own lives. Students use
psychological assessments to develop a greater awareness of themselves and their peers. New
knowledge is applied to tasks where students have the opportunity to discover who they are, what they
like and don't like, how their strengths can be highlighted, and how they can compensate or improve
upon their weaknesses. The students through project based learning begin on “The Road to Success”
journey where they create their own digital portfolio. They will create their resumes and start to
investigate college and careers using research skills and web resources. Students develop an awareness
of personal abilities, skills, interests, and motivations that influence college and career choices. They also
demonstrate an awareness of the education and training needed to achieve college and career goals,
and develop an action plan to set and achieve realistic goals.
EDUCACIÓN FÍSICA:
Este curso responde a las necesidades estandarizadas de los alumnos atendiendo las características
específicas de nuestro medio, social, cultural y académico complementando eficientemente los
requerimientos necesarios para la formación integral de los estudiantes. Se desarrollarán las
capacidades físicas, coordinativas, deportivas y psicológicas. Se abordan temas como: salud, la práctica
sistematizada de las actividades físico/deportivas, elementos técnicos deportivos en situaciones de juego
y competencia, reglas específicas de cada disciplina deportiva, valores éticos implícitos en la práctica
deportiva.

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PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE:
The Percussion Ensemble is for percussionists who have had previous band experience in grade 9 and
are interested in further developing their ability in the percussive arts. Emphasis is placed on the
fundamentals of comprehensive percussion performance (snare drum, timpani, keyboards, and drum
set), including tonal concepts, technical skills, rehearsal skills, aural skills, and rudimentary music theory.
Members are required to perform for various school performances and sectional rehearsals. Attendance
at these functions, when scheduled outside of school hours, is a course requirement. Members of the
Percussion Ensemble combine with musicians of the Concert Band to perform at large concerts.
Prerequisite: Band teacher recommendation or placement test.
ARTE:
Este curso se desarrolla a través de proyectos que integran la investigación teórica y gráfica, la
creatividad, el dibujo, el volumen, el claroscuro y la teoría del color por medio de variedad de técnicas.
Se fundamenta en la teoría y la historia del arte para aplicarlo como un medio de expresión y recreación
sana. Se practica el manejo de hábitos de orden, seguimiento de instrucciones, secuencias y rutinas de
trabajo. Se ejecutan proyectos para exposiciones generales en las celebraciones del 15 de septiembre,
Noche de Luces, Semana de valores y para el concurso de portadas y carátulas del anuario ALA. Durante
todo el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el aprendizaje de
vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares, del perfil del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y
en los valores.
DRAMA:
This is a fundamental class that is designed for students with little or no experience in drama. It
promotes the enjoyment and appreciation of all aspects of theater. Classwork is centered on public
speaking, improvisation, puppet creation, acting, shadow theater, pantomime, analysis of plays (13
symbols and their meaning) and paper masks.
BAND II:
This course provides performance opportunities for instrumental and vocal musicians in the school
community. Advanced Band continues the instrumental development of advanced musicians that began
their musical training in Grade 9th and 10th or from outside school.Prerequisite: Band teacher
recommendation or placement test.
DRAWING AND PAINTING:
Students can expect to gain a strong foundation in drawing and painting in this beginning level class.
Composition, the visual element, the principles of design, and the techniques and concepts of both
drawing and painting will be covered. The end goals are to increase artistic self-confidence, increase
one's understanding of the theory and practice of drawing /painting and to produce successful works.

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SCULPTURE AND 3D ART:
This course will introduce three-dimensional processes and materials as well as develop the student's
ability to analyze form and space relationships. Students will design and create sculptural pieces with a
variety of materials.
ART TECHNIQUES/TÉCNICAS ARTÍSTICAS:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar diferentes técnicas artísticas como el
claroscuro a lápiz, caligrafía, la acuarela, el acrílico, la témpera, el óleo, el modelado y moldeado en
plastilina y arcilla, al aplicarlas en temas libres y en los proyectos que se realizan para las exposiciones
del 15 de septiembre, Semana de valores, Noche de Luces, Carátulas y Portadas del anuario ALA.
Durante todo el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el
aprendizaje de vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil del estudiante
(CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.
ACUARELA:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar el dibujo como base fundamental para
la aplicación de las técnicas artísticas, conocer sobre su origen, a los artistas famosos que la han
aplicado como ejemplos, a utilizar apropiadamente los materiales que requiere la técnica, los
procedimientos de limpieza, abordar las diferentes formas de aplicar la técnica de la acuarela en escalas
tonales, el círculo cromático, prácticas para el logro de aguadas de color, húmedo sobre húmedo,
húmedo sobre seco, reservas de blanco, conocer y aplicar la teoría de la composición y del color en
diferentes temas libres. Durante el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de
Marzano para el aprendizaje de vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil
del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.
PINTURA AL ÓLEO:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar el dibujo como base fundamental para
la aplicación de las técnicas artísticas, conocer sobre su origen, a los artistas famosos que la han
aplicado como ejemplos, utilizar apropiadamente los materiales que requiere la técnica, los
procedimientos de limpieza, abordar las diferentes formas de aplicar la técnica de pintura al óleo
empastado, veladuras, escalas tonales, el círculo de los colores, nombre de los colores en esta técnica,
conocer y aplicar la teoría de la composición y del color en diferentes temas libres. Durante el proceso
de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el aprendizaje de vocabulario, en
la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.

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INTRO TO PHOTOGRAPHY:
This course will help students improve their skills by taking photographs knowing the basics of digital
photography. This is intended to enhance their artistic and thinking skills, as well as their perception of
the society in which they live. Students will be guided to understand that photography is not only a
means to portray others, but also to portray themselves. That is why the semiotic knowledge to build a
photograph is indispensable and therefore it will be studied during the course.Intro to Photography will
focus on four areas: Camera handling, Semiotics (construction of the image), Artistic photography, and
Social photography.
Requirement: Each student must have their own camera (basic characteristics)
AP STUDIO ART:
Consists of three portfolio exams—2-D Design, 3-D Design, and Drawing—corresponding to the college
foundation courses. Portfolios allow flexibility of coursework while guiding students to produce collegelevel
quality, artistic investigation, and breadth of work. Students will be expected to make a
commitment to regular use of a sketchbook to practice concepts and skills, collect thoughts and develop
project ideas.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of last art teacher
INNOVATIVE STORYTELLING:
This course will teach the fundamentals of how to create and share meaningful stories that are crafted
to bring about a shift in the collective consciousness of our community. This course will not only bring
hands-on experience with next-generation skills like photo and video production, but it will also aim to
produce critical content to spark conversations about the topics/stories that are often unspoken. Learn
to utilize the design thinking approach to produce high quality stories.

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Mini Term Options
As these are driven by student interest, listings may change with time.
CODING:
Coding is "the literacy of the 21st century". In this course, students will learn foundational programming
concepts and how to solve problems like a programmer. Students will learn how to code in Java and
improve their programming and problem-solving skills. They will be able to read and understand
programs and descriptions of the design and development process leading to such programs; The
course will also highlight the ethical and social implications of computer use. This course is equivalent to
a first-semester, college-level course in computer science.
INTRODUCTION TO VIDEOGAMES DESIGN:
Learn how to code in Swift and build an APP along with exploring the introductory concepts of gaming
and the mechanics behind them.
WEB DEVELOPMENT:
The Web Development course is an introduction to the design, creation, and maintenance of web pages.
Students will be able to Learn the foundational programming for web development: for example: (HTML,
CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, PHP, PHPMyAdmin, SQL, WordPress, Grav, mobile Frameworks), and learn
how the various facets function together in a web environment. The course provides a solid web
development foundation, focusing on content and client-side (browser).
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity working with computers.
MECHANICS:
This course focuses on the concepts surrounding machines, both simple and complicated, how they
function and the mechanics behind them.
ELECTRONICS AND ROBOTICS:
Learn to use diagnostic equipment to analyze various electronic components and related circuits. Learn
basic prototyping skills through the fabrication of circuit boards as well as program and interface with
microprocessor devices.

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ASTRONOMY:
This course aims to enable students to develop and apply knowledge of the universe and compare the
conditions, properties, and motions of bodies in space. Emphasis shall be placed on concepts basic to
earth, including materials, processes, history, and the environment. This course introduces you to the
composition and structure of the universe. Astronomy is the scientific study of the contents of the entire
universe. This course will provide the student with a study of the universe and the conditions, properties,
and motions of bodies in space. The content includes, but is not limited to, historical astronomy,
astronomical instruments, the celestial sphere, the solar system, the earth as a system in space, the
earth/moon system, the sun as a star, and stars. In this course, students will have the opportunity to use
CAG's telescope in our very own observatory.
SPORTS SCIENCE:
Sports science is the study of how the healthy human body works during exercise, and how sports and
physical activity promote health, physically, mentally and socially. The study of sport science
incorporates many other academic studies and areas, like physiology, psychology, anatomy, engineering
and chemistry. It will be a project based course in which students will apply new and previous knowledge
to learn more about different sports and how to improve the athletes’ performance.
ART AND MATH:
A course focused on the integration of mathematical principles and artistic technique. This blended
course takes students through a journey of connecting a sometimes concrete linear subject and
connects it with a creative realm with endless possibilities. Students will create pieces of art using
various mediums which represent mathematics through multiple different formats.
CREATIVE WRITING:
In this course students will explore creative writing through a variety of lenses and lines of thinking.
Students will dive into different forms of creative writing, as well as the creative writing process,
discovering their own skills and techniques.
SHORT STORIES:
This course focuses on the skill of creating a big concept and fitting it into a short story. Students will
storyboard their ideas and learn about creative ways to grasp the reader’s attention through choice
words in small spaces.

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WORLD WARS:
World War I and II remains the most total and most destructive conflicts in human history. They involved
all the major industrial countries, wrought unparalleled destruction, and targeted civilians to a previous
unprecedented extent. The course will focus on the major military, diplomatic choices of the wars, but
also discuss the war’s impact on societies and on the individuals who fought or had to endure it. A goal
of the course will be to understand the major events, but also understand the “why” of these events.
Students will analyze these events using a wide range of primary and secondary sources.
INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMICS:
This course provides opportunities for students to study basic Economic principles concerning
production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services. Content builds an understanding of
the essential components and benefits of the free enterprise system. Students study such concepts as
scarcity, economic interdependence, the market system, prices, economic stability, and governmental
activity. Students will examine the role of governments in economic systems and explore selected
aspects of international economic systems. Students are provided opportunities to acquire
competencies and knowledge of practical economic functions through the use of current events as case
studies and applications of Economic theories. Students will utilise effective study skills, use of primary
source documents, and analytical research. Students will practice writing and oral presentation skills
throughout the course. This course is designed as an introductory Pre-AP MicroEconomics and Pre-AP
Macroeconomics course for grade 10 students.
Prerequisites:
Minimum average: 85% in previous Social Studies and Mathematics classes.
Recommendation from last Social Studies and Mathematics teachers.
PSYCHOLOGY:
Psychology is a full year class that is offered as an elective. Throughout the year, students learn about
the discipline of psychology as the study of human behavior and its connections to the brain and the
body; specifically, the lobes and hemispheres of the brain, the nervous system, and the endocrine
system. Students will be expected to understand basic research methods and theoretical perspectives
on psychological behavior. Additionally, they learn about human development throughout the lifespan,
sleep and dreams, and theories of motivation and emotion, such as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Also
covered are theories of personality from the perspectives of behaviorists, psychoanalytic, social learning,
cognitive, and humanistic, as well as the different therapies that each entails. Lastly, the course covers
psychological testing to evaluate academic performance, measure mental abilities, and identify
personality characteristics. Students are expected to think critically about why humans behave the way
they do and understand behavior to apply it to their own lives.

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GRAPHIC NOVELS AND VISUAL STORYTELLING:
From simple cartoons to rich graphic novels, some of today’s best artists create work that combines
exciting visual styles with compelling stories and characters. Learn to write for comics, adapt classic
books, create characters with unique looks, and wrap everything up for print and online publishing.
CALIGRAFÍA ARTÍSTICA (LETTERING):
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer y aprender a utilizar correctamente los
materiales que se necesitan para hacer caligrafía artística como marcadores con puntas especiales,
pinceles recargables, pinceles en diferentes puntas, papeles preparados para la práctica previa, papel de
acuarela y otros soportes. Dominar las etapas del proceso de la caligrafía artística, aprender a dibujar
letras en diferentes estilos, diseñar rótulos creativos, a combinar las cualidades de la acuarela con la
rotulación y desarrollar un estilo personal al momento de resolver un proyecto de diseño que combine
la caligrafía artística, el dibujo y la pintura a la acuarela.
MANDALAS CRETIVAS:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer el origen, aprender a dibujar con las
bases de la geometría aplicada, los esquemas básicos para la creación de diseños circulares al estilo de
las mandalas que se manifiestan en las diversas culturas milenarias, a organizar dentro de los esquemas
diseños con ritmos repetitivos, alternos o contrapuestos. Pintar en técnicas de puntillismo, achurados y
sombreados con pintura acrílica, marcadores y crayones. Dominar y aplicar los procesos ejercitados en
un estilo personal, para resolver un proyecto de diseño creativo.

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Grade 11
Curriculum Overview
ENGLISH:
Literature and Composition emphasizes American Literature. Literature and language are explored
through short stories, novels, poetry, non-fiction works, and media. This course is designed to promote
critical thinking through the practice of reading, writing, and discussing works of literature. Students
analyze works of literature and learn to write fully-developed college-level essays.
AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION:
AP English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in
a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.
Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetoric through reading, analyzing, and writing
texts. The course explores topics such as rhetorical situation, claims, structure, evidence, reasoning,
organization, and style. (adapted from the College Board website description:
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-english-language-and-composition/course)
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% average in 10th grade English
Recommendation of English 10 teacher
Writing sample that reflects a high level of analytical ability, structure, style, and command of
grammar and mechanics.
LITERATURA ESPAÑOLA:
En este curso el alumno estudia la literatura a través del tiempo desde los antecedentes de la Literatura
Medieval hasta los inicios de la Narrativa Contemporánea. Además, se trabajan lecturas asignadas y
personales: novelas, cuentos, obras de teatro, poesía, ensayos y otras, las cuales se analizan según su
contexto histórico, características y corrientes literarias a las que pertenecen. Los estudiantes trabajan
distintas actividades y proyectos en torno a las obras referidas. Por medio del análisis de estas, el
estudiante tiene una mejor visión y comprensión de las sociedades de distintas épocas, reconoce las
etapas literarias sus causas y sus consecuencias; identifica los recursos que utiliza el autor para
persuadir a los lectores y el impacto de esas obras hasta nuestros días. Dentro de los objetivos del curso
se encuentran: desarrollar destrezas fundamentales para el uso correcto del idioma español, identificar
los elementos para mejorar su comunicación y fomentar la creatividad del alumno por medio de
talleres de escritura en los que se refuerza la ortografía y la gramática. Al finalizar el curso los alumnos
demuestran conocimiento de obras fundamentales de la literatura española de los siglos XVI al siglo XX
y la interpretación de las mismas.

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ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
Este curso está diseñado para los alumnos que deseen aprender y analizar sobre los eventos actuales
que ocurren en Guatemala. Se analizan los sucesos desde diferentes perspectivas y se proponen
soluciones viables para el país. También se estudia la estructura del Estado y las instituciones que lo
conforman, introducimos el tema a la economía del país y cuáles son los sectores de mayor
crecimiento. Pretendemos facilitar experiencias de aprendizaje que estimulen la creatividad y el trabajo
colaborativo, así también el desarrollo de destrezas de pensamiento, comprensión, utilización de datos
para su análisis, evaluación, juicio crítico, de modo que prepare a los alumnos a involucrarse de mejor
forma en la sociedad y ser individuos de cambio.Este curso te ayudará a tener un conocimiento general
no solo socioeconómico del país sino actual y de esta forma actualizado con los eventos que
diariamente ocurren en Guatemala.
FILOSOFÍA:
La filosofía es una disciplina fundamental en la formación de los estudiantes de HS, es pues, una
oportunidad y un ¡alto! que realizan en su desarrollo profesional y vital. De manera que, adentrarse y
aventurarse al mundo filosófico permite al educando desarrollar varias capacidades, entre ellas: el
asombro, la duda, la inquietud, el planteamiento y la búsqueda constante. Es decir, el curso de filosofía
es un espacio que permite al educando desarrollar su facultad o su inquietud innata de conocer y saber
por las causas. En palabras de Aristóteles: “todo ser humano tiende por naturaleza a saber”. En base a la
frase citada, el curso tiene como principal objetivo explorar las diferentes disciplinas filosóficas: ética,
gnoseología, antropología filosófica, metafísica, epistemología, lógica, entre otras. Estas disciplinas
científicas-filosóficas presentan y abordan temas diversos que nos atañen como personas humanas que
pertenecemos a una sociedad que nos exige propuestas, soluciones y aportes significativos; además,
formamos parte de una cultura y de la extensa familia humana necesitada de la construcción del Bien
Común.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of governments
around the world. It will focus on fundamental philosophies of power; the origin and evolution of
various governments; key documents in creating and continuing national and international governance;
and the role of the people, media, and outside interests in governance. Lessons will integrate current
news with relevant historical topics, and will focus on the similarities of these issues across several
governments.

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AP MICROECONOMICS:
This class is designed to provide a rigorous college level course in microeconomic theory, as well as to
prepare students for the US national AP Microeconomics exam. The course content includes discussions
of supply and demand, consumer choice, production and costs, the behavior of firms, factor markets,
public goods, marginal decision-making and the role of governments. This course is designed specifically
with the AP test as a culmination, which students are required to take in May. Students who do well on
the AP test are generally granted college credit for an introductory Microeconomics course.
Prerequisites:
Minimum average: 90% in previous Social Studies and Mathematics classes.
Recommendation from last Social Studies and Mathematics teachers.
AP WORLD HISTORY (MODERN):
This course is a full-year, college-level, in-depth exploration from the years 1200 to modern day. It is
designed to prepare 11th and 12th grade students to take the AP exam in World History in May. The
course closely follows the College Board's AP curriculum (which is available on their website).The course
focuses on content, thinking skills, and three types of essays. Most importantly we don't not just
examine historical events but focus on the "why" of history. Students should expect extensive reading
and written assignments each week, as well as in-class discussions and activities to assist with making
connections across eras. This is an intense and demanding course, but it will prepare students for
university-level history and humanities classes.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in previous Social Studies and English classes.
Recommendation of last Social Studies and English teachers.
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY:
In AP European History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and
processes from approximately 1450 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices,
and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical
arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and
continuity and change over time. The course also provides seven themes that students explore
throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times
and places: interaction of Europe and the world, economic and commercial development, cultural and
intellectual development, states and other institutions of power, social organization and development,
national and European identity, and technological and scientific innovations.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in previous Social Studies and English classes.
Recommendation of last Social Studies and English teachers.

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AP PSYCHOLOGY:
The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the
behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the
psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within
psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and
practice. Areas covered include: history of psychology; research methods; biological bases of behavior;
sensation and perception; cognitive psychology; physical, social and emotional development; abnormal
behavior and therapies; social psychology; and gender differences. This is a rigorous and demanding
course requiring students to have a strong work ethic, to read at a rigorous pace, and to complete a
variety of writing assignments. Students are expected to demonstrate strong writing and analytical skills
and independent work habits. This course follows the AP guidelines for Advanced Placement Psychology
and is designed to prepare students for the AP exam in May.
Prerequisites:
85% in previous Social Studies class.
Recommendation of last Social Studies teacher.
AP ART HISTORY:
Art History course welcomes students into the global art world as active participants, engaging with its
forms and content as they research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and responses
to and interpretations of art. The study of art history invites students to discover the diversity in and
connections among forms of artistic expression throughout history and from around the globe.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in previous Social Studies and English classes.
Recommendation of last Social Studies and English teachers.
INTEGRATED MATH III:
The grade 11 Integrated Math III course is designed to emphasize the study and understanding of:
polynomial functions, polynomials, polynomial equations, rational functions, rational expressions and
equations, radical functions, radical expressions and equations, sequences and series, exponential
functions, logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions. Habits of mind and mathematical practices
play a fundamental role in supporting the learning process in this course as well as managing mental
math.

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STATISTICS:
The course of Statistics helps to make decisions or predictions that are often based on data—numbers
in context. These decisions or predictions would be easy if the data always sent a clear message, but the
message is often obscured by variability. This course provides students with the necessary tools for
describing variability in data through defining , understanding and interpreting statistical terms, tables
and charts as well as making informed decisions using real life information. The course covers
probability, theory and application, normal distribution as well as statistical inference.
AP STATISTICS:
This is a full-year course that is designed to give students the experience equivalent to a non-calculus
based introductory college Statistics course. Students will be exposed to four broad conceptual themes:
Exploring data, Sampling and experimentation, Anticipating patterns, and Statistical inference.In
addition to learning the course curriculum, students will be exposed to sample AP exams and will
prepare to take the AP Statistics exam in May.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% average in last year’s grade Mathematics and English classes.
For 12th graders, 90% average in both Statistics and English classes in 11th grade.
Recommendation from last Mathematics and English teacher.
AP COMPUTER SCIENCE:
A 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.
Prerequisites:
It is recommended that a student in the AP Computer Science A course has successfully completed a
first-year high school algebra course with a strong foundation of basic linear functions.
Recommendation of last Math and English teacher.
AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES:
The AP Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory
college computing course. Students will develop computational thinking skills, such as using
computational tools to analyze and study data and work with large data sets. The course engages
students in the creative aspects of the field by allowing them to develop computational artifacts based
on their interests. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working
individually and collaboratively to solve problems and discussing and writing about the impacts these
solutions could have on their community, society, and the world. The course has been designed to use
Python programming language.
Prerequisites:
It is recommended that a student in the AP Computer Science Principles course has successfully
completed a first-year high school algebra course with a strong foundation of basic linear functions.
Recommendation of last Math and English teacher.

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PHYSICS:
Physics is an algebra-based course with college preparation level. The course covers major topics like:
Mechanics, Dynamics, Energy and Electricity. It includes various activities and evaluations. Laboratory
work is used to reinforce or to investigate a particular topic. Laboratory work includes the set up of
demonstrations, design and test of different applications, construction of models and devices that meet
certain criteria, designing competitions, and projects. Students gather information, report data in tables
or graphs, find relationships, analyze and draw conclusions.
AP PHYSICS I:
This is an algebra-based course equivalent to the first semester of a typical introductory college physics
course. This course is designed to foster a depth of conceptual understanding through the use of
student-centered and inquiry-based instructional practices. It is designed to provide time to cover the
concepts and allow students to develop and master the skills they will need in order to demonstrate
their understanding and application of the topics. This approach allows students the time to: engage in
inquiry-based learning of essential concepts, develop critical thinking and reasoning skills, follow science
practices, and to communicate his/her findings, understandings, and knowledge in different ways. The
overall goal of this class is student readiness for the study of advanced Physics topics in subsequent
college courses. Content includes: kinematics in 1 and 2 dimensions, dynamics, circular motion and
gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion, mechanical
waves and sound, electric charge, electrostatic force, and DC-circuits.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% average in Grade 9 and 10 science classes
Minimum 90% average in previous math class
Recommendation of last Science and Math teachers
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:
Environmental Science is a branch of science that explores many aspects of the natural world. In this
course students will become familiar with the many challenges that human society will face with regard
to: climate change, the distribution and composition of soils, natural resource management, the human
population dynamics, and pollution and waste management. Students will also discover the effects that
these have on human health, as well as the causes and effects on ecosystems and the biodiversity of life
in general.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in previous science class and minimum 90% in previous math class.
Recommendation of last Science and Math teachers.

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AP BIOLOGY:
The AP Biology course is designed to enable you to develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such
as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting
concepts in and across domains. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in
subsequent college courses. This is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their
understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics:
chemistry of life, cellular structure and function, cellular energetics, cell communication and cell cycle,
heredity, gene expression and regulation, natural selection and ecology.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in Biology or for Gr 9 students minimum 92% in grade 9 Science and Math
Recommendation of last Science teacher
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY:
Anatomy & Physiology is a yearlong course that provides students an opportunity to explore the intricate
and sophisticated relationship between structure and function in the human body, the cellular level and
tissue level organization. The course offers students an environment in which they may probe topics
such as homeostasis, anatomical and physiological disorders, medical diagnosis and treatment, modern
and past imaging techniques, biochemistry, cytology, histology, and survey of the remarkable array of
body systems that comprise the human body.
WEIGHT TRAINING AND FITNESS:
El curso está diseñado para desarrollar integralmente a los estudiantes mediante la actividad física con
el uso de pesas y la carrera continua e intensa; el cual, a través del desarrollo de las capacidades físicas
básicas como la fuerza, la resistencia, la velocidad y la flexibilidad permitirá a los estudiantes adoptar un
estilo de vida saludable en su vida a largo plazo.
PE AEROBICS:
El curso de Aerobics está diseñado para el desarrollo físico integral del estudiante basado en las
capacidades condicionales y de coordinación de cada individuo, la reflexión respecto a la práctica de la
actividad física y su influencia en el desarrollo equilibrado y de la salud que debe constituir una actividad
permanente en el estudiante. En un sentido general de globalidad corporal, hay que entender la
condición física como el conjunto de cualidades anatómicas, fisiológicas y motoras que reúne una
persona para poder realizar esfuerzos físicos diversos. Asimismo, el curso parte de que en cada persona
existe una condición física natural que responde a sus características propias y a su evolución, que debe
ser cuidada, mejorada y potenciada para favorecer un incremento de la salud y de la calidad de vida.

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PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE:
The Percussion Ensemble is for percussionists who have had previous band experience in grade 9 and
are interested in further developing their ability in the percussive arts. Emphasis is placed on the
fundamentals of comprehensive percussion performance (snare drum, timpani, keyboards, and drum
set), including tonal concepts, technical skills, rehearsal skills, aural skills, and rudimentary music theory.
Members are required to perform for various school performances and sectional rehearsals. Attendance
at these functions, when scheduled outside of school hours, is a course requirement. Members of the
Percussion Ensemble combine with musicians of the Concert Band to perform at large concerts.
Prerequisite: Band teacher recommendation or placement test.
DRAMA:
Drama for 11th and 12th has the purpose of bringing students closer to the practice of the scenic event
and to the appreciation of theatrical art. It works with dramatic proposals that include the 13 symbols of
theater through which students project their potential. This course also, intends to develop in students
the use of verbal and nonverbal communication, through the different theatrical styles. At the end of the
course, students will have developed the skills and knowledge about how to do a complete Play with all
requirements.
DESKTOP PUBLISHING 1 (ALA YEARBOOK INTRO):
Students in Desktop Publishing I, offered for grade 11 students, will be in charge of designing the first
part of the ALA yearbook which includes collages of activities and grade layouts, as well as the Sports
Section. Students enrolled in this course will learn about photography and photo editing with
Photoshop. In addition, student will design layouts with InDesign, sell ads and develop the organizational
skills needed to produce a publication. The course will give students marketable experience in print
media publishing.
BAND II:
This course provides performance opportunities for instrumental and vocal musicians in the school
community. Advanced Band continues the instrumental development of advanced musicians that began
their musical training in Grade 9th and 10th or from outside school.Prerequisite: Band teacher
recommendation or placement test.
DRAWING AND PAINTING:
Students can expect to gain a strong foundation in drawing and painting in this beginning level class.
Composition, the visual element, the principles of design, and the techniques and concepts of both
drawing and painting will be covered. The end goals are to increase artistic self-confidence, increase
one's understanding of the theory and practice of drawing /painting and to produce successful works.

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SCULPTURE AND 3D ART:
This course will introduce three-dimensional processes and materials as well as develop the student's
ability to analyze form and space relationships. Students will design and create sculptural pieces with a
variety of materials.
ART TECHNIQUES/TÉCNICAS ARTÍSTICAS:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar diferentes técnicas artísticas como el
claroscuro a lápiz, caligrafía, la acuarela, el acrílico, la témpera, el óleo, el modelado y moldeado en
plastilina y arcilla, al aplicarlas en temas libres y en los proyectos que se realizan para las exposiciones
del 15 de septiembre, Semana de valores, Noche de Luces, Carátulas y Portadas del anuario ALA.
Durante todo el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el
aprendizaje de vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil del estudiante
(CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.
ACUARELA:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar el dibujo como base fundamental para
la aplicación de las técnicas artísticas, conocer sobre su origen, a los artistas famosos que la han
aplicado como ejemplos, a utilizar apropiadamente los materiales que requiere la técnica, los
procedimientos de limpieza, abordar las diferentes formas de aplicar la técnica de la acuarela en escalas
tonales, el círculo cromático, prácticas para el logro de aguadas de color, húmedo sobre húmedo,
húmedo sobre seco, reservas de blanco, conocer y aplicar la teoría de la composición y del color en
diferentes temas libres. Durante el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de
Marzano para el aprendizaje de vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil
del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.
PINTURA AL ÓLEO:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar el dibujo como base fundamental para
la aplicación de las técnicas artísticas, conocer sobre su origen, a los artistas famosos que la han
aplicado como ejemplos, utilizar apropiadamente los materiales que requiere la técnica, los
procedimientos de limpieza, abordar las diferentes formas de aplicar la técnica de pintura al óleo
empastado, veladuras, escalas tonales, el círculo de los colores, nombre de los colores en esta técnica,
conocer y aplicar la teoría de la composición y del color en diferentes temas libres. Durante el proceso
de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el aprendizaje de vocabulario, en
la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.

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INTRO TO PHOTOGRAPHY:
This course will help students improve their skills by taking photographs knowing the basics of digital
photography. This is intended to enhance their artistic and thinking skills, as well as their perception of
the society in which they live. Students will be guided to understand that photography is not only a
means to portray others, but also to portray themselves. That is why the semiotic knowledge to build a
photograph is indispensable and therefore it will be studied during the course. Intro to Photography will
focus on four areas: Camera handling, Semiotics (construction of the image), Artistic photography, and
Social photography.
Requirement: Each student must have their own camera (basic characteristics)
AP STUDIO ART:
Consists of three portfolio exams—2-D Design, 3-D Design, and Drawing—corresponding to the college
foundation courses. Portfolios allow flexibility of coursework while guiding students to produce collegelevel
quality, artistic investigation, and breadth of work. Students will be expected to make a
commitment to regular use of a sketchbook to practice concepts and skills, collect thoughts and develop
project ideas.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of last art teacher
AP ART HISTORY:
The AP Art History course welcomes students into the global art world as active participants, engaging
with its forms and content as they research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and
responses to and interpretations of art. The study of art history invites students to discover the diversity
in and connections among forms of artistic expression throughout history and from around the globe.
GRAPHIC DESIGN (DIGITAL ART AND DESIGN):
Graphic Design is an elective offered to juniors and seniors. Students will use a range of media from
traditional art materials, like paper and paint, to digital design tools, including Adobe creative suite
software (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign).Assignments will deal with aesthetics (what is visually
pleasing) and with functionality (what does the job). Students will explore visual representation of ideas -
literal, metaphorical, symbolic and/or abstract. During the school year students will create design
solutions for "clients" in the school community.
INNOVATIVE STORYTELLING:
This course will teach the fundamentals of how to create and share meaningful stories that are crafted
to bring about a shift in the collective consciousness of our community. This course will not only bring
hands-on experience with next-generation skills like photo and video production, but it will also aim to
produce critical content to spark conversations about the topics/stories that are often unspoken. Learn
to utilize the design thinking approach to produce high quality stories.

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AP CAPSTONE DIPLOMA PROGRAM:
These courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration,
writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP
Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.
AP SEMINAR:
AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore
the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives.
Students learn to investigate a problem or issue, analyze arguments, compare different perspectives,
synthesize information from multiple sources, and work alone and in a group to communicate their
ideas.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% average in English
Recommendation of three different teachers
INNOVATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the nature of enterprise and
entrepreneurship and introduces the role of the entrepreneur, innovation and technology in the
entrepreneurial process. Students will learn about themselves, their decisions, and their goals to
determine how entrepreneurship can play a role in their lives. They also learn the principles of
entrepreneurship and how the market economy and ownership leads to wealth creation; not only the
skills necessary to become entrepreneurs but also the attitudes, characteristics, and techniques in
successful entrepreneurs that they will need to succeed. The course includes an introduction to
entrepreneurship from an economic perspective and the concepts of environmentally sustainable
practices and social entrepreneurship. Students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to manage the
development of innovations, to recognize and evaluate potential opportunities to translate these
innovations into profitable ventures, to plan specific and detailed systems to exploit these opportunities,
and to obtain the resources necessary to implement these plans. As students create their business plan,
they will integrate academic knowledge to their own ventures, consequently putting theory into practice.

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INTRO TO ENGINEERING:
Students are introduced to the engineering design process through participation, as members of a team,
in a complete design project. The synthesis of many fields involving the laws of nature, mathematics,
economics, management, and communication is required in each project. Engineering principles of
analysis, experimentation, and design are applied to real problems, from initial concept to final
recommendations. Students are introduced to the design process, build individual portfolios, use
technology to model, create sketches, and engineer designs. Practical (hands-on) activities supplement
computer technology in studying engineering projects.

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Mini Term Options
As these are driven by student interest, listings may change with time.
CODING:
Coding is "the literacy of the 21st century". In this course, students will learn foundational programming
concepts and how to solve problems like a programmer. Students will learn how to code in Java and
improve their programming and problem-solving skills. They will be able to read and understand
programs and descriptions of the design and development process leading to such programs; The
course will also highlight the ethical and social implications of computer use. This course is equivalent to
a first-semester, college-level course in computer science.
INTRODUCTION TO VIDEOGAMES DESIGN:
Learn how to code in Swift and build an APP along with exploring the introductory concepts of gaming
and the mechanics behind them.
WEB DEVELOPMENT:
The Web Development course is an introduction to the design, creation, and maintenance of web pages.
Students will be able to Learn the foundational programming for web development: for example: (HTML,
CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, PHP, PHPMyAdmin, SQL, WordPress, Grav, mobile Frameworks), and learn
how the various facets function together in a web environment. The course provides a solid web
development foundation, focusing on content and client-side (browser).
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity working with computers.
ELECTRONICS AND ROBOTICS:
Learn to use diagnostic equipment to analyze various electronic components and related circuits. Learn
basic prototyping skills through the fabrication of circuit boards as well as program and interface with
microprocessor devices.
GENETICS:
The course is designed to expand upon the Genetics unit introduced in the Biology courses and to show
the importance of Genetics in taking our understanding of humans to a new level. The goal is to make
students aware of the complexity of designing organisms (more specifically humans) and demonstrate
both the fragility and sturdiness of the materials that make up our genomes. Students in the Genetics
course continue to develop knowledge in the core disciplinary ideas described in the Next Generation
Science Standards (NGSS), including science as inquiry. The course will introduce students to the
scientific methodologies used in the study of genetics investigations. This course aims to apply the Next
Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Crosscutting Concepts that bridge disciplinary boundaries, uniting
core ideas throughout science and engineering.

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ASTRONOMY:
This course aims to enable students to develop and apply knowledge of the universe and compare the
conditions, properties, and motions of bodies in space. Emphasis shall be placed on concepts basic to
earth, including materials, processes, history, and the environment. This course introduces you to the
composition and structure of the universe. Astronomy is the scientific study of the contents of the entire
universe. This course will provide the student with a study of the universe and the conditions, properties,
and motions of bodies in space. The content includes, but is not limited to, historical astronomy,
astronomical instruments, the celestial sphere, the solar system, the earth as a system in space, the
earth/moon system, the sun as a star, and stars. In this course, students will have the opportunity to use
CAG's telescope in our very own observatory.
SPORTS SCIENCE:
Sports science is the study of how the healthy human body works during exercise, and how sports and
physical activity promote health, physically, mentally and socially. The study of sport science
incorporates many other academic studies and areas, like physiology, psychology, anatomy, engineering
and chemistry. It will be a project based course in which students will apply new and previous knowledge
to learn more about different sports and how to improve the athletes’ performance.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN IMPACT:
Climate change is a contentious and important issue. It will perhaps be the defining environmental issue
of the 21st century. This course aims to address climate change as an issue, by tying together the
science, human impacts, economics, environmentally friendly technologies, and policy solutions. We will
attempt to answer the following questions to aid us in understanding the issues of climate change: What
is the scientific basis for our understanding of climate change? What changes in climate could we expect
over the upcoming years? What are greenhouse gases and what are the sources of emissions? What
technologies exist or could be developed or current technology that could be used more widely that
might slow climate change, and what international policy solutions might be necessary?
TRIGONOMETRY:
This course will focus on the study of angles; the trigonometry of angles and real numbers; the
trigonometric functions and their inverses including their graphs; solutions of right and oblique triangles;
verification of fundamental identities and analytic trigonometry; addition, subtraction and multiple angle
formulas; the laws of sines and cosines; vectors and the dot and cross product; complex numbers, De
Moivre’s Theorem and nth roots of complex numbers; polar coordinates and equations. The course will
also include the study of functions including exponential and logarithmic functions.

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ART AND MATH:
A course focused on the integration of mathematical principles and artistic technique. This blended
course takes students through a journey of connecting a sometimes concrete linear subject and
connects it with a creative realm with endless possibilities. Students will create pieces of art using
various mediums which represent mathematics through multiple different formats.
HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND ARCHITECTURE:
This course takes students on a journey of learning history through the eyes of architects and their
creations. Students will learn about different periods in time, influences on architects and the resulting
masterpieces that were built.
CREATIVE WRITING:
In this course students will explore creative writing through a variety of lenses and lines of thinking.
Students will dive into different forms of creative writing, as well as the creative writing process,
discovering their own skills and techniques.
SHORT STORIES:
This course focuses on the skill of creating a big concept and fitting it into a short story. Students will
storyboard their ideas and learn about creative ways to grasp the reader’s attention through choice
words in small spaces.
CINE Y LITERATURA:
In this course students will walk through the mind of a writer through stories, analyzing various aspects
of the writing. Students will then dive into the cinematic interpretation of these literature pieces, critically
comparing the pieces.
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology is a full year class that is offered as an elective. Throughout the year, students learn about the
discipline of psychology as the study of human behavior and its connections to the brain and the body;
specifically, the lobes and hemispheres of the brain, the nervous system, and the endocrine system.
Students will be expected to understand basic research methods and theoretical perspectives on
psychological behavior. Additionally, they learn about human development throughout the lifespan,
sleep and dreams, and theories of motivation and emotion, such as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Also
covered are theories of personality from the perspectives of behaviorists, psychoanalytic, social learning,
cognitive, and humanistic, as well as the different therapies that each entails. Lastly, the course covers
psychological testing to evaluate academic performance, measure mental abilities, and identify
personality characteristics. Students are expected to think critically about why humans behave the way
they do and understand behavior to apply it to their own lives.

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WORLD WARS:
World War I and II remains the most total and most destructive conflicts in human history. They involved
all the major industrial countries, wrought unparalleled destruction, and targeted civilians to a previous
unprecedented extent. The course will focus on the major military, diplomatic choices of the wars, but
also discuss the war’s impact on societies and on the individuals who fought or had to endure it. A goal
of the course will be to understand the major events, but also understand the “why” of these events.
Students will analyze these events using a wide range of primary and secondary sources.
CALIGRAFÍA ARTÍSTICA (LETTERING):
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer y aprender a utilizar correctamente los
materiales que se necesitan para hacer caligrafía artística como marcadores con puntas especiales,
pinceles recargables, pinceles en diferentes puntas, papeles preparados para la práctica previa, papel de
acuarela y otros soportes. Dominar las etapas del proceso de la caligrafía artística, aprender a dibujar
letras en diferentes estilos, diseñar rótulos creativos, a combinar las cualidades de la acuarela con la
rotulación y desarrollar un estilo personal al momento de resolver un proyecto de diseño que combine
la caligrafía artística, el dibujo y la pintura a la acuarela.
MANDALAS CRETIVAS:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer el origen, aprender a dibujar con las
bases de la geometría aplicada, los esquemas básicos para la creación de diseños circulares al estilo de
las mandalas que se manifiestan en las diversas culturas milenarias, a organizar dentro de los esquemas
diseños con ritmos repetitivos, alternos o contrapuestos. Pintar en técnicas de puntillismo, achurados y
sombreados con pintura acrílica, marcadores y crayones. Dominar y aplicar los procesos ejercitados en
un estilo personal, para resolver un proyecto de diseño creativo.

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Grade 12
Curriculum Overview
ENGLISH:
The purpose of this course is to provide students with opportunities to develop and strengthen their
English language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Each trimester is a unit of study and
has a guiding question that allows students to deepen their understanding of the content, which is
primarily works of British literature. Informal evidence journals and formal papers offer students time to
practice citing strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis and determine meaning and
themes in the text. Several performance assessments such as persuasive arguments and creative
writing interpretations of literature are designed to give students time to articulate English through
presentations. The class builds a community of learners through a focus on Responsibility, Rights,
Respect, and Revolution (a change in thought).
AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION:
AP English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in
a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes.
Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetoric through reading, analyzing, and writing
texts. The course explores topics such as rhetorical situation, claims, structure, evidence, reasoning,
organization, and style. (adapted from the College Board website description:
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-english-language-and-composition/course)
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% average in 10th grade English
Recommendation of English 10 teacher
Writing sample that reflects a high level of analytical ability, structure, style, and command of
grammar and mechanics.
AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION:
While the main objective of this course is to prepare students for the AP exam, there will also be time set
aside to enjoy literature as art. Major units include poetry, short stories, plays, and novels. Time will be
spent on connecting literary devices to meaning and displaying critical thinking skills on how these parts
relate to the whole work. Finally, students will learn how to write arguments about literature through
practice and close examinations of student and professional examples.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 85% average in AP English Language and Composition or minimum 90% average in 11th
grade English.
Writing sample that reflects a high level of analytical ability, style, and command of grammar and
mechanics.
Recommendation of last English teacher.

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LITERATURA HISPANOAMERICANA:
El periodo de clase del curso LITERATURA HISPANOAMERICANA se divide en tres segmentos que buscan
desarrollar destrezas de pensamiento, así como las destrezas de comunicación oral y escritas en idioma
español, compresión de lectura, análisis de fragmentos, aplicación de conceptos y lectura oral. Estas son
nutridas a través de la lectura y el análisis de obras literarias y de arte, que permiten al estudiante
conocer los rasgos comunes que identifican a cada una de las épocas artístico-literarias. El curso
comprende 12 unidades organizadas de acuerdo al movimiento literario al que pertenece cada lectura.
Estas van desde la literatura precolombina hasta la contemporánea. Parte fundamental de este curso es
el desarrollo de los Hábitos de la mente, así como las destrezas del siglo XXI.
AP SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE:
Los estudiantes del curso AP Spanish Literature and Culture deben: leer, redactar y participar oralmente
siempre en español. En este curso, los alumnos trabajan en proyectos breves asignados según el tema
que se estudie. Como parte de esto, presentan el contexto histórico y datos biográficos que pudieron
influir en el autor al escribir dicha muestra literaria. Parte fundamental de este curso es el desarrollo de
los Hábitos de la mente, así como las destrezas del siglo XXI con la finalidad de alcanzar un crecimiento
integral y crítico. La dinámica de la clase consiste en el análisis a profundidad de cada una de las
muestras literarias que forman parte del contenido del curso. En esto radica la diferencia de este, una
sola lectura se convierte en el centro de la discusión de un periodo de clase. Con esto se procura el
desarrollo de destrezas de pensamiento. Las tareas que se asignan tienen relación con los textos leídos.
El curso está dividido en 14 unidades organizadas de acuerdo al movimiento literario al que pertenece
cada lectura. Estas responden a los requerimientos del College Board.
Prerrequisitos:
Promedio mínimo de 90 puntos en Literatura de grado 11
Ejemplo de escritura que refleje un alto nivel de habilidad analítica, estilo y manejo de las destrezas
de comunicación
Recomendación del maestro de Español de 11o. Grado
AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE:
(For students who have studied Spanish as a Foreign Language) The AP Spanish Language and Culture
course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying
interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary
usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP Spanish Language
and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of
communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost
exclusively in Spanish. The AP Spanish 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 cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music, laws, conventions, institutions); practices
(patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions).

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ESTUDIOS SOCIALES:
Este curso está diseñado para los alumnos que deseen aprender y analizar sobre los eventos actuales
que ocurren en Guatemala. Se analizan los sucesos desde diferentes perspectivas y se proponen
soluciones viables para el país. También se estudia la estructura del Estado y las instituciones que lo
conforman, introducimos el tema a la economía del país y cuáles son los sectores de mayor
crecimiento. Pretendemos facilitar experiencias de aprendizaje que estimulen la creatividad y el trabajo
colaborativo, así también el desarrollo de destrezas de pensamiento, comprensión, utilización de datos
para su análisis, evaluación, juicio crítico, de modo que prepare a los alumnos a involucrarse de mejor
forma en la sociedad y ser individuos de cambio.Este curso te ayudará a tener un conocimiento general
no solo socioeconómico del país sino actual y de esta forma actualizado con los eventos que
diariamente ocurren en Guatemala.
FILOSOFÍA:
La filosofía es una disciplina fundamental en la formación de los estudiantes de HS, es pues, una
oportunidad y un ¡alto! que realizan en su desarrollo profesional y vital. De manera que, adentrarse y
aventurarse al mundo filosófico permite al educando desarrollar varias capacidades, entre ellas: el
asombro, la duda, la inquietud, el planteamiento y la búsqueda constante. Es decir, el curso de filosofía
es un espacio que permite al educando desarrollar su facultad o su inquietud innata de conocer y saber
por las causas. En palabras de Aristóteles: “todo ser humano tiende por naturaleza a saber”. En base a la
frase citada, el curso tiene como principal objetivo explorar las diferentes disciplinas filosóficas: ética,
gnoseología, antropología filosófica, metafísica, epistemología, lógica, entre otras. Estas disciplinas
científicas-filosóficas presentan y abordan temas diversos que nos atañen como personas humanas que
pertenecemos a una sociedad que nos exige propuestas, soluciones y aportes significativos; además,
formamos parte de una cultura y de la extensa familia humana necesitada de la construcción del Bien
Común.
SEMINARIO DE PROBLEMAS SOCIOECONÓMICOS DE GUATEMALA:
El curso de Seminario es un conjunto de actividades prácticas en un espacio de aprendizaje donde los
estudiantes desarrollan competencias para la investigación-acción, que tiene como principio el
autoconocimiento, el conocimiento de la realidad, la búsqueda de soluciones y transformación del
entorno donde se desenvuelven. Los alumnos tienen oportunidad de estudiar, discutir e intercambiar
experiencias acerca de un tema en particular, exponiendo, complementando, evaluando y aportando
nuevas interrogantes y propuestas enfocados en la observación, investigación y planteamiento de
soluciones a una problemática específica.

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AP MICROECONOMICS:
This class is designed to provide a rigorous college level course in microeconomic theory, as well as to
prepare students for the US national AP Microeconomics exam. The course content includes discussions
of supply and demand, consumer choice, production and costs, the behavior of firms, factor markets,
public goods, marginal decision-making and the role of governments. This course is designed specifically
with the AP test as a culmination, which students are required to take in May. Students who do well on
the AP test are generally granted college credit for an introductory Microeconomics course.
Prerequisites
Minimum average: 90% in previous Social Studies and Mathematics classes.
Recommendation from last Social Studies and Mathematics teachers.
AP WORLD HISTORY (MODERN):
This course is a full-year, college-level, in-depth exploration from the years 1200 to modern day. It is
designed to prepare 11th and 12th grade students to take the AP exam in World History in May. The
course closely follows the College Board's AP curriculum (which is available on their website).The course
focuses on content, thinking skills, and three types of essays. Most importantly we don't not just
examine historical events but focus on the "why" of history. Students should expect extensive reading
and written assignments each week, as well as in-class discussions and activities to assist with making
connections across eras. This is an intense and demanding course, but it will prepare students for
university-level history and humanities classes.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in previous Social Studies and English classes.
Recommendation from last Social Studies and English teachers.
AP EUROPEAN HISTORY:
In AP European History, students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and
processes from approximately 1450 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices,
and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical
arguments; making historical connections; and utilizing reasoning about comparison, causation, and
continuity and change over time. The course also provides seven themes that students explore
throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times
and places: interaction of Europe and the world, economic and commercial development, cultural and
intellectual development, states and other institutions of power, social organization and development,
national and European identity, and technological and scientific innovations.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in previous Social Studies and English classes.
Recommendation of last Social Studies and English teachers.

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AP PSYCHOLOGY:
The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the
behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the
psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within
psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and
practice. Areas covered include: history of psychology; research methods; biological bases of behavior;
sensation and perception; cognitive psychology; physical, social and emotional development; abnormal
behavior and therapies; social psychology; and gender differences. This is a rigorous and demanding
course requiring students to have a strong work ethic, to read at a rigorous pace, and to complete a
variety of writing assignments. Students are expected to demonstrate strong writing and analytical skills
and independent work habits. This course follows the AP guidelines for Advanced Placement Psychology
and is designed to prepare students for the AP exam in May.
Prerequisites:
85% in previous Social Studies class.
Recommendation of last Social Studies teacher.
GLOBAL ISSUES:
In this course students develop a deeper awareness of "global issues" through analysis, critical thinking,
and problem solving. Individual units include: government powers; war; global trends and environmental
sustainability; human rights; governance; and identifying significant issues and possible solutions which
are present in a student’s local community. Students are expected to be prepared to critically analyze
several current issues, as well as their interconnectedness, global impact, and to generate possible
solutions to these issues.
AP MACROECONOMICS:
This class is designed as a full year program comparable to a rigorous college level course in
macroeconomic theory. Course content includes a thorough understanding of the principles of
economics that apply to the economic system as a whole. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of
national income and price-level determination. This course also develops students' familiarity with
economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and
international economics. This course is designed specifically to prepare students for the AP
Macroeconomics Exam which students are required to take in May. Students who do well on the AP test
may be granted college credit for an introductory macroeconomics course.
Prerequisites:
Minimum average: 90% in AP Microeconomics.
Recommendation from the AP Microeconomics teacher.

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AP ART HISTORY:
Art History course welcomes students into the global art world as active participants, engaging with its
forms and content as they research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and responses
to and interpretations of art. The study of art history invites students to discover the diversity in and
connections among forms of artistic expression throughout history and from around the globe.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in previous Social Studies and English classes.
Recommendation of last Social Studies and English teachers.
AP STATISTICS:
This is a full-year course that is designed to give students the experience equivalent to a non-calculus
based introductory college Statistics course. Students will be exposed to four broad conceptual themes:
Exploring data, Sampling and experimentation, Anticipating patterns, and Statistical inference.In addition
to learning the course curriculum, students will be exposed to sample AP exams and will prepare to take
the AP Statistics exam in May.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% average in both Statistics and English classes in 11th grade.
Recommendation from last Mathematics and English teacher.
INTRO TO CALCULUS:
This course is designed to introduce the students to the fundamental principles of differential calculus.
Topics covered include detailed study of the first and second derivative of polynomial, algebraic,
exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions with applications to curve-tracing, maxima-minima
related-rate problems, and the antiderivative. The course will also include a thorough survey of
trigonometry.In addition to algebraic and geometric conceptual understanding. Project based learning
techniques and visual applications are an integral component of this course, and students will have
multiple opportunities to apply calculus concepts and develop projects that enhance their ability to
understand multiple disciplines and of how calculus is an integral part of other disciplines.
CALCULUS:
The course incorporates topics from Integrated Math I, II and III and enables the student to hone his/her
algebra skills and techniques and to extend his/her knowledge of analytic geometry. The course also
focuses on helping students to develop an understanding of the derivative and its applications and
introduces students to some of the techniques and applications of integration. Students will work with
real-life applications and data to model the use of calculus to solve problems in areas such as business,
economics, management, and/or the social and life sciences.

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AP CALCULUS AB:
In this course, students will understand, appreciate and apply the ideas and methodologies learned in
Calculus. Students will gain a true understanding of what Calculus is and how it is used. Topics include: a
brief review of polynomials; and trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. This will be
followed by discussions of limits, derivatives, and the application of differential calculus to real-world
problem areas. An overview of integration, basic techniques for integration, a variety of applications of
integration, and an introduction to differential equations conclude the course. In order to assist students
in preparation for the AP exam in May and to encourage students to go beyond what is learned in class,
frequent practice and evaluation of all types of AP questions will be emphasized throughout the class.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 85% average or more in Integrated Math I, II and III
Recommendation of last Math teacher
AP CALCULUS BC:
AP Calculus BC focuses on students’ understanding of calculus concepts and provides experience with
methods and applications. Through the use of big ideas of calculus (e.g., modeling change,
approximation and limits, and analysis of functions), the course becomes a cohesive whole, rather than a
collection of unrelated topics. This course requires students to use definitions and theorems to build
arguments and justify conclusions. The course features a multi representational approach to calculus,
with concepts, results, and problems expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally.
Exploring connections among these representations builds understanding of how calculus applies limits
to develop important ideas, definitions, formulas, and theorems. A sustained emphasis on clear
communication of methods, reasoning, justifications, and conclusions is essential.The topics that are
included are: Functions & Graphs, Limits & Continuity, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, and Series.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 85% average or more in Integrated Math I, II and III
Recommendation of last Math teacher
AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A:
A 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.
Prerequisites:
It is recommended that a student in the AP Computer Science A course has successfully completed a
first-year high school algebra course with a strong foundation of basic linear functions.
Recommendation of last Math and English teacher.

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AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES:
The AP Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory
college computing course. Students will develop computational thinking skills, such as using
computational tools to analyze and study data and work with large data sets. The course engages
students in the creative aspects of the field by allowing them to develop computational artifacts based
on their interests. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working
individually and collaboratively to solve problems and discussing and writing about the impacts these
solutions could have on their community, society, and the world. The course has been designed to use
Python programming language.
Prerequisites:
It is recommended that a student in the AP Computer Science Principles course has successfully
completed a first-year high school algebra course with a strong foundation of basic linear functions.
Recommendation of last Math and English teacher.
CHEMISTRY:
This course focuses on the study of matter and the changes matter undergoes. This course is an
introductory course centered on two theories: Modern Atomic theory and the Kinetic-molecular theory
used to understand natural phenomena. The course has an integral curriculum that guides students
through scientific research, integrates technology, and reinforces oral and written skills of
communication in a student centered approach. The Chemistry class also reinforces science and
engineering practices like: asking questions, defining problems, developing and using models, planning
and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematical and computational
thinking, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engagement in an argument from evidence,
and obtaining, evaluating and communicating information.
AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:
Environmental Science is a branch of science that explores many aspects of the natural world. In this
course students will become familiar with the many challenges that human society will face with regard
to: climate change, the distribution and composition of soils, natural resource management, the human
population dynamics, and pollution and waste management. Students will also discover the effects that
these have on human health, as well as the causes and effects on ecosystems and the biodiversity of life
in general.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in previous science class and minimum 90% in previous math class.
Recommendation of last Science and Math teachers.

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AP BIOLOGY:
The AP Biology course is designed to enable you to develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such
as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting
concepts in and across domains. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in
subsequent college courses. This is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their
understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics:
chemistry of life, cellular structure and function, cellular energetics, cell communication and cell cycle,
heredity, gene expression and regulation, natural selection and ecology.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% in Biology
Recommendation of last Science teacher
AP CHEMISTRY:
The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced
coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry-based
investigations, as they explore topics such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding,
chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium.
Prerequisites:
Minimum 90% average in previous science class and minimum 90% average in previous math class.
Recommendation of last Science and Math teachers.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY:
Anatomy & Physiology is a yearlong course that provides students an opportunity to explore the intricate
and sophisticated relationship between structure and function in the human body, the cellular level and
tissue level organization. The course offers students an environment in which they may probe topics
such as homeostasis, anatomical and physiological disorders, medical diagnosis and treatment, modern
and past imaging techniques, biochemistry, cytology, histology, and survey of the remarkable array of
body systems that comprise the human body.

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PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE:
The Percussion Ensemble is for percussionists who have had previous band experience in grade 9 and
are interested in further developing their ability in the percussive arts. Emphasis is placed on the
fundamentals of comprehensive percussion performance (snare drum, timpani, keyboards, and drum
set), including tonal concepts, technical skills, rehearsal skills, aural skills, and rudimentary music theory.
Members are required to perform for various school performances and sectional rehearsals. Attendance
at these functions, when scheduled outside of school hours, is a course requirement. Members of the
Percussion Ensemble combine with musicians of the Concert Band to perform at large concerts.
Prerequisite: Band teacher recommendation or placement test.
DRAMA:
Drama for 11th and 12th has the purpose of bringing students closer to the practice of the scenic event
and to the appreciation of theatrical art. It works with dramatic proposals that include the 13 symbols of
theater through which students project their potential. This course also, intends to develop in students
the use of verbal and nonverbal communication, through the different theatrical styles. At the end of the
course, students will have developed the skills and knowledge about how to do a complete Play with all
requirements.
DESKTOP PUBLISHING 2 (ALA YEARBOOK PRODUCTION):
Students will use the photography and photo editing skills learned to assist with the design of the ALA
yearbook. In addition to this, students will design layouts with InDesign and Photoshop, sell ads and
develop the organization skills needed to produce a quality publication. The course will give students
marketable experience in print media publishing. Out of class and after school, students will "shoot"
digital photos, sell advertisements, and label the yearbooks to be distributed among all school sections.
They will be responsible for designing the Senior Part of the yearbook, HS special activities, and the
School Administration and Teacher sections.
Prerequisites: Desktop Publishing 1, Photography, Graphic Design.
BAND II:
This course provides performance opportunities for instrumental and vocal musicians in the school
community. Advanced Band continues the instrumental development of advanced musicians that began
their musical training in Grade 9th and 10th or from outside school.Prerequisite: Band teacher
recommendation or placement test.
DRAWING AND PAINTING:
Students can expect to gain a strong foundation in drawing and painting in this beginning level class.
Composition, the visual element, the principles of design, and the techniques and concepts of both
drawing and painting will be covered. The end goals are to increase artistic self-confidence, increase
one's understanding of the theory and practice of drawing /painting and to produce successful works.

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SCULPTURE AND 3D ART:
This course will introduce three-dimensional processes and materials as well as develop the student's
ability to analyze form and space relationships. Students will design and create sculptural pieces with a
variety of materials.
ART TECHNIQUES/TÉCNICAS ARTÍSTICAS:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar diferentes técnicas artísticas como el
claroscuro a lápiz, caligrafía, la acuarela, el acrílico, la témpera, el óleo, el modelado y moldeado en
plastilina y arcilla, al aplicarlas en temas libres y en los proyectos que se realizan para las exposiciones
del 15 de septiembre, Semana de valores, Noche de Luces, Carátulas y Portadas del anuario ALA.
Durante todo el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el
aprendizaje de vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil del estudiante
(CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.
ACUARELA:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar el dibujo como base fundamental para
la aplicación de las técnicas artísticas, conocer sobre su origen, a los artistas famosos que la han
aplicado como ejemplos, a utilizar apropiadamente los materiales que requiere la técnica, los
procedimientos de limpieza, abordar las diferentes formas de aplicar la técnica de la acuarela en escalas
tonales, el círculo cromático, prácticas para el logro de aguadas de color, húmedo sobre húmedo,
húmedo sobre seco, reservas de blanco, conocer y aplicar la teoría de la composición y del color en
diferentes temas libres. Durante el proceso de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de
Marzano para el aprendizaje de vocabulario, en la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil
del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.
PINTURA AL ÓLEO:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de practicar el dibujo como base fundamental para
la aplicación de las técnicas artísticas, conocer sobre su origen, a los artistas famosos que la han
aplicado como ejemplos, utilizar apropiadamente los materiales que requiere la técnica, los
procedimientos de limpieza, abordar las diferentes formas de aplicar la técnica de pintura al óleo
empastado, veladuras, escalas tonales, el círculo de los colores, nombre de los colores en esta técnica,
conocer y aplicar la teoría de la composición y del color en diferentes temas libres. Durante el proceso
de los proyectos, el curso se apoya en la metodología de Marzano para el aprendizaje de vocabulario, en
la tecnología, en la aplicación de los estándares del perfil del estudiante (CAG VIDAS) y en los valores.

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INTRO TO PHOTOGRAPHY:
This course will help students improve their skills by taking photographs knowing the basics of digital
photography. This is intended to enhance their artistic and thinking skills, as well as their perception of
the society in which they live. Students will be guided to understand that photography is not only a
means to portray others, but also to portray themselves. That is why the semiotic knowledge to build a
photograph is indispensable and therefore it will be studied during the course. Intro to Photography will
focus on four areas: Camera handling, Semiotics (construction of the image), Artistic photography, and
Social photography.
Requirement: Each student must have their own camera (basic characteristics)
AP STUDIO ART:
Consists of three portfolio exams—2-D Design, 3-D Design, and Drawing—corresponding to the college
foundation courses. Portfolios allow flexibility of coursework while guiding students to produce collegelevel
quality, artistic investigation, and breadth of work. Students will be expected to make a
commitment to regular use of a sketchbook to practice concepts and skills, collect thoughts and develop
project ideas.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of last art teacher
AP ART HISTORY:
The AP Art History course welcomes students into the global art world as active participants, engaging
with its forms and content as they research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and
responses to and interpretations of art. The study of art history invites students to discover the diversity
in and connections among forms of artistic expression throughout history and from around the globe.
GRAPHIC DESIGN (DIGITAL ART AND DESIGN):
Graphic Design is an elective offered to juniors and seniors. Students will use a range of media from
traditional art materials, like paper and paint, to digital design tools, including Adobe creative suite
software (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign).Assignments will deal with aesthetics (what is visually
pleasing) and with functionality (what does the job). Students will explore visual representation of ideas -
literal, metaphorical, symbolic and/or abstract. During the school year students will create design
solutions for "clients" in the school community.
INNOVATIVE STORYTELLING:
This course will teach the fundamentals of how to create and share meaningful stories that are crafted
to bring about a shift in the collective consciousness of our community. This course will not only bring
hands-on experience with next-generation skills like photo and video production, but it will also aim to
produce critical content to spark conversations about the topics/stories that are often unspoken. Learn
to utilize the design thinking approach to produce high quality stories.

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AP CAPSTONE DIPLOMA PROGRAM:
These courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration,
writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP
Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.
AP RESEARCH:
AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an
academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a
yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they
acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research
practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill
development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a
process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000–5,000 words
(accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral
defense.
Prerequisites:
Students must first complete the AP Seminar, including the end-of-course exam and all required
performance tasks to develop the skills necessary to succeed in AP Research.
INNOVATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the nature of enterprise and
entrepreneurship and introduces the role of the entrepreneur, innovation and technology in the
entrepreneurial process. Students will learn about themselves, their decisions, and their goals to
determine how entrepreneurship can play a role in their lives. They also learn the principles of
entrepreneurship and how the market economy and ownership leads to wealth creation; not only the
skills necessary to become entrepreneurs but also the attitudes, characteristics, and techniques in
successful entrepreneurs that they will need to succeed. The course includes an introduction to
entrepreneurship from an economic perspective and the concepts of environmentally sustainable
practices and social entrepreneurship. Students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to manage the
development of innovations, to recognize and evaluate potential opportunities to translate these
innovations into profitable ventures, to plan specific and detailed systems to exploit these opportunities,
and to obtain the resources necessary to implement these plans. As students create their business plan,
they will integrate academic knowledge to their own ventures, consequently putting theory into practice.

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INTRO TO ENGINEERING:
Students are introduced to the engineering design process through participation, as members of a team,
in a complete design project. The synthesis of many fields involving the laws of nature, mathematics,
economics, management, and communication is required in each project. Engineering principles of
analysis, experimentation, and design are applied to real problems, from initial concept to final
recommendations. Students are introduced to the design process, build individual portfolios, use
technology to model, create sketches, and engineer designs. Practical (hands-on) activities supplement
computer technology in studying engineering projects.

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Mini Term Options
As these are driven by student interest, listings may change with time.
CODING:
Coding is "the literacy of the 21st century". In this course, students will learn foundational programming
concepts and how to solve problems like a programmer. Students will learn how to code in Java and
improve their programming and problem-solving skills. They will be able to read and understand
programs and descriptions of the design and development process leading to such programs; The
course will also highlight the ethical and social implications of computer use. This course is equivalent to
a first-semester, college-level course in computer science.
INTRODUCTION TO VIDEOGAMES DESIGN:
Learn how to code in Swift and build an APP along with exploring the introductory concepts of gaming
and the mechanics behind them.
WEB DEVELOPMENT:
The Web Development course is an introduction to the design, creation, and maintenance of web pages.
Students will be able to Learn the foundational programming for web development: for example: (HTML,
CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, PHP, PHPMyAdmin, SQL, WordPress, Grav, mobile Frameworks), and learn
how the various facets function together in a web environment. The course provides a solid web
development foundation, focusing on content and client-side (browser).
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity working with computers.
GENETICS:
The course is designed to expand upon the Genetics unit introduced in the Biology courses and to show
the importance of Genetics in taking our understanding of humans to a new level. The goal is to make
students aware of the complexity of designing organisms (more specifically humans) and demonstrate
both the fragility and sturdiness of the materials that make up our genomes. Students in the Genetics
course continue to develop knowledge in the core disciplinary ideas described in the Next Generation
Science Standards (NGSS), including science as inquiry. The course will introduce students to the
scientific methodologies used in the study of genetics investigations. This course aims to apply the Next
Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Crosscutting Concepts that bridge disciplinary boundaries, uniting
core ideas throughout science and engineering.

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ASTRONOMY:
This course aims to enable students to develop and apply knowledge of the universe and compare the
conditions, properties, and motions of bodies in space. Emphasis shall be placed on concepts basic to
earth, including materials, processes, history, and the environment. This course introduces you to the
composition and structure of the universe. Astronomy is the scientific study of the contents of the entire
universe. This course will provide the student with a study of the universe and the conditions, properties,
and motions of bodies in space. The content includes, but is not limited to, historical astronomy,
astronomical instruments, the celestial sphere, the solar system, the earth as a system in space, the
earth/moon system, the sun as a star, and stars. In this course, students will have the opportunity to use
CAG's telescope in our very own observatory.
TRIGONOMETRY:
This course will focus on the study of angles; the trigonometry of angles and real numbers; the
trigonometric functions and their inverses including their graphs; solutions of right and oblique triangles;
verification of fundamental identities and analytic trigonometry; addition, subtraction and multiple angle
formulas; the laws of sines and cosines; vectors and the dot and cross product; complex numbers, De
Moivre’s Theorem and nth roots of complex numbers; polar coordinates and equations. The course will
also include the study of functions including exponential and logarithmic functions.
ART AND MATH:
A course focused on the integration of mathematical principles and artistic technique. This blended
course takes students through a journey of connecting a sometimes concrete linear subject and
connects it with a creative realm with endless possibilities. Students will create pieces of art using
various mediums which represent mathematics through multiple different formats.
HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND ARCHITECTURE:
This course takes students on a journey of learning history through the eyes of architects and their
creations. Students will learn about different periods in time, influences on architects and the resulting
masterpieces that were built.
SHORT STORIES:
This course focuses on the skill of creating a big concept and fitting it into a short story. Students will
storyboard their ideas and learn about creative ways to grasp the reader’s attention through choice
words in small spaces.

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CINE Y LITERATURA:
In this course students will walk through the mind of a writer through stories, analyzing various aspects
of the writing. Students will then dive into the cinematic interpretation of these literature pieces, critically
comparing the pieces.
WORLD WARS:
World War I and II remains the most total and most destructive conflicts in human history. They involved
all the major industrial countries, wrought unparalleled destruction, and targeted civilians to a previous
unprecedented extent. The course will focus on the major military, diplomatic choices of the wars, but
also discuss the war’s impact on societies and on the individuals who fought or had to endure it. A goal
of the course will be to understand the major events, but also understand the “why” of these events.
Students will analyze these events using a wide range of primary and secondary sources.
PSYCHOLOGY:
Psychology is a full year class that is offered as an elective. Throughout the year, students learn about
the discipline of psychology as the study of human behavior and its connections to the brain and the
body; specifically, the lobes and hemispheres of the brain, the nervous system, and the endocrine
system. Students will be expected to understand basic research methods and theoretical perspectives
on psychological behavior. Additionally, they learn about human development throughout the lifespan,
sleep and dreams, and theories of motivation and emotion, such as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Also
covered are theories of personality from the perspectives of behaviorists, psychoanalytic, social learning,
cognitive, and humanistic, as well as the different therapies that each entails. Lastly, the course covers
psychological testing to evaluate academic performance, measure mental abilities, and identify
personality characteristics. Students are expected to think critically about why humans behave the way
they do and understand behavior to apply it to their own lives.
CALIGRAFÍA ARTÍSTICA (LETTERING):
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer y aprender a utilizar correctamente los
materiales que se necesitan para hacer caligrafía artística como marcadores con puntas especiales,
pinceles recargables, pinceles en diferentes puntas, papeles preparados para la práctica previa, papel de
acuarela y otros soportes. Dominar las etapas del proceso de la caligrafía artística, aprender a dibujar
letras en diferentes estilos, diseñar rótulos creativos, a combinar las cualidades de la acuarela con la
rotulación y desarrollar un estilo personal al momento de resolver un proyecto de diseño que combine
la caligrafía artística, el dibujo y la pintura a la acuarela.
MANDALAS CRETIVAS:
En este curso los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer el origen, aprender a dibujar con las
bases de la geometría aplicada, los esquemas básicos para la creación de diseños circulares al estilo de
las mandalas que se manifiestan en las diversas culturas milenarias, a organizar dentro de los esquemas
diseños con ritmos repetitivos, alternos o contrapuestos. Pintar en técnicas de puntillismo, achurados y
sombreados con pintura acrílica, marcadores y crayones. Dominar y aplicar los procesos ejercitados en
un estilo personal, para resolver un proyecto de diseño creativo.