Course Catalog
Governor Baxter School For The Deaf
GBSD English Language Arts
Course Number: GB2102
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP
Credit: 2 English Credits
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Reading Level grade 4-7
This Reading and Writing Program focuses on reading and writing strategies, especially how to read academic texts to allow students to improve overall literacy. Emphasis is on comprehension, vocabulary development and grammatical fluency and written communication.
GBSD Functional Science
Course Number: GB2110
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP
Credit: 2 Science Credits
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
In GB Functional Science, students will learn the language, method and concepts of Science. They will learn the skills of the scientific process, and will be involved at every step with: critical thinking, making hypotheses, testing, gathering and analyzing data, and effectively communicating (in written English as well as American Sign Language) the results of the scientific enquiries in the course. Measuring skills and analysis of data will reinforce practical math skills; vocabulary work, writing assignments and presentations will reinforce essential literacy skills.
GBSD Functional Reading and Writing
Course Number: GB2111
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP
Credit: 2 English Credits,
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Reading Level grade 3 or below
This class focuses on the continued development of functional literacy, incorporating direct instruction to develop vocabulary and fluency in reading and writing. Attention is paid to the development of communication skills necessary in both social and academic settings and reading and writing strategies to enable students to fully access academic texts to allow students to improve overall literacy.
GBSD Functional Social Studies
Course Number: GB2112
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP
Credit: 2 Social Studies Credits, full year
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
This program is for students functioning 3 or more years below grade level. Students study World Geography and World and US History through the Civil War period. The course is taught through multi-modal presentations of information and project based learning activities. Students enrolled require access to instruction provided in ASL or, where appropriate, with spoken language supports. Reading, writing, communication and technology skills at student instructional levels are developed and integrated into units of study based upon Geography and History standards. At the end of the course students will demonstrate an expanded understanding of the world and of the development of the United States.
GBSD US History I
Course Number: GB2115
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP
Credit: 2 Social Studies Credits, full year
Grades 10, 11
US History through the Civil War. The course is designed for students who are currently reading three (3) or more years below grade level and require additional support. This course is individualized and designed around Social Studies standards and integrated skills. This course includes the study of the exploration of the new world, the settlement of the colonies and the American Revolution as well as the U.S. Constitution, Nation Building, Westward Expansion and the Civil War. The course is taught through multi-modal presentations of information and project based learning activities. Reading, writing, thinking and communication skills are emphasized with access to student’s direct language of instruction and the use of technology to expand the practical understanding of our country.
GBSD US History II
Course Number: GB2116
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP, GBSD History I
Credit: 2 Social Studies Credits, full year
Grades 10, 11, 12
U.S. History II is designed for students who are currently reading three (3) or more years below grade level and require additional support. This course is individualized and designed around Social Studies standards and integrated skills. This course follows US History from Reconstruction and Industrial development through the modern age. Students will learn the skills that will enable them to analyze and summarize primary and secondary sources. The course is taught through multi-modal presentations of information, project learning and integrated technology to further expand student’s practical understanding of our country.
GBSD Functional Health
Course Number: GB2117
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP
Credit: 1 Health Credit, 1 semester
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
This course provides students with instruction in health related concepts such as mental health, healthy lifestyles and relationships, substance abuse prevention, nutrition and making good personal choices. The course also follows aspects of the “Best Practices in STD/HIV and Pregnancy Prevention” curriculum from the Maine Family Planning, MDOE 2016 Edition. This course is specifically designed to be linguistically and visually accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adolescents and meets graduation requirements.
GBSD Functional Math
Course Number: GB2109
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP
Credit: 2 Math Credits,
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Students will review basic arithmetic skills using whole numbers, decimals, and fractions while developing skills with measuring, US/metric conversions, graphs, integers, and simplifying expressions. Students will receive direct instruction in vocabulary as well as work towards development of academic English as it is used in the application of these skills.
Baxter Academic Support
Course Number: GB2104
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP
Credit: 1 Elective Credit, semester class
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
This course is designed to give academic support to mainstreamed students. Students will learn study skills and organization skills to help them succeed. Students will also receive support in studying for tests or quizzes and completing class assignments, homework assignments, essays or projects. Likewise, there is an emphasis on advocating for accommodations, working with interpreters and note takers and honing one's communication skills.
American Sign Language for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Student I
Course Number: GB2105
Prerequisites: Must be recommended by IEP
Credit: 2 Elective credits, 2 semesters
Grades 9, 10, 11 12
ASL introduces the study of the receptive and expressive aspects of signs, non-manual markers and spatial features of American Sign Language in everyday communication as well as the development of personal narratives and other forms of discourse. This course further explores the rich heritage of the Deaf community as well as cultural aspects of the Deaf community. Students may participate in ASL competitions to enhance their skills.
American Sign Language for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Student II
Course Number: GB2106
Prerequisites: American Sign Language 1 and recommendation of an IEP
Credit: 2 Elective credits, 2 semesters
Grades, 9,10,11,12
ASL 2 introduces opportunities to further develop skill levels, non-manual signals, and grammatical features of ASL in everyday situations and other meaningful contexts. The course also explores in greater detail the cultural aspects of the deaf community via film and other media. Students may compete in ASL events.
GBSD Functional Academics
Course Number: GB2119
Prerequisite: Recommendation of an IEP
Credit: NON-CREDIT, Full Year – Credits are awarded through Functional English, Math, Social Studies, Living Skills academic course sections.
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
This program is for students functioning 6 or more years below grade level academically, and/or who require a functionally-based program with emphasis on life skills and independence. Subjects include Reading, English, Math, Social Studies, and Living Skills. These students will learn communication skills to access community resources such as filling out interpreter requests, making medical appointments, understanding health issues, risky behaviors, and seeking community support. Students may also use this time to further literacy skills needed for work experiences. The goal is to enable students to successfully transition into independence.
