We currently use the book, The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography (12th edition, 2016)
We are requesting to adopt a new book, Human Geography for the AP Course (2nd edition, 2025)
We chose this book for several reasons including:
Reflects the specific content shifts and pacing established in the 2020 redesign of the course.
All required learning objectives and unit structures are covered comprehensively.
Features relevant, modern-day examples that allow students to connect academic concepts to the world around them today.
Encourages students to move beyond rote memorization toward a deeper, more functional understanding of the subject matter.
Helps students develop critical literacy skills in interpreting non-textual information.
One of the contributing authors, Ken Keller, is a former Danbury HSteacher who facilitated the College Board training for our current Bethel HS AP Human Geography teacher. He remains an accessible and knowledgeable resource for our teacher. She is able to reach out via email or text message and he will respond in a timely manner.
We are seeking both the textbook and the 6 year Achieve online system with interactive digital student edition which includes an interactive eBook, videos, tutorials/activities and adaptive learning quizzes. It also offers translation and annotation tools.
Official quote includes:
120 Textbooks with the Achieve digital access @ 192.98= $23, 157.60
We are bringing forward a new English course at BHS, Gods, Monsters & Heroes.
This semester course will be open to students in Grade 11 & 12 and expands our English course offerings at the high school.
This class encourages students to see how patterns in storytelling help us understand the patterns of human behavior. Additionally, the ‘hero’ and ‘monster’ labels that shift with cultural evolution and the passage of time allow our students to critically examine these labels and how the social and psychological shifts make them more aware as citizens and empathetic humans in our world.
The units will include:
Western Mythos and the beginning of Myth-What is myth? What core Greek, Roman, and Norse myths inspire modern materials today? How can exploration and anaylsis of source material help us connect to and understand humanity?
World Mythologies- What does a core Eastern text (The Epic of Gilgamesh) illustrate about the culture and audience of its era? How can student’s analyze and evaluate key stories from choice cultures to examine patterns and deviations?
"Monster Theory" - How does the construct of a society's conscience reveal what they find monstrous? What monsters exist in various mediums and what does that label reveal about the culture that bore it?
We will be writing curriculum this summer and will bring it forward once completed.
Any materials/resources will be a minimal cost and can be done through the Curriculum line.
We are bringing forward a new English course at BHS, Practical English.
This semester course will be open to students in Grade 11 & 12 and expands our English course offerings at the high school.
The course focuses on workplace writing and job-related documents, resumes and cover letters, professional emails, digital communication, presentations, and problem-solving. Students engage in projects, role-play scenarios, and hands-on activities to develop critical skills in writing, comprehension, speaking, listening, and workplace etiquette.
The units will include areas such as:
How to read, interpret, and develop a contract
How to communicate in writing with clients, bosses, and coworkers
How to organize information and present it concisely and directly in various formats
Public Speaking skills: verbal and nonverbal communication, how to use words persuasively
Write professional resumes, cover letters, reports, and workplace emails
Solve workplace problems and navigate real-world scenarios
Deliver professional presentations and interview successfully
Apply workplace etiquette, collaboration skills, and time management
Develop self-confidence and adaptability for career success
How to conduct oneself in a professional atmosphere
We will be writing curriculum this summer and will bring it forward once completed.
Any materials/resources will be a minimal cost and can be done through the Curriculum line.
CommonLit is a comprehensive 6-12 English program that we will fully pilot at BHS next year.
It is research-backed curriculum aligned to standard, full length texts that challenge students and spark curiosity, and classroom-ready print and digital lesson materials
Benchmark assessments are included to track progress, plan for student needs and better understand growth over time.
There is curriculum-aligned support tailored to team needs, options for virtual, in-person or on-demand, and multi-year support that builds expertise over time
5. Public Comment (Please note: The Board welcomes Public Comment and asks that speakers please limit their comments to 2 minutes. Speakers may offer objective comments of school operations and programs that concern them. The Board will not permit any expression of personal complaints or defamatory comments about Board of Education personnel and students, nor against any person connected with the Bethel Public School System.)
