UTICA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS JUNIOR HIGH
9th GRADE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 2019-2020
REQUIRED FULL YEAR CLASSES
ENGLISH
9
Ninth
grade English continues the emphasis on the development of reading and writing
skills. Through writing, students practice vocabulary, punctuation,
capitalization, and other standard language skills. Moreover, students develop
reading skills and an appreciation and understanding of literature through a
study of drama, poetry, short stories, novels, and essays.
HONORS
ENGLISH 9
The course is designed for the exceptional English
student. The course focuses on developing fluency in various genres of
literature through including the novel, poetry, drama, short story, and
non-fiction. It requires students to think, write, and speak critically.
Students will be expected to compose multiple essays including impromptu
writing, literary analysis and a research paper.
GEOMETRY
Geometry
is a full year course designed to meet the Michigan Merit Curriculum
requirements for high school Geometry. Geometry builds on key concepts
developed in the middle grades. In our ever-increasing technological world, a
rich study of logic and mathematical proof is fundamental for reasoning and
good decision making. The study of Geometry offers students the opportunity to
develop skill in reasoning and formal proof. The content expectations include
reasoning about number systems, measurement, mathematical reasoning, laws of
logic, proofs, figures and their properties, relationships between figures, and
transformations of figures in the plane. Geometric thinking is a powerful tool
for understanding both mathematical and applied problems, and offers ways of reasoning
mathematically, beyond Algebra, including analytical and spatial reasoning.
ACCELERATED
GEOMETRY
Accelerated
Geometry is a full year course designed for students who have successfully
completed Algebra I. This course is designed to meet the Michigan Merit
Curriculum requirements for high school Geometry. Geometry builds on key
concepts developed in the middle grades. In our every-increasing technological
world, a rich study of logic and mathematical proof is fundamental for
reasoning and good decision making. The study of Geometry offers students the
opportunity to develop skill in reasoning and formal proof. The content
expectations include reasoning about number systems, measurement, mathematical
reasoning, laws of logic, proofs, figures and their properties, relationships
between figures, and transformations of figures in the plane. Geometric
thinking is a powerful tool for understanding both mathematical and applied
problems, and offers ways of reasoning mathematically, beyond Algebra,
including analytical and spatial reasoning.
ACCELERATED
ALGEBRA II
PREREQUISITE: 1) Geometry and Algebra I or 2) Algebra I and Accelerated Geometry Students continue the study of function
families including: quadratic, polynomial, radical, rational, exponential, and
logarithmic functions. The topic of conic sections fuses algebra with geometry.
Units of study include sequences and iteration as well as univariate
statistical applications and trigonometry. Students will develop an
understanding that algebraic thinking is an accessible and powerful tool that
can be used to model and solve real-world problems. This rigorous course moves
more rapidly and studies the topics in greater detail than in regular Algebra
II. Use of the graphing calculator is embedded in the course.
WORLD
HISTORY
World
History and Geography takes a global and comparative approach to studying the
world and its past to develop a greater understanding of the development of
worldwide events, processes, and interactions among the world’s people,
culture, societies, and environment.
AP
WORLD HISTORY
The
AP World History course is an academic, yearlong course with an emphasis on
non-Western history. The course relies heavily on college-level texts, primary
source documents, and outside readings. Students will be required to
participate in class discussions, and group and individual projects. A special emphasis
will be given to historical writing through essays and document-based questions
(DBQ). In addition, objective exams, simulations, and integrated
computer-technology assignments will also be given.
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
This class is an
academic, yearlong course designed to represent a systematic study of the earth
& its inhabitants. Advanced Placement Human Geography mirrors a typical
undergraduate level Introduction to Human Geography course and covers the
following seven units; the geographic perspective; population; cultural
patterns and processes; political organization of space; agricultural and rural
land use; industrialization and economic development, and cities and urban land
use. This course should help students understand how cultural, economic and
political systems relate to the distribution of human activities, the nature of
places, and people’s interaction with their environment.
PHYSICAL
SCIENCE
This course will go more in depth with physics and
chemistry concepts learned in previous science classes. This course will cover
the Michigan High School Essential Benchmarks for physics and chemistry. The
first semester is physics-based, with topics including forces and motion, work
and energy, electricity, sound and waves, and light and optics. The second
semester is chemistry-based and includes the topics of matter, the periodic
table, heating and cooling, and water and solutions. The course is heavily
lab-oriented, with 2-3 labs being done per week. Most work is done in class;
therefore, good attendance is very important.
ELECTIVES - FULL YEAR
ART
FOUNDATIONS
Art
is designed to offer students the opportunity for continued artistic and
creative growth. Students apply design principles and elements to both two and three-dimensional
projects such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics. This course is a
prerequisite for many of the high school art classes.
AVID 9 (Advancement Via Individual
Determination)
AVID
is a college-preparatory course for students willing to commit themselves to a
rigorous curriculum, display good work habits, and appropriate classroom
behavior. Students in this elective demonstrate the dedication necessary to be
successful in junior high, high school, and at the college level. The course
offers additional instruction in writing, reading, thinking, and communication
skills. AVID provides opportunities to collaborate in a group setting, with
support from college tutors. AVID also includes activities, such as field
trips, campus visits, and guest speakers, which focus on preparing students for
college. AVID opens up numerous opportunities for leadership in and out of the
classroom.
**Enrollment in this course includes a review of
academic potential and possible interview with AVID Site Team members.**
BAND
9
This
course deals with methods and fundamentals that follow closely with
requirements for admissions into instrumental groups at the high school level.
Band affords students an opportunity to improve their skills, to acquire the
techniques of ensemble playing, and to perform in concerts, band festivals,
homecoming
parades, and pep assemblies. Students are required to attend after school
rehearsals and performances.
COMPUTER
SCIENCE DISCOVERIES I Computer Science Discoveries is a full-year
introductory computer science survey course targeted at grades 7-9. The course
takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as digital footprints, programming, physical computing,
JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and data. Students are empowered to create authentic
artifacts and engage with CS as a medium for creativity, communication, problem
solving, and fun.
COMPUTER SCIENCE DISCOVERIES II
Pre-Requisite: Computer Science Discoveries I
Students are empowered to create authentic artifacts and engage with Computer Science as a medium for creativity, communications, problem solving, and fun. Computer Science Discoveries II is a continuation of Computer Science Discoveries I and will follow the design process to identify and empathize with problems faced by a target audience by prototyping an app using App Lab. Students will develop binary representations of different kinds of information. They will collect, analyze, visualize, and make automated decisions using data. Finally, students will explore the relationship between hardware and software while building interactive projects using Adafruit's Circuit Playground. Implementation of this course will create a natural pathway for students to enroll in high school computer science courses.
DRAMA
I
Information
essential to the staging of theatrical productions forms the basis for Drama I.
Students learn to use the actor’s tools to create dramatic expression. Emphasis
is placed on developing a strong and flexible voice and body poise and stage
presence. Time is devoted to the historical and technical aspects of the
theatre. Students will also tap leadership skills as they direct their own
scenes.
FRENCH
I
Students
are introduced to the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and
writing the French language. Questions are presented in French for student
responses along with special readings, vocabulary, grammar, and dictation
exercises. Considerable emphasis is placed on conversation. An introduction to
French culture is also included.
FRENCH
II
This
class is a continuation of French skills with an emphasis on speaking and understanding
French through vocabulary building and use of technology. Students will
continue to develop proficiency in the areas of listening, reading, speaking,
writing, and culture. Culture studies include: Paris, French cuisine, music,
transportation, geography and more.
GERMAN I
Students are introduced to the four language skills:
listening, speaking, reading and writing the German language. Learning
vocabulary words and grammar is accomplished through classroom drills, team
games, homework, and dictation exercises. Considerable emphasis is placed on
conversation and on knowledge of German culture.
GERMAN
II
German II is a continuation of conversational
German with emphasis on speaking, reading, writing and comprehending German.
The goal is for students to be able to express their own opinions in spoken and
written German. Guided conversations and a variety of communicative activities
continue to improve students’ pronunciation and comprehensive skills. Topics
include shopping, getting around Germany, free time activities, vacations and
healthy lifestyles.
SPANISH
I
Spanish
I is a beginning academic course providing elementary practice in speaking,
listening, reading, and writing. There is emphasis on pronunciation,
vocabulary, grammar, and structure of the language. Also through reading,
discussion, filmstrips, and films, the student is made aware of the Hispanic
lifestyle and customs.
SPANISH
II
Students
have an opportunity to develop their language skills through the continued
balanced presentation of the four skills. More advanced reading passages,
dialogues, and directed writings are utilized. Oral communication and listening
comprehension continue to be a vital part of daily activities. Reading
selections, class discussions, and videos portray a cross-section of Spanish
culture including leisure time activities, family celebrations, school and
daily life, health, shopping, travel, and food.
MIXED
CHORUS
This group sings a varied selection of music ranging
from pop to classical. It is a course designed for those who enjoy singing.
Several concerts are performed throughout the year. Students study singing,
choreography and musical theory. Students are required to attend after school
rehearsals and performances.
LIFE
SKILLS 9
The Life Skills
department recognizes the importance of promoting the growth of the total
individual: physical, intellectual, emotional and social. It provides
instruction that will enable students to improve the quality and stability of
their lives in an ever-changing society. Life Skills, a career and technical
education course, explores a variety of areas such as nutrition and foods, and
parenting and child development.
WOODWORKING
Students will participate in a 40
week class that explores both beginner and advanced woodworking
techniques. This class will focus on
general shop safety, measuring, tool identification, design features,
properties of wood and wood selection, and finishing techniques. These principals and skills will be addressed
by informational text, worksheets, lectures, and demonstrations. The students will be using both hand
woodworking tools and power tools to construct their projects. Projects include: cutting board, bean bag
toss game, side table, and chest or Adirondack chair. Students will also have the opportunity to
design and build a project of their choice.
YEARBOOK
This course
focuses on the many aspects of yearbook journalism, including photography,
layout design, interviewing, writing, editing, and desktop publishing.
ELECTIVES -SEMESTER CLASSES
EXPLORATORY
DESIGN & ENGINEERING II
Exploratory
Design and Engineering II will be a project-based course for 8 & 9th grade
students which will focus on skills in math, science, technology, and
engineering as it applies to electric vehicles. The course will provide
students with basic fundamentals and an appreciation for electronics, sources
of energy, and mechanical design. The students will further their
drafting and design skills acquired in Exploratory Design and Engineering I
(EDE I). Students will design and build small electric powered vehicles
with the intent of racing them in competition with other student created
vehicles. In the process of building the vehicles, students will learn basic
information about engineering and design processes, electrical circuits,
batteries, gearing ratios, and converting electrical energy into mechanical
energy. This class is open only for those students who did not have
Exploratory Design & Engineering II in the 8th grade.
HEALTH
& WELLNESS
This
one semester required course is to be taken before high school graduation, and
provides students with information that will enable them to make healthy
decisions, define wellness, and deal with various health problems. Topics will
include community health services, substance abuse, mental health, chronic and
communicable diseases including AIDS and other STD’s, personal safety,
reproduction, and human growth and development.
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
By
participating in team and lifetime activities, students will better understand
that physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Students
will learn the rules, skills, strategies, and etiquette appropriate for each
activity. Activities may include soccer, speedball, flag football, field hockey,
badminton, racquetball, volleyball, floor hockey, basketball, softball, track,
table tennis, golf archery, gymnastics, volleyball, paddleball, and rhythmic
activities. Students will participate in aerobic activities and each student’s
individual level of physical fitness will be assessed.