Course Descriptions
Business
Course: Computer Applications
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: This
course is designed to assist the student in mastery of the alpha-numeric
keyboard. Students will utilize Windows
95 software packages which include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and
Access. Students will become familiar
with processing business documents such as letters, memos, and reports. Additionally, students will learn to create
spreadsheets and databases and become familiar with their uses. Recommended for all junior
high students.
ART
Course: Art
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisites: None
Description: This course includes the elements
and principles of design, mural art, two point perspective, black letter old
English calligraphy, drawing, painting, weaving and yarn art, and art history
and appreciation.
Estimated costs of student projects during the year: $15 per
semester
Vocal Music
Course: Beginning Chorus
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course will cover the
fundamentals of vocal technique, beginning music theory, and introduction to
music appreciation. They will also
perform various styles of music from contest music to pop.
Students must provide black shoes and black pants to wear
underneath choir robes.
Course: Advanced Choir
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course will cover
fundamentals of vocal technique, beginning music theory and introduction to
music appreciation. They will also
perform various styles of music from contest to pop.
Students must provide black shoes and black pants to wear
underneath choir robes.
Course: Girls' Jazz Choir
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisite: Audition
Description: This course consists of the most
advanced 8th and 9th grade girls. It is
faster paced than other choirs. Focus
will be on vocal technique, theory and music appreciation. Students will sing a variety of styles, but
much time will be spent on jazz and madrigals.
They will go to contest as a treble chorus and Jazz Choir, as well as
perform in the community.
Students must provide performance attire.
Instrumental
Music
Course: Beginning Band **
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7, 8
Prerequisites: None
Description: Introduces students to
traditional band instruments. Includes instruction of correct instrument holding and hand
position, posture, embouchure formation, breath support and articulation. Includes fundamentals of
reading music and developing aural skills. Beginning band performs at contests and
concerts.
Course: Advanced Band **
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7, 8, 9
Prerequisite: Instructor Approval
Description: Advanced Band students who have
successfully passed a basic musical skills playing test and are musically and
technically advanced players. More
emphasis is placed on performance, beginning with football games and pep
assemblies in the fall. Students are
expected to audition for honor bands and compete in solo and ensemble contests.
**
Although the school provides some of the larger, more expensive
musical instruments, most students will need to purchase or rent instruments.
Language Arts
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7, 8, 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: A general course in English with
major emphasis on grammar, usage, mechanics, and its integration with the
writing process (both creative and formal) literature selections, critical
thinking and related language skills (spelling, vocabulary, listening, library
use, oral reading, etc.)
Course: Honors English
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7, 8, 9
Prerequisite: 1) Achievement Test scores; 2)
parent request; 3) instructor approval. (Student
must meet two of the three prerequisites.)
Description: An honors course in English with
major emphasis on advanced grammar usage, mechanics, and its integration with
the writing process (both creative and formal) progressive literature
selections, critical thinking, and related language skills (spelling,
vocabulary, listening, library use, interpretive reading, etc., all at an
advanced level). This course is
limited to the top thirty (30) students.
Course: Speech I/Drama1
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: This is a basic survey
course. With a study of the
communication process as a foundation, curriculum branches into public speaking
and drama. Any or all of the following
may be a part of the year's work:
informative/persuasive speaking, demonstration/visual aide
presentations, parliamentary procedure, Lincoln-Douglas debate, mass
communication, oral interpretation, history of drama, play production, duet
acting, story telling, children's theater, and costume design. Students may have the opportunity to see a
university production. Freshmen students
who have been enrolled as 8th graders will proceed through the curriculum at a
more advanced level. Contest
participation is optional.
Course: Yearbook
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisite: Instructor Approval
Description: Students learn the art of
publishing a school yearbook. Basic
photography, layout design, publishing vocabularies, and typography are covered
during the term. Students sell and
produce the "Stinger" yearbook, as well as writing articles for the
local newspaper.
Course: Remedial
Length: Variable
Grade: 7, 8, 9
Prerequisite: Any student in the 1st through 8th
grade who scores below the 41st percentile in the spring achievement test will
be placed in remedial reading for the subsequent school year, low performance
in classes requiring reading, or teacher or parent recommendation.
Description: This course is designed for
students needing additional instruction in the areas of reading and study
skills. Objectives include improvement
of vocabulary, comprehension, and study skills.
A wide range of instructional techniques, including computers, are used
to accomplish the objectives.
Course: Spanish I
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: A, B or C in 8th grade English
Description: Introduction to the Spanish
language. Names of colors, numbers, and
dates are taught. Beginning vocabulary
includes clothes, class subjects, activities. Regular and irregular tense are covered. Also included will be an introduction to
Spanish culture,
Mathematics
Course: Pre-Algebra
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7
Prerequisite: None
Description: Pre-Algebra is designed to
prepare students to take Algebra I. The
course includes a review of topics from general math, such as whole number
arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percent and measurement. Students are also given background in
beginning Algebra. Solving equations and
inequalities, word problems, graphing, square roots and polynomials are topics
included in the course.
Course: Pre-Algebra
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8
Prerequisite:
Description: Pre-Algebra is designed to
prepare students to take Algebra I. The
course includes a review of topics from general math, such as whole number
arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percent and measurement. Students are also given background in
beginning Algebra. Solving equations and
inequalities, word problems, graphing, square roots and polynomials are topics
included in the course.
Course: Algebra I *
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra
Required for all Freshmen
Description: Algebra introduces the student to the
vocabulary of Algebra and develops problem solving skills necessary to
translate words into mathematical symbols and equations. The topics covered include solving equations
and inequalities, factoring, rational fractions, and working with linear
equations and systems.
Course: Geometry *
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Description: Plane and solid geometry are
combined throughout the course. The
course is designed so that the student will understand the basic structure of
geometry. Topics studied include inductive
and deductive reasoning, properties of polygons and circles, two column proofs,
trigonometry, and coordinate geometry.
Algebraic skills are reviewed and strengthened through application in
solving geometry problems.
Science
Course: Life Science
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7
Prerequisite: None
Description: Life Science is the study of
natural life. Students will learn about
various topics, including: the structure
and function in living systems; reproduction and heredity; regulation and
behavior; population and ecosystems; and diversity and adaptations of
organisms. Students will be involved in
the education process through reading, taking notes, laboratory work, hands-on
projects and research.
Course: Earth Science
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7, 8
Prerequisite: None for 8th. Instructor Approval,
previous science grades, and achievement scores for 7th.
Description: This course covers material in the areas of mapping, minerals, rocks, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, weathering, erosion, oceanography and fresh water, meteorology and astronomy.
Course: Physical Science
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisite: None for 9th. Instructor Approval on 8th
grade.
Description: This course begins with
scientific method, measurements, and lab safety. It is an introduction to basic chemistry
including properties of matter, atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures, the
periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, carbons, balancing
chemical equations, and solution and nuclear chemistry. The course is also an introduction to basic
physics, including motion and energy, force and motion, fluids, simple machines,
sound, light, electricity, magnetism and alternative energy sources. Those 8th grade students planning to take
Biology I in the 9th grade must have Physical Science in the 8th grade.
Course: Biology I
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: Instructor Approval and Physical
Science in the 8th grade
Description: A beginning course in biology
laboratory work which involves the inquiry method. Included are the following areas of
study: basic concepts essential to the
study of all life, cell structure and function, DNA and genetics, viruses,
bacteriology and botany and ecology.
Course: Ecology
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: Ecology is a general study of the
environment. Our study introduces all of
the core classes and incorporates hands-on activities as often as
possible. The course also attempts to
heighten social awareness to environmental issues and concerns.
Social Studies
Course: Geography
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7
Prerequisite: None
Description: Students will study the various
cultures of different countries of the world, learning the location, capitals,
and various information concerning the countries. They will also study the earth's physical
makeup, environmental and social problems, and political differences of the
various countries. Capitalism and
communism will be compared. The states
and the
Course: American History, Government
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade:
Prerequisite: None
Description: This integrated course will
provide a comprehensive study of
Course:
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: Students will study the culture
and history of the state of
In the second semester, students will study contemporary issues at the local, regional, state, national and international levels. This course is designed to stimulate student discussion and teach about various issues in politics today. It is intended as an introductory course for early high school students about the problems of conflict and cooperation in politics at every level. Students will actively participate in debate of the vital questions of the day with fellow students.
Practical Arts
Course: Exploratory Studies
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: All 7th grade students
Prerequisite: None
Description: The course will introduce
students to a variety of courses through participation in six week block
courses. Every six weeks students will
rotate to another course. Students will
experience a wide range curriculum that spans across the practical and fine
arts, as well as learning specific skills to enhance academic performance. Possible classes involved in the rotation are
music appreciation, technology education, foreign language, arts, study skills,
computer, art, and career education.
Estimated cost of student projects: $10 fee for Tech Ed Explore and art projects.
Course: Vo Ag
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: Instructor Approval
Description: The course of instruction in this
class includes the following:
1) orientation and careers
2) introduction to FFA
3) Duties and
responsibilities of FFA members
4) Parliamentary
procedures and public speaking
5) Supervised
experience programs and record keeping
6) Livestock
feeding
7) Plant and
soil science
8) Mechanics
orientation and safety
9) Oxyacetylene
cutting
10) Introductory
arc welding
11) Cold metal
work
12) Fasteners
13) Farm safety
Course: Modern Living
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: Modern Living includes
instruction in the areas of clothing care and construction, foods and
nutrition, hygiene and personal development, child care and development,
consumer education, and basic housing and design.
Estimated cost of student projects: $30-$40
Course: Consumer Challenges
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: Modern Living and/or instructor
approval
Description: Consumer Challenges builds upon
skills learned in modern living in the areas of consumer education, food and
nutrition, clothing care and construction, and housing and home
furnishings. An entrepreneurial
component will be added to this course with career exploration done in each
area of study as well as class business projects.
Estimated cost of student projects: $30-$40
Course: Media Operations
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8, 9
Prerequisite: Instructor Approval
Description: Students can serve as aides in
the
Course: Technology Education
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 8. 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: Technology Education classes are
designed to provide a means through which academic courses such as math, science
and English are applied in a practical manner.
This is achieved by study in the fields of aerospace/flight, robotics,
structural engineering, electronics, screen printing, public speaking, research
and design, problem solving, control technology, drafting and computer assisted
drafting and design. These are just a
few of the sixteen areas of study.
Health, Physical
Education, Competitive Sports
Course: Boys' Physical Education/Health
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7, 8, 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: Physical Education is to educate
the student physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Activities are directed toward large groups
with emphasis on developing the basic skills.
Activities are softball, volleyball, basketball, football, track, soccer,
tumbling, aerobics, wrestling and group games. A uniform fee to cover shorts, shirt, and a
lock, may be assessed (not to exceed $30).
Course: Girls' Physical Education
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 7, 8, 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: Physical Education is to educate
the student physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Activities are directed toward large groups
with emphasis on developing the basic skills.
Activities are softball, volleyball, basketball, football, track, soccer,
tumbling, aerobics, and group games.
Course: Competitive Sports/Health Education
Length: 2 Semesters
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: None
Description: All students enrolling in any
sport need to be aware of the following:
1) A physical
examination will be necessary
2) Transportation must be provided for early and late
practices. Basketball players may be
required to report at 6:30 a.m. to the gym, and may be required to have
practice as late as 6:00 p.m.
Boys Girls
Fall Football Fall Softball
Winter Basketball Volleyball
Wrestling Winter Basketball
Spring Baseball Spring Tennis
Tennis Track
& Field
Track & Field Golf
Soccer (9th) Soccer
(9th)
Golf
** Availability of
all courses are subject to
