9th Grade Curriculum

Honors students are preparing for Advanced Placement (AP) classes in 11th and 12th grades. Because of this, Honors students will accept the challenge of American Literature in 9th grade, World Literature in 10th grade, and AP classes 11th-12th grades.

Writing assignments will focus on organization and communication through descriptive, narrative, research, analytical and creative writing techniques. On average, assignments will be 3-4 typed pages. Students will keep a portfolio of their work. All writing will be edited through Turnitin.com to avoid plagiarism. English assignments will focus on parts of speech, usage, punctuation, and other grammatical necessities needed for writing excellent papers.

Students will focus on identifying and discussing literary techniques, as well as engaging in literature from around the world. Honors students are expected to grapple with literary and writing complexity that is not teacher-led or initiated; they will learn how to tap in to their analytical and philosophical spheres beyond regular coursework.

Each Student will be required to read ONE AR book per semester off of an approved reading list. The following books will be read in class: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King, and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. Honors students may have extra reading or writing assignments that are exclusive to an honors class.

Spanish I is an interactive class. SMARTboard technology is incorporated to teach vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills. This class covers basic conversational vocabulary, the alphabet, the numbers 0-100, calendar months and days, colors, and any vocabulary correlating with text book chapters.

Spanish I also focuses on the correct use of personal pronouns, present tense of normal ‘ar/er/ir’ ending verbs as well as select irregulars, use of nouns, use of adjectives, use of demonstrative adjectives, and preterit tense of normal ‘ar/er/ir’ ending verbs as well as select irregulars.

Communication focuses on being able to interpret verbal and non-verbal cues to understand simple spoken and written messages in Spanish; being able to communicate with other students using simple Spanish vocabulary; being able to read written information in Spanish using correct pronunciation; and being able to present orally brief, rehearsed information in the Spanish.

As an expansion of Life Science, Biology serves to teach students about the basic biological themes and characteristics of life. We use and implement the Scientific Method to do this. We will cover other Biology topics that include but are not limited to: energy and matter, acids and bases, macromolecules, biochemistry, cell structure, homeostasis, and photosynthesis.

As an expansion of Life Science, Biology serves to teach students about the basic biological themes and characteristics of life. We use and implement the Scientific Method to do this. We will cover other Biology topics that include but are not limited to: energy and matter, acids and bases, macromolecules, biochemistry, cell structure, homeostasis, and photosynthesis.

Students enrolled in honors classes will learn the material in the standard course of study but at greater depth. Students who choose an honors science course are expected to work more independently than students in standard level courses. Because students can be expected to cover the standard level material more independently, there will be time for more enrichment topics.

World History is a one year course of study of ancient civilizations to modern society, including the foundation of human culture, government, religion, and social structures. Through the study of World History, a student will gain an understanding of the cause-and-effect aspects of history and the relationship of the past to the present. Students will gain an understanding of the interrelationship between geography, economics, government, culture, and history by examining the events which comprise the human experience. Students will also develop their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills using primary sources of material.

Honors World History is a one year course of study of ancient civilizations to modern society, including the foundation of human culture, government, religion, and social structures. Through the study of World History, a student will gain an understanding of the cause-and-effect aspects of history and the relationship of the past to the present. Students will gain an understanding of the interrelationship between geography, economics, government, culture, and history by examining the events which comprise the human experience. Students will also develop their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills using primary sources of material. Honors World History is designed to prepare the student to take Advance Placement history classes. Extensive instruction on independent study and note-taking, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of primary and secondary source material, as well as essay writing will be emphasized throughout the course.

In Geometry students develop reasoning and problem solving skills through the topics of congruence and similarity, and applying properties of lines, triangles, quadrilaterals and circles.  Concepts of length, perimeter, area, circumference, surface area and volume are studied.  Geometry expands student knowledge introduced in algebra.  Geometry provides instruction and practice on standardized test questions.  Technology support is available at classzone.com

The content of Algebra 1 is organized with special emphasis on linear and quadratic functions.  Students will learn to represent data in multiple ways- as verbal descriptions, equations, tables and graphs.  Algebra 1 includes lessons on probability and data analysis as well as exercises involving geometry.  Technology support for both learning algebra and preparing for standardized test is available at classzone.com.   Topics covered include real numbers, writing, solving and graphing linear equations with one and two variables, factoring and solving exponential and quadratic functions.

This course is designed to help students develop a healthy attitude toward lifetime fitness and to introduce a variety of recreations/leisure time activities. Various activities will be introduced throughout the year. Students are expected to dress out in JMA P.E. attire daily.

Instructional content will consist of vehicle operation, roadway rules, city – highway – and rural driving, driving conditions, emergencies, ownership and maintenance, and safety. Students are required to pass each unit with a 70% or better to move on to driving practice. Every ninth grade student will complete 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours behind the wheel driving.

(Additional fees apply)