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Upper School Curriculum

Course Descriptions

English I

The English I course of study provides students the opportunity to hone the skills of composition and literary analysis, while developing productive and analytical thinking competency. This comprehensive, literature-based course utilizes the Holt Literature and Language Arts anthology as its major text. Students will engage in a literary journey from classic short stories and poetry to Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet" to Homer’s "Odyssey." We will also investigate significant works of non-fiction such as essays, speeches, and journalism. The class is an opportunity, not only to improve written and verbal expression, but also to discover what type of literature each student finds most personally relevant and engaging. Critical reading and the ability to engage in fluid, intelligent oral and written communication are life-long skills that begin in the English Language Arts classroom.

Geometry

Geometry, or "Earth‐measuring," is a branch of mathematics that deals with the properties, measurement and relationships of points, lines, angles, surfaces and solids. This course will mainly be a study of Euclidean geometry, which involves the study of one-, two- and three-dimensional figures. Geometry is axiomatic and constructive in nature. Thus, students will be developing strong reasoning skills, in order to justify statements and prove theorems, as well as constructing figures using only a compass and straightedge. Additionally, students can expect several activities, real‐world applications and discussions in class which will require further development of investigative, problem‐solving and communication skills. Other topics for the year include: triangle congruence and similarity, right triangle trigonometry, perimeter, area, volume, transformations and spatial reasoning.

Health and Wellness

The 9th grade Health and Wellness Program is designed to provide a foundation to organized exercise and essential health topics. This foundation is based upon the standards of two content areas, Physical Education and Health, as recognized by the California Department of Education.

Integrated Math

Integrated Math I topics include recognizing and developing patterns using tables, graphs and equations. Mathematical modeling is stressed as a methodology for approaching the solution to problems. Students will explore operations on algebraic expressions and apply mathematical properties to algebraic equations. Students will problem solve using equations, graphs and tables and investigate linear relationships, including comparing and contrasting options and decision-making using algebraic models. Reinforcement of topics from two-dimensional Geometry is integrated into this curriculum. This includes applications from area and perimeter, the Pythagorean Theorem and its applications and geometric proportion.

Introduction to Physical Science

Introduction to Physical Science will further students' understanding of the physical sciences (chemistry, physics and earth sciences). In the course, students will be able to relate the classroom activities to personal, local and global events associated with physical science. One purpose of the course is to help students develop problem solving and research skills, critically analyze experimental data and follow the appropriate use of laboratory equipment.

Math Lab

For two hours a week, the students will attend Math Lab where they will work on improving their basic math foundation knowledge. Also, the students will spend time gaining better study skills through a variety of academic activities. The computer aided learning website, Study Island, will identify areas that each student is weak in and then provide lessons to bridge the gap in their knowledge. The course is designed to make each person a stronger math student.

Spanish I

Spanish I will build the foundation for communicative competency by focusing on reading, writing, listening, speaking, and culture. Students will expand their prior knowledge of the subject by learning new vocabulary and using academic Spanish in formal contexts. Students will learn how culture influences language and vice versa. During the course of study, students will focus on the present and preterit tenses.

Writing Lab

Writing Lab is the companion course to English I. Twice a week, students meet for one hour to focus specifically on writing in terms of both process and product. The course includes instruction and practice with written conventions (grammar, usage and mechanics), and students will also work to develop authorial style across genres. Writing Lab activities include the use of the remarkable digital resource Study Island, and the teaching and practice of the iterative processes needed to produce compelling prose.