CORTLAND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE CATALOG
Dear Junior High Students and Parents:
The school counselors would like to briefly explain the programs and courses available to you at
Cortland Junior High School as outlined in this catalog. As you are reviewing this course
catalog, it is important that you become responsible in knowing what the requirements are for
completing 7th and 8th grade.
In 7th grade, the following courses in the team area are taken each day: English 7, Social Studies
7, Math 7, Science 7, and Home and Career Skills. A 7th grade student will take either French or
Spanish one period per day for the entire year. In addition, students take Physical Education and
Art every other day all year. Seventh graders are required to take a Music course from the
following selections: Chorus, Orchestra, Band or General Music.
In 8th grade, the following courses in the team area are taken each day: English 8, Social Studies
8, Math 8, Science 8 and Technology. Students continue with either Spanish or French. In
addition, 8th grade students are required to take Physical Education and Health on an every other
day basis. Students in 8th grade may elect, with departmental approval, to take Art and/or Music
if they wish.
Based on achievement test results or teacher recommendation, a student in Junior High may be
assigned to a lab for extra help in English Language Arts and/or Math.
Promotion meetings held at the end of the school year center around the following criteria for
moving to the next grade level:
1.
The student must pass 3 of the 4 academic cores (English, Social Studies, Math
and Science).
2.
The student must have an overall average of 65. (Includes all subjects.)
The school counselor is more than willing to help in the course selection process for the next
school year. Please do not hesitate to seek our assistance by calling the Guidance Office for an
individual appointment at 758-4118.
Best Wishes,
The School Counseling Staff
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
7TH GRADE ..................................................................................................................................................................4
ENGLISH 7
1020 ..................................................................................................................................................4
SOCIAL STUDIES 7 2020 ........................................................................................................................................4
SCIENCE 7 4020 .......................................................................................................................................................4
FOREIGN LANGUAGE GRADE 7...........................................................................................................................4
JUNIOR HIGH SPANISH 7 OR FRENCH 7 15007 FRENCH; 5307 SPANISH ...................................................4
MATHEMATICS GRADE 7 ......................................................................................................................................5
MATHEMATICS 7A (ACCELERATED) 3010 ............................................................................................................5
MATHEMATICS 7 3020 .......................................................................................................................................5
FUNDAMENTALS OF MATH 3250 ....................................................................................................................5
ART 7
7010 ............................................................................................................................................................6
HOME AND CAREER SKILLS 7 7610 ...................................................................................................................6
MUSIC OFFERINGS – GRADE 7 ............................................................................................................................6
MUSIC ......................................................................................................................................................................6
MUSIC – JUNIOR HIGH GRADE 7 5610...........................................................................................................6
CHORUS – JUNIOR HIGH - GRADE 7 5660 ..........................................................................................................6
JUNIOR HIGH BAND 5710..................................................................................................................................6
JUNIOR HIGH ORCHESTRA 5730 .....................................................................................................................6
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 7 9007 BOYS 7 9070 GIRLS 7 .................................................................................7
8TH GRADE ..................................................................................................................................................................8
ENGLISH 8
1120 ..................................................................................................................................................8
ELA LAB – JR. HIGH 1065 ......................................................................................................................................8
SOCIAL STUDIES 8: UNITED STATES AND NEW YORK STATE HISTORY2120 .......................................8
SCIENCE 8 4120 .......................................................................................................................................................8
FOREIGN LANGUAGE GRADE 8...........................................................................................................................8
JUNIOR HIGH FRENCH 8 AR 5008 ....................................................................................................................8
JUNIOR HIGH SPANISH 8 AR 5008 ...................................................................................................................9
JUNIOR HIGH SPANISH 8 P 5309 .....................................................................................................................9
MATHEMATICS GRADE 8 ....................................................................................................................................10
MATHEMATICS 8 3120 .....................................................................................................................................10
FUNDAMENTALS OF MATH 3250 ..................................................................................................................10
ADVANCED ART 8 7020 .......................................................................................................................................10
JUNIOR HIGH HEALTH 9510 ............................................................................................................................... 10
INTRODUCTION TO TECHNOLOGY 8 7320 .....................................................................................................10
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MUSIC OFFERINGS – GRADE 8 ..........................................................................................................................11
MUSIC ....................................................................................................................................................................11
JUNIOR HIGH BAND 5710................................................................................................................................ 11
JUNIOR HIGH ORCHESTRA 5730 ...................................................................................................................11
CHOIR – JUNIOR HIGH - GRADE 8 5670 ..........................................................................................................11
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 8 9008 BOYS 8 9080 GIRLS 8 ...............................................................................11
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JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS
7th GRADE
ENGLISH 7
1020
Content: The course of study for English 7 concentrates on the development and integration of the four
communication skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Improvement of research and library
skills, refinement of study habits, and the acquisition of spelling and vocabulary skills are stressed as well.
Preparation and practice for the New York State seventh and eight grade ELA tests also occurs.
SOCIAL STUDIES 7
2020
Content: Social Studies 7 is a study of American History from the time of the American Indian
civilizations through the Civil War Period. Included in this study is a close look at New York State, its
development, its history and how it is governed. In Grade 8, similar subjects will be traced up to the
present day.
Seventh graders can also expect a continuation of the building of skills, which have been started in social
studies classes in elementary school.
SCIENCE 7
4020
Content: General Science 7 introduces students to basic skills and concerns in Life Science and Earth
Science. These skills include measurements (metric), use of the microscope and experimentation including
dissection of some preserved specimens. The main areas of study in Life Science are: The cell, the plant
kingdom, the animal kingdom, the human body, simple living things, and ecology. The areas of study for
Earth Science are: The interaction of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere, as well as volcano and
earthquake patterns, rock cycle, and weather and climate changes.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE GRADE 7
JUNIOR HIGH SPANISH 7 OR FRENCH 7
15007 French; 5307 Spanish
Content: All students are required to start their two-year study of a foreign language in seventh grade.
The junior high program offers French or Spanish. Emphasis is placed mainly on listening and speaking
with some reading and writing included. Main topics of study are: Personal Identification, Education,
Family, House and Home, Health and Welfare, Leisure, Shopping, Travel, Meal-taking, Community,
Physical Environment, and Professions.
ATTENTION: All students must pass the Foreign Language Proficiency Exam given at the end of
eighth grade, or pass a Level 1 Foreign Language course in order to graduate from High School.
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MATHEMATICS GRADE 7
MATHEMATICS 7A (Accelerated)
3010
Grade 7 – One Year
Prerequisite: Qualification for the course is based on prior testing and student identification/selection.
Testing Requirement: Locally prepared final exam (June) and New York State Mathematics 7 assessment
in March.
Content: The accelerated math program is for the superior mathematics student who has demonstrated
outstanding performance in problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and the basic skills of arithmetic.
The mathematics topics of both the 7th and 8th grade courses will be covered in ONE YEAR so that the
senior high school course Sequential Mathematics 1 may be taken in the 8th grade. It is expected that
students who qualify for this level of mathematics maintain a high average in their mathematics courses
and take mathematics through Calculus in their senior year in high school.
Once a student is in the accelerated mathematics program, continuation in the accelerated program is
totally performance based. The students in Math 7A and those 8th grade students in Sequential
Mathematics 1 are accountable for their academic performance and progress at two “checkpoints” during
each of these school years as indicated below.
Checkpoint #1 – End of the First Quarter of the school year
a. Quarter grade of less than 80: the student is transferred to a regular Math 7 or Math 8 class
b. First Quarter grade of 80-84: Accelerated mathematics program “Academic Probation” in
Math 7A or Sequential Math 1 for the remainder of the First Semester
Checkpoint #2 – End of the First Semester (end of the Second Quarter) of the school year.
The First Semester course average in Math 7A or Sequential Math 1 (cumulative average for the
first two quarters of the school year) must be 85 or higher to continue in the accelerated
mathematics program in Math 7A or Sequential Math 1
MATHEMATICS 7
3020
Grade 7 – One Year
Testing Requirement: Locally prepared final exam (June) and New York State Mathematics 7
assessment in March.
Content: Interpreting data and statistics, applications of decimals, algebra – integers, equations, patterns,
and functions, fractions and number theory, fraction applications, proportions and percent, geometry and
measurement, probability, coordinate plane graphing. For more details, see the district’s website for Grade
7 Mathematics and/or the NYSED Mathematics Core Curriculum.
FUNDAMENTALS OF MATH
3250
Grades 7 and/or 8
One Year – Every Other Day
Content: This is a remedial class for students who have been designated as being in need of additional
mathematics instruction (Academic Intervention Services) because of a low math score on the New York
State Mathematics 6 or 7 assessment. The instruction will be based primarily upon the individual
deficiencies/needs of each student with a focus toward improving their basic mathematical concepts and
skills and preparing them for the next New York State Mathematics assessment.
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ART 7
7010
Content: Art gives the student varied experiences in several art medias as well as an appreciation for the
world around them. They may work on design projects using drawing, painting and sculpture as they
explore the elements of art.
HOME AND CAREER SKILLS 7
7610
This course involves a program of instruction primarily through applied activities, which will help
adolescents live in a society of constant change. It also provides students with activities to prepare them to
meet their present and future responsibilities as family members, consumers, and wage earners. Great
emphasis is focused on the student’s ability to learn and practice skills of cooperation and problem solving.
Content: Modules discussing the following are included: Process Skills, Personal Care, Personal Living
Space, Working with Children, Career Exploration, Food, Nutrition and Wellness, Money Management,
and Consumerism and Personal Development.
MUSIC OFFERINGS – GRADE 7
MUSIC
The Junior High Performing organizations of Band, Chorus, and Orchestra are electives that will fulfill
General Music 7 requirements. Selection of these performing groups is based on the recommendation of
the music teacher. Students in Band and Orchestra can also elect to be in Chorus.
MUSIC – JUNIOR HIGH GRADE 7
5610
Content: Students will keep a notebook, which becomes their portfolio for the class. They will be
involved in activities of singing, playing instruments, and music appreciation. All students who are not in
one of the performing groups will be assigned to general music classes.
CHORUS – JUNIOR HIGH - Grade 7
5660
Prerequisite: Recommendation of elementary chorus teacher.
Content: Voices are checked for placement purposes. Musical skills are developed in rehearsal through
study and practice of vocal development, choral habits, reading music, and a variety of musical styles.
Students keep a notebook. All students perform in concerts in December and Spring. Selected students
perform in All-County Festival.
Combined 7th and 8th Grade classes
JUNIOR HIGH BAND
5710
Prerequisite: Recommendation of elementary band director.
Content: Rehearsals deal with musical development and exposure to a variety of styles composed and
arranged for the Concert Band. December and Spring Concerts are performed as well as selective AllCounty and Area All-State Band Competitions. Weekly lessons and daily practice are required.
JUNIOR HIGH ORCHESTRA
5730
Prerequisite: Recommendation of elementary orchestra director.
Content: Rehearsals are held as a string orchestra. Concerts are held in November, February and May.
Students are required to keep a skills proficiency notebook and complete a portfolio. Weekly lessons and
daily practice time are required.
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PHYSICAL EDUCATION 7
9007 Boys 7 9070 Girls 7
1. Required physical education classes meeting on alternate days are devoted to skill and rules
instruction.
2. A report card mark in physical education is an average of preparedness, skills tests, written tests, and
fitness tests.
3. Proper gym attire is required for all scheduled classes.
4. All physicians’ excuses should be taken to the school nurse before reporting to homeroom each
morning. A single day temporary illness may be excused by a parent note presented to the physical
education teacher. Any excuse of over two periods must be signed by a doctor.
5. Any absences from PE must be made up if full credit for the course is to be received
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JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OFFERINGS
8TH GRADE
ENGLISH 8
1120
Content: Along with practice on a concentration of essential reading, writing, listening, and speaking
skills. English 8 assists the students in bridging the gap between young adult and more challenging
literature. In writing, students are given the opportunity to practice with a variety of genres, which include
creative and expository tasks. Listening tasks are linked with reading comprehension skills to assist in
preparation of the New York ELA 8 test given in January.
ELA LAB – JR. HIGH
1065
Content: This course provides intense practice on the reading, listening, and writing skills demanded by
the seventh and eighth grade New York ELA exams given in January. Students are assigned to this course
primarily as a result of their scores on state ELA exams in sixth and seventh grade. Teacher
recommendation can also be used in determining placement. This course is typically assigned as part of
the state’s requirement to provide Academic Intervention Services (AIS) and therefore is mandatory for
assigned students.
SOCIAL STUDIES 8: United States and New York State History
2120
Content: Grade 8 Social Studies is a natural continuation of that which is presented in Grade 7, but
within a different time period. American History, with a special emphasis on developments in New York
State, is presented starting with the time just before the Civil War and continuing up to America in the
1960's. Eighth graders can expect to learn and continue to develop those skills, which have been started in
earlier years in school.
Units Covered: Division and Reunions (1850's-1880's); Economic Expansion (1865-1900); New York
in the Gilded Age (to about 1915); United States: A World Power (1900-1940); New York in a
Megalopolis Society and United States: A World Leader (1940 to present).
SCIENCE 8
4120
Content: General Science 8 introduces students to basic skills and concepts of Physical Science and Earth
Science. Physical Science is a study of matter and its physical and chemical properties. Much of the
student’s time is spent on laboratory activities to learn skills as well as scientific principles. Physical
Science topics include: motion, work, heat, waves, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism, as well as the
chemistry of matter. Earth Science topics of seasonal changes, interactions of air, water, and land, as well
as the interaction of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere will be covered.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE GRADE 8
JUNIOR HIGH FRENCH 8 AR
5008
(French 8 for Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation)
Content: The continuation of the required foreign language study is during eighth grade. Emphasis
continues to be on communication, listening and speaking, as well as reading and writing. Areas of study
are a continuation of Junior High French 7.
8
JUNIOR HIGH SPANISH 8 AR
5008
(Spanish 8 for Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation)
Content: The continuation of the required foreign language study is during eighth grade. Emphasis
continues to be on communication, listening and speaking, as well as reading and writing. Areas of study
are a continuation of Junior High Spanish 7 including grammatical concepts and thematic vocabulary
necessary for success at high school level 2. Passing the course and the Proficiency Exam are prerequisites for enrollment in high school Spanish 2.
JUNIOR HIGH SPANISH 8 P
5309
(Spanish 8 Proficiency Level Course)
Content: The continuation of the required foreign language study is during eighth grade. Emphasis
continues to be on communication, listening and speaking, as well as reading and writing, using specific
teaching techniques and modifications to facilitate passing the Proficiency Exam for completion of the
required credit. Selection is by teacher recommendation. This course is intended as an exit course. For
continued study of Spanish, students would need to take Spanish 1 at the high school level.
ATTENTION: The New York State Foreign Language Proficiency exam is the final exam for the twoyear study. Passing the Proficiency earns the student one credit toward high school graduation, with the
final course average being figured into their high school cumulative average. This allows the student to
enter Spanish 2 or French 2 (please note the specifics described above). All students must pass the Foreign
Language Proficiency Exam given at the end of eighth grade, or pass a Level 1 Foreign Language course
in order to graduate from High School.
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MATHEMATICS GRADE 8
MATHEMATICS 8
3120
Grade 8 – One Year
Testing Requirement: New York State Mathematics 8 assessment in March and locally prepared final
exam in June.
Content: Drawing conclusions from statistical data, algebra – integers, variable expressions, equations,
inequalities, coordinate plane graphing, rational and irrational numbers, applications of proportions and
percent, geometry and measurement, functions and polynomials, probability. For more details, see the
district’s website for Grade 8 Mathematics and/or the NYSED Mathematics Core Curriculum.
FUNDAMENTALS OF MATH
3250
Grades 7 and/or 8
One Year – Every Other Day
Content: This is a remedial class for students who have been designated as being in need of additional
mathematics instruction (Academic Intervention Services) because of a low math score on the New York
State Mathematics 6 or 7 assessment. The instruction will be based primarily upon the individual
deficiencies/needs of each student with a focus toward improving their basic mathematical concepts and
skills and preparing them for the next New York State Mathematics assessment.
ADVANCED ART 8
7020
Students must be recommended by their 7th grade art teachers. If students are not recommended for 8th
grade Art, they are encouraged to consider Comprehensive Art, New Media, or Studio in Art in Grade 9 or
in later years.
Content: In 7th grade the emphasis is on design based experiences. In 8th grade much time and effort is
given to drawing realistically observed objects. The course is a significant change from 7th grade and the
expectations are higher.
JUNIOR HIGH HEALTH
9510
Content: New York State requires that each student must successfully complete one-half year of health in
Junior High and one-half credit in Senior High. The eighth grade course is designed to be an introduction
to senior high health and, therefore, is a necessary requirement towards graduation. This comprehensive
course covers knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and life skills, including critical thinking, decision-making,
resistance, and coping skills. These skills are related to units on Consumer, Personal, Community, and
Environmental Health; Nutrition and Fitness; Wellness vs. Disease; Chemical Substances; Mental Health;
First Aid & Safety; and Human Growth, Development, Sexuality, and Family Life. All Health Education
courses provide valuable learning experiences for students to discover more about themselves and others as
they strive to develop and maintain healthy life-styles.
INTRODUCTION TO TECHNOLOGY 8
7320
This course involves a program of instruction designed to develop an understanding of problem solving
through the use of systems in fields such as production, transportation, and communications by
emphasizing applied activities through working with tools, machines, and devices used in the home and
workplace.
Content: Instruction includes modules addressing: What is technology, what is needed for technology,
how people use technology to solve problems, systems and subsystems, how technology affects people and
the environment, choosing the right resources, how resources are processed by technological systems, and
impacts, decisions, and choices about technology and you.
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MUSIC OFFERINGS – GRADE 8
MUSIC
The Junior High Performing organizations of Band, Choir, and Orchestra are electives that will fulfill
General Music 7 requirements. Selection of these performing groups is based on the recommendation of
the music teacher. Students in Band and Orchestra can also elect to be in choir.
Combined 7th and 8th Grade classes
JUNIOR HIGH BAND
5710
Prerequisite: Recommendation of elementary band director.
Content: Rehearsals deal with musical development and exposure to a variety of styles composed and
arranged for the Concert Band. December and Spring Concerts are performed as well as selective AllCounty and Area All-State Band Competitions. Weekly lessons and daily practice are required.
JUNIOR HIGH ORCHESTRA
5730
Prerequisite: Recommendation of elementary orchestra director.
Content: Rehearsals are held as a string orchestra. Concerts are held in November, February and May.
Students are required to keep a skills proficiency notebook and complete a portfolio. Weekly lessons and
daily practice time are required.
CHOIR – JUNIOR HIGH - Grade 8
5670
Prerequisite: Recommendation of director of this chorus
Content: Musical skills are developed in rehearsal through study and practice of vocal development,
changing voice, choral habits, reading music, and a variety of musical styles in three and four part
harmony. Students keep a notebook. All students perform in concerts in December and in spring.
Selected students perform in Area All-State and All County Festivals.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 8
9008 Boys 8 9080 Girls 8
1. Required physical education classes meeting on alternate days are devoted to skill and rules
instruction.
2. A report card mark in physical education is an average of preparedness, skills tests, written tests, and
fitness tests.
3. Proper gym attire is required for all scheduled classes.
4. All physicians’ excuses should be taken to the school nurse before reporting to homeroom each
morning. A single day temporary illness may be excused by a parent note presented to the physical
education teacher. Any excuse of over two periods must be signed by a doctor.
5. Any absences from PE must be made up if full credit for the course is to be received.
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