Wasatch Junior High School
Ninth Grade Course of Study
REQUIRED CLASSES
English 9 Core – Year
Students will gain skills and strategies necessary for proficient communication in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and
language. English students will be expected to participate in class and complete a variety of reading and writing assignments.
English 9 Core Honors
Honors English students are engaged learners who possess beyond- grade- level reading and writing abilities as well as critical
thinking skills, self-motivation, organization and the capability of maintaining a rigorous pace. A history of strong performance on
standardized tests and in Language Arts classes is essential for success in this course. Students will gain advanced skills and
strategies necessary for proficient communication in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language.
An Honors Student should expect to have homework on a regular basis which will be graded on a high standard. Students will
read challenging literature along with informational text and will write with increasing complexity.
English 9 Core - Gifted and Talented
Students must qualify for Gifted and Talented English through GSD testing. Classes are taught by teachers who have received
their GT endorsement. The emphasis in the language arts curriculum for GT students is on depth, complexity, acceleration,
novelty, critical analysis and problem-solving. Students should expect more complex regular homework which will be graded on
a GT standard. There is no place to sign up for this class on the registration form. Those who qualify will be placed automatically
in this class.
Geography for Life - Year
This course focuses on the interaction between our physical and cultural environments. Students study the five themes of
location, place, human environment interaction, movement and regions. Students will learn how geography influences human
behavior and the development of societies as well as the impact of geography on their own lives.
Geography for Life Honors
This course focuses on the interaction between our physical and cultural environments. Students study the five themes of
location, place, human environment interaction, movement and regions. Students will learn how geography influences human
behavior and the development of societies as well as the impact of geography on their own lives. Students taking the honors
course will be expected to do the following: outside scholarly reading, increased reading and writing, actively participating in
student-driven discussion, and the use of Cornell notes. Students will experience an increased amount of homework and
independent research outside of class, as well as project and problem-based learning. Highly proficient writing, self-motivation,
and a desire to participate in group and class wide discussions will be necessary for student success. It is recommended that
students enrolled in this course have received an “A” grade in their 8th grade U.S. History course.
AP Human Geography
The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that
have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students learn to employ spatial concepts and
landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about
the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications. The aim of the AP course is to provide students with
a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college-level introductory human geography courses. Students will
have the opportunity to take the AP test in May for $89 to receive college credit.
Science - Year
Earth Systems - Year
Earth Systems will cover the structure and processes on the Earth, including plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, weather
and meteorology, ocean and wind currents, weathering and erosion, as well as the solar system, stars and the universe.
Attention will also be given to ecosystems, energy resources and fossils.
Honors Biology
A course designed to cover biological topics and use inquiry and critical thinking skills. Students will focus on building from
concrete, hands on experience to a more abstract understanding of complex biological concepts. Students will participate in labs
that have relevance and relate to real life experiences. Students will dissect a fetal pig and various organs. Subjects studied
include: Ecology, the interaction of living things with their environment, the flow of energy and matter through an ecosystem;
cells, cell theory and cellular organelles as they perform functions necessary for homeostasis and life; the biochemistry of cells,
proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and the role of enzymes; cell division, mitosis and meiosis; cellular processes such as protein
synthesis, photosynthesis and cellular respiration; the structure of DNA and it’s replication; Genetics, including Mendel’s laws of
segregation and independent assortment and their role in genetic variation and inheritance; evolution and biological diversity as
a result of the evolutionary process; the structure and function of organs and their relationship to organ systems; classification of
organisms based on similarities in evolutionary relationships; Students will research, formulate and defend a perspective on a
Bioethical issue such as cloning, stem cell research, or genetic engineering. Students will research and debate genetic
technologies that may improve quality of life.
Gifted & Talented Biology
This course is provided for students who are identified by district evaluation as gifted and talented. The intent of the course is to
advance beyond the core Biology standards, encouraging depth of study and exploring current advances in Biology. The
coursework develops science process skills, critical thinking and application of biological principles to real-world issues. Students
will do extensive reading outside of the textbook, including articles from science journals. Significant writing is involved and good
writing skills are required. Pacing of instruction is rapid with minimal review. Students should expect to spend a minimum of 2
hours per week in study and review of material learned in class. This is a lab-oriented class with open inquiry and biotechnology
labs requiring analysis and critical thinking skills, with lab write-ups frequently completed at home. There is no place to sign up
for this class on the registration card. Students who qualify will automatically be placed in the class unless they request
otherwise.
Mathematics - Year
Current teacher’s signature required for placement in all math classes.
Secondary Mathematics I
Students will deepen and extend understanding of linear relationships, in part by contrasting them with exponential
phenomenon, and in part by applying linear models to data that exhibit a linear trend. Students will use properties and theorems
involving congruent figures to deepen and extend understanding of geometric knowledge. Algebraic and geometric ideas are
tied together. Students will experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to
make sense of problem situations.
Secondary Mathematics I Honors
Mathematics I Honors will deepen and extend understanding of linear relationships, in part by contrasting them with exponential
phenomenon, and in part by applying linear models to data that exhibit a linear trend. Students will use properties and theorems
involving congruent figures to deepen and extend understanding of geometric knowledge. Algebraic and geometric ideas are
tied together. Students will experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to
make sense of problem situations. Honors students will represent quantities, model, and perform operations using vectors and
use matrices to perform operations and solve problems.
Secondary Mathematics 2 Honors
Students will focus on quadratic expressions, equations, and functions, extend the set of rational numbers to the set of complex
numbers, link probability and data through conditional probability and counting methods, study similarity and right triangle
trigonometry, and study circles with their quadratic algebraic representations. Honors students will also represent complex
numbers and their operations on the complex plane, solve systems of equations, prove and apply trigonometric identities,
express conic sections algebraically, and solve problems using volume measurements.
FULL YEAR ELECTIVES
Instrumental Music
Students must own or rent instrument- Instructor’s approval required for every instrumental class except Cadet
Orchestra and the Foundations classes.
Foundations for Woodwinds and Percussion- This class is designed to help students develop a good foundation on their
woodwind (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone) and mallet percussion instruments. Please consult with the teacher before
choosing/purchasing an instrument.
Foundations for Brass- This class is designed to help students develop a good foundation on their brass instruments (trumpet,
horn in F, trombone, euphonium, tuba). Please consult with the teacher before choosing/purchasing an instrument.
Concert Band - This is the advanced band of the school. It will consist of the most advanced wind and percussion players.
Cadet Orchestra - This class serves as a transition from the foundation classes to the concert orchestra.
Concert Orchestra - This advanced orchestra course is designed for students who are skilled string players.
Jazz Band - Offers experience in playing the more intricate and complex rhythms and harmonies characteristic of the jazz idiom.
Sight-reading and improvisations skills are important in this class and will be developed.
Vocal Music Vocal Ensembles - This audition group is an advanced performing choir for all voices. Dance Company
Pre-requisite: Audition and Instructors Approval. Dance is an expressive and physical performing art form. Students will
continue to build skills and knowledge of technique, improvisation, choreography, artistic expression, and working with others in
an artistic way. In this company level dance class, students will also build their skill level in performance.
They will learn to develop and showcase the skills necessary to become an artistic performer.
Journalism
Students gain a knowledge and appreciation of newspapers and establish standards by which to judge journalistic writing.
Students practice language fundamentals and develop writing techniques appropriate to this genre while gaining skills in editing
and proofreading. Teacher’s signature required.
Dance Company
Pre-requisite: Audition and Instructors Approval. Dance is an expressive and physical performing art form. Students will
continue to build skills and knowledge of technique, improvisation, choreography, artistic expression, and working with others in
an artistic way. In this company level dance class, students will also build their skill level in performance. They will learn to
develop and showcase the skills necessary to become an artistic performer
Foreign Language
French 1
Emphasis is placed on listening and speaking skills, though reading and writing are addressed. This course provides for the
learning of dialogues, common words and expressions and basic language structure as well as oral practice of the language.
French 2
This course continues the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Narratives and dialogues are used to
teach structure and vocabulary. Culture and geography of the native country are taught through reading selections.
Prerequisite: French 1 or equivalent.
French 3 Prerequisite: French 2
Spanish 1
Emphasis is placed on listening and speaking skills, though reading and writing are addressed. This course provides for the
learning of dialogues, common words and expressions and basic language structure as well as oral practice of the language.
Spanish 2
This course continues the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Narratives and dialogues are used to
teach structure and vocabulary. Culture and geography of the native country are taught through reading selections.
Prerequisite: Spanish 1 or equivalent.
Spanish 3 Prerequisite: Spanish 2
Chinese 1 (Mandarin)
This is a beginning course. Listening and speaking skills will be emphasized but students will also be introduced to written
Chinese characters. Chinese culture will be studied trough out the course.
HALF YEAR ELECTIVES
ART
Art Foundations 2
Instruction expands the concepts taught in Foundations 1 with emphasis on representative and interpretive drawing with further
emphasis on color and design concepts, proportion, value, depth, and the use of creative expression as they apply to drawing
landscapes, portraits, animals, cartoons, and manmade devises. Aesthetics, higher level thinking skills, divergent production,
and art criticism are addressed as well. Prerequisite: Art Foundations 1
3 D Design Art
Students will be exposed to basic processes or techniques relating to wood design, leather design, floral and glass design,
paper craft, metal design, tile murals, mosaics and mobile sculpture. Higher level thinking skills, divergent production, and art
criticisms are also emphasized.
C.T.E. – Career and Technical Education
Word Processing Basics
This course introduces basic word processing skills. These skills include editing and proofreading documents, performing file
management procedures, and creating applicable business documents to simulate a real-life job environment.
Computer Technology
An introduction to computer application software that encompasses document processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. An
understanding of ethics and use of operating systems, information resources, and electronic mail is included. Skills gained will
be demonstrated by creating a project for a different content area.
Prerequisite: Keyboarding or Word Processing
Gateway to Technology
This is an activity oriented course integrating math, science and technology. Students will study engineering design,
communications technologies and aerospace engineering. This is an exciting course that helps students relate technology to
their lives in a project based learning environment.
Gateway to Engineering
This is the second course in the “Gateway” series. Gateway to Engineering is an activity-oriented course exploring automation,
robotics, electronics, and other related technology topics. This is an exciting course that will help students see the application of
academics in a project-based learning environment.
Prerequisite: Gateway to Technology and Teachers signature required
Manufacturing Technology
Student activities and projects will explore hand and machine processes used in fabricating materials such as wood, metals, and
plastics; mass production techniques and related careers opportunities. Teachers signature required
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE
Teen Living
Students develop the skills to understand and cope with individual, family and social problems with emphasis placed on
communication and decision-making skills.
Food and Nutrition
This course integrates the knowledge of nutrition and healthy lifestyle principles with food preparation.
Dance 1A (Beginning)
This course is a prerequisite for all other dance courses.
Students will experience dance technique and the development of physical strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination, and
total fitness. Students will expand their dance vocabulary and skills, and develop creative abilities through improvisation,
choreography, and performance. Students will also be exposed to the history and cultural origins of dance.
Dance 2A (Intermediate)
Dance is a universal language, an expressive and vibrant art with the capacity to unify the physical, mental, social, emotional,
aesthetic, and spiritual. This intermediate level dance course builds dance knowledge and skills in technique, improvisation,
choreography, artistic expression, performance, history, culture, life skills, and connections to other curricular areas. The
prerequisite :Dance 1A or by teacher approval and signature.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students become involved in and adopt a personal lifestyle of regular physical fitness. They identify and understand all
components of fitness including weight control, nutrition, caloric expenditure and stress management.
THEATRE
Theatre 1A (Beginning)
In this course, the skills learned in Theatre Foundations 1A are advanced and expanded–speech techniques, oral presentation,
characterization and acting techniques, stage production and communication skills.
Theatre 1B (Intermediate)
This course emphasizes advanced speech techniques, oral presentation, acting techniques and performing. Prerequisite:
Theater Foundations 1A
Theatre 2A
This course emphasizes advanced speech techniques and oral presentation. Students are exposed to characterization, acting
techniques and stage production while learning to appreciate the stage and developing interpersonal communication skills. The
reading of plays and the history of the theatre are included. Prerequisite: Theater 1A or 1B
VOCAL MUSIC
Mixed Chorus Training and performance opportunities for all voices.
9th grade Vocal Ensemble:
Students will have the opportunity to sing complex choral pieces that challenge their independence as singers. Students will
have many concerts and student expectations are higher than mixed chorus. Teacher signature required.