th
8
Grade
Course
Selection
Carl Sandburg Middle School

This is an overview of high school expectations, as well
as descriptions of all available 9th grade courses. Please
understand that students are not guaranteed their first
choice in major electives. Students will be selecting six
(6) elective courses numbered in order of preference.
Please be sure that your child understands the
expectations of a course before selecting it.

English, Social Studies, Math, Science and Physical
Education are courses required for graduation by the
state of Pennsylvania. The current teacher will
recommend the next sequential course.

Any student who successfully completes Accelerated
Algebra (Algebra I) in 8th grade and is recommended
may be eligible for Geometry & Biology in 9th grade.
Admission to Honors English and Honors Social Studies
is also by teacher recommendation.
RECOMMENDATIONS

It is important that course selections be made with regard to
the individual’s needs, aptitude, ability, and interests.

Students are encouraged to ask questions of their guidance
counselors, teachers and parents

A grade of “C” is the minimal grade which a student may
earn in order to be recommended for continued study in
sequential subjects which also require the recommendation
of the present teacher in that subject area.

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN THEIR
SELECTED COURSES FOR A FULL YEAR.
Mathematics
A minimum of three credits
of mathematics is required
for graduation from high
school (grades 9-12). All
ninth grade students must
enroll in one math class.
The following table may be used to help you decide which math courses you
should be taking each year in Grades 9-12. Start on the left side under Grade
9 at the appropriate course and follow your sequence to the right. Make sure
you have the prerequisites for the course you select.
GRADE 9
GRADE 10
GRADE 11
GRADE 12
Geometry
Honors Math 1
Honors Algebra 2
Acc. Algebra 2
Honors Math 2
Honors PreCalculus
PreCalculus
AP Calculus
Honors Calculus
Calculus
Acc. Algebra 2
Algebra 2
PreCalculus or
Algebra 3
Informal Geometry
Algebra/Geometry 3
Algebra 2
Algebra 1, Part 2
Acc. Geometry
Algebra 1
Informal Geometry
Algebra/
Geometry 1
Algebra/Geometry
2
SCIENCE
A minimum of three science
credits is required in
grades 9-12 for graduation
from Neshaminy High
School. All ninth and tenth
grade students are required
to schedule a science course.

GRADE 9
GRADE 10
Honors Biology I
Honors Chemistry
I
Physical Science
Biology I College
Prep
Physical Science
Biology I
Foundation
GRADE 11
GRADE 12
Honors Physics I Honors Chemistry II
Honors Physics II
AP Biology, AP Environmental Studies
or AP Physics
Honors Biology II or Human Anatomy
Chemistry I
College Prep
Physics I
College Prep
Chemistry I
Physics I
Career Prep
Career Prep
Environmental Studies or Earth
Science
ENGLISH
Four credits of English are required
for graduation from high school.
All English courses contain
elements of the fundamental
strands of communication:
reading, writing, listening,
speaking, viewing, and visually
representing. Since all English
courses involve reading and
writing, instruction and practice in
critical thinking is inherent in
English courses at all grade levels.
All English courses are sequential,
and students must pass prerequisite courses before enrolling
in subsequent courses
GRADE 9
GRADE 10
GRADE 11
GRADE 12
English 9
Honors
English 10
AP Prep
English 11
AP Language
and
Composition
English 12
AP Literature and
Composition
English 9
Honors
English 10
Honors
English 11
Honors
English 12
Honors
English 9
English 10
College Prep
English 11
College Prep
English 12
College Prep
English 9
English 10
Career Prep
English 11
Career Prep
English 12
Career Prep
English 9
English 10
Basic Instruction
English 11
Basic Instruction
English 12
Basic Instruction
SOCIAL STUDIES
ALL NINTH GRADE STUDENTS ENROLL
IN AMERICAN HISTORY PART II
CIVIL WAR - WORLD WAR II
During this course, students analyze how the Civil War affected the
concepts of equality and liberty. They evaluate the impact of the
Industrial Revolution on economic, social, and political institutions.
Students will also analyze the effect the United States emergence
as a world power had on domestic and international affairs and
policies. Students identify elements of the social transformation
that took place following World War I and how the United States
government expanded its role to solve the Great Depression. They
also analyze the events associated with World War II and how
these impacted the social, political and economic environment in
the United States.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
All 9th grade
students must enroll
in a physical
education course
each year and
complete a planned
course of health in
high school.
Dress Requirements

Physical education is different from other school areas.
Participation in activity is a major ingredient. Student
dress should encourage active and safe participation.
Dress may be activity specific. One of our concerns is
not to burden parents with additional costs for special
clothing.

In the aquatics portion of class, activities may include
practicing survival and rescue skills, diving, climbing in
and out of canoes, kayaks and rafts, and a variety of
other water activities. Students should dress in swimsuits
that are appropriate for such activities. Students may
wear T-shirts for added protection or to make them feel
more comfortable.
Each student can select a
minimum of 2 full-year
courses or a maximum of
4 semester-length
courses
ART

The ninth grade elective art program offers an intensive
study of fine arts every day for a full year. Course work
includes an introduction to art appreciation in conjunction
with experiences in the following areas: Basic Design—
explores the principles and elements of design; Drawing
and Painting—develops skills in a variety of
drawing/painting media;

Ceramics and Sculpture—working with 3-dimensional
concepts and materials. Regular sketchbook activities are
assigned. This course provides students with an excellent
preparation for the Advanced Art Program offered at the
high school.
MUSIC
The 9th grade elective music program is designed to meet the multiple
needs of students interested in expanding their appreciation and study of
music. Both courses provide excellent preparation for the courses
offered at the high school.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
The Instrumental class is offered to ninth grade
students who, for the first time, have the
opportunity to perform on a daily basis and
develop their musicianship. Students will perform,
learn conducting, music theory, compose music
and develop daily ensemble techniques. Students
should have at least 3 years performance
experience in Band or Orchestra.
VOCAL MUSIC
The Vocal Music major interests both choral
students and students who want to develop their
vocal technique. The course focuses on five
areas: vocal training, music theory, ensemble
singing, musical theater, and basic guitar
accompaniment. There is a co-curricular
requirement for this course.
BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY
AND COMMUNICATIONS
Two semester business courses
meets the elective requirement
for the BCIT Certificate
Program at the high school.
If you enjoy working on computers,
this is the course for you! This
advanced level, hands-on computer
course allows students to acquire
skills and knowledge needed to
succeed in today’s technological age.
Units in Business Communication,
Desktop Publishing, PowerPoint, the
Internet and Web Page Design will
be integrated into the curriculum.
These skills will help produce a
graduation project. The expertise
acquired in this course can be
applied and utilized in all other
curriculum areas. Proficiencies
learned enable students to prepare
for college, career or personal use.
BUSINESS BASICS
Success starts here. Business Basics is an introductory course that
emphasizes basic business functions and operations. Students learn
about a world of opportunity in the business community and the skills
needed to compete successfully as consumers and workers. Students
gain real world experience as they explore units in advertising,
investments, banking, consumer credit, career awareness and college
searches.
Two semester business courses meets the elective requirement for the
BCIT Certificate Program at the high school.
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE
This course provides students in
9th grade the opportunity to
continue the development of the
skills and understanding necessary
for personal, family and community
living. It includes experiences in
food labs, nutrition, clothing and
textiles. Students will have the
opportunity to participate in
service-learning projects that focus
on community sharing. By
incorporating academic learning
into community projects, we are
able to foster service and
responsibility in our young people.
AN INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT
The Family & Consumer Science Department
introduces a brand new elective for our ninth
grade students who have an interest in the
physical, intellectual, emotional, and social
growth and development of children.
Classroom experience rich in discovery, hands-on activities, observations,
and innovative projects. This course is designed, however, to be the first
in a sequence of courses leading to a nationally recognized credential: the
Child Development Associate or the C.D.A.
Students benefit by obtaining the formal child care education candidacy
requirements for the C.D.A. credential. These hours, kept on record at the
C.D.A. Council in Washington, can be applied to the credential when
needed or combined with the necessary laboratory experience attained in
the Child Development and Parenting courses at the high school while
working directly with 3 to 5 year old children in the nursery school.
Students will have the opportunity to volunteer their time out side of the
school day at local day care centers to start earning some of their
childcare experience hours before attending the high school.
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
Students in this class will further explore concepts learned in 6th
through 8th grade in the areas of communications, manufacturing,
construction, power, energy and transportation.
Students will continue to gain knowledge
and experience in problem solving, critical
thinking, materials selection and machine
and tool application. An emphasis will be
placed on developing technological literacy
skills that will help students learn and
adapt to our rapidly changing society.
Some of the student activities include:
designing and creating a CO2 race car,
developing and manufacturing (mass
producing) a product concept,
construction of a scale-model structure,
and an introduction into basic architectural
design.
ARCHITECTURE &
INTERIOR DESIGN
This introductory course allows students to
explore many of the occupations that are
related to the designing and furnishing of
residential and commercial structures.
Students gain basic knowledge, in both
Architectural and Interior Design, and are
provided with the opportunity to create and
model a structure of their choice. Students
develop a set of house plans and then
construct a 3-dimensional scale model of
their design. They then finish and furnish
many of the rooms in their house. Students
gain skills in design, sketching, Computer
Aided Drawing and Design (CADD) and
modeling as well as visual presentation
skills.
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
This course will provide students with the opportunity to
explore concepts in both graphic and electronic creativity,
and innovation to produce ideas and images through
visual media. Students will learn how to produce, edit and
present material in a digital format. Verbal presentation
skills will be enhanced as the students learn to prepare
various types of presentations. This class will produce
school videos for broadcast on the new morning
announcements “live show” format that will be seen by all
of the students of Carl Sandburg each day.
DESIGN & APPLIED ENGINEERING
This course is designed to allow students to experience a variety of
hands-on activities in which they design, model and test solutions
to real world problems. These problem-solving activities allow
students to explore occupations such as Structural Engineer,
Draftsman, and Model Maker.
Students gain valuable skills in design,
sketching, technical drawing, Computer
Aided Drawing and Design (CADD),
measurement and modeling. Students
in this course use current industrial
software applications that allow them
to design and model in 2D and 3D
modes. This course is recommended to
all students, especially to those who
are interested in pursuing a career in
Engineering or Architecture. This
course is a prerequisite for additional
high school technical drawing
programs.
WORLD LANGUAGES
The basic goal of World Languages study is to
provide students with the opportunity to develop
communication skills (listening, speaking,
reading, and writing) in another language.
Courses are offered in French and
Spanish. A student should maintain a
“C” average in order to continue to
the next level. Since knowledge of a
second language and the ability to
communicate effectively in that
language develop over a long period
of time, it is highly recommended that
a student complete the fourth or fifth
year of studying the chosen language.
LEARNING SUPPORT
Students with special needs will continue to
receive support as indicated in their IEP. Various
levels of support including replacement learning
support classes, and resource room are offered to
our 9th grade students.