Curriculum Night
January 17, 2013
WELCOME!
Agenda
Miss Herbaugh, Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Frederick, English Dept.
Mrs. Swales and Mrs. Taneyhill, GACTC
Mrs. Craig, Mathematics Dept. Chairperson
Mrs. Hurd, Social Studies Dept. Chairperson
Mr. Tinker, Science Dept. Chairperson
Mrs. Stern, Foreign Language Dept. Chairperson
Are You Ready For 9th Grade?
Things to Consider:
– High School Students Housed at the JH
– Transcripts Generated
– Credits Earned
– NCAA Eligibility
– Course Expectations Increase
– Independence/Maturity Expected
NCAA
NCAA Parent Letter
NCAA Brochure
NCAA Booklet
NCAA Considerations
If you plan to play a sport at the Division I or
Division II level, you must meet certain
course requirements set forth by the NCAA.
Our Civics 9 class is not acknowledged by
the NCAA. Therefore, you should not take
this course if you need to meet eligibility for
college level sports.
Scheduling Musts
Schedule no less than 7 units/credits per year
Must accumulate 27 units/credits to graduate
4 units each of: Communications , Social Science,
Natural Science and Math
2 units each of: Physical Education (.5 units x 4 years)
and Health (.5 units x 4 years)
1 unit of Computer Science and Humanities
5 units of Electives
Foreign Language is not a Hollidaysburg Area
Graduation Requirement, but is highly recommended by
prospective post secondary institutions.
Criteria for Course Enrollment
Students are scheduled for classes based on prior
performance/grades and teacher
recommendations.
NEW: Successful Completion of Keystone Exam is
now a prerequisite for certain courses .
See scheduling sheet and Course Description Booklet for more details.
Special Entrance Requirements
Certain 9th grade electives have
entrance requirements
Intro to Art: Portfolio
Due: February 8 to
Mrs. Wertz-Leiden (Room 132)
Tiger TV: Application
Due: February 8 to the Guidance Office
Anatomy: Essay
Due: February 8 to the Guidance Office
Scheduling Timeline
Miss Herbaugh will give scheduling
presentations to students January 14th
Scheduling Sheets and applications due to
Guidance Office by February 8th
Transition to HS Conferences begin January
22nd
Individual selections entered in system
Master schedule for entire building is completed
Course Request Verifications mailed home
Students receive schedule in June
Transition to High School
Conferences
 Career and Educational Planning Session
 Individual conference with a guidance counselor
 Preparation for 9th grade
 Review of Guidance Curriculum/Career Pathways Activities
 PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THESE CONFERENCES AFTER THE
PRESENTATION OR BY CALLING THE GUIDANCE OFFICE
Education with a purpose
Pathway Option with
Cluster Areas
Business
– Computer Information Systems
– Business Administration,
Marketing, Mathematics, Sales
Pathway Option with
Cluster Areas
Communications
– Journalism, Language Arts,
Media, Public Relations
– The Arts – Music, Theater, Visual
Pathway Option with
Cluster Areas
Engineering and Industrial
– - Architecture, Construction,
Manufacturing
– - Material Sciences and Nanofabrication
Pathway Option with
Cluster Areas
Human Services
– Consumer Services and Human
Development
– Education, Government, Law
Pathway Option with
Cluster Areas
Science
– Biomedical, Physical, Earth
Science
– Environmental
Greater Altoona Career and
Technology Center
English
Mrs. Frederick
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
Honors English
Honors English is a rigorous class that is intended to
prepare students to continue on in the High School
Honors Curriculum. Students must be excellent readers
and writers, with a strong work ethic. They must be
prepared to complete assignments, including a great
deal of reading, independently. All students in Honors
English will complete cross-curricular projects
(approximately one per marking period) regardless of
the level of Civics they choose to schedule. Students
will have a summer reading assignment.
What We Read – Independent Reads
The Alchemist – Paulo Coehlo
The Book Thief-- Markus Zusak
The Sledding Hill – Chris Crutcher
Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
Of Mice & Men – John Steinbeck
Night – Elie Wiesel
Romeo & Juliet – William Shakespeare
Accelerated Reader – 25 points per marking
period
“My Year With” – A year long reading project
with a student selected author.
What We Read - Instructional
Short Stories – Varied
Poetry - Varied
Saki & O. Henry Mini Unit – 3 Stories by
each
Edgar Allen Poe Mini Unit – Multiple
Works
The Harlem Renaissance – Thematic Unit
The Holocaust – Thematic Unit
Othello – William Shakespeare
Vocabulary Development
Vocabulary Workshop Level D – one unit
per week, including review and cumulative
review units
Literature, Grammar, and Composition
Terms & Definitions
Vocabulary as used in the context of
reading materials
Grammar & Composition
One grammar unit (chapter) per marking period
–
–
–
–
Basic Parts of the Sentence (review)
Diagramming basic parts of the sentence
Phrases and Clauses
Writing Effective Sentences
Three to five compositions per marking
period, both in and out of class
•
•
•
•
Narrative, Expository and Persuasive
Writing in response to literature
Formal Research Papers following MLA format
Poetry and Creative writing
Final Exam
Vocabulary Units 1-15
All grammar content
Essay based on literature selections from
the year
Four days of testing
Civics
Mrs. Hurd
Curriculum
College Bound VS. Honors
Course Content Is the Same
Increased Expectations for Honors Classes
Quality of Work
Amount of Work
Pacing
Reading and Writing Skills
Summer assignment
Which level is best for my child?
Considerations
– Work ethic
– Interest in subject matter
– Extracurricular activities
– Independence in learning
– Academic and career goals
– Grades vs. challenge
Prerequisites for Honors Level
Successful completion of 8th grade PreHonors class
95% in 8th grade CB class and teacher
recommendation
Long-term planning - FYI
10th Grade AP European History
Prerequisites
– Honors Civics
– Honors English
– 92% average in both
– Screener test
Mathematics
Mrs. Craig
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
8th to 9th Grade Transition
EIGHTH GRADE
% REQUIREMENT
70% ↑
Algebra II
NINTH GRADE
Honors Geometry
69% ↓
Algebra I
95% ↑
70%-94%
CB Geometry
69% ↓
Algebra IA
70% ↑
Algebra IB
Honors Geometry
Prerequisite:
Successful completion of Algebra 2 or a 95% or higher in
Algebra 1
Topics to be covered:
Interrelationships Between Points, Lines, and Planes, Angle
Relationships, Parallel Lines, Polygons and Similarity,
Conditionals and Logic, Triangle Relationships and Right
Triangle Properties, Perimeter, Area, Surface Area, and
Volume, Circles, Introductory Trigonometry
Direct and indirect proofs are done in a manner which
follows rigid mathematical procedure.
Sequence through Grade 12
9
Honors Geometry
10
Honors Trigonometry & Pre-calculus or
Honors Algebra 2
11
AP Calculus AB
Honors Calculus or Calculus
Honors Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus
AP Statistics or Honors Probability & Statistics
12
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB or Calculus
AP Statistics or Honors Probability & Statistics
CB Geometry
Prerequisite:
Successful completion of Algebra 1 and Pass the Algebra 1
Keystone Exam.
Topics to be covered:
Interrelationships Between Points, Lines, and Planes,
Angle Relationships, Parallel Lines, Polygons and
Similarity, Conditionals and Logic, Triangle Relationships
and Right Triangle Properties, Perimeter, Area, Surface
Area, and Volume, Circles, Introductory Trigonometry
Course includes some, but not an extensive amount of
proofs and deals mainly with geometric concepts.
Sequence through Grade 12
9 CB Geometry
10 Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2
11 Honors Trigonometry & Pre-calculus
Trigonometry & Pre-calculus
AP Statistics
Honors Probability & Statistics
12 AP Calculus AB
Calculus
AP Statistics
Honors Probability & Statistics
ALGEBRA 1B
Prerequisite:
Successful completion of Algebra 1A
Topics to be Covered:
Review of Algebra 1A, Solving Systems of Linear Equations and
Inequalities, Working with Polynomials, Factoring Polynomials,
Quadratic Functions, Exponents, Rational Expressions and
Equations, Radical Expressions and Equations
Students will take the Algebra 1 Keystone Exam in May. The test
covers all content from the Algebra 1A course and Algebra 1B
course. Students must pass this exam for graduation
requirements.
Sequence through Grade 12
9 Algebra 1B
10 Geometry or Integrated Math 1
11 Algebra 2 or Geometry or
Integrated Math 2
12 Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus or Algebra 2
or Integrated Math 3
Science
Mr. Tinker
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
9th Grade Science Courses
Honors Biology
College Bound Science 9
Science 9
Anatomy/Physiology (elective)
Honors Biology
Course Description: Honors Biology is part of the
honors curricula of ninth grade geared to academically accelerated
students who show an interest in and aptitude for the sciences. The
course is designed to challenge the student to incorporate and apply
the basic content of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology,
zoology, and ecology and to foster skills of independent
learning. The course emphasizes the scientific method, laboratory
skill development, and empirical observation through a series of
laboratory and classroom activities. The basic objectives of the
course are designed to develop an interest in the biological sciences
and to stimulate creative thought through application of biological
concepts and laboratory investigations.
Prerequisite:
or a 95% in CB Science 8
Successful completion of Pre-Honors Science 8
College Bound Science 9
Course Description: This course is for academic
students whose career path will follow a curriculum revolving
around classes of the college preparatory level. It continues
the Junior High sequence of PA state standards aligned to
physical and earth science. The course covers the four main
topics of Chemical Interactions, Sound, Light & Electricity,
Astronomy, and Environment & Ecology. The course
continues to foster the development and application of
problem-solving and thinking skills.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of College Bound
Science 8 or 95% average and teacher recommendation for
Science 8.
Science 9
Course Description: Science 9 continues
the Junior High sequence based upon
content and the state standards. This course
for general education students is broken into
four major areas of scientific study: Chemical
Interactions, Sound Light & Electricity,
Astronomy and Environment & Ecology.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of
Science 8.
Anatomy/Physiology
Course Description:
Human Anatomy and
Physiology is a one-semester ninth grade elective
designed to give students an introduction to the structure
and function of the human body. Students study each
body system beginning at the cellular level while also
learning the interactions among the systems. In addition,
the students are introduced to various occupations within
the medical field through in-class visits from medical
professionals and field trips.
Prerequisite: Interested 8th grade students must submit
an essay explaining their interest in the medical field and
the reasons they desire to take this course.
Foreign Languages
Mrs. Stern
Curriculum
Criteria
Expectations
World Language Options
French
German
Latin
Spanish
Why take a World Language?
Helps with understanding English
– Vocabulary
Develops an appreciation of other cultures
Opens more doors in the work place
– Business, Government
Improves SAT scores
Is this a college requirement?
No!
However…
– Students are encouraged to take a minimum
of two years of the same language
– Required for some colleges and/or degrees
(Check with potential colleges)
Language Instruction Today
We focus on all four skills.
– Listening
Real-life dialog
Music
– Reading
Short stories and novels
– Writing
Skits, letters, compositions, etc.
– Speaking
Student interaction
How to choose a language
What language or place interests you the
most?
What is your heritage?
Advantages of
High School World Language
Obtain College in High School credit
through St. Francis University in Level 4
Participate in foreign language clubs
Opportunity for travel and immersions
Fulfill college entrance requirements and
possibly continue earning credits toward a
minor degree in a foreign language.
Dates To Remember
Transition to HS Conference Request:
Available After Tonight’s Presentation or by calling the
Guidance Office at 695-4426 ext. 6520.
Scheduling Sheets, Tiger TV Applications, Anatomy
Essays and Intro to Art Portfolios:
Due Friday, February 8
Resources
Miss Herbaugh, Guidance Counselor
695-4426 ext. 6522
allison_herbaugh@tigerwires.com
Mrs. Boose, Guidance Secretary
695-4426 ext. 6520
elda_boose@tigerwires.com
Closing Remarks
Please see the back table for additional
information and for an opportunity to sign
up for a transition to high school
conference.