9TH GRADE COURSES

English

1 year, 1 credit

This is the first year of the high school English curriculum.  Units in grammar and literature will include an emphasis on the writing process. If a student does not pass either semester with a 60% or above, he/she will be required to take summer school.

Pre-Advanced Placement English

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisites: grades, teacher recommendation, and standardized test scores.

This 9th-grade English class prepares for AP and other advanced English classes in high school.

Algebra 1

1 year, 1 credit

Students will be required to take an End of Course Algebra exam.

Regular Algebra is the traditional algebra program that is completed in 1 year.

Advanced Algebra 2

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisite:  Algebra I

This course is an in-depth study of the Algebra needed to higher mathematics such as Trigonometry and AP Calculus. Advanced Algebra II is strongly recommended for students who will specialize in fields such as science, engineering, or mathematics.

Pre-Advanced Placement Civics / American Government

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisites: Teacher recommendations, test scores

This course includes reading comprehension, vocabulary building, and the writing process.  Extra time is required to research and  study.

Civics/American Government

1 year, 1 credit

Physical Science

1 year, 1 credit

An introduction to Chemistry and Physics in which students  explore science topics using a variety of hands-on activities and traditional methods that progress logically from the concrete to the abstract.

Pre-Advanced Placement Biology

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisite:  Algebra I and teacher recommendation

Biology I is the standard entry level science course for High School. A biology course is required by the ADE for graduation in Arkansas. The course is laboratory-centered and investigates the major themes of biological science including: the nature of the cell, the chemistry of living systems, inheritance and a study of DNA, plant and animal anatomy and physiology, evolution, classification of living things, and scientific and social issues relating to biology. The course includes a required reading list, major writing assignments in the form of a science project, research paper, and/or related project. The course also includes group activities, oral presentations, and field work at the Lake Fayetteville Environmental Study Center.

Marching Band

1st semester, 1/2 credit

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Emphasis is on individual student progress and marching fundamentals. Band performs at football games, pep rallies, parades, Christmas concert, All Region auditions, etc. Quality of musicianship and marching fundamentals are stressed.

Symphonic/Concert Band

2nd semester, 1/2 credit

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

See 8th- grade Fine Arts  page  for  description.

Intermediate Band

2nd semester, 1/2 credit

(See description in 8th-grade Fine Arts.)

Various seasonal programs are learned and presented including Fall Festival, Christmas, and Spring Concerts. Occasionally, assembly programs are presented to the student body as well as to students in various elementary schools. Chorus participates in regional festivals annually. Three different choirs are available to 8th and 9th grade students.

Varsity Women’s Chorus

1 year, 1 credit

This class is open to any student interested in singing in the 8th and 9th grade years. No choral experience is required.

Concert Men’s Chorus

1 year,  1 credit

This group is selected by audition only.  No previous choir experience is required.

Concert Women

1 year, 1 credit

(See description in 8th-grade Fine Arts.)

Advanced Men’s Chorus

1 year, 1 credit

This group is selected by audition only. The top 40-45 boys are  placed in this choir. Choir experience is recommended.

Advanced Women’s Chorus

1 year, 1 credit

(See description in 8th-grade Fine Arts.)

Art I

1 semester, 1/2 credit

In this course students will improve skills and learn how to arrange their own compositions.  Experiences include painting, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design, and crafts. The work of past and present artists, art careers, and art of other cultures are presented. A small fee is required for this course.

Ceramics--SW

Spring Semester—1/2 credit

Prerequisites:  Teacher recommendation

Advanced Art

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisites: A or B in 8th-grade Art & teacher permission

This course is for those students who have superior creative abilities in the various aspects of art. Students explore advanced techniques with many different forms of art and are expected to enter their work in competitions and exhibitions. (The following requirement is for Central only: Students will be required to become familiar with computer-generated art and complete at least two projects using computer graphics programs.) A small fee is required for this course.  Students who successfully complete Advanced Art in the ninth grade should take Art III in high school.

Agricultural Science and Technology--C, SW, G

1 year, 1 credit

This class is a one semester overview of the following agricultural programs of study: Animal Science, Horticulture Science, and FFA. The areas covered in animal science include beef, equine, dairy, swine, and poultry. In horticulture, areas of study will include ornamental horticulture, and fruit and vegetable production. Specific topics include Nursery/Landscape, Floriculture, and Turf. Students will also spend a great deal of time on FFA instruction and activities including judging, livestock showing, creed speaking, and parliamentary procedure. In addition, students will spend time on Agricultural Technology and Mechanics.

Keystone--C, SW

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Topics include time management, study skills, communication skills, goal setting, increased involvement in school activities and planning for the future. College awareness and post high school jobs will be researched. Students will also be required to do one day of job shadowing and incorporate this into their final project.

Health

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Health is a course, which offers information for healthy living.  The course includes wellness, mental health, stress management and suicide prevention, physiology of exercise, information on diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and sexually transmitted diseases, training in CPR, family life education, and the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs on the body.  This course is required for high school graduation.

Oral Communication

1 semester, 1/2 credit

This course is designed to develop oral communication skills. Students will experience public speaking, oral interpretation, and extemporaneous speaking. This course must be taken between 9th and 12th grade in order to graduate.

French I

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisite: A or B in English

The four communication skills, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, are emphasized through various techniques. Cultural aspects of the French-speaking world are included.

Spanish I

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisite: A or B in English

(See description in 8th-grade Other Electives.)

Spanish II--C, SW, G

1 year, 1 credit

Prerequisite:  C in Spanish I

Basic grammar and vocabulary are reviewed during the first quarter. During the second quarter students acquire more vocabulary to increase their listening, reading, writing, and  speaking skills. Various techniques are used including TPR and TPR storytelling. Hispanic culture is studied with special attention given to Spain.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers--G

1 year, 1 credit

This course is open to ALL MACII levels.

This class addresses the language needs of native Spanish-speakers and provides instruction to expand existing proficiency in Spanish. Elective credit.

Yearbook

1 year, 1 credit

(See description in 8th-grade Other Electives.)

Arkansas History

1 semester, 1/2 credit--Elective credit only

Arkansas History is a survey course that examines the events that occurred since 1865.  The curriculum builds upon the political, social, economic, geographic and environmental history.

All students should take Computer Applications I and II during the 9th and/or 10th grades to be prepared with the technology skills needed to do well in high school.  All college-bound students should take Computer Applications I - III.  Computer Applications I - III are self-paced, mastery courses. 

Keyboarding--C, SW, G

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Fee Required

Only students who have never had Keyboarding should take this course.

(See description in 8th-grade Business Education.)

Keyboarding Connections--C, SW, G

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Prerequisite:  Keyboarding

Fee Required

Ninth graders who made a C or D in Keyboarding should take this course prior to taking Mastery Computer Applications I.

(See description in 8th-grade Business Education.)

Computer Applications I--C, SW, G

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Prerequisite:  Keyboarding Connections or A or B in Keyboarding

Fee Required

(See description in 8th-grade Business Education.)

Computer Applications II

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Prerequisite: CA I

Fee required

Students learn intermediate spreadsheet skills, including formatting numbers, formatting the look of your spreadsheet, using styles, using common functions, and producing technical graphs and charts. They continue in word processing, learning to use sections and headers and footers; print envelopes and labels; use tables; use columns; use graphic elements; use, create, and modify styles and templates, and do mail merges. Projects include a report researched on the Internet in both MLA and APA styles, a spreadsheet/graphing research project, a resume and letter of application, and creating a website. All students should take this class to have the computer skills needed to do well in their other classes.

Family and Consumer Sciences

1 year, 1 credit

This class teaches skills in Foods/Nutrition, Clothing/ Textiles, and Consumer Education with an emphasis on money management, decision making skills, house selection and planning, and interpersonal/family relationships. There is a fee for sewing projects.

Foods and Nutrition

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Fall Semester

This class may be taken by itself for 1/2 unit of credit, or may be combined with Clothing and Textiles for a full credit.  Areas of study include the following: Practical skills of kitchen safety and food sanitation, basic cooking, planning, preparing and serving meals. 

Clothing and Textiles

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Spring Semester

This class may be combined with a semester of Foods and Nutrition for a full credit or taken alone for 1/2 credit. The course teaches consumer skills in appropriate selection of clothing for individual style, comparison shopping for quality and price, planning a wardrobe and budget, managing a wardrobe, careers in fashion, and skills related to clothing construction.  Students will need to purchase fabric for four projects.

EITE I (Exploratory Industrial Technology Ed.)--C, SW, G

1 Semester, 1/2 credit

EITE I is a Technology Education course that provides the basic knowledge of being Technology Literate. Students will learn what it takes to become proficient in the technological society. With the use of computers, students will learn various technologies varying from Rocketry and Space to Audio Broadcasting, while incorporating Math, Science, and English.

EITE II-Video--C

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Prerequisite: Teacher permission

Students are involved in production, editing and interviewing for a daily news program that is shown to the student body each day.

EITE II--G

1 semester, 1/2 credit

EITE II is a Technology Education course that provides extensive knowledge of being Technology Literate. Students will rotate throughout the four different core areas of technology; Manufacturing, Communication, Power/Energy/Transportation, and Design and Problem Solving.

EITE II-Woodworking Technology (Wood)--C

1 semester, 1/2 credit

This course will provide theory and hands on experiences associated with many processes used in modern woodworking. A variety of hands on tools, portable power tools, and stationary power tools are used.

EITE II-Manufacturing Technology (Metal)--C

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Fee required

This course focuses onmanufactuing and will provide theory and hands on experiences associated with gas welding, cutting and brazing, arc welding, sheet metal fabrication, wrought iron, and off-hand tool grinding.

 

EITE II-Architecture and Engineering--C

1 semester, 1/2 credit

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation is required from upper level math or science area.

Fee required for certain activities.

This course requires higher level  math and science skills. The engineering profession is the focus of this course. Students need to be highly self-motivated learners. This course has very fast-paced, student-driven,  problem-solving activities that allow students to experience a work environment similar to the engineering field.

Physical Education  Boys/Girls

1 semester, 1/2 credit

(See description in 8th grade Physical Education.)

48500P Physical Fitness--C, SW, G

1 semester, 1/2 credit

This course includes a variety of body slimming and developmental exercises [with and without music], and rhythmic aerobics for cardiovascular fitness. There is a study of various diets and nutrition. Students weigh-in each week.

Dance Team/Cheerleading

1 year, 1 credit

(See description in 8th grade Physical Education.)

Athletics Boys/Girls

1 year, 1 credit

(See description in 8th grade Physical Education.)

Golf

1 semester, 1/2 credit, (Fall only)

(Tryout required. See High School Athletics section for more information.)

Mens’/Womens’ Swimming

1 year, 1 credit

(Tryout required. See High School Athletics section for more information.) This is a zero hour class that meets at SHS.

Boys’/Girls’ Soccer

1 semester, 1/2 credit, (Spring only)

(Tryout required. See High School Athletics section for more information.)

Boys’ Baseball

1 semester, 1/2 credit, (Spring only)

(Tryout required. See High School Athletics section for more information.)

Girls’ Fast-Pitch Softball

1 semester, 1/2 credit, (Spring only)

(Tryout required. See High School Athletics section for more information.)

Tennis-(Fall Semester)

1 semester, 1/2 credit

(Tryout required. See High School Athletics section for more information.xe "Community Service (9th)"

Tutor/Counselor Aide/Peer Helpers

1 semester,  1/2  credit

Prerequisite:  By application only

This course is for students who are interested in serving as an aide or tutor.  To be eligible, students must fill out an application.  Tutoring is done in the subjects that the applicant chooses.  The applicant  must also be willing to do some clerical work for the counselors.  Computer skills are helpful. Students will be graded on a pass/fail basis and will receive 1/2 credit for their community service credit.

9th Grade Library Science--SW

1 or 2 Semesters, 1/2 credit

Students enrolled in this course will assist the media specialist in the operation of the library.  Students will receive ½ credit per semester for their community service credit and will be graded on a pass/fail basis-.