ACADEMICS
COURSE CATALOG
jr high course descriptions
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| Department | Grade Level | Course Title | Course Description | Textbook | Pre-Requisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bible | 7th | 7th Grade Bible | The year begins with an in-depth look at the life of Jesus by examining the four Gospels. We will work chronologically in the order of Jesus’ life. The goal of instruction in the first semester is to thoroughly instruct the students in the life of Jesus. We will examine His teachings and miracles to supplement this. In the 2nd semester, we will study Jesus’ journey to the cross and conclude with His death and resurrection. In addition to this, we will focus on what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus and why the Bible applies to us today. We will do so by looking at contemporary topics through the lens of the Bible. We will also have memory verse quizzes weekly based on the New Testament text covered throughout the course. It is the goal of this class to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is, to grow in our relationship with Him, and to develop a solid Biblical worldview. | Bible | ||
| Bible | 8th | 8th Grade Bible | The Life of the Early Church is a one year, two semester course in which we will read, discuss, and apply the major themes of the Acts, the Epistles, & Revelation. Students will be expected to read on their own portions of the Bible, follow along with lectures, discuss reading comprehension questions from their textbook, complete supplemental handouts, and fully participate in all class projects. All of these expectations are designed to aid the student in beginning to comprehend the grand narrative of God’s plan for redemption. | Bible | ||
| Electives | 7th & 8th | Aspire | The CJHS ASPIRE Program is designed to provide academic support as well as provide students with individualized study skills instruction and includes the added benefit of the ASPIRE teacher acting as a teacher-student-parent liaison. This program provides the student with a teacher-assisted study hall period as well as additional access to the ASPIRE teacher throughout the day. If the student has accommodations that would take them outside of class for testing, the ASPIRE teacher is available throughout the day for those circumstances. | The ASPIRE program is an academic support system taken for a credit/no credit grade. There is a $3,000 fee for ASPIRE classes. | ||
| Electives | 7th & 8th | JH Yearbook | This course is designed to produce a beautiful yearbook, a physical memory of the school year that students will cherish for a lifetime. Students will study magazine journalism, layout, and design techniques, writing and editing copy, and creating eye-catching headlines and pictures. We will learn to gather and analyze information, interview students, and take quality photos. Students must meet deadlines so the yearbook can be completed on time. Most of the yearbook will be completed in class, but occasionally students may need to work outside of class time | Prerequisites: Students must have a positive attitude, work diligently and earn and maintain a B or higher in their English class. Enrollment is subject to an application and interview process the prior spring. | ||
| Electives | 7th & 8th | JH Beginning Concert Band 1-year course | This course is designed for the beginning/intermediate instrumentalist. It includes basic musical foundations and a well-rounded band experience. This is a performing group. | Prerequisite: The student must play an instrument or take lessons in the summer. Level placement in Beginning/Advanced Band based on teacher recommendation. | Class Fee $280.00 | |
| Electives | 7th & 8th | JH Advanced Concert Band1-year course | This course is designed for the intermediate/advanced instrumentalist. It includes more advanced theory, well-rounded band experience while expanding expertise on the individual instrument and exposure to Multiple styles of music. This is a performing group. | Prerequisite: The student must play an instrument or take lessons in the summer. Level placement in Beginning/Advanced Band based on teacher recommendation. | Class Fee $280.00 | |
| Electives | 7th & 8th | JH Choir - 1 year course | JH Choir is a performance-oriented class designed to provide the singer basic training in music theory, vocal production, and performance proficiency through concert experiences. | Class Fee $100.00 | ||
| Electives | 8th | 8th Grade Spanish - 1 year course | Students will develop skills in the four aspects of language: Listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing on a beginner level. Students will do group work, partner work and individual work to develop their Spanish skills as thematic vocabulary and grammar concepts are taught. The Present and Preterit Tenses are the focus of the grammar units whereas a variety of vocabulary is presented. The Hispanic culture and civilizations are also taught through selected readings, videos, and discussions. | Descubre I (Vista Higher Learning) | Student must have earned an 85% in Advanced English or a 93+% in Regular English in the previous semester to qualify for this class. Must maintain a 70+% at semester to remain in the class. | |
| Electives | 7th & 8th | JH Drama - This is a 1 year course | JH Drama is a year-long class which is designed to give an introduction to acting and performance techniques, and allow students to decide if they would like to pursue Drama in High School. Student will perform a single one-act play per semester and will learn basic theater vocabulary and acting styles while focusing on creative movement, voice control, and character development. | |||
| Electives | 8th | 8th grade Digital Video - 1 year course | The students will use their own creative ideas to create several short films. In addition, the instructor will assign individual video projects, as well as group projects, so that the students can better understand how to make successful short films. In this course, the students will complete at least three individual projects during each semester. | |||
| Electives | 7th & 8th | JH Leadership | Students will explore and experience a variety of leadership training experiences and will participate in the organization and production of the Junior High activities and events. The goal is to promote strong Christian leaders who can not only make a difference in the school today, but can make a difference in the world for Christ. | Enrollment is based on application, interview and election the prior spring. Requires a minimum 3.0 GPA. | ||
| Electives | 7th | 7th Grade Rotation - Habits of Success | This is a special 7th grade course designed to cover basic study and organizational skills. Class goals are to maximize students' learning process by: generating critical thinking skills, increasing time and material management skills, learning about goal setting skils and enhancing listening and speaking skills. | |||
| English | 7th | English 7 | This course parallels the time period covered in the British and U.S. from mid-eighteenth century and focuses on the “Quest” theme. One’s purpose and identity is evaluated through the works. Eight parts of speech, Schaffer’s 5-paragraph structure, the writing process (outline, pre-draft, edit, and publish) with MLA formatting, figurative language, vocabulary (context words) and spelling are included in this course. Novels include Call of the Wild and The Hobbit. | |||
| English | 8th | English 8 and English 8 Advanced | The time period in U.S. history covered in this English class is from Reconstruction to present day and focuses on the “Warfare” theme. The eight parts of speech, Schaffer’s 5-paragraph essay, the writing process (outline, pre-draft, writing, editing, and publishing), figurative language, and emphasis on vocabulary and spelling are all part of this course. Novels include "The Giver", Boy in the Striped Pajamas" and Gifted Hands for advanced. | To be enrolled in Advanced English 8 a student must earn a 90% in regular English 7, have MAP Reading test scores for placement <226, and teacher recommendation for writing competency. To remain in the class at semester, student must have at least an 88% average. | ||
| Math | Multiple | Integrated Pre-Algebra | This course is an introduction to pre-algebra. The course begins as a review of basic mathematic fundamentals and operations. The course uses the pre-algebra curriculum but is designed to expose students to the general concepts of pre-algebra but spend the bulk of time reinforcing foundational concepts to ready them for pre-algebra the following year. | Larson Pre-Algebra, Holt McDougal, 2012 | MAP test scores for placement <219 | |
| Math | Multiple | Pre-Algebra | To provide pre-algebra basics as a foundation for Algebra I. Students continue to review and develop the basic math skills introduced in elementary grades, while learning the language and methods of algebra and some geometry basics as well. Students should advance to Algebra 1 the next year. | Larson Pre-Algebra, Holt McDougal 2012 | MAP test scores for placement, 220-223 | |
| Math | 7th | Advanced Pre-Algebra | This course content and purpose are the same as regular Pre-Algebra, but the students are expected to have mastered the basic math skills introduced in elementary grades, and apply those skills to the study of the language and methods of algebra. Additional enrichment opportunities are available to students in Advanced Pre-Algebra 7. | Glencoe, Pre-Algebra, 2008 | MAP test scores for placement, 224-228 | |
| Math | Multiple | Algebra 1 | This course will include the language and tools of algebra, solving and analyzing linear equations, functions and patterns, solving systems of linear equations and inequalities, polynomials, factoring, quadratic and exponential functions, radical expressions, triangles and equations, and statistics and probability. Upon successful completion of this class, the student will move onto Geometry or Honors Geometry. | Algebra 1, 2015 Pearson | MAP test scores for placement 226-244 | |
| Physical Education | 7th & 8th | JH Boys and Girls Physical Education | The physical education program provides instruction aimed at developing all physical fitness characteristics and fundamental skills, while teaching genuine Christian character and sportsmanship. | |||
| Science | 7th | Science 7-Life Science | Science 7, Life Science, is a yearlong course, which encompasses the nature of science, ecology, plants, animal life, and human biology. Students will be taught problem solving techniques, experimental protocols, and biblical truths related to these subject areas. Students will be taught science concepts, science skills, technical writing (lab reports), and biblical truths related to these subject areas. Students are taught to discern between facts and assumptions as they explore the branches of Life Science. The material in this course will be introduced through multiple learning modalities, which include note-taking, hands-on activities, labs, and earth science related projects. | Science Explorer: Life Science. Boston, MA: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2009.; Supplemental Materials from the Institute for Creation Research, Creation and Earth Science Museum | ||
| Science | 8th | Science 8 | Science 8, Earth Science, is a yearlong, rigorous course, which encompasses the earth science fields of geology, oceanography, meteorology, astronomy, and origins. Students will be taught science concepts, science skills, technical writing (lab reports), and biblical truths related to these subject areas.Students are taught to discern between facts and assumptions as they explore the branches of Earth Science. The material in this course will be introduced through multiple learning modalities, which include note-taking, hands-on activities, labs, and earth science related projects. | Iscience Life. Columbus, OH: McGraw–Hill Education, 2017. Print. | ||
| Soc Sci | 7th | US History 7-1492 to Reconstruction | This course focuses on early American history through the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. Events are taught chronologically and include, but are not limited to, early exploration and colonization, the American Revolution, The Mexican-American War, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War and Reconstruction, closing of the frontier, and beginnings of industrialization. Special emphases include civics and California history. | Davidson, James West., ed., The American Nation. Prentice Hall: New Jersey, 2000 | ||
| Soc Sci | 8th | US History 8 Reconstruction to Present | This course focuses on Reconstruction Era to modern day US History. Events are taught chronologically and include, but are not limited to: Reconstruction of the New South, Opening the West, The Industrial Age, The Progressive Era, Rise to Power, World War I, The Great Depression, World War II, The Cold War Era, The Civil Rights Era, The Vietnam War Era, Watergate, Reagan Presidence, and New Challenges Ahead. Specific empases include "The Progressive era" and "America: A Superpower" as students have the opportunity to conduct a research paper on either. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in the Historical Studies East Coast Tour. | Davidson, James West., ed., The American Nation. Prentice Hall: New Jersey, 2000 |
