ACADEMICS

COURSE CATALOG

jr high course descriptions

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DepartmentGrade LevelCourse TitleCourse DescriptionTextbookPre-RequisitesNotes
Bible7th7th Grade BibleThe 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
Bible8th8th Grade BibleThe 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
Electives7th & 8thAspireThe 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.
Electives7th & 8thJH Beginning Concert Band 1-year courseThis 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 $250.00
Electives7th & 8thJH Advanced Concert Band1-year courseThis 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 $250.00
Electives7th & 8thJH Choir - 1 year courseJH Travel 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
Electives8th8th Grade Spanish - 1 year courseStudents 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.
Electives8th8th grade Drama - This is a 1 year course8th Grade Drama is a year-long or semester 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.
Electives8th8th grade Digital Video - 1 year courseThe 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.
Electives7th & 8thJH LeadershipStudents will explore and experience a variety of leadership training experiences and will participate in the organization and production of the Junior High yearbook. 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.
Electives7th7th Grade Rotation - Drama7th Grade Drama is a 9-week 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 8th grade and high school. Students will learn basic theater vocabulary and acting styles while focusing on creative movement and performance.
Electives7th7th Grade Rotation - Habits of SuccessThis 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.
Electives7th7th Grade Rotation- WoodshopThe woodshop survey course is designed to introduce students to the world of woodworking. It is intended to acquaint the student with the curriculum, skills and machinery one might encounter in the year long course offered as Woodshop I. This course might best be described as “a taste of Woodshop” and will allow students to make an informed choice when presented with the opportunity next year to sign up for the first real woodshop course. This course is a part of a “wheel” of four courses for seventh grade students which will last for nine weeks.
English7thEnglish 7 and Advanced English 7This 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.
English8thEnglish 8The 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.Prentice Hall Literature: Silver, Prentice Hall, Grammar for Writing: Level Yellow, Sadlier, Bible, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, Silas Marner by George Eliot, and Gifted Hands by Ben Carson, Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann David Wyss
English8thEnglish 8- AdvancedThis course parallels the time period covered in U.S. history 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. This class moves at a faster pace than standard English 8 with additional reading and writing assignments.Prentice Hall Literature: Silver, Prentice Hall, Grammar for Writing: Level Yellow, Sadlier, The Bible, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, Silas Marner by George Eliot, Gifted Hands by Ben Carson, My Antonia, by Willa Cather and The Giver, by Lois Lowry, Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann David Wyss
MathMultipleIntegrated Pre-AlgebraThis 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, 2012MAP test scores for placement <219
MathMultiplePre-AlgebraTo 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 2012MAP test scores for placement, 220-223
Math7thAdvanced Pre-AlgebraThis 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, 2008MAP test scores for placement, 224-228
Math8thAdvanced Algebra 1This 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 PearsonMAP test scores for placement, 230-244/90% in Pre-Algebra or 85%+ in Advanced Pre-Algebra/Teacher Recommendation
MathMultipleAlgebra 1This 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 PearsonMAP test scores for placement 226-244/90%+ in Pre-Algebra or 85%+ in Advanced Pre-Algebra
Physical Education7th & 8thJH Boys and Girls Physical EducationThe physical education program provides instruction aimed at developing all physical fitness characteristics and fundamental skills, while teaching genuine Christian character and sportsmanship.
Science7thScience 7-Life ScienceScience 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
Science8thScience 8Science 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.
Science8th8th Grade STEM8th Grade STEM includes one semester of "Magic of Electrons/App Creators" and one semester of "Competitive Robotics"
Soc Sci7thUS History 7-1492 to ReconstructionThis 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 Sci8thUS History 8 Reconstruction to PresentThis 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

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CAMPUS TOURS are scheduled throughout the school year and summer. Observe our environment and determine if Christian Unified is the right fit for your family.

At the junior and senior high school level, SHADOW DAYS are available throughout the school year. We recommend a Shadow Day for students going into 7th–12th grade. 

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