Traverse City West Junior High Eighth into Ninth Parent Orientation

Upcoming Diploma Requirements 4 Language Arts 4 Math (Algebra 1, 11 and Geometry) 3 Science 3 Social Studies 1 Fine Arts or Music 1 Health Possible 2 year Foreign Language 16 to 18 Credits Required/6 to 8 Electives=24 Credits

4 Language Arts

4 Math (Algebra 1, 11 and Geometry)

3 Science

3 Social Studies

1 Fine Arts or Music

1 Health

Possible 2 year Foreign Language

16 to 18 Credits Required/6 to 8 Electives=24 Credits

Student Graduation Requirements Completion of a Michigan Merit Curriculum that includes a Michigan Merit Core and a 21st Century Applied Learning Core. Completion of an online credit or noncredit course or learning experience. Participation in the Michigan Merit Examination or MI-Access in the spring of the junior year.

Completion of a Michigan Merit Curriculum that includes a Michigan Merit Core and a 21st Century Applied Learning Core.

Completion of an online credit or noncredit course or learning experience.

Participation in the Michigan Merit Examination or MI-Access in the spring of the junior year.

Michigan Merit Requirements Requirements beginning with the freshman class of 2006-07 (the graduating class of 2010) unless legislation to support this requirement has not been signed by March 1, 2006 (otherwise the requirement will begin with the freshman class of 2007-08).

Requirements beginning with the freshman class of 2006-07 (the graduating class of 2010) unless legislation to support this requirement has not been signed by March 1, 2006 (otherwise the requirement will begin with the freshman class of 2007-08).

Ninth Grade Required Classes Social Studies Language Arts Science Math

Art Pottery and Sculpture Exposes students to three hand building techniques in clay, the pinch pot, and slab coil building Students “throw” (or make) a pot on a kick wheel or electric wheel. In sculpture, students experiment with additive, subtractive and assemblage methods.

Exposes students to three hand building techniques in clay, the pinch pot, and slab coil building

Students “throw” (or make) a pot on a kick wheel or electric wheel.

In sculpture, students experiment with additive, subtractive and assemblage methods.

Computer Art / Creative Design Exposes students to the field of graphic art. Students will learn about illustration; advertisement; typographical design Students will be exposed to software programs: Adobe Illustrator 10 and Photoshop 6. Final exam project will be to create a nine month design calendar

Exposes students to the field of graphic art.

Students will learn about illustration; advertisement; typographical design

Students will be exposed to software programs: Adobe Illustrator 10 and Photoshop 6.

Final exam project will be to create a nine month design calendar

Drawing and Painting Designed for the young but serious art student. Visual and drawing skills will be developed. Materials: pen, ink, chalk, watercolor, tempera and charcoal.

Designed for the young but serious art student.

Visual and drawing skills will be developed.

Materials: pen, ink, chalk, watercolor, tempera and charcoal.

Exploring Photographic Art Explores a wide variety of photographic techniques. Projects include pinhole cameras, picture taking, film developing and enlarging, and other aspect of photography.

Explores a wide variety of photographic techniques.

Projects include pinhole cameras, picture taking, film developing and enlarging, and other aspect of photography.

Traditional American Arts The student will learn the background of many traditional American arts. Projects in weaving , basketry, time and metal work, painting, quilting, paper making batik, and sculpture will be explored by the student in traditional and contemporary methods.

The student will learn the background of many traditional American arts.

Projects in weaving , basketry, time and metal work, painting, quilting, paper making batik, and sculpture will be explored by the student in traditional and contemporary methods.

Video and Animation Art Students will Learn to create a storyboard Create 5 animations with aspects of sequenced movement, color, character and story. Create a thaumatrope and flipbook to illustrate the principle of delayed vision.

Students will

Learn to create a storyboard

Create 5 animations with aspects of sequenced movement, color, character and story.

Create a thaumatrope and flipbook to illustrate the principle of delayed vision.

Foreign Language Why should you take a foreign language? College Enhance Job Skills Personal Growth

Why should you take a foreign language?

College

Enhance Job Skills

Personal Growth

Foreign Language Which language should you take? Family history Career choice Explorations favorite

Which language should you take?

Family history

Career choice

Explorations favorite

Foreign Language Which program is best for your student? 2-year choice 8 th Grade Beginning (French/German/Spanish) 9 th Grade Continuing (French/German/Spanish) 1-year choice 9 th grade (French/German/Spanish): Accelerated Academic Program

Which program is best for your student?

2-year choice

8 th Grade Beginning (French/German/Spanish) 9 th Grade Continuing (French/German/Spanish)

1-year choice

9 th grade (French/German/Spanish): Accelerated Academic Program

Foreign Language When should I start? 8 th or 9 th grade 10 th , 11 th , 12 th Grades

When should I start?

8 th or 9 th grade

10 th , 11 th , 12 th Grades

Math Course Offerings Algebra I Algebra, Data and Geometry

Algebra I

Algebra, Data and Geometry

Algebra I First course in a four year sequence Topics Include: - Practice of operations with algebraic equations including exponents, radicals, and absolute value. - An analytical and graphing approach to functions including linear, quadratic, and exponential equations - Solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities. - Solving systems of linear equations - Basic operations relating to polynomials, including factoring.

First course in a four year sequence

Topics Include:

- Practice of operations with algebraic equations including exponents, radicals, and absolute value.

- An analytical and graphing approach to functions including linear, quadratic, and exponential equations

- Solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities.

- Solving systems of linear equations

- Basic operations relating to polynomials, including factoring.

Algebra, Data and Geometry The first course in a four year sequence. This course integrates algebra, geometry, statistics, probability, trigonometry, and discrete topics Study Topics: - Functions - Graph Models - Two and Three Dimensional Geometry - Exponential Growth and Decay - Mathematical Simulations of Real-world situations.

The first course in a four year sequence.

This course integrates algebra, geometry, statistics, probability, trigonometry, and discrete topics

Study Topics: - Functions - Graph Models

- Two and Three Dimensional Geometry

- Exponential Growth and Decay

- Mathematical Simulations of Real-world situations.

Ninth Grade Math

Ninth Grade Math

Family and Consumer Science Global Cultural Foods Students will study four different countries Students will study culture, history, art/design architecture, apparel, food education system, music, family life and traditions. Students will develop life-long food preparation skills.

Students will study four different countries

Students will study culture, history, art/design architecture, apparel, food education system, music, family life and traditions.

Students will develop life-long food preparation skills.

Family and Consumer Science Textile Design Students will: Learn a variety of techniques in working with fabrics, yarns and textiles. Learn competencies in using the sewing machine and related tools. Use the principles of design to create clothing and accessory designs for different body types. Learn how to update, personalize and repair clothing and home décor items.

Students will:

Learn a variety of techniques in working with fabrics, yarns and textiles.

Learn competencies in using the sewing machine and related tools.

Use the principles of design to create clothing and accessory designs for different body types.

Learn how to update, personalize and repair clothing and home décor items.

Family and Consumer Science American Foods Teacher demonstrations, hands-on labs, individual and cooperative group projects provide students with an overview of food preparation skills and nutrition information. Kitchen safety, sanitation procedures and food poisoning precautions will be emphasized. Units of study are based on food influences by regions and ethnic cultures within the United States. All recipes and foods studied will be evaluated based on current nutrition information.

Teacher demonstrations, hands-on labs, individual and cooperative group projects provide students with an overview of food preparation skills and nutrition information.

Kitchen safety, sanitation procedures and food poisoning precautions will be emphasized.

Units of study are based on food influences by regions and ethnic cultures within the United States.

All recipes and foods studied will be evaluated based on current nutrition information.

9 th Grade U.S. History and Government

What do we study? We study 20 th century American History while incorporating the basic concepts of Democracy and the U.S. Constitution. Students will be challenged to compare the present with the past and encouraged to become active participants in the Democratic process.

We study 20 th century American History while incorporating the basic concepts of Democracy and the U.S. Constitution.

Students will be challenged to compare the present with the past and encouraged to become active participants in the Democratic process.

Government Concepts/Topics Functions and purpose of government Types of governments Who are Americans? Individual rights,according to the Constitution

Functions and purpose of government

Types of governments

Who are Americans?

Individual rights,according to the Constitution

Government Concepts/Topics Continued The Three Branches Voting and Elections Current Events

The Three Branches

Voting and Elections

Current Events

History Topics The Progressive Era World War I The Great Depression World War II The Cold War The Korean War Vietnam War

The Progressive Era

World War I

The Great Depression

World War II

The Cold War

The Korean War

Vietnam War

History Topics Continued Civil Rights Contemporary Decades (80’s & 90’s) Desert Storm Contemporary Presidents

Civil Rights

Contemporary Decades (80’s & 90’s)

Desert Storm

Contemporary Presidents

How do we learn? Maps Power Points Readings & Discussions Group & Individual Projects Research & Inquiry Videos & Slide Shows Visuals & Graphics Guest speakers Case Studies Music

Maps

Power Points

Readings & Discussions

Group & Individual Projects

Research & Inquiry

Videos & Slide Shows

Visuals & Graphics

Guest speakers

Case Studies

Music

*Discovering Lit & Writing Public Speaking Debate Journalism (School Newspaper) Lang. Arts 9

*Discovering Lit & Writing

Public Speaking

Debate

Journalism (School Newspaper)

Discovering Lit & Writing Short Stories Career Research Drama Unit Novel Unit *Writing Lab

Short Stories

Career Research

Drama Unit

Novel Unit

*Writing Lab

Short Story Unit A sampling of literature … story analysis…style…vocabulary…writing prompts…

Novel Unit

Career Research E x p l o r a t o r y . . . • library research & research paper • a resume • the job application • the business letter • a mock interview

Drama Unit Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet”

Writing Lab Appointments scheduled once each marking period for every student.

Public Speaking Basic speaking & listening skills Body language (basics of verbal & non-verbal communication) Outlining & note-taking skills Speeches for all occasions

Basic speaking & listening skills

Body language (basics of verbal & non-verbal communication)

Outlining & note-taking skills

Speeches for all occasions

Debate Highly research focused (emphasis on gathering effective research & correct citations) Policy debate format (in two person teams) Logical arguments

Highly research focused (emphasis on gathering effective research & correct citations)

Policy debate format (in two person teams)

Logical arguments

Newspaper Produce the school newspaper Work both cooperatively and independently to write, edit and publish articles Learn about journalism

Produce the school newspaper

Work both cooperatively and independently to write, edit and publish articles

Learn about journalism

Biology : from the two Greek words, bios meaning life and logos meaning study of . Brief Course Syllabus of Main Topics Covered in Biology 6 Kingdoms – Fungi, Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protistae, Animalia, Plantae Classification – 9 Phyla, Invertebrate + Vertebrate Scientific Method Chemistry – Organic + Inorganic Photosynthesis + Respiration Cells – Prokaryotic + Eukaryotic Animal, Plant, Viruses Cell Division – Mitosis + Meiosis DNA + RNA, Protein Synthesis Genetic- Chromosomes, Heredity, Mutation, Genome Human Body Systems – 11 Disease – Contagious, Non-communicable, Inherited Immunity – Natural + Acquired Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco – Affects on Human Body

Brief Course Syllabus of Main Topics Covered in Biology

6 Kingdoms – Fungi, Eubacteria, Archaebacteria, Protistae, Animalia, Plantae

Classification – 9 Phyla, Invertebrate + Vertebrate

Scientific Method

Chemistry – Organic + Inorganic

Photosynthesis + Respiration

Cells – Prokaryotic + Eukaryotic Animal, Plant, Viruses

Cell Division – Mitosis + Meiosis

DNA + RNA, Protein Synthesis

Genetic- Chromosomes, Heredity, Mutation, Genome

Human Body Systems – 11

Disease – Contagious, Non-communicable, Inherited

Immunity – Natural + Acquired

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco – Affects on Human Body

Instructional Techniques Textbook – 2002 Edition Lecture Material supplemented with Reading Guides from text Classroom Lab Experiments + Independent Lab Experiments Exploratory Worksheets for both Individual and Group work Computer Technology – Word, PowerPoint, Publisher Research – Library + Internet for Writing, Graphics, Pictures Career Speakers + Guest Speakers Classroom Demonstrations by Instructor Classroom Presentations by Student’s explaining their Science Research + their Science Projects VHS Tapes CD Animations Charts – both Anatomical and Explanatory Posters – both Anatomical and Explanatory Quizzes Tests

Instructional Techniques

Textbook – 2002 Edition

Lecture Material supplemented with Reading Guides from text

Classroom Lab Experiments + Independent Lab Experiments

Exploratory Worksheets for both Individual and Group work

Computer Technology – Word, PowerPoint, Publisher

Research – Library + Internet for Writing, Graphics, Pictures

Career Speakers + Guest Speakers

Classroom Demonstrations by Instructor

Classroom Presentations by Student’s explaining their Science Research + their Science Projects

VHS Tapes

CD Animations

Charts – both Anatomical and Explanatory

Posters – both Anatomical and Explanatory

Quizzes

Tests

Student Experiment - Bacterial Growth from Pet Inoculation: Dog’s Saliva

Why I Used My Dog’s Mouth : I wanted to see if my dog’s mouth contained a little or a lot of bacteria. Hypothesis : I hypothesized that a few dime size colonies of bacteria, all the same color, would result but not much else. Experiment : I let my dog lick the agar in the petri dish for the inoculation. Observations/Results : Within the first day, my agar cultured a few pin head size white, smooth bacterial colonies. In later days, hundreds of small to medium size, multi-colored colonies, more textured, overlapped each other. A tiny amount of white, gray and black mold also cultured on the agar. Just a small amount of hemolysis was apparent near some yellow colonies. Conclusion : My hypothesis was somewhat right as bacteria did culture. But the colonies differed in color, texture and size. didn’t expect mold. What I Learned : My dog’s mouth has an abundance of various species of bacteria. I no longer let my dog lick my face and always wash my hands before I eat if I’ve played with him.

Student Field Lab Specimen Scientific Name: Lycoperdon maximum Common Name: Giant Puffball Found: Traverse City Zoo

Edibility : Excellent when young, but use caution Habitat : Worldwide in meadows, fields, and gardens General Description : Specimens can vary from 10 - 65 cm in width with a white, thin exoperidium (covering) and slightly mealy inside tissue, turning olive with age Additional Facts : - Edible in white stage, can be fried in butter and has a firm texture - Can weigh up to 56 pounds - The spores are olive-yellow in color when the puffball is mature and a fist size puffball can release some 6 billion trillion spores Reference: Simon and Schuster’s Guide to Mushrooms Student Research

Corn + Potato = Cortato Student Collaborative Ideas – Genetic Engineering

Algae Extension Student Projects

Change in B owel or bladder habits Sore that does not h E al or thickening / lump Difficulty S W allowing or digesting Unusual bleeding or disch A rge Cough or hoa R seness Chang E in mole or wart Beware of Cancer Beware of Cancer by Knowing the Warning Signs and a Yearly Checkup with your Doctor

A LCOHOL WILL CAUSE D EATH OR D REARYNESS. I T C OSTS LO T S OF MONEY I F Y O U ARE I N THE ADDICTION STAGE.

Theater Arts I Students will study the various aspects of drama. Student will build self-confidence in front of groups through stage movement, vocal production activities and the development of acting techniques. Students will focus on verbal and non-verbal expression.

Students will study the various aspects of drama.

Student will build self-confidence in front of groups through stage movement, vocal production activities and the development of acting techniques.

Students will focus on verbal and non-verbal expression.

Theater Arts I Projects and Activities Voice Skills: tongue twisters, 3 word improvisation, group improvisation, dramatic group reading, poetry reading Stage Skills: necessary and interpretive actions, blocking a scene, dominant/subdominant characters, 2 person humorous scene, semester project, monologue Body Skills: charades, observation skills. mime, pantomime

Voice Skills:

tongue twisters, 3 word improvisation, group improvisation, dramatic group reading, poetry reading

Stage Skills: necessary and interpretive actions, blocking a scene, dominant/subdominant characters, 2 person humorous scene, semester project, monologue

Body Skills:

charades, observation skills. mime, pantomime

Theater Arts II Students will study more specific aspects of theater including improvisation, characterization, theater production. Students are selected by teacher recommendation. Projects and activities: - Advanced improvisation - Script reading - Character analysis - Prop, Costume, Scene design and planning - Introduction to make-up - Following a rehearsal schedule - Play performance - Two person dramatic scene - Monologue

Students will study more specific aspects of theater including improvisation, characterization, theater production. Students are selected by teacher recommendation.

Projects and activities:

- Advanced improvisation

- Script reading

- Character analysis

- Prop, Costume, Scene design and planning

- Introduction to make-up

- Following a rehearsal schedule

- Play performance

- Two person dramatic scene

- Monologue

Physical Education Team Sports: This semester long class will provide a team sport emphasis. Activities may include basketball, football, soccer and softball. Individual Sports: This semester long course will provide an individual sport emphasis. Activities may include tennis, badminton, weight training and golf. Aerobic Dance: This semester-long course will provide an aerobic dance and conditioning emphasis. Activities may include step aerobics, and dances. Weights and Conditioning: This semester elective is a co-ed course that requires the pre-approval of the teacher for enrollment. Students will develop their muscular strength and endurance through the use of free weights, machine weights, and strength and endurance activities.

Team Sports: This semester long class will provide a team sport emphasis. Activities may include basketball, football, soccer and softball.

Individual Sports: This semester long course will provide an individual sport emphasis. Activities may include tennis, badminton, weight training and golf.

Aerobic Dance: This semester-long course will provide an aerobic dance and conditioning emphasis. Activities may include step aerobics, and dances.

Weights and Conditioning: This semester elective is a co-ed course that requires the pre-approval of the teacher for enrollment. Students will develop their muscular strength and endurance through the use of free weights, machine weights, and strength and endurance activities.

Other Physical Education Options Physical Education/Work Experience: This is a semester long work experience program where students assist the HPE teacher. The experiences include officiating, demonstrating skills, leadership, and organizing class activities.

Physical Education/Work Experience: This is a semester long work experience program where students assist the HPE teacher. The experiences include officiating, demonstrating skills, leadership, and organizing class activities.

Computer Applications 1 Semester Class For 8 th and 9 th Grade Students

Microsoft Word PowerPoint Publisher Microsoft Paint Software: Photo Draw FrontPage Adobe PhotoShop Adobe Illustrator Ainsworth Keyboarding

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Publisher

Microsoft Paint

Photo Draw

FrontPage

Adobe PhotoShop

Adobe Illustrator

Ainsworth Keyboarding

Projects require not just computer knowledge, but… practical knowledge like… Reading Writing Researching And Presenting Projects Require

Projects require not just computer knowledge, but…

practical knowledge like…

Reading

Writing

Researching

And Presenting

Keyboarding every day Mini-Autobiography Olympic Athlete Pamphlet Fun Cartoon Drawing Travel Brochure Personal Note Cards Projects Personal Stationery Greeting Cards Family Newsletter Bookmarks Memory Book Website on a topic of their choice

Keyboarding every day

Mini-Autobiography

Olympic Athlete Pamphlet

Fun Cartoon Drawing

Travel Brochure

Personal Note Cards

Personal Stationery

Greeting Cards

Family Newsletter

Bookmarks

Memory Book

Website on a topic of their choice

Business and the Internet 1 Semester Class For 8 th and 9 th Grade Students

Students… Learn about business & the Internet in a hands-on easy step-by-step way. They use the computer and Internet to complete all assignments. They create Excel spreadsheets that are used to play fun credit card and finance games And they listen to exciting guest speakers who work in the field of finance and investing What's the class about?

Students…

Learn about business & the Internet in a hands-on easy step-by-step way.

They use the computer and Internet to complete all assignments.

They create Excel spreadsheets that are used to play fun credit card and finance games

And they listen to exciting guest speakers who work in the field of finance and investing

Students use the Internet to Learn … What it takes to pay the monthly bills How to avoid credit card debt How interest rates affect them They also learn about… Setting financial goals Saving and Investing Writing checks and logging transactions Buying a car The Stock market and tracking stock via the Internet Starting a new business

Students use the Internet to Learn …

What it takes to pay the monthly bills

How to avoid credit card debt

How interest rates affect them

They also learn about…

Setting financial goals

Saving and Investing

Writing checks and logging transactions

Buying a car

The Stock market and tracking stock via the Internet

Starting a new business

Starting a Business Each student creates a business plan for a new business that they would like to own . They use the computer and Internet to promote their business by… Designing a company logo Designing Business Stationery & Business Cards Writing a Press Release Creating a Product Brochure Creating a Business Web Site Designing fun promotional items like…company t-shirts, Frisbees, and mugs

They use the computer and Internet to promote their business by…

Designing a company logo

Designing Business Stationery & Business Cards

Writing a Press Release

Creating a Product Brochure

Creating a Business Web Site

Designing fun promotional items like…company

t-shirts, Frisbees, and mugs

1 Semester Class For 9 th Grade Students Web Publishing

This class is for students who… Always wanted to learn how to make a web site but thought it was too hard Know the basics of Web Publishing and want to learn more Would like to work on the West Junior High Web site or the WJH Channel 2 News. Students learn web publishing in a hands-on easy step-by-step way. Who is this class for...

This class is for students who…

Always wanted to learn how to make a web site but thought it was too hard

Know the basics of Web Publishing and want to learn more

Would like to work on the West Junior High Web site or the WJH Channel 2 News.

Web Topics In this class students learn how to create a variety of different styles of webs using Microsoft FrontPage. Web topics include… Personal Web Travel in Northern Michigan Space Explorations The Louvre The Smithsonian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Web topics include…

Personal Web

Travel in Northern Michigan

Space Explorations

The Louvre

The Smithsonian

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Enhancements Students learn how to enhance their webs by adding… Graphics created in Adobe PhotoShop or Illustrator Sound Video Animation Forms And Special Effects.

Students learn how to enhance their webs by adding…

Graphics created in Adobe PhotoShop or Illustrator

Sound

Video

Animation

Forms

And Special Effects.

Technology Education Technology Education I Technology Design I Technology Design II Woodworking I Woodworking II

Technology Education I

Technology Design I

Technology Design II

Woodworking I

Woodworking II

Music -Band Ninth Grade Band members will be placed in one of the three bands based upon their audition at the end of their eighth grade year. Symphonic Band Concert Band Renaissance Band

Ninth Grade Band members will be placed in one of the three bands based upon their audition at the end of their eighth grade year.

Symphonic Band

Concert Band

Renaissance Band

Music - Band Band Opportunities: Jazz Band Percussion Ensemble Traverse City Band Festival Solo and Ensemble Michigan School Band and Orchestra District Band Festival Concert at Interlochen Seasonal Concerts Elementary Jazz Band Tours Music Scholarship Opportunities

Band Opportunities:

Jazz Band

Percussion Ensemble

Traverse City Band Festival

Solo and Ensemble

Michigan School Band and Orchestra District Band Festival

Concert at Interlochen

Seasonal Concerts

Elementary Jazz Band Tours

Music Scholarship Opportunities

Music – Orchestra Opportunities: Michigan School Band and Orchestra District Band Festival WJH Symphony Orchestra Octet +7 Solo and Ensemble MSBOA String Workshop Music Scholarships Enrichment Opportunities

Opportunities:

Michigan School Band and Orchestra District Band Festival

WJH Symphony Orchestra

Octet +7

Solo and Ensemble

MSBOA String Workshop

Music Scholarships

Enrichment Opportunities

Music – Choir OPTIONS: Symphonic Choir Women’s Choir Tenor/Bass Choir – For changed voice boys, rehearse separately from 9 th grade Symphonic girls but to combine with them in resource to make Symphonic Choir Madrigals – a highly select mixed choir that meets during resource period

OPTIONS:

Symphonic Choir Women’s Choir

Tenor/Bass Choir – For changed voice boys, rehearse separately from 9 th grade Symphonic girls but to combine with them in resource to make Symphonic Choir

Madrigals – a highly select mixed choir that meets during resource period

School Nurse Pat Quinlan

Thank You Please plan to attend parent teacher conferences on Thursday, March 8, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Conferences will conducted in classrooms using a walk-in format. No appointment is necessary.

Please plan to attend parent teacher conferences on Thursday, March 8, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Conferences will conducted in classrooms using a walk-in format. No appointment is necessary.