NEW FOR 1998

TO: Parents and Students:

This guide is an important tool in the course selection process at Newbury Jr. High School. Although there are more limited course choices in grades 7 and 8, the courses that are selected by you affect not only the coming school year but also future years at Newbury Jr. High School, High School, and those years beyond.

The Academic Content Standards of the state of Ohio are addressed and assessed in all programs of study. Teachers work daily on the subject area grade level indicators to help prepare the students of Newbury Junior High for the 7^th and 8^th grade Achievement Tests and for the 10^th grade Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) that have replaced the Proficiency Tests.

We also realize that each student is an individual, and therefore, modifications of some phases of the program may be necessary for a student to achieve success. The school will work with all students to assure they have the best opportunity to succeed.

This scheduling process is a major step in preparing for the future. Please involve your teachers, guidance counselor, and administrators in helping you to make the best possible choices.

Before school starts we will make schedule changes. Students who wish to make schedule changes should report from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and/or 12:30-2:30 p.m. on the following day:

Thursday, August 20 - Grades 7&8

PROUD TO BE A BLACK KNIGHT,

Judith E. Miller

Principal

NOTE:

No schedule change will occur without a parent’s signature so parents should plan to accompany their students to the guidance office.

Grade 7

Notes

LANGUAGE ARTS: (All year) REQUIRED

Language Arts for the 7th grade involves content, skills, and activities that relate directly to the seventh grade indicators from the Ohio Academic Content Standards. Students will read short stories, plays, mythology, fables, non-fiction, poetry, and selected novels. The course also includes library and reference skills. The instructors use a variety of literature to teach the requirements from the state and prepare our students to solve problems and apply their knowledge in written form. Students are required to write persuasive essays, use personal narratives to tell stories, and construct a formal research paper.

WORLD STUDIES I: (All year) REQUIRED

The seventh grade students begin the four-year historical sequence with a study of the ancient world. This study incorporates each of the seven Ohio Social Studies Content Standards (History, People in Societies, Geography, Economics, Government, Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities, Social Studies Skills and Methods) into the chronology of history from 1000 BC until 1750. Students learn that each event is shaped by its geographic setting, the culture of the people, economic conditions, governmental decisions, and citizen action. Students also expand their command of social studies skills and methods.

ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE MATH COURSES MUST BE SELECTED

(These courses may schedule 7^th and 8^th graders together)

INTEGRATED MATH: (All Year)

This course reviews computational arithmetic preceding the study of basic geometry, pre-algebra, number theory, metrics, and basic algebra. Students will have to answer the how and why questions in mathematical procedures. Class discussion and participation are expected from all students. At times students will work in groups to discover math through a hands-on process.

PRE ALGEBRA: (All year)

This course covers all integrated mathematics topics in greater depth. These are supplemented with strands from Pre-Algebra. This course is designed to prepare students for Algebra. Students entering Pre Algebra as seventh graders must have the recommendation of the sixth grade math instructor.

ALGEBRA I: (All year)

Algebra I is the first of 5 college preparatory math classes offered at Newbury. Students planning to take Calculus as seniors should take Algebra I before grade 9.

Areas of study will cover rational numbers, solving first and second degree equations, algebraic functions, operating with polynomials, and inequalities. Students should plan on 30 minutes a day of preparation time. Seventh grade algebra students may be assigned to the high school lunch period. Students entering Algebra I in the seventh grade must have the recommendation of the sixth grade Math instructor. High school graduation credit is not given to junior high students taking this course.

LIFE SCIENCE: (All year) REQUIRED/offered to 7^th and 8^th grade in 2008-09 and

2010-2011. Classes will be composed of both 7^th and 8^th grade students.

Life Science for junior high students involves content, skills, and activities that relate directly to the grade level indicators from the Ohio Academic Content Standards. Students will develop an understanding of the characteristics, structures, and functions of cells, organisms, and living systems. The students will study, in more depth, the principals of heredity, change over time, and the diversity and interdependence of life. Major units include viruses, cells, classification of living things, heredity/genetics/natural selection, and population dynamics/ecology.

EARTH SCIENCE: (All year) REQUIRED/ offered to 7^th and 8^th grade in 2007-08 and

2009-2010. Classes will be composed of both 7^th and 8^th grade students.

Earth Science for junior high students involves content, skills, and activities that relate directly to the grade level indicators from the Ohio Academic Content Standards. Students will develop an understanding of properties and interconnected nature of Earth’s systems, processes that shape Earth and Earth’s history. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of how the concepts and principles of energy, matter, and motion and forces explain the systems of our Earth. Major units include the water cycle, weather, climatic zones, Earth’s crust, the rock cycle, and landforms.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION: (1 Semester) REQUIRED

/offered as a mixed 7^th and 8^th grade course.

Physical education in the 7th grade emphasizes total participation. Students are involved in various activities throughout the semester including team sports and physical fitness.

HEALTH ( 1 Semester ) REQUIRED IN 7^TH OR 8^TH

Students will develop an awareness of their physical, social, and emotional growth. Topics include the following;

1. Communication

2. Personal Health goals and physical activity

3. Mental/Emotional Health- emotions, managing stress, developing healthy relationships.

4. Team strategies

5. Accepting diversity and combating bullying

6. Alcohol, tobacco, and other dangerous drugs

7. Nutrition

8. Environmental health- recycling, conservation, and protection of a healthy environment

9. Personal safety

These topics are explored partially through the use of the All Stars curriculum which is provided through Geauga County Family First Council. Also included are the issues of substance abuse and sexuality. Parent participation is an integral part of this curriculum.

STUDENTS MUST SELECT AT LEAST 1 ½ (3 semester classes

or 1 all year class and 1 semester class) PERIODS OF INSTRUCTION AND UP TO 2 ½ PERIODS OF INSTRUCTION FROM THE FOLLOWING

CHORUS: (All year) Optional

Junior High chorus is open to any student who enjoys singing and has a sincere interest in learning and performing various styles of choral music. Emphasis is placed on part-singing and more difficult repertoire is presented in preparation for High School. Proper use of the singing voice, quality repertoire, part singing, applied theory and appropriate concert behavior will be emphasized throughout the year.

JUNIOR HIGH BAND: (All year) Optional

Junior High band is open to students who play a band instrument, and who have a sincere interest in the quality performance of different styles of music. Music theory will be taught as applied to band music. There are several concerts each year in which band members are required to participate.

GENERAL MUSIC: (1 Semester) Optional

This course is an alternative for students who do not wish to perform in the chorus or band. The student will be involved in the continuing discovery of the art of music. The process will include exposure to music theory, basic knowledge and appreciation of various styles from classical to rock and music theory. The magazine Music Alive is used as a text. No concerts or required performances are scheduled.

ART: (1 Semester) Optional

This course covers drawing, painting, calligraphy, and other areas of art. It is designed to enable students to build on art skills, concepts, self-awareness and self-expression.

STUDY SKILLS: (1 Semester) Optional

This Study Skills course is offered for students to explore basic study skills in one semester. In the first nine weeks the focus will be on topics such as learning styles, organization, outlining, reading comprehension, test taking strategies, and taking notes. In the second nine weeks the students will concentrate on applying these skills to the content subjects they take. In addition, they will explore standardized test preparation, Seventh Grade Achievement Test practice, and Ohio Graduation Test preparation. The students will be given the opportunity to practice writing short answer and extended response answers across a variety of curricular areas.

KEYBOARDING: (1 Semester) Optional

This course is designed to give the student knowledge of the typing keyboard and enable students to use the typewriter and the computer with accuracy and fluency. Multi-page reports are required for 9 week exams.

Grade 8

Notes

LANGUAGE ARTS: (All year) REQUIRED

Language Arts for the 8^th grade involves content, skills, and activities that relate directly to the eighth grade indicators from the Ohio Academic Content Standards. This course involves the reading of selected novels and an anthology. The students will study literary elements, such as plot, character, theme, and mood. Vocabulary comprehension and critical and interpretive reading will be emphasized. Spoken and written communication will incorporate spelling, writing, and grammar skills necessary for spoken and written communication. Students will review parts of speech and their functions, capitalization, punctuation, and correct usage. The student will learn correct sentence structure in narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and expository writing.

WORLD STUDIES II: (All year) REQUIRED

The historical sequence continues in the eighth grade with an in-depth study of the early years of our country. This study incorporates each of the seven Ohio Social Studies Content Standards (History, People in Societies, Geography, Economics, Government, Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities, Social Studies Skills and Methods) into the chronology of history from 1607 until 1877. While students are studying each historical event, they consider the geographic setting, economic implications, developments in government, and the role of citizens. Students also expand their command of social studies skills and methods.

ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE MATH COURSES MUST BE SELECTED

(These courses may schedule 7^th and 8^th graders together)

INTEGRATED MATH: (All Year)

This course reviews computational arithmetic preceding the study of basic geometry, pre-algebra, number theory, metrics, and basic algebra. Students will have to answer the how and why questions in mathematical procedures. Class discussion and participation are expected from all students. At times, students will work in groups to discover math through a hands-on process.

PRE ALGEBRA: (All year)

This course covers all integrated mathematics topics in greater depth. These are supplemented with strands from Pre-Algebra. This course is designed to prepare students for Algebra.

ALGEBRA I: (All year)

Algebra I is the first of 5 college preparatory math classes offered at Newbury. Students planning to take Calculus as seniors should take Algebra I prior to grade 9. (Junior high students will be in class with high school students, but there is no high school graduation credit given to junior high students.)

Areas of study will cover rational numbers, solving first and second degree equations, algebraic functions, operating with polynomials, and inequalities. Students should plan on 30 minutes a day of preparation time. Some eighth grade algebra students may be assigned to the high school lunch period. Students entering Algebra I in the eighth grade must have the recommendation of the seventh grade Math instructor.

LIFE SCIENCE: (All year) REQUIRED/offered to 7^th and 8^th grade in 2008-09 and

2010-11. Classes will be composed of both 7^th and 8^th grade students.

EARTH SCIENCE: (All year) REQUIRED/ offered to 7^th and 8^th grade in 2007-08 and

2009-2010. Classes will be composed of both 7^th and 8^th grade students.

Earth Science for junior high students involves content, skills, and activities that relate directly to the grade level indicators from the Ohio Academic Content Standards. Students will develop an understanding of properties and interconnected nature of Earth’s systems, processes that shape Earth and Earth’s history. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of how the concepts and principles of energy, matter, and motion and forces explain the systems of our Earth. Major units include the water cycle, the rock cycle, weather, climatic zones, the earth’s crust, and landforms.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION: (1 semester) REQUIRED

/offered as a mixed 7^th and 8^th grade course.

Physical education in the 8th grade emphasizes total participation. Students are involved in various activities throughout the semester, including team sports and physical fitness.

STUDENTS MUST SELECT AT LEAST 1 ½ (3 semester classes or 1 all year class and 1 semester class) PERIODS OF INSTRUCTION AND UP TO 2 ½ PERIODS OF INSTRUCTION FROM THE FOLLOWING

CHORUS: (All year) Optional

Junior High chorus is open to any student who enjoys singing and has a sincere interest in learning and performing various styles of choral music. Emphasis is placed on part singing and more difficult repertoire is presented in preparation for High School. Proper use of the singing voice, quality repertoire, part singing, applied theory and appropriate concert behavior will be emphasized throughout the year.

JUNIOR HIGH BAND: (All year) Optional

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: (1 Semester) Optional

This introductory/exploratory course is geared to acquaint junior high level students with French or Spanish. Elementary conversational approaches will be used. Students may choose one language or both. In Spanish, two workbooks will be purchased at a cost of $36. In French, a text/tape manual and an activity book will be purchased at a cost of $18.

ART: (1 Semester) Optional

Students may select this course only if seats are available.

This course covers drawing, painting, calligraphy, and other areas of art. It is designed to enable students to build on art skills, concepts, self-awareness, and self-expression.

HOME ECONOMICS: (1 semester) Optional

The eighth grade Family/Consumer Science program serves as an introduction to the Practical Arts courses in the high school. This course is built around the intermediate content standards for Family/Consumer Science which relate to understanding healthy lifestyles, building relationships, demonstrating personal financial literacy, designing a career blueprint, becoming an informed consumer, ensuring food safety, managing a life plan, and managing personal transitions. There will also be a small sewing project included in the semester’s activities. The final project will include use of the program Real World, Real Money. This program provides information regarding personal financial issues and culminates in a simulation activity during which students pick a career and family circumstances which mirror real life possibilities. In this activity, students work with adults who have careers in fields such as banking, housing, transportation, and entertainment. They have to make decisions about how to spend their income, and then they discuss how education and career decisions affect families and life styles.

There is a fee for cooking labs and the sewing project.