Academic Classes at North Country School • 9th Grade
Algebra I
Social Studies
Language Arts and Literature
Biology
Language
Mode of Study
Algebra Structure and Method: Book 1
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond, Collapse by Jared Diamond
Reading and Writing Workshop Model using select texts
Materials: Scientific journals and hands-on laboratory investigations
Students use conversation and written texts to develop language skills in this course.
Special Units
• Bungee jumping physics project • Mathematical analysis of the Tortoise and the Hare story • Artistic expression project using irrational square roots
• Research project • Geography study • Current events exploration
• Novel study • Investigation topic-Coming of Age • Original works of poetry • Experiential creative writing • Short Story unit • Journal writing workshop
• Diffusion/osmosis lab studies • Food: from photosynthesis to digestion • Investigations in population genetics • Blood typing
• Exchange rate • Personal country presentation • Creation and presentation of an original children’s story
-Define the concept of culture, the role it plays in human affairs, and the main concepts associated with it -Explain what the “multiculturalism” and “cultural diversity” movements are and the basic issues relating to them in modern society -Understand the regional distribution of the human population at local to global scales and its patterns of change - Describe how humans influence the environment and in turn are influenced by it. - Describe the way that geography contributes to and affects culture -Demonstrate the ability to obtain geographic information from a variety of print and electronic sources
-Read for all purposes to fully participate in and expand understanding of today’s global society -Expand vocabulary by reading, listening to, and thinking critically about poetry and prose -Demonstrate speaking, listening, writing, reading, and research skills while studying The Tempest, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Catcher in the Rye, Into the Wild, and a variety of short stories -Demonstrate listening, writing, and reading through a variety of poetry styles -Speak and listen effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience -Prepare and orally present original work
-Provide a foundation in basic biological principles -Develop an understanding of the interrelationships among living organisms -Further an understanding of the scientific method and its implications -Develop an understanding of some natural laws and their applications to life -Develop the concept of commonality of structure and function in living organisms -Develop the ideas of the uniqueness and diversity of life
-Engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions in the Spanish language -Understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics -Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics -Demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own
Objectives -Review algebraic concepts and Skills including grouping symbols, equations, number lines, and absolute values -Use real numbers for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and use with the distributive property -Solve equations using operations, transformations, charts, variables, and proofs -Add, subtract, multiply, and divide polynomials -Factor polynomials using patterns, and squares -Use fractions for polynomial long division and mixed expression equations -Apply fractions to ratios, proportions, percents, and negative exponents -Use functions to solve equations with two variables -Define functions and lines with tables, graphs, and equations -Perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of radicals and and binomials containing radicals -Graph quadratic equations -Apply the zero-product property to solve equations
9th Grade Electives at North Country School • 9th Grade Electives
Algebra II and Trigonometry
Community Projects
Geometry
Justice
Mode of Study
Algebra Structure and Method: Book 2, McDougal Littell, ALEKS.com
Community needs assessed by the students
Geometry: Seeing, Doing, Understanding: Third Edition, Jacobs; EngageNY
WGBH twelve episode documentary series; Zero Dark Thirty; Current events; Teachings from a variety of philosophers
Special Units
• Adaptive software ALEKS.com is used to individualize the learning process • Study in statistics and probability
• Garden carts • Compost • Robotics maze • Run-in shelter
• Two column proofs • Geometric constructions • Mathematical notebook
• Aristotle, Bentham, Kant, Locke, Nozick, Rawls • Trolley car and other ethical dilemmas • Formal debate technique • Peter Singer’s “Pond Paradox”
Objectives and Skills
-Analyze givens, constraints, relationships, and goals and use symbols -Reason abstractly and quantitatively -Construct viable arguments using stated assumptions, definitions, and previously established results -Make conjectures and build a logical progression of statements to explore solutions -Use inequalities to solve problems and write proofs -Explore higher order equations and roots using synthetic division -Graph parabolas, circles, ellipses, and hyperbolas -Derive the quadratic formula and use it for solving for roots of quadratic equations -Study exponential and logarithmic growth -Plot functions and solve word problems -Study geometric and arithmetic sequences and series
-Practice skills and test classroom knowledge through execution of specified projects -Facilitate service learning and engagement with the community -Increase quality of life on campus by improving existing structures and organization
-Demonstrate the ability to use fundamental concepts of geometry, including definitions, basic constructions, and tools of geometry -Demonstrate the ability to apply the properties of angles, parallel and perpendicular lines -Understand congruence in terms of rigid motions and transformations of geometric shapes -Make formal geometric constructions with a variety of tools and methods -Demonstrate the ability to apply definitions and theorems of triangles -Apply trigonometry to right triangles and general triangles -Visualize relationships between twodimensional and three-dimensional objects -Be introduced to reasoning, exploration of lines and angles, congruence, inequalities, coordinate geometry, geometric constructions, basics of rigid motion, and extensive coverage of algebraic concepts -Learn to solve two line proofs
-Understand and communicate various forms of arguments effectively in a variety of contexts - Learn to conduct researches using multiple sources to support a position in a debate -State arguments accurately and clearly and identify strengths and weaknesses of different arguments - Develop and defend their own arguments, taking into account a variety of philosophical positions but adding original insights or emphases - Learn to generate effective critical thinking into primary issues in a given topic -Understand major philosophical ideas accurately -Read analytically, critically, and empathetically -Evaluate internet sources for authority, authenticity, objectivity, and currency
Advanced Math Option: Precalculus and Calculus is offered as needed.