Oquirrh Mountain Charter School

The seventh grade language arts course focuses on reading and writing and includes instruction in vocabulary, spelling, and grammar.The curriculum will include reading works of fiction, nonfiction and drama such as Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, Little Women, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Scarlet Letter, The Hobbit, The Gift of the Magi, The Necklace, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Call of the Wild, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Cyrano de Bergerac, and historical speeches and documents of the Revolutionary and Civil War eras . Elements of fiction, drama, and poetry will be studied, along with historical essays and speeches. The study of Latin will be continued with that of English grammar.Latin and Greek words, along with foreign phrases commonly used in English, will be introduced to support vocabulary development. Writing will include nonfiction essays that describe, narrate, persuade, and compare and contrast and research essays with a focus on gathering relevant data, defining a thesis, organizing an outline, and preparing a bibliography.Speaking and listening skills will be developed through short speeches and group discussions.

Math 7

Year - 5010
Prerequisite: Sixth Grade Mathematics

The seventh grade math course will continue the study of concepts from sixth grade in more depth and expand upon them to include basic pre-algebra.This course will include daily practice of basic math facts, new concepts presented in small increments and reviewed throughout the year, and daily written practice that encourages students to communicate mathematically and apply problem solving strategies to real world situations.

Pre-Algebra

Year - 5020
Prerequisite: Proficiency in Sixth Grade Mathematics or Math 7

The Pre-Algebra course will expand upon concepts and skills covered in elementary mathematics and will introduce algebra concepts to students as a way to transition them into the study of Algebra and Geometry.Students will work with equivalent expressions, single-variable equations and inequalities. This course will include daily practice of basic math facts, new concepts presented in small increments and reviewed throughout the year, and daily written practice that encourages students to communicate mathematically and apply problem solving strategies to real world situations.

Utah Studies

Semester - 6010
Prerequisite: None

This course will examine Utah’s history, geography, and inhabitants and help students understand its unique nature, people, and cultures.Topics of study will include the contributions of Native Americans, explorers, and pioneers on the development of this area, settlement and statehood, government, and industry.

History

Year - 6020
Prerequisite: None

In History 7, students will learn about events leading up to WWI--imperialism and America becoming a world power--through the end of WWII. Not only are students studying events of American and world history, but they study the geography of the U.S., Europe, and Japan to further understand the relationships between places and events of the early to mid-twentieth century.

Integrated Science 7

Year - 3010
Prerequisite: None

The seventh grade science course will review atomic structure covered in grade 5 and will expand upon this knowledge to discuss early theories of matter and the beginning of modern chemistry.Students will study chemical bonds and reactions, cell division, and genetics.They will also learn about the history of the earth and life forms, through the study of paleontology, geologic time, and evolution. The course will also include a study of the lives and discoveries of Charles Darwin, Antoine Lavoisier, Lise Meitner, and Dmitri Mendeleev.

Physical Education 7

Semester - 7010
Prerequisite: None

Seventh grade Physical Education will aid students in developing skills such as throwing, catching, striking, and kicking.Students will participate in drills, activities and a variety of team sports to master basic movements and prepare themselves for advanced play.

CTE

Year - 8010
Prerequisite: None

CTE Intro is Utah's exploratory Career and Technical Education Core Curriculum requirement for middle/junior high school. The purpose of this program is to allow students to be involved in activity-centered lessons which utilize technology, develop beginning skills, and explore careers. Students are provided with the direction, decision-making, and planning needed in order to select their career path. Through Awareness Activities students are exposed to careers in the following content areas:

Agriculture Education
Business Education
Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Literacy Education
Family & Consumer Sciences Education
Health Science & Technology Education
Information Technology Education
Marketing Education
Technology & Engineering Education
Skilled & Technical Sciences Education

Latin

Students will study the Latin language, stressing vocabulary and grammar, Roman history (both archaeological and mythical), Roman mythology, and Roman culture.

7th Grade Elective Courses

Art

Semester - 1100
Prerequisite: None

Students will develop drawing skills in shape, space, value, line, vanishing points, three-dimensional form, illustration, and light and shadow and will also gain an understanding and appreciation of great works of art and artists throughout history.

8th Grade Required Academic Course Descriptions

English 8

Year - 4020
Prerequisites: English 7

The eighth grade language arts course will focus on reading and writing and will include instruction in vocabulary, spelling, and grammar.The curriculum will include reading works of fiction, nonfiction and drama such as Diary of a Young Girl, Animal Farm, The Good Earth, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Giver , Wuthering Heights and short stories by Chekov, Hawthorne, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Crane.Elements of fiction, drama, and poetry will be studied, along with historical essays and speeches. The study of Latin will be continued with that of English grammar.Latin and Greek words, along with foreign phrases commonly used in English, will be introduced to support vocabulary development. Writing will include nonfiction essays that describe, narrate, persuade, and compare and contrast and research essays with a focus on gathering relevant data, defining a thesis, organizing an outline, and preparing a bibliography.Speaking and listening skills will be developed through short speeches and group discussions.

Algebra I

Year - 5030
Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra

Algebra I will expand upon concepts introduced in Pre-Algebra and will include topics such as proofs, statistics, probability, irrational numbers, equivalent expressions, polynomials, and quadratic relationships. Students will work with tables, graphs, and equations. Students will develop more complex mathematical thinking and fluency in solving linear equations and inequalities.

Pre-algebra

Pre-requisite: Proficiency in 6th grade math

This pre-algebra course will expand upon concepts and skills covered in elementary mathematics and will introduce algebra concepts to students as a way to transition them into Algebra and Geometry. Students will work with equivalent expressions, single variable equations, and inequalities. This course will include daily practice of basic math facts, and daily written practice that encourages students to communicate mathematically and apply problem solving strategies to real world situations.

United States History

Year - 6030
Prerequisite: History, 7th Grade

This course explores United States history from the Age of Exploration through the 19th century. Topics include the Exploration, Colonization, the Revolutionary War, the Constitution, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and Westward Expansion. The second semester will then focus on growth and change in American democracy in the last 60 years. Topics will include the end of colonialism, the Cold War, Civil Rights, and the modern War on Terror.

U.S. Government & Citizenship

Semester - 6040
Prerequisite: None

Through this course, students will explore American citizenship and study essential concepts, protections, privileges, and structures that influence the United States political system.

Integrated Science 8

Year - 3020
Prerequisite: Integrated Science 7

The eighth grade science course covers topics related to energy and changes in matter.In addition, the following topics will be explored:motion, forces, density and buoyancy, work, energy, power, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic radiation and light, sound waves, and the chemistry of food and respiration. Scientists within these areas will also be studied, such as Albert Einstein, Dorothy Hodgkin, James Maxwell, and Charles Steinmetz.

Physical Education 8

Semester - 7020
Prerequisite: Physical Education 7

Physical Education 8 expands up skills taught in Physical Education 7 and provides students with more challenging activities to improve skill development and physical fitness. Students will participate in team sports and cooperative activities to develop teamwork and sportsmanship.

Health

Semester - 7050
Prerequisite: None

The health component of this course provides students with knowledge and skills to make healthy choices in their lives.Students will explore many factors of a healthy self, including nutrition and fitness, disease prevention, substance abuse prevention, healthy relationships and self-esteem.

Career Exploration

Students will be doing service learning projects, one per quarter, based on student discovery and input, and also exploring the careers that are associated with the current service project.

Drama/Debate

During this course students will learn about the origins of drama and theater, as well as the key elements that make up improvisation, drama, comedy, and debate. Elements of debate will be studied, with mock trials and reenactments of speeches and debates. Fall semester will study the contributions of William Shakespeare to theater, while the Spring Semester will create an original production centered on American Heritage titled “We, The People.”

Creative Writing

The purpose of this course is to help students to become more proficient writers. The first half of the year will focus heavily on persuasive writing in preparation of the DWA (Direct Writing Assessment). The second half of the year will focus on a dramatic writing in conjunction with the Drama class's production "We, The People." Througout the year, the students will be exposed to a variety of genres and be expected to write original pieces.

8th Grade Elective Courses

Art

Semester - 1100
Prerequisite: None

Exploratory Foreign Language

Year - 4410
Prerequisite: None

Students will be introduced to the study of language and language relationships with an emphasis on French and Spanish.They will learn basic vocabulary and conversational phrases and study the culture, history, and geography of the French and Spanish-speaking worlds.This course offers students the opportunity to experience both languages and cultures before focusing in on one in future studies.

9th Grade Required Courses

Algebra 1

Pre-requisite: Pre-Algebra

Algebra 1 will build on the concepts developed in Pre-Algebra and will include topics such as proofs, statistics, probability, irrational numbers, equivalent numbers, polynomials, and quadratic relationships. Students will work with tables, graphs, and equations. Students will develop more complex mathematical thinking and fluency in solving linear equations and inequalities.

Geometry

Pre-requisite: B or higher in Algebra

This course includes the study of the major theorems and hypotheses of Euclidian geometry and non-Euclidian geometry. Students will learn geometric constructions and coordinate geometry.

Course: Algebra II

Pre-requisite: Geometry

Students will further their understanding of functions. They will graph and solve problems using Polynomial functions, Exponential and Logarithmic functions, Trigonometric functions, power functions, and root functions. Students will also solve problems involving systems of equations by using matrices. Students will be introduced to complex numbers. They will also further their understanding of probability, including applications of combinations and permutations, dependent and independent events, compound probability, and conditional probability.

Computer Technology

Computer Technology Education will prepare students for employment and/or continuing education opportunities by teaching them to understand, design, produce, use, and manage the human-made world in order to contribute and function in a technological society. Students will learn keyboarding skills during the course.

English/Civics

These two courses are combined together to help students learn to read primary documents, such as the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and write non-fiction as per the National English Curriculum. The culminating project of the combined courses is the 9th grade "Student Synthesis" project. The Student Synthesis will instill characteristics of moral civic values in every student and create the feeling of community among class members, school, city, state, and nation. Topics that will be taught this year are: the research paper, persuasive essay, American citizenship and government principles. As a fun school activity, 9th graders will participate in Utah English Quest in February. There will be a lot of reading and writing, in accordance with the state curriculum.

Geography For Life

Geography will teach students to understand the world in spatial terms, including the human and physical characteristics of places. They will understand the human and physical interaction in their environment, the elements that make up culture, and the human influence on the world. In addition, China, Russia, and other select regions will be studied.

Physical Education

Physical Education 9 expands on the skills taught in Physical Education 8and provides students with more challenging activities to improve skill development and physical fitness. Students will participate in team sports and cooperative activities to develop teamwork and sportsmanship.

Science

The earth systems course investigates the earth from the Big Bang Theory, and continuing into modern environmental concerns. Students will explore the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and how these spheres are impacted by humans. This class provides the background information for all other High School Science classes.

9th Grade Elective Courses

Spanish

Spanish students will be learning the basic grammar principles of the present (both regular and irregular), the near future, and how to use verbs in their infinitive forms in Spanish. They will learn the fundamentals of reading, speaking and writing in a second language, along with the basic building blocks to move on to the higher Spanish levels. These will include conversational phrases, colors, clothing, parts of the body, sports, the weather, likes and dislikes, family, home, and various other descriptions.

Latin Literature

Students will learn to recognize the influence of Latin literature on the artistic achievements of the modern world and compare themes of Cicero, Catullus, and Horace with those of their own culture.

Learning Strategies

This course is designed as a supplemental course for those students who lack study skills and skills of practical application. Skills will be taught in note taking, memory, test taking, logic, concentration, reading comprehension and listening. Turning in homework assignments for all classes will be emphasized.

Economics/Business

This introductory course will teach theories and practices of management in economics and business. Analysis, problem solving, and decision making tools and activities will be emphasized and practiced through group and individual work. Students will develop effective communication skills in numerous types of situations using a variety of media. Work ethics and social responsibility will be emphasized. Students will study how consumers and producers make decisions.

Yearbook

This course will create a strong school yearbook with content, design, and photography that has a consistent look and feel. This class will take basic graphic design skills and journalism skills to the next level, setting goals, timelines and assignments for job completion. Students will critique entries, learn page layout, typography and color, cover design, and writing. Students will be the editors.