Ninth Grade
Courses
English 1
Live: Utilizing a robust and age-appropriate booklist, students will develop an understanding of universal themes and archetypes, and will build their skills in rhetoric, composition, and expository writing. Students will utilize great books, short stories, poetry, and different types of scholarly and informational writing to build their own fluency.
World History
Live: The World History course will further students’ understanding of World History, Geography and Humanities. This course builds upon the middle school World History course and adds North and South American History to the context, through the beginning of the 21st century. Themes of investigation include cause and effect in historical events, and the flow of ideas and information across continents and through various means such as trade.
Algebra 2
On- Demand: The Algebra 2 course focuses on 5 major content areas: (1) extending arithmetic operations with algebraic expressions to include radical and rational expressions and polynomial division; (2) graphing and analyzing functions including polynomials, absolute value, radical, rational, exponential and logarithmic; (3) building functions using compositions, inverses and transformations; (4) extending systems of equations and inequalities to include non-linear expressions and (5) developing understanding of the complex number system, including complex numbers as roots of polynomial equations.
Algebra 2 (Honors)
On- Demand: The Algebra 2 course focuses on 6 major content areas: (1) developing understanding of the complex number system, including complex numbers as roots of polynomial equations; (2) extending arithmetic operations with algebraic expressions to include polynomial division, radical and rational expressions; (3) graphing and analyzing functions including polynomials, absolute value, radical, rational, exponential and logarithmic; (4) extending systems of equations and inequalities to include non-linear expressions; (5)building functions using compositions, inverses and transformations and (6) developing understanding of probability concepts.
Geometry
Live: The Geometry course focuses on five major content areas: (1) proving and applying relationships and theorems involving two-dimensional figures using Euclidean geometry and coordinate geometry; (2) establishing congruence and similarity using criteria from Euclidean geometry and using rigid transformations; (3) extending knowledge of geometric measurement to two-dimensional figures and three-dimensional figures; (4) creating and applying equations of circles in the coordinate plane and; (5) developing an understanding of right triangle trigonometry.
Biology
Live: The Biology course will focus upon an investigation of living things including flora and fauna, ecosystems, and cellular composition. The course includes a focus on scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, an introduction to laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures. In that vein, there are frequent laboratory investigations, a focus on the Scientific Method and experimental design, and analysis of laboratory results.
Integrated Science
On-Demand: The Integrated Science course allows students to focus on important, core science concepts in order to develop competency across multiple scientific disciplines. Numerous hands-on laboratory investigations will allow students to develop scientific inquiry and modeling skills. Students will also gain experience implementing the Scientific Method, practice with experimental design, and further their writing, speaking, and analysis skills through presenting laboratory results.
Two Dimensional Studio Art
Live: Students experiment with the media and techniques used to create a variety of two-dimensional (2-D) artworks through the development of skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and/or design. Students practice, sketch, and manipulate the structural elements of art. Through the critique process, students evaluate and respond to their own work and that of their peers. This course incorporates hands-on activities and the consumption of art materials.
What is art like in VR? Teaching Art in VR opens so many new possibilities for scholars. A simple lesson about color theory becomes completely immersive in VR. By surrounding the scholars with an environment, they can engage with the content instead of just see it on a screen or book.