Grade 9 science instruction continues an emphasis of inquiry-based instruction as established in the K-8 science program. Depending on whether a student enters into the Emerald Academy or any
other level of instruction (Honors, College Preparatory, Career College
Preparatory), students will engage in the study of Physics or Physical
Science. Grade 9 students enrolled in General Academic Studies will
study environmental science. Levels of Instruction
Course Explanations
Students entering the Emerald Academy will engage Physics with instruction being offered for 60 minutes on a daily basis through the course of the year while students engaged in Physics Honors level of instruction will receive 85 minutes of instruction per day for one semester. Instruction will be delivered using the Modeling Instruction Approach as developed at Arizona State University. The Modeling Method was developed to correct many weaknesses of
the traditional lecture-demonstration method, including the
fragmentation of knowledge, student passivity, and the persistence of
naive beliefs about the physical world. Click here for a powerpoint presentation on how modeling is used in the physics classroom.
Students enrolled in College Preparatory or Career College Preparatory levels of instruction will study physical science. The course will meet daily for 85 minutes of instruction for one semester. The CPO Foundations of Physical Science program utilized for this leveled course uses a hands-on, inquiry-based approach consistent with the "Physics First" philosophy –– developing the big picture of how physics relates to technology, chemistry, biology and other sciences. The curriculum is strongly grounded in practical applications, presents real world connections, and provides the perfect combination of physics and mathematics to help strengthen basic algebraic math skills. This complete learning system provides a foundation on which students can later build understanding of chemistry and biology concepts.
Students enrolled in the General Academic level of instruction will study environmental science. This course will meet daily for 85 minutes of instruction for one semester.
Emerald Academy Honors
This Physics First course involves the construction, validation and application of scientific models. Scientific models are coherent units of structured knowledge. Using the modeling cycle, students will use this knowledge to learn the use of general laws or principles in physics. Students can apply their knowledge of principles and models to a variety of situations to describe, explain, or predict physical events or to design experiments. This is full year course. Click on Planned Course Outline of Study for a general overview of Physics.
Honors
This Physics First course involves the construction, validation and
application of scientific models. Scientific models are coherent units
of structured knowledge. Students will use this knowledge to learn the
use of general laws or principles in physics. Students can apply their
knowledge of principles and models to a variety of situations to
describe, explain, or predict physical events or to design experiments. The difference between the Emerald Academy course and the accelerated curriculum is the breath and depth of the topics explored. This is a semester course. Click on Planned Course Outline of Study for a general overview of Physics.
College Preparatory
This is a semester course. Click on Planned Course Outline of Study for a general overview of Physical Science.
Career College Preparatory
This is a semester course. The difference between the CP course and the CCP curriculum is the breath and depth of the topics explored. Click on Planned Course Outline of Study for a general overview of Physical Science.
General Academic
This is a semester course. Click on Planned Course Outline of Study for a general overview of Environmental Science - GA.
