Wallace Jr./Sr. High Course Catalog
Business
Careers
College & Career Preparation is a required transition course designed to give senior students the opportunity to explore future options through a variety of avenues. Students will be given information about career and college possibilities, taking entrance examinations, completing FAFSA, and college and scholarship applications. Students will leave this class with a comprehensive portfolio of information that may be used in the college and workplace settings. A passing grade of 60% or higher is a requirement for graduation.
Exploratory Courses (7th & 8th Grade)
Computer Science Exploratory
Computer Science Exploratory is a 9-week class designed to introduce students to basic computer science concepts. At the end of these courses, students will be well prepared to enter "Exploring Computer Science" as an online high school elective.
7th grade course overview: Students will learn introductory web development (CSS and HTML) using Code.org's Web lab.
8th grade course overview: Students will learn the problem-solving process relating to computer science as well as basic animations and game design using Javascript in Code.org's Game Lab.
Drama (Jr. High)
Welcome to Exploratory Theatre Arts, a class that will provide a unique experience with literature, as compared with tradition language courses. This course emphasizes development in the performing arts. Students will hone their skills in expression through various methods and techniques. In this brief course, students will learn the basics of theatre and work to put on a final, in-class performance. The class format will vary between lecture, note taking, individual work, solo work, research, acting games, etc. This class is designed to help young students build confidence in themselves and to develop skills in social interaction.
Graphic Design / Screenprinting
Advanced Screen Printing & Graphic Design
An advanced course where students run our school based business that produces a variety of printed textiles and hard surfaced products for our customers and community. In this advanced class you will have increased hands-on responsibilities with customers’ orders from design to completion and delivery. You will continue to expand your knowledge of how to create, manipulate and manage designs for different customer expectations while doing research on copyright laws to continue the process of designing original imagery. You will continue to build and refine your personal design portfolio, and will be researching possible career avenues in the graphic design field and pathways to those careers. Students will be asked periodically to participate in set-up, tear-down and operation of our “Miner Gear Store” at home sporting events and activities during non-school hours. You will leave this class with basic skills for Adobe Illustrator along with advanced techniques in CorelDRAW.
Introduction to Screen Printing & Graphic Design
A course offered to students that introduces them to our school based business that produces a variety of printed textiles and hard surfaced products for customers and community. In addition to fulfilling customer orders, students can look forward to producing their own designs and many other projects- some that the student will get to keep for themselves. Students begin the course by researching how graphic design is used and how it influences our society. Orders begin the first month of school so in this fast-paced environment students know how to create, manipulate and manage designs for many different customers and events. Much of your experience will include learning employable skills such as team work, quality control, meeting production deadlines, working with customers, pricing, and many other aspects of managing a successful business. You will leave this year with basic graphic design skills in CorelDRAW, and Canva.
Humanities
Spanish 3
The purpose of this class is to help you acquire beginning level understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of Spanish, and to introduce you to Spanish-speaking cultures. We will be using more complex grammar structures and voices at this level of Spanish. Your goals this year are to listen to and comprehend the main idea and significant details of stories and news in Spanish. You will also read Spanish texts for comprehension and determine main ideas and significant details therein. You will be responsible for expressing ideas and opinions in Spanish through essays and other written activities. You will be able to participate in discussions and conversations in Spanish regarding common topics.
Spanish 2
The purpose of this class is to help you improve beginning level understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of Spanish, and to introduce you to Spanish-speaking cultures. We will be adding the past-tense to the grammar used in class. Your goals by the end of the first semester are to be able to write a 120-word narrative essay in Spanish in 10 minutes; to read a 1,600 word story in Spanish; and to be able to tell a ten-sentence story off the top of your head in fluent Spanish—all without a dictionary.
Spanish 1
The purpose of this class is to help you acquire beginning level understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of Spanish, and to introduce you to Spanish-speaking cultures. We will be focusing our language production in the present tense. Your goals by the end of the first semester are to be able to write a 100-word narrative essay in Spanish in 10 minutes; to read a 1,400 word story in Spanish; and to be able to tell a ten-sentence story off the top of your head in fluent Spanish—all without a dictionary.
Drama (High School)
Welcome to Theatre Arts, a class that will provide a unique experience with literature, as compared with tradition language courses. This course emphasizes development in the performing arts. Students will hone their skills in expression through various methods and techniques. Students will learn about basic theatre history, the use of stages, classic plays, etc. Student will also engage in class performances. Additionally, student will engage in the process of preparing a play. The class format will vary between lecture, note taking, individual work, solo work, research, acting games, etc. Another emphasis of this class is to build confidence and skills in social interaction.
Industrial Arts / Engineering Technology
Industrial Arts
This course is offered to provide students with an introduction to AutoCAD design software, design basics, applications of measurement, and introduction to power tools. The students will have the opportunity to build an assigned project that applies all of the skills they have learned.
Foundations of Technology
This course is offered to provide students with an introduction to woodshop and metal shop. Students will reinforce their knowledge of design basics with an extended lesson in AutoCAD design software. Students will learn power tool safety and basic techniques in the woodshop with an assigned project. Students will learn welding basics, perform basic sheet metal fabrication, and apply those skills with an assigned project.
Exploring Woods & Metals
This is an intermediate course offered for students that provides them an opportunity to enhance their skill set in woodshop and metal shop. Students will learn how to use additional power tools in the woodshop, in order to construct more challenging projects. The students will have an introduction to wood species, wood characteristics, wood joinery, and assembly techniques. Students will learn how to weld while using different processes & positions. They will also learn basic metal properties, metal shapes, metal preparation, and welding machine setup. Additionally, students will learn more advanced sheet metal fabrication techniques.
Advanced Woods & Metals
This course is designed to prepare students for a career that involves woodworking or welding. Students will be assigned a cabinetry project that aligns with the State of Idaho’s Program Standards. Additionally, students will follow the State of Idaho’s Welding Program Standard with their welding assignments. Welding instruction will involve welding in different positions using the different welding processes. Students that are successful with the welding assignments will be prepared to pass a welding certification test upon completion. Students will apply their skills in the metal shop with an assigned project at the end of the second semester.
AutoCAD
This is an Independent Study course where students have the opportunity to learn Computer-Aided Design (CAD) basics and applications. Students will use a course textbook where they will learn the different methods to design and create multiple-view drawings. The coursework consists of chapter questions and drawing problems each week. To conclude, the students will take an exam at the end of the first and second semester.
Language Arts
English 12
English 12 is a one-year, college preparatory course. Using British literary texts as the primary focus, students will work to strengthen their skills in critical thinking, writing, listening, and speaking. By examining novels, poetry, drama, short stories, essays and non-fiction, students will engage in assignments that address the Common Core Standards. Students will also compile research to complete an 8-10 page research paper.
English 11
Welcome to English 11, a secondary language course that emphasizes development in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking. Throughout the school year, students will read works of prose, poetry, drama, and exposition. This course emphasizes a balance of fictional and expository texts. Students will study the literary techniques used by various authors who contribute to the American literary canon. Focusing on the development in writing, students will write personal, argumentative, and analytical essays. Students will hone their skills in organization and note taking. The class format will include lecture, reading (silently and aloud), group discussion, individual projects, and group projects.
English 10
Welcome to English 10, a secondary language course that emphasizes development in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking. Throughout the school year, students will read works of prose, poetry, drama, and exposition. This course emphasizes a balance of fictional and expository texts. Students will study the literary techniques used by various authors and apply them in their own work. Focusing on the development in writing, students will write personal, argumentative, and analytical essays. Students shall hone skills in organization and note taking. The class format will include lecture, reading (silently and aloud), group discussion, individual projects, and group presentations.
English 9
English 9 is a one-year course that prepares students for college readiness. Using expository and literary texts as the primary focus, students will work to strengthen their skills in critical thinking, writing, listening, and speaking. By examining novels, poetry, drama, short stories, essays and non-fiction, students will engage in assignments that address the Common Core Standards.
English 8
This class will prepare students for high school level English classes by covering both reading skills and writing skills. Students will read, analyze, and think critically about short stories, plays, novels, and informational text. Students will work on narrative, informational, and argumentative writing as addressed in the Common Core Standards. They will also work on grammar usage and writing with precision and accuracy.
English 7
In seventh grade English, students will work on developing their writing skills and grammar usage. Students will focus on incorporating description into their writing, using sentence variety, citing textual evidence, and writing with precision and accuracy.
Reading 7
This class explores a variety of themes as we read short stories, poems, novels, and informational text. Students learn to analyze what they read so they can think critically about the text. Students will continue to develop reading skills by completing assignments and participating in activities that address the Common Core Standards.
Speech
This class designed to offer the novice speaker opportunities to organize and prepare public speaking assignments. Students will learn about the role of communication in our lives, the communication model, spatial relationships, delivery styles, and the effectiveness of language, gestures, and organization techniques.
Mathematics
Pre-Calculus
Prerequisites: Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry. (Can be taken concurrently with Trigonometry.)
Pre-Calculus is the fifth course in the high school math curriculum. This course fine tunes algebraic skills and prepares students for Calculus. Students will learn to solve and graph polynomials, manipulate complex numbers and logarithms, and solve systems of linear equations. Throughout the course, students will apply these algebraic skills to model and solve real-world problems.
Trigonometry
Prerequisites: Algebra II and Geometry.
Trigonometry is the fourth course in the high school math curriculum. This course begins to blend the spatial world with algebraic modelling. Students will study angle measures in degrees and radians, solve right and general triangles, graph harmonic functions such as sine and cosine, and apply and prove trigonometric identities.
Senior Math
This class takes an integrated approach to mathematics for students in their final year in high school. It will touch on conceptual ideas that students are expected to cover throughout their high school experience. The subjects they will cover include Number Sense, Linear Functions, Geometry, Equations and Expressions, Probability, Statistics and Data Analysis.
Requisite: Student must be a senior
Geometry
This is a class focusing on a unique branch of mathematics in the spatial world. Students will study Congruence, Expressing Geometric Properties with Equations, Similarity, Geometric Measurement and Dimension and Circles.
Prerequisite: Algebra 1
Algebra II
This is an extension of Algebra 1 for better understanding and application of basic algebraic skills. Emphasis is on quadratic functions and their solutions. Students will study Right Triangles and Trigonometry, Linear Functions and Systems, Quadratic Functions and Matrices.
Prerequisite: Algebra 1
Algebra I
Is a one year course in the basic structure of algebra. Topics include; the properties of real numbers, solving equations, linear functions and their graphs, systems of linear equations, inequalities, algebraic fractions and polynomial operations.
Prerequisite: 8th Grade Math
Integrated Math 2
This course focuses on Geometric concepts integrated in real world situations. Numerous hands on experiences are provided in this project based course. Students will study Geometry Basics, Segments and Angles, Parallel and Perpendicular Lines, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Area and Volume.
Prerequisites: Integrated 1 or Algebra 1
Integrated Math 1
This class introduces ideas of Algebra and Geometry and integrates them into real world situations . It will touch on conceptual ideas that high school students are expected to cover throughout their high school career in the areas of Number Sense, Geometry, Equations and Expressions, Probability, Statistics and Data Analysis.
Life Skills Math
The curriculum for the student is designed on an individual basis according to the goals written at the Child Study Team meeting on the Students Individualized Education Program (IEP). Areas of focus include the four basic operations, fractions, decimals, percents, measurements, time, and life skill applications.
Math 8
This is a year long course, students will explore proportional relationships and linear equations including graphing, functions, integer exponents, operations with real numbers including Pythagorean Theorem, operations with scientific notation, and angle relations and transformations of geometric figures.
Prerequisite: 7th Grade Math
Math 7
In this year long course students will use ratios to explore proportional relationships. Students will also add, subtract, multiply, and divide negative numbers including decimals and fractions. Students will explore algebraic thinking to solve two-step equations and will solve problems involving area and volume of geometric figures.
Physical Education & Health
Physical Education
Physical Education students will be involved in a variety of activities, designed to improve physical fitness, coordination, and sport-specific skills. Students may also develop content knowledge pertaining to nutrition, dieting, mental health, the development of fitness plans, and the ability to link the importance of physical activity with life-long endeavors.
Health 7
Health is designed to help students learn about their changing bodies, to help them sort out emotions and personal values, to aid them in maintaining optimum health as a lifelong process, and to show students how to take responsibility for making healthy decisions.
Health 9
The goal of Health Education is to help students adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. Health Education contributes directly to a student's ability to successfully practice behaviors that protect and promote health while avoiding or reducing health risks.
Weights
The weight training class is designed to teach students the proper lifting and spotting techniques of many weightlifting exercises. The weight training class will incorporate many different areas of physical fitness including, but not limited to, strength training, flexibility training, fitness training, agility training, speed training, and power training. The class will include lifting weights, stretching, running, agilities and ply-metrics. Students in this class are expected to participate in all areas of the weight training class.
Science
Physics
Prerequisite: Algebra II. Trigonometry recommended and can be taken concurrently.
Physics is an elective science course for juniors and seniors. The course is a full year and provides one credit towards the high school science requirement for graduation. The course begins with the tools of the trade: the scientific method, measurements, and dimensional analysis. From there, we explore one and two dimensional kinetics, newton’s laws, electricity and magnetism, and sound and light. Course work includes traditional homework, live and virtual labs, and a series of engineering projects.
Chemistry
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Chemistry is an elective course for juniors and seniors focusing on the fundamentals of chemistry. The course is a full year and provides one credit towards the high school science requirement for graduation. Students will study basic inorganic chemistry including atomic structure, the periodic table, stoichiometry, enthalpy, nuclear chemistry and the ideal gas law. Course work includes traditional homework in addition to virtual and live lab activities.
Forensics
Forensics is an elective science course for juniors and seniors. The course is a full year and provides one credit towards the high school science requirement for graduation. Students will learn how forensic scientists analyze crime scene evidence including hair, fibers, plants, fingerprints, DNA, blood type and spatter patterns, toxicology, handwriting, bones, casts/impressions, tool marks, and glass.
Environmental Science
Environmental Science is an elective science course for juniors and seniors. The course is a full year and provides one credit towards the high school science requirement for graduation. Students will go outside to measure water quality, snowpack, and forest health and study other environmental issues. This class participates in a University of Idaho program that allows students to create a project about the local watershed and present it with other high school students at NIC at the end of the year.
Biology
Biology is a required course for sophomores. The course is a full year and provides one credit towards the high school science requirement for graduation. Students study cells, mitosis and meiosis, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, DNA and genetics, evolution, and ecology.
Earth Science
Earth Science is a required course for freshmen. The course is a full year and provides one credit towards the high school science requirement for graduation. Students study Earth’s structure and spheres, volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, rocks and minerals, astronomy and weather.
8th Grade Physical Science
In this year long course students will get an introduction to physical science and to chemistry. For the physical science portion, students will gain knowledge about energy types and the transfer and transformation of energy. For the chemistry portion of the course, students will learn about the structure of matter, states of matter, and chemical processes. In this course there are many hands-on labs to engage students in their discovery of science.
7th Grade Life Science
In this year long course of life science students will gain knowledge about living things starting with cells and progressing up to plant and animal bodies as systems. Students will learn about heredity concepts such as inheritance and reproduction. Students will understand matter and energy in living systems and explore ecosystem dynamics such as the diversity of living things. In this course there are many hands-on labs to engage students in their discovery of science.
Social Studies
American Government
This class is a survey of the U.S. Government. First, students will learn about the U.S. Constitution including the fundamental principles American democracy is based upon. Students will also learn about the Federal Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches and how they are tied together by a system of checks and balances. Students will develop an understanding of how the state governments and federal government share power under our federal system. The goal of this course is to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be actively engaged in the political process.
U.S. History II
This course will cover the history of our great country from 1870 to the present date. We will start by discussing the current political situation in the United States (i.e., the two party system: Democrats and Republicans). The roots of this political divide can be traced back before the American Civil War (1861 to 1865). We will examine the ideologies of both parties and discuss how they currently split the hearts and minds of many Americans today. Looking through these numerous lenses of our past, we will see who and what we were while also speculating what’s on the horizon for the next generation of Americans.
U.S. History I
The study of American History encompasses not only historical events, but geographical and cultural aspects of our society as well. In this course, we will study the events that have impacted this continent since man first came to the Americas through the American Civil War. Our journey through time will introduce us to those people and events which have helped to form the world around us.
Our society is constantly changing and historical events happen almost on a daily basis. In order for our students to grow to become responsible adults, they must have an education that focuses on our past, the development of our nation, and the ideals set forth by the founders of our nation. History should provide the foundation for them to make informed decisions in their lives.
Ancient Cultures
This course will cover the history of the world, starting with pre-history (any time before 7,000 years ago) all the way up to the times of ancient Rome (500 BC to 476 AD). Ancient Cultures will begin by looking at the earliest ancestors of Homo sapiens, also known as hominids. We will view and study the various groups that walked the Earth before us while deciphering what makes us special as a species and allowed us to spread to all continents around the globe. This course will examine ancient civilizations, their societies, religions, customs, and the techniques they employed as the power and influence of these various groups rose and fell across the ancient times.
World Geography 8
The study of Geography encompasses not only geographical events but historical and cultural aspects of societies as well. In this course, we will study not only the effects that geography has on the inhabitants of the world, but the effects that the inhabitants have had on the earth as well. This course focusses on the Eastern Hemisphere and will introduce students to people and events that have helped to form the world around us. To do this we will need use many tools to critically analyze these events and their outcomes. Students will develop an understanding and respect for cultural differences and gain a better conception of the world they live in.
World Geography 7
This course will cover physical geography (Earth’s natural landmarks), cultural geography (dress, food, and customs of different groups of people), and political geography (the borders that separate countries and the study of their governments) of our Western Hemisphere. As we go along in this class, YOU, the student will gain experience, practice, and knowledge relating to landmasses (physical geography), information about populations of peoples (cultural geography), and the study of nations and governments (political geography). We will begin by discussing our country, the United States of America, its history, its many states, and its major cities. As geographers and historians, we will learn how North America and South America were discovered and colonized by Europeans. Our trip this year will also require us to travel north to Canada and head down south to Mexico, Central America, and South America. We will accomplish all our goals through discussions, activities, research projects, presentations, and other interactive tasks as we set off on our adventure!
