9th Grade Course Descriptions
Fine Arts Courses
Art 1: This course lays the basic foundation for learning art processes, procedures, theories, history, and art judgment. The approach is experimental in use of materials (drawing, painting, printmaking, fibers, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, photography.
Adv. Arts 1*: Covers the same material as Art 1, but with higher expectations, quicker pace, and increased number of assignments.
Theatre Arts Courses
Theater Arts 1: An overview of theatre arts, basic acting techniques, and introduction to stagecraft.
Technical Theater 1: This course includes an overview of technical theatre and the beginning study of construction and operation of scenery, properties, lighting instruments, makeup, sound, and public relations programs.
Theater Production 1: This course provides practical, hands-on experience in acting and stagecraft. Students develop production and acting skills for public performance outside school hours. This course meets after school hours. Students are encouraged to be enrolled in Theater Arts or Technical Theater to enroll in Theater Production.
Musical Theater*: Students study musical theater with focus on specific musical theatre training: singing, dancing, and acting.
Instrumental Music Courses:
Freshman Band w/o Marching*: Freshman level Concert Band. One class period.
Freshman Band with Marching*: Students develop wind/percussion techniques and study band literature. Attendance at performances and rehearsals outside school hours is required.
Color Guard 1*: The flag and colors component of the Marching Band. Student must sign up for Freshman Band with Marching.
Percussion 1 with marching*: The drumming and percussion component of Marching Band. Student must sign up for Freshman Band with Marching.
Jazz Band*: Students develop jazz techniques and study jazz literature. Wind and percussion players must be enrolled in a regular band class. Guitar, electric bass, and keyboard players need not be enrolled in a regular band or orchestra. Attendance at rehearsals and performances outside school hours is required.
Steel Drums*: No prior experience necessary, however auditions are required if no previous instrumental class.
Music Theory Piano*: This course teaches the techniques of Piano. Student can be a beginner with no prior experience; however, it is ideal for the student to have a background in piano. Student should have a good work ethic and time to practice. Access to a piano is necessary.
Sinfonietta Orchestra*: Introductory orchestra. One class period.
Choir Courses
Non-Varsity Women’s Choir (Freshman girls)
Mixed Chorale (Freshman boys): Introductory Choir; not co-ed.
Dance Courses:
Dance 1: Instruction in steps and basic movement involved in jazz, tap, ethnic, and modern dance. Students will have the opportunity to choreograph and present a dance using basic movement.
Pre-Drill: Preparation for students interested in joining Silver Stars.
PE Courses:
Aerobic & Conditioning Activity: Covers fitness/conditioning, weight training, core workouts, pilates, and yoga.
Individual Sports: Covers badminton, golf, weight training, table tennis, bowling, track & field, tennis, and disc golf.
Team Sports: Covers volleyball, soccer, softball, basketball, handball, ultimate Frisbee, and football
Aerobic Dance:Instruction in steps and basic movement involved in jazz, tap, ethnic, and modern dance. Students will have the opportunity to choreograph and present a dance using basic movement.
Other Electives:
Computer Science: This course is taught on Bowie campus as a virtual, online course in conjunction with Garza High School. Please consider student learning styles as this course is unique in its’ delivery and requires students to be motivated and adept at learning online. After successful completion of Computer Science I and II, students can satisfy their required 2.0 credits of LOTE.
Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources: Introduction class that will allow students to look at where our food and fibers come from, as well as cover leadership skills, plant and animal, science, small business, and history of agriculture . Students will explore careers it he agriculture industries and gain the skills and knowledge to succeed in the agriculture pathway.
Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance: Provides a general introduction to the economic, financial, international, social, legal, and ethical aspects of business, as well as marketing, personal finance and basic career investigation. Students learn through reality based individual and group projects, studying current events, online research, and running a virtual business simulation.
Business Information Management (B.I.M): Students will implement software skills required by colleges and competitive work environments. Students will apply technical skills to create professional documents, develop dynamic spreadsheets, formulate databases, and make electronic presentations using Microsoft office Suite.
Journalism: Beginning writers, photographers, graphic designers and film makers receive “boot camp” training in journalism field skills, including: blogging and writing articles for news features, editorial column, entertainment, and sports writing.
Photojournalism/Graphic Design: Beginning photographers learn the basics of operating all digital single lens cameras using tripods or hand held techniques. Photographers learn best practices and how to edit still images using state-of-the-art software and technology. Students create professional portfolios that include portfolios, special event coverage, sports action sequences, and abstract and landscape photography for both print and online scholastic journalism publications.
Yearbook/Graphic Design: Introduction to the design and production of the Yearbook.
Principles of Hospitality: Find your future career… travel and tourism, event/wedding planning, golf course management, resort/hotel management, theme park management, cruise ship management, Take field trips and hear guest speakers.
Principles of Human Services: This course will enable students to investigate careers in human services career cluster, including counseling and mental health, early childhood development, family and community, and personal care services.
Air Force Junior Reserve officer Training Corp. (JROTC): Focuses on civilian and military contributions to aviation, the development, modernization and transformation of the Air Force and a brief astronomical and space exploration. Students are instructed on Cadet and AF organization structure, uniform wear, customs, courtesies, and other military traditions. There is a wellness program attached to this class and students will earn 1.0 credit of PE if enrolled the whole year. Please note: students must adhere to uniform wear policies.
Oral Interpretation I: Open to all students with an interest in competing in speech events in Texas Forensic Association tournaments which are help on weekends in the fall and early spring. Participation in a specified number of tournaments is required. Events include: duet acting, duo acting, humorous and dramatic interpretation, and process and poetry interpretation. Some weekends required
Debate I: This course involves the introduction to the different forms of debate and public speaking with an emphasis on Public Forum Debate and Lincoln Douglas Debate. Students will be actively participating in class daily; this is definitely not a lecture class. This class will give students an opportunity to hone their argumentative skills in a structured setting and use them to compete in the classroom as well as for the Texas Forensic Association and UIL events. Some weekends required