Wishkah Valley Science Department Course Descriptions, Fall 2005

 

7th Grade Life Science

 

Credit = 0.0

Required

Letter Grade

 

7th Grade Life Science is introductory Biology.  We will learn about the many types of living things from simple cells to complex vertebrates.  We will also learn about disease, drug prevention and nutrition.  Also we will learn about the environment.  This class is mainly studying how to learn from a book.  Consequently we will do a lot of bookwork, having an assignment and homework most every day.  We will also take notes during lecture/discussion time and do a several labs and activities, including a few dissections.  The tests are all open book.

 

 

8th Grade Physical Science

 

Credit=0.0

Required

Letter Grade

 

8th grade Physical Science is introductory Chemistry and Physics.  We will learn about simple mechanics, waves, sound and light.  Also we will learn about matter, atoms, compounds, solutions and mixtures.  Also we will study chemical reactions and the elements.  This class is mainly studying how to learn from a book.  Consequently we will do a lot of bookwork, having an assignment and homework most every day.  We will also take notes during lecture/discussion time and do a several labs and activities.  The tests are all open book.

 

 

           

9th Grade Earth Science

 

Credit=1.0

Required

Letter Grade

 

9th grade Earth Science is broken down into three main areas.  First quarter will be climatology, the study of climate and weather.  Second quarter will be Astronomy, the study of space and our space program.  Third and forth quarter will be Geology, the study of our earth.  This class is mainly studying how to learn from lectures and discussions, so we take a lot of notes.  Our tests will be on the last day of the week, usually Friday and they will be oral.  The highlight of the year is the annual Eastern Washington Field Trip, three days and two nights studying Geology in Eastern Washington, in mid May.

 

           

 

 


Biology

 

Credit=1.0

Required

Letter Grade

 

 

Biology is the study of all life and their environment.  This is a survey course, studying many types of living things from simple cells to complex vertebrates.  Also we will learn about the environment.  This class is designed to be both a college-preparatory class for the college bound and a lab science for the Non College bound.  The material will be geared toward life and issues in the Wishkah Valley as much as possible.  This should help you the student to be able to be interested in the material as much as possible.  We will do a lot of lecture and discussion, but also a lot of bookwork, having an assignment and homework most every day.  We will also take notes during lecture/discussion time and do a several labs and activities, including a several dissections.

 

 

Chemistry

 

Credit=1.0

Elective

Letter Grade

 

 

Chemistry is the study of matter.  In this class we will study such topics as chemical reactions, atomic theory, acids, bases, salts, to name a few.  Chemistry is the gateway for the medical field, chemical engineering, pharmacy, etc.  This Chemistry class is taught as a college-preparatory class, hopefully preparing you for the college classroom.  There will be a lot of lecture and discussion, regular assignments, and homework.  Lab work is a major part of this class.  We will do several laboratory activities, each of which count as much as a test.  The tests are all closed book.

 

           

 

Physics

 

Credits=1.0

Elective

Letter Grade

 

Physics is the branch of knowledge that studies the physical world.  Physicists investigate objects as small as atoms and as large as galaxies.  They study the natures of matter and energy and how they are related.   Physics is the gateway for the medical field, engineering, architecture, etc.  This Physics class is taught as a college prep. Class, hopefully preparing you for the college classroom.  There will be a lot of lecture and discussion, regular assignments, and homework.  Lab work is a major part of this class.  The tests are all closed book.  Prerequisites for this class would be a B or higher in Algebra I.