IN GRADE 9, ANCIENT HISTORY IS STUDIED DURING THE FIRST SEMESTER, FOLLOWED BY MEDIEVAL HISTORY THE SECOND SEMESTER. IT IS HOPED THAT MOST STUDENTS WILL CONTINUE THEIR HISTORY STUDY IN THE 10TH GRADE WITH MODERN HISTORY, BASED UPON THE CULTURAL CONCEPTS PRESENTED IN THE 9TH GRADE. GEOGRAPHY AND CIVICS ARE OFFERED AS ONE-SEMESTER ELECTIVES IN 9TH GRADE. THE PURPOSE OF THE GEOGRAPHY COURSE IS TO STRENGTHEN PUPIL KNOWLEDGE IN THE APPLICATION OF GEOGRAPHY TO COMMERCIAL, MECHANICAL, AND VOCATIONAL FIELDS. THIS KNOWLEDGE WILL BE REINFORCED IN 10TH GRADE WORLD HISTORY, RECOMMENDED AS A SEQUEL. MAP AND GLOBE READING SKILLS, PICTURE READING, OBSERVATION, AND AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD AS AN INTERDEPENDENT WHOLE SHOULD BE FULLY DEVELOPED. CIVICS IS ADVISED FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO JUNIOR HIGH GRADUATION. UNITS ON SELF-STUDY AND OCCUPATIONS ARE TO HELP WITH HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECT CHOICES AND VOCATIONAL PLANS. THE TEACHING OF CURRENT EVENTS AND CONTEMPORARY AFFAIRS IS INCLUDED IN THE COURSE. SPECIFIC SKILLS TO BE DEVELOPED, TEACHER SUGGESTIONS, AND COURSE OUTLINES ARE GIVEN FOR EACH OF THE SUBJECTS.