Matheson Junior High provides a variety of specialized course options for students in grades 6 through 8, ranging from intensive social studies honors programs to hands-on Career and Technical Education (CTE) explorations. The curriculum is designed to connect historical study with modern relevance and to prepare students for high school and future career pathways through project-based learning.
Social Studies Curriculum Options
The social studies curriculum at Matheson Junior High focuses on building a foundation in history and global awareness. For 6th grade students, the World Studies course offers a semester-long look at the comparison between ancient civilizations, the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Age of Revolutions, and the modern world. This course integrates multiple social studies disciplines, including geography, anthropology, civics, and economics, with an emphasis on connecting the past to the present.
Honors Social Studies Opportunities
Students seeking increased academic rigor can enroll in Honors World Studies. This 6th-grade semester course is intended for students with the motivation to pursue content and skills with greater depth. The honors track emphasizes historical inquiry and utilizes various instructional methods, such as research projects, discussions, and the reading of complex materials, to prepare students for future honors-level coursework.
Utah Studies and Local History
In 7th grade, the social studies curriculum shifts focus toward the local history of the state through the Utah Studies course. This semester-long class aims to develop an understanding of Utah's past and its current impact. Students study the state's geography, prehistoric and historic people, and various customs and traditions. Similar to the 6th-grade honors option, an Honors Utah Studies course is available for 7th graders to engage in deeper historical inquiry and skill development through research and discussion.
Foundational CTE Courses
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) department offers a wide array of courses designed to introduce students to different professional fields. For 7th graders, the curriculum includes Digital Literacy, a semester-long requirement that covers computer components and the Microsoft Software suite through activities like building a computer and creating games in PowerPoint. Additionally, 7th graders can take FACS Exploration, which introduces life literacy skills including nutrition, food preparation, childcare, and interior design.
Advanced Technical Training
As students move into 8th grade, the CTE options expand into more specialized vocational and technical areas. Students can take Career and Career Awareness, a year-long course that uses simulations and project-based experiences to explore high-school and college pathways. Other 8th-grade options include Exploring Business and Marketing, which covers economics and business structure, and Robotics, a course focused on building and programming robots using binary and coding.
Media and Technology Exploration
For students interested in media and technology, Matheson Junior High offers specialized tracks. The Matheson News course, available to both 7th and 8th graders for a full year, focuses on creating school announcements through film and sound editing. For those interested in physical technology, the Exploring Technology sequence provides hands-on learning. 7th and 8th graders can participate in Exploring Technology 1, which covers the engineering design process and craftsmanship through projects like catapults and rocket cars. This is followed by Exploring Technology 2 in 8th grade, which includes projects such as air skimmers and laser-cut toys.
Specialized Vocational Skills
Additional specialized CTE tracks for 8th graders include FACS B, which focuses on personal responsibility, childcare, and food preparation through projects like a Food Truck simulation. Students can also engage in Exploring Technology, a hands-on, project-based course that focuses on how technology affects everyday life through various engineering and planning exercises.
