Course Catalog

English 6A/B

In this course students will develop strength in reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing skills. They will increase their ability to analyze and synthesize information, increase reading ability and become a more proficient writer.

English 7A/B 

In this differentiated literature and language program students will study short stories, classical mythology, nonfiction, drama, and poetry. Students will complete a separate vocabulary program, complete assorted creative and expository writings, respond to prompts, and maintain a journal. In addition, students will investigate the parts of speech and the parts of the sentence.

English 8 A/B 

Students will work in all strands of English/language arts curriculum: reading, writing, grammar conventions, listening, speaking and viewing. Students will actively participate in a wide assortment of genres of literature, grammar and usage conventions, vocabulary development and formal/informal forms of writing. Strategic use of films and videos will also enrich cultural and media literacy. 

Composition

This course provides extra experience in writing for various audiences and purposes. Students will work to improve their written expression through the study of organizational elements, details, word choice, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation instruction. By the end of the course students should be able to write multi-paragraph pieces that may be in the form of research papers, essays, stories, descriptions, dialogue, letters, narrative of personal experiences, summaries, and other writing formats. Literature, news articles,  and magazine articles may be used to stimulate the students’ imagination, focus attention, and to prompt writing activities.  Students will conduct a short research project as part of the course.

Math 6 

Students will shift their focus from whole numbers to integers and rational numbers. This will be the foundation for the algebra expectations. Topics will include ratios and rates to solve problems, working with rational numbers, and including negative numbers and division of fractions.

Math 7 

This course is designed to help students improve their computational and problem solving skills. Topics studied in this course will fall into the categories of the number system, ratios & proportional relationships, expressions & equations, geometry, and statistics & probability. 

Pre-Algebra

Students will gain an understanding of the number system, expressions and equations, geometry skills, statistics and probability, arithmetic with polynomials, creating equations, and reasoning with equations

Algebra (1 year, each semester .5 credit)

The course emphasizes algebraic language, structure, concepts and skills. Major topics include algebraic properties and the real number system with an emphasis on the application of basic operations, functions and their graphs, linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations, linear regression and modeling, systems of linear equations and inequalities, polynomial and factoring, algebraic fractions and real world applications. 

Math Applications 

Math Applications is a course designed to strengthen students' math skills. This course will focus on areas and concepts in math that the group of students is having difficulty with. Concentrating on these concepts and areas of difficulty will improve students' math content knowledge, test scores, and application. 

Science 6A/B

6th grade science is an integrated science course.  The course is guided by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  Students will learn science in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics and earth science.  The course consists of the following six units (adapted from Standord’s middle school NGSS curriculum):  

     Unit 0 - Introduction to Group Work

     Unit 1 - Exploring Earth

     Unit 2 - Exploring Life

     Unit 3 - Understanding Matter

     Unit 4 - Understanding Energy

     Unit 5 - Electricity and Magnetism

Students will keep an interactive science notebook and will participate in group activities, group projects, individual projects, note taking, writing and carrying out experiments and arguing from evidence.  

Science 7A/B 

7th grade science is an integrated science course.  The course is guided by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  Students will learn science in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics and earth science.  The course consists of the following six units (adapted from Standord’s middle school NGSS curriculum):  

     Unit 0 - Introduction to Group Work

     Unit 1 - Setting Things in Motion

     Unit 2 - Extreme Living

     Unit 3 - Nature via Nurture

     Unit 4 - Adapt or Die

     Unit 5 - Mimicking Nature’s Design

Students will keep an interactive science notebook and will participate in group activities, group projects, individual projects, note taking, writing and carrying out experiments and arguing from evidence.  

Science 8A/B

8th grade science is an integrated science course.  The course is guided by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  Students will learn science in the areas of biology, chemistry, physics and earth science.  The course consists of the following six units (adapted from Standord’s middle school NGSS curriculum):  

     Unit 0 - Introduction to Group Work

     Unit 1 - Colossal Collisions

     Unit 2 - A Balanced Biosphere

     Unit 3 - Matter Matters

     Unit 4 - Save the Andes!

     Unit 5 - Using Engineering and Technology to Sustain our World

Students will keep an interactive science notebook and will participate in group activities, group projects, individual projects, note taking, writing and carrying out experiments and arguing from evidence.  

Social Studies 6 A/B

This course explores the geography of the world. World regions are explored using the five themes of geography: location, region, place, human environment interaction, and movement. The students learn about the physical and political features, government, economic growth, and diverse cultures of these regions.

Social Studies 7 A/B 

This course covers the beginnings of human civilization. Students will examine several ancient civilizations including Babylon, Egypt, Sumer, Greece, Rome, China, and Medieval Europe. Students will learn the origins and spread of Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Focus will be applied to the development of technology, ideas, education, trade, agriculture, and the everyday lives of the people who lived during the various times. 

Social Studies 8 A/B 

Students will gain an understanding of the history of the early United States through Industrialism. Students will learn how the events and politics of this time changed the course of U.S. history to the current day. 

Astronomy (7th and 8th grades) 

This elective course will include a study of Astronomy (including planetary modiums, constellations, and laws), and basic geosciences, including weather, geology, oceans, topographic maps, and basic ecology.

Human Growth and Development 7 

The Middle School Health curriculum promotes an understanding of sound mental/emotional, physical, and social well-being, and provides instruction that is aimed to help our students live a healthy lifestyle. The program’s learning experiences are designed to give the student’s an understanding of the different body systems, along with providing them with the knowledge to make healthy nutritional choices. The program also explores how to react in emergency situations.

Health 8 

The Middle School Health curriculum promotes an understanding of sound mental/emotional, physical, and social well-being, and provides instruction that is aimed to help our students live a healthy lifestyle. The program’s learning experiences are designed to give the student’s an understanding of the different body systems, along with providing them with the knowledge to make healthy nutritional choices. The program also explores how to react in emergency situations.

Physical Education 7 

The Middle School Health curriculum promotes an understanding of sound mental/emotional, physical, and social well-being, and provides instruction that is aimed to help our students live a healthy lifestyle. Discussions include peer recognition of potential issues, and how to access support services. Communicable and non-communicable diseases are also discussed. The students receive instruction on the importance of developing healthy eating habits and discuss decision-making skills that foster wellness.

Physical Education 8 

The Middle School Health curriculum promotes an understanding of sound mental/emotional, physical, and social well-being, and provides instruction that is aimed to help our students live a healthy lifestyle. Students study the impact of steroids, alcohol, tobacco, and other chemical abuse on the body. Discussions include peer recognition of potential issues, and how to access support services. Communicable and non-communicable diseases are also discussed. The students receive instruction on the importance of developing healthy eating habits and discuss decision-making skills that foster wellness.

Band 6 A/B

6th grade band is an introductory class where students will study all facets of instrumental music, including rhythmic and tonal studies, genre, style, interpretation, intonation and tone quality.

Band 7&8 A/B 

Middle School Concert Band is open to instrumentalists in grades seven and eight who want to further their study of instrumental music. In band, students will be studying all facets of instrumental music, including rhythmic and tonal studies, genre, style, interpretation, intonation and tone quality.This course develops additional skills necessary for students to perform in the High School Band

Drama (7th and 8th grade)

In this course, students will learn about the basic elements of dramatic arts. Participants in the course will be introduced to the format of play writing and concepts. Short performances, both in a small group and class format, will be done in the course. Students will hone skills they utilized in this class to develop their public speaking and presentation skills.

Great Books/Writing Lab

Students will analyze several classic novels covering various genres. Additionally, students will learn basic terminology in order to analyze and discuss the novels. Students will hone their reading skills by engaging in classical and current texts. They will also continue to improve their written skills by writing about concepts discussed in the course. Presentations and assignments associated with reading material will be required. Students may analyze the same work in both the written and audiovisual medium.

Current Events

Current Events introduces students to various issues facing the world today. Students will explore global economic systems, human rights, world health, environmental issues, and the role of the United States and the United Nations in a changing world. This class is designed to eliminate much of the confusion surrounding these issues and allow students to form their own opinions on matters that affect their world. Students will evaluate the issues and propose solutions from a variety of perspectives. 

Art 

Middle school art classes stress problem-solving skills and using one’s mind to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate art. Students are introduced to art production, art history of many cultures, art criticism, and aesthetics. Major areas to be studied include painting, drawing, sculpture, textile design, printmaking and ceramics. 

Introduction to Music Theory 

Designed for students who seek to enrich their knowledge of the fundamentals of music. Students will gain an understanding of how elements of music interact to create musical style and effect, students will better appreciate how music is brought to life and its ability to communicate to others. 

Introduction to Agriculture

This course gives students a background in natural resources and related career opportunities. It addresses the biological and environmental issues within our state, the history of natural resources, soils, water conservation as well as forestry. In the wildlife section, student experience will involve ecological principles, habitat management, domestic animal life histories, animal anatomy, animal production, fish and wildlife values, and their effects on the environment. Students will gain reinforcement learning on science standards.