Middle School Curriculum

Using a motif of Heroes, Helpers, and Hope, students in the Middle School Language Arts I course will acquire the reading, writing, language, and speaking/listening skills necessary for success in college, career, and beyond. Students will become critical readers and thinkers as they delve into fiction and informational texts within the course. They will also learn to effectively write narrative, informational, and argumentative pieces and present their ideas clearly and cohesively.

Using a motif of Mystery, Monsters, and Mayhem, students in the Middle School Language Arts II course will acquire the reading, writing, language, and speaking/listening skills necessary for success in college, career, and beyond. Students will become critical readers and thinkers as they delve into fiction and informational texts within the course. They will also learn to effectively write narrative, informational, and argumentative pieces and present their ideas clearly and cohesively.

Using a motif of Innovation, Imagination, and Invention, students in the Middle School Language Arts III course will acquire the reading, writing, language, and speaking/listening skills necessary for success in college, career, and beyond. Students will become critical readers and thinkers as they delve into fiction and informational texts within the course. They will also learn to effectively write narrative, informational, and argumentative pieces and present their ideas clearly and cohesively.

The course is designed to engage students at every turn. Students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of number manipulation by applying it to real-world scenarios. The course is packed with games that reinforce content and let students practice the skills they have learned throughout the course. Tidbits of trivia and activities throughout the course leave students with a smile.

Pre-Algebra will emphasize six areas:1. representing numbers in scientific notation and extending the set of numbers to the system of real numbers, which includes irrational numbers2. generate equivalent numeric and algebraic expressions including using the Laws of Exponents3. creating and reasoning about linear relationships including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation4. solving linear equations, inequalities, and systems of linear equations5. developing an understanding of the concept of a function6. analyzing two-dimensional figures, particularly triangles, using distance, angle, and applying the Pythagorean Theorem

This course is designed to give students the skills and strategies to solve all kinds of mathematical problems. Algebra I emphasizes the importance of algebra in everyday life through hundreds of real-world examples. Assessments are designed to ensure that your understanding goes beyond rote memorization of steps and procedures. Upon successful course completion, you will have a strong foundation in Algebra I and will be prepared for other higher level math courses.

Middle School Comprehensive Science I is the first in a series of three consecutive science classes. It introduces middle school students to the disciplines of life science, physical science, and earth-space science. In addition, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts are integrated throughout the course. The lessons make real-world connections and require students to apply STEM skills like analysis, problem-solving, science knowledge, and engineering practices. Hands-on and laboratory investigations are included throughout the course to provide students opportunities for exploration through scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem-solving, and experimental procedures. By the end of the course, students will be practicing, experimenting, thinking, and talking like a scientist!

Middle School Comprehensive Science II is a comprehensive science including the disciplines of life science, physical science, and earth space science in addition to, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts. The course is designed for middle school students. The lessons provide real-world connections through the application of STEM problem solving, science knowledge and engineering practices. Laboratory investigations are included throughout the course and provide students opportunities for exploration through scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem-solving, and experimental procedures.

Prepare for high school science courses with this introduction of new topics and review of science basics. You will learn more about the nature of science, Earth and space science, properties of matter, changes in matter, matter and energy, and energy flow.

Learning about civics gives students the skills and knowledge necessary to be active citizens who have a positive impact on their communities. In this course, students discover the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in the United States. They learn about the structure of the government and how it works at the local, state, and federal levels. This course examines elections, the lawmaking process, and how citizens can impact public policy. Students also discover ways the United States interacts with countries around the world. Geography and economics support the learning of civics in this course. Engaging in this study prepares students to be informed citizens who are ready to participate in American democracy!

Learning about history allows people to see how far we have come and what awaits us on our path to the future. In this course, students will explore the history of the United States and analyze the cause and effect in historical events. They will investigate history by using the tools of a historian to examine the historical, geographic, political, economic, and sociological events that influenced the development of the United States. Students will imagine what it was like to live in the past by reading the stories from the people who experienced it. This course begins with the engaging stories of what brought the earliest American colonists to the New World and ends with the struggles to repair the United States following the Civil War. Engaging in this study allows students to recognize the themes of history that span across centuries and leads to a greater appreciation of the development of the United States and the resulting impact on world history.

Somebody discovered the wheel. Somebody discovered written communication. Somebody even figured out how to count to ten. From the ancient river civilizations to China and its ancient dynasties, different civilizations left their mark on history. They also left their mark on how we live today. In this course, students join travel agent Mr. Lightfoot to travel back in time digging out the past of these ancient civilizations. In ancient Egypt, students visit the pyramids and find out the secrets of preserving mummies. They see how the Mayans developed astronomy to a precise science. They even investigate the difference between the Athenians and the Spartans. Students will journey through India discovering their contributions to medicine, moving on to Africa to follow the rise and fall of the ancient east African kingdoms of Kush and Axum. Throughout the centuries, and still today, our world is made up of dozens of different cultures. They all are different, and they all have made big contributions to what we know and who we are.

In Spanish I, students learn basic grammar and vocabulary skills to build fluency and language proficiency. Students explore the culture of Spanish-speaking countries through engaging interactive games, videos, and audio recordings and apply what they learn through written practice, listening, and speaking exercises. Students will be immersed in the beauty of the Spanish language and the richness of its diverse cultures throughout this course.

Get ready to embark on the next leg of your journey to Spanish fluency. In Spanish II students continue building listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as increasing their cultural awareness of Spanish-speaking countries through audio recordings, engaging images, interactive games, readings, and videos. Apply learning through written practices and listening and speaking exercises to take your Spanish language skills to the next level!