Middle School Course Descriptions

A grade level appropriate exploration of reading, writing, and inquiry.

In 7th Grade Mathematics students will focus on developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships; developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three- dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume; and drawing inferences about populations based on samples.

The seventh-grade SEEd standards look for relationships of cause and effect which enable students to pinpoint mechanisms of nature and allow them to make predictions. Students will explore how forces can cause changes in motion and are responsible for the transfer of energy and the cycling of matter. This takes place within and between a wide variety of systems from simple, short-term forces on individual objects to the deep, long-term forces that shape our planet. In turn, Earth’s environments provide the conditions for life as we know it. Organisms survive and reproduce only to the extent that their own mechanisms and adaptations allow. Evidence for the evolutionary histories of life on Earth is provided through the fossil record, similarities in the various structures among species, organism development, and genetic similarities across all organisms. Additionally, mechanisms shaping Earth are understood as forces affecting the cycling of Earth’s materials. Questions about cause and effect and the ongoing search for evidence in science, or science’s ongoing search for evidence, drive this storyline.

This course is an introduction to computer literacy. An understanding of ethics and use of operating systems, information resources, and electronic mail is included. Skills will be demonstrated by creating a project for a different content area.

Core-required 7th grade class that provides introductory instruction in team sports and physical fitness activities.

A grade level appropriate exploration of reading, writing, and inquiry.

In 8th Grade Mathematics students will focus on formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; and analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem.

The eighth-grade SEEd standards describe the constant interaction of matter and energy in nature. Students will explore how matter is arranged into either simple or complex substances. The strands emphasize how substances store and transfer energy which can cause them to interact physically and chemically, provide energy to living organisms, or be harnessed and used by humans. Matter and energy cycle and change in ecosystems through processes that occur during photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Additionally, substances that provide a benefit to organisms, including humans, are unevenly distributed on Earth due to geologic and atmospheric systems. Some resources form quickly, allowing them to be renewable, while other resources are nonrenewable. Evidence reveals that Earth’s systems change and affect ecosystems and organisms in positive and negative ways.

Introductory required core class providing opportunities for students to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for practicing lifelong, health enhancing behaviors.

A grade level appropriate exploration of reading, writing, and inquiry.

Students in Secondary Mathematics I will deepen and extend understanding of linear relationships, in part by contrasting them with exponential phenomenon, and in part by applying linear models to data that exhibit a linear trend. Students will use properties and theorems involving congruent figures to deepen and extend understanding of geometric knowledge. Algebraic and geometric ideas are tied together. Students will experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations.

This course includes the topics of ecosystems, cells, heredity, diversity, organ systems and evolution. Students will explain biological ideas or concepts in their own words relate them to other topics and apply them in new contexts.

Exploring Computer Science is an 1 semester course designed to introduce students to the breadth of the field of computer science through an exploration of engaging and accessible topics. Rather than focusing the entire course on learning particular software tools or programming languages, the course is designed to focus the conceptual ideas of computing and help students to understand why ceratin tools or langauges might be utilized to solve particular problems. The goal of Exploring Computer Science is to develop in students the computational thinking practices of algorithm development, problem solving and programming within the cotext of problems that are relevant to the lives of today's students. Students will also be introduced to topics such as interface design, limits if computers and societal and ethical issues.

Emphasis placed on speaking skills through reading and writing are addressed. This course provides for the learning of dialogues, common words and expressions and basic language structure as well as oral practice of the language in skits, poetry, dialogues and readings.

Emphasis placed on speaking skills through reading and writing are addressed. This course provides for the learning of dialogues, common words and expressions and basic language structure as well as oral practice of the language in skits, poetry, dialogues and readings.

This course stresses reading, writing and speaking skills as well as he use of more elaborate grammar structures. Aural comprehension, oral practice, culture and history of a country are emphasized as they relate to the reading program.

A course to help struggling readers in middle and high school.

This course is designed to provide specialized instruction for targeted, individualized education goals for students with disabilities.

Secondary 7th and 8th Grade Visual Art Standards. This course is designed to provide a broad overview of some basic visual art skill using different art mediums, related materials and concepts. Foundation I should emphasize exposing students to fundamental observational drawing and shading skill. Basic design principles (positive/negative space, repetition, balance, emphasis and unity) are integrated into drawing techniques, collage, printing and sculptural processes. Painting media should be used to demonstrate understanding of color theory. Each concept taught should cultivate higher-level thinking, art history and aesthetics comprehension. 

Secondary Visual Art Level 1 Standards. This entry level High School course is centered on the development of observational skills needed in rendering the illusion of 3D forms on a flat surface.

Secondary Visual Art Level 1 Standards. Prerequisite: Foundations I or Drawing I. This High School level course is centered on using color to define form and create textural illusions in wet media. Studio processes should focus on learning medium specific techniques of both transparent and opaque paint. Composition, design principles and art history should be emphasized throughout the course.

Secondary Visual Art Level 1 Standards. This course provides an overview of basic design principles and introduction to fine crafts, their media and the cultures they represent. Students will develop basic understanding of media specific technical skill working with mixed media (macram, hooking, soft sculpture, wood carving, Origami, kite making, mosaics, masks and Indian bead weaving etc.)

Level 1 Secondary Dance Standards. Semester course, may be followed by Dance IB. A beginning level dance course that builds dance knowledge and skill with a focus on dance as an art form.

7th-8th or Level 1 Secondary Theatre Standards. There are two basic goals in theatre education: finding meaning in works of theatre art through the study and appreciation of theatre as an art form, and constructing meaning in works of theatre art through the study and skill development of theatre techniques in the creation of that theatre art. This is the entry-level course that introduces these two concepts. No prerequisite course is required.

Secondary Instrumental Music Level 1. Provides opportunities for students to develop their musical potential and aesthetic understanding through learning to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument in a large ensemble band setting. Must include all four strands: Create, Perform, Respond, Connect.

Secondary Choir Music Level 1. This course provides opportunities for students to develop their musical potential and aesthetic understanding through singing in a choral mixed ensemble. Must include all four strands: Create, Perform, Respond, Connect.

Secondary Instrumental Music Level 1. Provides opportunities for students to develop their musical potential and aesthetic understanding through learning to play orchestral string instruments. Must include all four strands: Create, Perform, Respond, Connect.

Secondary Instrumental Music Level 1. Provides opportunities for students to develop their musical potential and aesthetic understanding through learning to play a percussion Instrument. Must include all four strands: Create, Perform, Respond, Connect.

Secondary Instrumental Music Level 1. Beginning study of playing Guitar and/or Piano. Must include all four strands: Create, Perform, Respond, Connect.

A class that produces a newspaper.

High School class taken for elective credit only after core-required P.E. classes are completed.

Typically older students working with younger students to support academic success. Also includes peer mentoring.

Beginning course for non experienced programmers. Students learn and practice coding using python programming language.