The English as a Second Language courses are designed to strengthen the English language skills of students who speak other languages, including the skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The content includes, but is not limited to: listening to English to practice comprehension, verbalizing experiences orally, practicing the process of composition, and developing verbal skills necessary for the world of work and/or post-secondary education.
AVID
LAV 101 Grade Level: 7-8
Length of Course: 36 weeks
AVID is not an open elective program. Students are admitted to the program only after teacher recommendation and screening by the AVID committee.
Major Concepts/Content: AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a language arts based curriculum with emphasis on the writing process and writing as a tool of learning. In addition to inquiry and collaboration, AVID also provides students with academic survival skills, i.e., time management, note taking, textbook reading, library research, test taking skills, study skills. The Cornell note-taking system is taught and students are expected to use this system in all classes.
Reading Lab
RED 103/203 Grade Level: 7-8
Length of Course: 36 weeks
This course is designed to improve reading achievement for students not reading at grade level through the use of a whole group instructional model with small group rotations including Literacy instruction with technology support providing models and Lexile leveled text passages for instruction. Modeled and independent reading using leveled literature to model or practice good reading strategies
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Mathematics
Mathematics 7
Grade Level: 7
MAM 101
Length of Course: 36 weeks
The standards and expectancies for Mathematics 7 place emphasis on solving real life problems involving ratios, percents, proportions, probability, statistics, and rational numbers. Students formulate, write, and defend real world problems involving multi-step operations. A strong emphasis on mathematical concepts and understanding also supports the development of problem solving,. While learning mathematics, students will be actively engaged, using tools and appropriate technologies such as calculators and computers. Students will be encouraged to explain, summarize, analyze, design, and evaluate mathematical ideas in writing and discussion.
MS Math Support
Grade Level: 7 - 8
MAS E01
Length of Course: 36 weeks
This class will support and reinforce the basic arithmetic and algebraic concepts taught in Math and Math 8 courses. Students will build on their problem solving experiences to further develop their deductive and inductive reasoning skills and methods of justifications. A variety of applications and some general problem-solving techniques will be used.
Mathematics 8
Grade Level: 8
MAM 201
Length of Course: 36 weeks
The standards and expectancies for Mathematics 8 place emphasis on core concepts of algebraic and geometric reasoning. Students will also be involved in investigations and demonstrate understanding in the areas of data analysis, the mathematics of chance, fractal geometry and chaos theory, and functions. A strong emphasis on mathematical concepts and understanding also supports the development of problem solving. While learning mathematics, students will be actively engaged, using tools and appropriate technologies such as calculators and computers. Students will be encouraged to explain, summarize, analyze, design, and evaluate mathematical ideas in writing and discussion.
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Algebra I
C MAA 301 Grade Level: 8
Length of Course: 36 weeks
This course may be the most common entry-level course for students who have had a rich and varied middle level mathematics program. It expands upon basic algebraic concepts previously acquired and integrates those principals with everyday life. Students will use formulas, functions, and equations to describe and clarify relationships as well as solve first and second degree equations and use functions to model real-world phenomena. Students will have access to calculators at appropriate times. Cooperative learning and appropriate technologies are utilized throughout the course. This course generally follows middle school mathematics or an introductory math class offered in grades 9 through 12. A passing score on the diagnostic test is required for 8th grade students taking this course.
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Science
Science 7
Grade Level: 7
SCG 102
Length of Course: 36 weeks
The science 7 course is designed to provide students with an integration of the four primary science disciplines: biology, earth science, chemistry, and physics. Science 7 integrates the various disciplines in a thematically organized framework. The various topics the students will study include light, water, ecology, motion, geology, and plant and animal life. Teaching strategies include demonstrations, discussions, investigations, and hands-on activities.
Science 8
Grade Level: 8
SCG 202
Length of Course: 36 weeks
The science 8 course is designed to expand the students' awareness of content and process in the integrated study of the life, earth, and physical sciences. This course includes: energy, systems and interactions, scale and structure, stability and change, and patterns. Scientific properties are logically integrated. Teaching strategies include demonstrations, discussions, investigations, and hands-on activities.
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Social Studies
World Geography 7
Grade Level: 7
SSC 101
Length of Course: 36 weeks
The world Geography 7 course is designed to build on the background of geographical and cultural studies presented in the elementary curriculum. Students begin to look in-depth at given regions of the world with an emphasis on physical geography. The course of study places emphasis on the following regions: North and South America, Western Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific world. Students will study earth movement and forms from globes, use maps and graphs to study geographic patterns, and research information on major geographic patterns.
United States History 8
Grade Level: 8
SSU 201
Length of Course: 36 weeks
The United States History 8 course is designed to place major emphasis on the nation's history from pre-Columbian civilizations to the Civil War and Reconstruction. Geography of the United States and social studies skills also receive emphasis. Map skills, reading and interpreting charts and graphs, and the utilization of reference books and materials are implemented throughout the program. Influences of and relations with the host nation are explored during the year.
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Foreign Language
Level I (Korean)
Grade Level:8 FLF, FLK, FLS MS101C
Length of Course: 36 weeks
The first year program is designed for the student to give simple oral and written information by using appropriate learned vocabulary, word order and grammatical forms, and read simple passages with comprehension.
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Fine Arts
Beginning Band
Grade Level: 7-8 MUI 101
Length of Course: 36 weeks
The beginning band course is designed to introduce students to the following: basic instrumental music techniques such as tone production, articulation, breath control, pitch discrimination; melodic and rhythmic concepts and patterns; practice skills and habits; solo, ensemble, and full group rehearsals; a variety of instrumental repertoire; opportunities for private instruction; experiences in performing; and sound practice habits.
Intermediate Band
Grade Level: 8 MUI 102
Length of Course: 36 weeks
Preparation: Beginning Band
The intermediate band course is designed to acquaint students with intermediate to advanced instrumental music skills which include, but will not be limited to, the following content: intermediate to advanced level sight-reading skills; discrimination of pitch; absolute essentials for playing in tune; intermediate to advanced rhythm concepts and patterns; techniques for achieving the essentials of unity, balance, and contrast in performing instrumental music; the study of all major and minor scales; the opportunity of performing a variety of good musical repertoire; and listening skills development.
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Beginning Chorus*
Grade Level: 7 MUV 101
Length of Course: 36 weeks
The Beginning Chorus course is designed to provide students, but not limit them to, the following; learning the beginning and basic fundamentals of sight-reading vocal music, rehearsing and performing unison and two-part music, singing with small and large groups, studying intonation, experiencing a wide variety of choral literature including secular and nonsecular music, singing with keyboard and other accompaniment, and participating in public performances and musical productions.
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Middle School Rotation Classes
Students in grades 7 and 8 are assigned to semester classes on a rotating basis. These 18 week classes may include the following:
Art 7/8
Grade Level: 7-8
ARA 013
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Keyboarding I
Grade Level: 7-8
BCT 107
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Applied Technology
Grade Level: 7-8
TEA 106
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Computer Apps AB
Grade Level: 7-8
BCT 103
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Korean Culture
Grade Level: 7-8
ICZ 103
Length of Course: 18 weeks
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Journalism
Grade Level: 7-8
LAJE 03E
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Study Skills(Advisory)
Grade Level: 7-8
MED 101
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Physical Education 7/8
Grade Level: 7-8
PEG 102, 202
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Pathways to Careers (Advisory)
Grade Level: 7-8
VEZ 101
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Drama AB
Grade Level: 7-8
DRA 101, 201
Length of Course: 18 weeks
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Creative Thinking
Grade Level: 7-8
AACE03
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Music
Grade Level: 7-8
AACE03
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Creative Writing
Grade Level: 7-8
LACE03P
Length of Course: 18 weeks
Exploratory French/Spanish*
Grade Level: 7-8
Length of Course: 18 weeks
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Course with * Depending upon staffing.
