Communication Arts       Curriculum includes a combination of reading, writing, and grammar, all centered on key skills in Communication Arts.  Students are required to complete meaningful literature (fiction and non-fiction) based activities as well as grade level writing compositions.

 

Mathematics               Skills covered are:  interpreting numbers, number comparisons,

number theory, linear equations, order of operations percent, estimation & appropriate unit selection, lines of symmetry & polygon classification,

                                    graphs and statistical data analysis, number sentences,     ratio and proportion, math operations in fractions, decimals, whole numbers and negative numbers.

 

Pre-Algebra                Course combines a thorough review of arithmetic with an extension into algebraic applications.

 

Science                        Begin year with how the scientific process is used in problem solving, then continue with physical science with an emphasis on Force, Motion and Work, Forms of Energy, and Energy Transformations.  The second semester entails areas of Earth science such as Weather and Climate and the Solar System.

 

Social Studies              Studies are focused on world cultures, geography, economics, civic government.

 

Art & Art II               Quarter Courses: demonstrate proper use, control & maintenance of

tools and media and/or illustrate possibilities and limitations of various

media.  Use a variety of paint media and painting techniques, create works using a variety of paint-making procedures Utilize changes in value to depict illusion of volume on picture plane, use texture expressively, create illusion of depth, use arrangements & elements to achieve unity, use contrast between elements.

 

Transitions                  Aid with organizational skills, enhance student’s level of academic

                                    achievement, to enable student to function at a higher level of self-

                                    discipline, self-control and self-responsibility.

 

Choral Music              Twelve week course which focuses on skills necessary to become a competent choral singer; includes development of sight singing, rhythm reading, singing multi-part music, proper tone quality, diction, and musical effect.

 

Applications of                        A six course to integrate technology into the core curriculum areas of

Technology                 communication arts and science to address deficiencies and strengthen

                                    student understanding of the show-me-standards.

 

Band                            A middle-level band experience in which students build on the fundamentals of tone production, music reading, and performance skills.  Students are introduced to more advanced techniques in ensemble performance such as balance, blend, phrasing, intonation, rhythm recognition, and theory.

 

Family & Consumer  Six week courses that covers the basics in cooking and sewing skills,

Sciences I & II                        baby-sitting, introduces money management.

 

Health                         A six weeks course dealing with resisting peer pressure, proactive and refusal skills through role-playing.  Students learn problem solving techniques and to consider consequences before risk taking and making decisions.  Discuss and list sources of support on personal professional levels.  AIDS education and abstinence are taught.

 

Physical Education     Every other day all year course that addresses the physical, social and developmental needs of young adolescents.  The course introduces and reinforces 33 different activities ranging from team sports to lifetime activities.

 

Fitness                         Six week course that addresses the physical, social and developmental needs of young adolescents.  The course introduces and reinforces different activities ranging from individual sports to lifetime activities.

 

Quest                           The Quest class is for academically gifted students in the area of communication arts.

 

PAWS                         Progressive academic working supports- PAWS time is a 22 minute period in the lunch block during 5^th hour each day consisting of character education, SSR, concept reinforcement, and enrichment activities.

 

 

 

 

 

                                       

 

 

Communication Arts  Course covers four basics components of reading, speaking, writing, and listening with an emphasis on writing.  Extensive practice with expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive writing.

Literature:  Study of short stories, mythology, drama, poetry and non-fiction.

 

Mathematics               This course combines a thorough review of arithmetic with an extension into algebraic applications and an emphasis on word problems and patterns.

 

Algebra I                    A thorough and complex look at the principal topics of algebra, including linear and quadratic equations, factoring, graphing, system equations, and a heavy emphasis on application through word problems.

 

Science                        Physical science is covered first quarter with an emphasis on properties of matter and changes in matter.  Second quarter is composed of Earth science topics entailing the rock cycle and plate tectonics.  The entire second semester is devoted to the life science topics of the cell, reproduction and heredity, and human body systems.

 

Health                         Health deals with teen-life issues such as drugs, alcohol, eating disorders,

sexual harassment, AID and sexual abstinence.

 

Social Studies              Focuses on American History from the first explorers through the civil war.  Class includes studies of geography, politics, culture & economics of our world with some attention to current events.

 

Band                            A middle-level band experience in which students build on the fundamentals of tone production, music reading, and performance skills.  Students are introduced to more advanced techniques in ensemble performance such as balance, blend, phrasing, intonation, rhythm recognition, and theory.

 

Art                              Quarter course:  Demonstrate proper use, control & maintenance of tools and media, develop two and three-dimensional art works, adapt ideas of expression to media & techniques, evaluate project in terms of media, method, principles of art & elements of design, use implied lines to define shapes, forms and directions, describe and utilize relationships between shapes, compare effect of color, emphasize textures in various media, organize elements to achieve unity and variety in compositions.

 

Transitions                  Continuation of objectives covered in seventh grade basic skills.

 

 Career Exploration    This nine week quarter course explores the process of choosing and

& Personal Finances  investigating careers.  It also introduces students to money management

topics including setting goals, personal budget using a checking account,

credit, investing money and comparison-shopping.

 

Foods & Nutrition      This nine week quarter class explores good nutrition and making healthy food choices.  It will review cooking skills emphasizing safe and healthy food preparation.

 

Explo French              Quarter course:  Introductory level course of the French language presenting common vocabulary and simple sentences that students could use in everyday life.  Customs and geography are also included.

 

Physical Education     Every other day all year course that addresses the physical, social and developmental needs of young adolescents.  The course introduces and reinforces thirty-three different activities ranging from team sports to lifetime activities.

 

Quest Program           The Quest class is for academically gifted students in the area of communication arts.

 

 

Web Design Applications

This nine week class will create Web Pages using software such as Word, Publisher and Front Page.  Internet research will be used along with exploring and developing different types of Web Page designs.

 

Concert Choir            Performance based course geared toward development of music for public performance and competitive situations.  This class is selective in nature and usually instructor permission to enroll.