English Six

In sixth grade, students continue to build upon skills previously taught in earlier grades. There is a continued emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. In fiction texts, students will identify elements of narrative structure including identifying theme and analyzing figurative language. In sixth grade, there is an increased emphasis on nonfiction reading by creating objective summaries and drawing inferences using textual evidence. The student will begin the study of word origins and continue vocabulary development. The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit writing in a variety of forms with an emphasis on narrative and reflective writing. Students will continue to deliver multimodal presentations individually and in collaborative groups. Students will also interpret information presented in diverse media formats. The student will find, evaluate, and select appropriate resources for a research product and cite both primary and secondary sources. As in earlier grades, the meaning and consequences of plagiarism will be stressed. There is a reading SOL for this course.

English Seven

In seventh grade, students continue to build upon skills previously taught in earlier grades. There is a continued emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. In fiction texts, students will identify elements of a variety of genres while focusing on an author’s style. In seventh grade, there is an increased emphasis on nonfiction reading, and students will identify the source, point-of-view, and purpose of texts. The student will continue the study of word origins and roots and begin identifying connotations. The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit writing in a variety of forms with an emphasis on expository and persuasive writing. Students will write to develop and modify a central idea, tone, and voice to fit the audience and purpose. Students will continue to deliver multimodal presentations individually and in collaborative groups. Students will also interpret information presented in diverse media formats. Students share responsibility for collaborative work, as both a contributor and a facilitator, while working for consensus to accomplish goals. The student will apply research techniques to quote, summarize, and paraphrase research findings while properly citing sources. As in earlier grades, the meaning and consequences of plagiarism will be stressed. There is a reading SOL for this course.

English Eight

In eighth grade, students continue to build upon skills previously learned in earlier grades. There is a continued emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. In fiction texts, students will explain the development of theme(s), and compare/contrast authors’ styles. In eighth grade, there will be an increased emphasis on nonfiction reading, and students will analyze authors’ qualifications, point-of-view, and style. The student will continue the study of word origins, roots, connotations, and denotations. The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit while writing in a variety of forms with an emphasis on expository and persuasive writing. Students will compose a thesis statement and defend a position with reasons and evidence. Students will evaluate, analyze, develop, and produce media messages. Students will create multimodal presentations that include different points-of-view, and collaborate with others to exchange ideas, make decisions, and solve problems. The student will apply research techniques to analyze information gathered from diverse sources by identifying misconceptions and possible bias. Students will also cite primary and secondary sources using either MLA or APA style sheet. As in earlier grades, the meaning and consequences of plagiarism will be stressed. There is a reading and writing SOL test for this course.

United States History to 1865

Students will use skills for historical and geographical analysis to explore the early history of the United States and understand ideas and events that strengthened the union. The standards for this course relate to the history of the United States from pre-Columbian times until 1865. Students will continue to learn fundamental concepts in civics, economics, and geography as they study United States history in chronological sequence and learn about change and continuity in our history. They also will study documents and speeches that laid the foundation for American ideals and institutions and will examine the everyday life of people at different times in the country’s history through the use of primary and secondary sources.

The study of history must emphasize the intellectual skills required for responsible citizenship. Students will practice these skills as they extend their understanding of the essential knowledge defined by all of the standards for history and social science.

United States History: 1865 to the Present

Students will continue to use skills for historical and geographical analysis as they examine American history since 1865. The standards for this course relate to the history of the United States from the Reconstruction era to the present. Students should continue to develop and build upon the fundamental concepts and skills in civics, economics, and geography within the context of United States history. Students will use investigation as a foundation to delve into the political, economic, and social challenges facing the nation once reunited after the Civil War. This foundation provides a pathway to develop an understanding of how the American experience shaped the world’s political and economic landscapes.

The study of history must emphasize the historical thinking skills required for geographic analysis, economic decision making, and responsible citizenship. Students will apply these skills as they extend their understanding of the essential knowledge defined by all of the standards for history and social science.

Civics and Economics

Standards for Civics and Economics examine the roles citizens play in the political, governmental, and economic systems in the United States. Students will examine the foundational documents and principles with which the constitutions of Virginia and the United States were established, identify the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens, and describe the structure and operation of government at the local, state, and national levels. Through the economics standards, students will compare the United States economy to other types of economies and consider the government’s role in the United States economy. Students will investigate the process by which decisions are made in the American market economy and explain the government’s role in the United States economy. The standards identify personal character traits, such as patriotism, respect for the law, willingness to perform public service, and a sense of civic duty, that facilitate thoughtful and effective active participation in the civic life of an increasingly diverse democratic society.

Civic and economic education also must emphasize the intellectual and practical skills required for responsible citizenship. Students will learn to consider their own talents, aptitudes, personalities, and market demand as they explore future decisions. Students will practice these skills both inside and outside the classroom as they extend their understanding of the essential knowledge defined by the standards for Civics and Economics.

Grade Six

The sixth-grade standards provide a transition from the emphasis placed on whole number arithmetic in the elementary grades to foundations of algebra. The standards include a focus on rational numbers and operations involving rational numbers. Students will use ratios to compare data sets; recognize decimals, fractions, and percents as ratios; solve single-step and multistep problems, using positive rational numbers; and gain a foundation in the understanding of and operations with integers. Students will solve problems involving area and perimeter, and begin to graph in a coordinate plane. In addition, students will build on the concept of graphical representation of data developed in the elementary grades and develop concepts regarding measures of center. Students will solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable, and use algebraic terminology. Students will represent proportional relationships using two variables as a precursor to the development of the concept of linear functions.

The use of appropriate technology and the interpretation of the results from applying technology tools must be an integral part of teaching, learning, and assessment. While learning mathematics, students will be actively engaged, using concrete materials and appropriate technologies to facilitate problem solving. However, facility in the use of technology shall not be regarded as a substitute for a student’s understanding of quantitative and algebraic concepts or for proficiency in basic computations.

The acquisition of specialized mathematical vocabulary and language is crucial to a student’s understanding and appreciation of the subject and fosters confidence in mathematics communication and problem solving.

Problem solving is integrated throughout the content strands. The development of problem-solving skills is a major goal of the mathematics program at every grade level. The development of skills and problem-solving strategies must be integrated early and continuously into each student’s mathematics education.

Grade 7

The seventh-grade standards continue to emphasize the foundations of algebra. The standards address the concept of and operations with rational numbers by continuing their study from grade six. Students will build on the concept of ratios to solve problems involving proportional reasoning. Students will solve problems involving volume and surface area and focus on the relationships among the properties of quadrilaterals. Probability is investigated through comparing experimental results to theoretical expectations. Students continue to develop their understanding of solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable by applying the properties of real numbers. Students discern between proportional and non-proportional relationships and begin to develop a concept of slope as rate of change.

Grade 8 Pre-Algebra

The eighth-grade standards continue to build on the concepts needed for success in high school level algebra, geometry, and statistics. Students will explore real numbers and the subsets of the real number system. Proportional reasoning is expounded upon as students solve a variety of problems. Students find the volume and surface area of more complex three-dimensional figures and apply transformations to geometric shapes in the coordinate plane. Students will verify and apply the Pythagorean Theorem creating a foundation for further study of triangular relationships in geometry. Students will represent data, both univariate and bivariate data, and make predictions by observing data patterns. Students build upon the algebraic concepts developed in the standards for grades six and seven mathematics, which include simplifying algebraic expressions, solving multistep equations and inequalities, and graphing linear functions. The grade eight standards are vital to providing a solid foundation in Algebra I for students in middle school mathematics. Students in this course will take the Math 8/Pre-Algebra SOL assessment in the Spring.

Algebra I (Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra)

This course provides a study of the basic principles of algebra, including using the rational number system; performing operations with polynomials; solving linear equations and inequalities; solving quadratic equations; organizing and manipulating data; and graphing linear and quadratic equations. The course requires students to use algebra as a tool for representing and solving a variety of practical problems. Included in the progression of algebraic content is patterning, generalization of arithmetic concepts, proportional reasoning, and representing mathematical relationships using tables, symbols, and graphs. All students are expected to achieve the Algebra I standards via problem-solving, making connections, reasoning, and communicating mathematical ideas and strategies. The study of Algebra I assists students in generalizing patterns or modeling relevant, practical situations with algebraic models. Students will use graphing calculators, computers, and other appropriate technology. Students taking this course will take an end-of-course SOL test in Algebra I.

6th Grade: Life Science

The Life Science standards emphasize a more complex understanding of change, cycles, patterns, and relationships in the living world. Students build on basic principles related to these concepts by exploring the cellular organization and the classification of organisms; the dynamic relationships among organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems; and change as a result of the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation. Inquiry skills at this level include organization and mathematical analysis of data, manipulation of variables in experiments, and identification of sources of experimental error. Metric units (SI – International System of Units) are expected to be used as the primary unit of measurement to gather and report data at this level.

The Life Science standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science. This scientific view defines the idea that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking; are subject to rules of evidence; are consistent with observational, inferential, and experimental evidence; are open to rational critique; and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of new scientific evidence. The nature of science includes the concept that science can provide explanations about nature and can predict potential consequences of actions, but cannot be used to answer all questions.

7th Grade: Physical Science

The Physical Science standards continue to build on skills of systematic investigation with a clear focus on variables and repeated trials. Validating conclusions using evidence and data becomes increasingly important at this level. Students will plan and conduct research involving both classroom experimentation and literature reviews from written and electronic resources. Research methods and skills highlight practical problems and questions. Students will share their work using written reports and other presentations and will continue to use metric units (SI – International System of Units) as the primary unit of measurement for gathering and reporting data.

The Physical Science standards stress an in-depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy. The standards place considerable emphasis on the technological application of physical science principles. Major areas covered by the standards include the organization and use of the periodic table; physical and chemical changes; nuclear reactions; temperature and heat; sound; light; electricity and magnetism; and work, force, and motion.

The Physical Science standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science. This scientific view defines the idea that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking; are subject to rules of evidence; are consistent with observational, inferential, and experimental evidence; are open to rational critique; and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of new scientific evidence. The nature of science includes the concept that science can provide explanations about nature and can predict potential consequences of actions, but cannot be used to answer all questions.

8th Grade: Earth Science

The Earth Science standards connect the study of Earth’s composition, structure, processes, and history; its atmosphere, fresh water, and oceans; and its environment in space. The standards emphasize historical contributions in the development of scientific thought about Earth and space. The standards stress the interpretation of maps, charts, tables, and profiles; the use of technology to collect, analyze, and report data; and the utilization of science skills in systematic investigation. Problem solving and decision making are an integral part of the standards, especially as they relate to the costs and benefits of utilizing Earth’s resources. Major topics of study include plate tectonics, the rock cycle, Earth history, the oceans, the atmosphere, weather and climate, and the solar system and universe.

The Earth Science standards continue to focus on student growth in understanding the nature of science. This scientific view defines the idea that explanations of nature are developed and tested using observation, experimentation, models, evidence, and systematic processes. The nature of science includes the concepts that scientific explanations are based on logical thinking; are subject to rules of evidence; are consistent with observational, inferential, and experimental evidence; are open to rational critique; and are subject to refinement and change with the addition of new scientific evidence. The nature of science includes the concept that science can provide explanations about nature and can predict potential consequences of actions, but cannot be used to answer all questions.

• French I

• French II

• French III

• French IV

• AP French Language

• Latin I

• Latin II

• Latin III

• Latin IV

• AP Latin

• Spanish I

• Spanish II

• Spanish III

• Spanish IV

• AP Spanish Language and Culture

• AP Spanish Literature and Culture

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