WALPOLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY/ENGINEERING
GRADES 6-8
Curriculum Summary by Grade
These curriculum summaries have been developed by teachers and administrators to serve as another way of communicating with parents. They highlight the core curriculum and expectations for student learning at each grade level.
The curriculum summaries describe what most students at a grade level are expected to know and be able to do by the end of the school year. They also reflect the goals of the various Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. It is important to note that although children may learn and grow at different rates and through varied styles, all should make regular progress.
While we have high expectations for all students and encourage each student to work to their capacity, parents and teachers recognize that some students have more difficulty in school. Others will progress more rapidly and move well beyond these core expectations. It is the joint responsibility of school and home to provide support, challenge, and encouragement for all students.
Grade 6
Science
The integration of life, physical, and earth sciences with technology/engineering gives grade 6 students relevant and engaging opportunities with natural phenomena and design problems. This emphasizes the development of science and engineering practices, as well as crosscutting concepts. Students will study topics such as properties of materials, energy, waves, meteorology, ecology and technology/engineering. Students use models and provide evidence to make claims and explanations to develop a conceptual understanding of different STE domains.
Technology
The primary focus areas at this level are Introductory Technology Concepts & Computer Programming Concepts.
Grade 7
Science
Students in grade 7 focus on systems and cycles using their understanding of structures and functions, connections and relationships in systems, and flow of matter and energy developed in earlier grades. A focus on systems requires students to apply concepts and skills across disciplines, since most natural and designed systems and cycles are complex and interactive. They gain experience with solar system interactions, earth’s place in space, the interrelatedness of human body systems, force and motion, and key technological systems used by society. Students acquire content and practice skills through culturally sensitive, inclusive, and equitable instruction. This creates a foundation for exploring more abstract content in grade 8.
Technology
The primary focus area at this level is more advanced computer programming concepts.
Grade 8
Science
The eighth grade science program incorporates learning from previous years and addresses topics in physical, earth, and life science. Topics of study include States of Matter, Atoms, Mixtures & Solutions, Chemical Reactions, Rocks, Earth’s Layers, Plate Tectonics, Geologic Time, Evolution, Genetics and Human Impact on Global Systems. Students acquire content and practice skills through culturally sensitive, inclusive, and equitable instruction in science, technology, and engineering that prepare them for high school. In the spring, students participate in the MA Science, Technology and Engineering MCAS grade eight assessment.
Technology
The primary focus areas at this level are: both Robotics and Engineering Concepts - Lego SPIKE Prime Kits.
Contacts
Bird Middle School
Ed Connor, Principal
Katie Gingras, Guidance Counselor
Johnson Middle School
Steve Morgenweck, Principal
Sarah Giunta, Guidance Counselor
Maryellen O'Malley, Science Department Head