Middle School Courses
Middle school students typically take the four course courses - English, history, science, and math - and sometimes add an elective such as an art or language.
- English 6 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- Through the integrated use of reading, writing, and class discussion, English 6 students will build a strong foundation for higher level English courses. Students will explore plot, character, theme, forms of fiction, biography & autobiography, figurative language, poetry, and literary criticism. They will read novels and develop their writing skills in narratives, expository compositions, research reports, responses to literature, and persuasive compositions as well as expand their vocabulary.
- History 6 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- In History 6, students will focus on the ancient world. Students will explore the early humans and rise of civilization, ancient Egypt & the Near East, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. Students will engage with the material through class discussions, a series of projects or essays, and mapping assessments. This course will build on foundations from earlier social studies courses as well as provide foundations for high school studies in world history.
- Numbers to Algebra - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- Numbers to Algebra introduces students to foundational concepts to prepare them for later studies in algebra and geometry. Concepts covered will include algebraic reasoning, integers, number theory and reactions, operations with rational numbers, proportional relationships, percents, collecting, displaying, and analyzing data, probability, geometric figures, measurement and geometry, multi-step equations and inequalities.
- Science 6 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- In the Science 6 course, students will explore concepts related to earth science. Topics covered will include mapping Earth’s surface, Earth’s structure, thermal energy and heat, plate tectonics, plate boundaries and California, earthquakes, volcanoes, wreathing and erosion, Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, weather and climate, ecological roles, energy and matter in ecosystems, and resources. Students will additionally complete labs on topics covered in the course to apply concepts. This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge for further students in earth and environmental science.
- English 7 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- Through the integrated use of reading, writing, and class discussion, English 7 students will continue to build their skills for higher level English courses. Students will analyze plot, character, cause and effect, point of view, prose and poetry, and myths and folktales. They will critique literature and analyze informational documents. Students will read novels and develop their writing skills in fictional or autobiographical narratives, responses to literature, research reports, persuasive compositions, and summaries of reading materials, as well as expand their vocabulary.
- History 7 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- History 7 will focus on the medieval world and beyond. Students will explore Europe during medieval times, the rise of Islam, the culture and kingdoms of West Africa, imperial Chine, Japan during medieval times, civilizations of the Americas, Europe’s renaissance and reformation, and Europe enters the modern age. Students will engage with the material through class discussions, a series of projects or essays, and mapping assessments. This course will build on foundations from earlier social studies courses as well as provide foundations for high school studies in world history.
- Prealgebra - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- Prealgebra will continue to prepare students for higher algebraic and geometric studies by further developing fundamental skills begun in Numbers to Algebra. Students will explore concepts including principle of algebra, rational numbers, multi-step equations and inequalities, exponents and roots, ratio, proportions, and similarity, percents, graphs and functions, foundations of geometry, two-dimensional geometry, three-dimensional geometry, data, statistics, and probability, and polynomial.
- Science 7 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- In the Science 7 course, students will explore life sciences. Topics covered will include what is life science, using light, cell structure and function, cell processes and energy, genetics: the science of heredity, modern genetics, changes over time, Earth’s history, viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi, structure and function of plants, structure and function of invertebrates, bones and muscles, circulation and respiration, the nervous system, and the endocrine system and reproduction. Students will additionally complete labs on topics covered in the course to apply concepts. This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge for further students in life sciences generally and biology in particular.
- English 8 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- Through the integrated use of reading, writing, and class discussion, English 8 students will continue to build their skills to prepare for high school level English courses. Students will analyze plot, character, setting and its influence on mood and tone, theme, literary devices and style, and poetry. They will interpret literary works, use documents to solve a problem, analyze consumer materials, and explain how to use technical devices. Students will read novels and develop their writing skills in fictional or autobiographical narratives, responses to literature, research reports, persuasive compositions, documents related to career development, including simple business letters and job applications, and technical documents, as well as expand their vocabulary.
- History 8 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- History 8 will focus on the United States through Industrialism. Students will examine early American settlement, revolution, the Constitution, the early republic, manifest destiny & the settlement of the west, the road to war, the Civil War & its aftermath, and industrialization & the Progressives. Students will engage with the material through class discussions, a series of projects or essays, and mapping assessments. This course will build on foundations from earlier social studies courses as well as provide foundations for high school studies in United States history.
- Algebra - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- Algebra 1 presents the basic concepts of algebra, such as foundations of algebra, equation, inequalities, systems of inequalities, linear equations, exponents and polynomials, factoring polynomials, rational functions and equations, and radical and exponential functions. This course is designed to prepare students for further mathematical studies and provide a solid foundation for high school mathematics. (Prerequisite: Prealgebra)
- Science 8 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
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In the Science 8 course, students will explore concepts related to physical science. Topics covered will include motion, forces, density and buoyancy, understanding the atom, combining atoms and molecules, and states of matter, the periodic table and physical properties, chemical reactions, acids and bases in solution, chemistry of living systems, our solar system, and stars and galaxies. Students will additionally complete labs on topics covered in the course to apply concepts. This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge for further students in physical sciences such as chemistry and physics.
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- Drawing & Painting - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- This introductory course immerses students in the techniques, mediums, vocabulary, and tropes used in drawing and painting. Students are able to refine observational and accuracy skills that serve as the foundation of an artist's mastery of the craft in areas such as still-life drawing, contour, perspective, and landscape painting. At the conclusion of this course, students will come away with a diverse portfolio of work displaying proficiency in the various modes of mediums of the drawing and painting disciplines.
- Introduction to Photography - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- This introductory course guides students through the photographic workflow. Students may elect to shoot traditionally (with film) or digitally. Students learn and practice the technical and creative possibilities of the photographic medium through study of exposure and focus controls, lens selection, composition and design, lighting, how to use Photoshop to enhance and edit images, and how to create a visual narrative through image selection, sequencing, and contextualization.
- American Sign Language 1 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- American Sign Language 1 is designed to give students the tools necessary to begin communication with the Deaf world. Students will be introduced to basic vocabulary, grammatical points, forms of expression, idioms, and techniques that will increase comprehension. The areas of focus will be: interpreting Sign; expressing thoughts in Sign; fingerspelling and its interpretation; and an increased understanding of Deaf and hard of hearing culture.
- French 1 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- French 1 introduces students to French grammar and vocabulary. Students learn key introductory vocabulary with an emphasis on verbs. Students begin reading simple stories in French.
- Spanish 1 - 2 Semesters (10 Credits)
- Spanish 1 is a communication-based course integrating all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a culturally authentic context. Receptive skills are stressed in the first semester. Students will comprehend vocabulary in context, taken from the Language Learning Continuum. Importance is placed on developing the student’s awareness of the culture of Hispanic people of Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Spain, as well as the role Hispanics have played in the history of the United States.
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