Middle School Courses
Reading
The ultimate goal of the reading program is to develop the joy of reading. Because reading is fundamental and demands active, thinking readers, the program is twofold: intensive and extensive.
The intensive program concentrates on vocabulary development and core readings. Students read high-quality literature, organized by genre: short stories, novels, and poetry. Core readings reflect human experiences and require profound thinking and critical evaluation.
The extensive reading program involves reading that is primarily completed outside of the classroom. This phase provides for individualization because the material is on an independent reading level.
English
The English program offers extensive instruction in basic grammar, usage, and mechanics needed to develop clear and concise writing, speaking, listening, and reasoning skills. Enrichment activities such as poetry and essay writing, and writing for competitions provide students with the opportunity to use the skills they learned throughout the year.
Social Studies
The social studies program provides students with a solid foundation in the areas of history, political systems, geography, research skills, and current events. At each grade level, a different area of study is stressed: world history in sixth grade, American history in seventh grade, and world geography and civics in eighth grade.
At each grade level, appropriate geography activities supplement studies. Research skills are reinforced. Emphasis is placed on the development of a working knowledge of the various types of reference materials and the ability to efficiently utilize these skills. Current events are examined and evaluated in the general context of class study.
Science
Inquiry, analysis, and synthesis of scientific phenomena are at the core of the science program. This is a laboratory-centered program with focus on the pupils' interaction with materials as they develop conceptual schemes in science. All students apply their investigative experiences by participating in a local science fair.
In sixth grade, biology, chemistry, earth science, genetics, physical science, and energy conversion are taught.
In seventh grade, biological science is continued with dissection of worms, starfish, earthworms, grasshoppers, frogs, and perch, which demonstrates the complexity of living organisms.
In eighth grade, the study of matter begins extensive laboratory work toward understanding the atom. Geology, weather, earth changes, and earth history are learned with molecular theories in mind. Laboratory work includes rock identification, earth movements, wave action, air movement, and spatial relationships in the universe.
Math
The accelerated math program places the student in a textbook one year above grade level and progresses to Algebra I in the eighth grade. Proficiency in the basic operations, using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals is stressed. The concepts of problem solving and proportion, number theory, solving equations, geometry (plane, space, and coordinate), statistics, probability, and percentages are taught through the seventh grade.
The eighth-grade Algebra I program includes the basic operations using real numbers, solving equations, and polynomials, as well as algebraic fractions, problem solving, linear equations and graphing, and an introduction to functions. Honors Algebra I is offered for high school credit.
Arts & Humanities
Through the study of art and the humanities, the students develop an appreciation and understanding of the world around them, as well as the progression of cultures and the aesthetic movements which incorporate these cultures. The studio lessons, which appear throughout the texts, reinforce the concepts that are being taught and incorporate a wide range of art media techniques.
The goal of the program is to teach students to see and understand the aesthetic elements that give a work of art enduring beauty and meaning.
Spanish
The study of Spanish exposes students to a different language and thereby stimulates a desire to continue developing their competence in foreign languages, as well as their own. Sixth grade students begin with a first year high school Spanish I textbook and culminate with a Spanish II textbook in eighth grade.
Small group activities, DVD's, and games are used in all grades, along with group participation, to make learning Spanish more fun and interesting. These activities expose the students to practical (day-to-day) vocabulary while at the same time giving them insight into the culture, geography, and history of the Spanish-speaking world.
Computer Literacy
The goal in teaching computer literacy is to provide the students with a good, basic background, while teaching them the skills necessary to be successful in the future. All aspects of computer use, from keyboarding to multimedia presentations, are covered. The complete scope of Microsoft Office will be utilized as it relates to current and future needs of the students. We will take a project-based approach, allowing time for the students to use the skills they have learned in meaningful ways. There will also be a main focus on using the Internet as a research and informational tool. Along with this, Internet safety and integrity will be taught as a natural part of using the Internet. Successful completion of our curriculum meets the computer literacy requirements for high school graduation.
Health and Fitness
The health and fitness program is committed to offering an educational process in which all students are encouraged to reach their highest potential. By offering a variety of teaching techniques, the students will be involved not only in cooperative learning, friendly competition, and goal setting, but they will be introduced to the importance of their own health, well-being, and pursuit of lifetime physical fitness.
The middle school program strives to educate students in the safe and effective methods involved in strength training, aerobic training and fat loss. Our goal is to give our students a strong foundation in weight maintenance and control as well as increased muscle and performance.