Course Catalog for Middle school
English Language Arts – Grade 6
Course Overview:
Student continues to develop oral communication skills and becomes more knowledgeable of the effects of verbal and nonverbal behaviors in oral communication. They will continue to read a wide variety of fiction,
nonfiction, and poetry while becoming more independent and analytical.
The student reads independently for at least thirty minutes a night, a variety of fiction and non-fiction, for appreciation and comprehension.
The student continues to extend responses to self-selected reading and continues to refine written composition skills, with special attention to word choice, organization, style, and grammar.
Written explanations utilize informational writing skills, and persuasive writing is introduced while writing narrative, expository (informational), and descriptive texts is continued.
The student continues vocabulary development through a study of gurative language and continuing study of roots and axes. The student also demonstrates correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking.
Third Language (French / German) – Grade 6
Course Overview:
The objective of the third language curriculum this year is to provide the students with as much new vocabulary as possible.
Instruction will be given for new expressions to use in different places such as school, station, touristic places, shops, phone, Hospital, airport etc.
The aim is to improve conversation.
Students will be given extra reading time and dictation in order to understand stories, and to help the student to be confident in reading and to pronounce words correctly.
The student will be able to hold
a small discussion with somebody, ask something from someone, to give orders, and to complete correct sentences using subject and verb in the present and past tenses. In addition, the student will be more confident to present himself and his family and their occupation. Students will learn how to count, describe a person or an object using the adjective, the different articles and their feminine and masculine.
This year we start to teach them how to ask questions and answer them using different preposition of places and the others used in countries and capital.
The student will be able to use the different ways of transportation and the preposition suitable also Finally, the student will learn about the use of the future tense such as writing letter of invitation to a friend to talk about their vacation plan for example.
They will also study the nationalities, the countries, and the different types of sport and activities using the right preposition according to the activity done.
Mathematics – Grade 6
Course Overview:
Grade Six Mathematics focuses on preparing children for the remaining mathematics course work throughout their middle and high school years.
Quarter one builds on what students have learned before and builds general subject areas to strengthen the students’ knowledge in each area. Students cover material such as exponents, divisibility, order of operations, prime factorization, rational numbers, fractions, and decimals.
It also introduces Variables in a more complex manner to enable students to grasp algebraic concepts. Quarter two introduces the concepts of ratios and rates, and helps students in becoming familiar with their concepts.
Some of the material covered includes ratios, rates, proportions, customary and metric
measurements, percents, graphs, and data.
Quarter three focuses on exploring tables, graphs, and data, as well as collecting, displaying and analyzing data.
Quarter four concludes the the school year as we begin to explore probability, integers, pattern and sequences, and the coordinate plane. By the end of the year, students should be able to solve many dierent kinds of problems that include algebraic as well as graphing concepts.
Students should also be able to use dierent representations of fractional numbers such as fractions, decimals, and percents and how to change from one to another.
They will also be able to use properties of number to factor and solve problems using exponents, as well as nd patterns and become better problem solvers.
Science – Grade 6
Course Description:
SCIENCE: The sixth grade science program is a year of science process skills, space science, ecosystem, physical science and science fair.
The curriculum is aligned with the state's science framework.
Emphasis is on making the connections and seeing the relationships between concepts and ideas.
The interdisciplinary thematic teaching approach helps students investigate high interest problems that show students how scientific principles are applied.
Scientific thinking processes are stressed and staff strives to help students develop critical thinking skills with problem solving, decision-making, and research and inquiry.
As students move through the program, they tackle more sophisticated thinking processes using experimental manipulative and other laboratory oriented projects that are related to current scientific issues. Computer technology is used as a tool to support student projects. The science curriculum is differentiated and accelerated though a variety of practices.
Although most teaching is done in a heterogeneous environment, GATE instruction is individualized based on the skills and abilities presented by each child.
Social Studies – Grade 6
Course Overview:
In this course we plan to engage students through cooperative learning, critical thinking, discussions, group work, and various methods of teaching methodology. We will cover topics ranging from "The World's Early People," until "The Ancient Greeks." Students will learn how to read various maps and learn the evolution of maps by examining their development. Students will be evaluated through various means, such as group work, papers, tests, and presentations.
Physical education – Grade 6
Course Overview:
In Physical Education Grade Six, students continue to develop competence in modified
versions of game/sport, dance, and recreational activities as well as knowledge in health living.
They vary movement during dynamic and changing game situations.
Recreational pursuits become an additional curriculum option, broadening lifetime physical activity options.
The ability to analyze skill performance through observing and understanding critical elements (isolated, small parts of the whole skill or movement) is increasingly apparent, as is the application of basic scientific principles of movement and personal fitness.
Students relate the importance of physical activity to health, focusing particularly on obesity and stress. They create plans for improving personal fitness.
Students continue to develop responsible personal and social behaviors by demonstrating decision-making skills, conflict- resolution skills, appropriate etiquette, and respect for others. Students achieve and maintain personal fitness standards and set reasonable and appropriate goals for improvement or maintenance of health- related fitness.
Music – Grade 6
Course Overview:
The WIS Music Department provides a performance-based outlet for highly motivated students interested in music. 6th grade music builds on the skills learned in fth grade music with the goal of students dedicating themselves to the art of performance. Students in music are graded through participation and performance. Class activities include listening and performing quality music, music theory and developing the overall musician.
Art Introduction to Visual Arts – Grade 6
Course Overview:
In Introduction to Visual Arts, students use the elements of art and the principles of design as a framework, and explore a variety of experiences and concepts.
We will focus on the basic aspects of creativity, and dene the major visual tools such as,
perspective, shading, and coloring.
English language Arts – Grade 7
Course Overview:
Student continues to develop oral communication skills and becomes more knowledgeable of the effects of verbal and nonverbal behaviors in oral communication.
They will continue to read a wide variety of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry while becoming more independent and analytical.
The student reads independently for at least thirty minutes a night, a variety of ction and non-ction, for appreciation and comprehension.
The student continues to extend responses to self-selected reading and continues to refine written composition skills, with special attention to word choice, organization, style, and grammar. Written explanations utilize informational writing skills, and persuasive writing is introduced while writing narrative, expository (informational), and descriptive texts is continued.
The student continues vocabulary development through a study of figurative language and continuing study of roots and axes.
The student also demonstrates correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking.
Third Lanuguage (French / German) – Grade 7
Course Overview:
The objective of the Third Language curriculum this year is to provide the students with as much new vocabulary as possible.
Instruction will be given for new expressions to use in different places such as school, station, touristic places, shops, phone, Hospital, airport etc.
The aim is to improve conversation. Students will be given extra reading time and dictation in order to understand stories, and to help the student to be confident in reading and to pronounce words correctly.
The student will be able to hold a small discussion with somebody, ask something from someone, to give orders, and to complete correct sentences using subject and verb in the present and past tenses. In addition, the student will be more confident to present himself and his family and their occupation. Students will learn how to count, describe a person or an object using the adjective, the different articles and their feminine and masculine. This year we start to teach them how to ask questions and answer them using different preposition of places and the others used in countries and capital. The student will be able to use the different ways of transportation and the preposition suitable also.
Finally, the student will learn about the use of the future tense such as writing letter of invitation to a friend to talk about their vacation plan for example.
They will also study the nationalities, the countries, and the different types of sport and activities using the right preposition according to the activity done.
Music – Grade 7
Course Overview:
The WIS Music Department provides a performance-based outlet for highly motivated students interested in music.
7th grade music builds on the skills learned in sixth grade music with the goal of students dedicating themselves to the art of performance.
Students in music are graded through participation and performance. Class activities include listening and performing quality music, music theory and developing the overall musician.
Art – introduction to visual Arts – Grade 7
Course Overview:
In Introduction to Visual Arts, students use the elements of art and the principles of design as a framework, and explore a variety of experiences and concepts.
Focusing on some basics about aspects of creativity, and dening the major visual tools such as, Perspective, shading, and coloring.
Science – Grade 7
Course Description:
SCIENCE: The seventh grade science program is a year of science process skills, earth science, human body systems, physical science and science fair.
The curriculum is aligned with the state's science framework.
Emphasis is on making the connections and seeing the relationships between concepts and ideas.
The interdisciplinary thematic teaching approach helps students investigate high interest problems that show students how scientific principles are applied.
Scientific thinking processes are stressed and staff strives to help students develop critical thinking skills with problem solving, decision-making, and research and inquiry. As students move through the program, they tackle more sophisticated thinking processes using experimental manipulative and other laboratory oriented projects that are related to current scientific issues.
Computer technology is used as a tool to support student projects.
The science curriculum is differentiated and accelerated though a variety of practices. Although most teaching is done in a heterogeneous environment, GATE instruction is individualized based on the skills and abilities presented by each child.
Social Studies – Grade 7
Course Overview:
In this course we plan to engage students through cooperative learning, critical thinking, discussions, group work, and various methods of teaching methodology.
We shall cover topics ranging from the arrival of the Paleo-Indians from northwest Asia, until modern day.
Students will learn how to read various maps and learn the evolution of maps by examining their development. Students will be evaluated through various means, such as group work, papers, tests, and presentations.
Mathmatics – Grade 7
Course Overview:
Grade Seven Mathematics focuses on preparing children for the remaining mathematics course work throughout their middle and high school years.
Quarter one reiterates some of the course work in 6th grade and builds on the subject areas to strengthen the students’ knowledge in each area.
Students cover material such as patterns, exponents, order of operations, integers, rational numbers, fractions, and decimals. It also introduces Variables in a more complex manner to enable students to grasp algebraic concepts. Quarter two builds on the supercial knowledge of ratios and rates and helps students begin to explore them in a more in-depth manner.
Some of the material covered includes ratios, rates, proportions, customary and metric
measurements, scale models and drawings, and we begin to explore tables, graphs, and data.
Quarter three focuses on collecting, displaying and analyzing data, as well as a more in-depth look at geometric gures and their measurement.
Quarter four concludes the in-depth look at geometric gures and their measurement, and we begin to explore probability and multi-step equations and inequalities.
By the end of the year, students should be able to solve many different kinds of problems that include algebraic as well as geometric concepts.
Students should also be able to use dierent representations of fractional numbers such as fractions, decimals, and percents and how to change from one to another.
They will also be able to use properties of number to factor and solve problems using exponents, as well as nd patterns and become better problem solvers.
Physical education / Health – Grade 7
Course Overview:
In Physical Education Grade Seven, students continue to develop competence in modified versions of game/sport, dance, and recreational activities as well as knowledge in health living.
They vary movement during dynamic and changing game situations.
Recreational pursuits become an additional curriculum option, broadening lifetime physical activity options.
The ability to analyze skill performance through observing and understanding critical elements (isolated, small parts of the whole skill or movement) is increasingly apparent, as is the application of basic scientific principles of movement and personal fitness.
Students relate the importance of physical activity to health, focusing particularly on obesity and stress. They create plans for improving personal fitness. Students continue to develop responsible personal and social behaviors by demonstrating decision-making skills, conflict- resolution skills, appropriate etiquette, and respect for others.
Students achieve and maintain personal fitness standards and set reasonable and appropriate goals for improvement or maintenance of health related fitness.
English Language Arts – Grade 8
Course Overview
This course will take students on a journey which enances both their reading and writing skills. Students will cover various topics as they enhance their English language skolls. Student will understand comprehension strategies, writing models, and grammar usage to eventualy develp their first academic essay. Studnts wil also read two novels collectively as a class to develop analytical thinking skills. As students read the novel they will utilize the writing and comprehension skills. This intergrated manner of teaching allows students to feel a sense of unity in their work, Students will develop various capabilities that allow them to compete in a diversified world.
Social Studies Grade 8
Course Overview:
The Western World
This course helps students understand the basis of comparing regions to one another and understanding what elements differentiate one culture from another.
Within this course, students will focus on the forms of government, the types of resources available within each country, and how the world’s (western) super powers developed over time.
Students will learn about various countries in North and South America and Europe.
Students will briefly cover topics related to how WWI and WWII started.
Students will investigate the movement of power throughout the globe and examine change within these areas of extreme growth, power, and conflict.
Moving out of the middle ages of Europe, students will broaden their understanding of Western and non-Western civilization while also recognizing the inter-connections between them.
The course will end with a study of revolutions stemming out of the ages of Exploration, Imperialism, and Industrialization.
Mathmatics- Grade 8
Course Overview:
In this course students will develop proficient math skills.
Students will engage in independent work, group work and a final project.
Students will cover topics ranging from Fractions (multiplication and division), decimals, solve problems using only two steps, and evaluate Algebraic Expression.
Through the study of algebra, a student develops an understanding of the symbolic language of mathematics.
In addition, a student in algebra develops algebraic skills and concepts and uses them in solving problems. Tables and graphs are used to interpret algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities and to analyze functions.
Computers and other appropriate technology tools (when available) can be used to assist in teaching and learning.
Students will also study integers, inequalities in additions and subtractions as well as rational numbers.
Science – Grade 8
Course Description:
SCIENCE: The eighth grade science program is a year of science process skills, physical science, life science and science fair.
The curriculum is aligned with the state's science framework.
Emphasis is on making the connections and seeing the relationships between concepts and ideas.
The interdisciplinary thematic teaching approach helps students investigate high interest problems that show students how scientific principles are applied.
Scientific thinking processes are stressed and staff strives to help students develop critical thinking skills with problem solving, decision-making, and research and inquiry.
As students move through the program, they tackle more sophisticated thinking processes using experimental manipulative and other laboratory oriented projects that are related to current scientific issues.
Computer technology is used as a tool to support student projects.
The science curriculum is differentiated and accelerated though a variety of practices.
Although most teaching is done in a heterogeneous environment, GATE instruction is individualized based on the skills and abilities presented by each child.
Art – Grade 8
Course Overview:
In Introduction to Visual Arts, students use the elements of art and the principles of design as a framework, and explore a variety of experiences and concepts.
Using expressive and technical approaches, students investigate and create various two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art.
Students learn to critique artists’ meaning, focusing on their use of forms, media, and symbols.
Students develop an increased awareness of the nature of art and of their relationship to it as they explore the meaning and value of works of art as a means of personal and cultural expression.
Physical education / Heath – Grade 8
Course Overview:
Students in this class demonstrate competence in skillful movement in modified, dynamic game situations and in a variety of dance and recreational activities.
They transition from modified versions of movement forms to more complex applications across all types of activities --- game/sport, dance, and recreational pursuits.
Students demonstrate the ability to assume responsibility for guiding their own learning as they apply their knowledge and abilities to create a practice plan to improve performance in a selected game/sport, dance, or recreational pursuit. They demonstrate mature responsibility as they show respect for others, make reasoned and appropriate choices, resist negative peer pressure, and exhibit fair play.
Students are able to set goals, track progress, and participate in physical activities to improve health-related fitness.
They have a repertoire of abilities across a variety of game/sport,dance, and recreational pursuits and begin to develop competence in specialized versions of lifetime game/sport activities.