6th Grade Language Arts

Semester A: Middle school students are able to independently read increasingly complex texts and respond in writing to them. Readings include classic short stories and a variety of informational texts related to historical topics. Students will also be able to read and study a novel of their choice. Each unit in 6th grade Language Arts includes explicit instruction and practice in writing, grammar, morphology, spelling, and reading. 

Grade 6 writing expands in scope and complexity. It consists of a robust series of unit-long writing activities that incorporate language skills and focus on developing craft and structure while incorporating and building upon writing skills learned in the earlier grades. These writing projects aim to prepare middle school students for the writing they will do in high school, college, and the professional world. 

The semester culminates with a project in which students apply what they learned from the semester to complete a comprehensive activity. The projects aim to promote independent learning as students make choices about work products and apply self-management skills to plan activities.

Semester B: Middle school students are able to independently read increasingly complex texts and respond in writing to them. Readings include classic and contemporary poetry, including the Iliad and Odyssey, and a student-friendly version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Students will read and study a nonfiction work of their choice. Each unit in 6th grade Language Arts includes explicit instruction and practice in writing, grammar, morphology, spelling, and reading. 

Grade 6 writing expands in scope and complexity. It consists of a robust series of unit-long writing activities that incorporate language skills and focus on developing craft and structure while incorporating and building upon writing skills learned in the earlier grades. These writing projects are intended to prepare middle school students for the writing they will do in high school, college, and the professional world. 

The semester culminates with a project in which students apply what they learned from the semester to complete a comprehensive activity. The projects aim to promote independent learning as students make choices about work products and apply self-management skills to plan activities.

6th Grade Math

Semester A: In this problem-based curriculum, students will build on their math skills through exploration. Students will use interactives and offline tools to explore math concepts throughout this course. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Students hear thoughts and ideas from their “virtual classmates” as they explore mathematical concepts and are encouraged to explain their thinking in writing throughout the course.

Students begin the year exploring geometry by studying figures’ area and surface area. They then move into a study of ratios, unit rates, unit pricing, and percentages. The semester concludes with an in-depth dive into dividing fractions, focusing on algorithms and conceptualizing and applying this skill. Additional course elements include real-world applications, discussions, graphic organizers, and unit projects.

Semester B: In this problem-based curriculum, students will build on their math skills through exploration. Students will use interactives and offline tools to explore math concepts throughout this course. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Students hear thoughts and ideas from their “virtual classmates” as they explore mathematical concepts and are encouraged to explain their thinking in writing throughout the course.

Students begin this semester by exploring decimals and learning how to perform operations with decimals in the context of real-world situations and problems. Then, they delve into algebraic concepts such as expressions, expressions with exponents, and equations with one variable. Students begin to learn about negative numbers and plot positive and negative numbers on a coordinate grid. Finally, students explore data analysis and statistical questions with dot plots, histograms, median, IQR, and measures of center. Additional course elements include real-world applications, discussions, graphic organizers, and unit projects.

6th Grade Science

Semester A: In this curriculum, students use inquiry-based learning to explain scientific phenomena and solve problems. Students begin by posing questions, developing models, proposing ideas for investigation, investigating and gathering data, applying data to answer questions and revise models, and then forming new questions to answer. They question, analyze, and build understanding as they read, complete interactive activities, and engage in virtual labs.

Students begin the semester by studying light and matter, exploring the phenomenon of one-way mirrors, which act as both a window and a mirror. They will investigate how light transmission and reflection impact how we see an object. Next, they will study thermal energy and learn how containers keep materials hot or cold. During this study, they will investigate closed and open systems and the movement of particles. Finally, they will learn about cells and systems. Students will explore the body’s systems and investigate how we heal from injuries at a cellular level. Additional course elements include readings, discussions, and unit projects.

Semester B: In this inquiry-based curriculum, students use science questions to explain a phenomenon and/or solve a problem. Students begin by posing questions, developing models, proposing ideas for investigation, investigating and gathering data, applying data to answer questions and revise models, and then forming new questions to answer. They question, analyze, and build understanding as they read, complete interactive activities and simulations, and engage in virtual labs.

Students begin the semester by studying weather, climate, and water cycling. They investigate the movement of air in the atmosphere and its impact on the weather. Students explore precipitation and storms and investigate why some storms are more severe than others. Next, students will learn about plate tectonics and rock cycling. They study Earth’s surface and how tectonic plate movement has impacted land. Finally, students will focus on tsunamis as they investigate natural hazards and how to prepare for them. Additional course elements include readings, discussions, and unit projects.

6th Grade History

7th Grade Language Arts

Semester A: Middle school students are able to independently read increasingly complex texts and respond to them in writing. Readings include classic short stories, a variety of fiction and nonfiction selections from the Harlem Renaissance, and a student-friendly version of Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Students will also read and study a novel of their choice. Each unit in 7th grade Language Arts includes explicit instruction and practice in writing, grammar, morphology, spelling, and reading. 

Grade 7 writing expands in scope and complexity, consisting of a robust series of unit-long writing activities that incorporate language skills and focus on developing craft and structure while incorporating and building upon writing skills learned in the earlier grades. These writing projects aim to prepare middle school students for the writing they will do in high school, college, and the professional world.

The semester culminates with a project in which students apply what they learned to complete a comprehensive activity. The projects aim to promote independent learning as students make choices about work products and apply self-management skills to plan activities.

Semester B: Middle school students are able to independently read increasingly complex texts and respond in writing to them. Readings include classic and contemporary poetry, student-friendly versions of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and H.B. Wells’ The Time Machine. Students will read and study a nonfiction work of their choice. Each unit in 7th grade Language Arts includes explicit instruction and practice in writing, grammar, morphology, spelling, and reading. 

Grade 7 writing expands in scope and complexity, consisting of a robust series of unit-long writing activities that incorporate language skills and focus on developing craft and structure while incorporating and building upon writing skills learned in the earlier grades. These writing projects will prepare middle school students for the writing they will do in high school, college, and the professional world. 

The semester culminates with a project in which students apply what they learned to complete a comprehensive activity. The projects aim to promote independent learning as students make choices about work products and apply self-management skills to plan activities.

7th Grade Math

Semester A: In this problem-based curriculum, students will build on their math skills through exploration. Students will use interactives and offline tools to explore math concepts throughout this course. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Students hear thoughts and ideas from their “virtual classmates” as they explore mathematical concepts and are encouraged to explain their thinking in writing throughout the course.

Students begin the year exploring relationships between figures as they examine scaled copies and scale drawings. Then, they will learn about proportional and nonproportional relationships and how to represent proportional relationships with tables, graphs, and equations. Next, students learn about relationships within circles: measuring circles and finding the area and circumference of a circle. Finally, students conclude their study of proportional relationships by studying proportional relationships with fractions, percent increase and decrease, and the application of percentages. Additional course elements include real-world applications, discussions, graphic organizers, and unit projects. 

Semester B: In this problem-based curriculum, students will build on their math skills through exploration. Students will use interactives and offline tools to explore math concepts throughout this course. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Students hear thoughts and ideas from their “virtual classmates” as they explore mathematical concepts and are encouraged to explain their thinking in writing throughout the course.

Students begin this semester with rational number arithmetic, learning to interpret negative numbers and complete all 4 operations with rational numbers. They will learn to solve equations with negative numbers. Next, students apply their skills to solving expressions, equations, and inequalities and writing equivalent expressions. Students then transition to geometry, working with angles, triangles, and prisms. They study relationships between angles and learn how to draw figures with given specifications. The course concludes with a study of the probability of single- and multi-step events and sampling. Additional course elements include real-world applications, discussions, graphic organizers, and unit projects.

7th Grade Science

Semester A:  In this inquiry-based curriculum, students use scientific questions to explain phenomena and/or solve problems. Students begin by posing questions, developing models, proposing ideas for investigation, investigating and gathering data, applying data to answer questions, revising models, and then forming new questions to answer. They question, analyze, and build understanding as they read, complete interactive activities and simulations, and engage in virtual labs.

This semester begins with investigating bath bombs and the chemical reactions that happen when placed in water. Students will learn how matter can change forms while total mass remains unchanged. Next, students continue their study of chemical reactions as they learn about chemical reactions and energy. They investigate how to heat food and how to create a flameless heater. The students will learn about ecosystems and how they affect living things. They will study how changing an ecosystem can impact organisms living there. They will examine various products’ impact on rainforests and the plant and animal life within them. Additional course elements include readings, discussions, and unit projects.

Semester B: In this inquiry-based curriculum, students use scientific questions to explain phenomena and/or solve problems. Students begin by posing questions, developing models, proposing ideas for investigation, investigating and gathering data, applying data to answer questions, revising models, and then forming new questions to answer. They question, analyze, and build understanding as they read, complete interactive activities and simulations, and engage in virtual labs.

This semester begins with a study of metabolic reactions. Students will learn what happens to food molecules as they pass through the digestive system and study chemical reactions within the human body. Next, students will investigate how plants get their food and the cycling of matter in the plant life cycle. Finally, students will study the impact of humans on Earth’s resources. They will learn strategies to work together to help battle climate change and changes to our atmosphere. Additional course elements include readings, discussions, and unit projects.

7th Grade History

8th Grade Language Arts

Semester A: Middle school students can independently read increasingly complex texts and respond to them in writing. Readings include classic short stories, a variety of fiction and nonfiction selections from the Harlem Renaissance, and a student-friendly version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Students will read and study a novel of their choice. Each unit in 8th grade Language Arts includes explicit instruction and practice in writing, grammar, morphology, and reading. 

Grade 8 writing expands in scope and complexity. It consists of a robust series of unit-long writing activities that incorporate language skills and focus on developing craft and structure while incorporating and building upon writing skills learned in the earlier grades. These writing projects aim to prepare middle school students for the writing they will do in high school, college, and the professional world. 

The semester culminates with a project in which students apply what they learned to complete a comprehensive activity. The projects aim to promote independent learning as students make choices about work products and apply self-management skills to plan activities.

Semester B: Middle school students are able to independently read increasingly complex texts and respond in writing to them. Readings include classic and contemporary poetry, as well as student-friendly versions of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Students will read and study a nonfiction work of their choice. Each unit in 8th grade Language Arts includes explicit instruction and practice in writing, grammar, morphology, and reading. 

Grade 8 writing expands in scope and complexity. It consists of a robust series of unit-long writing activities that incorporate language skills and focus on developing craft and structure while incorporating and building upon writing skills learned in the earlier grades. These writing projects aim to prepare middle school students for the writing they will do in high school, college, and the professional world. 

The semester culminates with a project in which students apply what they learned to complete a comprehensive activity. The projects aim to promote independent learning as students make choices about work products and apply self-management skills to plan activities.

8th Grade Math 

Semester A: In this problem-based curriculum, students will build on their math skills through exploration. Students will use interactives and offline tools to explore math concepts throughout this course. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Students hear thoughts and ideas from their “virtual classmates” as they explore mathematical concepts and are encouraged to explain their thinking in writing throughout the course. 

This semester begins with an in-depth study of transformations. Students first learn about rigid transformations and congruence of shapes and angles in triangles. They then expand this knowledge to work with dilations and similarity of figures. Next, they will explore linear relationships by finding slopes and solving and graphing linear equations. Finally, students learn more about linear equations in one variable and study systems of linear equations. Additional course elements include real-world applications, discussions, graphic organizers, and unit projects.

Semester B: In this problem-based curriculum, students will build on their math skills through exploration. Students will use interactives and offline tools to explore math concepts throughout this course. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Students hear thoughts and ideas from their “virtual classmates” as they explore mathematical concepts and are encouraged to explain their thinking in writing throughout the course.

This semester begins with an in-depth study of functions as students learn to represent and interpret functions. Students evaluate linear functions and apply them to rates of change. They then shift to geometry skills, working to find the volume of cones, cylinders, and spheres. Next, students analyze data by looking for associations, analyzing patterns, and trends. Students then review previous learning about exponents, learn about the rules of exponents, and apply exponents to scientific notation. Finally, students use computational skills on geometric figures, work with the Pythagorean Theorem, and find side lengths and volumes of cubes. Additional course elements include real-world applications, discussions, graphic organizers, and unit projects.

8th Grade Science

Semester A: In this inquiry-based curriculum, students use scientific questions to explain phenomena and/or solve problems. Students begin by posing questions, developing models, proposing ideas for investigation, investigating and gathering data, applying data to answer questions and revise models, and then forming new questions to answer. They question, analyze, and build understanding as they read, complete interactive activities and simulations, and engage in virtual labs.

This semester begins with a study of motion and contact forces. Students will investigate how changing the mass or speed of an object can affect forces in a collision and learn ways to protect objects in a crash. Next, students explore sound and how sounds can make matter move. They study sound waves and frequency and examine the effects of different pitches and volumes of sounds. Finally, students continue their study of forces by investigating magnets and the forces they can apply to objects. They investigate magnetic fields, energy transfer, and the force pairs in magnetic fields. Additional course elements include readings, discussions, and unit projects.

Semester B: In this inquiry-based curriculum, students use scientific questions to explain phenomena and/or solve problems. Students begin by posing questions, developing models, proposing ideas for investigation, investigating and gathering data, applying data to answer questions and revise models, and then forming new questions to answer. They question, analyze, and build understanding as they read, complete interactive activities and simulations, and engage in virtual labs.

This semester begins by exploring patterns in the sky and space. Students investigate phenomena with the Moon, Sun, and other objects within and beyond our solar system. Next, students explore the world of genetics as they learn how traits pass from parents to offspring. They model trait variations and learn about the reproduction of plants and animals. Finally, students explore the connection between living beings of today and those of long ago as they investigate the process of natural selection. They engage in case studies about population changes and the impact of the environment on various living beings. Additional course elements include readings, discussions, and unit projects.

8th Grade History

• Physical Education
• Computer Applications
• MS 2D Studio Art
• MS Career Exploration I
• MS Career Exploration II
• MS Digital Art & Design
• MS Exploring Business
• MS Exploring Health Science
• MS Exploring Music
• MS Health
• MS STEM
• Scratch Coding

Electives vary by grade and offering