Middle School Academics (6-8): Same Rigor, Added Freedom
6th Grade
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 Social Studies
The World History 1 course recounts important historical themes and events in world history from the ancient world to the Medieval era. Topics include the following:
• Complex societies developed independently in different cradles of civilization, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, China, and Mesoamerica.
• Ancient Greece and Rome laid the foundations for Western civilization.
• The modern world religions of Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam have their roots in ancient and medieval civilizations.
• China introduced the world to new technologies—for example, silk making, paper, gunpowder, and new philosophies, such as Confucianism and Daoism.
• Mesoamerica and South America were home to developed civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca before the arrival of European conquerors.
• The African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai dominated West Africa during Europe’s medieval period.
Students learn and apply skills related to geography, historical analysis and reasoning, evaluating and using primary and secondary sources, and developing logical arguments.
Additionally, special topics, like ecotourism, are introduced and examined. Projects are provided to allow for a deeper application of skills. The projects are designed to foster independent learning by empowering students to make their own choices about the types of work products they create, the specific areas they wish to research, and the practical application of concepts. As students navigate these decisions, they develop self-management skills that help them organize, plan, and complete their activities effectively.
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
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 Social Studies
From the earliest human societies, principles of economics have influenced the way people live together and interact. Decisions about the production of goods and services, money, and trade helped shape the economies of historical and contemporary societies, including the United States. The middle school economics course recounts important concepts in economics and related events in world and U.S. history, including:
• People use natural resources, human resources, and capital resources to produce goods and services.
• Economies are shaped by interactions between consumers and producers.
• Scarcity, opportunity costs, and incentives all influence economic decision-making.
• Prices are largely influenced by the principles of supply and demand.
• A budget can be a helpful decision-making tool.
• Goods and services can be exchanged by barter, money, or credit.
• Anywhere—real or virtual—where people buy, sell, or trade goods and services is a marketplace.
• Economies are shaped by interactions between consumers and producers.
• Scarcity and opportunity cost influence economic decision-making.
• Prices are largely influenced by the principles of supply and demand.
• Anywhere—real or virtual—where people buy, sell, or trade goods and services is a marketplace.
• A society’s standard of living is influenced by factors such as availability of resources, availability of goods and services, and education.
• Examples of these economic principles can be found throughout world history.
Students explore and develop skills in understanding economic principles, analyzing market behaviors, recognizing the roles of consumers and producers, evaluating economic decisions based on resource allocation, and understanding the impact of government policies on the economy. These skills will equip students to better understand the economic world around them.
Projects are provided to allow for a deeper application of skills and to create a personal connection between students and content. The projects are designed to foster independent learning by empowering students to make their own choices about the types of work products they create, the specific areas they wish to research, and the practical application of concepts. As students navigate these decisions, they develop self-management skills that help them organize, plan, and complete their activities effectively.
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
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 Social Studies
The U.S. History 1 course recounts important historical themes and events in United States history from the precolonial era to the 1800s. Topics include the following:
• Theories of how the Americas were inhabited by diverse indigenous peoples.
• How the thirteen English colonies were established.
• How the Americans fought the British for liberty and justice.
• The creation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights soon after America’s independence from England, and the U.S. became the first country to create a government of the people.
• Compromise over the issue of slavery eventually led to the Civil War.
• The Westward expansion of the United States provided economic opportunity for many and contributed to the growth of the nation, but it came at the price of Native-American sovereignty.
Students learn and apply skills related to geography, historical analysis and reasoning, evaluating and using primary and secondary sources, determining credibility or bias when gathering evidence, and developing claims and counterclaims. Additionally, special topics, like the electoral college, are introduced and examined. Projects are provided to allow for a deeper application of skills. The projects are designed to foster independent learning by empowering students to make their own choices about the types of work products they create, the specific areas they wish to research, and the practical application of concepts. As students navigate these decisions, they develop self-management skills that help them organize, plan, and complete their activities effectively.
Physical Education
Physical Education is intended to help students maintain an active lifestyle by presenting multiple activities to incorporate in a weekly activity log. Each week, students are provided with three activities including a warm-up activity, an aerobic activity, and a cool-down activity. Students are expected to incorporate those three activities, as well as activities of their own choice, to complete the required number of activity minutes weekly.
MS Financial Literacy
Middle school students are able to understand and apply fundamental financial concepts that support responsible decision-making. Instruction includes budgeting, saving, credit, and financial planning. Students engage in real-world scenarios that promote critical thinking and financial awareness. Each unit includes explicit instruction in money management, goal setting, and economic decision-making. The course culminates in a project in which students develop a personal financial plan demonstrating their understanding of financial responsibility.
Health
Our middle school health courses will help the student understand the importance of making decisions that will affect his or her physical, emotional, mental and social health. This course will provide students with the knowledge and resources they will need to make responsible informed decisions about their health. Students will have an opportunity to evaluate their own values, opinions and attitudes about health.
MS 2D Studio Art
Middle school students are able to explore two-dimensional art forms while developing technical skills and creative expression. Instruction includes elements of art, principles of design, and the use of various media. Students engage in projects that encourage experimentation and personal artistic voice. Each unit includes explicit instruction in artistic techniques and visual analysis. The course culminates in a project in which students create a comprehensive body of work demonstrating mastery of 2D art concepts.
Middle School Electives
MS Spanish Beginning A
Middle school students are able to develop foundational Spanish language skills through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Instruction focuses on basic vocabulary, pronunciation, and simple sentence structures while introducing cultural awareness. Students engage in interactive activities that promote communication and comprehension. Each unit includes explicit instruction and practice in grammar, vocabulary development, and conversational skills. The course culminates in a project in which students demonstrate their ability to communicate using basic Spanish in real-world contexts.
Forensics: The Science of Crime
Middle school students are able to investigate scientific principles through the study of forensic science. Instruction includes evidence analysis, crime scene investigation, and problem-solving strategies. Students engage in inquiry-based activities that require critical thinking and application of scientific methods. Each unit includes explicit instruction in observation, data analysis, and scientific reasoning. The course culminates in a project in which students analyze a mock crime scenario and present evidence-based conclusions.
MS Spanish Beginning B
Middle school students are able to expand upon foundational Spanish language skills by increasing vocabulary and improving communication abilities. Instruction emphasizes sentence formation, listening comprehension, and cultural understanding. Students engage in structured practice to build fluency and confidence in speaking and writing. Each unit includes explicit instruction in grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. The semester culminates in a project in which students apply their language skills to create a comprehensive presentation demonstrating their ability to communicate in Spanish.