Middle School
Middle School (Grades 7 & 8)
The middle school years are a time of challenge and change when students develop increasing independence and maturity. These students are instructed by a team of teachers who work closely together and understand the needs of these young adults.
Courses for 7th graders include:
Pre-Algebra
Literature/Grammar
Science
Geography
Physical Education
A Choice of Electives
Courses for 8th graders include:
Algebra 1
Science
NC History
Literature/Grammar
Physical Education
A Choice of Electives
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
7th/8th Grade Spanish
Prerequisites: None
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: None
Credit: .25 per quarter
Description: This course provides an introduction to the skills of speaking, reading, listening, and writing Spanish. Emphasis is placed on correct pronunciation, fundamental grammatical concepts, and basic vocabulary, with a focus on cultural aspects of Spanish speaking countries. Upon completion, students will be prepared for Upper School Spanish courses.
7th/8th Grade Computer
Prerequisites: None
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: None
Credit: .25 per quarter
Description: This course explores Digital Citizenship. The students will work with Google applications as they learn more about how to be a good Digital Citizen.
7th/8th Grade Art
Prerequisites: None
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: None
Course Materials: $25.00 art fee and a 9X12 spiral bound sketchbook.
Credit: .25 per quarter
Description: This course will explore the elements and principles of art using different mediums. Emphasis is placed on basic color theory, linear perspective, acrylic paint techniques, paper maché, and metal repousse. Upon completion, students should have a greater appreciation for artists’ skills as well as have the basis to evaluate art itself.
7th/8th Grade P.E.
Prerequisites: None
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: None
Credit: .25 per quarter (1 fall quarter and 1 spring quarter = .5)
Description: This course provides students with an opportunity for physical activity during the school day. The curriculum provides students with a high activity based, success oriented physical education program that includes traditional game play with a focus on fitness. Emphasis is placed on sport skills and drills with an introduction to team play in the way of tournaments. Physical fitness testing is also a part of this class. Upon completion, students should demonstrate sound skill development, an understanding of the concepts of traditional game play as well as physical fitness training.
7th Grade Literature
Prerequisites: None
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: 6th Grade Language Arts teacher
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course covers short stories, nonfiction, poetry, drama, myths, legends, folk tales, and novels. Students are familiarized with literature terms. Emphasis is placed on comprehension, vocabulary, and drawing conclusions. Students will employ active reading techniques such as questioning, predicting, summarizing, listening, and paraphrasing. Upon completion, students should be able to comprehend material through reading skills such as main idea, supporting details, cause and effect, conclusions, fact and opinion, and generalizations. The expectations for the honors class are more comprehensive with comprehension and essays.
7th Grade Grammar and Composition
Prerequisites: None
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course covers sentence structure, parts of speech, correct punctuation, capitalization, paragraph structure, and narrative, persuasive, and expository essays. Emphasis is placed on parts of speech and their usage, sentence structure, and paragraph structure. The honors class is more comprehensive and moves at a quicker pace. Students are expected to be more independent. Upon completion, students should be able to write a five-paragraph essay, evaluate written sentences as to parts of speech, and have an understanding of different sentence patterns.
8th Grade Literature
Prerequisites: 7th Grade Literature
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: None
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course provides opportunities to study all genres of literature and to relate reading strategies, literary elements, and personal response to literature. This class requires the students to show high order thinking skills by responding personally to various characters and topics in a cooperative learning environment. Emphasis is placed on appreciation of the written word and becoming personally motivated to read a variety of printed materials as dictated by students’ needs. Upon completion, students should be able to relate to what they read by appreciating the art of words and responding to various types of literature.
8th Grade Grammar and Composition
Prerequisites: 7th Grade Grammar/Composition
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: 7th Grade English Teacher
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course covers a comprehensive overview of all elements of grammar and both narrative and expository writing. The honors class requires the students to show more depth in their writing activities. Emphasis is placed on sentence structure, paragraph development, writing process essays, and journal writing as dictated by students’ needs. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of good grammar usage, essay writing, and the writing process.
7th Grade Integrated Science
Prerequisites: Sixth Grade Science
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: 6th Grade Science Teacher
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course will introduce three components of science: Life science, Earth science, and Physical science. Emphasis is placed on the nature of science, atmosphere, plants, animals, cell structure and function, human body systems, motion, and force. The honors course places more emphasis on the application of concepts and the use of higher order thinking skills. Upon completion, students should be able to exhibit skills necessary to be proficient in and extend their knowledge of the components of science which will prepare them for the next level of science instruction.
8th Grade Integrated Science
Prerequisites: Eighth Grade Science
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: 7th Grade Science Teacher
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course will extend the three components of science: Life science, earth science, and Physical science. Emphasis is placed on the hydrosphere, earth’s surface, bacteria, viruses, fungi, matter, magnetism, and electricity. The honors course places more emphasis on the application of concepts and the use of higher order thinking skills. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate proficient knowledge in the three components of science: Life science, Earth science, and Physical science which will prepare them for the next level of instruction in biology.
Pre-Algebra
Prerequisites: 6th Grade Math or 7th Grade Math
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: Teacher recommendation
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course introduces the student to algebraic concepts and establishes a foundation for algebra. Abstract thinking is used to solve real-world problems. Honors students should readily understand new concepts in math, exhibit independent learning, and have the initiative to solve complex problems with tenacity. Emphasis is placed on improving computation skills of integers, fractions and decimals, and solving equations and inequalities. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate mastery of integer operations, rates, ratios, proportions, and percents with both computations and applications.
Algebra I
Prerequisites: Pre-Algebra, 8th Grade Math, or equivalent
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: Teacher recommendation
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course is the study of algebraic concepts including operations with real numbers and polynomials, relations and functions, applications of linear functions, and an introduction to non-linear functions. Honors students should readily understand new concepts in math, exhibit independent learning, and have the initiative to solve complex problems with tenacity. Emphasis is placed on improving computation skills, solving equations, and applying algebraic concepts to solve real world problems. Upon completion, students should be able to perform operations with real numbers and be able to use symbolic, graphic, and numeric representation to solve equations and inequalities. They should be able to work with rational expressions, equations, and functions to solve real-world problems.
7th Grade Geography
Prerequisites: 6th Grade Social Studies
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: 6th Grade Teacher
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course covers the study of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia’s history, religions, governments, and people. Emphasis is placed on countries’ positions in today’s world, modern events and how situations in other countries may affect the USA. The honors course requires a more in-depth study with more topics covered. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the different backgrounds, history, government, religions, etc. in other parts of the world. Students will pursue academic growth through employment of all levels of cognitive development.
8th Grade North Carolina History
Prerequisites: 7th Grade Geography
Teacher recommendation needed and from which discipline: 7th Grade Teacher
Credit: 1 per year
Description: This course covers NC history from prehistoric to modern times. Emphasis is placed on personalities who have shaped NC’s history. The honors course requires more detailed work and includes higher level thinking skills. Upon completion, the students should be able to appreciate the diverse history of NC and to explain its significance to the United States. Students will pursue academic growth through employment of all levels of cognitive development.