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This course is designed for seventh graders and includes the study of the basic parts of speech and their function.   Students will be introduced to a variety of literary genres and will be reading to improve comprehension.   Students will demonstrate skills in reading and responding to literature.   Students will practice skills in capitalization and grammar.   The course will introduce the students to eight Thinking Maps that will be used as learning tools to help students in their thinking and writing process.   The course includes paragraph writing, technical writing, and compositions.   The course introduces the basics of writing using the Six-Trait Writing model.   Students will practice using all steps in the writing process.   Also included in the course will be vocabulary study to enhance and improve the students’ word knowledge.

7th Science

This course is designed to develop and sharpen critical thinking skills, scientific knowledge, and the solving and investigating of problems through the eyes of science.   This course uses a real-world focus which equips students with the tools for the comprehension of essential concepts.   Skills and concepts will be learned through the use of the Glencoe science website, daily assignments, written communication, hands-on activities, and discussion of critical concepts with others.

7th Math

This course provides students with a solid foundation of skills and concepts needed for success in mathematical processes. This middle school math course is taught as a pre-algebra course and provides a solid foundation in whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, percents, graphing, and an introduction to algebraic equations and inequalities. Daily mental math and problem-solving exercises further augment student skills. The relationship of all these math skills will be practiced and sharpened through daily assignments, problem solving, discussion with others, and journaling.

7th Social Studies

This course is designed for seventh graders and will include the study of Kansas history and geography and U.S. history.    We will study the geography of Kansas, Native American groups that lived in the area that is now Kansas, early explorers and early trails, and continue on through history to more recent times.   The course will continue with history study from the first Americans through the American Revolution and the Constitution.  

8th Language Arts

This course is designed for eighth graders and includes the study of the basic parts of speech and their function.   Students will practice skills in capitalization and grammar.   The course will introduce the students to eight Thinking Maps that will be used as learning tools to help students in their critical thinking process.   The course includes the basics of writing using the writing process and the Six-Trait Writing model.   The course includes paragraph writing, technical writing, and compositions.   Students will be introduced to a variety of literary genres and will be reading to improve comprehension. Students will demonstrate skills in reading and responding to literature.   Also included in the course will be vocabulary study to enhance and improve the students’ word knowledge.

8th Science

This course is designed to develop and sharpen critical thinking skills, scientific knowledge, and the solving and investigating of problems through the eyes of science.   This course uses a real-world focus which equips students with the tools for the comprehension of essential concepts.   Skills and concepts will be learned through the use of the Glencoe science website, daily assignments, written communication, hands-on activities, and discussion of critical concepts with others.

8th Math

Algebra 1/2 covers all topics normally taught in pre-algebra, as well as additional topics from geometry and discrete mathematics. It is recommended for students who plan to take first-year algebra as their next math course.  Concepts presented in this course include algebraic expressions, geometric constructions, and the application of previous learned mathematical skills.  The relationship of all these math skills presented throughout this course will be practiced and sharpened through daily assignments, problem solving,discussion with others, and journaling. Algebra 1/2 represents the culmination of the study of pre-algebra mathematics.

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This is a course designed for eighth graders which will include a continuation of Kansas history from 7^th grade and U.S. history.  In the American Republic textbook, we will study the forming of our new nation from 1789-1825, the growth of the nation from 1820-1860, and the Civil War and Reconstruction periods from 1846-1896.  We will follow the changes in America from the Western Frontier through modern Americaand the War on Terrorism.

Electives:

Skills Tutor

SkillsTutor is a proven, research-based instructional program designed to improve student achievement for students in grade 3 through adult.  Lessons are interactive and require students to be online while working.

More than 1,000 activities and lessons focus on the core skills commonly found on standardized tests. Topics include reading, writing, language, mathematics, information skills, algebra, science, and workforce preparation.  Lessons are aligned with Kansas state and national academic standards.

Quizzes and Tests quickly identify student's weak skill areas and prescribe appropriate lessons to achieve skill mastery. Pre-tests and post-test reinforce learning, track progress, and help students feel comfortable taking standardized tests in a similar format. The Management System monitors student progress and generates accountability reports.

Art

This course is designed to develop art criticism, art production, art history, and aesthetic perceptions.  The lessons encourage critical and creative thinking.  Learning the language of art gives students the ability to communicate and express themselves and their world.  This will be done through hands-on art projects, written assignments and reports.

Physical Education

This course is designed specifically for students to become lifelong participants of physical activity. Students will develop basic skills and acquire basic knowledge in various physical activities through creating goals and maintaining exercise schedules to meet the goal set. Each student will be required to record all physical activity completed to accumulate a total of 90 hours for the year.  In addition, students will participate in units on health and nutrition designed to prepare them to live healthy lives.