Средние классы

READING WORKSHOP

This course will provide students with a solid foundation in reading narrative, informational, and persuasive texts. Students will acquire skills to help them tackle tough texts, learn critical reading strategies and analyze techniques used by authors of both fiction and nonfiction. The workshop model empowers young readers through a variety of techniques including whole group instruction, read aloud, literature circles, individual conferences, and book clubs. Students will also have daily opportunities to focus on grammar and vocabulary, deepening their knowledge through the study of roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

WRITING WORKSHOP

Students will write original narrative, informational, and persuasive texts by practicing and following the steps of the writing process. The workshop model provides students with a structured environment where students can write extensively and grow as authors. Students will be given frequent opportunities to share their writing through conferences, peer editing, group reads, and publishing of texts. Writing Workshop is closely aligned with the Reading Workshop scope and sequence; therefore, students can apply the strategies they have learned as readers to their own writing.

READING WORKSHOP

In 7th grade reading workshop, students will increase their agency and independence while reading through a variety of genres. Students will create and present book trailers, book talks, and will engage in book clubs. Students will also learn a variety of vocabulary prefixes and bases to help to «divide and conquer» words to improve their reading comprehension.

WRITING WORKSHOP

In 7th Grade writing workshop, students experiment with both narrative and expository writing, increasing their understanding of focus, specific details, and voice. Students work on identifying and correcting grammar errors through weekly practice.

READING WORKSHOP

Reading workshop continues in 8th Grade as students read and master more challenging texts. Students practice developing inferential thinking while supporting their ideas and claims with relevant textual evidence. Students tackle multi-genre projects and practice digging deeper into the texts they read.

WRITING WORKSHOP

In 8th Grade writing workshop, students can expect to take their writing to a more polished level, both in terms of grammar and style. Students get an opportunity to experiment with expressing their perspectives effectively. Literature circles and reading responses continue here, as well as higher level Latin and Greek vocabulary.

In this enriched class, students will investigate and explore decimal and fraction operations, collecting and displaying data, proportional and geometric relationships, and two- and three-dimensional measurements. Emphasis will be placed on fully communicating mathematical work, understanding mathematical notation, and multiple representations, i.e., exploring mathematical concepts simultaneously through graphs, tables, equations and written explanations.

In this enriched class, students will investigate and explore rational and real numbers, integer and exponential operations, data analysis and probability, plane geometry, proportional reasoning, equations and inequalities, slope, sequences and functions, polynomials and logic and discrete math. Emphasis will be placed on fully communicating mathematical work, understanding mathematical notation, and multiple representations, i.e., exploring mathematical concepts simultaneously through graphs, tables, equations and written explanations.

In this enriched class, students will investigate and explore equations, inequalities, functions and linear functions, systems of equations and inequalities, exponents and polynomials, factoring polynomials, quadratic functions and equations, data analysis and probability. For advanced students, some of Algebra II topics will be introduced (exponential, radical and rational functions and equations). Emphasis will be placed on fully communicating mathematical work, understanding mathematical notation, and multiple representations, i.e., exploring mathematical concepts simultaneously through graphs, tables, equations and written explanations.

Ancient History covers the birth of humanity and growth of civilizations from Mesopotamia and Egypt to Greece and Rome. The course will include a discussion of characteristics of civilizations including the development of agriculture, governments, division of labor, social hierarchies, and culture. Students will focus on causes, effects, and turning points in the rise and fall of various civilizations. They will investigate major religions including Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam and their impact on governments, society, and culture. The course will be rigorous and relevant with instruction that integrates thinking
skills, historical processes, and content so that students are able to apply their learning to their own lives. Instruction should include the integration of concepts and principles from history, economics, geography, civics, and the humanities.

Middle Ages History explores the legacy of civilizations from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to Asia and the Americas. The course will include ancient Rome, the Byzantine Empire, feudalism, the Crusades, the Renaissance, and Enlightenment. Students will explore the histories of West Africa, China, Japan, and the Americas during Medieval times. The course should be rigorous and relevant with instruction that integrates thinking skills, historical processes, and content so that students are able to apply their learning to their own lives. Instruction should include the integration of concepts and principles from history, economics, geography, civics, and the humanities.

Geography is the study of the world, its people, and the landscapes they create. This course will explore a stimulating, case-study approach to geography and students will develop map reading skills. In Mapping Labs, students work in pairs to complete a series of geography challenges that spiral in difficulty. They learn about the physical and human geography of regions around the world and discover and implement the steps in the geographic inquiry process (GIP).

The primary focus for this course will be on earth sciences; Students will have the opportunity to explore the interesting world of science by participating in a variety of activities and differentiated assessment that cater to the different learning styles of individual students, while still encouraging the development and utilization of new skills and study techniques. There is also a strong emphasis on the scientific method which will be reinforced via laboratory work where students will learn and practice the procedure for conducting experiments. The units of study for this course are Mapping, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, weather factors, and astronomy. Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources and how we capture of energy from the natural world will also briefly be covered.

The primary focus for this course will be on life sciences; however, we will cover some earth and physical sciences also. Students will have the opportunity to explore the interesting world of science by participating in a variety of activities and differentiated assessment that cater to the different learning styles of individual students, while still encouraging the development and utilization of new skills and study techniques. There is also a strong emphasis on the scientific method which will be reinforced via laboratory work where students will learn and practice the procedure for conducting experiments. The units of study for this course are geologic time, evolution, cell processes, genetics, and structure and function in living things, and the identification/classification of living things.

The primary focus for this course will be on physical sciences, which is composed of chemistry and physics. Students will have the opportunity to explore the interesting world of science by participating in a variety of activities and differentiated assessment that cater to the different learning styles of individual students, while still encouraging the development and utilization of new skills and study techniques. There is also a strong emphasis on the scientific method which will be reinforced via laboratory work where students will learn and practice the procedure for conducting a controlled experiment. The units of study for this course are motion, forces, waves, electricity, magnetism, the structure of matter, elements, the periodic table, atoms and bonding, chemical reactions, acids and bases, and carbon chemistry.

Grades 6, 7, 8  Physical Education / Health

Physical education for MS students consists of individual activities, group/team activities, and outdoor educational activities. Health-related physical fitness and wellness activities are promoted and supported throughout the curriculum. Health education using F itness for Life will be embedded within the Physical Education course including nutrition, fitness testing and goal-setting, anatomy and physiology of the human body, disease prevention, safety, and communication and self-esteem unit.

Grades 6, 7, 8  Maker Space: Design and Engineering

This is a year long and project-driven course devoted to solving problems and creativity. Students will analyze problems, create solutions, and test their designs. They will learn to use a variety of materials from paper-craft, traditional wood construction, Lego robotics, and 3D printing as well as others to solve tasks. These tasks will be a combination of practical problems to be solved for the benefit of BFS, problems posed by the teacher, and problems and designs that the students will come up with on their own. Activities will include identifying possible construction projects, determining materials needed, learning the safe and proper use of hand and power tools, working both independently and collaboratively, and the basic use of circuits and programming to accomplish tasks.

Grades 6, 7, 8 MS Computer Coding 1

As technology continues to grow and evolve, computers are becoming more and moreintegrated into society. As they continue to fill all sorts of roles, it becomes more and more important for us to know not only how they work, but how to use them. How do we talk to them and tell them to do what we want them to? Learn the basics of computer science, programming, and computational thinking with Javascript. Students begin by learning foundational concepts and applying them to navigate a dog through a series of programming puzzles. The second half of the year will feature a heavy focus on game design as students create their own version of a variety of classic games such as Pong and Flappy Bird. This course will use CodeHS (codehs.com), a Javascript-based educational platform designed to teach coding easily and efficiently. This is a great first course for middle school students.

Grades 6, 7, 8 MS Computer Coding 2

This is a project-based computer science course that teaches students how to build their own web pages and understand computing ideas. Using CodeHS (codehs.com), students will start by learning HTML and CSS, and will create their own live homepages to serve as portfolios of their creations. Students will also learn the basics of Python and use its text-processing abilities to create several different projects. With a unique focus on creativity, problem-solving and project-based learning, students will have the opportunity to explore several important topics of computing using their own ideas and creativity and develop an interest in computer science that will foster further interest in the field.

Grades 6 — 12 Studio Arts

These middle and high school classes are designed with the serious art student in mind. We will emphasize art as an ongoing process that involves you making informed and critical decisions while working in a number of different artistic realms: drawing, 2D, and 3D pieces. You will add to your technical artistic skills and become more aware of all aspects of visual artistic elements. Students will create projects that range from the political to the personal and whimsical by using a variety of media — for example, a collage that makes a powerful visual statement about an important issue or a Picasso-like sculpture splashed with color and pattern. A key focus is the language of art, known as the Elements and Principles of Design. Some key art movements are studied as well as the larger question: “What is Art?” Feedback and reflection are other important parts of the learning process, facilitated by our art teacher. This class will open students’ eyes to new ideas about art and creativity.

Grades 6 — 12     Orchestra A/B

The main emphasis for the orchestra program is the development of total musicianship through the study, preparation and performance of quality literature and an authentic understanding of the language of music through a sequential curriculum of music theory topics. Educational emphasis is placed on the advancement of instrumental technique, further development of music reading and comprehension skills, independent musicianship, style, and a deeper understanding of small group ensemble music, and orchestral literature. Literature will contain both Classical and Popular music. All orchestra members perform in two major concerts during the school year. Students may take Orchestra A (Period 1) or Orchestra B (Period 7), but not both.

Grades 6-8 MS Spanish 1

This first-year middle school Spanish sequence will introduce students to the basics of the language and help to develop their expressive confidence. Through stories, songs, games, and other activities, students will communicate about their family and friends, likes and dislikes, school, food, and the world around them. Lessons will focus on specific strategies to help students improve in the four skill areas of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Students should continue with MS Spanish 2 the following year.

Grades 6-8 MS Spanish 2

This second-year middle school Spanish sequence will build on skills learned in MS Spanish I, expand vocabulary, increase literacy skills, and give students the confidence to express themselves in the Spanish language. Students will work individually and collaboratively in groups to communicate about their personal lives, their communities, and the world around them. Lessons will focus on specific strategies to help students improve in the four skill areas of listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Grades 6 – 8 ELL Language Development

This non-graded class is designed to further develop the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills of English Language Learner (ELL) students based on the WIDA English language proficiency assessment. Students work toward their individual language goals through a variety of hands-on small group and partner activities. Students develop their knowledge of academic English related to vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency in order to be successful in their content area classes. ELL Language Development content may also support English/ language arts class units.