ENGLISH

Enrichment and credit course offerings are subject to change without noticed based upon enrollment.

6th Grade English (Enrichment)
6th Grade English will introduce the students to the fundamentals of grammar, usage, mechanics, and the writing process. In addition, students will participate in Vocabulary for Achievement, a systematic program that provides comprehensive instruction and practice with vocabulary words commonly found on the ERB exam. Students will study the techniques of informative writing and demonstrate proficiency through journals, reports, and letters. Standardized test preparation is a major focus of instruction.

7th Grade English (Enrichment)
7th Grade English will introduce the students to the fundamentals of grammar, usage, mechanics, and the writing process. In addition, students will participate in Vocabulary for Achievement, a systematic program that provides comprehensive instruction and practice with vocabulary words commonly found on the PSAT exam. Students will study the techniques of informative, persuasive, and creative writing and demonstrate proficiency through journals, reports, and letters. Standardized test preparation is a major focus of instruction.

8th Grade English (Enrichment)
8th Grade English will encourage students to see themselves as writers. They are shown the finer points of English grammar through the use of classroom explanations/discussions, textbook assignments, and supplemental related homework tasks. In the English 8 class, students develop and strengthen their skills in many kinds of writing. As students gain confidence in writing essays centered on narrative, persuasive, descriptive, and other writing formats, they learn how to develop and focus their writing. They are also introduced to the rhetorical patterns and grammatical tools necessary to write clearly. Students learn the elements of effective organization and the need for careful revision. Weekly vocabulary lessons, poetry, public speaking, spelling, and other supplemental units will be covered during the school year. Standardized test preparation is a major focus of instruction.

9th Grade English (Enrichment)
The objective of 9th Grade English is to develop greater writing skills and reading comprehension. Essays assigned include many different styles such as analytical writing, timed writing, personal writing, and creative writing. However, the focus is on the five-paragraph essay. Essay assignments emphasize the drafting process, the peer-critiquing process, and the editing process. In developing reading comprehension, we work together to discover main points and to remember what has been read. Beyond the vocabulary and grammar inherent in the reading and writing portions of the class, students study grammar and SAT preparation vocabulary on a weekly basis.

9th Grade English (Credit)
The objective of 9th Grade English is to develop greater writing skills and reading comprehension. Essays assigned include many different styles such as analytical writing, timed writing, personal writing, and creative writing. However, the focus is on the five-paragraph essay. Essay assignments emphasize the drafting process, the peer-critiquing process, and the editing process. In developing reading comprehension, we work together to discover main points and to remember what has been read. Beyond the vocabulary and grammar inherent in the reading and writing portions of the class, students study grammar and SAT preparation vocabulary on a weekly basis.

10th Grade English (Credit)
The objective of 10th Grade English is to develop skills in reading comprehension, composition, and oral communication. The course exposes students to forms of literature including short stories, nonfiction, poetry, drama, and novels. Students learn how to read actively in order to improve comprehension and retention of their readings. Weekly lessons of vocabulary and grammar enable students to become better communicators both in speech and in writing. Monthly composition workshops refine writing styles of students and monitor their progress through individual portfolios. Throughout the course, SAT verbal preparation will be emphasized.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)

Enrichment course offerings are subject to change without noticed based upon enrollment.

ESL (Enrichment)
ESL (English as a Second Language) will provide intensive language acquisition training as well as both oral and auditory training in English. The study of vocabulary and essential English conventions will be emphasized. Students will practice writing skills in their newly acquired language. In addition, through the use of newspapers and periodicals, students will be exposed to their new culture and the real dilemmas faced by human beings. The primary function of ESL is to serve as a transitional link for limited English proficiency students and the regular course offerings of the English department. This course, although labeled an elective, will be required of students who need some extra help in their regular English classes.

SCIENCE

Enrichment and credit course offerings are subject to change without noticed based upon enrollment.

Life Science (Enrichment grades 6-7)
Life Science will present a scientific study of the structure and function of living organisms and their ecological relationships. More specifically there will be an introduction to general scientific skills and their importance. In addition, the course will place an emphasis on heredity, evolution, ecosystems, and the environment. Finally, the key elements of health will be introduced and discussed.

Earth Science (Enrichment grades 8-9)
Earth Science will introduce the student to the interrelationship between physical and earth sciences. The topics include a general introduction to geology and the earth’s natural resources with an emphasis placed on oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. In addition, the course deals with the key elements of physical science: force and motion, magnetism, electricity, and energy.

Biology (Credit)
Biology will provide a meaningful laboratory-based science course that develops the student's ability to analyze and synthesize scientific information. The major focus centers on cellular functions, plant classification and structure, human physiology, continuation of life, and evolution. Students develop an appreciation of living organisms and the environment that supports their existence. Finally, the students will be encouraged to assess their attitudes and behavior patterns and to understand the impact their lifestyle choices have on their communities and on their own well-being.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Enrichment and credit course offerings are subject to change without noticed based upon enrollment.

Geography (Enrichment grades 6-7)
Geography will provide a balanced introductory presentation of the physical and cultural aspects of the eight major cultural regions of the world: the United States and Canada, Latin America, Western Europe, Russia and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern and Eastern Asia, and the Pacific.

U.S. History (Enrichment grades 8-9)
History will review critical events in U.S. history from the framing of the Constitution to World War I. Students will become acquainted with the principles of democracy, will trace the westward expansion of the nation, will study the divergent development of different regions of the country, and will analyze the causes of the Civil War. Students will examine the disappointments of the Reconstruction in developing an America committed to racial equality and will study the changing face of American foreign policy from Reconstruction through World War I. Connections between past and present are emphasized.

MATHEMATICS

Enrichment and credit course offerings are subject to change without noticed based upon enrollment.

Basic Math (Enrichment grades 6-7)
Basic Math will develop in the student a basic mathematical understanding of numbers and arithmetic operations and will provide experience in measurement, integers, data analysis, and interpretation.

Pre Algebra (Enrichment grades 7-9)
Pre-Algebra will develop in the student an introductory understanding of Algebra and Geometry. It will also provide a smooth transition in mathematics from concrete experiences to more abstract experiences, using multiple modes of learning.

Algebra (Enrichment grades 8-9)
Algebra is designed to reinforce skills developed in Pre-Algebra: relating addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts with positive and negative numbers; manipulating complex algebraic expressions; solving and graphing problems using linear, quadratic, and equation systems; and introducing the use of functional notation.

Algebra I (Credit)
The objective of Algebra 1 is to reinforce the skills developed in pre-algebra: relating addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of facts with positive and negative numbers; manipulating, complex algebraic expressions; solving and graphing problems using linear, quadratic, and equation systems; and introducing the use of functional notations.

Geometry (Credit)
The objective of Geometry is to improve on the skills developed in algebra: manipulating, complex algebraic expressions; solving and graphing problems using linear, quadratic, and equation systems; and introducing geometric terms and ideas; points, lines, angles, reasoning, congruent and similar triangles, polygons, transformations, circles, planar and space measurements.

LANGUAGES

Enrichment and credit course offerings are subject to change without noticed based upon enrollment.

Spanish I (Credit)
Spanish 1 will emphasize structural awareness, cultural acquaintance, and communication skills. Students will gain information about the civilization, cultures, and customs of the Spanish-speaking people, and they will appreciate the importance of Spanish in the world; they will learn the basics of Spanish grammar and usage; they will develop the four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This is the first year course in a four-year sequence designed for the non-Spanish speaking student.

ELECTIVES

Enrichment course offerings are subject to change without noticed based upon enrollment.

Computer Journalism (Enrichment)
Journalism will teach students the principles and functions of modern journalism and will provide extensive practice in the various modes of journalistic writing. Skills developed in this course include creating, narrowing, and developing story ideas; identifying sources for information and interviews; formulating initial and follow-up questions for interviews; interviewing procedures and etiquette; note-taking; writing in proper journalistic form; editing and revising stories. Other topics include the history of scholastic journalism; ethics and standards; elements of news, feature, and sports stories; opinion pieces; use of quotations; headline writing; and basics of newspaper layout and design.

Study Skills (Enrichment)
The objective of the Study Skills course is to supplement instruction and provide services that support Middle School students in the development of skills necessary for their effective performance in the academic environment. Students will study the techniques of organization, time management, standardized and non-standard test preparation, note-taking, reading comprehension, and memorization. Students will also engage in practice exercises common to middle and high school cognition.

Music Explorartion (Enrichment)
Music Exploration will introduce, in a non-technical manner, a wide variety of music to cultivate musical literacy and heighten an awareness of our vast musical legacy. The emphasis will be on Western music from the Middle Ages to the present time.

Art (Enrichment)
Fine Art will have the student develop creative artistic work through a variety of materials and techniques. Students will be introduced to the artistic concepts of line, color, space, form, shape, and texture. There will be a range of 2-D and 3-D work taught including painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture. The student will have written and oral critiques of artwork. 

Acting/Film Production (Enrichment) 
Acting/Film Production will introduce the basics of acting and develop an appreciation of dramatic literature and the dramatic profession through reading scripts and through reading and writing projects. Through dramatic activities, students are provided an arena to improve and polish personal dramatic skills. Students will also learn and apply film production methods.