Middle School Curriculum Guide

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Middle School Curriculum Guide

ENGLISH

SCIENCE

ART

ARTS ELECTIVES

6TH GRADE

HUMANITIES THROUGH LITERATURE This course is an exploration of language through the reading and writing of fiction, poetry, essays, and book reviews, including the study of grammar and vocabulary as tools to improve the written expression of ideas.

There is focus, as well, on the study of various research techniques.

EARTH SCIENCE Students are introduced to earth’s geology, including internal structures, volcanoes, and earthquakes, and to basic meteorology, including atmospheric structures, cloud formations, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and long-term climate change. As with other Middle School science courses, the class emphasizes collaborative hands-on activities that build the scientific skills of making observations, identifying variables, drawing inferences, writing hypotheses, graphing, interpreting data, using models, and drawing conclusions.

STUDIO ART This course is a beginning study of basic techniques as applied to drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. Study also inclues art history, vocabulary, conventions of art, and interdisciplinary topics. Skills include creative problem-solving, further development of fine motor skills, divergent thinking, and group cooperation.

In each of their three years in the Middle School, students choose from a menu of arts electives. Electives offered include:

7TH GRADE

ENGLISH 7 This course focuses on creative and expository writing, grammar, vocabulary, and literature. Writing skills include style, organization, diction, and proofreading. Grammar study includes sentence structure, punctuation, and common grammatical errors.

Literary study centers on specific instruction in reading strategies – annotating, making inferences, and recognizing important passages. Students engage in a reading workshop. Common texts include The Giver, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and selected short stories and poems.

LIFE SCIENCE Course emphasis is on the human skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

Students receive training in CPR and instruction in the use of defibrillators.

As with other Middle School science courses, the class emphasizes collaborative hands-on activities that build the scientific skills of making observations, identifying variables, drawing inferences, writing hypotheses, graphing, interpreting data, using models, and drawing conclusions.

STUDIO ART Students continue the study of basic design principles with an emphasis on a classical instruction in drawing and composition. They create ceramic clay sculpture, work with texture and color, and manipulate design through computer graphics to create digital self-portraits using Adobe Photoshop. Watercolor study, including gradient color, repetition, and variation, and the study of linear perspective, including architectural renderings and interior design, are also part of this course.

Electives offered include:

8TH GRADE

ENGLISH 8 This course provides exposure to extensive creative writing, expository writing, grammar, vocabulary, and literary analysis. Skills covered include understanding the differences between prose and poetry, identifying figurative language, and annotating significant passages. Expository writing includes a fiveparagraph essay using a rubric and additional practice in peer editing.

The reading workshop remains an important part of the course. Common texts include To Kill A Mockingbird and Romeo and Juliet.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE Students are introduced to the physical sciences using a project-based approach that includes rocketry and robotics using LEGO NXT Mindstorm robots. As with other Middle School science courses, the class emphasizes collaborative hands-on activities that build the scientific skills of making observations, identifying variables, drawing inferences, writing hypotheses, graphing, interpreting data, using models, and drawing conclusions.

EXPLORATION

DRAMA

Beginning or Intermediate Band Choir Dance and Drama Beginning or Intermediate Orchestra

Intermediate Band 7th and 8th Grade Choir Dance and Drama Intermediate Orchestra

Electives offered include: Intermediate Band 7th and 8th Grade Choir Dance Design in Our World Geometric Design Intermediate Orchestra Painting and Printmaking Photography Photoshop

In this interdisciplinary, studentcentered course, students work collaboratively to find solutions to a complex problem while developing their skills in communication, technology, information literacy, and creativity.

In this interdisciplinary, studentcentered course, students work collaboratively to find solutions to a complex problem while developing their skills in communication, technology, information literacy, and creativity.

DRAMA Students explore a character’s background, environment, and relationships when preparing to play a role and develop an understanding of play structure, dramatic action, character motivation, and creating characters and stories through improvisation. Basic playwriting, directing, and theater production vocabulary are also covered. Skills include developing creativity and imagination; improvising and problem-solving; communicating effectively and confidently with an audience; collaborating as part of a team while providing and learning from constructive criticism; and enhancing listening, concentration, self-discipline, and time management skills.

6TH GRADE

MATH

HISTORY

INTRO TO LANGUAGE

MATH 6 Course content includes number properties, number operations, measurement, data analysis, and algebra.

Classes address a variety of topics including algebraic concepts such as the use of variables and commutative, associative, and distributive properties. Students are introduced to the TI-84 Plus graphing calculator.

HUMANITIES THROUGH HISTORY Students explore the legacy of ancient Greece and Rome and the culture of modern China in a context of integrated reading and writing instruction. Fall topics include the ancient Aegean era, mythology, Roman legends, gladiators, Alexander, and Caesar. Spring topics include Chinese festivals, the First Emperor, the Cultural Revolution, and current Chinese relations. Skills include reading nonfiction and fiction (with guides and annotation); note-taking from stories, films, and written texts; interpretive oral presentations; and dramatic and documentary filmmaking.

INTRODUCTION TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE Students take one quarter each of Chinese, German, Latin, and Spanish so that they may make an informed choice about which language to study in the seventh grade. The sixth grade introductory language course focuses on speaking, vocabulary acquisition, and a presentation of linguistic concepts. There is also an introduction to culture, history, and geography.

CHINESE

GERMAN

SPANISH

LATIN

WORLD GEOGRAPHY Students examine the physical and human aspects of the world’s major regions and how they are interconnected. Regions studied include the Americas, Europe and Russia, Southwest and Central Asia, Africa, South and East Asia, and the Pacific. Skills include note-taking, reading, research, writing, and organization.

CHINESE 1 Students engage in a rich exploration of the Chinese language, completing their conceptual understanding of characters and laying out a solid foundation for speaking and listening. Students also begin reading and writing and delve further into cultural aspects of China.

GERMAN 1 Students continue to develop speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills as they begin a formal study of German language and culture. The course material includes the study of definite and indefinite articles, subject-verb agreement, the present tense of regular and irregular verbs, direct and indirect object pronouns, commands, interrogatives, negatives, and a study of sentence structure.

SPANISH 1 Students continue to develop speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills as they begin a formal study of Spanish language and culture. The course material includes articles and noun-adjective agreement, negatives, the present tense of regular, irregular, and stemchanging verbs, the present progressive, and the preterit tense of regular verbs. Students also continue their studies of Hispanic countries.

LATIN 1 This introductory course includes vocabulary acquisition and a study of grammar, including parts of speech, noun and adjective agreement, the use of infinitives, the gender of nouns, different forms of address, prepositional phrases, verb conjugations, irregular verbs, numerals and numbers, and present, imperfect and perfect verbs. Students also explore Roman culture, history, and mythology.

CIVICS Students explore and discuss U.S. government, the establishment of American constitutional government, responsibilities of citizenship, and the basic rights of U.S. citizens. Skills taught include annotating nonfiction reading, writing (essays, paragraphs and short answers), note-taking, debates, oral presentations, and SAT vocabulary. The course culminates with the eighth grade class trip to Washington, D.C.

CHINESE 2 Students further develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, while working towards mastery of the pinyin pronunciation system. The course increases students’ vocabulary of high-use words valuable for daily conversation and in-country experiences. Students continue exploring historically important cultural points.

GERMAN 2 Students continue their study of German culture and language as they begin a more advanced study of vocabulary and grammar that includes reflexive verbs, separable prefix verbs, conversational past verb forms, modal verbs, prepositions, subordinating and insubordinate conjunctions, ordinal numbers, the comparative and superlative of adjectives, and adjectival endings.

SPANISH 2 Students continue their exploration of Spanish culture and language with a more advanced study of vocabulary and grammar that includes reflexive verbs, the preterit tense of irregular and stem-changing verbs, the imperfect tense, the present perfect tense, formal commands, the future tense, and the subjunctive mood. Students also continue their studies of Hispanic countries.

LATIN 2 Students continue their study of Latin, developing a richer vocabulary and a more complete understanding of grammar, including the conjugation of all verbs and the translation of longer and more complex passages. Students also acquire a deeper knowledge of Roman culture and history and embark on a further exploration of mythology.

7TH GRADE

MATH 6 HONORS In addition to the topics covered in Math 6, additional emphasis is placed on number properties, measurement, polynomials, algebra, and geometry. Also addressed are such algebraic topics as solving simultaneous equations and inequalities and multiplying and dividing exponents. Students become skilled with the TI84 Plus graphing calculator.

PRE-ALGEBRA This course is designed to prepare students for their first year of algebra. Students learn to solve onestep, two-step, and multi-step equations, perform operations on polynomials, graph first-degree equations, and apply these skills to problem solving.

HONORS PRE-ALGEBRA Designed as an enriched prealgebra course, this course presents standard pre-algebra topics in more depth and greater detail. Emphasis is placed on conceptual development of functions, connecting basic geometric concepts to algebra, utilizing graphs and symbols to illustrate the relationships between numbers and variables, and algebraic reasoning.

8TH GRADE

HONORS ALGEBRA I Basic algebra topics, including function types, graphing, polynomials, radical expressions, and solving linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities, form the foundation of this course. The curriculum is enriched with applications of algebraic reasoning, connections to geometry, an introduction to trigonometric ratios, and data analysis.

This course meets the Algebra I requirement.

BRIDGES TO ALGEBRA Students in this course focus on ratios, proportions, percents, and computational skills that lead to mastery of operations on expressions with integers, rational numbers, exponents and radicals.

Solving multi-step equations, graphing linear functions, and the foundations of geometry prepare students for Algebra I. ALGEBRA I Topics in this course include solving equations and inequalities, functions and graphing, quadratic and rational functions, and working with equations and expressions involving exponents and radicals. Emphasis is placed on logical reasoning and application of mathematical principles.

HONORS ALGEBRA I (please see above) HONORS GEOMETRY All aspects of two- and threedimensional Euclidean geometry are covered in this course, which satisfies the Geometry graduation requirement. Inductive and deductive reasoning, including formal proofs using angles, lines, triangles, circles, and quadrilaterals, is included.

ETHICS: HOLOCAUST STUDIES Students examine case studies of the Holocaust and the rise of Nazism, nationalism and antiSemitism, the planning and execution of the Holocaust, and the U.S. response to the Holocaust. Students gain experience in annotating nonfiction texts, journal writing, writing essays, and studying SAT vocabulary.

The course culminates with a visit to the Holocaust Museum as part of the eighth grade class trip to Washington, D.C.

For more information about how you can help change the world, please contact us at: 171 Baylor School Road Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 267-8505 www.baylorschool.org

Mike Drew, Middle School Head | Teresa McDowell, Administrative Assistant to Middle School Head | Priscilla Birdsall, Dean of Middle School Students

Our Mission The mission of Baylor School is to foster in its students both the ability and the desire to make a positive difference in the world.

This curriculum guide provides a glimpse of how our Middle School students develop the skills and attitudes that help to prepare them to make that difference in high school, college, and the years beyond.

In addition to the individual courses outlined within this curriculum guide, the following programs and classes are offered to all Middle School students throughout the year:

Wellness The Middle School years are a time of significant development for students with respect to physical, mental, social, and emotional changes. Our Wellness Program emphasizes making responsible health decisions and provides information and opportunities for mature discussion on a wide range of current health topics and issues. The course is offered to all Middle School students.

Literacy Strategies In addition to receiving reading instruction in core classes, Middle School students take Literacy Strategies classes, which reinforce important skills like making inferences, drawing conclusions, and identifying main ideas. These classes also provide support for the quarterly outside reading goal expected of each Middle School student.

Information Literacy Baylor’s Information Literacy program is designed to create lifelong learners by teaching students how to access and evaluate information in the ever-expanding variety of print and electronic resources. Classes take place in the library, where students are introduced to online resources while learning to access, analyze, and evaluate materials and use information effectively. The first half of the class session is spent on instruction, while the second half allows students to apply that knowledge through specific projects. These competencies are then expanded upon each year.

Technology Middle School students learn to use the Baylor e-mail system, network, and website, improve their keyboarding skills, use Moodle, wikis, and blogs for academic exchanges, become familiar with spreadsheets and presentation programs, and conduct internet research. Students develop these skills throughout their Middle School years as teachers in various disciplines integrate technology into their classes with the help of such tools as projectors, SmartBoards, and laptop carts.

The Extended Classroom In addition to regular classes, the idea of extending the borders of the traditional classroom is deeply entrenched at Baylor.

From the life science classes visiting an organic farm to Walkabout’s lessons of the great outdoors, Baylor’s experiential opportunities are an important part of our overall academic program. You can learn more about these programs by visiting our website at www.baylorschool.org.

Watch us change the world.

FALL ACTIVITIES

WINTER ACTIVITIES

SPRING ACTIVITIES

The following is a list of typical fall activities for our Middle School. Participation is required.

The following is a list of typical winter activities for our Middle School. Participation is optional.

The following is a list of typical spring activities for our Middle School. Participation is required.

Athletic Activities (unlimited participation) Cross Country (6th – 8th grade boys/girls) Fencing (6th – 8th grade boys /girls) Football (6th grade boys) Football (7th grade boys) Football (8th grade boys) Soccer (6th – 8th grade girls; two teams) Swimming & Diving (6th – 8th grade boys /girls)

Athletic Activities (unlimited participation) Swimming & Diving (6th – 8th grade boys/girls) Weight Training & Conditioning (6th – 8th grade boys /girls) Wrestling (6th – 8th grade boys)

Athletic Activities (unlimited participation) Fencing (6th – 8th grade boys /girls) Lacrosse (6th – 8th grade boys/girls) Soccer (6th – 8th grade boys) Swimming & Diving (6th – 8th grade boys /girls) Track (6th – 8th grade boys /girls)

Athletic Activities (limited participation/tryouts) Softball (6th – 8th grade girls) Competitive Tennis (6th – 8th grade boys/girls) Enrichment and Recreational Activities (limited participation, 6th – 8th grade boys/girls) Concert Dance Community Service Studio Art Walkabout Outdoor Education Program

Athletic Activities (limited participation/tryouts) Basketball (6th – 8th grade boys/girls) Volleyball (6th – 8th grade girls) Enrichment and Recreational Activities (limited participation/tryouts, 6th – 8th grade boys/girls) Middle School Play

Athletic Activities (limited participation/tryouts) Baseball (6th – 8th grade boys) Competitive Tennis (6th – 8th grade boys /girls) Golf (6th – 8th grade boys /girls) Enrichment and Recreational Activities (limited participation, 6th – 8th grade boys/girls) Concert Dance Community Service Walkabout Outdoor Education Program