CURRICULUM GUIDE 2023-2024
Middle School
Core Curriculum
HUMANITIES (students chose one of the following):
MYTHOLOGY
Gods, monsters, mythical creatures, talking squirrels, evil turtles, enchanted jewels, oh my! Myths provide clues that help us understand the beliefs, fears, and daily experiences of ancient civilizations. Throughout history, humans have tried to make sense of existence through stories. Modern media still follows the same blueprint of ancient myths. In this Humanities course, we will learn about world history and the human experience through the lens of mythology.
REVOLUTIONS
Students will study political and social revolutions within the context of their historic periods, giving them a well-rounded understanding of how these major moments have influenced and changed the world. It is not, of course, enough to know that something changes from one thing to another. It is the why and the how that we will be interested in investigating. Through a project-based approach over the course of our study of revolutions, it is the aim of this class to guide students toward a deeper understanding of who we are as humans, what we desire, and why we act the way we do.
WORLD HISTORY
The history of humanity is one that is vast, rich, and brimming with incredible advancements, cultures, and of course, conflicts. In order to understand our modern-day world, we must look at how societies, systems, and civilizations came to be. This course will explore key events from around the world (both past and present), their distinct histories, and help us gain a deeper understanding of how the past has led us to our present world.
MATH (students chose one of the following):
FOUNDATIONAL MATH
Our foundational mathematics course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts needed for middle school-level math and a review of arithmetic algorithms. The course emphasizes the concepts necessary to be successful in their further mathematics studies (i.e. pre-algebra, algebra, and algebra II). The course helps students reinforce and further develop mathematical study skills, solidify learning strategies, and perform practical applications with those skills.
PREALGEBRA
Our prealgebra course is an introduction to basic algebra concepts and a review of arithmetic algorithms. The course helps students develop mathematical study skills, practice new learning strategies, and emphasize the concepts necessary to be successful in Algebra I and II. Students will explore algebraic expressions and integers, solve one-step equations and inequalities, decimals and equations, factors, fractions, exponents, operations with fractions, ratios, proportions, percentages, linear functions and graphing, spatial thinking, area and volume, right triangles in Algebra, data analysis and probability, and nonlinear functions and polynomials.
FOUNDATIONAL MATH+
The foundational math+ course is an introduction to algebraic thinking and a review of fundamental operations. The course helps students develop mathematical study skills, practice new learning strategies, and emphasizes the concepts necessary to be successful in Math throughout their academic careers. Students will practice solving problems with addition and subtraction, gaining foundations for multiplication, understanding place value, estimation, measurements of lengths in standard units, working with money, telling time from analog clocks, representing and interpreting data, geometric
measurement regarding perimeter and area, and developing an understanding of fractions as numbers. As we move through the various topics, students will be provided with all the necessary scaffolding and differentiation needed to succeed in class.
ALGEBRA 1
Our Algebra 1 course is an introduction to basic algebra concepts and a review of arithmetic algorithms The course emphasizes the concepts necessary to be successful in Algebra I and II. The course helps students develop good mathematical study skills and learning strategies. Students will explore algebraic expressions and integers, solve one-step equations and inequalities, decimals and equations, factors, fractions, exponents, operations with fractions, ratios, proportions, percentages, linear functions and graphing, spatial thinking, area and volume, right triangles in Algebra, data analysis and probability, and nonlinear functions and polynomials.
GEOMETRY
Students in geometry will work to understand the core mathematical concepts of geometry through learning vocabulary, signs, expressions, and applications in preparation for advanced high school mathematics. By asking appropriate and insightful questions that facilitate classroom learning, students will also develop resourcefulness and problem-solving skills. Finally, students will become more comfortable with expressing their ideas using the language of mathematics.
MEDIA TECHNOLOGY
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of computer programming. Students will apply these concepts by creating games and interactive stories using the Scratch programming language (mit.scratch.edu). The concepts being taught in this course apply to all programming languages, not just Scratch.
MULTIMEDIA ART + DESIGN
Multimedia Art and Design provides students ways to explore creativity and artistic expression using a computer and several software packages. The main areas of focus include: image creation and manipulation using Photoshop; animated sequences using Adobe Animate; video production and editing using iMovie; and website creation with HTML and CSS.
SCIENCE SCIENCE 7
Over the course of the year we’ll explore 3 science areas: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Each unit lasts one trimester and will conclude with a culminating research project and science fair. In our Biology unit we will examine the science of living organisms and explore life forms of various magnitudes. We will dive into the diversity of life beginning with introduction to plant and animal cells, digging deeper into DNA and RNA, and wrap up with discovery in genetics. In the Chemistry unit students will build on their foundational knowledge of the properties of matter and the periodic table to increase their understanding of chemistry. This course will explore atomic theory, radio activity, energy levels and bonding, a myriad of chemical reactions, and end with an introduction to organic chemistry. In the Physics unit students will learn about topics such as motion, forces, energy, sound waves, electricity, and magnetism. Students will be engaged in scientific inquiry, investigations, and labs so that they develop a conceptual understanding of physics and basic scientific skills.
SCIENCE 8
This Eighth Grade Science courses focus on deepening students’ understanding of their chosen scientific fields while continuing to strengthen their research and laboratory skills. The structure of this course utilizes hands-on independent and group projects, experiments and lab reports, and discussion-based lectures.
STUDENTS CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
BIOLOGY + CHEMISTRY FOCUS
This course will begin with a twelve week stint in biology where students will utilize project based learning to explore Environmental Science, Genetics, and Psychology. The following twelve weeks will revolve around chemistry; this will focus on physical properties of molecules, chemical reactions, and thermodynamics. The course will culminate with a science symposium where students will conduct an experiment of their design and present to their peers and the greater bridges community.
PHYSICS + CHEMISTRY FOCUS
This section will begin with a twelve week course in physics where students will employ the engineering design process to evaluate hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, and electricity and circuits. The following twelve weeks will revolve around chemistry; this will focus on physical properties of molecules, chemical reactions, and thermodynamics. The course will culminate with a science symposium where students w illconduct an experiment of their design and present to their peers and the greater bridges community.
PERFORMING ARTS
THEATRE
Theatre plays an important role in education. We will develop skills that promote self-confidence, problem solving, cooperation, empathy and a sense of responsibility. Students will begin with ensemble and improvisational basics which will lead to developing characters and multiple perspectives through role play, drawing attention to social issues to inspire change in attitude and behavior towards the self and others. We will then combine these lessons into scene work exploring relationships between partners,environment and culture to influence character and setting. We will introduce storytelling by classic playwrights, stage combat and the analytics of play production, and the unit will culminate in a final collaborative theatrical performance.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
MIDDLE SCHOOL FITNESS
Physical Education is an important part of the total educational program. Students will participate in physical activities that allow them to develop an understanding of the physical abilities of themselves and others. Students become aware of the social benefits of physical activity through participation. The mental and emotional benefits of physical activity become evident when an active role in physical activity is encouraged. Throughout the school year, students will participate in a variety of activities varying from sports and games to dance and creative movement. All students have the need and right to enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Through a creative and well-rounded physical education program, students will benefit.
ART
This course will guide students to respond to their physical surroundings by describing their environment through the exploration of various art mediums. In addition, this course introduces unique perspectives through presentations of different artists and the issues that they bring attention to in their work.
ENRICHMENT CLUSTER
Talent based courses are offered through our enrichment cluster program. These semester classes meet twice per week and are created through faculty and student collaboration. Students are given the opportunity to apply acquired communication and creative skills in an environment where they contribute to the curriculum and manage the pace of the course. Enrichment clusters may include Board & Card Game Creator, Broadcasting, Canvas Conundrums, Culinary Creations, Middle School Music, Ourdoor Adentures, Passion For Pets just to name a few. Options change each semester based on student interests.
INTERSESSION
Intersession is a two week long, project-based learning experience designed around students’ interests and strengths. Students deeply explore topics while developing their skills in core academics like research, science, and writing as well as social emotional arenas like self awareness, social awareness, and conflict resolution. Former intersession projects include “Castaway”, in which students had to figure out how to survive in specific environments such as a rain forest, Antarctica, or a tropical island by building shelters, securing food, and adapting to the ecosystem. Another experience was to produce a musical entirely written, composed, arranged, and performed by the students.
ADVISORY
The Middle School Advisory is broken down into two main categories: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Diversity, Equity, inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Curriculum. Students exploring SEL content in our Advisory participate in social-emotional check-ins, identifying strengths and challenges, and use peers and advisory leaders to engage in conversations about problem-solving. Lessons include but are not limited to: communication, relationships, executive functioning, health, wellness, and community. Students explore topics through hands on lessons, lectures, role play, group work, and projects. Students explore DEIJ concepts in a safe space. This year’s DEIJ theme is “Celebrating Multiculturalism and Inclusion” in which we highlight the success and excellence of various cultures and identities. The themes have included but are not limited to: Hispanic Heritage, Identity and Neurodiversity, Native American Heritage, December holiday celebrations, Holocaust Remembrance, Black History, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage. The middle school “Celebrations” bulletin board is updated to reflect the current advisory project.