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Grades 6–8

Engaging Minds

Accel Management Platform for Education curriculum offers rich and engaging content that has been carefully designed to meet the standards required by states. Students are engaged in various activities and assessments appropriate to the courses being studied, including labs, journals, written assignments, discussions, group and individual projects, formative assessments, objective tests, and written exams.

6TH GRADE

ENGLISH 6

Semester A – English 6 covers two main categories: Storytelling and Heroes. Assignments include writing a narrative essay and completing a book report.

Semester B – English 6 covers the main topics of Myth and Poetry. Student assignments include writing an original fairy tale and composing a poem.

MATH 6

Semester A – Students begin the first semester of this course reviewing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers. These basics serve as the foundation for more complex concepts. Students learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers, decimals, and fractions. The course also includes lessons on ratios and proportions.

Semester B – The second semester of Math 6 introduces students to the order of operations and how to use them in solving application problems. These principles serve as a foundation for students to explore the fundamentals of algebra and algebraic expressions. Students then apply these problem-solving skills to percents and solve single and multiple-step equations. An exploration of Geometry, probability, and statistics concludes the second semester.

SCIENCE 6

Semester A – Life Science studies cells, heredity, biological populations, and their changes over time. It includes human biology, ecology, diversity of organisms, and the history and nature of science. In this course, students will conduct and design experiments and identify and classify organisms. Students will work on developing skills in data recording, classifying, measuring, observing, hypothesizing, analyzing, evaluating, and inferring.

Semester B – Life Science studies cells, heredity, biological populations, and their changes over time. It includes human biology, ecology, diversity of organisms, and the history and nature of science. In this course, students will conduct and design experiments and identify and classify organisms. Students will work on developing skills in data recording, classifying, measuring, observing, hypothesizing, analyzing, evaluating, and inferring.

SOCIAL STUDIES 6

Semester A – The first semester of Social Studies 6 introduces students to the beginnings of ancient civilization. We will trace the path of human origins in Africa and follow the path of migration around the Earth. This course will help students understand why we study history and the process by which we form conclusions about events in the past. Students will begin to learn about major ancient world civilizations and their cultures. Modern civilizations can trace their foundations to these ancient societies, and their cultures and histories teach us much about ourselves and the world in which we now live.

Semester B – In the second semester of Social Studies 6, students will continue to examine ancient civilizations and their cultures. Students will continue to trace the path of human civilization from the Mediterranean to the Eastern world. An emphasis will be placed on critical thinking and connecting themes in history to our modern world.

HEALTH

This course will help students understand the importance of making decisions that affect their physical, emotional, mental, and social health. This course will provide students with the knowledge and resources they need to make responsible, informed decisions about their health. Students will evaluate their values, opinions, and attitudes about health.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

To improve and maintain optimum health, people of all ages must participate in physical exercise. There is little doubt that in addition to students in school, the number of adults participating in sports and recreational activities in the United States has increased in recent years. Physical education is much more than just fitness and exercise. A well-planned program will cause you to think and express your emotions about different situations. In addition, a good program can make a valuable contribution to your education. These experiences will help you develop a sense of wellness. The primary focus of this course is to emphasize the value of these sports as possible lifetime activities and to create a clear explanation of the rules and basic principles of various sports. The activities covered in this course are archery, bicycling, golf, skiing, tennis, volleyball, baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer. Discussions include information about the playing area and equipment, basic rules, safety considerations, and terminology for each sport. The information presented in each lesson applies to sports programs throughout most sections of the United States.

7TH GRADE

ENGLISH 7

Semester A – Through analysis of written, spoken, and multimedia texts, students will become more critical consumers of information and various forms of media. They will also synthesize and organize ideas to prepare structured essays in several modes, including narrative, persuasive, and expository. Each lesson will guide students in learning and applying specific strategies for reading and writing different texts. Students will review basic English mechanics in multiple writing lessons, and there will be a discussion about the levels of formality tailored to distinct purposes and audiences. This course provides instruction in many modalities, including audiovisual presentations and videos, interactive activities, projects, and discussions. Opportunities for teacher feedback are frequent, detailed, and varied.

Semester B – The second semester of Language Arts 7 builds on the skills and concepts introduced in the first semester. Students tackle more challenging texts and themes in Semester B, and the level of analysis demonstrated and required is more in-depth. Within this course module, students closely analyze the English language, investigate its history and evolution, and the less conspicuous ways to use language to convey meaning. The reading assignments are selected to guide students in understanding how we use language to express broader themes in poetry, drama, and humorous or satirical texts. Students continue to develop their writing skills through multi-draft assignments and projects. This semester focuses on acknowledging the various levels of meaning that any word or phrase may convey and composing texts while keeping these concepts in mind.

MATH 7

Semester A – In this first semester, students work with problem-solving skills, beginning algebra skills, geometry, decimals, fractions, data analysis, number theory and patterns, percents, and integer use. Projects measure the student’s ability to integrate and apply the course objectives.

Semester B – In this continuation of the first semester, students work with fractions, unit conversions, proportions and rates, percents, geometry topics including lines, angles, polygons, polyhedrons, perimeter, area, surface area, volume, and transformations; squares and square roots; permutations and combinations; and probability. All units emphasize the real-life application of concepts.

SCIENCE 7

Semester A – In the first semester, students will learn about the scientific method and hone their understanding of using scientific measurements in Earth and Space Science. Lessons also include Earth maps and globes, including detailed instructions on how to find specific locations using latitude and longitude. The focus of much of the first semester is space science. Students will learn about the Earth’s movements, seasons, the Moon, tides, solar and lunar eclipses, the Sun, and its role as the primary source of light and energy in the solar system. They will learn about planets, asteroids, meteors, comets and their orbits, and how gravity holds them together. Outside the solar system, there are lessons on stars, constellations, nebula, the Milky Way, and galaxies beyond. There have been many recent discoveries in space science. Therefore, we pay close attention to providing the latest available information on the latest discoveries, such as stars that have planets and the most recent techniques for identifying them. Additionally, we look at NASA’s most recent landing of Curiosity on the surface of Mars.

Semester B – In the second semester, study focuses closer to home: Earth science. Yet, the coursework is uniquely integrated and applied to disciplines of study outside of Earth science. The study begins with the Earth’s interior as students delve into rocks and minerals, volcanoes, earthquakes, undersea ridges, trenches, and mountains, connecting the examination of our planet’s geological past to explain these phenomena. On the the Earth’s surface, students study weathering, soil, erosion, water in all forms, the water cycle, oceans, and ocean currents. Above the Earth, they will examine the atmosphere: its composition, air pressure, and air movement. They will then apply this knowledge to lessons on how human populations are affected by natural resources, renewable and non-renewable, both on and inside the Earth. Students integrate these lessons with ones that discuss how humans and living organisms are affected by air and water pollution, acid rain, changes in the ozone layer, and how these conditions influence biodiversity, habitat loss, and species survival. The course finishes with lessons that take an in-depth look at the technology design processes, giving students a look at how scientists and technical designers work together to achieve common goals. Lastly, students learn about the kinds of professions that currently exist in the science and technology fields and learn about the necessary academic preparation needed to gain employment in these branches of study.

SOCIAL STUDIES 7

Semester A – This study of the history of the United States emphasizes how ideas, events, and philosophies have shaped the nation. Students will learn about our country’s past while mastering the skills of historical interpretation. The study begins with the earliest arrivals of people and ends with the conclusion of the Civil War.

Semester B – Continuing from the first semester, this course highlights the influence of historical ideas, events, and philosophies in molding the development of the United States. Beginning with Reconstruction, this course uses the same skill development approach to guide students through U.S. history to the present.

8TH GRADE

ENGLISH 8

Semester A – In this exciting course, students will master the subtle and complex art of the Standard American English writing style, allowing them to express their ideas more clearly and effectively than ever before. As students become experts on sentence structure, verb tenses, and punctuation, they will learn the grammar rules and the logic behind them. Alongside this rigorous language instruction, students will analyze the poetry of legendary writers such as Seamus Heaney, Robert Frost, and Jane Kenyon. In addition, they will practice effective research techniques and prepare complete and polished reports and essays. Their work will also cover formal letter writing, biographical essays, and bibliography creation. Students will use strategies such as the Sign and Design Mind and Clustering to help form their ideas and develop stories and arguments. Entertaining videos and diverse reading selections provide a wealth of information. Peer discussions and teacher feedback also contribute to helping students learn the processes needed to become more effective writers.

Semester B – This course will build upon the skills presented in English 8A and enhance the focus and style of academic writing. Students continue to develop advanced traits of formal language through challenging activities and exercises that get at the heart of precise communication. Through careful study of parts of speech, verb forms, and sentence clauses, students will learn to write at the High School level without distracting errors that get in the way of self-expression. Students will complete six units of varying topics, comprised of five lessons each. Besides grammar instruction, each unit includes captivating and age-appropriate novels and stories to foster a love for literature. Detailed Novel Study Guides challenge students to go beyond basics like plot and setting to analyze and engage with literature. In addition, the student will outline, draft, and revise a polished research paper while learning the importance of avoiding plagiarism, citing sources, and organizing arguments. This skill of constructing a clear thesis and supporting it with evidence will prepare students for successful writing in high school and beyond.

PRE-ALGEBRA

Semester A – Pre-Algebra A will help students move from simple mathematics to the exciting world of Algebra and Geometry. They will develop skills that will be necessary throughout their life. Students will stretch their thinking by learning to solve real-world problems. Learning math and algebra concepts can be fun. Abstract ideas can be challenging for many students, but the challenge is one they can meet. The lessons are presented with some humor, making the learning fun. Students will enjoy learning each new concept and develop a deeper understanding of the math skills they already have. A well-structured framework of ideas supports student learning and comprehension. The course is in a six-unit format containing five lessons each, 30 lessons in total. Students will study text pages, watch videos, interact with flash presentations, and complete practice problems. The student controls the pace, and reviewing the material is encouraged.

Semester B – Pre-Algebra B will continue to move students into the exciting world of the unknown, Algebra. Students will expand their skills, building on what they learned in mathematics and Pre-Algebra. They learn increasingly abstract concepts. Pre-Algebra B will provide the student with a concrete understanding of the basics of algebraic thinking. With numerous hands-on activities and demonstration videos, they will have multiple opportunities to enhance their problem-solving skills. Students will engage in various assessment activities to demonstrate mastery of each skill. The course is in a six-unit format containing five lessons each, 30 lessons in total. Students will study text pages, watch videos, interact with flash presentations, and complete practice problems. The student controls the pace, and reviewing the material is encouraged.

SCIENCE 8

Semester A – This semester is an introduction to the Physical Sciences and scientific methodology. The goal is to teach the fundamentals of matter’s physical properties and chemistry. Skills are developed in the classroom and reinforced through homework reading and interesting labs relating to everyday life.

Semester B – This semester is an introduction to the Physical Sciences and scientific methodology. The goal is to teach the fundamentals of matter’s physical properties and chemistry. Skills are developed in the classroom and reinforced through homework reading and interesting labs relating to everyday life.

SOCIAL STUDIES 8

Semester A – This course will provide students with an understanding of the significance of government, law, and politics. They will examine the United States foundational documents and how they shaped the United States government. Students will explore the purposes and functions of federal and state government, law, and political systems. Learners will evaluate their role and civic responsibility to their families, communities, and country, including voting and being productive members of society. Learners will follow a step-by-step approach to completing each lesson, which includes textbook reading, interactive activities, supplemental reading, lectures, video clips, and PowerPoint presentations to enhance and reinforce learning. Learners receive frequent feedback from teachers and peers through discussions.

Semester B – This course takes a more individualistic approach as students closely examine the justice system, local government, the environment, and the economy. Learners will understand the role they play in each of these topics and the differences that they can make. Students will get to know leaders and influential people who have championed many causes, including civil rights and the environment. Learners will also learn proper ways to interact in society, including interpersonal skills and respecting differences in others, including those with disabilities. By the end of semester B, students will have a deeper understanding of their civic responsibilities and the difference one individual can make in society.

UNIFIED ARTS

UNIFIED ARTS, GRADES 6–8

Students will rotate through assigned unified arts courses in keyboarding, scratch coding, PE, Health, Art, and Music. Students take courses based on their grade level. In Grade 8, students will participate in PE and Health each for 1/2 HS credit.

2D Art

Close your eyes and imagine you’re standing in an art studio; the smell of paint, the heat of the kiln, and infinite creative possibilities linger in the air. This studio is where artists come to create. In 2D Studio Art, you’ll learn how to bring your artistic visions to life. Whatever medium you prefer, painting, drawing, or photography, this course will teach you the design elements and principles needed to create works of art, explore your artistic inspirations, study art history from around the world, and learn how to analyze and interpret artwork. If you’ve ever dreamed about making a living as an artist, this course will give you the tools and background to turn those dreams into a reality!

Digital Photography

What do you think makes a photograph great? Do you want to take fun, interesting photos of people, places, and pets to post for your friends or hang on your wall? Photo images are everywhere today. We sometimes see hundreds in one day. But it’s clear that not all photographs are the same – some are cooler than others. In Middle School Photography: Drawing with Light, you’ll learn how to take those excellent, jaw-dropping photographs you see in magazines and on your favorite social media sites. You’ll learn the basics of camera use and avoid common photography mistakes. Once you get the hang of this process, you will take photos that amaze your friends and have them wondering how you do it!

Exploring Music

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘music’? Do you think about your favorite band or artist? Or do you think about instruments and scales and chords? The word music means something different to everyone. That is why this music course has a little bit of something for everyone! You will learn about how we hear music and how music affects our lives. 

Discover the fundamental elements of music like rhythm, pitch, and harmony; different musical genres; singing and your voice; various instruments; music composition; and the history and culture of music over the years. Sign up for this course and tune up your understanding and appreciation for all things music!

Fitness

Students explore the importance of physical activity. The program covers various topics, including sports and recreation, sportsmanship, leadership and exclusivity, safety during physical activity, and the development of lifelong healthy habits, such as daily exercise.

Spanish 1

French 1