Middle School Curriculum
Humanities:
Language Arts > Literature – Students will read material independently and as a class to develop an understanding of new ideas, history, society, and the larger world.
Grammar – Students will understand and practice the basic rules of written language including syntax, verb conjugation, and appropriate construction of sentences, paragraphs, and papers.
Composition – Students will develop an understanding of what makes prose and poetry clear and influential.
Reading – Students will read fluently and appreciate of reading for entertainment and learning.
Speech – Students will practice public speaking skills in order to increase their proficiency and comfort in public speaking situations.
History > American History – Students will understand the fundamental facts and concepts of American history from prehistoric Native American groups through the European invasion of the Americas, and the history of the United States of America through the Great Depression of the 1930s.
World History – Students will understand the fundamental facts and concepts that shaped our world from prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies through the Agricultural, and Industrial Revolutions and into the era of nationalism.
Modern History – Students will understand the fundamental facts and concepts that shape our modern world beginning with World War I and continuing through the Cold War to the present.
Social Sciences > Geography – Students will understand the significance of geographic features and be able to accurately represent continents, countries, major bodies of water, and countries commonly in the news.
Political Science - Theory and History – Students will understand the basics of political theory and how it has impacted history.
Economics – Students will understand the basics of command and market economies focusing on market economies and descriptions/models thereof, including Keynesian and Veblen perspectives.
Sociology – Students will understand basic sociological models and their predictive and descriptive value in history and modern policy.
Psychology – Students will understand various descriptions of development, human behavior, and neurological psychology that impact decision-making.
Life Skills > Etiquette – Students will understand and practice the socially accepted rules regarding appropriate attire, formal eating situations, conversation, telephone and written communication and business/job interviews,
Budget – Students will understand and practice how to create and follow a budget relating to both money and time.
Construction – Students will learn basic construction skills including the safe use of power tools, framing techniques, fastening and cutting of dimensional lumber, and planning and execution of a basic building project.
Human Sexuality – Students will take part in discussion to understand the impact of sexual activity from a physiological and psychological perspective as well as the anatomy and physiology of human sexual reproduction.
Physical Education – Students will develop an understanding and practice of the fundamentals of fitness and the importance of an active lifestyle.
Music – Students will develop an appreciation for music and an understanding of its history, notation, instrumental and vocal performance. Musical attributes such as rhythm, pitch, tempo, and timbre will also be considered.
Visual Arts – Students will develop an appreciation for and an understanding of aesthetics and the fundamental aspects of art such as color, balance, and variation.
Volunteerism – Students will learn to practice actions and behaviors that benefit the community as a lifestyle regardless of extrinsic benefits.
Root Sciences > Biology – Students will learn about modern descriptions of life including genetics, anatomy, physiology, cellular biology, organic chemistry and taxonomy.
Earth Science – Students will learn about ecology, geology, and meteorology relating to their locality, state, country, and world.
Physics – Students will learn Newtonian Physics including its laws and descriptions of their world. Quantum and cosmological physics will be addressed as a fulfillment of the Newtonian perspective leading to a study of general chemistry and astronomy.
Skills > Research – Students will learn to pursue a sophisticated understanding of topics of interest through the exploration of a variety of sources and media. They will learn to present significant findings in standard written and oral formats.
Scientific Process– Although not entirely separate from research, students will learn how to observe their surroundings, hypothesize about causation, and develop tests to determine the validity of a hypothesis.
Analysis of Data – Students will learn to derive meaning from charts, graphs, papers, articles and books through the analysis of sources, claims, and statistics. Students will learn to make estimations and compare estimated/anticipated results with collected data.
Bio. Year: Academic Years > 2006-2007, 2009-2010, 2012-2013
Science: Biology
Earth Year: Academic Years > 2004-2005, 2007-2008, 2010-2011
Science: Earth Science
Phys. Year: Academic Years > 2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2011-2012
Science: Physics
2 Year Rotational Organization
Alternating:
Human Sexuality Academic Years > 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012
and
Life Goals Academic Years > 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2008-2009, 2010-2011, 2012-2013
Alternating:
Composition Academic Years > 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012
and
Grammar Academic Years > 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2008-2009, 2010-2011, 2012-2013
Every Year
Language Arts: Literature, Reading, Speech
Life Skills: Etiquette, Budget, Physical Education, Volunteerism
Science: Scientific Process, Data Analysis
Mathematics
Literature –
Reading Standard 3: Literary Response and Analysis
Students read and respond to grade-level-appropriate historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their study of history and social science. They clarify the ideas and connect them to other literary works
Structural Features of Literature
Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
Literary Criticism
Grammar –
Writing Standard 6: English Language Conventions
Students write using Standard English conventions appropriate to this grade level.
Sentence Structure
Grammar
Punctuation
Capitalization
Spelling
Composition –
Writing Standard 4: Process
Students discuss and keep a list of writing ideas and use graphic organizers to plan writing. They write clear, coherent, and focused essays. Students progress through the stages of the writing process and proofread, edit, and revise writing.
Organization and Focus
Research and Technology
Evaluation and Revision
Writing Standard 5: Applications (Different Types of Writing and Their Characteristics)
Students write narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive texts of at least 500 to 1000 words. Student writing demonstrates a command of Standard English and research, organizational, and drafting strategies. Writing demonstrates an awareness of the audience and purpose for writing.
Reading –
Reading Standard 1: Word Recognition, Fluency, and Vocabulary Development
Students use their knowledge of word parts and word relationships, as well as context clues, to determine the meaning of specialized vocabulary and to understand the precise meaning of grade-level-appropriate words.
Decoding and Word Recognition
Vocabulary and Concept Development
Reading Standard 2: Comprehension
Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They describe and connect the essential ideas, arguments, and perspectives of the text by using their knowledge of text structure, organization, and purpose
Structural Features of Informational and Technical Materials
Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
Expository (Informational) Critique
Speech –
Listening and Speaking Standard 7: Skills, Strategies, and Applications
Students deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas clearly and relate to the background and interests of the audience. They evaluate the content of oral communication. Students deliver well-organized formal presentations using traditional speech strategies, including narration, exposition, persuasion, and description. Students use the same Standard English conventions for oral speech that they use in their writing.
Comprehension
Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication
Analysis and Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications
Speaking Applications
American History –
Social Studies Standard 1: History
Students will examine the key historic movements, events, and figures that contributed to the development of the modern nations from early civilizations to early modern times.
Historical Knowledge
Chronological Thinking, Comprehension, Analysis, and Interpretation
Research Capabilities
World History –
Social Studies Standard 1: History
Students will examine the key historic movements, events, and figures that contributed to the development of the modern nations from early civilizations to early modern times.
Historical Knowledge
Chronological Thinking, Comprehension, Analysis, and Interpretation
Research Capabilities
Modern History –
Social Studies Standard 1: History
Students will examine the key historic movements, events, and figures that contributed to the development of the modern nations from early civilizations to early modern times.
Historical Knowledge
Chronological Thinking, Comprehension, Analysis, and Interpretation
Research Capabilities
Geography –
Social Studies Standard 3: Geography
Students will identify the characteristics of climate regions in Europe and the Americas and describe major physical features, countries and cities of Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
The World in Spatial Terms
Places and Regions
Uses of Geography
Political Science - Theory and History –
Social Studies Standard 2: Civics and Government
Students will compare and contrast forms of government in different historical periods with contemporary political structures, and examine the rights and responsibilities of individuals in different political systems.
Foundations of Government
Functions of Government
Roles of Citizens
International Relations
Economics –
Social Studies Standard 4: Economics
Sociology –
Social Studies Standard 3: Geography
Students will identify the characteristics of climate regions in Europe and the Americas and describe major physical features, countries and cities of Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
Human Systems
Social Studies Standard 5: Individuals, Society, and Culture
Students will examine the role of individuals and groups in societies, identify connections among cultures, and trace the influence of cultures of the past on present societies. They will also analyze patterns of change, including the impact of scientific and technological innovations, and examine the role of artistic expression in cultures.
Psychology –
Etiquette –
Budget –
Construction –
Human Sexuality –
Physical Education –
Music –
Visual Arts –
Volunteerism –
Biology –
Science Standard 4: The Living Environment
Students recognize that plants and animals obtain energy in different ways, and they can describe some of the internal structures of organisms related to this function. They examine the similarities and differences between humans and other species. They use microscopes to observe cells and recognize cells as the building blocks of all life.
Diversity of Life
Interdependence of Life and Evolution
Human Identity
Earth Science –
Science Standard 3: The Physical Setting
Students collect and organize data to identify relationships between physical objects, events, and processes. They use logical reasoning to question their own ideas as new information challenges their conceptions of the natural world.
Earth and the Processes That Shape It
Social Studies Standard 3: Geography
Students will identify the characteristics of climate regions in Europe and the Americas and describe major physical features, countries and cities of Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
Physical Systems
Environment and Society
Physics –
Science Standard 3: The Physical Setting
Students collect and organize data to identify relationships between physical objects, events, and processes. They use logical reasoning to question their own ideas as new information challenges their conceptions of the natural world.
The Universe
Matter and Energy
Forces of Nature
Research –
Science Standard 2: Scientific Thinking
Students use computers and other tools to collect information, calculate, and analyze data. They prepare tables and graphs, using these to summarize data and identify relationships.
Computation and Estimation
Manipulation and Observation
Communication Skills
Critical Response Skills
Scientific Process –
Science Standard 1: The Nature of Science and Technology
Students design investigations. They use computers and other technology to collect and analyze data; they explain findings and can relate how they conduct investigations to how the scientific enterprise functions as a whole. Students understand that technology has allowed humans to do many things, yet it cannot always provide solutions to our needs.
The Scientific View of the World
Scientific Inquiry
The Scientific Enterprise
Technology and Science
Analysis of Data –
Science Standard 5: The Mathematical World
Students apply mathematics in scientific contexts. They use mathematical ideas, such as relations between operations, symbols, shapes in three dimensions, statistical relationships, and the use of logical reasoning in the representation and synthesis of data.
Numbers
Shapes and Symbolic Relationships
Reasoning and Uncertainty
Science Standard 6: Historical Perspectives
Students gain understanding of how the scientific enterprise operates through examples of historical events. Through the study of these events, they understand that new ideas are limited by the context in which they are conceived, are often rejected by the scientific establishment, sometimes spring from unexpected findings, and grow or transform slowly through the contributions of many different investigators.
Science Standard 7: Common Themes
Students use mental and physical models to conceptualize processes. They recognize that many systems have feedback mechanisms that limit changes.
Systems
Models and Scale
Constancy and Change
Copyright ©2004 Richmond Friends School
Last Revised August 2004