AMS Course Descriptions
- Science - In sixth grade we are involved in a continuum of study based on state and federal standards. We try to expand on some units of study from earlier grades, and we also study some tools like the scientific process, which they need in upper grades.
- Right now our areas of study are: light and vision, sound and hearing, the five kingdoms that focus on how scientists classify organisms, and the traits of living things. Each kingdom is studied in depth, and the study of bacteria leads to studying viruses and health issues.
- English
- Math - The Middle School uses the Connected Math Project curriculum. This curriculum is devoted to developing student knowledge and understanding of mathematics that is rich in connections. Connections among core ideas in mathematics, connections between mathematics and its applications in other school subjects, connections between the planned teaching/learning activities and the special aptitudes and interests of middle school students, connections among the mathematics strands of a modern elementary and secondary school program and connections with the applications of mathematical ideas in the world outside school.
- Social Studies - Our curriculum encompasses "Western Heritage". This study includes and analysis and appreciation of people and events from history of our country, as well as history, heritage and geography of our neighbors, Latin America and Canada. Our study of the Americas is intertwined with the heritage of each of us, as a family member, and as an individual person.
- Physical Education - Physical Education class stress team sports including: basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, speedball and ultimate Frisbee. This aligns with the state standards. There is a national fitness test taken twice a year where students can evaluate their own fitness levels in comparison to other students in the nation. There is also an introduction lifetime activities including: rope jumping, badminton, dance, weight lifting and self- defense.
- Art– In 6th grade, there is a focus on the development of drawing skills, which provide students with a strong foundation for making and understanding many forms and styles of art. Students also have opportunities to work with painting, clay work, and computer art as well as to look at and discuss art and design.
- Family & Consumer Education – The exploratory class, Family and Consumer Education, has the mission of providing middle school students a variety of activities that give them experience in work of the family. The thread, which is woven throughout the curriculum, is cooperation. The family is celebrated. The students participate in different labs emphasizing the cooperative aspect of group work.
- Technology Education - Review measurement and applying it to projects will be focused during this class as well as safety issues. Isometric sketches will be done. Paper car problem and paper airplane problem will be worked during the term. A custom wood project: shut box game will be constructed.
- General Music - 6th grade General Music covers various composers from music history. The composers are studied using written materials, listening examples, and videos. It is a non-performing class due to the choice of band and choir being available in the middle school. Class sizes are generally small. This provides an atmosphere conducive to group as well as individual work.
- Band - A continuation of 5th grade or beginning band, it includes 6th grade students. Band students work on learning how to play their instrument better, scales and performing skills. Performances include: the spring concert in May and the Memorial Day parade. Students will also learn how to march in the spring.
- Keyboarding - A term of intensive keyboarding skills will be offered to all 6th grade students.
- English
- Math- The Middle School uses the Connected Math Project curriculum. This curriculum is devoted to developing student knowledge and understanding of mathematics that is rich in connections. Connections among core ideas in mathematics, connections between mathematics and its applications in other school subjects, connections between the planned teaching/learning activities and the special aptitudes and interests of middle school students, connections among the mathematics strands of a modern elementary and secondary school program and connections with the applications of mathematical ideas in the world outside school.
- Science – Life, environmental, physical, and earth sciences are taught in seventh grade science. Scientific investigation and higher-level thinking are emphasized throughout the curriculum. The course is taught through a combination of traditional process learning and hands-on learning. Concepts covered in seventh grade are a continuation of concepts introduced in sixth grade, and will be further developed in eighth. The seventh grade science class is one semester in length.
- Civics - This a study of citizenship and government offered as a semester class. Civics students are first introduced to what it means to be an American Citizen with emphasis on citizenship rights and responsibilities. Students the look at the role of government in societies and compare democratic governments with authoritarian governments. After looking into the “roots of American Democracy”, students study the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights as the corner stones of our Federal System of Government. Throughout each semester, students practice proper flag etiquette by taking turns putting up and taking down the flag each day. Students in Civics are graded using a monetary system that rewards them for being responsible and accurate, being responsible and cooperative, and for setting and working toward goals that will improve them as a student. Students also are required to deposit their money in a class band and to file income tax forms at the end of each term.
- Cadet Band - It is a continuation of 6th grade Band. It includes 7th and 8th grade students. The Cadet Band marches in 5 parades, performs 3 concerts, and also performs at Large Group Festival. Students must have prior band experience and will audition for band director. Students may also perform in Jazz Band, by audition and may participate in solo/ensemble contest.
- Choir - 7th and 8th grade choirs meet on alternate days for 30 minutes with band and non-band students together, then for another 30 minutes with the non-band students only. They perform at the Christmas and spring concerts and members are eligible to participate in solo/ensemble contest and vocal jazz groups as well.
- Physical Education - Physical Education class stress team sports including: basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, speedball and ultimate Frisbee. This aligns with the state standards. There is a national fitness test taken twice a year where students can evaluate their own fitness levels in comparison to other students in the nation. There is also an introduction lifetime activities including: rope jumping, badminton, dance, weight lifting and self- defense.
- Tech Ed – The students will review safety, measurement and isometric sketches. They will also develop scale drawings, floor plans and build a model home. Costs and careers will be discussed in home ownership. A custom built shelf will be constructed in the manufacturing area.
- Keyboarding
- Family & Consumer Education – The exploratory class, Family and Consumer Education, has the mission of providing middle school students a variety of activities that give them experience in work of the family. Nutrition, human growth and development are health related issues pursued.
- Art– In 7th grade, students focus on where and how art connects with everyday life through design. There is an emphasis on originality and creativity in project work. Students view, discuss, and sometimes write about particular artists and their work.
- Math– The Middle School uses the Connected Math Project curriculum. This curriculum is devoted to developing student knowledge and understanding of mathematics that is rich in connections. Connections among core ideas in mathematics, connections between mathematics and its applications in other school subjects, connections between the planned teaching/learning activities and the special aptitudes and interests of middle school students, connections among the mathematics strands of a modern elementary and secondary school program and connections with the applications of mathematical ideas in the world outside school.
- English
- Social Studies - The students cover six main topics: psychology, anthropology, geography, history, political science and economics. In these fields they learn what careers are available, and some basic ideas of what each field of social studies is about.
- Science- Science in 8th grade is an attempt to interest students to take more science in high school and to fill in any areas of scientific knowledge that the students are missing. The students are tested for this at the beginning of the year. Students study literally all science disciplines, as the only two required high school classes are Basic Earth Science and Beginning Biology. That’s it for most students! We try and cover a little of everything, and interest them to go further. There is little that we miss. Students study any current science and relate it to anything we can find that might be important to them in everyday life. Students do as many hands on experiments as can fit in that relates to the topics at hand.
- Physical Education – Physical Education class stress team sports including: basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, speedball and ultimate Frisbee. This aligns with the state standards. There is a national fitness test taken twice a year where students can evaluate their own fitness levels in comparison to other students in the nation. There is also an introduction lifetime activities including: rope jumping, badminton, dance, weight lifting and self- defense.
- Art – In 8th grade, studio work focuses on painting and design. Working on complex, long-term projects, students explore their own creativity and begin to appreciate the hard work that goes into the making of art. Discussion and writing are also a significant part of this class as students engage in in-depth study of several public art works.
- Family & Consumer Education - The highlight of the 8th grade class is the vocational service organization where a service project is chosen; officers are elected to carry out the project. Consumer and health issues are examined.
- Spanish - This is an elective class (opposite Careers). It is an extension and review of Spanish 7. The students will be introduced to basic grammar.
- Tech Ed - The students will review safety, design a bridge truss, a station approach (students on 3-person teams that choose 9 of 19 stations) covering: bicycle maintenance, cox engine, energy house, gliders, lasers, measurement, photography, pneumatic rockets, robot assemble lab, solar energy, CAD, electricity, flight simulation, holograms, Mac Basic, pictogram, radio production, screen printing, GPS, sheet metal, car on Mars and more.
- Cadet Band- It includes 7th and 8th grade students. The Cadet Band marches in 5 parades, performs 3 concerts, and also performs at Large Group Festival. Students must have prior band experience and will audition for band director. Students may also perform in Jazz Band, by audition and may participate in solo/ensemble contest.
- Choir - 7th and 8th grade choirs meet on alternate days for 30 minutes with band and non-band students together, then for another 30 minutes with the non-band students only. They perform at the Christmas and spring concerts and members are eligible to participate in solo/ensemble contest and vocal jazz groups as well.
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