FREE ATHLETIC PHYSICALS

Course Descriptions

2013-2014

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www.caro.k12.mi.us

This booklet contains the descriptions of courses offered at Caro Middle School.  Each full time student will be enrolled in 6 credits for the school year. Required classes are “core” courses that each student must take. These courses will automatically be assigned to each student.  Students may choose from the elective class lists to complete the 6 credit requirement for each year.  Some students may benefit from intervention classes that will assist them in Math, Reading and/or general studies.  Students may be assigned to these at the discretion of school administration and is based on past performance and recommendations of teaching staff.

Please be advised that courses are subject to change based on student requests, staff availability, and other unforeseen circumstances.

6^th Grade Required Courses

Language Arts 6     Duration: Full Year

The sixth grade language arts curriculum has a focus on spelling and grammar as developed in the Reading:Great Expectations textbook. It is a research based series developed by Scott-Foresman. Students will use Daily Language Reviews to practice basic grammar conventions, parts of speech, spelling and editing techniques. Students will develop a variety of writing samples with a focus on narrative, argumentative, and informational models. Students will use journals to expand writing skills in sentence and paragraph structure.

Math 6     Duration: Full Year

6th grade Math is the foundation for more advanced classes in the math department.  Topics introduced are: Number Systems with fractions and Decimals; Number systems with both Positive and Negative numbers; Algebra basics with Expressions; Equations and writing equations; Ratios and proportional relationships; Intro to many Geometry concepts and formulas.  Statistics and Probability are both introduced.

Reading Literature 6 Duration: Full Year

The sixth grade reading curriculum uses the Reading: Great Expectations textbook by Scott-Foresman. It is a research based series that focuses on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. It provides a wide range of reading material for the curriculum including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Many award winning novels are also utilized in the reading program. Students are also encouraged to do independent reading by scheduled visits to the Media Center, selecting books of their own choosing and composing various book reports.

Science 6   Duration: Full Year  

Sixth Grade Science is a general science course with emphasis in three areas.  Students will learn about Classification, Biomes, and Ecosystems in Life Science; Plate Tectonics, Rocks and Minerals, and Earth’s Resources in Earth Science; and Matter, Forces and Motion, and Changing Energy Forms in Physical Science.  Students will explore these topics individually and in small groups using written material, laboratories, and technology.

Social Studies 6     Duration: Full Year

Sixth grade social studies will focus on the western hemisphere. Students will learn about the history, government, geography, and cultures of North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.

6^th Grade Electives Courses

Art 6 Duration:  Full Year

Students will be introduced to one semester of daily art instruction that is centered on a discipline-based curriculum that includes Art History and Culture, Art Production, Aesthetics, and Art Criticism.

This course includes but is not limited to: an introductory study of the art elements and design principles which are used in the making of 5 major areas of production: Still life, Landscape, Portraiture, 2-Dimensional Design and 3-Dimensional Design. Various materials will be used. The student will have a complete portfolio at the end of the course and may be asked to enter art into shows or competitions.

Band 6   Duration: Full Year  

In this class sixth grade students will study instrumental music, establishing the fundamentals of music notation, performance, sight reading, technical development, and vocabulary through year long activities. Securing an instrument is the responsibility of the student. Students perform at two concerts throughout the year and attendance is required at these concerts held after school hours.

Health/Physical Education 6 Duration: Full Year

This will be a combined class of Health topics and Physical Education.  Some of the Health topics that will be covered are Nutrition, Physical Activity, Body Image, and First Aid. Softball, Basketball, Soccer, Floor Hockey, Frisbee games, Volleyball, Swimming, Bowling, Speedball, and Roller Skating are some of the activities we will do in the physical education portion of the class.

Physical Education 6 Duration: Full Year

This is a Physical Education class built primarily around Team and Individual Sports concepts to introduce the student to a variety of lifetime activities. Softball, Basketball, Running, Football, Floor Hockey, Frisbee games, Volleyball, Swimming, Bowling, Speedball, and Roller Skating are some of the activities we will do in the class.

7^th Grade Required Courses

Language Arts 7     Duration: Full Year

The seventh grade language arts curriculum has a focus on writing and grammar developed from the Writing and Grammar Bronze Level Edition textbook by Prentice Hall. Students will develop a variety of writing samples with a focus on narrative, argumentative, and informational models. Students will also write structured journal entries throughout the year. Students will work through an intense study of sentence structure starting with simple sentences and working up through compound-complex sentences. Students will review all eight parts of speech along with clauses, phrases, complements, verbals, and vocabulary. Together with sentence structure, the grammar concepts will allow students to provide fluent, appealing writing.

Math  7 Duration: Full Year

Math 7 is a continuation of the ideas from Math 6 with the deeper integration of Algebra Concepts in all areas.  This course is designed to prepare students for 8th Grade PreAlgebra.

Reading Literature 7 Duration: Full Year

The aim of this course is to prepare the students for higher levels of knowledge based on literary analysis with a focus on vocabulary and reading accuracy. They will be using different reading strategies to help with vocabulary and reading comprehension. Students will be exposed to various genres and practices to prepare them for future responsibilities in the ELA program.

Science 7 Duration: Full Year

Students will be exploring concepts in three areas of science: Earth, Physical, and Life.

Earth Science will include the study of the atmosphere, fresh water, and weather factors.  Physical science will include the study of matter (solids, liquids, and gases) and energy (transformations and conservation.) Students will explore populations and communities in Life science.

Social Studies 7     Duration: Full Year

7th grade social studies consists of the study of Asia, Australia, Antarctica, Europe, and Africa.  History, geography, and politics are just some of the topics covered in this class.

7^th Grade Electives Courses

Art 7 Duration:  Full Year  

7^th grade students will continue to study art through one semester of daily art instruction that is centered on a discipline-based curriculum that includes Art History and Culture, Art Production, Aesthetics, and Art Criticism. This course includes but is not limited to: a study of the art elements and design principles. Students will begin to develop critical thinking skills needed in making and understanding good design. Students will make decisions for arranging the elements in artistic compositions according to the principles of design using 5 major areas of production: Still life, Landscape, Portraiture, 2-Dimensional Design and 3-Dimensional Design. Various materials will be used. The student will have a complete portfolio at the end of the course and may be asked to enter their art into shows or competitions.

Band 7     Duration: Full Year  

PREREQUISITE: 6^th Grade Band

In this class seventh grade students will study instrumental music, establishing the fundamentals of music performance, sight reading, technical development, and vocabulary through yearlong activities. Students perform at two concerts throughout the year and attendance is required at these concerts held after school hours.

Choir   Duration: 1 year

This is a performance choir for both male and female students.  The students explore various composers and elements of music including theory, history, and style through performance.  Much time is spent in each rehearsal pursuing musical excellence in vocal technique, music literacy, and sight singing. A choir student’s grade will be based on participation in choir rehearsal, concerts (two of which are outside of school time), singing tests and music literacy exercises.

Computer Applications 7­ Duration:

The aim of this course is to advance the students within the confines of keyboarding and computer applications.  The students advance their keyboarding skills to a level that prepares them for current and future typing responsibilities.  The students also explore a number of programs to better prepare them for future use, such as Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, and Prezi.  Students will also discuss and apply knowledge on digital citizenship, ethics, and databases.

Health/Physical Education 7 Duration: Full Year

This will be a combined class of Health topics and Physical Education.  Some of the Health topics that will be covered are Tobacco, Nutrition, Kidney Disease, and Sexuality Education. Softball, Basketball, Football, Floor Hockey, Frisbee games, Volleyball, Swimming, Bowling, Speedball, and Roller Skating are some of the activities we will do in the physical education portion of the class.