Urbana Middle School Curriculum Guide 2013-2014

Urbana Middle School Curriculum Guide 2013-2014 The mission of Urbana Middle School, a community of learning, is to engage and inspire students while promoting their intellectual, social, and emotional growth.

September 1, 2011

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter to inform you that, to the best the requirements to pursue her internship at Urbana M 1 1. She complete fingerprinting upon becoming prior to starting the 2007-2008 school year.

Urbana Middle School Curriculum Guide

Dear UMS Families and Students, This guide provides an overview of Urbana Middle School’s curriculum and courses for grades six through eight. This curriculum guide is a brief description of the classes provided at UMS. This blueprint for learning has been aligned with the common core standards in a format that meaningfully engages students in the learning process. In this guide you will find sections on the four core subject areas of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. You will also find information on our elective and physical education courses as well as information on other yearlong course programs. If you have any questions about curriculum please contact a guidance counselor, the curriculum coordinator or me. Sincerely,

Scott Woods, Principal [email protected]

COUNSELORS

September 1, 2011 6th Grade Counselor 7th Grade Counselor 8th Grade Counselor To Whom It May Concern,

Terri Medwed Cynthia Sikes Andrea Kirkland

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Tracy Welch Mynette Kretz Kris Ackerman Jan Hari Vicki Politzer Pam Furrer Melani Ferchow Dani Salto

CURRICULUM COORDINATORS I am writing this letter to inform you that, to the the requirements to pursue her internship at Urba [email protected] English Arts 1. She Language complete fingerprinting upon becom [email protected] Mathematics prior to starting the 2007-2008 school yea [email protected] Social 2. SheStudies passed her criminal background chec [email protected] Science District 116 prior to starting the 2007-200 [email protected] Physical Education / Health 3. She passed her tuberculosis screening upo [email protected] Exploratory District 116 prior to starting the 2007-200 [email protected] Special 4. She Education complete blood borne pathogen train [email protected] ELL/Bilingual If you have any additional questions or if I can b contact me at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Scott C. Woods Principal 2

Table of Contents English Language Arts

4

Mathematics

5

Social Studies

7

Science

8

Physical Education / Health

9

Foreign Languages French German Spanish

11 11 12

Elective Courses Art Family and Consumer Sciences Technology Music

13 13 14 15

Music Courses Band Chorus Strings

16 17 18

Academic Support Courses

20

English Language Learner Program

22

Special Education Courses & Programs

23

3

English Language Arts English Language Arts—Grade 6 Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials

Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

English Language Arts One year Students will become competent and motivated readers, writers, thinkers and communicators. Units of study include: • Introduction to Genres • Short Stories • Novel Study: We Beat the Streets and Journey to Jo’Burg • Reader’s Theatre • Poetry Appreciation • Mythology • Literature Circles • Mini-research projects are implemented throughout the year. • Elements of Literature published by Holt Rhinehart Winston • We Beat the Streets by Sharon Draper • Journey to Jo’Burg by Beverley Naidoo • Assorted novels of student choice English Language Arts—Grade 7 English Language Arts One year Students will become competent and motivated readers, writers, thinkers and communicators. Units of study include: • Autobiography, Biography Memoir • Folktales • Historical Fiction • Poetry & Teleplay • Persuasion • Novel Study: Chains • Research unit is based upon the Chains novel. • The elements of short story are implemented throughout the year. • Elements of Literature published by Holt Rhinehart Winston • Chains by Laurie Anderson • Write Source textbook published by Houghton Mifflin • Assorted novels of student choice English Language Arts—Grade 8 English Language Arts One year Students will become competent and motivated readers, writers, thinkers and communicators. Units of Study include: • Generation to Generation • Tales of the Strange and Mysterious • Drama: Film • Novel Study: Of Mice and Men • Novel Study: Animal Farm • Introduction to Shakespeare • The American Hero: Myth or Reality • Research and argument are implemented throughout the year. Elements of Literature published by Holt Rhinehart Winston Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Animal Farm by George Orwell Assorted novels of student choice

4

Mathematics Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Mathematics—Grade 6 Connected Mathematics (CMP) One year Students will be able to problem solve, reason, and communicate in the context of mathematics in the real world. Units of study include: • Covering and Surrounding: Measurement of Area & Perimeter • Filling and Wrapping: Three-Dimensional Geometry • Accentuate the Negative: Integers Computations with Algebraic Reasoning • Bits and Pieces II: Fractional Operations • Bits and Pieces III: Decimal Operations • Data About Us: Statistical Mathematics • Connected Mathematics Project 2: Sixth and Seventh Grade Edition published by Prentice Hall Mathematics—Grade 7 Connected Mathematics (CMP) One year Students will be able to problem solve, reason, and communicate in the context of mathematics in the real world. Units of study include: • Variables and Patterns: Introducing algebraic patterns • Stretching and Shrinking: Similarity • Comparing and Scaling: Proportional Reasoning • Accentuate the Negative: Integer Computations • Moving Straight Ahead: Introducing Linear Algebra • Filling and Wrapping: Three-Dimensional Geometry • What do you Expect: Probability and Expected Value • Connected Mathematics Project 2: Seventh Grade Edition published by Prentice Hall Mathematics—Grade 7 Integrated Mathematics (I-Math) One year Students will be able to problem solve, reason, and communicate in the context of mathematics in the real world. Units of study include: • Exploring and Communicating with Diagrams • Using Measures and Equations • Representing Data- Data Analysis • Coordinates and Functions • Equations for Problem Solving • 3Dimensional Geometry • Ratios, Probability, and Similarity • Direct Variation • Linear Equations as Models • Quadratic Equations as Models • Integrated Mathematics Level 1 published by McDougal Littell

5


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Mathematics—Grade 8 Connected Mathematics (CMP) One year Students will be able to problem solve, reason, and communicate in the context of mathematics in the real world. Units of study include: Units of study include: • Thinking with Mathematical Models: Linear Relationships • Looking for Pythagoras: Pythagorean Theorem • Growing, Growing, Growing: Exponential Relationships • Kaleidoscopes, Hubcaps and Mirrors: Types of Symmetry • Shapes of Algebra: Systems of Equations • Connected Mathematics Project 2: Eighth Grade Edition published by Prentice Hall Mathematics—Grade 8 AP Prep Algebra One year Students will be able to problem solve, reason, and communicate in the context of mathematics in the real world. Units of study include: • An Introduction to Algebra • Rational Numbers • Solving Equations • Applications of Rational Numbers • Solving Inequalities, Polynomials • Factoring • Functions and Graphs • Graphing Linear Equations • Systems of Open Sentences • Radical Expressions • Quadratics • Algebra 1: Applications and Connections published by Merril

6

Social Studies Social Studies—Grade 6 Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Ancient Civilizations One year Students will learn about the influence of ancient civilizations on the modern world. Units of study include: • World Geography • Early Humans • Mesopotamia • Egypt • China • Greece • Rome • •Middle Ages • History Alive published by Teachers’ Curriculum Institute • The Ancient World published by Prentice Hall • A Message of Ancient Days published by Houghton Mifflin

Social Studies—Grade 7 Social Studies One year Students will know and understand the world around them so that they can participate as democratic citizens. Units of study include: • First Americans • African Kingdoms • Age of Exploration • Colonial Era • Revolution • US Constitution • Antebellum Era • Civil War • History of Us published by Oxford University Press • Young People’s History published by Seven Stories Press • History Alive published by Teachers’ Curriculum Institute • America’s Past and Promise published by McDougal Littell Social Studies—Grade 8 Social Studies One year Students will know and understand the world around them so that they can participate as democratic citizens. Units of study include: • Reconstruction • Western Civilizations • Industrialization, Immigration, and Progressivism • Imperialism • World War I and World War II • 1920s • Great Depression • Cold War • Contemporary U.S. Issues • History Alive published by Oxford University Press • Young People’s History published by Seven Stories Press • History of an American Empire published by Macmillian • Freedom: A History of Us published by Oxford University Press

7

Science Science—Grade 6 Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Course Title Course Length Course Goal

Description

Texts & Materials

General Science One year Students will engage in a variety of hands-on activities and labs that will help build their interest in science. They will record these activities as scientists in their Science Journals. Units of study include: • Lab Safety • Waste Management • Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems • Structure and Properties of Matter • Forces and Motion • Earth, the Solar System, and Space • The Water Cycle • The Rock Cycle • Science Explorer published by Prentice Hall • Inside the Restless Earth published by Holt • Science World magazine Science—Grade 7 General Science One year The nature of science leads us to question, wonder, and develop patterns of thought about why and how things work. Students will develop those skills as they think, read and write as scientists in their Science Journals. Units of study include: • Lab Safety • Cells: Functions and Systems • Genetics: Growth and Development of Organisms • Waves and Information Transfer • Large Scale Interactions and Plate Tectonics • Science Explorer series published by Prentice Hall • Science World magazine Science—Grade 8 General Science One year Students will understand the interconnectedness of systems: human activity affects and is affected by the natural world. Students will develop those skills as they think, read and write as scientists in their Science Journals. Units of study include: • Lab Safety • Ecosystem Dynamics • Adaptation and Natural Selection • Kinetic and Potential Energy • Electromagnetic Forces • Weather and Global Climate Change • Physical Science published by Holt • Science Explorer series published by Prentice Hall • Environmental Science published by Prentice Hall • Science World magazine

8

Physical Education / Health Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Physical Education—Grade 6 Physical Education Three-quarters Students will be taught team and individual sports with a focus on fitness benefits, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Possible units of study include football, soccer, fitness, tennis, swimming, volleyball, badminton, floor hockey, Ping-Pong, tumbling, softball, ultimate Frisbee, and track and field. Both rules and procedures will be taught for each unit of study covered. • P.E. Uniform • Various equipment Health—Grade 6 Health One-quarter Students will learn to lead a healthy life style by learning to recognize unsafe behaviors. Units of study include: • Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention • Body Systems • Growth & Development • Too Good For Drugs • Teen Health Course 3 published by Glencoe McGraw-Hill • Second Step Physical Education—Grade 7 Physical Education Three-quarters Students will be taught team and individual sports with a focus on fitness benefits, teamwork, sportsmanship, and game strategy. Possible units of study include football, soccer, fitness, tennis, swimming, volleyball, badminton, floor hockey, Ping-Pong, tumbling, softball, ultimate Frisbee, and track and field. Both rules and procedures will be taught for each unit of study covered. • P.E. Uniform • Various equipment Health—Grade 7 Health One-quarter Students will learn to lead a healthy life style by learning to recognize unsafe behaviors and use refusal skills. Units of study include: • Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention • Nutrition • Communicable Diseases • Non-communicable Diseases • Comprehensive Sex Education • Too Good For Drugs • Our Whole Lives: Sex Education For Grades 7-9 • Teen Health Course 3 published by Glencoe McGraw-Hill • Second Step

9


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Physical Education—Grade 8 Physical Education Three-quarters Students will be taught team and individual sports with a focus on improving skills for higher competition through the use of strategies and teamwork. Possible units of study include football, soccer, fitness, tennis, swimming, volleyball, badminton, floor hockey, Ping-Pong, tumbling, softball, ultimate Frisbee, and track and field. Both rules and procedures will be taught for each unit of study covered. • P.E. Uniform • Various equipment Health—Grade 8 Physical Education One-quarter Students will learn to lead a healthy life style by learning to recognize unsafe behaviors and use refusal skills. Units of study include: • Second Step: Student Success Through Prevention • Mental & Emotional Health • First Aid & CPR • Consumer Health • Too Good For Drugs • Environmental Health • Teen Health Course 3 published by Glencoe McGraw-Hill • Second Step

10

Foreign Languages Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

French—Grade 6 French Exploratory Six weeks Students will read, write, listen, and speak in basic French. Units of study include: • Alphabet • Numbers • Dates & times • Greetings • Classroom commands & objects • Ordering at a café • Geography of France • A teacher created workbook and dictionary French—Grade 7 French 1 Year 1 of 2 Students will read, write, listen, and speak in French about everyday topics. They will also study grammar and compare cultures. Units of study include: • School • Family • Activities • Dates and times • Food • Housing • Clothing • Regions of France • Bon Voyage! published by Glencoe • Teacher made workbooks French—Grade 8 French 2 Year 2 of 2 Students will read, write, listen, and speak in French about everyday topics. They will also study grammar and compare cultures. Units of study include: • Transportation • Vacations • Sports • Daily routines • Health • Art • Past tense • •French-speaking countries • Bon Voyage! published by Glencoe • Teacher made workbooks German—Grade 6 German Exploratory Six weeks Students will be introduced to the language and cultures of German-speaking countries. Units of study include basic communicative phrases as well as names for classroom objects, colors, numbers, body parts as well as German contributions to the United States, German culture and geography. Students participate in dialogues and games in addition to viewing videos of German-speaking countries. Some homework is required. • Teacher created materials

11


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

German—Grade 7 German 1 Year 1 of 2 Students will learn about German culture and customs, geography of the German-speaking countries and basic vocabulary and grammar. Units of study include free time activities, family, school, weather, foods, telling time, rules of pronunciation and grammar. Students learn rules of pronunciation and grammar through games, dialogues, skits and daily practice and use authentic materials, resources, and technology as tools to develop basic language skills. This course is filled with a variety of reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities that promote both learning and application of the German language. Students are expected to actively participate in class activities, complete homework assignments, and review material covered in class at home daily. • Deutsch Aktuell: Fifth Edition German—Grade 8 German 2 Year 2 of 2 Students will expand upon the skills and knowledge gained in seventh grade. Units of study include clothing and shopping, celebrating birthdays, music and movies, traveling and important places in cities, rooms and furniture, dative, accusative and nominative case, possessives, pronouns, separable prefix verbs, past tense, etc. Vocabulary and grammar are learned through the use of games, dialogues, the Internet and daily practice. Skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking are refined. Students are expected to actively participate in class activities, complete homework assignments, and review material covered in class at home daily. • Deutsch Aktuell: Fifth Edition Spanish—Grade 7 Spanish 1 Year 1 of 2 Students will develop cross-cultural understanding and language proficiency through the use of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. This course teaches student about famous Latino individuals and traditions, as well as various Spanish-speaking geographic regions through the development of their Spanish vocabulary. Students also learn rules of pronunciation and grammar through games, dialogues, skits, daily practice and use of authentic materials, resources, and technology. We will use these topics as a setting to learn and practice the language, with a focus on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. • ¡Exprésate! 1A Spanish—Grade 8 Spanish 2 Year 2 of 2 Students will develop language proficiency through the use of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Students will also develop cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Units of study include extensive review of grammar and vocabulary covered in the 7th-grade course, personal hygiene, shopping, celebrations and travel, a variety of famous Latino individuals and traditions, as well as five different Spanish-speaking geographic regions. We will use these topics as a setting to learn and practice the language, with a focus on reading, writing, listening, and speaking. • ¡Exprésate! 1B

12

Electives Art—Grade 6 Course Title Course Length Description

Texts & Materials

Course Title Course Length Description

Texts & Materials

Course Title Course Length Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Art Exploratory Six weeks Sixth graders are introduced to the middle school Visual Arts Program through this course. This class focuses on basic drawing skills and is an introduction to two-dimensional art materials and techniques. Students will learn about the elements of art necessary to create and appreciate fine works of art. Units of study include drawing, painting, and collage. • Introducing Art published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill • Understanding Art published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill • Exploring Art published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill • Materials: Water based paints, water based printmaking materials, various drawing and art paper media Art—Grade 7 Art One semester Students will explore the elements of Art. Projects include: a mobile, cut paper collage, value drawing, abstract tempera painting, watercolor painting, sculpture and tessellations. Art movements, artists, and art history are also explored. Two-dimensional units of study include: drawing, collage, and painting, graphic design and architectural design. Three-dimensional units of study include: basket making, kinetic art, sculpture.  Introducing Art published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill  Understanding Art published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill  Exploring Art published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill  Materials: Colored pencils, markers, drawing pencils, various art paper products, wire, string, fun foam and water based paints. Art—Grade 8 Art One semester Students will have the opportunity to create both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of art. Projects include self-portraits, still life drawing, figure drawing, block prints, optical illusions, and a sculpture. Art movements, artists, and art history are also explored. Two-dimensional units of study include: drawing, painting, printmaking, and graphic design. Three-dimensional units of study include: sculpture, and assemblage. • Introducing Art published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill • Understanding Art published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill • Exploring Art published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill • Materials: Various drawing media, water based paints a variety of papers, cardboard, papier-mâché paste, found objects, and water based paints. Family and Consumer Sciences—Grade 6 Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences Six weeks Students will explore the following family and consumer sciences content areas: foods and nutrition, sewing and textiles, careers, personal growth and development, and healthy relationships.  Explore personal eating habits and identify ways to make them healthier  Identify and safely use basic sewing tools  Create small sewing project  Explore ways to set and prepare career goals  Identify personal characteristics and personality traits to develop a better self and to build healthy relationships • Today’s Teen • Videos • Sewing Supplies

Family and Consumer Sciences —Grade 7

13

Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Life Skills One semester Students will develop basic skills to prepare them for a well-rounded, successful life. Units of study include time management, textiles, laundry, sewing, fashion, interior design, repurpose/reuse/recycle, and budgeting. • Applying Life Skills published by Glencoe/McGraw-Hills • Various educational videos and other resources Family and Consumer Sciences —Grade 7 Consumer Foods One semester Students will learn about nutrition and food preparation. Units of study include:  Evaluate nutritional needs and identify ways to make meals healthier  Identify basic kitchen terminology and equipment  Demonstrate proper use of small and large kitchen appliances  Explore and practice food safety & kitchen sanitation procedures  Review recipes and work with lab groups to prepare healthy snacks  Evaluate foods from different cultures  Discovering Food and Nutrition  Numerous other resources (videos, guest speakers, cookbooks, etc.) Family and Consumer Sciences —Grade 8 Family Living One semester Students will explore the functions of families and identify ways to enhance healthy family relationships.  Explore multiple family structures  Identify roles and responsibilities of family members  Explore school and community resources to determine strategies that can be used to overcome family challenges  Build time management skills to maintain balance between school, work, and family  Identify personal characteristics that will encourage interpersonal, decision-making, and critical thinking skills to enhance healthy relationships • Families Today • Families Today Student Workbook • Applying Life Skills • Various resources Family and Consumer Sciences —Grade 8 Career Connections One semester Students will be exposed to a variety of careers and learn how to be professional in the work environment. Students will:  Explore a wide variety of careers to determine skills and education needed  Write business letter, complete job applications, and prepare a resume  Develop interviewing skills  Research a specific career that matches their skills and interests  Create and present a multimedia project about the career • Exploring Careers • Teenagers Preparing for the Real World • Guest Speakers, Magazines and Newspapers, Videos

14

Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Technology—Grade 6 Technology Exploratory Six weeks Students will learn how to save to the UMS Server and use word processing & presentation software. Units of study include safe internet use, cyber bullying, digital etiquette, computer basics, protecting copyrights, typing and keyboarding basics, word processing, and use of presentation software. • Type to Learn Application • BrainPOP videos • Pages (Application) • KeyNote (Application) Technology—Grade 7 Media & Design Technology One semester Students will apply scientific thinking to real-world problems. Units of study include a journalism unit focused on survey design and podcasting, a forensic unit focused on technology embedded science and crime investigation, a programming unit focused on game design, and an architecture unit focused on 3-D computer modeling. • Ear bud-style headphones • Optional: Jump Drive for file storage Technology—Grade 8 Music & Media Technology (MMT) One semester Students will be tech-savvy computer users who can create music and movies that effectively communicate a message. MMT is open to all 8th grade students. Instruction focuses on mixing and composing music using electronic tools and instruments. This course is project-based, with students creating original music and movies every few weeks. Students will also learn technology skills and publish their own websites, interact on blogs and electronic discussion boards, and learn proper netiquette and web-safe skills. • Ear bud-style headphones • Optional: Jump Drive for file storage Music—Grade 6 Music Exploratory Six weeks Students will define and explore what music is and how it fits into our lives. Units of study include: • Elements: Rhythm, Melody, Harmony, Form, Timbre, Style • Research project on an artist or style/genre of music • Listening activities • Music creation through the use of the program Garage Band • All materials and supplies provided

15

Music Band—Grade 6 Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Beginning Band One Year Students will have the ability to read music notation, rhythmic notation, and gain knowledge of musical terminology. Units of study include performing songs appropriate for beginners on their instruments with obvious progress throughout the year. They will learn to perform alone and as a member of a large and small ensemble. Students will gain an appreciation for a variety of musical styles. Successful students will have the ability to continue the following year in 7th grade band. Attendance and participation at concerts is required. • Traditions of Excellence published by Kjos Music • Instrument (often rented) and accessories Band—Grade 6 Intermediate Band One Year Students will continue to improve their music reading skills while performing alone and in large and small ensemble groups. Units of study include various ensemble music increasing in difficulty. Instrument ranges and technique will be increased as will learning to perform with the essential listening skills required of advancing students. Students may have the opportunity to participate in solo-ensemble contest and organizational contest. Attendance and participation at concerts is required. • Traditions of Excellence: Book I Published by Kjos Music • Traditions of Excellence: Book II Published by Kjos Music • Smart Music (optional) • Instrument (often rented) and accessories Band—Grade 6 Sixth Grade Percussion One Year Students will become proficient percussionists who can play confidently and independently at the 6th grade level. 6th grade percussionists meet separately from 6th grade band and must apply to participate in class (prior music experience is mandatory). Students will learn basic skills on snare and bell kits, in addition to the other instruments of the percussion section. Students will perform with the 6th grade band, and will have required performances outside the school day. Attendance and participation at concerts is required. • Percussion Method Book • Bell Kit (includes bells, practice pad, sticks and mallets), can be rented or purchased

Band—Grade 7 Beginning Band One Year Students will have the ability to read music notation, rhythmic notation, and gain knowledge of musical terminology. Units of study include performing songs appropriate for beginners on their instruments with obvious progress throughout the year. They will learn to perform alone and as a member of a large and small ensemble. Students will gain an appreciation for a variety of musical styles. Successful students will have the ability to continue the following year in 8th grade band. Attendance and participation at concerts is required. • Traditions of Excellence published by Kjos Music • Instrument (often rented) and accessories

16


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Band—Grade 7 Intermediate Band One Year Students will continue to improve and augment the skills attained in 6th grade band. Units of study include progress in tonal, rhythmic, and technical skills. Students will perform scales, rhythmic patterns, and band music. Attendance and participation at concerts is required. • Variety of classroom method books (loaned to student) • Instrument (often rented) and accessories • Smart music can be utilized to strengthen learning Band—Grade 8 Eighth Grade Band One Year Students will continue to improve and augment the skills attained in 7th grade band. 8th grade band class is offered for students with previous experience in band. New students to the UMS program may enroll after playing for the director. Emphasis is placed on achieving more advanced technical musical skills and group musical concepts. Students will continue to work toward independence on their instruments and developing a life-long appreciation of music. Attendance and participation at concerts is required. • Instrument (often rented) and accessories • Reeds for clarinet, saxophone, oboe, or bassoon players • Staccato timpani mallets for percussionists Chorus—Grade 6 Sixth Grade Choir One Year Students will be able to rehearse and perform level-appropriate music at evening concerts. Units of study include: • Basic Music Literacy • Healthy Vocal Production • Rehearsal Skills • Performance Skills Attendance and participation at concerts is required. • Concert clothing (solid black outfit) Chorus—Grade 7 Seventh Grade Choir One Year Students will be able to rehearse and perform level-appropriate music at evening concerts. Units of study include: • Basic Music Literacy • Healthy Vocal Production • Rehearsal Skills • Performance Skills Attendance and participation at concerts is required. • Concert clothing (solid black outfit)

17


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Chorus—Grade 8 Eighth Grade Choir One Year Students will be able to rehearse and perform level-appropriate music at evening concerts. Units of study include: • Basic Music Literacy • Healthy Vocal Production • Rehearsal Skills • Performance Skills Attendance and participation at concerts is required. • Concert clothing (solid black outfit) Strings—Grade 6 Beginning Strings One Year Students will have the ability to read music notation, rhythmic notation, and gain knowledge of musical terminology. If you would like to learn to play a string instrument, or if you would like to build on skills learned in 5th grade strings, Beginning Strings is for you! In this course students will learn proper instrument position, tone production, and basic music literacy as it relates to playing a string instrument. We offer instruction in: violin, viola, cello, and bass. Students enrolled in Beginning Strings will also be enrolled in Sixth Grade Continuing Strings. Attendance and participation required for all scheduled concerts and festivals • Essential Elements for Strings, Book 1 • Instrument (often rented) and accessories Strings—Grade 6 Sixth Grade Strings One Year Students will continue to improve their music reading skills while performing alone and in large and small ensemble groups. Sixth Grade Strings class is for continuing students who are ready to learn new skills that will enable them to become phenomenal string players at UMS. More advanced rhythms, instrument techniques and key signatures are introduced. Attendance and participation required for all scheduled concerts and festivals  Essential Elements for Strings, Book 2  Instrument (often rented) and accessories Strings—Grade 7 Beginning Strings One Year Students will have the ability to read music notation, rhythmic notation, and gain knowledge of musical terminology. If you would like to learn to play a string instrument, Beginning Strings is for you! In this course students will learn proper instrument position, tone production, and basic music literacy as it relates to playing a string instrument. We offer instruction in: violin, viola, cello, and bass. Attendance and participation required for all scheduled concerts and festivals  Essential Elements for Strings, Books 1 and 2  Instrument (often rented) and accessories

18


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Strings—Grade 7 Seventh Grade Strings One Year Students will continue to improve and augment the skills attained in 6th Grade Strings. Advanced skills are introduced in the 7th grade and refined in the 8th grade. Advanced scale study, shifting/higher positions, vibrato, and exciting rhythms challenge and reward students at this level. Seventh and Eighth Grade String Orchestra classes combine to perform exciting and challenging literature written for string orchestra. Attendance and participation required for all scheduled concerts and festivals  String Techniques for Superior Musical Performance by Frost  Instrument (often rented) and accessories Strings—Grade 8 Eighth Grade Strings One Year Students will continue to improve and augment the skills attained in 7th grade strings. Advanced skills introduced in the 7th grade are refined in the 8th eighth grade. Advanced scale study, shifting/higher positions, vibrato, and exciting rhythms challenge and reward students at this level. Seventh and Eighth Grade String Orchestra classes combine to perform exciting and challenging literature written for string orchestra. Attendance and participation required for all scheduled concerts and festivals. • String Techniques for Superior Musical Performance by Frost • Instrument (often rented) and accessories

19

Academic Support Classes Academic Support—Grades 6, 7, 8 Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

Reading Connections Progress-based Students will become competent and motivated, readers, writers, thinkers and communicators. Reading Connections is an intervention course designed to increase the reading levels of students by utilizing specific strategies based in reading fluency, vocabulary, reading tactics and reading comprehension. Students are identified for the intervention through a variety of assessments and placed in a course according to their specific needs. Students are progress monitored weekly and benchmarked three times per year to determine if an intervention need still exists. • Six Minute Solutions • Word Wisdom • Bridges to Literature Academic Support—Grades 6, 7, 8 Reading Dimensions Progress-based Students performing below state standards will build their reading comprehension and fluency through intensive interventions. This course provides intensive small group instruction focusing on comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary. This course incorporates short books and selections (both fiction and nonfiction) and a method of small group instruction, as well as other strategies designed to accelerate student reading and progress. This course targets word recognition skills (particularly multi-syllabic words), vocabulary, and fluency. • Soar to Success • Bridges to Literature • Rewards Academic Support—Grades 6, 7, 8 Math Connections Progress-based Students will build basic skills based on individual needs in an effort to reach their full potential in future math courses. Math Connections is an intervention course designed to increase the following areas: • Mental Math Fluency • Problem Solving Skills • Test Taking Skills • Individualized Goal Setting • Pre-teaching and Re-teaching classroom lessons • Otter Creek’s Rocket Math • Interactive Games by Dimension U • Creative Publications’ Pizzazz! Academic Support—Grades 6, 7, 8 Math Dimensions Progress-based Students performing below state standards will build their math computation and application skills through intensive interventions. Math Dimensions provides small group instruction focusing on fact fluency, computation and number sense. The program involves explicit instruction and hands on activities that build student’s understanding of essential math content. In addition, students practice fact fluency daily to develop automaticity. Student progress in fact fluency is monitored weekly, and progress in computation and applications are monitored monthly using Aimsweb assessments. • Do The Math • Momentum Math • Otter Creek’s: Mastering Math Facts • Fast Math Academic Support—Grades 6, 7, 8

Course Title

Homework Connections

20

Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials

Progress-based Students will become competent and motivated, readers, writers, thinkers and communicators. This course is designed to provide students with an environment and opportunity to organize their materials and complete assignments. Smaller class sizes, a certified teacher, and access to each student’s online Skyward grade book are provided to assist students with the completion of their assignments and development of organization and time management strategies. • Varied based on individual student needs • Access to team’s online homework blog • Access to the online Skyward grade book • Student Planner

21

ELL Program ELL Program—Grades 6, 7, 8 Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials

ESL Program One year, progress-based Our program’s goal is to provide individualized systems for developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in English. Urbana Middle School’s ESL program provides a variety of courses and resources for both students and their families. Coursework historically includes, but is not limited to, language arts, social studies, and science curriculum. Supports from this program are provided in both small group and general education settings. Within this program, integration of student’s native language is valued as a tool for improving upon each student’s English language proficiency. • Varied based on individual student needs

22

Special Education Programs Special Education Programs—Grades 6, 7, 8 Course Title Course Length Course Goal Description

Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials


Texts & Materials

LANGUAGE! One year, progress-based per IEP Students will build basic literacy skills in an effort to progress to reading at grade level. Steps in a lesson: 1. Phonemic Awareness and Phonics 2. Word Recognition and Spelling 3. Vocabulary and Morphology 4. Grammar and Usage 5. Listening and Reading Comprehension 6. Speaking and Writing • LANGUAGE! The comprehensive Literacy Curriculum: Interactive Text • LANGUAGE! Assessment: Content Mastery • LANGUAGE! Summative Assessment Special Education Programs—Grades 6, 7, 8 ACES Various, per IEP The purpose of this program is to provide intensive, individualized services for students with autism. ACES (Autism Comprehensive Educational Services) is a continuum of services that focuses on academic, social, communication and emotional needs primarily for students with autism. The ACES program includes a variety of assessments and individual goals to meet each student’s needs. ACES teachers collaborate with parents, speech language pathologist, social workers, and other care providers outside of UMS to create a comprehensive instructional program. • Varied based on individual student needs Special Education Programs—Grades 6, 7, 8 TEACCH Various, per IEP The purpose of this program is to provide intensive, individualized services for individual students. TEACCH stands for Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children. TEACCH is a very structured way of teaching children with autism. The level of structure is individualized for each student. There is the overall physical structure of the classroom, individual schedules for the students, work systems, routines and strategies, and a visual structure of individual tasks. • Varied based on individual student needs

23