English
The sixth grade English course involves a variety of writing styles including persuasive and descriptive paragraphs, business letters, and expository essay. Also included are units on homonyms, possessives, and how to cite references.

Advanced studies are also available for top english students; placement is based on achievement test scores and teacher recommendations.

Math
The sixth grade math course introduces and holds students accountable for understanding number theory, fractions, decimals, percent, ratios, geometry, and use of calculators.

Advanced studies are also available for top math students; placement is based on achievement test scores and teacher recommendations.

Science
The sixth grade science course's primary focus is on general science. Students study subjects ranging from atoms and molecules to the complex organism. Our earth is studied in the realm of plate tectonics succession, ecology and the recycling of its resources. In these studies, students learn to use the scientific method of investigation and the processes through which scientists discover the secrets of our universe.

Social Studies
Sixth grade social studies students study the geography of the world. A variety of skills will be reinforced throughout the year such as map and globe reading, reasoning and social skills. Students should also be able to master the following areas: identification of continents and bodies of water, understanding of climate and culture differences, identification of political units of the world and the impact of man on climate, topography and natural resources.

Physical Education
Physical education provides students with the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge necessary to pursue lifelong physical activity. Students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of sports, dance, fitness and recreational games. Also, the overall development of proper social behaviors and attitudes will be stressed.

Band
This course is for the student who has had little or no previous experience in playing a musical instrument. Instruction will begin with the rudiments (putting the instrument together, proper maintenance, and basic music reading skills), and will eventually introduce more advanced musical concepts (phasing, style, form, articulations, and various terminology). The students will also learn proper concert etiquette.

Sixth grade band students perform in three or four concerts throughout the year. Most performances take place outside of the regular school day and are a required, graded part of this course. Sixth grade band is a semester commitment.

Art
This course is designed to gradually build artistic experiences in a range of media, skills and techniques. Students are exposed to various artists and works of art to gain an understanding of art appreciation.

Home Economics
This class will provide exposure to food preparation through planning, nutritional considerations and cost. Students practice their skills through participation in "hands on" food laboratory sessions in which working as a group member is stressed. Students will purchase a hand sewing kit to learn basic sewing techniques through construction of a creative pillow.

Computers
In this class you will not only learn how to word process more effectively, but you will also learn some of the basics to using different technologies in the classroom to help you be a stronger student in all of your classes here at the middle school.

Your active participation is very important to the function of our classroom as well as your success. Acquiring correct keyboarding technique is the primary objective of beginning keyboarding instruction. Correct keyboarding technique includes proper body, hand, and finger position; proper key stroking technique; proper spacing and shifting techniques.

News Broadcasting
In this class you will explore different means of communication and media. We will focus mainly on the components of a newspaper, but will also compare that to other media in use. You will be responsible for the daily planning and taping of school announcements as well as creating a scrolling power point presentation that celebrates the current happenings of the middle school. This power point will be on display for all who enter our building to see. We will publish a school trimester publication, utilizing your interviewing, creating and editing skills that we have been working on throughout the class as an end of the trimester project. Participation is very important to the function of our classroom as we will rely heavily on both individual and group deadlines being met.

English
Seventh grade English is a general English program emphasizing writing, speaking, thinking skills and grammar. Students will do research on assigned topics, study grammar, and write essays using a variety of writing styles. The will also give oral presentations in as organized, clear and articulate fashion.

Math
Seventh grade math provides students with whole number concepts and experience working with fractions, decimals, ratio, percent and measurement. In addition, geometry, statistics and probability, algebraic concepts, problem solving and logic will be introduced.

Pre Algebra
Pre Algebra provides students with an introduction to the concepts of algebra and geometry. A grasp of arithmetic concepts and procedures is also reinforced. Students who are successful with this class should be ready to take algebra.

Science
This is a general survey course. Students will study atoms and molecules as they relate to physical and chemical changes and as they relate to density, mass, volume, weight and gravity. Students will also study photosynthesis, ecosystems, evolution and space. Hands-on activities and cooperative learning are used through out the year and are stressed during our investigations of the scientific method.

History
The seventh grade social studies program is a world history course from the beginning of man to today. It emphasizes the need for man to join in groups and the development of agriculture on civilizations. Students are taught the importance of the Egyptian, Greek and Roman empires. The development of democracy and a comparison between Greek democracy and democracy in the U.S. are emphasized. Students study the rise of feudalism in the Middle Ages and the social and cultural changes in Europe as a result of the crusades. A unit on "The meeting of three world," (The exploration and colonization of the Americas) shows how our modern world was shaped. There is a transitional unit on the Industrial Revolution. Our year ends with a study of 20th century world history - World Wars Rise of communisms as a world force, and cold war.

Physical Education
Physical Education provides students the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge necessary to pursue lifelong physical activity. Students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of sports, dance, fitness and recreational games. Also, the overall development of proper social behaviors and attitudes will be stressed.

Band
This course builds upon the musical elements learned in the first year of band. The usable range of each instrument is expanded. New keys and scales are introduced. Students perform in five or six concerts a year, including district (state) band festival. Most performances take place outside of the regular school day and are a required, graded part of this course. Members are also encouraged to participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival held in the spring. This course is a year long commitment.

Art
Students will be exposed to a variety of art media as they create realistic and abstract compositions. In three dimensional work, students will create a sculpture from clay, papier mache or plaster. Students are also introduced to the language and vocabulary of art.

Computer
Careers Exploration I/Computer
In this online learning experience students apply information literacy and critical thinking skills to the career development process to learn how to make informed decisions when researching a potential future career. Students will demonstrate their technology literacy as they apply their technological knowledge and skills to explore careers that match their interests and skills, critically evaluate the information they locate, and draw conclusions from the resources to make lifestyle and career choices.

Home Economics
This is a 12 week class in which student participate in a program on foods & Nutrition. The students will be preparing foods that demonstrate their knowledge on food preparation, organization, calorie count, nutritional value, and recipe comprehension. They will also participate on a program on fabric construction. The students will pick a sewing project of their choosing with levels of difficulty. The students will be exposed to machine and hand sewing. They will demonstrate their sewing skills on cutting a pattern, stitching fabric, seam accuracy, and overall appearance of the project.

Ecology
We will be studying Michigan plants and animals and how they interact. Using the production of crayons (students will make their own) we will study ecology in the context of a real world setting. Students will make crayons out of paraffin (a non-renewable resource) and soy chips (a renewable resource). Then students will have to decide which crayons are the best, and as a 'company' decide if the costs of producing that crayon are feasible while keeping in mind how this decision will impact world ecology. We will also study various chemical disasters, concentrating on the Michigan PBB chemical disaster.

Current Events
The main emphasis in Current Events is to explore global, national, and local issues considering both ELA and Social Studies curriculums. For the ELA component, students employ strategies to construct meaning from reading informational text; plan and draft article summaries, opinion papers and comparison essays; and demonstrate the ability to write clear and grammatically correct sentences, paragraphs and compositions. For the Social Studies component, students will describe and explain the causes, consequences, and geographical context of major national and global issues and events. Students use knowledge of the past to construct meaningful understanding of our diverse cultural heritage and to inform their civic judgments. Students will also engage each other in conversations and debates which attempt to clarify and resolve national and international policy issues.

English
Eighth grade English students will continue to improve their English skills in preparation for high school. Writing and grammar skills will be emphasized. Students will also improve their revision and proof reading skills by using 6 Traits of Writing. Students will work on a research paper designed to improve research, citation and paraphrasing skills. All students will be expected to make an oral presentation designed to improve speaking and listening skills. Poetry and narrative will also be covered to strengthen creative writing skills.

Algebra I
Algebra brings math to life with many real-life applications. Students will use three key aspects of Algebra - equations, graphs, and applications. Topics to be studied include real numbers and solving, graphing, and writing linear equations and inequalities. Another area of emphasis includes exponential, polynomial and rational functions and their connections to the real world. Computations with integers, fractions, and decimals will be reviewed. Homework will be a regular part of this course. Successful completion of 7th grade Advanced Math and/or teacher recommendation is required for this course.

Introduction to Algebra
Algebra brings math to life with many real-life applications. Students will use three key aspects of Algebra - equations, graphs, and applications. Topics to be studied include, but are not limited to: exponents and powers, order of operations, equations and inequalities, properties of real numbers, and solving, graphing, and writing linear equations. Connections to the real world will be emphasized. Computations with integers, fractions, and decimals will be reviewed. Homework will be a regular part of this course.

Reading
Eighth grade reading class includes instruction and reinforcement in the comprehension and analysis of various fiction and non fiction writings. In addition, students work on building comprehensive reading skills to improve academic achievement. Historical fiction novels are taught with an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. A strong emphasis is also placed upon independent reading and written book review requirements.

Science
Eighth grade science class begins the school year learning about reproduction in flowering plants (labs and activities will enhance this instruction). We then take this concept and link it to genetics and how traits are passed along through generations.

A brief unit on physics (simple machines) is looked into with a hands-on approach. Understanding basic elements of weather and predicting weather conditions gives students everyday knowledge.

An extensive stretch of Earth science begins with the formation of rocks and plate tectonics. We then move into how the land is shaped along with using maps as a tool for understanding problems associated with the land. Groundwater is the next investigative unit where students will use groundwater models to gain a better understating of this precious resource. Students will perform on line learning activities throughout the year.

Finally, students will build and fly hydro-propelled rockets for a physics unit.

History
Eighth grade U.S. History begins with England's colonization of North America and covers information and events up to the American Civil War. This class is highlighted with videos, class projects, current events and presentations covering this time period in history.

Health
Students are made aware of health concerns for teenagers, as well as the general population. Topics include: accident prevention, causes of heart disease, cancer prevention, decision making strategies, problem solving techniques, and basic first aid. Goal setting, and substance abuse prevention, along with refusal skills are featured. Parchment's locally developed reproductive health unit for eighth graders is presented in this course.

Physical Education
Physical Education provides students the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge necessary to pursue lifelong physical activity. Students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of sports, dance, fitness and recreational games. Also, the overall development of proper social behaviors and attitudes will be stressed.

Band
This course builds upon the musical elements learned in the first two years of band. The usable range of each instrument is expanded. New keys and scales are introduced. Parade marching fundamentals are introduced. Students perform in five or six concerts a year, including district (state) band festival. Most performances take place outside of the regular school day and are a required, graded part of this course. Members march with the High School Band at Fall Homecoming and selected students will perform with the High School Band at commencement. Members are also encouraged to participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival. This course is a year long commitment.

Computers
Careers Exploration I/Computer
In this online learning experience students apply information literacy and critical thinking skills to the career development process to learn how to make informed decisions when researching a potential future career. Students will demonstrate their technology literacy as they apply their technological knowledge and skills to explore careers that match their interests and skills. This curricular unit aligns six disciplines: Educational Technology and Information Literacy, Career & Employability, Guidance & Counseling: Career Development, English/Language Arts, Social Studies, and Mathematics. This class will integrate 8th grade career exploration and EDP development with the application and assessment of technology knowledge and skills.

Home Economics
This is a 12 week class in which student participate in a program on foods & Nutrition. The students will be preparing foods that demonstrate their knowledge on food preparation, organization, calorie count, nutritional value, and recipe comprehension. They will also participate on a program on fabric construction. The students will pick a sewing project of their choosing with levels of difficulty. The students will be exposed to machine and hand sewing. They will demonstrate their sewing skills on cutting a pattern, stitching fabric, seam accuracy, and overall appearance of the project.

Ecology
We will be studying Michigan plants and animals and how they interact. Using the production of crayons (students will make their own) we will study ecology in the context of a real world setting. Students will make crayons out of paraffin (a non-renewable resource) and soy chips (a renewable resource). Then students will have to decide which crayons are the best, and as a 'company' decide if the costs of producing that crayon are feasible while keeping in mind how this decision will impact world ecology. We will also study various chemical disasters, concentrating on the Michigan PBB chemical disaster.

Current Events
The main emphasis in Current Events is to explore global, national, and local issues considering both ELA and Social Studies curriculums. For the ELA component, students employ strategies to construct meaning from reading informational text; plan and draft article summaries, opinion papers and comparison essays; and demonstrate the ability to write clear and grammatically correct sentences, paragraphs and compositions. For the Social Studies component, students will describe and explain the causes, consequences, and geographical context of major national and global issues and events. Students use knowledge of the past to construct meaningful understanding of our diverse cultural heritage and to inform their civic judgments. Students will also engage each other in conversations and debates which attempt to clarify and resolve national and international policy issues.