Middle School Course Catalog 2015-2016 1 P a g e
Mater Academy of Nevada School Mission Statement The mission of Mater Academy of Nevada is to provide an innovative, challenging, multi-cultural education, preparing students to be global citizens and have a competitive edge in the 21 st century workforce. Mater Academy aspires to have students obtain a thirst for knowledge and belief in students self-efficacy. We strive to have the Mater Academy of Nevada community actively involved in the learning of its students. 2 P a g e Mater Academy of Nevada
School Vision Statement The vision of Mater Academy of Nevada is to develop successful scholars with 21 st century skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Students will be college and career ready with cross cultural competence. 3 P a g e
At Mater we: Students 2015-2016 Mater Academy of Nevada Meet students where they are academically and use a system of push and pull so that students can maximize their academic potential. Believe in offering our students a rigorous curriculum. Believe that integrating the arts in selected core curriculum classes enhances the academic experience of students. Parents Expect parents to engage as partners in the education of their children by requiring a minimum of 30 volunteer hours per year. Believe in providing parents the opportunity to participate in the school improvement process through membership of our Parents for Students Organization. Teachers Use a system of data collection to guide instruction, plan curriculum, and improve academic outcomes. Believe that the majority of a student s grade must come from performance on exams and quizzes. Believe that teachers should use data to differentiate instruction and plan lessons. Use common board configurations that include the following: essential question, lesson objective, homework, and evaluation. Believe that participating in professional development is an essential part of improving the quality of teaching and learning. Understand that creating an expectation for our students is essential by giving each student a syllabus that defines the criteria for each of our courses. Administration Believe that the job of the administrator is to serve the teachers and students so that each may realize their potential. Understand that we must accommodate the needs of parents by having an open door policy. Use an informal observation tool that assesses affective teacher behaviors that helps us to plan professional development for staff. Provide teachers the resources that enhances teaching and learning. Course of Study SIXTH GRADE MATHEMATICS READING ENGLISH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY/PHYSICAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE (2) SEVENTH GRADE MATHEMATICS READING ENGLISH SCIENCE HISTORY ELECTIVE (2) 4 P a g e
MATER ACADEMY CORE COURSE DESCRIPTION Grade 6 Math 6 This one year course is designed to focus on four critical areas: 1) connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems; 2) completing understanding of division and fractions and extending the notion of the number system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers; 3) writing, interpreting, and using expressions, and; 4) developing understanding of statistical thinking. appreciation of all cultures. Math 6 Accelerated This one year course is designed to prepare students for the increased rigor of the Nevada Academic Content Standards (NVACS) for Algebra I in middle school. This compacted course includes the grade six curriculums as well as a portion of the currently adopted NVACS grade seven curriculum. This course focuses on six critical areas: 1) connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems; 2) completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers; 3) writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations; 4) developing understanding of statistical thinking; 5) developing understanding of applying proportional relationships; and 6) developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations. important contributions to society. The use of manipulatives, mathematical tools, and technology, including calculators and computer software, is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills the mathematics requirement for sixth-grade students. Enrollment requires teacher recommendation. English Language Arts 6 This one year course provides instruction in English Language Arts strands identified by the Nevada Academic Content Standards as reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. This course is designed to build knowledge and critical-thinking skills through close reading of texts; writing to support claims, to clarify ideas, and/or develop ideas; and a range of collaborative discussions. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology and digital media are integral parts of this course. This course fulfills the sixth-grade English requirement and the sixth-grade reading requirement for promotion. English Language Arts 6 Accelerated This one year course is designed to prepare students for the increased rigor of the Nevada Academic Content Standards (NVACS) as reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language. This course is designated as accelerated by the enhanced instructional pacing and depth of content. This course is designed to build knowledge and critical-thinking skills through close reading of texts; writing to support claims to clarify ideas, and/or develop ideas; and range of collaborative discussions. important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology and digital 5 P a g e
media are integral parts of this course. This course fulfills the sixth-grade English requirement and the sixth-grade reading requirement for promotion. Life Science 6 This one year course for sixth-grade students introduces the Next Generation Science Standards in spiral format. The course focuses on both the biological and physical sciences and uses engineering design practices to demonstrate student understanding. Students will use scientific processes, protocols, tools, including inquiry, to build understandings of living things and the interactions between living and non-living things. Critical thinking, collaboration, accuracy, and communication skills will be used as students develop a foundation for scientific literacy in life, earth, and physical science content. This course is required for sixth grade students. Technology, history, and nature of science will be integral components of this course. Instructional practices will incorporate important contributions to our society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. Computer Literacy This is a one semester course designed to provide students with fundamental computing skills. Areas of emphasis include internet use and safety, office productivity applications, keyboarding skills, and system fundamentals. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This fulfills the one-half computer credit required for high school graduation. Physical Education 6 This one semester course which focuses on the physical, mental, social, and emotional development of students in cooperative and competitive settings. Students develop psychomotor skills and engage in movement and lifetime fitness activities at moderate to vigorous levels for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time. Students participate in movement experiences found in team, individual and dual sports; dance/rhythms; and lifetime recreational activities. Health and skill related fitness concepts are explored through personal goal setting and self-evaluation. important contributions to society. This course fulfills the physical education requirement for sixth-grade students. Grade 7 Math 7 This one year course is designed to focus on four critical areas: 1) developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships; 2) developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; 3) solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working two-and-three dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume; and 4) drawing inferences about populations based samples. Instructional practices incorporate diversity awareness including calculators and computer software, is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills the mathematics requirement for seventh-grade students. Math 7 Accelerated This one year course is designed to focus on three critical areas: 1) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with linear equation, an solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; 2) grasping the concept of 6 P a g e
a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; and 3) analyzing two-and-three dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem. integration of diversity awareness, including important contributions to society. The use of manipulatives, mathematical tools, and technology, including calculators and computer software is an integral part of this course. Enrollment requires teacher recommendation. English Language Arts 7 This one year course provides instruction in the English Language Arts strands identified by the English Language standards identified by the Nevada Academic Content Standards as reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. This course is designed to build on knowledge and skills through close reading of texts, writing to support claims, to clarify or develop ideas, and to support analysis and reflection, and class discussions. Instructional practices incorporate appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology and digital media are integral parts of this course. The College Board Springboard curriculum for writing and literary analysis will be our core text with selected novels to supplement. This course fulfills the seventh-grade English requirement for seventh-grade students. English Language Arts 7 Accelerated This one year course provides instruction in the English Language Arts strands identified by the Nevada Academic Content Standards (NVACS) as reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language. This course is designed as accelerated by the enhanced instructional pacing and depth of content. This course is designed to build on knowledge and skills through close reading of texts, learning combining elements of different kinds of writing in support of analysis and reflection, and class discussions. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology and digital media are integral parts of this course. This course fulfills the seventhgrade English requirement and seventhgrade reading requirement for promotion. Earth Science 7 This one year course for seventh-grade students focuses on understanding Earth and Space science systems. Students will use scientific processes, protocols, and tools of inquiry, to build understanding of Earth s structure and place in the solar system, atmospheric processes, and composition of matter. Critical thinking, collaboration, accuracy, and communication skills will be practiced as students extend their scientific literacy. This course is required for seventh-grade students. Instructional practices will incorporate important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills the science requirement for seventh-grade students. U.S./Nevada History This one year course of study of Nevada from statehood to present day and American history from the time of the American Revolution through World War II. Students explore and evaluate challenges facing the new nation and make connections between the rise of industrialization and contemporary social and economic conditions. The history of Nevada is integrated throughout the year. 7 P a g e
important contributions to our society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This is a required course for all seventh grade students. ELECTIVES 6-7 2015-2016 Students will select electives from the following courses. Be sure to think carefully about your choice. A teacher recommendation may be required for some of these courses. Please note, courses may change due to staffing, budget, and student interest. In addition, students may be removed from their elective course if academic or other interventions are required. Parents, help your child choose an elective carefully as elective may not be changed after registration. Art & Design This one year course develops basic knowledge and skills in visual art techniques through the introduction of a variety of media and subject matter. Various styles and artists are considered with their historical context. Problem solving, creativity and originality will be developed through planning, art making, and reflection. Students will learn principles and practices of aesthetics and critique. Through discussion and production, connections will be made between visual art and disciplines outside of the arts. Instructional practices will incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation for all cultures and their contribution to our society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. Spanish The purpose of this one year course is to introduce students to Spanish and to begin developing communicative competence in the Spanish language. Students will be able to talk and write about activities of daily life, give and follow simple oral and written instructions and commands, recognize commonly used verbs and phrases, and participate in structured conversations in a variety of topics. Students will be able to write a simple narrative about a personal experience or event. They will be able to recognize the standard rules of usage and grammar. They will demonstrate creativity in the production of language. They will comprehend written and spoken numbers, dates, times, and other basic thematic vocabulary. They will read and comprehend phrases, short sentences, written directions and narratives. They will identify important people, holidays, geography, and history of Spanish speaking countries and compare it to their own culture. No previous experience with Spanish necessary. Previous knowledge and experience with Spanish is always helpful but not required. Choir In this one year course, students will learn the basics of vocal pedagogy in order to sing alone and with others in an ensemble. Choir members will perform for school events, concerts, and festival competitions. There is one concert per semester and attendance at this concert is required. Beginning Band In this one year course, students will choose a wind instrument and learn how to play, read music, and understand music theory. Each semester culminates in a concert displaying the hard work and talents of the students. Journalism & Creative Writing In this one year course, students will study print and online forms of the news. They will free write each day and discover how creative writing can make connections outside of the classroom. 8 P a g e
Fitness In this one semester course students will learn about body composition, nutrition, aerobics, sports recreation, flexibility, and muscle fitness, all with a focus on planning for active living. In addition, students will assess their own fitness levels and develop plans for improving using short-and-long term goals while developing skills that help them build self-esteem, communicate effectively, deal with peer pressure, and handle other social concerns. Science in Our World This one semester course allows students to explore the history and evolution of the world they live in, while incorporating the functions of the human body. Students will analyze the changing appearance of their environment and the impact of natural disasters; such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and the impact of humans. In addition, students will be introduced to concepts of anatomy and physiology by investigating molecules, cells, body systems, and processes. History & Technology This one year course develops student understanding of technology and its historians. Students will explore the evolution of technology while researching the latest implementation of technology in today s world. 9 P a g e
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