Geneseo Middle School Curriculum Summary
Summary for each grade
| 6th | 7th | 8th|
6th Grade
Language Arts:
The Literature-based program in 6th grade offer reading instruction through a variety of novels and non-fiction material. Parts of speech, punctutation, capitalization, and overall grammar usage skills are incorporated into the curriculum. Our activities are repetitive rather than sequential in the areas of reading and writing and English.
Math:
*Problem solving
*Graphs and statistics
*Decimals: Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division
*Patterns and Number Sense Primes, Factors, Divisors, Multiples, Exponents,
Percentages, and Scientific Notation
*Fractions: Addition/Subtraction/Multiplication/Division
*Investigations in Geometry
*Ratio, Proportion, and Percent
*Area and Volume
*Investigations with Integers
*Five-Minute Checks
Social Studies:
In the 6th grade study of ancient cultures, the following concepts play a vital role in social studies development:
*Map skills ( reading maps, tables, charts)
*Organization of information through numerous note-taking techniques ( outlining, graphic organizers, two-column notes, webs)
*Reading to draw conclusions, inferences, and overall comprehension
*Vocabulary development
*Test-taking strategies
*Small and large group presentations and projects
Science:
*Insect unit requires hands-on identification of a variety of insects from at least eight orders studied in class.
*Classification, Identification, Anatomy of an insect.
*Ten insects (Eight from the orders studied and two insects from orders not studied) are part of the requirement in the insect unit.
*Reading strategies to help handle content are reinforced throughout the year.
*Note-taking, use of graphic organizers, and webs.
*Study of Earth’s biomes, earthquakes, and volcanoes offer opportunities for project work.
*Vocabulary development
7th Grade
Language Arts:
Seventh grade English teachers will provide students the opportunity to see language as a whole, yet still retain the much needed study of the use of the parts of speech that have been a part of a comprehensive study of good writing. Writing emphasis will be on the expository and the narrative. Some time will be spent periodically in the computer lab composing and editing students written work.
Math:
Students will review and reinforce skills in computation with whole numbers and decimal numbers throughout the year. Students will recognize basic geometric shapes and use appropriate formulas to calculate perimeter, area and volume. Students will use mathematically correct forms for using formulas. Students will write and solve proportions and use percents in computations. Basic algebra concepts and skills are introduced and reinforced throughout the class.
The general objectives of the course are to: (1) review basic math concepts, (2) apply knowledge to new math concepts, and (3) improve study skills through assignment organization and problem solving procedures.
Science:
Students will study living things to develop an understanding of the fundamental life processes, classification of living things, safe use of laboratory equipment, and use of the International System (SI) of Measurement.
Topics covered will include:
• Scientific Method
• Measurement
• Traits of Living Things
• Structure of Viruses and Cells
• Cellular Processes
• Cell Reproduction
• Heredity
• Classification of Living Things
• Introduction to the Animal Kingdom
• Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology
• Animal Behavior
World Geography:
We will also stress the improvement of students' reading and organizational skills throughout the year.
Listed below are the some of the main units that will be studied.
• Physical Geography
• Cultural Geography
• Rainforest
• Asia
• Australia & Oceania
• Latin America
• Europe
• Africa
• North America
• Illinois
• Japan
8th Grade
Language Arts:
Goal 1: Read with understanding and fluency. A. Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections. B. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency. C. Comprehend a broad range of reading materials.
Goal 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras, and ideas. A. Understand how literacy elements and techniques are used to convey meaning. B. Read and interpret a variety of literary works.
Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes. A. Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and structure. B. Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences. C. Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.
Goal 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations. A. Listen effectively in formal and informal situations. B. Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.
Goal 5: Use language arts to acquire, assess, and communicate information. A. Locate, organize, and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve problems, and communicate ideas. B. Analyze and evaluate information acquired from various sources. C. Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats.
Math/Pre Algebra:
This class is designed to help students make the transition from elementary mathematics to algebra. Students will reinforce and build upon the basic operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percents. Operations with integers and polynomials and equation solving techniques are emphasized.
Science:
In the course of this year students will study concepts regarding matter and energy. The nature of matter as well as interactions of matter will be explored by concentrating in such areas as phase and phase changes, classification, atomic structure/periodic table, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, solutions and acids, bases and salts.
U.S. History:
- Exploration/Colonialization of America
- American Revolutionary Period
- Constitution and Our Government
- National Growth/Industrial Revolution
- Civil War Period
- Reconstruction and the Gilded Age
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