CORE CLASSES:

6th Grade Language Arts: Language arts grade 6 builds upon the students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and mechanics of writing. It includes the four aspects of language use: reading, writing, speaking and listening. This course emphasizes the use of language for different effects in different contexts, and for different purposes. Content follows Michigan state standards for grade 6,

7th Grade Language Arts: Language arts grade 7 builds upon the students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and mechanics of writing. It includes the four aspects of language use: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Beyond emphasizing different uses for language, this course also includes using language to construct meaning and connections. Content follows Michigan state standards for grade 7.

8th Grade Language Arts: Language arts grade 8 builds upon the students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and mechanics of writing. It includes the four aspects of language use: reading, writing, speaking and listening. This course utilizes various genres of literature to improve reading skills and link writing exercises for different purposes to the text. Content follows Michigan state standards for grade 8.

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6th Grade Math: Mathematics grade 6 emphasizes skills in numerical operations (including basic operations in and their proper order); measurement, patterns, simple functions, geometry, and concepts of data analysis, including statistics and probability. Specific content follows Michigan state standards for grade 6.

7th Grade Math: Mathematics grade 7 emphasizes proficiency in skills involving numbers and operations; measurement, patterns, functions, algebraic formulas, geometry, and concepts of data analysis, including statistics and probability. Specific content follows Michigan state standards for grade 7.

8th Grade Math: Mathematics grade 8 emphasizes proficiency in skills involving numbers and operations; measurement, patterns, functions, algebraic formulas, geometry, and concepts of data analysis, including statistics and probability. Specific content follows Michigan state standards for grade 8.

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6th Grade Science: Science grade 6 includes subject matter from several strands of science, including earth/space, physical, and life science and is organized into thematic units. Content follows Next Generation Science Standards and Michigan state science standards for grade 6.

7th Grade Science: Science grade 7 builds on previous years of scientific inquiry and includes subject matter from several strands of science, including earth science, physical science, and life or environmental science, and is organized into thematic units. Content follows Next Generation Science Standards and Michigan state science standards for grade 7.

8th Grade Science: Science grade 8 builds on previous years of scientific inquiry and includes basic principles of Earth and Space science. These may include: Study of the solar system, galaxy and universe, plate tectonics, rocks, fossils and minerals, weather and climate, and Earth's changing surface by both natural and human causes.

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6th Grade Social Studies: Social Studies grade 6 provides a greater understanding of social studies disciplines, including history, geography, civics and government, and economics. This course focuses on the history, culture, and government of specific world societies. Students are to develop skills in the social studies disciplines. Content follows Michigan state standards for grade 6.

7th Grade Social Studies: Social Studies grade 7 provides continued development of social studies disciplines, including history, geography, civics and government, and economics. This course focuses on the history, culture, and government of specific world societies. Content follows Michigan state standards for grade 7.

8th Grade Social Studies: Social Studies grade 8 provides a greater understanding of social studies disciplines, including history, geography, civics and government, and economics. This course focuses on single disciplines at one time (U.S. History, world history, civics, Michigan History, etc.) to develop discipline specific skills. Content follows Michigan state standards for grade 8.

 ELECTIVES:

Jr High Art: Students will focus on developing drawing skills by learning to observe the world with an artistic eye, learn and practice elements and principles of art, and explore different ways to express themselves through the visual arts.

6th Grade Exploring Music: Music grade 6 enables students to create and perform music, listen and respond to musical compositions, and incorporate musical experience with other activities and subjects. Course content involves understanding music as a creative expression and communication, developing skills with voice and or musical instruments as well as refining the ability to discern and critique. Content follows Michigan state standards.

7/8 Grade Band: Band for 7th and 8th grade focuses on technique for playing instruments in a variety of music literature styles (Concert, marching, orchestral, and modern).  

Jr/Sr High School Music: If you like everything music, this is the class for you.  In this course we will look at everything involved with playing, making, listening to, and appreciating music.  The hope is that you will leave this class with a deeper understanding and appreciation of music that you enjoy, and even music you don't.  We will introduce you to music reading, music theory,  music history, and certain composers and time periods so that you can understand where music comes from and how we got to where we are today.  Whether you are a fan of classical, jazz, metal, or country, we will look at it all.

In addition to studying different kinds of music, this class will also introduce some performance mediums, such as, choir, percussion ensemble/drumline, and possibly other mediums that students are interested in.  You should come to this class with a plan for what you want to get out of it.  The class will be very student centered, making sure to focus on what is important to you as the student in terms of music education.  

6/7/8 Grade Physical Education: Physical Education grade 6,7, and 8 involves the acquisition of knowledge and skills that provide the foundation for sport, a physically active lifestyle, and social development through physical activity. Including activities to increase strength, endurance, and flexibility; reinforce safe technique; teach the rules and conventions of games and sports; and explore the relationship between physical activity and health. Health topics such as effects of drugs and alcohol, sexual education, and healthy lifestyles may also be covered. Content follows Michigan state standards for grade 6, 7, and 8.

Skills for Success: This course is designed to give students the tools needed to be successful in the classroom and beyond. This course will describe what a Growth Mindset is (as compared to a Fixed Mindset), the correlation and effects a Growth Mindset has on the brain, the power of grit, and strategies for developing a Growth Mindset. This course not only explains the importance of having a growth mindset, but it also gives strategies on how to institute a growth mindset within the classroom. This class also works with teenagers on character development and leadership skills based on the best-selling book by Sean Covey, “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens”. Students will learn to gain control of their life by recognizing and prioritizing goals while increasing self-esteem and confidence.

*Yearbook: Students will create the annual Junior High School Yearbook. The Herff Jones Page Design Software will guide students through page layout and design. Students will also explore photography, caption writing, leadership skill building, team projects, and more.

Journalism: This course will introduce students to the concepts of newsworthiness and press responsibility; develop students' skills in writing and editing stories, headlines, and captions; and teach students the principles of production design, layout, and printing. Photography and photojournalism skills may be included. Students may work on the production of a yearbook, newspaper, or magazine while learning writing style and technique as well as production and organization.

Multimedia: Students will explore their “Digital Citizenship” through a variety of lesson topics including information literacy, internet safety, self-image and identity, digital communication, and more. Students will also utilize an assortment of presentation tools including Office 365 resources, Google Suite, PowerPoint, Prezi, Video, etc. Furthermore, students will learn how to type properly, using a game-propelled typing program: typingclub.com.

*Introduction to Theatre/Fine Arts: This class is specifically designed to teach students about theater arts and how they can support, reinforce, and enrich their lives.  Confident public speaking, creativity, and ensemble work are skills that will help students become aware of themselves and how they are perceived by others. 

Introduction to Fine Arts: Students will explore a variety of performance and visual art forms including animation, theater, dance, slam (free-voice) poetry, creative writing, and public speaking.

Exploring Science/STEM: This course draws upon the principles of several science disciplines: Earth Science, physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics. Common themes include systems, models, energy, patterns, change and constancy, and human impacts.  

*Exploring Technology/STEM: This is an introductory computer science course that empowers students to create authentic artifacts and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun through the website Code.org.

*Exploring Social Studies: The purpose of this class is to familiarize students with the Spanish-speaking countries of Central and South America.  Students will be expected to learn via lecture, discussion, and use of computers. They will also explore major cities in each country as well as geography, brief history, foods, money, and other cultural aspects.  We will also discuss the relationship between these countries and the United States. 

7/8 Spanish Vocab: Students will learn the basic vocabulary to introduce the language skills (speaking, reading, writing and listening) necessary to communicate in Spanish. Concepts such as colors, numbers, families, foods, etc will be included. Students taking this course in 7th grade who pass with a C or better may be recommended to take Spanish I as an 8th grade student.

Career and Economics, I and II: Students will build their knowledge in career development and economics in this class to assist with decision making for their future. Students will work through the six career pathways, educational development plans, researching careers, preparing for the future, mock interviewing, stock market investing, scavenger hunt using a budget, family budgeting, ideas explorer profiles, job applications, making a resume, video of experience, community service, stress symptoms and management, communication, money and credit/debit cards, opening accounts, learning about banking, basic economics, filling out tax forms and learning about taxes and activities that will tie these concepts together.  

Title:  Title 1 is the largest federal aid program for public schools in the United States. Today, Title 1 is part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) but originated from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty”. This landmark educational bill passed during Johnson’s “Great Society”, changed the funding of school districts from a local level to a national responsibility. Title 1 provides federal funds to schools with high percentages of low-income students. These funds pay for extra educational services to help at-risk students achieve and succeed regardless of any disadvantages through no fault of their own.

Title I is a federal entitlement program that gives funds to schools in need based on student enrollment, the free and reduced lunch percentage for each school, and other informative data. The US Department of Education distributes Title 1 funds to State Departments of Education that, in turn, distribute the funds to individual school districts. Each school district divides its funding among qualifying schools based on their numbers of low-income children. In addition, under Title 1, participating school districts must provide supplemental educational services for eligible private school students.

Nationwide, some 50,000 public schools (14.9 million or 64% of students) from preschool to high school receive Title 1 funds. However, most of the students served through Title 1 are in grades 1-6, while another 12% are in preschool and kindergarten. An astounding 58% of all public schools in the US receive Title 1 funding.

Life Skills: This class is for students with an IEP to provide instruction in everyday activities needed to survive and lead a productive life.  Provides hands-on training with cooking activities and lessons covering everything from health and hygiene to budgeting and seeking employment, as well as developing and maintaining personal and professional relationships.

Workshop: A class for students with an IEP where they can catch up on missing assignments and get more focused attention to help them with any classwork they may be struggling with.

Jr High Virtual School: Students enrolled in WCPS virtual school will attend virtual classes designed around the Junior High School state standards and will be given classes to best fit the needs of each individual student. See Virtual school tab on WCPS website for more information.