CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION GUIDE WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL YEAR

Transcription

1 CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION GUIDE WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL YEAR ART PLANNING INFORMATION AND COURSE OFFERINGS ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE HEALTH INTERVENTION SERVICES MATHEMATICS MUSIC PHYSICAL EDUCATION SCIENCE SOCIAL STUDIES SPECIAL EDUCATION STEM WORLD LANGUAGE Our Mission: Through academic, emotional and social development, Centennial School District 12 prepares students for life. We look forward to hearing from you and to assisting you as we prepare for a new school year. Main Line: Counseling and Registration:

2 Dear Middle School Families, It is hard to believe that we are already preparing for the school year. First and foremost, I would like to welcome all of our incoming 6th grade families and families new to the building. We are also looking forward to welcoming back all of our current Centennial students. Families new to the process sometimes wonder why we register for courses at this early date. The intent is to let families know about the robust course offerings at Centennial Middle School and the choices that students at each grade level have as they explore curriculum. It also helps us inside the organization to do the best job possible of honoring families choices through budgeting and staffing. Since the beginning of the school year a considerable amount of effort has been going on in preparation for the January and February registration timeline. We appreciate the time you have or will be spending at the Parent Information Night for fifth grade, the Parent Portal registration, and the online course registration process. The registration process at the middle school is supported through our counseling office Any questions you have about this practice should be directed to so that a member of our counseling staff can assist you in this journey. We look forward to having a strong spring with those of you who are currently with us and getting off to a great start in the upcoming school year. Thank you again for your continued support!

3 Good Questions Good Answers Why do we register so early? Teachers are hired and schedules are built based on registration and student selections. I struggle with reading or math. What happens if I need reading or math support? Students performing below grade level in reading or math may be assigned additional support courses. What classes do 6th graders have? All 6th graders have math, science, social studies, language arts, physical education, health, art, STEM and FACS. Sixth graders get to choose band, choir, FACS extension, art extension or STEM extension. I did not take band or choir in 6th grade. Can I take one or the other in 7th or 8th grade? Your family would work with the counselors and music department to assist with that transition. This transition may include the need for an assessment, individual lessons or starting in a beginning band or choir. As I go through 6th, 7th and 8th grade, can I switch which of the elective choices that I make? Yes, but you will need to recognize that there may be additional challenges for you in these expanded classes that could require additional work. However, the teachers design these experiences recognizing that the request to switch may occur. Things Students Wonder About Where do I go if I need help with my schedule? We are all here to help you and the counseling office is a great place to start. Is using a lock and locker difficult? No, in fact, you will get your lock as a 5th grader this spring so you can practice using it. You will have a chance to come to school in August to find your locker and to use your lock. The school feels big. Will it always feel this way? No, you will get to know your teachers and new friends. It may take a few days to learn how to get from place to place but we will help you. Will I get a chance to see friends who are assigned to other teams? Yes, all 6th grade students share the same lunch. You may see them at specialist classes like physical education as well. Does the middle school take team requests? No, but the counseling office is invested in constructing teams to support appropriate team balance. What are the school start and end times? School begins at 8:20 am and ends at 3:00 pm.

4 Enrichment and Assistance for Students Gifted Services~Advanced Placement~Special Education~504~ESL~Read 180~Targeted Services Gifted Services Centennial Middle School is focused on achievement for all students. We are committed to understanding and meeting the needs of each student. Our school district recognizes that gifted learners have special educational needs. Gifted learners are capable of levels of high performance relative to others of similar age, experience, and environment, and represent the diverse populations of our communities. These learners have potential that requires differentiated and challenging educational programming beyond that provided in the general school program. Advanced Services Centennial Middle School is focused on providing accelerated opportunities in core content areas. Students at the middle school may be invited to participate in advanced class placement based on assessment tools and multiple data points. We currently offer advanced opportunities in mathematics, language arts, and science. Families will be notified regarding advanced classes prior to the start of the school year. This notification will include course descriptions. Families always have the option to decline advanced classes. Special Education Centennial Middle School provides a free and appropriate public education and thereby meets substantive and procedural obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) when it is appropriate: Classifies the student s educational needs Develops an individual education plan (IEP) that provides the student educational benefit Places the student in appropriate school and classroom facilities Provides suitable mainstreaming opportunities Follows procedures which allow parents to participate in the IEP process Section 504 Accommodations Students that are determined to have a substantial limitation in a majority of life activity through the Student Assistance Team may have a 504 Accommodation Plan. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, modified assignments, untimed tests or adaptive equipment.

5 English as a Second Language Services (ESL) Centennial Middle School provides specific educational programming for students who demonstrate limited English proficiency. Students are assessed on an annual basis to determine eligibility for services. Read 180/Math 180 Centennial Middle School identifies students to participate in a comprehensive curriculum system designed to increase achievement for students. Targeted Services Centennial Middle School provides enrichment programming for students who qualify for additional support in math, reading and social interaction. Experiences are also designed to assist students in developing important skills in cooperation, communication, leadership, and conflict resolution. Activities Department Centennial Middle School offers a comprehensive activity enrichment program consisting of Interscholastic and Intramural sports, special interest clubs and off campus activities. We believe that this dynamic program of sports and activity opportunities is a vital piece in the total educational development of the student. Most activities will meet immediately after school and have transportation following the activity. While most activities meet after school, the middle school does offer a limited Cougar Club AM program. This program meets before school and is offered beginning at 6:00 am. Fees are required to participate in the activity program. More information about the Middle School Activities program can be found on the Centennial Middle School Activities website. Note: Centennial Middle School families who have an interest in the above mentioned services should contact the counseling department at

6 Registration Form/Worksheet Please complete this document, including student name and parent signature. Once you have registered on-line (see instructions attached), return this paper copy to your elementary school or the Middle School Counseling Office. Rank your elective course choices, starting with 1 as your first choice. Skipping the ranking process will result in the school placing your child, and switching courses may not be an option. Next year s 8 th grade students will also need to indicate their choice between the year-long world language for high school credit or the offerings on the semester rotation. Registration Deadline: The online registration deadline is January 23, Families who do not have access to technology should submit this form to the middle school counseling office by January 23, 2015 indicating on-line registration was not completed. Student Name: Parent/Guardian Signature: Registration Completed in Student Portal (do not use the parent login information to register) Yes No Grade 6 Required Year-Long Courses English Language Arts Mathematics Physical Science Social Studies Required Quarter Courses Art FACS Health STEM Required Year-Long Course (A/B rotation) Physical Education Elective Courses (rank 1-5 choices) to be opposite Physical Education Art Extension M651S Band (addtl form)m670s Choir M675S FACS Extension M654S STEM ExtensionM657S Grade 7 Required Year-Long Courses English Language Arts Pre-Algebra Life Science United States Studies Required Quarter Courses Art FACS Health STEM Required Year-Long Course (A/B rotation) Physical Education Elective Courses (rank 1-5 choices) to be opposite Physical Education Art Extension M751S Band M770S Choir M775S FACS Extension M754S STEM Extension M757S Grade 8 Required Year-Long Courses English Language Arts Algebra Earth and Space Science Global Studies Elective Semester Rotation Art M852S STEM M855S OR Elective Year-Long World Language Course (rank 1-3 choices) French (HS credit) 8181 German (HS credit) 8191 Spanish (HS credit) 8161 Required Year-Long Course (A/B rotation) Physical Education Elective Courses (rank 1-5 choices) to be opposite Physical Education Art Extension M851S Band M870S Choir M875S FACS Extension M854S STEM Extension M857S Note: The elective courses are stand-alone courses designed for exposure and are not pre-requisites for other class offerings. Elective course offerings are based on registration numbers.

7 Grade 6 Required Year-Long Courses Language Arts - 6th Grade (year long every day) The sixth grade Language Arts curriculum focuses on reading, writing, speaking and listening. Reading from textbooks, newspapers, educational magazines and content area materials make up the informational text component. The literature consists of poetry, short-stories and novels from a variety of genres. Vocabulary and fluency will be developed throughout the year in each of the explored topics. The seven writing traits, the writing process, and grammar will be taught in the following forms: paragraph construction, letters, poetry, informative reports, memoirs and essays. Language Arts students will learn skills associated with active listening and practice public speaking while expressing prose and/or poetry. Math - 6th Grade (year long every day) Number and Operation Represent, compare and compute with positive fractions, decimals and percents. Algebra Recognize and represent relationships between varying quantities. Understand equations involving variables and positive rational numbers. Geometry and Measurement Calculate perimeter, area, surface area and volume of 2-D and 3-D figures. Understand and use relationships between angles in geometric figures. Convert within measurement systems to solve problems. Data Analysis & Probability Use probabilities to solve problems using fractions, decimals and percents. Physical Science - 6th Grade (year long every day) Content in the sixth grade science course focuses on outcomes in Physical Science and The Nature of Science and Engineering. Students participate in exploratory activities which emphasize critical thinking skills and the application of the scientific method of investigation. Students work in cooperative small groups to complete inquiry lab activities. They are asked to make connections between the content of this course and their daily life activities. Students learn the proper use of lab materials and equipment, and safe lab procedures. The outcomes of this course align with the 2009 Minnesota State Standards for science and include major topics in chemistry and physics such as density, heat, light, sound and energy. Social Studies - 6th Grade (year long every day) The sixth grade social studies course focuses on Minnesota history, economics, civics and government, and geography. The curriculum features history as the lead discipline, placing our state and its people within the context of the national story. Students will engage in historical inquiry and study events, issues and individuals significant to Minnesota

8 history. They examine the relationship between levels of government and analyze how the state s physical features and location of resources affected settlement patterns and the growth of cities. Students analyze the influence of a market-based economy at the local and national levels. They learn about the unique role Minnesota played, and continues to play, in regional, national and global politics. The outcomes of this course align with the 2011 Minnesota State Standards in Social Studies. Grade 6 Required Quarter Courses Family and Consumer Science 6 (quarter long every day) The mission of FACS is to build and reinforce academic skills through a rigorous and interactive curriculum where students apply real world situations to become better prepared for life. The following units of study are implemented at the appropriate age and developmental level: Exploring FACS Unit: Bullying, managing social media, intro to food pyramid, my plate, vegetarian diets, My Money. Personal Finance/Communication Unit: Effective communication, wise shopping decisions using PACED decision-making process, unit price, consumer rights and responsibilities, evaluating payment options, advertising strategies, saving, budgeting and investing. Foods & Nutrition Units: Food Pyramid/MyPlate, kitchen safety, portion size distortion, creative cutting techniques, kitchen math, food labels, fruit and vegetable research, diet related illness, diet analysis, main nutrients, meal planning, healthy food labs. Child Development Unit: Infant, toddler & preschooler development (PIES), guiding children s behavior (discipline), Flour Baby Project and Playschool Day. Health 6 (quarter long every day) Each student in sixth grade will learn to make informed decisions about their personal health & safety. Topics of study include the Decision-Making process, Personal Hygiene, Human Growth and Development, Muscular and Skeletal Systems of the body, First Aid and Safety, Tobacco and Inhalant use prevention. Visual Arts 6 (quarter long every day) Centennial Middle School art students will create original projects by using a variety of materials to demonstrate their knowledge. Students will use paint, marker, colored pencil, pastels, collage, metal, kiln fired clay and fabrics to make art. Students will be exposed to a variety of artistic styles, design and media techniques. Students will learn and participate in the process of critique and revision. Projects are linked to art history, art theory and design elements. Lessons are built around the MN state standards for the arts. Art curriculum design will tie into and support core curriculum.

9 STEM/Industrial Technology 6 (quarter long every day) In the sixth grade Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) course students use a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning. By engaging in projects and problem solving activities the learner will gain invaluable building, and computer literacy skills that will benefit them throughout their K-12 education. The applications the students will become proficient in are: Microsoft Office Suite and CorelDraw X6. The sixth grade course is divided into 2 units: Rocketry and Graphic Design. The Rocket Unit explores the history of space travel. Students build and launch a solid fuel rocket. Using math and science concepts, such as Newton s Laws of Motion, students then analyze the launch. Why did it fly? How did it fly? Was it stable? To complete the unit the students are exposed to NASA Spinoffs; products discovered by NASA that are used in our everyday lives. We will discuss how these spinoffs and the privatization of space travel might impact our future. In the Graphic Design Unit students will learn the importance of the design process: thumbnail draft, rough draft, final drawing, and production. Using this process and CorelDraw graphic design software, the students will design their own laser engraved dog tag, vinyl cut sticker, and t-shirt/hoodie. All projects will be evaluated on design principle such as: color, rhythm, and balance and mastery of the CorelDraw software tools. Throughout the quarter students will be using screen captures, photographs, voice recordings, and drawings in Microsoft PowerPoint to showcase their work. This portfolio will carry on through the 7 th and 8 th grade STEM courses, showing the progression of the students computer literacy skills. Grade 6 Required Courses (A/B Schedule) Physical Education 6 (year long - every other day) Physical Education is a required course in grade 6. Students have this class every other day, all year long. Physical Education serves the entire student population at Centennial Middle School throughout the entire school year on an every other day schedule. CMS Physical Education delivers a wide range of movement experiences that develop physical fitness, wellness, and motor skills through physical activities. Our mission is to foster living a healthy life-style. Athletic programs are essentially designed for youngsters who are eager to specialize in one or more sports and refine their talents in order to compete with others of similar interests and abilities. Developmentally appropriate physical education programs, in contrast are designed for every child. The intent is to provide children of all abilities and interests with a foundation of movement experiences that will eventually lead to active and healthy life-styles. Students will be exposed to fitness activities, assessments, concepts, team and individual sports and racquet skills. Units that the students may have an opportunity for participation include: flag football, soccer, pickle ball, tennis, softball, volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, the weight room, ultimate Frisbee, lacrosse, team handball, speedball, cross country skiing and fitness.

10 Grade 6 Elective Courses (A/B Schedule Opposite Phy. Ed.) Band 6 (year long - every other day) Band is an elective class in 6th, 7th and 8th grade that is offered every other day. The bands perform in concerts at various times throughout the school year. This is a performance based class with emphasis on development of individual playing skills as well as group participation. A wide variety of musical styles will be covered. Choir 6 (year long - every other day) Choir is an elective class in 6 th, 7th and 8th grade that is offered every other day. The choirs perform in concerts at various times throughout the school year. This is a performance-based class with an emphasis on quality choral singing (tone, intonation, rhythm, and expression), quality listening (styles of choral & other literature), music reading, and choreography. Special attention is given to the voice change experienced in middle school years. A wide variety of musical styles will be covered. Visual Arts Extension 6 (year long - every other day) The Centennial Middle School art extension classes are designed to engage students through hands on projects that explore the use of interesting and unusual materials. Students will work independently and in groups to create original works of art using imagination and out of the box thinking. Students will participate in group installations and murals that will become lasting displays throughout the school. Student projects will be built around Minnesota state standards for the arts, art history, art theory, and aesthetic elements. FACS Extension 6 (year long - every other day) Family and Consumer Science Extension courses build and reinforce academic skills through an interactive curriculum where students apply concepts to real world situations to develop critical life skills. The FACS classroom is an active learning environment that teaches Food Preparation Skills, Nutrition Education, Personal Development, Personal Finances & Budgeting, Fashion & Clothing, Home Architecture & Interior Design, and Child Development & Parenting along with Service Learning projects. Units of study: Food & Nutrition: Learn to cook Healthy Snacks, Vegetable Research Project & Vegetarianism. The Veggie Challenge plan & prepare a vegetarian meal to be evaluated by guest teachers & administrators Personal Finance: Basic Budgeting for Teens, Banking, Checking & Savings Accounts, Comparison Shopping, Plan a Vacation Personal Development: Effective Communication Skills, Making Friends, Social Media & Cyber bullying Fashion & Clothing: Basic Sewing Skills & Sew a simple project Interior Design: Redecorate your bedroom Child Development: Babysitting Skills, infant development and Parent panel

11 Service Learning: Hunger in America and your community, Collecting items for local Food Shelf STEM Extension 6 (year long - every other day) The sixth grade STEM Extension course is an activity-oriented class designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity of Middle School students. This is a hands-on course that covers Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Art standards. The Sixth grade course is divided into three main units: Multi-media projects, Renewable energy, and Innovation/Engineering modeling. The Multi-media projects unit will introduce the students to basic photo editing, movie editing, and computer drawing skills. These skills will be used to produce projects such as a: photo calendar, photo mug, large format printed poster, dye-sublimation sign, laser engraved sign, sticker, lip-sync music video, public service announcement, and much more. All projects will be inspired by the students imagination, creativity, and interests. The Renewable energy unit will have students competing in a wind energy competition. Using problem solving and inquiry based learning, students design, build, and test a custom built wind turbine blade. The objective is to generate the most electricity. The team that designs the most efficient wind turbine wins! Students will learn about aerodynamics, voltage, wind turbine components, societal impacts, and how to work cooperatively in a group. During the Innovation/Engineering unit students will choose a machine/mechanism and build a working model of it. The students will have the opportunity to work independently or in small groups. Some examples of projects that have been produced in the past are: balsa wood glider, catapult, robot (Legos or VEX), hovercraft, maglev train, rocket, marshmallow shooter, remote controlled car, remote controlled airplane, electronic circuit, hover craft, hot-air balloon, skateboard, and a Rube Goldberg machine. What will this year s students come up with? Grade 7 Required Year-Long Courses Language Arts - 7th Grade (year long every day) 7th grade Language Arts/Reading will focus on genres/sub-genres in literature, vocabulary expansion, nonfiction reading strategies, public speaking, and reading for enjoyment. 7th grade students will improve their writing skills through journals, essays, research based reports, and technical writing. Topics: Informational text -- biography, autobiography, memoir, technical reading; Reading & Vocabulary -- analogies, similes, metaphors, fact & opinion, author s purpose/point of view, fictional elements; Literature -- historical fiction, realistic fiction, documentary novel; Writing -- informative report (five paragraph essay), basic essay structure, journals; Grammar & Usage -- nominative, reflexive, objective & possessive pronouns, pronoun/antecedent agreement, sentence types; Speaking & Listening -- oral presentations w/self-evaluations; Research -- plagiarism (word process); Media Literacy --research techniques, accuracy and credibility of information on the Internet.

12 Pre-Algebra -7th Grade (year long every day) Number and Operation Represent, compare and compute with positive and negative rational numbers. Algebra Represent and solve problems involving proportional relationships. Represent and solve problems using equations. Geometry and Measurement Use proportions to solve problems involving circles and related geometric figures. Analyze the effect of change of scale, translations and reflections on the attributes of two-dimensional figures. Data Analysis & Probability Display and use data to draw conclusions and make predictions. Calculate probabilities and reason about probabilities using proportion. Life Science - 7th Grade (year long every day) The focus of the seventh grade science course is Life Science, and also includes outcomes in the Nature of Science and Engineering. Students complete an overview of living things beginning with microscopic life and culminating with human anatomy and physiology. This introduction to the principles and concepts of biology prepares students for their high school biology coursework. Students apply the scientific method of problem solving during inquiry lab activities. The outcomes of this course align with the 2009 Minnesota State Standards for science and include the study of cell structure and function, the diversity of organism, ecological concepts, heredity and human anatomy. United States Studies (1800 to present) - 7th Grade (year long every day) Seventh grade Social Studies features History as the lead discipline with a strong secondary emphasis on citizenship and government. Students learn about people, issues and events of significance to this nation s history from 1800 to the current era of globalization. They examine the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court decisions for their lasting impact on the American people, economy and governance structure. They create and use detailed maps of places in the United States and conduct historical inquiry on a topic in the nation s history. Students study civics and economic principles to explain the impact of policies on how people lived, worked and functioned in society. The outcomes of this course align with the 2011 Minnesota State Standards in Social Studies. Grade 7 Required Quarter Courses Family and Consumer Science 7 (quarter long every day) The mission of FACS is to build and reinforce academic skills through a rigorous and interactive curriculum where students apply real world situations to become better prepared for life.

13 The following units of study are implemented at the appropriate age and developmental level: Exploring FACS Unit: Bullying, managing social media, intro to food pyramid, my plate, vegetarian diets, My Money. Personal Finance/Communication Unit: Effective communication, wise shopping decisions using PACED decision-making process, unit price, consumer rights and responsibilities, evaluating payment options, advertising strategies, saving, budgeting and investing. Foods & Nutrition Units: Food Pyramid/MyPlate, kitchen safety, portion size distortion, creative cutting techniques, kitchen math, food labels, fruit and vegetable research, diet related illness, diet analysis, main nutrients, meal planning, healthy food labs. Child Development Unit: Infant, toddler & preschooler development (PIES), guiding children s behavior (discipline), Flour Baby Project and Playschool Day. Health 7 (quarter long every day) Each student in seventh grade will learn to make informed decisions about their personal health & wellness. Topics of study include Communicable and Non- communicable diseases, Alcohol and Other Drugs, Over the Counter and Prescription Medicine use, Human Sexuality (values and choices). STEM/Industrial Technology 7 (quarter long every day) In the Seventh grade Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) course offered at Centennial Middle School, students use a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning. Learning takes place by engaging in projects and problem solving activities. The learner will gain invaluable building and computer literacy skills that will benefit them throughout their K-12 education. By completing projects using programs such as, CorelDraw and 3D Home Architecture the student will expand their technology literacy. Using industry standard computer graphics software students will expand on their 6 th grade STEM experience in Graphic Design. The students will have the opportunity to design and produce a two layered clock. Using the laser engraver, vinyl cutting machines, and dyesublimation printing the students will design clock. Using wood working machines such as the band saw, drill press, and sanders the students will fabricate the clock. Using Architecture software students will design a virtual model of a home. Student will use the problem solving and research skills to meet a particular demographic. Students will learn about visual design/elements, elevations, materials (renewable/non-renewable), energy (renewable/non-renewable) and structural design. Throughout the quarter students will be using screen captures, photographs, voice recordings, and drawings in Microsoft PowerPoint to showcase their work. This portfolio will carry on with the students through their 8 tth grade STEM courses. Visual Arts 7 (quarter long every day) Centennial Middle School art students will create original projects by using a variety of materials to demonstrate their knowledge. Students will use paint, marker, colored pencil, pastels, collage, metal, kiln fired clay and fabrics to make art. Students will be exposed to a variety of artistic styles, design and media techniques. Students will learn and participate in the process of critique and revision.

14 Projects are linked to art history, art theory and design elements. Lessons are built around the MN state standards for the arts. Art curriculum design will tie into and support core curriculum. Grade 7 Required Courses (A/B Schedule) Physical Education 7 (year long - every other day) Physical Education is a required course in grade 7. Students have this class every other day, all year long. Physical Education serves the entire student population at Centennial Middle School throughout the entire school year on an every other day schedule. CMS Physical Education delivers a wide range of movement experiences that develop physical fitness, wellness, and motor skills through physical activities. Our mission is to foster living a healthy life-style. Athletic programs are essentially designed for youngsters who are eager to specialize in one or more sports and refine their talents in order to compete with others of similar interests and abilities. Developmentally appropriate physical education programs, in contrast are designed for every child. The intent is to provide children of all abilities and interests with a foundation of movement experiences that will eventually lead to active and healthy life-styles. Students will be exposed to fitness activities, assessments, concepts, team and individual sports and racquet skills. Units that the students may have an opportunity for participation include: flag football, soccer, pickle ball, tennis, softball, volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, the weight room, ultimate Frisbee, lacrosse, team handball, speedball, cross country skiing and fitness. Grade 7 Elective Courses (A/B Schedule Opposite Phy. Ed.) Band 7 (year long - every other day) Band is an elective class in 6th, 7th and 8th grade that is offered every other day. The bands perform in concerts at various times throughout the school year. This is a performance based class with emphasis on development of individual playing skills as well as group participation. A wide variety of musical styles will be covered. Choir 7 (year long - every other day) Choir is an elective class in 6 th, 7th and 8th grade that is offered every other day. The choirs perform in concerts at various times throughout the school year. This is a performance-based class with an emphasis on quality choral singing (tone, intonation, rhythm, and expression), quality listening (styles of choral & other literature), music reading, and choreography. Special attention is given to the voice change experienced in middle school years. A wide variety of musical styles will be covered. Visual Arts Extension 7 (year long - every other day) The Centennial Middle School art extension classes are designed to engage students through hands on projects that explore the use of interesting and unusual materials. Students will work

15 independently and in groups to create original works of art using imagination and out of the box thinking. Students will participate in group installations and murals that will become lasting displays throughout the school. Student projects will be built around Minnesota state standards for the arts, art history, art theory, and aesthetic elements. FACS Extension 7 (year long - every other day) Family and Consumer Science Extension courses build and reinforce academic skills through an interactive curriculum where students apply concepts to real world situations to develop critical life skills. The FACS classroom is an active learning environment that teaches Food Preparation Skills, Nutrition Education, Personal Development, Personal Finances & Budgeting, Fashion & Clothing, Home Architecture & Interior Design, and Child Development & Parenting along with Service Learning projects. Units of Study: Food and Nutrition: Learn to cook simple meals, Sports Nutrition, Sugar in beverages, understanding carbohydrates, Maintaining a healthy weight, The Pizza Challenge Personal Finance: Understanding paychecks, Family budgets, Assimilation: The REAL Game of Life Personal Development: Personality Styles, Multiple Intelligence, Research potential career matches Fashion and Clothing: Designing clothing, Graphic Design, Project Runway, Laundry skills Architecture: Building styles and furniture, Floor plans, Create DREAM house design board Child Development: Toddler Development (ages 2 & 3), Positive Discipline, Playschool Day for 2 & 3 year olds Service Learning: Identifying needs in the community, project based to make a difference STEM Extension 7 (year long - every other day) The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway to Technology (GTT) Design and Modeling course is an activity-oriented class designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity of Middle School students. The academic curriculum is rigorous and fun. Careers in Science and Engineering require curious, imaginative people who like to move around, solve problems, and create things. In the GTT Design and Modeling course, students are introduced to and use the design process to solve problems. Students use industry standard software such as CorelDraw, White Box Learning Dragster 2.0, and Autodesk Inventor to create their own unique designs. After analyzing these designs the students will enter our Makerspace area to fabricate their designs. This class will prepare students for future high school PLTW engineering classes. The Makerspace area is a student-centered fabrication space that has equipment such as: 3D printer, laser engraver, vinyl sign cutters, Arduino micro controllers, 42 large format printer, dye sublimation printer, Chroma blast printer, wind tunnel, vacuum former, stress testing equipment, computer numeric controlled routers (CNC), lathe, and wood working machines. It is a space where students may use their imagination to tinker and create projects of their choosing. Using industry standard computer graphics software students will expand on their 6 th grade STEM experience in Graphic Design. The students will have the opportunity to

16 design and produce vinyl stickers, fathead stickers, laser engravings, dye-sublimation signs, license plates, mugs, mouse pads, posters, t-shirts, hoodies, puzzles, and more. Using Whitebox Learning online Virtual Design Software, Dragster 2.0, students design, aerodynamically test, and virtually race a CO2 dragster. After they are satisfied with their design they enter the Makerspace area. Using Balsa wood, a computer numeric controlled router (CNC), band saw, drill press, and sander the students will fabricate their dragster. Classroom competitions will be used to determine a classroom speed champion and craftsmanship champion. Using Autodesk Inventor students will be introduced to the international language of Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD). After drafting the cube project and the pegboard toy students are ready to draft their own projects. Any CADD drawings that are approved by the instructor may be printed on the 3-D printer. Each student enrolled in the course is allowed to download a FREE copy of Autodesk Inventor to install on a home computer. Grade 8 Required Year-Long Courses Language Arts - 8th Grade (year long every day) Students in 8th grade Language Arts will receive instruction in the following areas: Informational text (media, advertising, newspapers, editorials), Vocabulary (roots), Literature (drama, short stories, novel selections, fantasy, poetry), Writing (essay, research paper with citation of sources [MLA format], editorial, constructed response), Grammar (sentence structure, mechanics, parts of speech), Speaking and Listening (drama expression, note-taking on oral presentation, evaluate credibility, literature circles), and Poetry. Topics: Short Story (introduction to famous authors; interpretation and understanding of literature); Writing Analytical Essays (understanding multiple paragraph essay format; using facts, opinions, and research to support a thesis; incorporating correct mechanical elements; developing self-assessment skills); Media Literacy (propaganda, bias, credibility, and editorials, newspaper); Drama (read and analyze dramatic literature); Poetry (elements of figurative language, analyzing and writing poetry); Fantasy (genre study -- read and analyze novel); Independent Reading. Algebra - 8th Grade (year long every day) Number and Operation Represent, classify, compare and compute using real numbers. Algebra Understand the concept of function and distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions. Represent and solve problems involving linear functions using tables, verbal descriptions, symbols and graphs. Solve equations and inequalities involving linear expressions. Geometry and Measurement Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems involving right triangles. Solve problems involving parallel and perpendicular lines. Data Analysis & Probability Interpret data using scatter plots and approximate lines of best fit

17 Use lines of best fit to draw conclusions and make predictions. Earth and Space Science - 8th Grade (year long every day) The eighth grade science course focuses on the Earth and Space Science strands with additional topics included in Physical Science and The Nature of Science and Engineering. Students study the earth s structure, including the geosphere (plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes and earth layers), the hydrosphere (water cycle, erosion, and bodies of water), and the atmosphere (weather and climate). They also investigate the solar system through the study of moon phases and tides, the seasons, eclipses, gravitational force and planetary motion. Through systematic observation, data analysis, field studies, and models, students develop scientific sills which enable them to recognize concepts and evaluate how earth and space systems interact and their impacts their daily lives. The outcomes of this course align with the 2009 Minnesota State Standards in science and include the following major topics: scientific procedures and the scientific method, matter and energy, rocks and mineral, weathering and erosion, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, earth history, astronomy and weather. Global Studies - 8th Grade (year long every day) Geography is the lead discipline in grade eight social studies. The four themes for this course are: Cultural Characteristics, Technology and Ideas; Economic Development and Trade; Population and Migration; Human Interaction with the Environment; and Social Studies Skills. Students will explore the regions of the world through civic discussion, historical inquiry and small group and individual research. They will analyze important trends in the modern world such as demographic change, shifting trade patterns and intensified cultural interactions due to globalization. Students analyze the relationships between political philosophies and the factors that affect economic growth and understand why there are different standards of living in countries around the world. The regions addressed include: North America, Europe and Russia, Southwest Asia and North Africa, East Asia and Southeast Asia, South Asia and Central Asia, Africa South of the Sahara, Australia/Oceania. The outcomes of this course align with the 2011 Minnesota State Standards in Social Studies. Grade 8 Elective Year Long Courses World Languages 8 French, German, Spanish (year long every day) High School Credit:.5 each semester Prerequisite: An average Language Arts grade of C- or above in 7 th grade is recommended. Students who earn lower than a C- (70%) in the first and second semester will have to retake both 1A and 1B before moving forward to 2A at the high school. Students who do not earn at least a C- (70%) in the second semester will have to retake 1B at the high school before continuing to 2A.

18 FRENCH 1A AND FRENCH 1B High School Credit Course (year long every day) Notice: This is the same as the high school course. Parents should evaluate whether or not their child is ready for high school coursework before registration. Prerequisite: An average Language Arts grade of C- or above in 7 th grade is recommended. Students who earn lower than a C- (70%) in the first and second semester will have to retake both 1A and 1B before moving forward to 2A at the high school. Students who do not earn at least a C- (70%) in the second semester will have to retake 1B at the high school before continuing to 2A. Students in this course will: Begin to learn basic vocabulary and sentence structure needed to communicate in everyday situations. Listen, speak, write and read in French. Build knowledge and understanding of the French language and culture (including Frenchspeaking Canada and the French legacy in Minnesota). Become familiar with school, family life, dining, shopping and leisure time in France. If time permits, discover the early history of France. GERMAN 1A AND GERMAN 1B High School Credit Course (year long every day) Notice: This is the same as the high school course. Parents should evaluate whether or not their child is ready for high school coursework before registration. Prerequisite: An average Language Arts grade of C- or above in 7 th grade is recommended. Students who earn lower than a C- (70%) in the first and second semester will have to retake both 1A and 1B before moving forward to 2A at the high school. Students who do not earn at least a C- (70%) in the second semester will have to retake 1B at the high school before continuing to 2A. Students in this course will: Begin to learn basic vocabulary and sentence structure needed to communicate in daily life situations. Develop basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in German. Become acquainted with German speaking countries, regions and their cultures. Continue to build knowledge and understanding of vocabulary and sentence structure. Become familiar with daily customs and places in Germany. Build communication skills in German. SPANISH 1A AND SPANISH 1B High School Credit Course (year long every day) Notice: This is the same as the high school course. Parents should evaluate whether or not their child is ready for high school coursework before registration. Prerequisite: An average Language Arts grade of C- or above in 7 th grade is recommended. Students who earn lower than a C- (70%) in the first and second semester will have to retake both 1A and 1B before moving forward to 2A at the high school. Students who do not earn at least a C- (70%) in the second semester will have to retake 1B at the high school before continuing to 2A. Students in this course will: Begin to learn the basic phrases needed to communicate in daily life. Develop basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Describe what self and others are doing in the present.

19 Describe themselves, their friends and family. Discuss school, food and meals, clothing, weather and seasons, household chores and rooms in the house. Become acquainted with Hispanic celebrations and Hispanic culture including Hispanic heritage in the U.S., Latin America and Spain. -OR- A year-long two semester rotation of made up of: Visual Arts 8 (one semester long every day) Centennial Middle School art students will create original projects by using a variety of materials to demonstrate their knowledge. Students will use paint, marker, colored pencil, pastels, collage, metal, kiln fired clay and fabrics to make art. Students will be exposed to a variety of artistic styles, design and media techniques. Students will learn and participate in the process of critique and revision. Projects are linked to art history, art theory and design elements. Lessons are built around the MN state standards for the arts. Art curriculum design will tie into and support core curriculum. STEM/Industrial Technology 8 (one semester long every day) In this hands-on project based course students will have the opportunity to work as individuals or in a groups setting to engineer and fabricate various projects. The students will have access to our Makerspace area. A Makerspace area is a student-centered fabrication space that has equipment such as: 3D printer, laser engraver, vinyl sign cutters, Arduino micro controllers, 42 large format printer, dye sublimation printer, Chroma blast printer, wind tunnel, vacuum former, stress testing equipment, computer numeric controlled routers (CNC), lathe, and wood working machines. It is a space where students may use their imagination to tinker and create projects of their choosing. Using the Team America Rocket Challenge (TARC) competition guidelines students will be introduced to the Makerspace area to design, build and launch a rocket built from scratch. The students will learn about lift, drag, Newton s Laws of Motion, NASA, and use CAD software to design and print 3D parts for their rocket. Using the Makerspace area students will research, design, and fabricate a project of their choice. The students may enter international challenge competitions or expand on their 6 th and 7 th grade STEM experiences. The photography/video unit will introduce students to digital photography and video production. Students will learn about composition and how to take quality pictures. Their work will be brought into Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Premiere where students will learn about editing and apply their knowledge to enhance their work through various projects.

20 Grade 8 Required Courses (A/B Schedule) Physical Education 8 (year long - every other day) Physical Education is a required course in grades 6, 7 and 8. Students have this class every other day, all year long. Physical Education serves the entire student population at Centennial Middle School throughout the entire school year on an every other day schedule. CMS Physical Education delivers a wide range of movement experiences that develop physical fitness, wellness, and motor skills through physical activities. Our mission is to foster living a healthy life-style. Athletic programs are essentially designed for youngsters who are eager to specialize in one or more sports and refine their talents in order to compete with others of similar interests and abilities. Developmentally appropriate physical education programs, in contrast are designed for every child. The intent is to provide children of all abilities and interests with a foundation of movement experiences that will eventually lead to active and healthy lifestyles. Students will be exposed to fitness activities, assessments, and concepts, team and individual sports and racquet skills. Units that the students may have an opportunity for participation include: flag football, soccer, pickle ball, tennis, softball, volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, the weight room, ultimate Frisbee, lacrosse, team handball, speedball, cross country skiing and fitness. Grade 8 Elective Courses (A/B Schedule Opposite Phy. Ed.) Band 8 (year long - every other day) Band is an elective class in 6th, 7th and 8th grade that is offered every other day. The bands perform in concerts at various times throughout the school year. This is a performance based class with emphasis on development of individual playing skills as well as group participation. A wide variety of musical styles will be covered. Choir 8 (year long - every other day) Choir is an elective class in 6 th, 7th and 8th grade that is offered every other day. The choirs perform in concerts at various times throughout the school year. This is a performance-based class with an emphasis on quality choral singing (tone, intonation, rhythm, and expression), quality listening (styles of choral & other literature), music reading, and choreography. Special attention is given to the voice change experienced in middle school years. A wide variety of musical styles will be covered. Visual Arts Extension 8 (year long - every other day) The Centennial Middle School art extension classes are designed to engage students through hands on projects that explore the use of interesting and unusual materials. Students will work independently and in groups to create original works of art using imagination and out of the box thinking. Students will participate in group installations and murals that will become lasting displays throughout the school. Student projects will be built around Minnesota state standards for the arts, art history, art theory, and aesthetic elements.

21 STEM Extension 8 (year long - every other day) The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway to Technology (GTT) Automation and Robotics course is an activity-oriented class designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity of Middle School students. The academic curriculum is rigorous and fun. Careers in Science and Engineering require curious, imaginative people who like to move around, solve problems, and create things. In the GTT Automation and Robotics course, students are introduced to and use the design process to solve problems. Students use industry standard software Such as Robotics C++ Coding software and Computer Game It Junior Software to build robots and write computer games. This class will prepare students for future high school PLTW engineering classes. The Project Lead the Way Automation and Robotics students will be using VEX Robotics kits to build robots, learn mechanisms/simple machines, and program the robots to run autonomously using ROBOTC C++ code software. Students will also learn about sensors and gearing, while working together to build and program an automated assembly line as their final project. GAME: IT Junior is an introductory level game design course that will engage students with project-based learning and get them excited about technology. Our unique, easy-to-follow material will take your students from simple drag-n-drop programming to actually writing some code. They will also learn to create animated and multi-directional sprites and add backgrounds & sounds to their games. At the end of each game lesson, there is an assignment that requires the students to build on their programming skills. This ensures they are learning and not just simply following directions. In addition to the technical skills, this course covers the basic math & physics concepts used in game development and how the engineering design cycle is used to design games and as a problem solving method. It also explores the career opportunities and educational paths (both in high school and beyond) required landing a job in this industry. FACS Extension 8 (year long - every other day) Family and Consumer Science Extension courses build and reinforce academic skills through an interactive curriculum where students apply concepts to real world situations to develop critical life skills. The FACS classroom is an active learning environment that teaches Food Preparation Skills, Nutrition Education, Personal Development, Personal Finances & Budgeting, Fashion & Clothing, Home Architecture & Interior Design, and Child Development & Parenting along with Service Learning projects. Units of study: Food & Nutrition: Learn to cook multiple course meals, Menu planning & Grocery shopping, Understanding Key Nutrients: Proteins, Fats, Carbs, Vitamins, Minerals, Water, Bizarre Foods & Cupcake Wars Challenges Personal Finance: Money & Values, Emotions & Impulse buying, Needs vs. Wants, Managing Credit, Credit Score, Paying for Post High School Education Personal Development: Leadership Skills, Career Building Resumes, Interviewing, & Job Skills

22 Fashion & Clothing: Wardrobe planning on a budget, Sewing hemming and alterations, Personal color pallet, Dress for your body type Real Estate: Buying & Selling a home, Home staging, Building equity in your home, New construction, Before and After floor plans for remodel project, Staged to Perfection competition Child Development: Computerized babies (Baby Think It Over simulation), Taking care of your own Flour baby, Reading Buddies with kindergarten class, Play school day for 3-5 year olds Service Learning: New Neighbors Learning about new Refugee groups in MN & their needs Advanced Course Offerings_ Advanced Language Arts 6th Grade (year long every day) The 6th grade Language Arts curriculum develops each student's reading, writing, speaking, viewing, and listening competencies. In Advanced Language Arts, students will use literature and informational text to interpret, analyze, and synthesize textual evidence; evaluate interrelationships among literary elements; evaluate author's purposes within and across texts, and evaluate author's credibility. Vocabulary and writing are embedded throughout the year. Advanced Language Arts 7th Grade (year long every day) The 7th grade Language Arts curriculum develops each student's reading, writing, speaking, viewing, and listening competencies. In Advanced Language Arts, students will use literature and informational text to interpret textual evidence; evaluate author's use of literary devices; evaluate author's purpose within and across texts; and evaluate author's credibility. Vocabulary and writing skills are embedded throughout the year. Advanced Language Arts 8th Grade (year long every day) The 8th grade Language Arts curriculum develops each student's reading, writing, speaking, viewing, and listening competencies. In Advanced Language Arts, students will use literature and informational text to interpret subtle implicit textual evidence; paraphrase complex text; evaluate interrelationships among literary elements; evaluate author's use of literary devices and purposes within and across texts; distinguish nuanced connotations; evaluate features, format, and function of complex text, and evaluate author's credibility. Vocabulary and writing are embedded throughout the year. Pre-Algebra 6th Grade (year long every day) Number and Operation Represent, compare and compute with positive and negative rational numbers. Algebra Represent and solve problems involving proportional relationships. Represent and solve problems using equations. Geometry and Measurement Use proportions to solve problems involving circles and related geometric figures. Analyze the effect of change of scale, translations and reflections on the attributes of

23 two-dimensional figures. Data Analysis & Probability Display and use data to draw conclusions and make predictions. Calculate probabilities and reason about probabilities using proportion. Algebra 7th Grade (year long every day) Number and Operation Represent, classify, compare and compute using real numbers. Algebra Understand the concept of function and distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions. Represent and solve problems involving linear functions using tables, verbal descriptions, symbols and graphs. Solve equations and inequalities involving linear expressions. Geometry and Measurement Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problems involving right triangles. Solve problems involving parallel and perpendicular lines. Data Analysis & Probability Interpret data using scatter plots and approximate lines of best fit. Use lines of best fit to draw conclusions and make predictions. Intermediate Algebra 8 th Grade (year long every day) Algebra Understand the concept of function, and identify important features of functions and other relations using symbolic and graphical methods where appropriate. Sketch graphs of linear, quadratic and exponential functions, and translate between graphs, tables and symbolic representations. Know how to use graphing technology to graph these functions. Solve equations that contain radical expressions. Geometry and Measurement Calculate measurements of plane and solid geometric figures. Data Analysis and Probability Display and analyze data; use various measures associated with data to draw conclusions, identify trends describe relationships. Explain the uses of data and statistical thinking to draw inferences make predictions and justify conclusions. Advanced Earth and Space Science 8th Grade (year long every day) The advanced eighth grade science course includes the grade 8 Earth and Space Science topics and aligns with the 2009 Minnesota State Standards in Science. Within this content, students are asked to be more sophisticated problem-solvers, performing multi-layered tasks. Students are introduced to open inquiry methods which use student generated questions and experimental procedures. They are asked to evaluate the validity of the evidence they collect to generate multiple representations of their data and evidence-based conclusions.

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