Grade 7
Books Alive!
Students will read and analyze young adult novels, short stories, and play scripts to compare the transition of the written word to film and to live theatrical performances. Students will explore the connections between visual media and the literary concepts of theme, characterization, voice, structure, and style. Students will develop analytical skills and critical thinking skills with text adaptation to stage and screen. Students will be expected to read, write, discuss and create a multimedia presentation. Examples of possible texts to include would be: The Wizard of Oz, Orphan Annie, The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Hamilton, Tuck Everlasting, Cancelling Christmas, and Percy Jackson.
Literary Villains
This course focuses on the guiding question of “What is a villain?”. Students will explore those archetype characters with the diabolical plans that interfere with the journey of the story’s hero. Students will look at fairy tales, children’s books, historical villains, films, and young adult literature and explore the perspective of the antagonist. A depth study of character development, character traits, dialogue, and vocabulary will be explored to aid in the development of the student’s own short story or multimedia presentation focused around a villain of their own creation.
Esports
Students will work collaboratively to practice and prepare much like traditional sports teams. They will complete daily drills, communication activities, and strategic gameplay. When prepared, the team will compete in available games (Rocket League, Super Smash Bros, Minecraft, MarioKart, and Chess) against other middle school teams around the country. Participating in these team activities will foster interest in the gaming industry, develop better social and behavioral skills, develop sportsmanship, improve school performance, and prepare them for a more advanced elective curriculum at the HS level.
More Detailed Information on the Research and Standards for Esports
Reading Research
Reading Research is an introduction to nonfiction writing and reading class. Students will learn to write a formal argument paper complete with evidence, proper citation, and MLA formatting. They will present a complete thesis statement based on one of the assigned books for the class and complete independent research to back up their claims. Additionally, students will work on smaller research projects that connect to the work they are doing in their ELA classes. Don’t worry – there is also a lot of fun: solving mysteries and debating – all things that require evidence and making one’s case!
Grade 8
Comics and Graphic Novels
Pictures lead to stories and graphic novels and comics are a great way to experience these stories – both new and well-loved. Students will read and analyze a variety of comics and graphic novels that have created new and original stories while others have transformed existing literature into a new way for students to appreciate. Students will analyze the importance of plot and dialogue in the genre and how it relates to telling the story. Students will develop original storylines and imagery for their own comics and graphic novels by focusing on writing, character development, plot structure, and relatability on various themes and topics. As the course progresses, students will craft their own collection of comics and/or graphic stories. They may even choose to adapt their favorite children’s book into their own version of a graphic novel and/or comic book.
Who Done It????
Students will explore the elements of the mystery/suspense genre. Working with classic and contemporary texts/movies/tv programs, students will identify the many elements that get a reader or viewer on the edge of their seat and eager to solve the crime. Through the use of classic mystery writing formulas like that of Agatha Christie and the use of suspenseful elements, students will create their own mystery or detective story and give voice to the victims and suspects, while including the “red herring”.
Music Technology
Students will examine the process of contemporary music creation, including the history and development of technology as a means of musical expression. Through composition and recording projects, students will be introduced to the tools utilized by musicians in the field. This course could potentially function as a prerequisite to any high school course offerings in the Music Technology pathway.
Esports
Students will work collaboratively to practice and prepare much like traditional sports teams. They will complete daily drills, communication activities, and strategic gameplay. When prepared, the team will compete in available games (Rocket League, Super Smash Bros, Minecraft, MarioKart, and Chess) against other middle school teams around the country. Participating in these team activities will foster interest in the gaming industry, develop better social and behavioral skills, develop sportsmanship, improve school performance, and prepare them for a more advanced elective curriculum at the HS level.
Sketching your way through Art:
Sketching is a great way to improve your creative skills and start thinking in different ways. “Sketching your way through Art” is a ten-week exploratory art class designed to help improve students’ basic art skills through the use of drawing by designing artworks using a variety of media and techniques. Students will look closely at various artworks to help practice their language and art description skills. This class will further develop students’ creativity, self-expression, and also aid in recognizing and using the art elements (line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space).
Mural Arts Elective:
Student artists will explore how murals represent a community’s identity and hopes for the future. As part of this ten-week course, students will engage collaboratively and conceptually, as they further develop necessary painting and drawing skills for large-scale art in middle school. Students will brainstorm ideas, make sketches and practice painting in small groups to design and create murals that will be semi or permanently painted at the middle school. By working collaboratively as a community of artists, students will develop the skills needed to become professional artists.