MS - Curriculum

Grade Six Curriculum

Subject

Description

Science

The study of heat (thermal energy), the nature of energy, plate tectonics and the Earth's structure, shaping of the Earth's surface, energy in the Earth System, Ecology, Cell Biology, Chemistry of living systems, Ecology, Resources and the Structure and Function in Living Systems.

Social Studies

Students study people and places of the contemporary world. Students describe the influence of individuals and groups on historical and contemporary events in those societies, and identify the locations and geographic characteristics of selected societies. They identify different ways of organizing economic and governmental systems. The concepts of limited and unlimited government are introduced, and students describe the nature of citizenship in various societies. They compare institutions common to all societies such as government, education, and religious institutions. Students explain how the level of technology affects development of the selected societies and identify different points of view about selected events.

Mathematics

In Grade 6, students learn to connect arithmetic to algebra; read and interpret graphs; review addition /subtraction /multiplication /division of decimals and fractions; identify ratios, proportions and percents; understand important geometric concepts and improve problem-solving skills.

Language Arts

Grade Six Language Arts explores reading and writing. The students read from various literary genres. The 6 + 1 Traits of Writing techniques are used throughout the year.

French

French is an elective class to incoming 6^th grade students. French class provides students with the preliminary stages of written and oral French.

Band

The Band program (an elective) is designed to develop an appreciation for and knowledge of the performing arts. It offers an introduction to music and students are taught to play an ensemble instrument. Band in Grade 6 allows students to perform on instruments, alone and with others, using a varied repertoire of music. Students learn to read musical rhythmic notation, learn musical terminology, tempo markings, expression and articulation, and symbols.

Choir

The choir program, (an elective) runs alongside French, English Enhancement, and Band.  It also provides students with opportunities to develop their musical abilities through an introduction to vocal and choral performance.  Students are exposed to a variety of vocal repertoires, learn to read musical rhythmic notation, learn musical terminology, tempo markings, expression and articulation, and symbols.

English Enhancement

The Language Enhancement Program focuses on assisting students improve in areas of identified weaknesses, especially in the area of grammar and writing.

Computers

In Grade 6 computer studies, students will initially have practice and training in keyboard techniques.  The students will learn Microsoft applications of Power Point, Word and Paint during which they will learn document handling and be able to safely and efficiently utilize the internet for research and communication.  The course ends with the students evaluating and exhibiting their own work on the internet.

Art

Students will learn about the elements and principles that are used in art work to produce specific visual effects.  They will also be introduced to a variety of vocabulary words to identify the content of their art work.

Physical Education

Grade 6 PE will have opportunities to play volleyball, basketball and soccer. Students will learn the skills necessary to play volleyball, basketball and soccer as well as other games and activities that promote physical exercise. 

Regular

Arabic

This course seeks to develop skills on Arabic usage for the demands of daily life through exchanging and communicating ideas and thoughts.  Students learn how to read texts, to express ideas with correct language, and to write correctly using proper grammar. 

Arabic

In

Between

(AIB)

This is a special Arabic program, which is made for students who are half Arab.  Students in this course learn different skills of language which enables them to read correctly, to write with a paper style and grammar, and to comprehend speech well enough to be moved up to Regular Arabic if possible.

Arabic

As a

Foreign

Language (AFL)

Students recognize the difference between classical and colloquial Arabic.  They express ideas by simple correct language and use meaningful sentences by expressing needs and requirements.  In more advanced levels, students read a text or a story; identify the main idea and answer comprehension questions.

Islamic

Religion

&

Holly Quran

Through studying different tops in Islamic Religion and memorizing different verses of the Holly Quran and prophet’s sayings, this course seeks to strengthen the student’s beliefs in Allah and develop their consciousness and responsibility to Allah.  The course also focuses on developing the highest standard of morality.  A spread of Islamic Religion course is offered in English for non Arab Muslims.  This course has the same aims of the regular Religion class.

Grade Seven Curriculum

Subject

Description

Science

Unit I: The Nature of Matter will focus on the chemistry of matter and the practical use of the scientific method. Unit II: Physics: Concepts include force and motion, energy, electricity and magnetism. Unit III: Biology: Cellular structures and classification of living things are the major focus, with some study of trait analysis and gene mapping. Unit IV: Earth Science, examines concepts related to our world which include Ecology, Natural Resources, Rocks and Minerals, and Atmosphere. In addition, an examination of space science will round out the seventh grade program.

Social Studies

In World Geography Studies, students examine people, places, and environments at local, national, and international scales from the spatial and ecological perspectives of geography. Students describe the influence of geography on events of the past and present. A significant portion of the course centers around the physical processes that shape patterns in the physical environment; the characteristics of major land forms, climates, and ecosystems and their interrelationships; the political, economic, and social processes that shape cultural patterns of regions; types and patterns of settlement; the distribution and movement of world population; relationship among people, places, and environments; and the concept of region.

Mathematics

In Grade 7, there are two options for Mathematics. Based on testing at the end of Grade 6, students will be placed in either basic mathematics or pre-algebra.

Language Arts

Students at this level focus on reading for comprehension as well as grounding in basic concepts of English literature. Students strengthen skills in sentence and paragraph construction, with a focus on basic mechanics such as spelling, punctuation and grammar. Students write in a variety of forms, including journal response, critical and creative writing.

French

French is an elective class. French class provides students with the preliminary stages of written and oral French.

Band

Band in Grade 7 continues from Grade 6. Students continue to perform on instruments, developing their musical abilities. They improvise melodies, variations and accompaniments for a given melody. They sight read music in bass and/or treble clefs written in simple and compound meters.

Choir

The Choir program (an elective) runs alongside French, English Enhancement and Band. It also provides students with opportunities to develop their musical abilities through an introduction to vocal and choral performance. Students are exposed to a variety of vocal repertoires and learn to read musical rhythmic notation, learn musical terminology, tempo markings, expression and articulation, and symbols.

English Enhancement

The Language Enhancement program (an elective) focuses on assisting students improve in areas of identified weakness, especially in the areas of grammar and writing.

Computers

Grade 7 computers includes a beginning study of WORD, beginning level of Excel, intermediate level in Power Point and an introduction to Publisher.

Art

Students will learn about the foundations of and art modifying their vocabulary skills from the previous level to identify the contents of their work. They will also interpret works of art in relation to it’s culture and history.

Physical Education

The Grade Seven Physical Education program builds on the skills developed in Grade Six. Students continue to expand knowledge and skills in Soccer, Volleyball, and Basketball. They are also introduced to exercise for life through such activities as jump rope, aerobics and jazz dance.

Regular

Arabic

This course seeks to develop skills on Arabic usage for the demands of daily life through exchanging and communicating ideas and thoughts.  Students learn how to read texts, to express ideas with correct language, and to write correctly using proper grammar. 

Arabic

In

Between

(AIB)

This is a special Arabic program, which is made for students who are half Arab.  Students in this course learn different skills of language which enables them to read correctly, to write with a paper style and grammar, and to comprehend speech well enough to be moved up to Regular Arabic if possible.

Arabic

As a

Foreign

Language (AFL)

Students recognize the difference between classical and colloquial Arabic.  They express ideas by simple correct language and use meaningful sentences by expressing needs and requirements.  In more advanced levels, students read a text or a story; identify the main idea and answer comprehension questions.

Islamic

Religion

&

Holly Quran

Through studying different tops in Islamic Religion and memorizing different verses of the Holly Quran and prophet’s sayings, this course seeks to strengthen the student’s beliefs in Allah and develop their consciousness and responsibility to Allah.  The course also focuses on developing the highest standard of morality.  A spread of Islamic Religion course is offered in English for non Arab Muslims.  This course has the same aims of the regular Religion class.

Grade Eight Curriculum

Subject

Description

Science

Grade 8 science includes studies in the nature of matter, reactions, periodic table, waves, electric and magnetic phenomena, the Earth in the Solar System, Ecology, Earth Science (volcanoes, earthquakes), Chemistry (Periodic Table, Chemical Reactions), the Sun-Earth-Moon System, Motion, Force and Energy, Electricity and Magnetism, Waves, Sound and Light.

Social Studies

In Grade 8, students study the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction. The knowledge and skills comprise the first part of a two year study of U.S. history. The second part, comprising U.S. history since Reconstruction to the present. The content builds upon that from Grade 5 but provides more depth and breadth. Historical content focuses on the political, economic, and social events and issues related to the colonial and revolutionary eras, the creation and ratification of the U.S. Constitution, challenges of the early Republic, westward expansion, sectionalism, Civil War, and Reconstruction. Students describe the physical characteristics of the United States and their impact on population distribution and settlement patterns in the past and present. Students analyze the various economic factors that influenced the development of colonial America and the early years of the Republic, and identify the origins of the free enterprise system. They examine the American beliefs and principles, including limited government, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers and individual rights. Students evaluate the impact of scientific discoveries and technological innovations on the development of the United States.

Mathematics

Three levels of Mathematics are offered in Grade 8: a basic mathematics course, a Pre-Algebra course and an Algebra course. Students are tested for math ability at the end of their seventh grade year. Students who demonstrate a readiness for Algebra are invited to select this course. Algebra students who earn a final grade of B or better do not need to re-take Algebra in High School.

English

The Grade Eight English Language Arts program builds on the skills taught in Grade Seven. In literature the novel Cages, and short stories taken from a variety of sources are taught. A number of narrative poems such as “The Highwayman” or “Charge of the Light Brigade” will also be covered. Students will be expected to learn or review the major poetic devices (simile, metaphor, alliteration, onomatopoeia, personification) and understand the use of irony, foreshadowing, symbolism, and so on. Learning and understanding the parts of speech, as a means of speaking and writing English correctly will form the core of the grammar section at this level. Students should also be able, at the end of this year, be able to write a standard five paragraph essay.

French

Although Grade 8 French is an elective course, it has a strong academic focus. Students and parents are advised that this course places strong emphasis on correct grammar, speech, and the ability to read comprehensively.

Band

Grade 8 Band students perform on instruments, alone and with others. They perform basic ensemble skills. They sight read music, use notation and symbols to organize musical ideas, and improvise simple harmonic accompaniments and short melodies over given rhythmic accompaniment.

Choir

The Choir program (an elective) runs alongside French, English Enhancement and Band. It also provides students with opportunities to develop their musical abilities through an introduction to vocal and choral performance. Students are exposed to a variety of vocal repertoires and learn to read musical rhythmic notation, learn musical terminology, tempo markings, expression and articulation, and symbols.

English Enhancement

The Language Enhancement program (an elective) focuses on assisting students improve in areas of identified weakness, especially in the areas of grammar and writing.

Computers

Grade 8 students work at an intermediate level for WORD and EXCEL; an application level in Power Point and Publisher. Exercises in keyboard skills and internet safety are also included at this level.

Art

Students will be asked to observe selected pieces of artwork and explain how the artist’s choice of media relates to the idea and images of the work itself.  They will also be asked to give personal opinions of how they view the work and discuss their opinions with their peers. 

Physical Education

The Grade Eight Physical Education program focuses on developing team game skills through soccer, volleyball and basketball, as well as through activities such as tug of war, dodge ball and handball.

Regular

Arabic

This course seeks to develop skills on Arabic usage for the demands of daily life through exchanging and communicating ideas and thoughts.  Students learn how to read texts, to express ideas with correct language, and to write correctly using proper grammar. 

Arabic

In

Between

(AIB)

This is a special Arabic program, which is made for students who are half Arab.  Students in this course learn different skills of language which enables them to read correctly, to write with a paper style and grammar, and to comprehend speech well enough to be moved up to Regular Arabic if possible.

Arabic

As a

Foreign

Language (AFL)

Students recognize the difference between classical and colloquial Arabic.  They express ideas by simple correct language and use meaningful sentences by expressing needs and requirements.  In more advanced levels, students read a text or a story; identify the main idea and answer comprehension questions.

Islamic

Religion

&

Holly Quran

Through studying different tops in Islamic Religion and memorizing different verses of the Holly Quran and prophet’s sayings, this course seeks to strengthen the student’s beliefs in Allah and develop their consciousness and responsibility to Allah.  The course also focuses on developing the highest standard of morality.  A spread of Islamic Religion course is offered in English for non Arab Muslims.  This course has the same aims of the regular Religion class.