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LANGUAGE ARTS/HISTORY CORE
At Sam Brannan Middle School, Language Arts and
History are taught as a core configuration. This allows students to stay
with the same teacher for both subjects. Teachers are able to provide
integrated thematic instruction in the core. Fifty percent of the Language
Arts/History staff holds an advanced degree in curriculum and instruction
emphasizing the Visual and Performing Arts, which enhances the study of
Humanities in the core.
LANGUAGE ARTS
The eighth grade curriculum is aligned with the
California content standards and emphasizes the skills of reading, writing,
listening, speaking, and critical thinking necessary for effective written
and oral expression.
WRITING
All students will learn writing as a process that
includes pre-writing, drafting, responding, revising, editing and
publishing, in a variety of different domains. Students will learn and
develop effective revision strategies and effective writing devices.
Writing is taught as an integrated subject with the primary instruction in
100 minutes of Writers Workshop each week. Student work is frequently
published in the school literary anthology, and the student newspaper,
community journals, and publications, and a poetry anthology comprised of
student work from across the nation. Each Writers Workshop culminates in
an oral presentation focusing on listening and speaking standards. Students
will engage in the following writing types:
- Expository -
Persuasive
- Narrative -
Response to literature
- Poetry
- Research
READING
Literature instruction is designed to help develop
critical thinking and evaluation of a variety of genres of literary merit.
The selection of core and extended literature is integrated with the
concurrent study of American History. Independent recreational reading is
designed to inspire students to interact with and explore the works while
accomplishing the goal of reading a million words per year. Students learn
to discuss critical questions, values, and ethics of characters while
applying the meanings of the works to their own lives. Students are taught
to understand character, motive, setting, and themes while appreciating
language use and literary devices.
VOCABULARY/SPELLING/GRAMMAR, USAGE AND MECHANICS
Students learn from daily work and application to
understand meaning through context, examining roots, prefixes and suffixes,
and the use of the core curriculum. Spelling is a weekly lesson that
addresses these seventh grade standards.
Grammar, usage and mechanics are integrated and
authentically taught through the writing process.
Text used: Holt publisher
ACADEMIC SUPPORT/INTERVENTION
Students not performing at grade level in Language Arts
are provided with additional instructional time and support accessing the
core curriculum.
Texts used: Holt publisher
SRA Corrective Reading
High Point
AMERICAN HISTORY
The eighth grade study of American History is aligned
to the California content standards and will begin with an introduction of
the ideas, issues and events resulting in the founding of the United
States. A variety of teaching methodology and differentiated instructing
will be used to explore our nations history including; the American
Revolution, The Constitution, Manifest Destiny, The Civil War and
Reconstruction, and The Rise of Industrial America. A variety of historical
literature is used to augment the study of American history.
Texts used: Call To Freedom
A More Perfect Union
The United States TCI
Teachers Curriculum Institute
HUMANITIES CLUB ENRICHMENT
Humanities Club is an extended day enrichment program
designed to support classroom instruction and to provide additional
activities to making learning fun. Students have the opportunity to have
visual arts experience, write and present poetry in the community, go on
field trips and perform in a school musical. Humanities Club is voluntary,
but is extremely popular among students and parents.
MATHEMATICS
PRE-ALGEBRA
The Pre-Algebra course of study is aligned to the
seventh grade content standards and is considered grade level math for
students in grade seven. Pre-Algebra provides a bridge of skills and
concepts between sixth grade math and Algebra. Students will experience
instruction in all strands of the mathematics curriculum:
Number Sense
Rational Numbers
Exponents, Powers, and Roots
Algebra and
Functions
Quantitative relationships
Evaluating expressions
Multi-step problems, graphing and function
Measurement
and Geometry
Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability
Mathematical Reasoning
Problem solving strategies
Text used: Pre-Algebra Prentice Hall
ALGEBRA I
Algebra I is aligned to the California content
standards and is considered eighth grade level math, however many seventh
grade students are placed in this course based on their Algebra readiness
upon entering middle school. Algebra students will learn to become
competent problem solvers who will use algebra in real world application.
The course of study will include a review of the order of operations and
properties of real numbers. Solve linear and quadratic equations and
inequalities using the following methods: inverse operations, zero product
property, graphing, quadratic formula, factoring and completing the square.
Review the concept of formula and use functions and function notation. Use
and derive the quadratic formula. Solve linear and non-linear systems of
equations and inequalities using graphing, substitution and linear
combinations. Learn the properties of exponents and radical s and apply
them to solving equations. Learn to perform operations upon and simplify
algebraic fractions to support proportional reasoning. An end of course
exam will be administered to demonstrate course mastery which will meet the
algebra course requirement for high school graduation.
Text used: Algebra Prentice Hall
GEOMETRY
This rigorous course is designed to help students
develop their ability to construct formal, logical arguments and proofs in
geometric settings and problems, and is aligned to state standards. There
will be an emphasis on the acquisition and development of fundamental
concepts and operations of geometry throughout the course. Course content
includes inductive and deductive reasoning, and the nature of proof, the
relationships and properties of angles, parallel and perpendicular lines,
congruence and similarity of triangles, polygons and circles, constructions,
coordinate geometry, areas of polygons, circles and solids, and volumes of
solids.
Pre-requisite: Algebra I, with end of course mastery.
Text used: Geometry McDougal Littell
publisher
ALGEBRA II
This discipline complements and expands the
mathematical content and concepts of Algebra I and Geometry. Students who
master Algebra II will gain experience with algebraic solutions of problems
in various content areas, including the solution of systems of quadratic
equations, logarithmic and exponential functions, the binomial theorem, and
the complex number system.
Pre-requisite: Algebra I, with end of course mastery,
and Geometry.
Text used: Algebra and Trigonometry Functions
and Applications
Addison Wesley
publisher
ACADEMIC SUPPORT/INTERVENTION
Students not performing at grade level in Mathematics
are provided with additional instructional time when possible, and augmented
instruction in Pre-Algebra skills.
Text/Materials used: Prentice Hall; Pre-Algebra
Renaissance
Learning: Accelerated Math
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Eighth grade Science instruction is aligned to the
California content standards and includes the study of: motion, forces,
structure of matter, Earth and the solar system, reactions, chemistry of
living systems Periodic Table, density and buoyancy, and investigation and
experimentation. Using a method of inquiry, and a process called the
Scientific Approach, students will conduct experiments that will help
develop and reinforce important study skills including: organization,
observation, recording, analyzing data and communication. Physical Science
students are encouraged to build an interest in investigation of their
surroundings, to probe, to ask questions, to seek answers, to evaluate, to
solve problems and to think critically. Student projects during the year
may include: model building, research projects, Science Fair projects and
various other inquiry based learning experiences.
Text used: Focus On Physical Science Prentice
Hall
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education is a required course that follows
the seventh and eighth grade frameworks. In the two years of middle school
education, students will have completed both individual and team sports
activities, and will acquire additional skills and understandings important
to living a healthy and fit life. Principles of focus will include:
leadership, teamwork, good sportsmanship and healthy choices. Students are
expected to dress everyday in the school P.E. uniform.
ELECTIVES
Sam Brannan Middle School offers a comprehensive array
of electives courses to students. Our faculty values the benefit of a
focused continuum of electives courses that include the Visual and
Performing Arts, vocal music appreciation and performance, instrumental
music, foreign language exploration, multi-media exploration, speech and
debate and additional courses designed to expand student connections to the
school and the world they live in. For a complete listing of eighth grade
electives courses, click MORE.
