Language Arts: The Language Arts curriculum consists of direct instruction in literature, grammar, vocabulary, and writing.  Through novel study, students will explore literacy devices like theme, symbolism, foreshadowing, and metaphor.  Plot and character development will be taught primarily through coming-of-age stories. Students will be exposed to various genres of fiction and nonfiction: science fiction, personal memoir, historical fiction, mystery, poetry, mythology, and analytical essay.  Writing and reading will focus on the author/audience relationship. Students will be asked to identify the author’s purpose of reading selections.  When writing, students will be asked to determine their own purpose while considering their audience.  Students will engage in narrative and creative writing, opinion pieces, as well as analytical and informational writing.  Language conventions, creativity/voice, textual support, organization, and editing are emphasized in each case.  Spelling, vocabulary, and grammar will align with the current reading selection.

Texts: Prentice Hall “Literature Anthology”, “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, “The Bronze Bow” by E.G. Speare, Loyola Press “Voyages in English”.

Math: The Saxon program is a spiraling curriculum that requires diligence on behalf of all students.  The foundations of pre-algebra are introduced and practiced early on.  Quickly, these basic concepts expand and are supplemented with new formulas and practices.  By the end of the year, the students will be able to solve multiple step equations, find the area, volume, and surface area of simple and composite shapes, determine statistical probability, graph equations of a line, use ratios and proportions, find simple and compound interest, evaluate exponential expressions and radicals, express values using scientific notation, and graph inequalities.

Text: Saxon, “Algebra 1/2”

Ancient History: Students will explore archaeological processes, including dating, classifying, and comparing ancient artifacts and fossils. They will examine the origins of, and describe the characteristics of civilized society. They will study the cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and India.  Special instruction will be given in information literacy and research, including evaluation of sources for accuracy, relevance, and bias.  A research paper will be completed this year.  Research and writing skills, including MLA in-text citations, will be taught during this project.

Text:  Teach TCI, “History Alive! –  The Ancient World”

Earth Science: The students will learn about Earth’s structure, geologic processes, the rock cycle, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and alternative sources of energy.  In the first two trimesters, the students will conduct an investigative science experiment using plants, and write a detailed report outlining their findings. (Mrs. Faenza will supply further information on this.)  In the third trimester, students will research and write a report about a scientist of their choice.

Text: Glencoe Science Voyages, “Earth Science”