Middle School

Middle School Composition and Literature builds upon students’ prior knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, word usage, and the mechanics of writing. It also builds upon the foundations of Core Knowledge literature to further develop the students knowledge of a variety of literary genres. Additionally, it explores the concept of Socratic Discussion and expository writing. Students work to produce writing that is supported by data from the text to strengthen argument. Students are introduced to claim, data, warrant writing skills in 6th grade and student writing develops further with the use of a well-stated thesis supported by claim, data, warrant commentary in 7th and 8th grade. Students also work to annotate literature at increasingly in-depth levels throughout middle school. Specific content depends upon state standards for each grade.

We offer instruction in Math 6, 7, and 8, Algebra I, and Geometry. Students are grouped by ability across mathematics courses. For Math 6, 7, and 8, we use Holt McDougal’s Middle School Math curriculum. This program represents a new era in the middle school math curriculum and a new approach for reaching all students with streamlined textbooks that focus on deeper understanding of math strategies and concepts. For students in Algebra I and Geometry, we offer rigorous, high-school-level mathematics courses based on the Pearson Common Core textbooks. Students who are ready for instruction in Algebra 2 or above are invited to attend classes in our high school.

Middle School Social Studies courses help students develop a greater understanding of social studies disciplines, including history, geography, civics and government, and economics. Typically, these courses focus on single disciplines at a time, e.g., state-specific history and government, U.S. history, world history, or civics to develop discipline-related skills. Specific content depends upon state standards for each grade.

Middle school science includes subject matter from several strands of science, including earth and space sciences, physical sciences, and life or environmental sciences. Material is organized around thematic units. Specific content depends upon state standards for each grade.

In Spanish, students expand their cultural horizons and language abilities with daily classes designed to help them acquire proficiency in interpersonal communication, interpretive communication, and presentational communication through the four integrative skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

SkyView offers a variety of elective courses that allow students to explore topics and further their skills in the areas of art, band, choir, drama, leadership, music appreciation, PE, and technology. Middle School Electives Course Descriptions

Character programs include Character Counts and Capturing Kids’ Hearts, aligned with service learning projects.

Capturing Kids Hearts
Capturing Kids’ Hearts is a program that helps develop healthy relationships between members of a school’s educational community and to teach effective skills that help participants to do their best and be their best. The program uses a universal language to teach children to self-manage and how to handle conflict when it occurs. The core of the program is, “If you reach a child’s heart you will reach their mind.” Learn more about Capturing Kids’ Hearts.

French is offered to 8th Grade students.