7th Grade
Language Arts
Students use the Writing Process and the 6+1 Traits of Writing to clearly communicate thoughts, feelings, opinions, and ideas in a variety of writing forms and for different audiences and purposes. Emphasis is placed on expository, persuasive, and summary writing. By employing the 6 Traits of an Effective Reader, they analyze literal and implied meaning of fiction and nonfiction. The class uses computers and/or other technology for problem solving and for presentations. In both, language arts and social studies students will complete all state and district required assessments.
Social Studies
Emphasis is placed on these areas: Events and ideas leading to the development of a constitutional form of government, American revolution, rise of Industry, Civil War, Reconstruction, as well as U.S. geography and current events. Students form critical questions and seek answers by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information regarding history, geography, culture, civics, and economics. In addition to their own cultural heritage they study people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
8th Grade
Language Arts
The emphasis is on writing paragraphs and multi-paragraph essays to explain and persuade using the conventions of Standard English. Writing is taught according to the Writing Process and the 6+1 Traits of Writing. Attention is given to the reading and understanding of literal and implied meaning in a variety of literary genre, including short stories, biography, drama, poetry, and novels related to the social studies curriculum. In both, language arts and social studies students will complete all state and district required assessments.
Social Studies
The course focuses on these units of study: Frontier West, Immigration, Progressive Era, Roaring Twenties, Depression, U.S. and World Relations, Contemporary U.S., and Washington State. Students will demonstrate knowledge of a democratic society using facts, reasoning, and critical thinking skills. They will study people of diverse cultures as well as their own culture, culminating in the completion of the REACH Project.
9th Grade
Language Arts
Ninth grade continues to stress the Writing Process, the 6+1 Traits of Writing, and the 6 Traits of an Effective Reader in order for students to acquire more effective communication skills. Literature selections based on the regions and themes studied in social studies provide opportunity for literary analysis and for a variety of writing forms designed for different audiences and purposes. Structured essays focus on detailed use of evidence and clear presentation of arguments. Conventions, vocabulary building, and critical thinking skills will be emphasized each quarter. Students synthesize and exhibit the skills taught and practiced throughout the year in a research paper. In both, language arts and social studites, students will complete all state and district required assessments.
Social Studies: World History
While not chronological in design, this course explores the geography, history, economy, political systems, and current events of these regions and countries: Latin America, China, Japan and India. Students will gain insight into diverse cultures and their global interconnectedness and will be engaged in researching, analyzing, and interpreting information, which enables them to become informed citizents. In a career unit they explore possibilities for their own future, develop an electronic portfolio, and learn business writing. Many opportunities are provided for class discussions and for integration ot technology