Philosophy of Curriculum: Middle School
The upper grade curriculum in grades six through eight provides an academic program concentrating on the five disciplines, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and Greek. The student makes a transition from a contained classroom under the direction of their classroom teacher to a departmentalized program of study where the student is under the direction of a number of different teachers: a language arts instructor, a math, science/social studies instructor, and a Greek language instructor. Small and large group instruction continues as in the lower grades in reading, mathematics, religion and physical education & health. The focus of the upper grade program is to provide a strong college preparatory education and to prepare students academically for entry into high school. Students are often given the opportunity to make decisions and to act independently, and they also assume the responsibility of being accountable for their academic and behavioral choices.
Language Arts
Students will read, comprehend and interpret a variety of literary works, use correct usage, grammar and mechanics and compose well organized writing for specific purposes and audiences. Students will effectively communicate ideas verbally and in writing. Students will learn outlining strategies, proper
research and citing strategies. Students are assessed through running reading records to support differentiated instruction.
Mathematics
The students will think critically, communicate, and collaborate while solving problems in the middle school mathematics classroom. The sixth graders will focus on number operations, proportionality, equivalent expressions, equations and inequalities, and relationships in geometry. The seventh graders will focus on the number system, ratios and proportional relationships, expressions, equations, and inequalities, geometry, statistics, and probability. The eighth graders will work on real numbers, exponents, and scientific notation, proportional and nonproportional relationships, solving equations and systems of equations, transformational geometry, and measurement geometry.
Social Studies
Students in sixth grade study world history, seventh grade studies U.S. history to 1877, and eighth grade studies U.S. history from 1877 to present times. Students will also study current events, and present research on various historical events.
Science
Students in sixth grade study earth science: its internal processes and its history, astronomy and the environment, seventh grade studies physical science: matter, energy, motion and forces, electricity and magnetism. Eighth grade studies life science: life’s structure and function, plants, animals, ecology and the human body systems.
Health and Physical Education
Physical education correlates directly to the health and well being of students for the rest of their lives and has cognitive benefits, too, making students more receptive to learning. There is a significant body of research showing that children who are more physically active perform better in class and on standardized tests. The Koraes Health Education program provides a comprehensive and systematic approach designed to provide a variety of learning experiences based upon scientific knowledge of the human organism as it functions within its environment. We provide a program in compliance with the critical health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act [105 ILCS 110].
Language Arts
Students will read, comprehend and interpret a variety of literary works, use correct usage, grammar and mechanics and compose well organized writing for specific purposes and audiences. Students will effectively communicate ideas verbally and in writing. Students will learn outlining strategies, proper
research and citing strategies. Students are assessed through running reading records to support differentiated instruction.
Mathematics
The students will think critically, communicate, and collaborate while solving problems in the middle school mathematics classroom. The sixth graders will focus on number operations, proportionality, equivalent expressions, equations and inequalities, and relationships in geometry. The seventh graders will focus on the number system, ratios and proportional relationships, expressions, equations, and inequalities, geometry, statistics, and probability. The eighth graders will work on real numbers, exponents, and scientific notation, proportional and nonproportional relationships, solving equations and systems of equations, transformational geometry, and measurement geometry.
Social Studies
Students in sixth grade study world history, seventh grade studies U.S. history to 1877, and eighth grade studies U.S. history from 1877 to present times. Students will also study current events, and present research on various historical events.
Science
Students in sixth grade study earth science: its internal processes and its history, astronomy and the environment, seventh grade studies physical science: matter, energy, motion and forces, electricity and magnetism. Eighth grade studies life science: life’s structure and function, plants, animals, ecology and the human body systems.
Health and Physical Education
Physical education correlates directly to the health and well being of students for the rest of their lives and has cognitive benefits, too, making students more receptive to learning. There is a significant body of research showing that children who are more physically active perform better in class and on standardized tests. The Koraes Health Education program provides a comprehensive and systematic approach designed to provide a variety of learning experiences based upon scientific knowledge of the human organism as it functions within its environment. We provide a program in compliance with the critical health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act [105 ILCS 110].