Academics
SCIENCE
We’ve begun the year going over the basics of science. For the upper grades, it has been more of a review. Topics include what is science, the scientific method, experimental design, and safety. All of the junior high classes have covered these topics, though the intensity and amount of information covered does vary between the grades. In the upcoming month, we will begin our biology unit. Below is a list of topics that will be covered in each grade level.
5th Science: Students will gain an understanding of how traits are inherited by offspring from parents in genetics. Also, we will explore how certain adaptations better enable plants and animals to survive in their environment.
6th Science: Students will be able to identify different structures in plant and animal cells, as well the function of these structures. Also, we will discover the different factors that are incorporated into an ecosystem and how they work together to form a working environment.
7th Science: Students will be preparing for the Science Fair by choosing a topic, reviewing how to set up and run an experiment, and the proper ways on how write a lab report. Several biology topics will be covered as well, including being able to identify cell processes as well as population density in ecology.
8th Science: Students will be able to explain the specific cell processes and
how the body systems work. Students will also be able to compare and contrast
how different forms/structures relate directly to their functions.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In Language Arts, we began by comparing the different types of sentences and how they are used. We mix up the classes with some spelling, silent reading time, and a chapter book. Students are responsible as well for the assignments given in class on sentence types as well as parts of sentence (which will be the next topic covered). Spelling words will also be assigned and students will be tested on them after they have had time to study them both in and out of class. Also, we are reading the book ‘Maniac MaGee’ by Jerry Spinelli as our chapter book. Responsibilities of the students include vocabulary, questions, projects, and group discussions.
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