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School Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Before school care starting at 6:30 a.m.
After school care until 6:00 p.m.
Junior High is
divided into seven 55 minute periods with teachers specialized in the areas they
teach thereby allowing students
the experiences of faculty with a variety of teaching styles and methods.
Daily classes include Reading, Language Arts, Algebra I or II, Social Studies,
Science, Enrichment Class (alternating between Fine Arts, Spanish, Mythology and
Latin), and Computers alternating with Physical Education.
CURRICULUM
- READING
4 - 8 Class Novel Units
Basal Textbook
Vocabulary Textbook (inc. Greek and Latin Roots and Analogies)
Literary Appreciation and Genre Study (Biography/Autobiography, Drama, Essay, Expository Nonfiction, Fable, Historical Document, Legend, Myth, Narrative Nonfiction, Novel, Poetry, Short Story)
Literature Terms and Techniques
Writing Process (Narrative, Descriptive, Expository/Informative, Persuasive/Argumentative, Personal Expression, Expressive/Creative/Imaginative)
Writing Forms and Techniques (Advertisement, Autobiographical, Bibliography, Business Letter, Cause/Effect, Character sketch/study, Comparison/contrast, Critique, Explanation, Dialogue, Essay, Editorial, Poem, Survey, Script, Story)
Grammar, Usage, Mechanics, Spelling
Reading/Thinking Strategies
Speaking, Listening, Media and Visual Literacy
Vocabulary and Study Skills
Multicultural Awareness and Appreciation
Life, Consumer and Job-Related Skills (Product labels, Resumes, Application Letter, Interviews)
Outside Book Reports Each Six Weeks (presented through various formats)
- LANGUAGE ARTS
ENGLISH
4 - 6 Class Novel Units
Basal Textbook
Short Story Anthology Textbook
Poetry Unit
Mythology Unit
Writing Exposition, Composition
Structure and Development of Paragraphs (Narrative, Descriptive, Expository, Persuasive)
Mechanics and Punctuation
Sentence Diagramming
Grammar and Usage (Subject and Predicate, Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Interjection, Direction and Indirect Objects, Subject Complements, Preposition, Verbal, and Appositive Phrases, Independent and Subordinate Clauses)
Study Skills (Organization, Library Skills, Studying and Test Taking)
SPELLING AND HANDWRITING
Synonyms and Antonyms
Compound Words
Prefixes, Suffixes
Abbreviations
Plurals, Endings
Greek and Latin Roots
Cursive Handwriting
- MATH
ALGEBRA I
Variable and Equations
Real Numbers (Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division)
Polynomials including Factoring
Algebraic Fractions (Adding, Subtracting, Polynomial Division)
Applying Fractions (Ratio and Proportion, Fractional Equations, Percent, Mixture and Work, Exponents)
Linear Equations and Systems including Graphing
Linear and Direct/Inverse Variation Functions
Inequalities
Rational and Irrational Numbers
Quadratic Functions
Word Problems
Logic and Abstract Problem Solving Skills
Oral and Written Exams
ALGEBRA II
Real Numbers and Equations
Equations and Inequalities
Functions and Graphs
Systems of Equations and Inequalities
Matrices and Determinants
Polynomials
Rational Expressions
Irrational and Complex Numbers
Quadratic Functions
Polynomial Functions
Conic Sections
Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Sequences and Series
Probability and Statistics
Trigometric Functions and Graphs
Trigometric Identities and Equations
Logic and Abstract Problem Solving Skills
Oral and Written Exams
- SOCIAL STUDIES:
CIVICS (Odd Year)
Development of our Government
Federal Government
State and Local Government
Citizenship-Rights and Responsibilities
Economics
Foreign Policy
Social Studies Skills (Interpreting Maps, Charts, Graphs, Political Cartoons, Organizational Chart, Flow Chart, Distinguishing Fact from Opinion, Comparing Points of View)
Consumer Skills (reading warranties, labels, writing a check, want ads)
3 Cooperative Learning Activities/Group Projects (Naturalization Process, Using Propaganda, Creating a Campaign Video)
Reading and Analyzing Case Studies; Briefing Cases by Identifying the Following: Issues, Facts, Court Decisions, Defendant, Plaintiff. Cases to include Criminal Law and Cases involving Violation of Constitutional Rights.
Reenactment of a case studied in a court setting.
Internet Activities, Current Events and Media Skills
TEXAS HISTORY
Geography
Early Settlers and Explorers
Struggle for Independence
Independent Nation
Lone Star State
Growth and Development
Twentieth Century
Social Studies Skills (Interpretation of Maps, Graphs, Charts, Primary and Secondary Sources, Legal Documents, Photographs, Editorial Cartoons, Critical Thinking, and Social Participation Skills)
Understanding of Government at State and Local Levels-Citizenship
Internet Activities, Current Events and Media Skills
SOCIOLOGY (Even Year)
Culture and Social Structure (Diversity, Conformity and Adaptation)
The Individual (Personality Development, Adolescent, Adult, Deviance)
Social Inequality (Stratification, Ethnicity, Gender, Age, Health)
Social Institutions (Family, Politics, Education, Religion, Science, Sport)
Changing Social World (Collective Behavior, Social Movements, Population, Urbanization, Modernization)
Social Studies Skills (Evaluating Primary and Secondary Sources, Census Data, Interpreting Tables and Graphs, Editorial Cartoons, Analyzing Sociological-Data Maps, Interpreting Statistics, Cause and Effects, Identifying Assumptions, Determine Fallacies in Reasoning)
Reading and Analyzing Case Studies: Briefing Cases by Identifying the Following: Issues, Facts, Court Decisions, Defendant, Plaintiff.
Cooperative Learning and Group Activity Projects
Internet Activities, Current Events and Media Skills
AMERICAN HISTORY
American Colonies (Beginnings to 1770)
American Nation (1170-1778)
Growing America (1790-1840)
Divided America (1850-1877)
Development of Modern America (1877 to Present)
Social Studies Skills (Interpretation of Maps, Graphs, Charts, Primary and Secondary Sources, Legal Documents, Photographs, Editorial Cartoons, Critical Thinking, and Social Participation Skills)
Understanding of Constitutional and Democratic Heritage-Citizenship
Internet Activities, Current Events and Media Skills
- SCIENCE:
Scientific Tools, Technology and Investigation Methods
5 Step Scientific Process; Annual Science Fair
Matter: Chemistry and Change
Phases and Properties
Energy, Heat, Temperature, and Energy Transfer
Magnetism
Electromagnet Radiation and Light
Sound
Atomic Structure
Chemical Names, Formulas inc. Balancing Equations
Chemical Reactions, Physical and Chemical Changes
Chemical Bonds, Reactions and Properties
Acids and Bases
Compounds, Mixtures, and Bonds
Structures and Engineering
Force, Motion, Gravity, Measurement
Physics of Motion, Forces, Density and Buoyancy
Work Equations, Measurements
Waves, Light, Optics, Lasers, Sound
Kinetic and Potential Energy
Power Equations, Measurements)
Robotics inc. Design and Programming
Space and Flight
Astronomy, Galaxies, Universe
Solar System, Universe
Principles of Flight
Our Dynamic Earth
Atmosphere
Weather, Climate, Seasons
Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes, Volcanoes
Minerals and Rock Cycles
Weathering of Earth's Surface
History of Earth and Life Forms, Fossils, Geologic Time
Oceans and Seas
Plants and Animals
Plant Ecosystem Equilibrium
Chemistry and Food and Respiration
Cell Division and Genetics
DNA
External and Internal Stimuli
Extinction and Specialization
The Human Body and It's Systems
The Cell and Life
The Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems
Immune System
Organism Responses (Internal or External)
Food Webs and Chains
Adaptation and Mutation
DNA Research
Heredity and Reproduction
Genetics
- THEATRE AND THE ARTS
Vocal Performance
Body Movement
Plays
Variety of Media, Processes and Techniques in 2 and 3 Dimensional Form
Annual study of 18 Artists inc. Techniques, Style, Biography and Actual Example
Annual study of 18 World Landmarks including Name, Location and Associated Facts
SPANISH
Conversational Phrases and Terms
Mastering Spanish Vocabulary
Participating in Conversations
Thematic Cultural Projects in Appreciation of Culture (including the Arts, Music, and Stories)
MYTHOLOGY / LATIN
Reading Aloud and Class Discussion of Greek and Roman Myths and Plays
Study of the Epic Poem, The Odyssey by Homer
Roman Architecture, Art inc. Mosaics, Wall Paintings
Roman History
Roman Daily Life
Roman Numerals and Naming System
Sporting Events and "Olympic" Competitions
Comparison of Roman Life to Modern
Latin Prefixes and Suffixes
Greek Alphabet
- PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Swimming
Aerobics
Dance
Organized Games
Team Sports (Volleyball, Basketball, Flag Football, Kickball)
Sportsmanship
COMPUTER LAB
Word Processing
Creation of Multi-Media Projects
Use of Internet
Use of Educational Software
Reinforcement of Classroom Activities
Programming for Robotics