Humanities
These benchmarks represent end-of-year objectives.
Reading
The student:
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Reads grade level material with full comprehension.
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Understands plots, setting, theme, character development, point of view and figurative language.
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Demonstrates increased understanding of literary devices.
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Supports ideas, interpretations or opinions with direct references from text.
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Reads about and responds to international current events.
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Works on long-term assignments by reading books and preparing various presentations/projects.
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Learns and uses new vocabulary.
Writing
The student:
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Writes with a command of Standard English conventions appropriate to grade level.
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Creates and uses an outline independently.
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Writes cohesive paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details.
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Writes multi-paragraph essays containing formal introductions, supporting evidence and conclusions.
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Writes fictional narrative with a standard plot line and complex major and minor characters.
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Uses descriptive details to bring stories and poems to life.
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Independently proofreads writing for sentence structure, grammar, capitalization, punctuation and spelling.
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Effectively uses new vocabulary.
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Demonstrates improved note-taking skills.
History
The student:
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Obtains and interprets geographic information from maps, tables, graphs, charts, and text.
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Exhibits increased knowledge of place locations.
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Demonstrates and understanding of the factors necessary for a culture to be sustainable.
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Compile evidence through the formal research process and convey clear and accurate perspectives on the subject.
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Gives credit for quoted or paraphrased information through proper citations.
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Demonstrates basic understanding of the cultural universals of social structure, art, religion, government, and warfare of: Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece.
Math/Pre-Algebra
These benchmarks represent end-of-year objectives.
Students are expected to successfully demonstrate the following skills and concepts without the use of a calculator.
Number Sense
The student:
- Demonstrates fluency and increased accuracy in computation as well as estimation to judge the reasonableness of answers.
- Demonstrates the correct order of operations to solve problems.
- Uses factors, multiples, prime factorization and prime numbers to solve problems.
- Uses appropriate strategies to add, subtract, multiply, divide and compare integers.
- Uses appropriate strategies to add, subtract, multiply, divide and compare fractions.
- Uses appropriate strategies to add, subtract, multiply, divide and compare decimals.
- Demonstrates the ability to apply integer, fractions and decimals concepts in a variety of meaningful situations.
- Reads, writes and compares rationale numbers in scientific notation.
- Applies exponential knowledge of scientific notation when performing operations and applications.
- Simplifies rationale numbers by using exponent rules.
- Uses proportional reasoning to analyze problems involving: rates, ratio, proportion, percent scale and equivalency.
- Solves real world percent problems that involve: discounts, markups, percent increase, percent decrease, simple and compound interest.
Algebra and Functions
The students:
- Demonstrates a conceptual knowledge of the use of variables.
- Uses algebraic symbols to write expressions and linear equations.
- Demonstrates the basic properties of numbers: commutative, associative, distributive, zero, and identity.
- Recognizes, interprets and simplifies algebraic expressions.
Equations and Inequalities
The student:
- Correctly applies the property of equality.
- Solves one-step equations that involve integers, fractions and decimals by adding or subtracting.
- Solves one-step equations that involve integers, fractions and decimals by multiplying and dividing.
- Recognizes inequality symbols and their relationships to the number line.
- Solves one-step inequalities that involve integers, fractions and decimals by adding or subtracting.
- Solves one-step equations that involve integers, fractions and decimals by multiplying and dividing.
- Solves multi-step equations that involve integers, fractions and decimals by adding or subtracting.
- Solves multi-step equations that involve integers, fractions and decimals by multiplying and dividing.
- Solves multi-step inequalities that involve integers, fractions and decimals by adding or subtracting.
- Solves multi-step inequalities that involve integers, fractions and decimals by multiplying and dividing.
Mathematical Reasoning
The student:
- Analyzes problems by identifying relationships, distinguishing relevant from irrelevant information, sequencing and prioritizing information, and observing patterns.
- Uses multiple strategies, skills and concepts to find solutions to problems.
- Determines the reasonableness of an answer.
- Expresses the solution clearly and logically by using the appropriate mathematical notation and terminology.
- Develops generalizations and apply them to new problem situations.
Science
These benchmarks represent end-of-year objectives.
Inquiry-Based Skills
The student:
- Devises a step-by-step procedure to solve problems and make decisions.
- Works collaboratively to develop solutions to scientific problems.
- Accurately collects, organizes, analyzes, evaluates, and presents data.
- Understands the use of standard laboratory equipment.
- Gains familiarity with the scientific evidence that supports the Big Bang Theory and explains the formation of the universe as it pertains to the theory.
- Demonstrates knowledge of Earth's daily, seasonal and annual motions.
- Demonstrates understanding of topographic map construction, use and interpretation.
- Uses a compass to follow directions and navigate in relation to Earth’s magnetic North Pole.
- Shows a basic understanding of photosynthesis.
- Explains the role of plants in the biosphere and how they benefit humans.
- Gains knowledge of the structure, function and propagation of plants.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the cell cycle and mitosis.
- Gains a basic understanding of earthquakes: their causes, effects and methods for identifying an epicenter.
- Understands the rock cycle and the formation of the three main rock types.
- Discusses the importance of rocks and minerals in our daily lives.
- Demonstrates an understanding of factors which influence water quality with respect to local watersheds.
- Uses field equipment to accurately measure and record stream velocity, flow rate and water quality.
- Gains an introductory understanding of ocean waves, tides and currents.
- Discusses the structure and function of the lymphatic system.
- Conducts research and gains in-depth knowledge on an astronomy topic and presents his or her findings to the class.
Spanish
These benchmarks represent end-of-year objectives.
Skill Development
The student:
- Uses listening and reading strategies to facilitate understanding (i.e. inference by context; identifying cognates and key words).
- Identifies main ideas of written materials.
- Exchanges increasingly detailed information and opinions in oral and written form.
- Recognizes and uses a variety of language structures.
- Uses interrogatives and generates correct responses to questions.
- Composes single cohesive written information using appropriate formats and varied vocabulary and structures.
- Investigates and shares with others the influences of the target language and cultures on the community.
Participation
The student:
- Actively and positively participates in class activities and discussions.
- Listens carefully to both peers and adults.
- Responds to questions and follows verbal instructions.
- Speaks and reads aloud with appropriate intonation and pronunciation.
- Completes assignments in a timely manner.
- Initiates help when needed.
Physical Education
These benchmarks represent end-of-year objectives.
Skill & Concept Development
The student:
- Demonstrates an understanding of movement concepts and the use of motor skills.
- Demonstrates responsible personal and social behavior.
- Demonstrates the ability to use effective interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrates the ability to use the decision-making skills of appropriate goal setting, risk taking and problem solving.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the concepts and skills needed to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.
- Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and social interaction.
- Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for differences.
Art
These benchmarks represent end-of-year objectives.
Skill Development
The student:
- Completes projects which demonstrate objectives.
- Completes projects which demonstrate confidence/experimentation.
Participation
The student:
- Uses class time productively.
- Puts forth effort and perseverance.
MDAC Wheel
In the seventh and eighth grade students participate in specialized studies in Music, Drama, Art, and Community Service in a quarterly structure called the MDAC wheel. During these classes students are given the ability to choose from a group of topics which one they will focus on learning more in depth. As a result of this, specific benchmarks are not listed here and vary for each student.