Curriculum Map

For more information and grade by grade details, please view the Middle School Curriculum Map document.


The Middle School humanities program is an amalgamation of history and English. Much of the content is driven by the social studies program as a variety of genres and ideas are explored. Writing and critical thinking skills are emphasized in both written work and dialogue; students are required to articulate their ideas and lead class discussions at various times throughout the year.

In the Middle School, students will be exposed to a balanced mathematics program that uses their emerging abilities to find structure, make conjectures, test ideas, build understanding, think hypothetically and engage in abstraction and generalization. Algebra is the language in which most of mathematics is communicated. It also provides a means of operating with concepts at the abstract level and then applying them, which is a process that fosters generalizations and insights beyond the original context.   The three-year program of mathematics instruction offers students continuous opportunities to make essential mathematical connections that will enable them to advance to the high school curriculum with a solid foundation.

The Middle School science program is an inquiry-based science program that provides students with opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge through hands-on experiments and explorations in a variety of topics. They are actively involved in exploring phenomena that interest them both in and out of the classroom. Students are exposed to a broad definition of science and recognize the role of science in all disciplines. Critical thinking skills are emphasized as well as an understanding of the civic responsibility that comes with scientific knowledge.

The philosophy of the Middle School Spanish program centers on communication, cultures and connections as they sophisticate the students' level of communication. The goal of the program is to present Spanish as a mode of communication, emphasizing understanding, creativity and confidence with the skills acquired. The program continues to emphasize Total Physical Response Storytelling.  Through contextualized exposure to grammatical concepts, active engagement with relevant texts, original compositions and dynamic conversation, students absorb and own the nuances of the Spanish language, while increasing their appreciation for Spanish-speaking cultures.

Arts

Creative expression through the visual arts is important and nurtured throughout the middle school years. Students create increasingly complex original works of art reflecting personal choices and increased technical skills. Additionally, students study the development of the visual arts and how they reflect values in past and present cultures throughout the world.

Music

The Orff Schulwerk approach is used in music instruction. Students experience music through song, movement, dance, improvisation, instrumental work, listening and critiquing, which leads to the development of increasingly sophisticated skills and the understanding of musical concepts.

Drama

Drama in the Middle School becomes more refined and focuses on developing skills through an intensive study of voice, movement and theatrical terminology.  Specific theatre techniques created and mined in the American Theatre are used to sharpen and enhance the student’s imagination, creativity and self-expression.  Students are encouraged to take risks, think critically and create freely in ensemble and solo work without judgment of self or others.

Life Skills is an academic class with grade-level benchmarks and homework requirements. The class is designed for students to learn and process both concrete and abstract information with the goal of informed decision making regarding a variety of topics of importance to young adolescents.

The goal of the Blue Oak School Physical Education program is to present meaningful opportunities for students to learn behaviors, concepts, knolwedge and skills that will help them make appropriate decisions in terms of social, emotional, intellectual and physical health.  The Middle School Physical Education curriculum emphasizes four key areas:  New Games; Individual and Team Sports; Adventure-Education; and Wellness.  This curricular design provides opportunities for students to explore a variety of movement skills and concepts, develop appropriate social skills, think critically and reflect on their experiences.  Throughout the curriculum, students are encouraged to accept new challenges, delve deeper into personal interests and explore their role within the group dynamic.

Basic Computer/Technology Use

Learn the basic operation of a computer and associated software.

Learn appropriate academic vocabulary for computers and associated materials

 

 

Starts and shuts down computer.

 

Practices responsible use of technology.

 

Opens and quits applications.

 

Communicates about technology using developmentally appropriate and accurate terminology.

 

Works with windows, icons and menus.

 

Uses keyboard, mouse and other common input and output devices.

 

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of using technology in daily life.

 

Applies strategies for identifying and solving routine hardware and software problems.

 

Makes informed decisions in choosing the most appropriate technology systems, resources, and services.

 

 Keyboarding

3.      Develop keyboarding skills in a developmentally appropriate spiral.

 

 

Uses proper posture and ergonomics

 

Locates and uses letter and number keys with correct left and right hand placement.

 

Uses the correct finger on the correct hand for space bar, return or enter key and shift key

 

Practices keyboarding skills using software Ultrakey twice a week.

 

Key the entire alphabetic keyboard by touch using the correct finger of the correct hand.

 

“Touch-types 20 words per minutes with 98% accuracy.

 

File and Resource Management

4.       Become skilled in managing online materials

 

 

Logs into network.

 

Saves and finds files and folders.

 

Keeps documents separate from applications.

 

Creates folders to store work and saves work in correct folder.

 

Describes hardware and software problems.

 

Organizes folders for work in progress and final drafts in an organized system.

 

Shares files over network and email.

 

Saves work in various formats and adds correct extensions to file names.

 

Social and Ethical Use

5.      Demonstrate age appropriate understanding.

 

 

Follows rules and procedures for technology use.

 

Follows school acceptable use policy and understands consequences of inappropriate use.

 

Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others when using technology.

 

Demonstrates positive social and ethical behaviors when using technology systems and software.

 

Demonstrates knowledge of current changes in information technologies and

 

Exhibits legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology and discusses

 

Follows proper use of copyrighted material and cites resources properly.

 

Demonstrates and advocates for legal and ethical behaviors among peers, family and communityt

 

Word Processing

 

    6. Learns basic skills of word processing.

 

 

 

Inserts, edits and formats text

 

Formats a basic document (e.g., title, paragraphs, alignment)

 

Creates bullet and number lists.

 

Uses spell checker and thesaurus.

 

Wraps text around a graphic.

 

Uses word processor from first to final draft.

 

Uses ruler, margins and tabs.

 

Uses outlining features.

 

Inserts headers and footers.

 

Creates and formats tables.

 

Inserts sections, columns, and page breaks.

 

Transfers and merges files into documents.

 

Graphics and Publishing

 

    7. Becomes skilled using images and good design.

 

 

 

Creates pictures with paint program.

 

Uses draw tools to create objects.

 

Inserts graphics within an application.

 

Imports and modifies images.

 

Captures images from the Internet and follows copyright laws for use of images

 

Uses digital camera.

 

Knows the difference between draw and paint.

 

Rotates, duplicates, groups, aligns, and resizes objects.

 

Saves images in different formats.

 

Uses text objects in draw mode.

 

Applies good design principles.

Presentation Tools

 

    8. Gains skills to create proficient presentations.

 

 

 

Determines target audience, goal and purpose of presentation.

 

Uses outlines, storyboards, and mind-mapping software to brainstorm and plan presentations

 

Adds transitions and sounds to presentations.

 

Imports animations and videos.

 

Applies good design principles.

 

Includes graphs and charts in presentation.

 

Uses presentation software (e.g. PowerPoint) to produce multimedia presentations

 

Spreadsheets

  

    9. Learns to use spreadsheets to display and create meaning with data.

 

 

 

Explains what the data represents in an existing spreadsheet.

 

Uses existing spreadsheet to sort and find data.

 

Collects data and creates new spreadsheet.

 

Uses simple formulas.

 

Collects, inputs, analyzes, organizes and displays data graphically.

 

Uses the appropriate chart for activity and data.

 

Adds and formats appropriate labels and legends.

 

Formats and changes axis scale, chart area, data series or appearance of charts.

 

Databases

 

    10. Understands and uses databases.

 

 

 

Knows of educational uses of databases.

 

Uses existing databases (e.g., library online catalog)

 

Knows terms such as records and fields.

 

Finds and sorts information in a database.

 

Email

 

    11. Learns proper procedures, uses and etiquette.

 

 

 

Explains the parts of an email address.

 

Creates username and password.

 

Receives and replies to messages.

 

Composes, edits, and sends messages.

 

Follows proper email etiquette.

 

Uses cc/bcc and subject fields appropriately.

 

Forwards mail with leading message.

 

Creates/edits address book.

 

Attaches, receives, and opens attachments using appropriate format and extension.

 

Internet

 

    12. Becomes skilled in using the Internet.

 

 

 

Uses teacher selected web sites.

 

Launches a browser and uses the tool bar.

 

Navigates by clicking on links on web pages.

 

Returns to site using back button or bookmark.

 

Adds bookmarks/favorites.

 

Knows the parts of a URL.

 

Uses keyword and natural language searches.

 

Evaluates site and information for validity and accuracy.

 

Copies and pastes text or images and cites sources correctly.

 

Knows difference between search engines and subject directories.