ART
Prerequisites: none
Grade level: 6
Course Credit: N/A
This course is a one-year program that will help students develop an artistic and aesthetic awareness which will continue through out their lifetimes. Basic skills and techniques will be taught including watercolor, charcoal, drawing, painting and collage. Students will participate with projects, journals and exhibitions.
Prerequisites: none
Grade level: 7
Course Credit: N/A
This course is a study of art focusing on the important roles that artists play in society and cultures. The course will focus on artists as storytellers, recorders, designers, inventors, teachers, and messengers or interpreters. Students will develop journals, a portfolio and participate in an exhibition.
FINE ARTS
Course Title: Beginner Band
Grade Level: 6-8
Course Credit: N/A
The Brinkley Beginner Band is an introductory band class opened to any student who has not previously participated in band. Instruction is offered on the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Members are required to attend all performances throughout the year.
Course Title: Practical Arts
Grade Level: 7
Course Credit: none/9-week rotation class
In this 9 week course, students will learn fundamental drumming. Students will learn the basic rhythmic foundation of the world’s most popular rhythms: reggae, samba, hip-hop, funk, salsa, calypso, Afro and more. At the end of this course, they will be able to competently play rhythmic patterns in virtually ANY musical setting. They will learn to recognize and differentiate various rhythms and musical styles, how to create proper tones from a drum, learn to FEEL rhythmic syncopation in the body and discover how express it musically.
Course Title: Middle School Band
Grade Level: 7-8
Course Credit: N/A
The Middle School Band is the intermediate level band in the Brinkley schools. It is made up of students in grades 7 and 8 who can read music and have experienced playing wind or percussion instruments. It is a semi-performance group with emphasis placed on the continued learning of music fundamentals. Members are required to attend all performances throughout the year.
MUSIC
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 6
Course credit: N/A
This course is comprised of two parts. During the first half of the quarter, students will examine various musical elements rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, and tone color as well as musical form. During the second half of the quarter, we will utilize this conceptual foundation to perform music selected by the teacher.
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 6
Course credit: N/A
The course is a basic examination of the development and major cultural contributions of American music and composers. Popular forms, jazz, soul, gospel, big band, rap, and rock will be studied.
Prerequisite: None
Grade level: 7
Course credit: N/A
This course is designed for beginner piano students. Students spend one quarter on piano keyboard. Simple melodies and scales are introduced along with musical styles and sight reading.
Prerequisite: None
Grade Level: 7-8
Course credit: N/A
This is a 2 semester course for grades 7-8. The choir will learn about music history and music while singing a varied repertoire of music from the baroque era up through contemporary music. The choir performs at winter and spring concerts. Students further develop singing techniques and slight singing skills that were begun in elementary choir.
Course Title: Keyboarding
Prerequisites: None
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
In this introductory course students will use the complete touch method to learn the computer keyboard. The Office 2003 program is used to help students learn the formats for many business correspondences. Students learn all aspects of the keyboard such as numbers, review alphabet, cursor, tab, spacing, margins and proofreading. Proper sentence structure is monitored.
Course Title: Junior East Lab
Prerequisites: None
Grade Level: 7-8
Course Credit: N/A
This course is designed to help students become responsible individuals and to make good decisions. A non traditional teaching approach is utilized in the class and students learn to research topics and issues of interest and design appropriate solutions for problems.
ENGLISH
Prerequisite: completion of grade 5
Grade Level: 6
Course credit: N/A
The sixth grade language arts class provides students with daily or regular practice in developing skills and strategies in reading, writing, grammar, speaking, and listening so as to prepare students to construct and convey meaning within these strands and beyond in other subject areas. To do so, the program focuses on the connection between reading, writing, and thinking.
Prerequisite: completion of grade 5
Grade Level: 6
Course credit: N/A
The sixth grade language arts-reading class focuses on both reading proficiency and vocabulary development. The vocabulary segment includes use of context, word structure, and literacy concepts. Comprehension is developed through the use of literary and expository selections with an emphasis on responding through writing. Students also use a computer program to reinforce these skills.
This course will provide additional writing and speaking activities including group projects and presentations.
Prerequisites: completion of 6 grade
Grade level: 7
Course Credit: N/A
This a mandatory class for all seventh grade students who enter the middle school. The course is designed to cover basic grammar and usage of the English language. The class includes some writing and reading. The class is supported with the Compass Learning Lab and a regular textbook. Spelling and vocabulary are important parts in this course.
Prerequisites: Teacher selection / parent selection
Grade level: 7
Course Credit: N/A
This course is designed to afford seventh grade students who have demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in sixth grade a more challenging English curriculum. The emphasis is on reading various genres of literature and writing about those works. Students will use the Step- up to Writing to produce several written assignments.
Course Title: Practical Arts (Reading)
Prerequisites: completion of sixth grade
Grade level: 7
Course Credit: N/A
The seventh grade reading practical arts class focuses on both vocabulary building and reading comprehension skills. The vocabulary segment uses context clues, word structure, and literary terms. Comprehension is developed through the use of literary and content selections with an emphasis on responding through writing. Students use the Compass Learning Lab program to reinforce these skills.
Prerequisites: English 7
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
Eighth grade English will build upon previously learned skills in order to increase students’ competency in communication. This course is being taught based upon the Smart Step Literacy Lab Classroom Project that emphasizes the reading and writing workshop approach to literacy. Students will read and complete a variety of activities based on self-selected books, material from the eighth grade literature books, and other appropriate forms of print. Students will also engage in the writing process based on texts read, class discussions, open response questions, and teacher/self-generated topics. Grammar will be taught through the context of writing and mini lessons. Along with opportunities to improve their reading and writing skills, there will be daily opportunities for students to improve their speaking and listening skills through class and group activities. Each student will work in the Computer Lab one day a week on an individualized path of lessons to supplement and extend classroom studies.
Prerequisites: English 7
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
Advanced English students will be introduced to additional literature selections from a variety of genres. Students will be expected to complete more of the reading and assignments on their own to allow time for more in depth class discussion. This course will provide additional writing and speaking activities including group projects and presentations.
Course Title: Mathematics 6
Prerequisites: completion of fifth grade
Grade level: 6
Course Credit: N/A
This course covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, graphing, fractions, percents, and data tables. Students will also model, illustrate and perform the operations of addition and subtraction of integers; use patterns, relations, and functions to represent and analyze mathematical situations using proportions rational numbers and real world problems. Students will also represent, solve, and analyze mathematical situations using algrbraic symbols. The Compass Learning and A+ Labs are a support for this class.
Prerequisites: completion of sixth grade
Grade level: 7
Course Credit: N/A
This course covers addition, subtraction, multiplication and division expressions, decimals, graphing, statistics, basic geometry, fractions, percents, proportions rational numbers and real world problems. The five strands of mathematics are covered to ensure students are proficient and perform at grade level. The Compass Learning Lab and A + Labs are a support for this class.
Prerequisites: completion of 7th grade
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
This course is designed to accelerate the learning of students who are not ready for Algebra I as they enter 8th grade. Students who successfully complete Ramp-Up to Algebra in 8th grade can complete Algebra II by the end of 11th grade. This will place students on track with the mate needed to enter college or career preparation. Ramp-Up to Algebra gives students a real opportunity not only to master the basics, but also to leap forward to college preparation curriculum expectations.
Course Title: Pre-Algebra
Prerequisites: Grade acquired in 7th grade math
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
This course is designed to prepare students for the more rigorous mathematical concepts. The students will explore algebra topics such as linear equations, solving inequalities, rational numbers, graphing, algebraic expressions and more.
Prerequisites: completion of sixth grade
Grade level: 7
Course credit: N/A
This class is required for seventh grade students. The topics covered in the class include life cycles, environment, heredity, ecosystems, bacteria, diseases, and biomes. The students will be exposed to environmental issues and discuss population and communities. Two projects must be completed in this class.
Prerequisites: parent/ teacher recommendation
Grade level: 7
Course Credit: N/A
This class is more challenging than the regular seventh grade class. Student will study life science with emphasis on cells and heredity, ecology, health, ecology and plants. The students are expected to research assigned topics and assessments will require more short answer essays. Students will complete two major projects for exhibit and explanation.
Course Title: Earth
Science
Prerequisites: completion of 7th grade
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
This is a required class for eighth grade students. The units of study include exploring planets, climate, weather, earth’s changing surface, earth’s waters, and astronomy.
The primary goal of this course is for students to understand the major themes of earth science. A lab is an important part of this class.
Prerequisites: teacher/ parent recommendation
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
This class is more challenging for students. In this course students will investigate the major branches of Earth science: geology, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy.
The students will develop an understanding of the inquiry process and they will develop an understanding of the connections and applications of science. Students are exposed to a laboratory experience to conduct experiments and to make prediction and draw conclusions.
HEALTH AND
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Prerequisites: None
Grade level: 6-8
Course Credit: N/A
This course is designed to involve students in living a healthier life style. Students are taught general calisthenics, aerobic exercises, format for running and jogging and weight training. The students learn rules of games and the importance of cooperation. Daily performance and skill test are included along with written tests.
Course Title: Practical Arts Health
Prerequisites: None
Grade level: 7
Course Credit: N/A
Only seventh grade students are assigned to this class for ¼ of the school year. Students receive instruction in acceptable health habits. Topics covered are food pyramid, adequate rest and exercise, acceptable social habits and risky behaviors (e.g. smoking, alcohol).
*Athletics is offered throughout the school day.
SOCIAL STUDIES AND HISTORY
Prerequisites: completion of sixth grade
Grade level: 7
Course Credit: N/A
This an introductory course in the study of cultural, geographical physical features, land forms, regions and map skills. The students will become knowledgeable about peoples of the seven continents.
Prerequisites: parent/ teacher recommendation
Grade level: 7
Course Credit: N/A
This course is more challenging than the regular geography class. Students will gain mapping and charting skills and become acquainted with the world’s distribution of land and water as well as specific place names for physical features and regions. The course requires more writing and project completions.
Prerequisites: Geography
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
This course explores the United Stated History beginning in
1877. The first semester is designed to help students realize the richness of
the
Prerequisites: Teacher/parent/recommendation
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
This course is designed to be more challenging for the
students. Several themes are explored in an in-depth manner: cultural
diversity, civil rights, constitutional concerns, and economic opportunity. The
students are required to research and produce a paper on an assigned topic. The
Prerequisites: None
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
This is a class designed to introduce students to the world of work. Students are provided and inventory of preferences and they explore many job fields to understand the proper preparation needed to enter a desired career. Topics covered are planning for an interview, filling out an application, salaries, time management and personal responsibility.
Prerequisites: None
Grade level: 8
Course Credit: N/A
This course is an introductory class that is offered for a semester to seventh graders. The students use a computer program to assist them in learning the fundamentals of a computer. Students use the Micro type program and moves at their own rate to lean proper hand position, alphabet, tabs, margins and spacing.