Course Descriptions

6th Grade

6th Grade Course Descriptions

The sixth grade program is structured to ease the transition from elementary school to middle school. Each student is assigned to a team of two, three or four teachers. The schedule is flexible which allows teachers to develop programs that best fit the needs of students.

English 6

Grade 6 Reading SOL Test – Course Number 01109, SCED Code 01034

At the sixth-grade level, the student will demonstrate the ability to work with diverse teams working respectfully with others, participating both as a facilitator and contributor. There is a continued emphasis on text reading and fluency as the student begins to read and comprehend more complex literary and informational texts.

In sixth grade, the student will take a deeper look at plot development and be able to explain how an author’s style impacts the reader’s interpretation of a text. There is an increased emphasis on informational reading by creating objective summaries and drawing inferences using textual evidence.

These critical-thinking skills are foundational to technical reading and writing and are transferable across content areas. At the sixth-grade level, the student will continue to develop as both reader and writer.

The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit writing in a variety of forms to include multi-paragraph compositions with an emphasis on the development of elaboration and unity. Additionally, the student will be introduced to writing thesis statements. The student will be expected to have greater control over the conventions of writing.

Math 6

Grade 6 Math SOL Test – Course Number 03110, SCED Code 02036

The sixth-grade standards are a transition from the emphasis placed on whole number arithmetic in the elementary grades to foundations of algebra. The standards emphasize rational numbers.

Students will use ratios to compare data sets; recognize decimals, fractions, and percents as ratios; solve single-step and multistep problems, using rational numbers; and gain a foundation in the understanding of integers. Students will solve linear equations and use algebraic terminology. Students will solve problems involving triangles, parallelograms, and circles, including work with π (pi).

In addition, students will apply the use of the data cycle, focusing on circle graphs and comparing data represented across different types of graphs.

United States History: 1865 to the Present

Course Number 02354, SCED Code 04103

Students will use skills for historical and geographical analysis as they examine United States history since 1865.

The standards for this course relate to the history of the United States from the Reconstruction era to the present. Students will continue to develop and build upon the fundamental concepts and skills in civics, economics, and geography within the context of United States history.

Students will use investigation as a foundation to delve into the political, economic, and social challenges facing the nation once it reunited after the Civil War.

This foundation provides a pathway to develop an understanding of how the American experience shaped the world’s political and economic landscapes. Students will complete local alternative assessments in lieu of a SOL test.

Science 6

Course Number 04105, SCED Code 03236

The sixth grade standards continue to emphasize data analysis and experimentation. Methods are studied for testing the validity of predictions and conclusions.

Scientific methodology, focusing on precision in stating hypotheses and defining dependent and independent variables, is strongly reinforced. The concept of change is explored through the study of transformations of energy and matter.

The standards present an integrated focus on the role of the sun’s energy in the Earth’s systems, on water in the environment, on air and atmosphere, and on basic chemistry concepts.

A more detailed understanding of the solar system and space exploration becomes a focus of instruction. Natural resource management, its relation to public policy, and cost/benefit tradeoffs in conservation policies are introduced.

Health and Physical Education

Course Number 07110, SCED Code 08110

Students in grade six begin developing a sophisticated understanding of health issues and practicing health skills. They apply health skills and strategies to improve and maintain personal and family health.

Students begin to understand adolescent health issues and the relationship between choices and consequences. They learn how to be a positive role model and the impact of positive and negative peer pressure. Injury prevention behaviors are demonstrated at school and elsewhere. Students are resourceful and discriminating in accessing and critiquing health information.

Students in grade six also combine fundamental physical skills into more complex movement forms during modified game, dance, and recreational activities. Cooperative and competitive small-group games are implemented with emphasis being on developing skills and tactical understanding.

6th Grade Exploratory Courses

Sixth grade exploratory classes are on a 9-week rotation schedule with the exception of Band & P.E.

Keyboarding

Music

Course Number 09208, SCED Code 05136

Sixth grade music exploratory is a course involving students in the development of music skills through singing, playing instruments, and listening to music.

Band

Year Long – Brass Course Number 09230, Woodwinds Course Number 59230, SCED Code 05101

Sixth Grade Band is a class for beginning band students. No previous musical training is required. Instrument selection is made with the guidance of the band director.

Students will learn proper care of their instrument, basic positions, tone production, fingerings, and will count, read, and perform the beginning level of music being studied. Music Standards of Learning provide the framework for students to learn ways in which the content of the separate disciplines within and outside the arts are interrelated with those of music.

The strands are integrated through a variety of classroom and performance activities. Through individualized instruction and the provision of multiple educational opportunities, students will obtain valuable music skills and knowledge.

Introduction to Agri-science 6

Introduction to Technology & Engineering 6

Course Number 08481, SCED Code 21051

Students will be introduced to basic fundamentals of technology, including processes, energy, and information.

Students will work together in groups in a project-based and handson learning environment to explore technology through introductory coding activities using robotics as well as basic technical design and construction projects.

GO TEC 6/Inventions & Innovations

Course Number 08454, SCED Code 19258

This course is a STEM course designed to introduce students to various technological inventions and innovations.

Students will examine the impact of technology on society and learn to solve problems through research, design, and experimentation. Students will work individually and in groups to investigate solutions to technological problems such as programming and game design. Proof of Insurance is required for enrollment in this course.

Art

Course Number 09103, SCED Code 05186

Sixth grade art students will implement the Virginia Standards of Learning to study the elements of art and associated vocabulary, skills & techniques for creating art. Students will work with a variety of media to produce works of art meeting these requirements.

The objectives for grade six emphasize exploration. Using the elements of art and the principles of design as a framework, students investigate a variety of experiences & concepts. Students explore two-dimensional and three-dimensional art media using a variety of expressive and technical approaches. Students begin to understand the factors that distinguish artistic styles that clarify the role of art in American culture.

Introduction to World Cultures

6 weeks – Course Number 05700, SCED Code 24040

Introduction to world cultures is an interdisciplinary course that combines the study of world history and geography along with key world languages & their associated cultures.

Learners will explore diverse regions of the world to examine the historical development of peoples, political systems, and economic patterns, while simultaneously learning foundational vocabulary, grammar, & communication skills in one or more target languages (e.g., Spanish, French, Latin, etc.).

The curriculum emphasizes the interconnectedness of language, cultural practices, products, & perspectives, as learners investigate how history & geography have shaped communication and societal interactions across the globe along with their present-day effects, significance, & consequences particularly within the context of United States history.

Computer Science Discoveries

Course Number 66608, SCED Code 10010

A 9-week exploratory course designed to teach students the foundational concepts of programming using drag and drop blocks rather than a programming language. Students will create computer programs that will help them learn to collaborate with others, develop problem-solving skills, and persist through difficult tasks. Students will also study programming concepts, computational thinking, digital citizenship, and develop interactive games.

7th Grade

7th Grade Course Descriptions

English 7

Grade 7 Reading SOL Test – Course Number 01110, SCED Code 01035

At the seventh-grade level, the student will continue to deliver multimodal presentations individually and in collaborative groups.

The student will continue the study of word origins and roots and begin to distinguish among connotations of words. There is a continued emphasis on text reading and fluency as students continue to read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts.

In literary texts, the student will analyze point of view, interpret the author’s style, and compare and contrast texts on similar topics. When reading informational texts, the seventh-grade student will analyze how authors use evidence, facts, and opinions to support points in multiple texts. Reading and writing will continue to be an integrated process wherein the student will use authors and texts read as models when working on techniques in their own writing.

The student will continue to write for a variety of audiences and purposes, focusing on the development of a clear central idea, tone, and voice. In persuasive writing, the student will be able to clearly state claims using evidence from a text or personal experience as support. The seventh-grade student will be expected to have greater control over the conventions of writing.

Math 7

Grade 7 Math SOL Test – Course Number 03111, SCED Code 02037

The seventh-grade standards build a strong foundation in algebra by developing skills in solving linear equations and inequalities and understanding slope as a rate of change.

Students will explore proportional reasoning, solve practical problems involving volume and surface area, and investigate relationships within quadrilaterals. The course also focuses on data analysis, where students apply the data cycle and use histograms to represent and interpret data. Probability concepts are introduced by comparing experimental results to theoretical expectations.

The course emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication of mathematical ideas.

Integrated Math 7/8

Course Number 13112, SCED Code 02038 -- Based on VDOE Placement Recommendations. Grade 8 Math SOL Test

The Integrated Math 7/8 course integrates foundational concepts and skills from both Grade 7 and Grade 8 mathematics, preparing students for Algebra 1.

This course emphasizes algebraic reasoning and the use of rational numbers, while introducing real numbers and their subsets. Students will build their proportional reasoning, solving practical problems involving percentages, discounts, and ratios. Geometry topics include understanding and applying volume and surface area formulas for various three-dimensional figures, investigating quadrilaterals and transformations in the coordinate plane, and using the Pythagorean Theorem.

Students will explore relationships within quadrilaterals and triangles and develop skills in calculating surface area and volume for more complex shapes. Data analysis and probability are covered through statistical investigations, focusing on histograms, boxplots, scatterplots, and the interpretation of independent and dependent events. Students will continue to strengthen their skills in graphing, evaluating, and solving linear equations and inequalities, introducing multistep solutions in one variable and examining linear functions and their characteristics.

Civics and Economics

Civics and Economics SOL Test – Course Number 02357, SCED Code 04161

Civics and Economics is the foundational course for Virginia and United States Government.

It examines the roles citizens play in the political, governmental, and economic systems in the United States. Students will examine the foundational documents and principles around which the constitutions of Virginia and the United States were established; identify the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens; and describe the structure and operation of government at the local, state, and national levels.

Through the economics standards, students will compare the United States economy to other types of economies and consider the government’s role in the U.S. economy.

Students will investigate the process by which decisions are made in the U.S. market economy and explain the government’s role in it. The standards identify personal character traits, such as patriotism, respect for the law, willingness to perform public service, and a sense of civic duty, that facilitate thoughtful and effective active participation in the civic life of an increasingly diverse democratic society. Students who complete this course will take the Civics and Economics SOL test.

Life Science

Course Number 04115, SCED Code 03071

The life science standards emphasize a more complex understanding of change, cycles, patterns, and relationships in the living world.

Students build on basic principles related to these concepts by exploring the cellular organization and the classification of organisms; the dynamic relationships among organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems; and change because of the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation.

Inquiry skills at this level include organization and mathematical analysis of data, manipulation of variables in experiments, and identification of sources of experimental error.

Health and Physical Education

Course Number 07120, SCED Code 08111

Students in grade seven generate and choose positive alternatives to risky behaviors. They use skills to resist peer pressure and manage stress and anxiety.

Students are able to relate health choices (e.g., nutritional, physical activity) to alertness, feelings, and performance at school and during everyday activity. Students learn to exhibit a healthy lifestyle, interpret health information, and promote good health. In grade seven, students also continue to develop competence in modified versions of game/sport, dance, and recreational activities.

They vary movement during dynamic and changing game situations. Recreational pursuits become an additional curriculum option, broadening lifetime physical activity. The ability to analyze skill performance through observing and understanding critical elements (isolated, small parts of the whole skill or movement) is increasingly apparent, as is the application of basic scientific principles of movement and personal fitness.

7th Grade Exploratory Courses

Unless otherwise noted, all courses are semester courses.

Chorus

Year Long – Course Number 09270, SCED Code 05110

The main emphasis of grade seven chorus is to develop good singing habits and to direct the students toward a positive choral experience.

The Vocal/Choral Standards of Learning require performance, creativity, and investigation at a fundamental level. Students explore ways in which the content of the various disciplines, within and outside the arts, are interrelated with those of music. Students are exposed to music fundamentals of notation and simple sight singing. Students will be given vocal demonstrations by the instructor and then have the opportunity to improve their vocal ability through the singing of vocal exercises as well as a wide variety of choral literature.

Band

Year Long – Brass Course Number 09231, Woodwinds Course Number 59231, SCED Code 05101

Developing basic musicianship skills continues to be a priority at the seventh grade level. Students will begin to use more articulations and bowings, perform scales and music at a more difficult level.

Ensemble skills will become more developed as students participate in band and concert settings. Students will describe concepts common to music and other disciplines, and will be involved in discussing various cultures, styles, composers, and historical periods.

After-school opportunities will be available for such activities as All County and All District Band and small group ensembles.

Art

Course Number 09105, SCED Code 05187

Grade seven art continues to emphasize exploration, analysis, and investigation of the creative process.

Students develop technical skills that empower them to communicate ideas visually, with the focus on realistic representations of their environment. Students acquire knowledge that permits them to identify art styles and the periods to which they belong.

In addition, they become aware of a variety of art careers that they may consider. They develop inquiry skills and vocabulary as they explore the meaning of works of art through analysis of subject matter, themes, and symbols. Students develop an increased awareness of the nature of art and of their relationship to it as they explore the meaning and value of works of art.

Hand Bells

Agri-science Exploration

Course Number 08003, SCED Code 18001

This course is designed to assist students in exploring science as it relates to agriculture.

Through instructional activities, students will have an opportunity to develop an understanding of human relations, communication, and the importance of agriculture. Students will explore agriculture through investigations, problem solving, scenarios and brainstorming. Students will work individually as well as in teams to complete assignments and projects.

Students enrolled in Agri-science at the seventh grade level are given the opportunity to become members of the FFA Chapter. FFA members participate in several extracurricular activities, including leadership conferences, state and national conventions, community service activities, career development events at the local, state and national levels, recreational events and many more educational experiences.

Proof of Insurance is required for enrollment in this course.

Introduction to World Cultures 7

Semester – Course Number 75700, SCED Code 24040

Introduction to world cultures is an interdisciplinary course that combines the study of world history and geography along with key world languages and their associated cultures.

Learners will explore diverse regions of the world to examine the historical development of peoples, political systems, and economic patterns, while simultaneously learning foundational vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills in one or more target languages (e.g., Spanish, French, Latin, etc.).

The curriculum emphasizes the interconnectedness of language, cultural practices, products, and perspectives, with ties as learners investigate global citizenship. A bridge will be made with links to civics and economics as comparisons are made about community institutions such as schools and how different political systems affect daily life.

GO TEC 7

Students will gain an understanding of the importance that innovation has on technology and our society.

Students will learn the engineering design process and how it is utilized to continuously improve existing technology and they will gain an enhanced understanding of this principle through intermediate project-based and hands-on learning activities. Students will use coding to program robots, incorporating the principles of innovation to improve and enhance their robotic projects. Students will also participate in intermediate engineering design and construction projects in order to learn how to take a design idea, sketch it out, and create an actual model or prototype of that design.

Proof of Insurance is required for enrollment in this course.

Computer Science Discoveries

Career Investigations 7

Course Number 09069, SCED Code 19258

This course allows students to explore career options and begin investigating career opportunities using Major Clarity.

Major Clarity will be an integral part of each student's academic plan through graduation. Students assess their roles in society, identify their roles as workers, analyze their personal assets, complete a basic exploration of career clusters, select career pathways or occupations for further study, and create an Academic and Career Plan based on their academic and career interests.

Robotics/Intro Tech 7

Course Number 08482, SCED Code 21051

Students will be introduced to basic fundamentals of technology, including processes, energy, and information.

Students will study the history of humans and their use of technology and the impact of technology on society and its resources. Students will explore the impact of technology to predict future decisions and possible consequences. Students will work together in groups in a project-based and hands-on learning environment to explore technology through introductory coding activities using robotics as well as basic technical design and construction projects

8th Grade

8th Grade Course Descriptions

English 8

Grade 8 Reading SOL Test and Integrated Reading and Writing SOL Test – Course Number 01120, SCED Code 01036

In eighth grade, the student will evaluate, analyze, develop, and produce media messages that are intended for specific audiences.

The student will continue the study of word origins, roots, connotations, and denotations. There is a continued emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing literary and informational texts. In literary texts, the student will analyze the development of theme(s) and compare/contrast authors’ styles.

There will be an increased emphasis on informational reading, and the student will analyze authors’ qualifications, point of view, and style. Reading and writing will continue to be an integrated process wherein the student will use authors and texts read as models when working on techniques in their own writing; the student will continue to develop as both reader and writer.

The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit writing in a variety of forms with an emphasis on expository and persuasive writing. The student will write persuasively and use claims, evidence, and counterclaims to advocate and support a position to fit the audience and purpose. The student will be expected to have greater control over the conventions of writing.

Math 8

Grade 8 Mathematics SOL Test – Course Number 03112, SCED Code 02038

The eighth-grade standards contain both content that reviews or extends concepts and skills learned in previous grades and new content that prepares students for more abstract concepts in Algebra and Geometry.

Key areas of focus include deepening students' understanding of the real number system, including rational and irrational numbers, and expanding their knowledge of proportional reasoning. Students will explore complex three-dimensional shapes, applying formulas to determine volume and surface area, and develop spatial reasoning through transformations in the coordinate plane.

Data analysis is a significant component, where students apply the data cycle to create and interpret boxplots and scatterplots, drawing insights from univariate and bivariate data. Students will extend their ability to work with expressions, multistep equations, and inequalities, and learn to represent and analyze linear functions.

Algebra I

Algebra I SOL Test – Course Number 03130, SCED Code 02052

Successful completion of Integrated Math 7/8 based on VDOE Placement Recommendations. This is a High School Credit

Algebra I provides a foundation for the study of advanced mathematics through the development of algebraic reasoning, problemsolving, and analytical thinking.

Students develop algebraic reasoning skills to represent and analyze real-world relationships using expressions, equations, inequalities, and functions. Key topics include operations with polynomials and radicals, solving and interpreting linear and quadratic equations and systems, and exploring linear, quadratic, and exponential functions.

Students also investigate bivariate data through scatterplots, lines of best fit, and regression models. The course emphasizes conceptual understanding, multiple representations, and the use of technology to connect algebraic methods with practical applications.

Physical Science

Grade 8 Science SOL Test – Course Number 04125, SCED Code 03159

The physical science courses stress an in-depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy.

The standards place considerable emphasis on the technological application of physical science principles. Major areas covered by the standards include the organization and use of the periodic table, physical and chemical changes, nuclear reactions, temperature and heat; sound, light, electricity and magnetism, and work, force, and motion.

Global Geography and Cultures

Course Number 82209, SCED Code 04900

The focus of this course enables students to explore the world’s geography and various cultures with an emphasis on world regions.

It includes the study of fundamental geographic skills and tools, absolute and relative location of people and places, physical and cultural characteristics of various places, adaptation to environments, migration and settlement patterns, and the relationship of geography, politics, and economics. Students study the origins of many world cultures using texts, maps, pictures, stories, diagrams, charts, chronological skills, inquiry/research skills, and technology skills.

8th Grade Exploratory Courses

Unless otherwise noted, all courses are semester courses.

Physical Education 8

Course Number 07210, SCED Code 08112

In eighth grade, students deepen their understanding of health by exploring the causes of diseases, the role of family history in health risks, and the consequences of health choices.

They apply responsible decision-making, self-management, and relationship skills to personal, family, and community health concerns, and use consumer information to make informed choices.

In physical education, students build competence in skillful movement across dynamic games, sports, and recreational activities, progressing from modified versions to more complex applications. They learn how the body’s systems interact with physical activity, explore the relationship between nutrition and body composition, and develop a deeper understanding of energy balance.

Students demonstrate respect, fair play, and responsible behavior, while setting fitness goals, tracking progress, and improving health-related fitness across a variety of activities.

Spanish I

High School Credit (Year Long) – Course Number 05510, SCED Code 24052

This course offers an exciting journey into the Spanish language and the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.

Students will learn to communicate in Spanish and explore the traditions, music, and ways of life that shape Hispanic communities. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills will be developed to encourage deeper engagement with the language and novice mid communicative proficiency.

The curriculum aligns to the Virginia World Language Standards of Learning with regard to emphasizing person-to-person communication, comprehension through listening and reading, oral and written presentations, and exploring cultural perspectives. A variety of engaging and interactive activities will be employed to enhance learning.

Hand Bells

Choir

Year Long – Course Number 89260, SCED Code 05110

The Vocal/Choral Standards of Learning require performance, creativity, and investigation.

Students explore ways in which the content of the various disciplines, within and outside the arts, are interrelated with those of music. Students are exposed to music fundamentals of notation and simple sight singing. T

he main emphasis of the class is to develop good singing habits and to direct the students toward a positive choral experience. Students will have the opportunity to improve their vocal ability through the singing of vocal exercises as well as a wide variety of choral literature. The class will also emphasize the development of vocal production techniques and may feature ensemble participation.

Band

Year Long – Course Number 09229, SCED Code 05101

Developing basic musicianship skills continues to be a priority at the eighth grade level.

Students will begin to use more articulations and bowings, and perform scales and music at a more difficult level. Ensemble skills will become more developed as students participate in band and concert settings. Students will describe concepts common to music and other disciplines, and will be involved in discussing various cultures, styles, composers, and historical periods.

After-school opportunities will be available for such activities as All County and All District Band and small group ensembles.

Art

Course Number 09115, SCED Code 05188

Grade eight art focuses on the synthesis and application of previously learned concepts.

Using traditional and emerging technologies, students are able to apply more complex technical skills as they manipulate the elements of art and the principles of design, art media, and ideas. Students acquire art skills that enable them to make conscious choices of media and techniques for expressive purposes. Students produce works of art that are developed from preliminary ideas and sketches.

They compare and contrast art from different world cultures and investigate how context can influence meaning.

Agri-science and Technology

Course Number 08004, SCED Code 18001

Through laboratory activities, students apply scientific principles to the field of agriculture, including plants, animals, and ecology/conservation.

This course introduces students to biotechnology as it relates to agriculture. Students are introduced to new technology and its impact on agriculture. An introduction to international agriculture and new strategies in marketing agricultural products are also included.

Students enrolled in Agri-science at the eighth grade level are given the opportunity to become members of the Middle School FFA Chapter. FFA members participate in several extra curricula activities including leadership conferences, state and national conventions, community service activities, career development events at the local, state and national levels, recreational events and many more educational experiences.

Proof of Insurance is required for enrollment in this course.

Digital Input Technologies

Course Number 06161, SCED Code 10003

This foundation course introduces the use of relevant emerging technologies, tools, and applications to prepare students current workplace practices and everyday life. Students will demonstrate information processing using a variety of hardware and software and internet-based tools to produce and integrate data in various formats.

Computer Science Discoveries

Introduction to Technology & Engineering 8

Course Number 88482, SCED Code 21051

An advanced-level technology course, students will begin to understand how technology works together as a system by exploring the Universal Systems Model and observing how inputs are processed into outputs.

Students will then utilize feedback to make improvements on the system as a whole. This will be accomplished through advanced project-based learning with robotics, coding, design and construction projects geared towards continuous improvement of technological systems. Students will learn to analyze causes of failures or problems in their projects and how to use this knowledge in order to make improvements.

Technological Systems 8 - GO TEC

Course Number 08486, SCED Code 21001

This course allows students to use and apply knowledge learned in their core classes in real-world workplace simulations.

Go Tec Career Applications introduces students to six focus areas: precision machining, welding, IT/cybersecurity, robotics, automation and mechatronics, advanced materials, and healthcare. Students will participate in a focused curriculum that exposes them to various career pathways and career specific vocabulary as well as provides them with hands-on learning experiences with equipment comparable to industry equipment. Students will update their Major Clarity Academic and Career Plan based on their GO TEC experiences in preparation for the transition to high school and beyond.

Proof of Insurance is required for enrollment in this course.