DIS course guide

This guide has been developed to assist you in planning your classes for the coming school year. The intermediate school is specifically designed to meet the needs of seventh and eighth grade students in the transition from elementary school to high school. It is our sincere hope that each student will have many rewarding and challenging experiences during his/her years in the intermediate school. We encourage you to maintain contact with the teachers, counselor, and principal.

Please contact the guidance office at 731-3651 if you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding scheduling or the transition to the intermediate school.

REQUIRED COURSES:

English 7: The Language Arts Curriculum for grade seven integrates the past language experiences of the intermediate students in a varied program. The purpose of the program is to develop skills in Language Arts appropriate to the age, ability, and needs of each early adolescent student. Appreciation for literature is emphasized and the skills and mechanics of writing are developed at the students' readiness levels according to their needs. Their writing includes expressive, literary, expository, and practical products.

Math 7- A: This is an advanced math course for those students who have been identified by their standardized test scores and by their sixth grade math teacher as ready for a course in which abstract concepts will be emphasized. The concepts which will be covered include: sets of numbers (whole, natural, integers, rational, irrational, real), simplification of expressions, logic, equations, geometry, and problem-solving. The computer will be utilized whenever possible in the course. At the conclusion of this course the students will be given an algebra prognosis and logical reasoning test to determine whether they are ready to take Algebra 1. The students not taking Algebra I will take Pre-Algebra in the eighth grade.

Math 7 - Level I or 2: This is the appropriate subject for all but the most advanced math students. This course provides an opportunity for students to work at their own ability levels on the fundamental skills which are required for success at more advanced levels of mathematics, as well as for success in solving the problems of everyday living. The student who successfully completes Math 7 will have an understanding of all operations involving whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. In addition, students will work in the areas of percent, geometry, problem-solving, measurement, probability, and consumer skills. Those students showing maturity in more abstract concepts will be introduced to integers, solving equations, graphing, probability and statistics, and coordinate geometry. Level I is above average difficulty. Level 2 is average difficulty.

Science 7: Science is an exciting exploration of the world of life around us. Students will experience broad exposure to the basic aspects of biology. Most of the class time will be spent in laboratory sessions: conducting investigations, collecting and interpreting data, and drawing conclusions. Students will learn by doing something rather than just reading about it.

Social Studies 7: The seventh grade social studies program focuses on the civic, economic, and political systems of Virginia and the United States. It compares these systems with others in the world. The curriculum provides for the progressive development of such inquiry skills as hypothesizing, analyzing, and concluding, and applies these skills to what is happening in the community, state, country, and world.

Physical Education and Health: The physical education program provides each student with the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. The program includes individual, dual, and team sports, with an emphasis on cardiovascular health. Health education is encompassed within the total physical education program. Students spend 40% of their scheduled time in health class. Health units include: safety education, family life, mental health, personal health, drug use and abuse, nutrition, and diseases.

ELECTIVE COURSES:
Band 7 - Intermediate Band: This ensemble is made up of second year band students. The class meets every day and focuses on technique and theory associated with instrumental music. The second year band method and music geared for this level are used.

Beginning Band: This class meets every day and focuses on instrumental instruction on the first year level. No prior musical knowledge is necessary. The class is open to all students in grades 7-12. Both the beginning and intermediate bands perform two concerts a year with a minimum of outside class rehearsals.

Choir Choices: The seventh and eighth grade choirs are performing groups which stress sight reading skills, vocal technique for the changing voice as well as performance techniques These groups give two public performances a year. No previous experience is necessary.

Chorale - This chorus is a non-auditioned performance group. This group performs SAB and SATB literature.

Treble Choir - This chorus is a non-auditioned performance group for students who have treble (female or unchanged male) voices. This group performs two and three part treble music.

Reading: The reading program for grades seven and eight provides small group instruction for students needing to raise their reading level. The reading program stresses vocabulary development, comprehension skills and writing skills. Students are placed in this program through recommendation and test scores. This class will be scheduled in place of an elective.

EXPLORATORY COURSES:
A student may be enrolled in art, critical thinking, and keyboarding for twelve weeks each. Or a student may choose to take art and keyboarding for eighteen weeks each.

Art - The art program is based upon the six basic elements of design (line, color, texture, value, space, and shape), and is planned to stimulate an appreciation of art. The program enables the student to achieve fascinating and intriguing effects which do not demand any particular skill or special ability.

Keyboarding - This is an introductory course where students will learn the touch system of keyboarding using computers. Students will also learn the basic skills of proper formatting for various kinds of reports and correspondence.

Critical Thinking - Seventh graders can take an exploratory course in Critical Thinking, which is taught by Mrs. Swope. Critical Thinking students complete units on the Brain, Inventiveness, and Academic/Career Planning. They also study logic, fallacies, and propaganda. Critical Thinking stresses divergent thinking, writing, and integrates the use of technology in the classroom.

English 8: The eighth grade English curriculum is designed to help students understand the process of the English language and to develop an awareness of their literary heritage. A comprehensive program including reading, writing, speaking, and listening allows for the development of skills appropriate to the age, ability, and needs of the pre-adolescent student, and a variety of activities provides an atmosphere to accommodate individual learning styles and interests.

Algebra I: Algebra I is the study of numbers, sets and variables; properties of real numbers; operations of real numbers; solving equations, inequalities and word problems; functions, relations and graphs; polynomials and their factors; rational expressions; irrational numbers and radical expressions. Students who have completed an advance math course in seventh grade and passed an algebra prognosis and logical reasoning test may take Algebra I in the eighth grade.

Pre-Algebra: this course prepares the students for Algebra I. It is designed for those students who have done well in Math 7 (upper levels) and have the recommendation of their teacher Topics covered in this course include: descriptions and operations on sets of numbers (whole, natural, integers, rational, irrational, real); simplifying expressions containing rational numbers and grouping symbols; properties of rational numbers; equation-solving; geometry; number theory; logic and sets, percentage, problem solving and simple algebra concepts. Successful completion of this course will enable students to take Algebra I.

Math 8: This is a general math course for those students who still need more practice with operations on whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. The topics taught in Math 7 will be reviewed and studied in more detail. In addition the student will work with sets of integers and perform the four operations on this set of numbers. Equation-solving will be introduced and the student will learn to solve simple equations.

Science 8: Physical Science is a study of classification, structure, patterns, and changes in matter and energy. The eighth grade science program is an activity (laboratory) oriented approach to selected topics in physical science with an emphasis on an understanding of the processes of science. It is intended that students will gain an appreciation of science while achieving success in learning skills necessary for future science courses.

Social Studies 8: The eighth grade social studies program focuses on United States history, geography, government, and economics. Through the development of inquiry skills, students learn to use the kinds of questions asked by the historian, geographer, political scientist, economist, etc

Physical Education & Health: The physical education program provides an opportunity for students to participate in a variety of activities. The physical education program includes individual, dual, and team sports with an emphasis on cardiovascular health. Health education is encompassed within the total physical education program. Students spend 40% of their scheduled time in health. Health units include: safety education, family life, mental health, personal health, drug use and abuse, nutrition, and diseases.

Art 8: Art 8 is a continuation of previous art experience to help students develop an appreciation and awareness of the world of art. The program is designed to develop self-discipline, self-expression, originality, and provide new opportunities for the exploration of form and its spatial relationship. The program includes an introduction to art history.

Band 8: This ensemble works primarily on techniques of playing together and secondarily on individual problems. There is also continues emphasis on music theory and how it pertains to third year instrumental music. There is a minimum amount of outside class rehearsal which occurs around February and March. There are three major performances during the year.

Chorale: The seventh and eighth grade chorus is a performing group class which stresses sight reading skills, vocal technique for the changing voice as well as performance techniques. This group gives two public performances a year. No previous experience in chorus is necessary.

French l / Spanish I: These languages, taught at the high school, will be offered to eighth grade students upon the recommendation of their English teacher. Strong English skills are necessary in the study of a foreign language. Elementary speaking, reading, and writing skills will be developed.

Mini Courses: Mini-courses are designed to offer each student an opportunity to explore various career possibilities and how they relate to them. Students also have the opportunity to learn some important computer and life skills within these classes. The three courses to be studied are:

1. Computer Basics - This is an introductory course where students will become acquainted with computers and some programs, including word processing) the internet, and other software.

2. Drafting - This introductory course is designed so students can learn to read a scale used in mechanical drafting and use drafting equipment. Students also learn to draw one view and three view orthographic projection drawings.

3. Exploring Work and Family Roles - This course is designed for girls and boys to explore the responsibilities of family life and their roles in the work place. Units on beginning sewing, cooking, and personal development, will also be included.

4. Wood Technology - This introductory course helps students develop basic carpentry, electrical, and plumbing skills. Students at the middle school level do not operate power machinery. A nominal fee is charged for project materials.

Keyboarding: Students develop or refine touch skills for entering alphabetic, numeric, and symbol information on a keyboard. Students also apply keyboarding skills to produce a variety of personal and business document.

Reading : The reading program for grades seven and eight provides small group instruction for students needing to raise their reading level. The reading program stresses vocabulary development, comprehension skills, and writing skills. Students are placed in this program through teacher recommendation and test scores. This class will be scheduled in the place of an elective.

Eighth Grade Independent Study: Students document the time they spend researching a selected area of interest and present a final project in a spring public forum. Students must document at least 72 hours of research to receive course credit. This course is part of the gifted program. See Mrs. Swope or Mrs. Kimbleton during registration if you would like an application.