Middle School Curriculum

Sayre creates an environment in which students are immersed in literature and writing, encouraging students to become accurate, life-long readers and skilled writers aware of their own voices, while deepening students' awareness of themselves, others, and the world.

5^th Grade

• Read from a variety of genres
• Introduce students to figurative language
• Practice using text evidence for comprehension
• Practice inference skills for comprehension 
• Explore theme(s) in literature
• Write daily
• Build vocabulary through lessons
• Study and practice grammar skills

6^th Grade

• Introduce plot and the elements of narrative
• Write daily in short/medium/long formats
• Learn to write for different rhetorical types
• Read critically from a variety of genres
• Investigate interdisciplinary themes (especially in relation to 6th grade Social Studies)
• Study and practice grammar skills
• Build vocabulary through lessons and use

7^th Grade

• Read literature in its historical context
• Develop an increasingly sophisticated vocabulary for use in both oral and written formats
• Write creative pieces that spring from the novels read
• Write expository pieces analyzing the works studied throughout the year
• Review books through oral presentations, book trailers, and posters
• Analyze novels, short stories, and poems
• Develop an understanding of writer's voice
• Develop transitional sentences in writing
• Study the rules of grammar and mechanics in relation to the development of one’s writing
• Focus on outside readings as a means of not only exploring interests but also increasing reading fluency and comprehension.

8^th Grade

• Write original short stories focusing on voice, character, and conflict
• Develop an increasingly sophisticated vocabulary for use in both oral and written formats
• Closely read literary passages with an eye for figurative language and literary devices
• Analyze themes of utopia, dystopia, individuality, and power
• Extend poetry and short story analysis
• Read and write several forms of poetry
• Read a Shakespearean play
• Continue to review books through oral presentations, book trailers, and posters
• Further focus on grammar usage and punctuation in the context of student writing
• Compose and peer edit multiple essays
• Focus on outside readings as a means of not only exploring interests but also increasing reading fluency and comprehension.

Sayre incorporates creativity, aesthetics, criticism, and history into a flexible and evolving curriculum which emphasizes the development of increasingly sophisticated skills and concepts through students' experiences in the arts. Each student in the Middle School takes Music, Theatre, and Visual Art every year. Fine Arts classes are scheduled each marking period and meet four times per week.

Music

5th Grade

• Explore in detail instruments of the orchestra and the art form of ballet
• Discover famous composers throughout history
• Introduce beginning guitar skills

6th Grade

• Explore the history of Rock and Roll by reading and discussing the book, What is Rock and Roll, by Jim O'Connor
• Learn the rudiments of guitar, including pitches and chords
• Facilitate performance skills by practicing and performing songs played on the guitar

7th Grade

• Discover the history of Jazz Music in America
• Continued learning of technique and performance etiquette associated with playing the guitar (including performances in front of an audience)
• In depth study of rhythm, musical form, note identification, music history, and other music theory concepts

8th Grade

• Discover and explore the various genres of music, from rock to the history of classical music
• Expand on the guitar skills students learned in the 6th and 7th grades, becoming proficient on the guitar before leaving the 8th grade

NOTE: Chorus in offered to students in the 5^th through the 8^th grade during the school day.
NOTE: Students in the 7^th and 8^th grade have the opportunity to participate in the middle school musical.

Theatre

5^th Grade

• Explore empathy through theatre exercises
• Introduce the elements and principles of improvisation
• Introduce Shakespeare through the comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream

6^th Grade

• Introduce theatre performance elements and vocabulary
• Develop observation skills and discuss audience etiquette
• Begin using basic acting and storytelling skills by writing and performing in their own scenes.

7^th Grade

• Introduce the elements of script analysis
• Introduce concepts of vocal production
• Develop basic acting skills

8^th Grade

• Develop skills as critics/reviewers
• Develop principles of stage movement
• Introduce fundamentals of playwriting

Visual Arts

5th Grade

• Explore the Elements and Principles of Art
• Create a variety of color pallets
• Create two- and three dimensional artworks
• Discover and explore art genres
• Develop an art vocabulary
• Proper care of art supplies and tools
• Safety in the art studio

6th Grade

• Broaden awareness and application of the Elements and Principals of Art and Design
• Create two- and three- dimensional artworks
• Discover and explore art genres
• Experiment with a variety of media and techniques
• Participate and discuss art concepts
• Proper care of art supplies and tools
• Safety in the art studio

7th Grade

• Continue to develop a deeper understanding of Elements and Principles of Art and Design and the application of these concepts in compositions
• Create two- and three- dimensional artworks
• Appreciate art from other cultures, perspectives
• Experiment with art processes and techniques
• Care of art supplies
• Safety in the art studio

8th Grade

• Apply and discuss the Elements and Principles of Art and Design in finished compositions, discussions
• Create two- and three- dimensional artworks
• Appreciate art from other cultures, perspectives
• Experiment with a variety of art media and techniques
• Independent research and projects
• Care of art supplies
• Safety in the art studio

Sayre prepares students to comprehend the past and to identify and understand the challenges facing our diverse nation in an increasingly interdependent world.

5th Grade American History and Geography

• Identifying geographical and physical features of the world
• Understanding latitude, longitude, compass rose, intermediate points
• Analyzing migration of North American and settlements
• Studying Early European explorers to America and colonization
• Understanding the Great Depression -causes, how it affected American society
• Introducing concepts of U.S. civics

6^th Grade World Cultures and Geography

• Analyzing geography and its effects on climates, the movement of people, and production
• Reading physical, political, and thematic maps
• Understanding the use of a world atlas and how to create charts/graphs/maps to illustrate trends and political relations
• Analyzing topical articles to better geo-political dynamics
• Incorporating the five key geographic themes: location, place, region, human environment interaction, and movement
• Researching global issues topics
• Understanding the concept of globalization

7^th Grade Social Studies

• Understanding ancient and medieval civilizations through the GRAPES framework.

• G= Geography
• R= Religion
• A= Achievements
• P= Politics
• E= Economics
• S= Social Structure

• Analyzing the civilizations of MesoAmerica, western Africa, and Japan.
• Incorporating current events study through Socratic Seminar.
• Exploring historical writing through the teaching and use of thesis essay.
• Evaluating online resources by way of the Stanford History Education Group’s Civic Online Reasoning curriculum.

8^th Grade American Studies

• Analyzing the geographic theme of “Movement” while
• Emphasizing the historical thinking skills of corroboration, contextualization, close reading, and sourcing.
• Understanding the physical movement of peoples to (and within) the US through understanding indigenous cultures and colonization.
• Analyzing the movement of ideas and the changes that resulted throughout US history with an emphasis on:

• The US Constitution
• The American Civil War and resulting Civil Rights Movement
• Women’s Rights
• Labor Rights

• Incorporating current events study through Socratic Seminar.

Sayre communicates mathematical concepts through independent reasoning and cooperative exploration using comprehensive mathematical knowledge.

5th Grade

Math 5:
• Decimals
• Prime and composite numbers
• Multiples and factors
• Tables and graphs
• Numerical and algebraic expressions
• Fractions, mixed numbers, and reducing
• Geometric concepts
Major Projects:
-How would you change the world with a million dollars? Decimals, itemized lists, graphing
-Color percentage skittle lab
-Fractions and percents with Hershey's bars
-Tessellation art

6th Grade

Math 6:
• Ratios and Rates
• Decimals, Fractions, Percents
• Integer Operations
• Coordinate Plane
• Numeric and Algebraic Expressions
• Functions and Inequalities
• Estimation
• Geometric concepts

7th Grade

Pre-Algebra:
• Order of operations and algebraic properties
• Operations with integers
- Ratios, proportions, and percentages
-Scale drawing and Model project
-Dream Vacation Budget Project
• Algebraic equations and inequalities
• Introduction to Linear Functions
• Statistics and Probability

7th Grade Algebra I* - See Algebra I below
* Specific criteria must be met

8th Grade

Algebra I:
• Simplifying / Solving Expressions, Equations and Functions
• Linear Equations, Functions, and Inequalities
• Systems of Equations and Inequalities
• Quadratic Expressions and Equations
• Exponent Properties
• Simplifying Radicals

Geometry*:
• Proper geometric notation- Including an understanding of Euclidean Geometry including Conjectures, theorems and axiums
• Geometric constructions (with construction tools and GeoGebra)
-Students explore constructions on an extensive level through Napolean’s triangle, the Nine Point Circle and the Euler line.
• Inductive and deductive reasoning
• Thorough exploration of paragraph proofs
-Congruent and similar polygons
• Circles and polygons (emphasis on triangles and quadrilaterals)
• Coordinate geometry- with an emphasis on calculating midpoints and distance between points
• Area and volume of two and three dimensional figures
• Introduction to trigonometry and the Pythagorean Theorem.
-Extensive Geometric Exploration research paper utilizing LaTex coding software
* Specific criteria must be met

Sayre empowers students to explore, comprehend and appreciate cultures and languages as curious and empathetic world citizens.

Students are engaged in an active learning process in developing cultural competency and language proficiency for interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication. The thoughtful use of authentic materials, the target language, and existing and emerging technologies, guides students towards building both language and general literacy skills.

6^th Grade

French:
•  Review of numbers, time, weather, school vocabulary, home vocabulary, clothing, and transportation 
• Introduction of vocabulary related to restaurants, groceries, shopping, and leisure activities
• Verb conjugations

Spanish:
• Phonetic system of pronunciation
• Vocabulary: instructional phrases, conversational dialogue, terms used for each unit
• Using verbs to describe self and others, likes and dislikes
• Infinitive verbs and verb conjugation (present tense)
• Study of Pre-columbian groups and their influence on Hispanic culture

7^th Grade

French:
• Continued vocabulary acquisition
• Regular/irregular verb conjugations
• Use of the present tense, immediate future, and passé Compose
•  Use of the  negative
•  Regular/irregular adjectives
• Cultural focus on French education and provinces

Spanish:
• Expansion of vocabulary use and acquisition
• Study of correct adjective/noun agreement,  in/definite article use
• Further study of verbs:  stem change, and irregular verbs
• Growth in translative listening, writing, speaking and reading
• Acquire knowledge of traditions and holidays observed in Spanish speaking countries

8^th Grade

French:
• Master vocabulary relating to family, daily routines, dining, sports, and travel
• Master present and past tense
• Master reflexive verbs
• Fluent and accurate oral and written expression
• Read simple French stories
• Acquire a knowledge of French geography and cultural products

Spanish:
• Vocabulary expansion, including technology, health and well-being, travel, and other related expressions
• Grammar expansion including present and past tense, present progressive, pronouns, reflexive verbs and parts of a sentence
• Study of Spain, Latin America's indigenous population and the Dominican boom in New York
• Acquire knowledge of Latin American social media use, Colombian fashion, and the importance of medical interpreters

Sayre gives students the opportunity to participate in team and individual activities designed to promote the physical, social, and cognitive domains.

5^th, 6^th Grade, 7^th Grade, and 8^th Grade

• Efficiency of motor skills
• Apply rules, concepts, and strategies to games and activities
• Develop and display leadership skills
• Develop a knowledge and a positive attitude toward fitness and wellness
• Maintain and improve fitness
• Positive teamwork and sportsmanship in competitive sports
• Develop an interest in lifetime sports
• National and Presidential Fitness Testing
• Students are scheduled for Physical Education classes three times per week for 5th grade and our times per week for 6th -8th grades

5^th Grade
• Structure and Properties of Matter
• Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
• Earth's Systems
• Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
• Space Systems: Stars and the Solar System
• Human impact on Environment
• Engineering Design (embedded)

6^th Grade
• Nature of Science and Scientific Processes (Imbedded)
• Ecosystems: Energy, Interactions, and Dynamics
• Thermal Energy and Weather
• Human Impact on the Environment
• Earth-Sun-Moon Relationship
• Engineering Design Process (Explicit and Imbedded)

7^th Grade Life Science
• Nature of Science and Scientific Processes (Imbedded)
• Characteristics Living Organisms
• Cell structure and function
• Heredity and evolution
• Human anatomy and physiology
• Engineering Design Process (Explicit and Imbedded)

8^th Grade Physical Science

Unit 1 - Growth mindset & scientific skills
Unit 2 - Laboratory safety
Unit 3 - Engineering design process & experimental design
Unit 4 - Physics introduction (potential & kinetic energy)
Unit 5 - Newton’s laws of motion, unbalanced & balanced forces (friction, inertia, etc.)
Unit 6 - Intro to the periodic table (a somewhat historical approach to the purposeful arrangement of the periodic table)
Unit 7 - Atomic theory & structure of the atom
Unit 8 - States of matter, physical & chemical changes/properties @ molecular level
Unit 9 - Law of conservation of energy -- types of energy (mechanical, kinetic, potential, thermal, electrical, nuclear, etc.), and energy conversions
Unit 10 - Clean energy alternatives/environmental issues (geothermal energy, windmills, hydropower, nuclear power, etc.)

Sayre students use technology to communicate, acquire information, increase productivity, and stimulate creativity as well as increase technological proficiency and promote flexible, lifelong learning.

• Maintaining and troubleshooting hardware and software
• Configuring the desktop and managing network files
• Refining word processing and spreadsheet skills
• Working with multiple applications simultaneously
• Intermediate graphic editing, design, and layout
• Creation of intermediate electronic/multimedia presentations
• Video production and editing
• Self-directed
• Internet research
• All 6^th grade students are given touch typing reinforcement during the first weeks of school
• An on-line touch typing program is available