Somerset Academy Canyons Middle

School

Clubs Chess

Colorguard

Computer

Debate

Drama

National Honor Society

National Junior Honor Society

Robotics/Legos

Science

Student Government Association

Travel

Yearbook

Sports (Current School Year)

Varsity/Junior Varsity Cheerleading

Boys Basketball/Girls Basketball

Boys Soccer/Girls Soccer

Boys Baseball

Girls Softball

Boys/Girls Tennis

Tentative Sports (Upcoming School Year)

Cross Country Flag Football Golf Lacrosse

Swimming Track and Field Volleyball

Electives(Current School Year)

Aerobics/Zumba Art 2D/3D Band Chorus Drama French Health

Journalism Physical Education Reading Spanish Communications-

Debate Theatre TV Production

Tentative Electives(Upcoming School Year)

Ceramics Italian Leadership Mandarin Psychology Robotics Sports/team training Yearbook

6th Grade Language ArtsStudents are working on reading skills through:

weekly reading logs

TeenBiz 3000 (a computer based program that meets the student at his or her reading level and propels them forward)

classroom discussion

independent projects

Example of an independent project. This student created

a soundtrack for the book she read

6th Grade Language Arts

Students are working on writing skills through: study of grammar, vocabulary and spelling focusing on responding to articles, passages

and stories taught to use evidence from the text to

support the arguments made in their writing

6th Grade MathematicsContent: Fractions

Decimals

Ratio

Percent

Introduction to expressions

Algebraic expressions

Inequalities and Equations

Collecting and Displaying Data

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Integers

Introduction to geometry

Example of student work:

6th Grade Comprehensive Science

Some topics that will be discussed:

Earth systems and patterns Mass wasting Landslides Deposition Erosion Weathering Energy

Describing Earth’s atmosphere Energy transfer in the atmosphere Air currents Air quality

6th Grade World HistorySome of the topics we will focus on this year include:

Geography Introduction Maya, Inca, Aztec Early River Valley Civilizations Ancient Egypt Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Ancient Africa Ancient China

This year we will be working on

some fun projects, including:

-Pharaoh biography-Creating your own

code of laws

*We will also focus on learning study/

note-taking skills, which are built into

the curriculum content.

7th Grade Civics

Content:

Building of extensive civics-related vocabulary Learning national geography Learning obligations of the citizen Understanding the difference between different forms of

government Understanding historic foundations of American government Articles of Confederation to Constitution Amendments Levels and functions of courts Landmark cases 3 branches of government Foreign policy

7th Grade Language Arts

Focus on:

READINGTHINKINGWRITING SPEAKING

7th grade is a year of highly visible progress in reading, writing and language arts. By the end of seventh grade language arts, students should:

-Develop complex writing skills-Constructively critique their own and other’s writing-Apply punctuation, grammar and syntax skills-Recognize and apply grade appropriate vocabulary-Read with fluency, with focus on comprehension

7th Grade MathematicsContent: Ratios and Rates

Direct Variation and Constant of Proportionality

Rates and Percent

Rational Numbers

Numerical and algebraic expressions and equations

Solving equations and inequalities

Using geometry

Scale drawing and scale factors

Data collection

Probability

7th Grade Comprehensive Science

The purpose of this course is to explore how physical science describes phenomena in the real world. You will use your knowledge of physical science principles, to predict the behavior of real-world systems. Along the way, you will have opportunities to sharpen your laboratory skills, work in groups, and set and conduct your own experiments.

1st Quarter

Scientific Method

Metric System

Density

Energy

 2nd Quarter

Sound and Light Waves

Earth’s Structure

Minerals, Rocks, Layers

3rd Quarter

Plate Tectonics

Human effect on the Earth

Natural Selection and Evolution

 

4th Quarter

Heredity and Reproduction

Genetics

8th Grade American History

Study American History from the beginning of time through 1870.

In depth study about the long-term effects of European exploration and settlement

The Real Christopher Columbus

American Revolution

U.S. Constitution

War of 1812

Mexican-American War

Civil War

Historical novel study

American History Projects/Activities

Emphasis on reading and writing skills In depth research about the truth of American

History Creation of a personal declaration of

independence Living History – students dress up as a

historical character and report about their life and accomplishments

8th Grade Language ArtsObjectives:

TO WRITE GRAMATICALLY CORRECT SENTENCES

TO WRITE A WELL SUPPORTED AND STRUCTURED FIVE

PARAGRAPH ESSAY

TO BE ABLE TO READ AND IDENTIFY MAIN IDEA AND

SUPPORTING DETAILS

TO ENJOY READING AND WRITING

TO SCORE A 4.0 OR ABOVE ON FCAT WRITES

8th Grade MathematicsContent: Linear Equations

Linear Functions

Analyzing Linear Equations

Multiple Representations of Linear Functions

The Real Number System

Pythagorean Theorem

Translations, Reflections, and Rotations

Congruence of Triangles

Similarity

Line and Angle Relationships

Systems of Equations

Volume

Data Display and Analysis

Example of class work:

Algebra I Content:

Solving Equations and Inequalities

Linear Functions

System of Equations and Inequalities

Exponents and exponential functions

Polynomials and Factoring

Quadratic Functions and Equations

Radical Expressions and Equations

Rational Expressions and Functions

GeometryContent:

Reasoning and Proof

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Congruent Triangles

Relationship Within Triangles

Polygon and Quadrilaterals

Similarity

Right Triangles and Trigonometry

Transformations

Area

Surface Area and Volume

Circles

Additional math support:

Peer mentoring and tutoring

Saturday FCAT and EOC tutorial

After school help

Individualized help using Mathia Carnegie

software

8th Grade Comprehensive Science

The purpose of this course is to explore how physical science describes phenomena in the real world. You will use your knowledge of physical science principles, to predict the behavior of real-world systems. Along the way, you will have opportunities to sharpen your laboratory skills, work in groups, and set and conduct your own experiments.

Topics:1st Quarter Scientific Method

Measurement & Scientific Tools

Scientific Inquiry

Rock Cycle, Earth’s Age, Plate Tectonics

Weather/Climate

9 week cumulative exam

 

2nd Quarter Light, Energy, Motion

Organisms

Matter

Atoms

9 week cumulative exam

3rd Quarter Periodic Table

Elements & Chemical Bonds

Mixtures, Solubility, Acid/Base Solutions

Chemical Reactions & Equations

Sun-Earth-Moon

9 week cumulative exam

 

4th Quarter FCAT Testing

Exploring Space

Stars & Galaxies

Human Growth & Development

9 week cumulative exam

Final cumulative annual exam

ArtCourses:

2D-ART 1The purpose of this course is to enable students to communicate ideas and concepts through two-dimensional media using knowledge of drawing, painting, and printmaking techniques.

2D-ART 2The purpose of this course is to enable students to communicate ideas and concepts through two-dimensional media using advanced-level knowledge of drawing, painting, and printmaking techniques.

3D-ART 1the purpose of this course is to enabled students to communicate ideas and concepts through three-dimensional media using intermediate-level knowledge of assemblage, modeling, sculpting and construction techniques.

In the art room:

DramaObjectives:

TO APPRECIATE LITERATURE FROM A WHOLE NEW

PERSPECTIVE

TO BE ABLE TO THINK ON YOUR FEET

TO BE ABLE TO LISTEN ATTENTIVELY AND PAY

ATTENTION

TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ARTICULATELY

TO DEVELOP TECHNICAL SKILLS

French

BASIC COMMUNICATION SKILLS1. Greeting people

2. Talk about your family and friends

3. Daily Life: telling time, school, sports, weather, shopping

4. Talk about food – Learn to order food in a restaurant

GRAMMAR AND VERBS FRENCH CULTURE

Reading

Goals:

Increase reading fluency

Increase reading endurance

Increase reading comprehension

How will we achieve these goals?

Through integrated experiences in the

language arts

Sample Instructional Materials

Fictional and Informational Text Great Books Roundtable (Middle School)

Junior Great Books (High School)

Read for Real

Technology Achieve 3000

Cerego (High School Only)

Beginning SpanishIntermediate Spanish

Content:

Current book ¿Cómo te va? (Green edition)

Introduction to vocabulary and grammar

Basic conversational skills

Listening and writing skills incorporated in daily lessons

Learn culture & traditions different then our own

Spanish I

Content:

Current text book ¡Buen viaje! (Level 1 Red edition)

Each chapter focuses on specific vocabulary and grammar

Many oral activities are open ended to provide free verbal communications

Culture lessons are incorporated into each lesson

TV Production & Journalism

Where interesting and memorable events are encouraged and captured everyday in our creative writings and TV projects!

In Journalism: We are beingproactive when it comes to school policy

Somerset Canyons journalism students have been proactive, developing a new policy on how student athlete’s should be treated.

We recently learned about cinema critiquing. It’s certainly easy to watch movies, but not so easy picking them apart. Being a critic means properly understanding what it takes to produce movies in order to either recommend or blast them! We studied both versions of The Time Machine (1960 and 2002). We learned that, though the effects were meager compared to today, the 53 year old movie was much better than its 2002 reboot.

Soon we will be putting together a school newspaper (remember those?) It will include student profiles, sports, news of the day and more!!!

TV Production/Broadcast

Communications In our first year, we’ve already produced some amazing, eye-opening projects. You should check out, “Scotty’s Story,” on Mr. Barker’s Somerset site. It’s the story of how one of our 8th graders has already faced a lifetime of challenges in an inspiring way.

One of our periods produced an actual silent movie. It was a blast to film. We became young versions of Charlie Chaplain as we learned what it takes visually to tell an interesting story when there is no microphone.

We also took on the latest viral song out there: “What the Fox Says.” We are calling it: “What the Teacher’s Say,” because we showed it to many of our teachers, coaches and administrators (many of whom were seeing it for the 1st time) and got their candid reactions. The TV project is hilarious!

Our next mandate is a school-wide TV campaign to fight bullying!

Objectives:• Experience and gain knowledge about the different types

of workouts

• Learn the principles of healthy exercise and lifestyle choices

• Learn aerobics exercises alone and/or with a group/partner

• Learn how to correctly execute required skills and techniques as well as to use the equipment safely

• Learn modifications routines and injury prevention

Course Contents:Students will gain knowledge and improve their social skills, gross motor skills, and physical fitness by participating in (but not limited to) the following activities:

 

Pilates

Kickboxing

Step up Routines

Lifetime Activities

Circuit Training Activities

Cardiovascular Endurance activities

Fitness Testing Activities

Team Activities

Exercise Bands

Aerobics

Zumba