Departments

Course Descriptions:

7th Grade Art will offer students the opportunity to engage in experiential learning activities, Art appreciation, Art History, and Art Criticism. Classroom activities may include: drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, and digital media. Each student will keep a record in their sketchbook of observations, drawings, skill building exercise and reflections. This course will help develop lifelong skills in creative problem solving and self-evaluation while learning to recognize the important role of visual art in the world.

8th Grade Art will offer students the opportunity to engage in experiential learning activities, Art appreciation, Art History, and Art Criticism. Classroom activities may include: drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and animation. Each student will keep a record in their sketchbook of observations, drawings, skill building exercise and reflections. This course will help develop lifelong skills in creative problem solving and self-evaluation while learning to recognize the important role of visual art in the world. 

Major Objectives

Students will :

• Achieve greater understanding of how artists communicate in the arts.
• Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
• Develop and refine artistic techniques.
• Analyze, interpret, and evaluate art work.
• Relate artistic ideas and works with cultural and historical context to deepen understanding.

Expectations for Students

• To work safely within an independent studio setting.
• To take an active part in discussions.
• To work cooperatively in groups.
• To complete all projects and assignments in a timely manner.
• To obtain a clear understanding of the materials during the course. 

The CMS health education curriculum concentrates on motivating students to voluntarily take an active role in protecting, maintaining, and improving health. The health education program emphasizes health as a value of life and enhances critical thinking, decision-making, and problem solving skills. This program promotes abstinence. 

7th grade topics of study include:
Tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana; HIV/AIDS; mental health; stress; depression; suicide; eating disorders; and physical and emotional changes during adolescence.

8th grade topics of study include: 
Anger, Anger Styles, Harassment, Stereotypes, Problem Solving, Alcohol (using the Project Northland curriculum), Dating, Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships, Pregnancy, Birth, and STIs.

IMPACT! is a 7th grade enrichment course designed to build students’ understanding of their own strengths, and to identify their personal "SPARK". Students will learn to develop their goals and aspirations in order to make a positive IMPACT in the community--local to global. Weaved into this course will be the key principles of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication to further prepare today’s students to be the global leaders of tomorrow.

 

Expectations for Students: 7th grade Language Arts
Students will develop communication skills through a variety of processes and activities. This includes clear writing, critical reading, thoughtful listening, and fluent speaking. Literary elements are studied in the context of various short stories, novels, poetry, and drama. Independent reading is encouraged.
Students will:

• Read for a variety of purposes
• Write for a variety of purposes and audiences, while incorporating correct grammar, usage, spelling and vocabulary skills
• Develop thoughtful and critical listening skills
• Practice vocabulary skills including parts of speech, prefix/suffix, and Greek/Latin roots.
• The student needs a good attitude and regular attendance.
• Daily, the student must bring appropriate materials to class.
• The student must complete homework regularly and on time.

Expectations for Students: 8th grade Language Arts 
Language Arts 8 focuses on reading and writing skills. The writing process, structure and mechanics, parts of speech, and usage are introduced, reviewed, and/or reinforced largely within the context of writings. Literary elements are studied in the context of various short stories, novels, poetry, and drama, which are read and discussed throughout the course of the year. Reading skills across varied genres and topics are developed through the independent reading program as well as the English curriculum.
Students will:

• Write for a variety of purposes.
• Read and listen in a variety of contexts
• Access information and resources appropriate to course
• Exhibit skills in becoming independent learners
• Exhibit critical thinking skills, technological skills, and independent study skills
• Practice vocabulary skills including parts of speech, prefix/suffix, context clues, and Greek/Latin roots

We also offer Enriched English for 7th & 8th grade and Reading Workshop for 7th & 8th grade.

Mathematics is a vital part of each student's life. Changes in society and the use of technology require each student to have a strong back ground in mathematics. Mathematical power means an individual's abilities to explore, conjecture, and reason logically, as well as the ability to use a variety of mathematical methods to effectively solve non-routine problems. This notion is based on the recognition of mathematics as more than a collection of concepts and skills to be mastered; it includes methods of investigation and reasoning, means of communication, and notions of development of personal self-confidence.

To reach these goals CMS's math program includes:

• Technology
• Open-ended, real-life problem solving
• Meaningful application
• Focus on mathematical communication (reading, writing and speaking)Major Objectives
• Problem solving Mathematics as reasoning
• Mathematics as communication
• Mathematics as connections 
• Number and number relationships (ratio, proportion, percent, percentage, graphs)Number systems and number theory (integers, rational numbers)
• Computation and estimation (analyzing, displaying, making inferences from data)
• Patterns and functions (introduction to variables, patterns, functions, relations, symbolic expressions, numerical tables and graphs)
• Geometry (two and three dimensional shapes and their properties, congruence, similarity, coordinate systems, and transformations)
• Measurement (length, area, volume, mass, angles, estimation, and properties of measurement systems)

 

Music is an integral part of a comprehensive education. Students discover and develop their potential through varied, sequential musical experiences in listening, performing, moving, and creating. Musical experiences cultivate critical and creative thinking skills and enhance the student's quality of life through heightened aesthetic awareness. Music integrates understanding from multiple disciplines and leads to an improved self-concept, broader cultural awareness, and a development of life-long skills.

At Central Middle School, students are able to further explore and develop their musical skills and understanding through band, choir, exploring music, or orchestra.

Expectations for Students: 7th & 8th grade PE
Physical education at CMS is designed to promote an active lifestyle for all students. Our program provides each student with skill, knowledge and attitudes that promote an active lifestyle. Our goal is to introduce students to as many activities as possible so they will remain active and healthy throughout their lifetime. Students will: 

• Understand and apply knowledge and skills that lead to participation in life-long recreational and social activities.
• Experience enjoyment through physical activity. Students are required to wear a uniform. The uniform consists of a red shirt/red sweatshirt and black shorts/black sweatpants and tennis shoes.

Welcome to the CMS Science Department. Below you'll see a summary of 7th and 8th grade science course content. For more information, contact your team's science teacher(s).

Major objectives

Students will:

• Practice the scientific investigation process: predict, carry out procedures, summarize, and analyze their results.
• Develop and demonstrate understandings of scientific principles (see above) and relationships between events.

Expectations of students

• Demonstrate the ability to carry out investigations from problem through to analysis.
• Present their work in both oral and written forms.
• Work responsibly with a group.
• Follow safety procedures in the lab setting. Since this is a hands-on course, laboratory experiments will be performed regularly. Most of these labs are simple in nature and require little equipment. However, safety guidelines are strictly followed to provide a safe learning environment.

7th Grade Science

Course description: The 7th Grade science curriculum covers the Life Science content required by the Minnesota Science Standards, along with the History and Nature of Science and portions of the Physical Science content. 

Life Science content topics include: characteristics of living things, classification of living things, cells, plants, animals, fungi, human body systems, genetics, ecology, and evolution. History and Nature of Science content topics include: uses of science to make informed decisions and the development and usefulness of models. Physical Science content topics include: light and sound. 

We emphasize hands-on, sequential experiences through which students discover important science concepts and develop laboratory and thinking skills. During the course of this year, the students will be learning about these science concepts, as well as how these sciences help in understanding the world around them. 

The main strengths of the 7th grade science program include: 
Students learn by "doing" science;

Students develop an understanding of basic science concepts, by progressing through a sequence of laboratory activities that build on concepts and skills that have come before;

Students develop both basic thinking skills and creative thinking skills; and,

This program is effective in developing science concepts and skills among students of all ability levels.

 

8th Grade Science

Course description: The 8th Grade science curriculum covers the Earth Science content required by the Minnesota Science Standards, along with Scientific World View and portions of the Physical Science content.

Earth Science content topics include: earth structure and processes; the water cycle, weather and climate; and the universe.

Scientific World View content topics include: scientific inquiry; scientific enterprise; and historic perspectives.

Physical Science content topics include: structure of matter; chemical reactions; and integrated aspects of energy transformations and motion.

We emphasize hands-on, sequential experiences through which students discover important science concepts and develop laboratory and thinking skills. During the course of this year, the students will be learning about these science concepts, as well as how these sciences help in understanding the world around them.

The main strengths of the 8th grade science program include:

• Students learn by "doing" science;
• Students develop an understanding of basic science concepts, by progressing through a sequence of laboratory activities that build on concepts and skills that have come before;
• Students develop both basic thinking skills and creative thinking skills;
• This program is effective in developing science concepts and skills among students of all ability levels.

Enriched science is offered in both 7 & 8 grade.

Welcome to Social Studies! 
7^th Grade Social Studies features American History (1800 – Present) as the lead discipline with a secondary emphasis on citizenship and government. The course will also include introductory concepts of economics and basic geography skills.

During their course study, students will:

• draw connections between civic, economic, and historical principles to learn how people have lived, worked, and functioned in the United States.
• learn Historical Inquiry by examining primary sources such the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court decisions and their lasting impact on people, economy and governance.
• study and examine major historical events in U.S. History such as the Civil War, Westward Expansion, the Great Depression, World Wars, and Social Movements.

 

8th Grade Social Studies features World Regional Geography as the lead discipline with a secondary emphasis on contemporary world history, economics, and government systems.  During the course of regional studies, students will:

• use, construct, and analyze print and electronic maps to learn about places.
• use research skills to access, collect, organize, and analyze geographic information.
• use geography tools to interpret the past, solve problems, and plan for the future.
• understand the patterns of human activities, demographic change, and shifting trade patterns in the past half century.
• explore how human’s lives and cultural identities are affected by globalization.
• participate in civic discussions on contemporary issues.

Welcome to World Language!

Language is our connection to our community and our world. The learning of a second language and its culture is an integral part of the student’s total learning experience. The ability to communicate in a second language increases opportunities to interact with other people and to gain insight into other cultures. The world language philosophy emphasizes a communicative approach through listening, speaking, reading and writing. The focus is on what the students can do with the language and how well they can communicate in given situations.

French, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and German is offered in both 7th and 8th grade.

Welcome to Tech Ed!

Technology Education focuses on the understanding of technical systems, processes, tools, and problem solving strategies using a hands-on approach.

Topics/areas of study include:

• computer-aided architectural drawing,
• desktop publishing,
• woodworking,
• plastics,
• engineering, and
• transportation.

Major Objectives of tech ed are:

• To explore areas of technology that reflect the aptitude of the students,
• To enhance the student’s understanding of how they fit into the current world of technology, and
• To provide students with additional knowledge so that they will be better prepared to work with today’s changing technology.

Students are expected:

• To gain a general understanding of the many areas of technology,
• To use a variety of tools and instruments safely and appropriately, and
• To work independently or with a partner, as needed.