GRADE 6 

ART-6 

The sequential planning of how and when to integrate new skills, aesthetic philosophies, and design principles is carefully initiated at the 6th-grade tier.  The emphasis for the 6th-grade student is on the ability to be creative and inventive decision-makers.  Art education also fosters teamwork and encourages leadership.  During their art cycle, sixth graders will produce original solutions to various products: Drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and collage using conventional and non-conventional techniques. During their cycle, they will also create a work of art reflective of the time period according to their Social Studies calendar. This cross-curricular opportunity intends to develop the students’ understanding that art reflects, records, shapes, and plays an important role in every culture. Through class discussions and visuals, students will appreciate and become more aware of the contributions of artists in society.

GENERAL MUSIC-6

This course is designed to build upon students’ prior knowledge of the world of music and further their understanding of music as an art form.  Students will discover the elements of music through various activities and projects. Each class will be based on musical elements such as rhythm, pitch, melody, harmony, dynamics, and form through various musical styles and examples.  To better understand these elements and how they came to be, each element will be introduced from a historical perspective using today’s technology (Garage Band, Incredibox, Chrome Music Lab).  Famous composers and their compositions will be highlighted using a state-of-the-art MIDI Lab to create original music following the same rules.  Students will have the opportunity to play instruments such as ukulele, world drumming, and keyboards.

SHARK TANK-6

Shark Tank is a practical and relevant course that introduces students to various business/marketing concepts. Students will acquire an elevated level of general business knowledge while learning valuable life skills that they can apply daily. The course utilizes an interactive, activity-driven curriculum to engage students in practical, real-world scenarios. Students will learn how to become entrepreneurs and learn what they need to start a business. The course culminates with the students working in small groups to create a product, write a business and marketing plan, and present their ideas to a Shark Tank audience.

LEADERSHIP-6

This course is designed to be an introduction to the overall Character Education program at the Middle School, which will continue into 7th and 8th grades. This semester's class includes group activities that involve collectively working in groups, focusing on becoming more self-aware through teamwork. Students will learn about different leadership styles and how adapting to situations is important through role-playing and skits. They will also be taught to be empathetic consumers through financial literacy lessons. New components to this course will teach organizational and study skills. Topics explored include character and teamwork, anger management, empathetic budgeting, anti-bullying, conflict management, technology literacy, and problem-solving.

GAME DESIGN-6

Working in collaborative groups, students work to create a manual 25-multiple choice board game. Students also learn the basics of the Python programming language using the Tynker platform. Students will use these skills to create 3 or 4 computer games: high/low, war (the card game), Snakes and Ladders, and/or GOTCHA.  Turtle tools (a fun drawing package) are also explored on the Tynker Platform. Students become “part of their computers” as they build Makey-Makey game controllers for user interfaces.  Finally, students participate in a capstone project - converting their original board games into computer games. Throughout the course, students are introduced to the basic principles of Computer Science.

GRADE 7

ART-7

Students in 7th grade will explore many media, including clay, watercolor, acrylic, oil pastel, markers, etc., in student-centered lessons based on their experience, knowledge, and interests. Special attention will be paid to various two and three-dimensional media. Students will also be using art in cross-curriculum projects (e.g., a project combining drawing and shells will correlate with their unit on oceanography).

GENERAL MUSIC- 7

This course is a continuation of the sixth-grade cycle music class. Reinforcement of note reading will continue with advanced concepts of music theory.  Musicology will focus on the evolution of popular music in the United States, including jazz, blues, R&B, rock, hip-hop, pop, musical theater, film music, etc. Students will continue to use the MIDI Lab to focus on more advanced projects using GarageBand. Projects will include improvising in the blues style, composing a film score for a movie, creating a backing track to accompany original hip-hop lyrics, and learning the basic harmonic progressions to popular songs while playing the keyboard and ukulele.  Additional topics will include music careers and feature famous musicians in music production, recording, composing, and performing. 

DEBATE / MOCK TRIAL-7 

This course is designed to introduce students to logical reasoning and argument in the context of mock trials and formal debate. Students will develop skills in formulating, presenting, and critiquing arguments.

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP-7

In 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 sustainable development goals, which the organization seeks to achieve by 2030. All member states agreed to this, including developed and developing countries. The goals include ending poverty, as well as strategies that “improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth” – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. These goals serve as the framework for this middle school course, Global Citizenship/ Environmental Responsibility.

ROBOTICS-7

The VEX IQ Robotics Course is a 20-week program designed to inspire and educate students in STEM. Students will explore robotics, engineering, and coding by engaging in hands-on STEM Labs, fostering creativity and enhancing problem-solving skills. The course includes dynamic competitions and opportunities to master coding techniques, providing an immersive learning experience. Students will develop critical thinking, teamwork, and essential STEM skills while engaging with VEX IQ Robotics. This course empowers young learners to become confident problem solvers, fostering a lifelong love for STEM concepts.

GRADE 8

ART-8

The art course for the 8th-grade student is designed to provide technical skills and creative fulfillment in making art. With the focus on expanding the art experience to include more complex manipulations of materials, the student can begin to find his/her expressive voice in the art studio. Students will produce artwork and demonstrate abilities with digital art, drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking, art criticism, art history, ceramics, and crafts. They will also understand the care of tools, safety procedures, and materials appropriate for each process.  Students will explore lighting, color, texture, composition, and other subject matter to achieve a solid grounding in technical and creative photographic processes.

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS (VIS. COMM.)-8

In this class, students will explore the importance of Visual Communication to understand the creative process. Students will review Broadcasting, WeVideo, Screencastify, and importing music. We will discuss advertising strategies and why they are effective. Students will be challenged to express ideas through composition and photography. The Shark Tank portion of this class will introduce students to various business/marketing concepts. Students will acquire an elevated level of general business knowledge while learning valuable life skills that they can apply daily. The course utilizes an interactive, activity-driven curriculum to engage students in practical, real-world scenarios. Students will learn how to become entrepreneurs and learn what they need to start a business. The course culminates with the students working in small groups to create a product, write a business and marketing plan, and present their ideas to a Shark Tank audience.

INNOVATION & DESIGN  LAB - 8

For students to understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior, they need to be exposed to activities and information that guide them in understanding their role in society as we continue in the digital age. Students will become leaders in digital citizenship, learning to share, collaborate, and participate in the ever-changing digital world. We must prepare students for the tech-savvy world in our globally changing society.  Utilizing the Internet and its tools will provide a vehicle to learn from real-world projects that address core content knowledge, problem-solving strategies, technology proficiency, critical thinking, writing, decision-making, research, communication, and collaboration skills. 

The curriculum consists of 3 units of study that focus on a Social Awareness Topic of the student's choice, concentrating on the following technology components: Google Apps for Education – Website building, Google documents, Google Mail, Google Video Photoshop activities; Laser Cut projects(Logos) Digital Citizenship including Ethical values as well as safety and security in our digital society.

BEYOND THE SPOTLIGHT-8

This semester's course is the final part of the character education program at MMS. Beyond the Spotlight examines character education issues in athletics, arts, and entertainment — “the spotlight.” A primary objective of the course is for students to enhance their critical thinking skills, which will be done by examining the roles people assume in times of conflict and what factors lead to their decisions. The course includes state Social Studies, Language Arts, Financial Literacy, 21st Century Career Learner standards, and those in the N.J. Holocaust Mandate and Amistad Curriculum.

THEATRE & PUBLIC SPEAKING-8

This elective is designed to help students develop their public speaking skills to become more confident and effective communicators. Students will also receive an introductory experience in theater, dance, and the performing arts. This class will blend the skills of public speaking skills with one's ability to perform on stage. Students will be required to speak and perform in front of their peers as part of this experience.

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY, ART & LIFE LEADERSHIP 

This course is designed to expose students to the arts, culture, and technology through various communication situations and verbal and nonverbal expressions.  This course will help them use their knowledge to communicate their emotions, feelings better, wants, and needs, and gain a greater appreciation for the world around them, both digital and in person. Character education is paramount at the root of all classes; pillars of character are taught and demonstrated through everyday interactions. Digital skills are embedded in daily activities aligned to units of study that support other topics learned throughout all other classes.