The School
Clubs 'n Stuff


LANGUAGE ARTS CORE
At Sam Brannan Middle School, Language Arts and History are taught as a core configuration.  This allows students to stay with the same teacher for both subjects.  Teachers are able to provide integrated thematic instruction in the core.  Fifty percent of the Language Arts/History staff holds an advanced degree in curriculum and instruction emphasizing the Visual and Performing Arts, which enhances the study of Humanities in the core. The curriculum is aligned with the California content standards and emphasizes the skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking necessary for effective written and oral expression.

READING
Literature instruction is designed to help develop critical thinking and evaluation of a variety of genres of literary merit.  The selection of core and extended literature is integrated with the concurrent study of World History and Science.  Independent recreational reading is designed to inspire students to interact with and explore the works while accomplishing the goal of reading a million words per year.  Students learn to discuss critical questions, values, and ethics of characters while applying the meanings of the works to their own lives. Students are taught to understand character, motive, setting, and themes while appreciating language use and literary devices.

VOCABULARY/SPELLING/GRAMMAR, USAGE AND MECHANICS
Students learn from daily work and application to understand meaning through context, examining roots, prefixes and suffixes, and the use of the core curriculum.  Spelling is a weekly lesson that addresses these seventh grade standards.  Grammar, usage and mechanics are integrated and authentically taught through the writing process. 

WRITING
All students will learn writing as a process that includes pre-writing, drafting, responding, revising, editing and publishing, in a variety of different domains.  Students will learn and develop effective revision strategies and effective writing devices.  Writing is taught as an integrated subject with the primary instruction in 100 minutes of Writer’s Workshop each week.  Student work is frequently published in the school literary anthology, and the student newspaper, community journals and publications, and a poetry anthology comprised of student work form across the nation.  Each Writer’s Workshop culminates in an oral presentation focusing on listening and speaking standards. Students will engage in the following writing types: expository; persuasive; response to literature; research; narrative; and poetry.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT/INTERVENTION
Students not performing at grade level in Language Arts are provided with additional instructional time and support accessing the core curriculum. 


PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education is a required course that follows the seventh and eighth grade frameworks.  In the two years of middle school education, students will have completed both individual and team sports activities, and will acquire additional skills and understandings important to living a healthy and fit life.  Principles of focus will include: leadership, teamwork, good sportsmanship and healthy choices.  Students are expected to dress everyday in the school P.E. uniform.

7th GRADE COURSES
8th GRADE COURSES
WORLD HISTORY AMERICAN HISTORY


Text used
TCI History Alive: The Medieval World and Beyond


Texts used
TCI History Alive: The United States History Through Industrialization

The seventh grade course of study will enable students to experience an appreciation for the humanities; i.e., music, painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, archeology, law, philosophy and ethics.  Student centered simulation activities are incorporated to help students understand the connection between the ancient world and their own life experiences.  A variety of historical literature is used to augment the study of History, and serves to support literacy across the curriculum.

The eighth grade study of American History is aligned to the California content standards and will begin with an introduction of the ideas, issues and events resulting in the founding of the United States.  A variety of teaching methodology and differentiated instructing will be used to explore our nation’s history including; the American Revolution, The Constitution, Manifest Destiny, The Civil War and Reconstruction, and The Rise of Industrial America.  A variety of historical literature is used to augment the study of American history.
   
Life Science Physical Science

Text used
Holt California Life Science
Text used
Prentice Hall Focus On Physical Science

Seventh grade Science instruction is aligned to the California content standards and includes the study of: cell biology, genetics, evolution, earth science, structure and function in living systems, physical principles in living systems and investigation and experimentation.  These studies will be accomplished through a balance of direct instruction, group discussion, laboratory experiments, textbook readings, library research projects, model building, written assignments and assessments.  Science and Language Arts/History teachers work collaboratively to integrate the study of a variety of topics throughout the year which concurrently meet content standards for respective curricular areas: e.g.; research papers, oral presentations, persuasive debates, and writing works are expected outcomes.

Eighth grade Science instruction is aligned to the California content standards and includes the study of: motion, forces, structure of matter, Earth and the solar system, reactions, chemistry of living systems Periodic Table, density and buoyancy, and investigation and experimentation.  Using a method of inquiry, and a process called the “Scientific Approach”, students will conduct experiments that will help develop and reinforce important study skills including: organization, observation, recording, analyzing data and communication.  Physical Science students are encouraged to build an interest in investigation of their surroundings, to probe, to ask questions, to seek answers, to evaluate, to solve problems and to think critically.  Student projects during the year may include: model building, research projects, Science Fair projects and various other inquiry based learning experiences.

   
Pre-Algebra Algebra

Text used
Prentice Hall Mathematics California Pre-Algebra
Text used
Prentice Hall Mathematics California Algebra 1

The Pre-Algebra course of study is aligned to the seventh grade content standards and is considered grade level math for students in grade seven.  Pre-Algebra provides a bridge of skills and concepts between sixth grade math and Algebra. Students will experience instruction in all strands of the mathematics curriculum.

Algebra I is aligned to the California content standards and is considered eighth grade level math, however many seventh grade students are placed in this course based on their Algebra readiness upon entering middle school.  Algebra students will learn to become competent  problem solvers who will use algebra in real world application. The course of study will include a review of the order of operations and properties of real numbers.  Solve linear and quadratic equations and inequalities using the following methods:  inverse operations, zero product property, graphing, quadratic formula, factoring and completing the square.  Review the concept of formula and use functions and function notation.  Use and derive the quadratic formula.  Solve linear and non-linear systems of equations and inequalities using graphing, substitution and linear combinations.  Learn the properties of exponents and radical s and apply them to solving equations.  Learn to perform operations upon and simplify algebraic fractions to support proportional reasoning.  An end of course exam will be administered to demonstrate course mastery which will meet the algebra course requirement for high school graduation.