Middle School Elective Courses
Coding 1a: Introduction
Description
Do you find yourself wondering how your favorite apps, websites, and games were made? Maybe you want to try building your own. Well, now you can! In Middle School Coding 1a, you will learn all about the technology you use in your day-to-day life as well as explore how the internet functions. Get an introduction to the basics of computer science and discover how to create and build your very own website using HTML and CSS. You’ll also become familiar with programming languages like JavaScript and Python Programming. You will leave the course with your very own portfolio of work that will showcase your skills and all that you’ve created.
Pre-Requisites: None
Credits: 0.5
Estimated Completion Time: 1 segment/ 16-18 weeks
Major Topics and Concepts
- Unit 1: Crack the Code!
- Unit 2: There’s Nothing “Soft” about Software!
- Unit 3: Let’s Play!
- Unit 4: It’s All Greek to Me!
- Unit 5: Snake Charmer
- Unit 6: Flexing Our Python Muscles!
Coding 1b: Learning Python and Javascript
Description
We don’t always think about the role technology plays in our world but the truth is technology influences our everyday lives and affects how we relate to our friends, family, and even complete strangers. For those wanting to develop a greater understanding of this technology comes Middle School Coding 1b. Building on what you learned in Middle School Coding 1a, you’ll expand your knowledge of programming languages and web development and further explore Advanced Python, HTML, and JavaScript. You will also learn the difference between web development and web application development and continue to grow your portfolio, which will serve to highlight everything you have learned and created in the course.
Pre-Requisites: EDL – Middle School Coding 1a: Introduction v18
Credits: 0.5
Estimated Completion Time: 1 segment/ 16-18 weeks
Major Topics and Concepts
- Unit 1: How to Train Your Python
- Unit 2: Plan the Code, Code the Plan
- Unit 3: Build a Webpage
- Unit 4: Give Your Webpage Some Style
- Unit 5: Buttons and Gadgets
- Unit 6: Become a Master Exterminator!
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Learning Strategies
Description
The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop learning strategies, critical-thinking skills, and problem-solving skills to enhance their performance in academic and non-academic endeavors.
Pre-Requisites: None
Credits: 1.0
Estimated Completion Time: 2 segments / 32-36 weeks OR 1 segment—16-18 weeks
Major Topics and Concepts
Learning
- Time management
- Planning
- Personal learning style
- Types of tests
- Reviewing strategies
- Memory triggers
- Memory tools
- Study techniques
Thinking
- Right/left brain
- Multiple modalities
- Oral communication
- Goals (short and long term)
- Flexibility, balance, prioritizing
Reading
- Eye focus
- Main idea, details
- Point of view
- Note taking strategies
- Mind mapping
- Pre-, during-, and post-reading strategies
Writing
- Creative and critical aspects of writing
- Reference materials
- Fact and opinion
- Validity and reliability of sources
- Formal and informal language
- Introduction, body, conclusion
- Prewriting, drafting, revising, publishing
Fitness
Description
Are you physically fit? What does being fit mean to you? Physical fitness is a lot more than just a number on a scale, and that’s exactly what you’ll learn in this course! Middle School Fitness helps you understand the basics of being physically fit and allows for a deeper understanding of your body’s functions. You will learn about the complex science behind exercise and determine how you can test your current level of fitness. Explore what it means to be mindful and discover what inspires you. Improving your physical fitness is a smart choice to make at any age, and by signing up for this course, you will be taking the first step on your exciting journey to understanding and improving your physical fitness.
Pre-Requisites: None
Credits: 0.5
Estimated Completion Time: 1 Segment/16-18 Weeks
Major Topics and Concepts
- Unit 1: Your Body, Your Home
- Unit 2: Your Body Is a Machine
- Unit 3: The Fitness Inside
- Unit 4: Mind Your Own Fitness
- Unit 5: Finding Your Fitness Team
- Unit 6: Finding Energy in Food
- Unit 7: Does Your Body Fit?
- Unit 8: Training for Life
Reading I
Description
From Florida to Alaska, there will be lots of things to see. In this course, you and your teammates will travel across the country to compete in local soccer tournaments. While not on the soccer field, you’ll have plenty of time to read and write about the exciting things you encountered. In this course, there will be stories to read, videos to watch, and activities to enjoy. There will be fiction, nonfiction and even some poetry. There will be new vocabulary to learn, and story maps to fill out. The goal is to enhance your skills as an active reader, and give you strategies for understanding what happens in the stories you read. With a good book, you can go anywhere. The better you can read, the farther you can go. Get on board the team bus and find out for yourself.
Pre-Requisites: Recommended for Grade 6
Credits: 1.0
Estimated Completion Time: 2 segments/32-36 weeks
Major Topics and Concepts
Segment 1
- Prediction
- Inference
- Summarize
- Clarify
- Visualize
- Questioning
- Fluency
- Comprehension
- Sequencing
- Story Elements
- Compare and Contrast
- Cause and Effect
- Main Idea
- Critical thinking
- Facts and Details
- Vocabulary study
- Word choice
- Prewriting
- Narrative writing
- Persuasive writing
- Expository writing
- Research skills
- Genre exploration
- Poetry
- Fiction reading
- Non-fiction reading
- Biography study
- Autobiography study
- Note taking skills
- Outlining
- Context clues
- Vocabulary mapping
- Word semantics
- Varied language exposure
- Background knowledge
- Text organization
- Plot development
- Point of view
- Reader’s response
- Shared reading
- Scaffolding
- Drawing conclusions
- Text interpretation
- Author’s Purpose
- Active reading
Segment 2
- Nonfiction reading
- Main Idea and Details
- Elements of Fiction – Setting
- Vocabulary study
- Persuasive essay
- Gerunds
- Poetry
- Cause and Effect
- Historical Fiction
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Compare and Contrast
- Antonyms, Synonyms, Homonyms
- Letter writing
- Prediction
- Fiction reading
- Nonfiction reading
- Theme study
- Similes and metaphors
- Persuasive writing
- Narrative writing
- Expository writing
- Fact and Opinion
- Fluency
- Prewriting
- 5 paragraph essay writing
- Homophones
- Active reading
- Story Elements
- Comprehension
- Reference materials
- Inference
- Plot development
- Point of view
- Supporting details
- Author’s purpose
- Summarizing
- Word semantics
- Outlining