Middle School

Students will take math, science, social studies, English/Language Arts and two elective Courses. Elective classes will run all year and be on an alternating day schedule.  This schedule will allow greater continunity of services between Saline Middle School and Saline High School.   

Elective choices are: Art, Band, Choir, Drama, French A, German A, Industrial Technology (Woods), Orchestra, Physical Education, Spanish A, Technology.

Students demonstrate and refine skills by applying the elements and principles of design in both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional media. The ability to be flexible and adapt to new situations with the use of different media to solve problems is an important aspect of the course. In addition, students will develop communication skills through critical inquiry, develop confidence by expressing ideas about the direction of their work, and improve their decision making process as individuals and within groups. Both verbal and writing skills will be incorporated within units of study while exploring artists from different periods and explaining and describing the role of art in culture. The goal of the curriculum is to develop an appreciation for art and learn how art reflects our everyday lives.  

Band -  Seventh & Eighth Grade

Enrollment in this course is open to all seventh and eighth graders who play a wind or percussion instrument. This class incorporates a variety of experiences, such as marching, solos and ensembles, festivals, and evening concerts.

Outcomes are based on the district music curriculum and include expanding technical skills, developing musical independence and advanced rehearsal techniques. Emphasis will continue on sight-reading, ear training, music theory, music literature and chamber music. Activities and assignments are planned with the goal of improving individual and group performance skills. Students will be expected to play individually, with small ensembles, and in full band. This class meets daily for the entire year. Participation in band includes required performances that occur outside of the regular school hours.

Enrollment in this course is open to all seventh and eighth graders who play violin, viola, cello or bass. This ensemble provides students with a variety of performing opportunities; including string orchestra, full orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solos.   Key concepts include building instrumental technique skills, music reading, ensemble rehearsal skills.

Technology – Seventh & Eighth Grades 

Technology A

In this class, you will use Stagecast to create two-dimensional video games.  The Internet Safety unit will give you a new outlook on your web conduct and what info you decide to share with strangers.  Awareness of blogs, Wikis and social networking sites are covered and the need to use them properly.

A short keyboarding unit will help you use the correct fingering and type without looking at your hands.

Computer drawing is a unit as well as standard applications like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

 

Technology B

Excel spreadsheets are covered in detail and used in an entertaining final project.  You will be able to write formulas and format your Excel spreadsheets and charts.  Internet Safety is covered and we play the MISSING game.  This is a simulation of a young person who gets lured away from home by a clever Internet predator and you have to try and save him using clues discovered in the game.  Current trends like blogs and Wikis are discussed and proper use of them.

A review of keyboarding is included and skills in Word are reviewed.  Flash animation is a favorite student activity in this class and if time permits, we create websites with Dreamweaver to display our Flash movies.

Objectives for Wood Technology:

1. Use safety and proper procedures and methods in materials processing;
2. Identify and use appropriate materials to compete the job safely;
3. Identify and solve problems;
4. Be able to understand and apply steps of procedure from notes, handouts and presentations.

This class will teach the use of wood working tools both power and hand. Safety is stressed as well as the proper use of tools. The first project is a teaching project, which will teach how to cut dado, square material, cut angles and glue up projects. If we have time the student may build a project of his/her own choice.

Eighth grade students that have already had a Woods class in Seventh grade can still select Woods as an elective option. If enough students chose Woods that have prior experience, we will create a clustered class with all students sharing the same background with Seventh grade Woods. If this occurs, the class will build from the beginner’s class and larger projects and more machines will be used (lathe operation). Finishing and construction methods will be stressed and enhanced. Safety is always a key element in all Industrial Education classes.Students that take Woods in the Seventh grade are not necessarily restricted from Woods in the Eighth grade. They may still select Woods as an elective next year, but due to safety and contract limitations on class numbers allowed, not every student is guaranteed to have Woods either year.