The School Curriculum:

6. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

6.1. Communication
6.2. Mathematics
6.3. Social Studies
6.4. Sciences
6.5. Health/Medical Science
6.6. Life Skills/Family Skills
6.7. Library/Study Skills
6.8. Technology
6.9. Art
6.10. Music
6.11. Integrated Creative Expectations in Fine Arts
​6.12. Physical Education  

The intermediate phase at SVRCS is an extension of the primary phase in which students at this level experience expanded opportunities for greater in-depth exploration of topics and issues, as well as elaboration of subject matter in the content areas. Students will also be expected to assume a greater degree of responsibility and initiative for designing learning experiences.

These learning expectations are not intended to encompass the entire curriculum for a given grade level or course or to prescribe how the content should be taught. Teachers are encouraged to go beyond the expectations and to select instructional strategies and assessment methods appropriate for their students.

 

6.1. Communication

6.1.1. Reading

Students will demonstrate a variety of reading strategies, apply decoding and comprehension skills, continue to develop and apply listening skills, and respond to various types of literature for information and pleasure

· Discuss main ideas, point of view, setting, theme, and plot
· Recognize cause and effect, fact and opinion, author's purpose
· Draw conclusions and make inferences based on explicit and implied information
· Compare and contrast information, literary styles, setting, character development and other literary devices
· Use knowledge of literary forms to aid comprehension and predict outcomes
· Use knowledge of word origins and derivations to identify unfamiliar words
· Use context clues
· Use word reference materials
· Describe the visual images created by language
· Describe how word choice, speaker, and imagery elicit a response from the reader

6.1.2. Writing

Students will write for a variety of purposes in order to communicate effectively in various subject areas

· Use a variety of planning strategies to generate and organize ideas
· Establish central idea, organization, elaboration, and unity
· Select vocabulary and information to enhance the central idea, tone and voice
· Revise writing for clarity
· Edit final copies for correct conventions and mechanics such as spelling, punctuation, subject-verb agreement, and pronoun-antecedent agreement, consistent tense inflections, and adverb and adjective usage
· Illustrate legible cursive handwriting
· Use writing as a tool for learning in all subjects through listing, paraphrasing what is heard or read, summarizing, hypothesizing, and connecting knowledge within and across disciplines, synthesizing information to construct new concepts

6.1.3. Listening and Speaking

Exchange information orally to promote effective individual and group communications as a speaker and a listener

· Communicate as a leader and contributor
· Evaluate own contributions to discussions
· Summarize and evaluate group activities
· Analyze the effectiveness of participant interactions
· Listen critically and express opinions in oral presentations
· Compare and contrast points of view
· Distinguish between facts and opinions
· Present information with the intent to inform, persuade, explain, or describe

 

6.2. Mathematics
Math Cover Sheet
5th - Math Curriculum
6th - Math Curriculum
7th - Math Curriculum
8th - Math Curriculum

Reinforce and further develop in complexity many of the concepts previously taught

· Demonstrate a basic understanding of number concepts and develop number sense for whole number, fractions, and decimals
· Compute ( +, -, x, :, =)
· Measure, and estimate and apply appropriate reasoning skills and tools to solve practical problems
· Use problem solving skills to analyze and synthesize information derived from charts, tables, and graphs in other content areas
· Describe compare, and classify plane and solid figures
· Solve practical problems by applying various concepts to real world experiences
· Explain mathematical practices and processes used to solve problems orally and in writing
· Mental Math skills
· Learn metric and U. S. measurement tables and how to convert within the tables
· Learn to compute time, area, perimeter, and volume problems
· Learn basic geometry including points, segments, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruency
· Determine length, weight/mass, area, and liquid volume/capacity, using standard and nonstandard units of measure
· Create and solve problems by finding the circumference and/or area of a circle when given the diameter or radius
· Estimate angle measures using 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees as referents and use the appropriate tools to measure angles
· Investigate and describe concepts of exponents, perfect squares, and square roots (including zero and negative exponents which lead to the idea of scientific notation; include the binary number system as an application of exponents and patterns)
· Explore probability and statistics by collecting, analyzing, displaying, and interpret data in a variety of graphical methods
· Describe the mean, median, and mode as measures of central tendency and apply meaning for a set of data
· Solve multi-step consumer application problems involving fractions, and decimals and present data and conclusions in paragraphs, tables, or graphs
· Identify real-life applications of mathematical principles and problem solving and apply to science and other disciplines

 

6.3. Social Studies

Understand current events, U.S. and World history, U.S. and world geography, explore cultures

· Demonstrate locations of major bodies of water, land masses and nations by using maps and globes
· Understand local history
· Skills in interpreting and using information, and historical thinking skills
· Identify symbols, continents, hemispheres, direction and geographical terms
· Study of migration of Native Americans and other groups and their cultures
· Discovery, exploration, and colonization
· Historical periods and events in U.S. and other nations
· Study eight regions of our country by including characteristics, land forms, resources, economy, climate, and population patterns of each
· Develop communication skills including listening, writing, speaking, and group discussions as pertains to U.S. history and geography
· Appreciate the American system of government and recognize the growing interdependence among people and nations
· Develop skills in discussion, debate, and persuasive writing by evaluating different assessments of the causes, costs, and benefits of major historical events
· Become knowledgeable in global sense of the history, geography, and economic impacts and influences of the U.S.

 

6.4. Sciences

Apply scientific methods, concepts, and principles related to life, physical, earth, chemical and biological sciences as developmentally appropriate

· Think critically, interpret, and discuss environmental issues, practice conservation and identify relationships within ecological systems
· Predict and explain scientific results
· Observe, collect data, conduct experiments

6.4.1. Life Sciences

· Learn how animals are classified by characteristics
· Identify main groups of animals as vertebrates and invertebrates and the individual characteristics of their phyla or class
· Observe the parts, function and life processes of plants
· Study how members of an environment of living communities affect individual populations
· Investigate and understand that organisms perform life processes that are essential for the survival and perpetuation of the species
· Investigate and understand that organisms depend on other organisms and the nonliving components of the environment

6.4.2. Physical Sciences

· Define atoms, elements, molecules and learn their properties
· Learn physical changes of matter and energy
· Identify the benefits and problems of the energy sources we use
· Investigate and understand basic characteristics of electricity
· Investigate and understand how to classify materials as elements, compounds, or mixtures

6.4.3. Earth/Space Science

· Study earth's surface and how it is changed by weather and erosion
· Recognize that different air masses and their changes cause weather
· Identify environmental pollution and possible solutions to it
· Investigate and understand public policy decisions relating to the environment
· Investigate and understand the organization of the solar system and relationships among the various bodies that comprise it
· Study space beyond the solar system, life cycles of stars, types of galaxies and constellations
· History and technology of space exploration

 

6.5. Health/Medical Science

· Understand the human body systems, hygiene, family life and identify healthy practices and lifestyles
· Identify and recognize the impact of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, stress and poor nutrition and the effects in individuals lifestyles
· Identify the central and peripheral nervous system
· Describe three parts of nerve cello and their functions
· Describe the three parts of the brain
· Identify disorders of the nervous system
· List endocrine glands and their functions
· Give examples of how organisms reproduce
· Trace development from fertilization to birth
· Explain how traits pass from parents to offspring
· Describe stages in the human life cycle

 

6.6. Life Skills/Family Skills

· Explore and become aware of his/her changing interests within the realm of school and home
· Develop the ability to question and challenge others in an acceptable manner
· Develop an understanding of relationships and responsibilities among individuals, families and the environment in which they function
· Use cooperative learning techniques to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable social behavior within relationships
· Consumer Education: Begin to explore the pressures and influences of the media and advertising may exert on their consumer choices
· Clothing: Review sewing machine safety and operation of the sewing machine
· Application of basic clothing construction terminology
· Completion of a sewing project
· Foods/Nutrition: Review safety and sanitation practices in the kitchen
· Continue to learn proper use and names of kitchen equipment
· Improve procedures for proper measuring techniques
· Review food pyramid and nutrients important for good health
· Prepare nutritious breakfast and lunch foods
· Learn to work with others in small organized groups

Participate in an individualized HELP program aimed at maintaining and improving scholastic and social progress

· Set reasonable personal goals compatible with individual abilities
· Select coursed for high school compatible with current interests, achievement, and ability levels
· Have access to individual counseling concerning personal and/or academic concerns
· Maintain a journal during attendance at SVRCS which contains realistic self- assessments of learning and growth, and reflections on problems/obstacles and solutions
· Increase achievement through improved self-concept and improved social bonding Exemplified by: Participation in MASH
· Participation in "Chrysalis" project
· Participation in school activities
· Tutoring and coaching on classroom assignments
· Peer tutoring
· Crisis, individual, and social skills counseling, instruction in social skills and problem solving, after-school tutoring, parent conferences

Career Education - begin to formulate career interests by researching at least five career areas

· Complete a "career report" for each career investigated
· Include these reports and personal reflections/discoveries in HELP
· Begin plans and contacts for Chrysalis project (school to work program)

 

6.7. Library/Study Skills

· Utilize the computerized card catalog with ease
· Find books on the shelves easily
· Utilize print and computerized reference sources
· Learn to locate information in more than one source for a report
· Learn to take simple notes as part of a research project
· Continue to develop good reading habits through book talks, book lists, and displays
· Learn the importance of the Newberry Award winning titles and other Honor Books
· Continue to develop organizational skills and study skills that are applied and demonstrated across the curriculum

 

6.8. Technology

· Apply knowledge related to the use of a computer as continuing the primary development
· Use publishing programs, E-mail, hypermedia programs, and Netscape as necessary across curriculum areas
· LOGO - Introduce and use the basic functions of the components of the computer system using logo as the language
· Load a program from a disk into the computer's memory
· Develop ability to use the characters on the keyboard
· BASIC - know and recognize the appropriate computer vocabulary for hardware, software, and computer applications
· Learn to use all the characters on the keyboard including special characters
· Understand how to correctly load and run a canned program without assistance
· Understand the effects of computers on the students' lives, homes, and industry
· Learn and use the BASIC commands in a program
· Learn the keyboard by touch
· Learn the home row keys
· Learn all letter keys
· Learn some special keys

 

6.9. Art

DBAE which includes art production, aesthetics, critique, interpretation, and evaluation, and encourages creative expression and value of art in the human experience

· Refine psychomotor skill and increase awareness of craftsmanship
· Become aware of the art forms of various cultures
· Use art as a way of expressing feelings and ideas
· Define, recognize, and use the elements of art
· Define, recognize and use the principles of design
· Recognize, distinguish, and appreciate the art and cultural influences of differing cultures and historical periods
· Develop an awareness of and sensitivity to art in both natural and human-made environments
· Strengthen perceptual awareness and cognitive skills through sensory experiences
· Analyze, compare, interpret, and evaluate art of self, other students, and major artists
· Communicate feelings and ideas through creative visual expression
· Develop skills in producing visual art in a wide variety of media and techniques
· Develop skills in the care and safe use of art supplies and equipment

 

6.10. Music

· Improve singing skills by combining solfeggio with rhythm skills previously gained
· Improve music writing skills by writing dictated melodies
· Study various types of scales
· Learn beginning conducting patterns and techniques
· Learn concept of movable "DO" (any note) in solfeggio
· Study significance of key signatures (sharps and flats)
· Introduction to score reading
· Continue to develop music reading skills

6.10.1. Chorus

· Learn the proper way to sing using a good tone production
· Be exposed to music of varying styles and difficulty
· Be involved in one stage musical throughout the year that may also allow the individual to acting or dancing skills as well as singing
· Work on the techniques of performing music as it is printed with attention to rhythms, dynamics, intonation, phrasing, breath support, tone, diction, blend, and balance
· Learn to sing in harmony with other students
· Perform before public and school audiences
· Strive to make the best possible choral sound fostered by cooperation and team effort among the students in the group
· Develop an appreciation for all types of music
· Realize that music is an important part of a cultural society as the music of many talented composers and arrangers is experienced

6.10.2. Instrumental

· Develop a positive attitude and expression of feelings and ideas toward and through music
· Learn correct posture, good ensemble practice habits, and good tone production as well as a good attitude toward instrumental music
· Begin with the process of internalizing pitch, as it is necessary to play in tune
· Participate in solo or group performances
· Gain experience with sight reading
· Become familiar with instrumental ensemble literature by learning a piece of music by at least one major composer per year

 

6.11. Integrated Creative Expectations in Fine Arts

Gain experience with Drama, Music, Dance, Plastic Arts, Textiles, Graphics, Jewelry, Architecture, Clothing Design, Audio/video production, Interior Design, Printmaking, Ceramics, Sculpting, or Woodworking

Choose and demonstrate knowledge and skills in one of the above areas. This applied arts component may be used as an isolated demonstration, or in tandem with other projects intended for presentation.

 

6.12. Physical Education

· Learn the importance of the need for general safety and wearing apparel in sports
· Become disciplined in following rules and observing safety standards
· Strengthen correct movement fundamentals and practice skills
· Show improvement in physical fitness levels attained during the school year
· Work to improve skills in organized games
· Learn to recognize different beats of music to different types of dance and gain confidence in performance of basic dance skills
· Use basic tumbling skills and learn to correct moves for floor exercises
· Continue to be an active participant and develop a positive mental attitude toward exercise and sports

 

Continue on to Middle Level Curriculum & Instruction