{"id":6736,"date":"2017-08-14T03:40:48","date_gmt":"2017-08-14T03:40:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/estersegal.com\/?page_id=6736"},"modified":"2018-05-07T19:18:36","modified_gmt":"2018-05-07T19:18:36","slug":"middle-school-curriculum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/?page_id=6736","title":{"rendered":"Middle School Curriculum"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h1>Middle-School Curriculum<\/h1>\n<p>Bais Menachem\u2019s Middle School is housed in the new educational wing and social hall of Congregation Chevra Thilim, two blocks from the 28th Avenue campus. In addition to their Judaic studies, students in grades 6,7, and 8 take advantage of a setting that allows for the concentrated study of Language Arts, History, Science, Math, and Speech\/Drama. \u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Challenging academic days comprise labs, PowerPoint presentations, lectures, student-led oral presentations, intra- and inter-class debates, dramatic performances, and group work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Our respectful and talented students enjoy a learning environment in which they often lead the discussion, cooperate with their peers, engage their mentors, and realize their potential for becoming leaders and spokespeople for their classes, school, community, and nation.<\/p>\n<p>It is a great privilege to teach scholars who appreciate the value of a traditionally rigorous curriculum, and, with the support of their parents, who instill a great respect for learning in their children, our school produces graduates of the highest caliber, both intellectually and morally.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Language Arts Syllabus<\/h2>\n<h5>Course Descriptions<\/h5>\n<p>These courses will help prepare students for future high-school work by increasing their knowledge of and appreciation for literature, language, and composition, and improving their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.<\/p>\n<h3>Student Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increase vocabulary, use\/understanding in context, etymology<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Develop grammatical skills and their real-world application, including self-editing<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluate literary works through analysis, including comparison and contrast of texts<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compose a variety of writing assignments, including narration, exposition, and research<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deliver information through oral recitations and presentations, both individual and group<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sample Readings<\/h3>\n<p>William Golding\u2019s \u201cLord of the Flies\u201d<br \/>\nJohn Knowles\u2019 \u201cA Separate Peace\u201d<br \/>\nGeorge Orwell\u2019s \u201cAnimal Farm\u201d<br \/>\nErnest Hemingway\u2019s \u201cThe Old Man and the Sea&#8221;<br \/>\nWilliam Shakespeare\u2019s \u201cJulius Caesar\u201d and &#8220;Macbeth&#8221;<br \/>\nselected poetry of Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson<\/p>\n<h3>Evaluation<\/h3>\n<p>Semester grades are not a strict average, but rather an assessment of the student\u2019s consistent performance and improvement on tests, writing assignments, homework, and participation &#8212; which includes active listening as well as vocal participation.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Speech\/Drama Syllabus<\/h2>\n<h5>Course Description<\/h5>\n<p>This course will enable students to understand, appreciate, develop, and deliver effective speeches through solo presentations and group debates. Additionally, students will comprehend, memorize, rehearse, and present theatrical scenes, some of their own creation.<\/p>\n<h3>Student Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Comprehend and appreciate the art of persuasion and public performance<\/li>\n<li>Compose\/develop individual speeches and assigned dramatic characters<\/li>\n<li>Work with peers on debate preparation, improvisation, voice\/movement exercises, and scene rehearsal<\/li>\n<li>Increase knowledge of specialized vocabulary\/history<\/li>\n<li>Deliver information through monologues, dialogues, and theatrical presentations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Sample Readings<\/h3>\n<p>Charles Boyle, \u201cSpeak Out With Clout\u201d<br \/>\nJoseph Stein and Sheldon Harnick, \u201cFiddler on the Roof\u201d<br \/>\nNeil Simon, &#8220;Fools&#8221;<br \/>\nCeleste Raspanti, &#8220;I Never Saw Another Butterfly&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3>Evaluation<\/h3>\n<p>Students write and deliver persuasive speeches, monologues, dialogues, and short plays, which are either performed or directed by the writer. Students participate in formal debates, judged by teachers and administrators, and participate in theatrical productions presented before audiences.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Mathematics Syllabuses<\/h2>\n<p>The mathematics program enables students to develop critical thinking skills, to be active problem solvers, and, most importantly, to foster an appreciation for mathematical thinking and inquiry. Students meet in small groups at all grade levels and receive plenty of individual attention. \u00a0In grades 6-7, Singapore Math is used as the primary curriculum. In 8th grade, the text is McDougal Little, Algebra I \u2013 Concepts and Skills. Other materials are used to supplement the textbook, and manipulatives are incorporated when appropriate. \u00a0Tests, projects, homework, and class participation are all used to assess students\u2019 knowledge.<\/p>\n<h3>6th Grade Math<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Prime factorization<\/li>\n<li>Common Factors and Multiples<\/li>\n<li>Squares and Square Roots<\/li>\n<li>Cubes and Cube Roots<\/li>\n<li>Negative Numbers<\/li>\n<li>Absolute Value<\/li>\n<li>Fractions\n<ul>\n<li>Addition and Subtraction of<\/li>\n<li>Multiplication and Division of<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Ratios\n<ul>\n<li>Comparing Two Quantities<\/li>\n<li>Equivalent Ratios<\/li>\n<li>Real-World Ratio Problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Rates and Unit Rates<\/li>\n<li>Percent\n<ul>\n<li>Understanding Percent<\/li>\n<li>Fractions, Decimals, and Percent<\/li>\n<li>Real-World Percent Problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Algebraic Expressions\n<ul>\n<li>Writing Algebraic Expressions<\/li>\n<li>Evaluating Algebraic Expressions<\/li>\n<li>Simplifying Algebraic Expressions<\/li>\n<li>Expanding and factoring Algebraic Expressions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Solving Algebraic Expression\n<ul>\n<li>Writing Linear Equations<\/li>\n<li>Solving Simple Inequalities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The Coordinate Plane\n<ul>\n<li>Points on the Coordinate Plane<\/li>\n<li>Length of Line Segments<\/li>\n<li>Graphing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Areas of Polygons\n<ul>\n<li>Areas of Triangles<\/li>\n<li>Areas of Parallelograms and Trapezoids<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Circumference and Areas of a Circle<\/li>\n<li>Surface Area and Volume of Solids<\/li>\n<li>Introduction to Statistics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>7th Grade Pre-Algebra<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Rational Number Operations\n<ul>\n<li>Adding, Subtracting, Dividing, Multiplying Positive and Negative Numbers<\/li>\n<li>Decimals and Percent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Algebraic Expressions\n<ul>\n<li>Adding and Subtracting Algebraic Terms<\/li>\n<li>Simplifying Algebraic Expressions<\/li>\n<li>Expanding Algebraic Expressions<\/li>\n<li>Forming Algebraic Expressions<\/li>\n<li>Writing Algebraic Expressions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Algebraic Equations and Inequalities\n<ul>\n<li>Understanding Equivalent Equations<\/li>\n<li>Solving Algebraic Equations<\/li>\n<li>Solving Algebraic Inequalities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Direct and Inverse Proportions\n<ul>\n<li>Understanding Proportions<\/li>\n<li>Representing and Solving Direct Proportions Problems<\/li>\n<li>Understanding Inverse Proportions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0Angle Properties and Straight Lines\n<ul>\n<li>Complementary, Supplementary, and Adjacent Angles<\/li>\n<li>Alternate Interior, Alternate Exterior, and Corresponding Angles<\/li>\n<li>Interior and Exterior Angles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Understanding Scale Drawing<\/li>\n<li>Volume and Surface Areas of Solids\n<ul>\n<li>Volume and Surface Areas of Cubes, Prisms, Cones, Spheres, and Pyramids<\/li>\n<li>Real-World Composite Solids<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Statistics\n<ul>\n<li>Intersecting Quartiles and Interquartile range<\/li>\n<li>Stem-and-Leaf Plots<\/li>\n<li>Box Plots and Mean Absolute Deviation<\/li>\n<li>Understanding Random Sampling Methods<\/li>\n<li>Making Inferences and Populations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Probability\n<ul>\n<li>Defining Outcomes, Events, and Sample Space<\/li>\n<li>Finding Probability Events<\/li>\n<li>Approximating Probability and Relative Frequency<br \/>\nDeveloping Probability Models<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>8th Grade Algebra I<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Properties of Real Numbers\n<ul>\n<li>Adding, Subtraction, Multiplying, Dividing Positive and Negative Numbers<\/li>\n<li>The Distributive Property<\/li>\n<li>Combining Like Terms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Solving Linear Equations\n<ul>\n<li>Ratios and Rates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Graphing Linear Equations and Functions\n<ul>\n<li>Graphing Lines Using Intercepts<\/li>\n<li>Slope of a Line<\/li>\n<li>Graphing Lines Using Slope-Intercept Form<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Writing Linear Equations\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Point-Slope Form<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Perpendicular and Parallel Lines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Solving and Graphing Linear Inequalities\n<ul>\n<li>Solving Absolute-Value Equations<\/li>\n<li>Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two Variables<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities\n<ul>\n<li>Solving Systems by Graphing, Substitution, and Subtraction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Exponents and Exponential Functions\n<ul>\n<li>Properties of Exponents<\/li>\n<li>Graphs of Exponential Functions<\/li>\n<li>Scientific Notation Exponential Growth Functions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Quadratic Equations and Functions\n<ul>\n<li>Square Roots<\/li>\n<li>Simplifying Radicals<\/li>\n<li>Graphing Quadratic Functions<\/li>\n<li>Quadratic Formula<\/li>\n<li>Quadratic Inequalities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Polynomials and Factoring\n<ul>\n<li>Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying Polynomials<\/li>\n<li>Factoring Polynomials<br \/>\nSolving the Quadratic Equations in Factored Form<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Rational Expressions and Equations<\/li>\n<li>Radicals<\/li>\n<li>Connections to Geometry\n<ul>\n<li>The Pythagorean Theorem<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Probability and Statistics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Life Science Syllabus<\/h2>\n<p>The Life Science curriculum is presented through a series of PowerPoint lectures. \u00a0Students also participate in projects, activities, and labs that attempt to engage students and bring science to life. Students learn about their own body and the natural world around them. An attempt is constantly made to keep the information relevant to the students\u2019 lives. \u00a0Tests, projects, homework, and class participation are all used to assess students\u2019 knowledge.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cell Structure and Function\n<ul>\n<li>Cellular Organelles<\/li>\n<li>Plasma Membranes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Cellular Processes\n<ul>\n<li>Cellular Respirations<\/li>\n<li>Photosynthesis<\/li>\n<li>Fermentation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>DNA\n<ul>\n<li>Cell Division<\/li>\n<li>DNA Structure and Function<\/li>\n<li>DNA Transcription and Protein Synthesis<\/li>\n<li>Biotechnology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Genetics\n<ul>\n<li>Gregor Mendel and his Pea Plants<\/li>\n<li>Punnett Squares<\/li>\n<li>DNA Mutations<\/li>\n<li>Recessive Genetic Disorders<\/li>\n<li>Beyond Mendelian Genetics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The Nervous System\n<ul>\n<li>Peripheral Nervous System<\/li>\n<li>The Central Nervous System<\/li>\n<li>Neurotransmitters<\/li>\n<li>Somatosensory Awareness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Plants\n<ul>\n<li>Photosynthesis<\/li>\n<li>Diversity of Plants<\/li>\n<li>Structure and Organization of Plants<\/li>\n<li>Transport in Plants<\/li>\n<li>Plant Life Cycles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Invertebrates<\/li>\n<li>Vertebrates\n<ul>\n<li>Fish<\/li>\n<li>Amphibians<\/li>\n<li>Reptiles<\/li>\n<li>Birds<\/li>\n<li>Mammals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>History<\/h2>\n<h3>7th Grade History-Ancient Civilizations Syllabus<\/h3>\n<p>In this course, we begin by studying ancient man, the Stone Age, \u00a0and early cultures. Our studies then take us on a tour of the ancient world. We study ancient China, India, Greece, Rome, and a host of other civilizations. The curriculum involves readings and discussion. Students compare and contrast the different societies. Students also participate in hands-on, project- based learning. We also explore:<br \/>\nAncient Egypt<br \/>\nAncient Kush<br \/>\nThe Hebrews and Judaism<br \/>\nThe Early Americas<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>8th Grade. United States History Syllabus<\/h3>\n<p>Our course begins with the arrival of the first Europeans to the New World in 1607. From there, we study the formation of the original 13 colonies. After studying the Revolutionary War, we explore the details of our country\u2019s founding and the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. After that, we study the following:<br \/>\nLaunching a New Nation<br \/>\nThe Era of Jefferson<br \/>\nThe Age of Reform<br \/>\nThe Civil War<br \/>\nIndustry and Urban Growth<br \/>\nPolitical Reform and the Progressive Era[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Middle-School Curriculum Bais Menachem\u2019s Middle School is housed in the new educational wing and social hall of Congregation Chevra Thilim,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6914,"parent":6479,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page_sidebar.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6736","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6736"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6736\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7049,"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6736\/revisions\/7049"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6479"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bmyds.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}