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Language Arts

6th Grade
Textbook: Treasury of Literature Beyond Expectations -HBJ
Main Topics:
* Novel Units which may include Bridge to Terabithia, Where the Red Fern Grows, Hatchet, Phantom Tollbooth, Westing Game, Devil’s Arithmetic, Pinballs, On My Honor, Night of the Twisters, and Incredible Journey
*Skills relating to story elements, genre, vocabulary, and comprehension
* The Accelerated Reader program
Projects:
* Creating a museum
* Diarama
* Book Reports

Textbook: Language Arts Today – McGraw-Hill
Main Topics:
Emphasizes writing process for expository, persuasive, and narrative modes
* Instruction to develop Standard English grammar
* Spelling and proofreading skills
* Instruction on using spoken language effectively
Projects:
* Poetry
*Writing business and personal letters
* Newspaper unit

7th and 8th grade
The Dunlap Middle School has the benefit of organizing the language arts program into two yearlong classes of integrated language arts instruction. One course is literature and the other is English.

7th grade Literature: Textbook: Adventures for Readers - Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
Main Topic:
* Young Adult Literature Novel Units (2 or 3)
* Units include short stories, poetry, nonfiction, and mythology
* Reading and analysis
Projects:
* Poetry Alive
* Book reports
* Web Quests
* Unit Enhancement activities

7th grade English: Textbook: Language Arts Today – McGraw-Hill
Main topics:
* Writing process emphasized (7th target is expository)
* Grammar/punctuation
* Vocabulary development
Projects:
* Essays (expository, persuasive, and narrative)
* Letters about Literature
* Writing for Publication

8th grade Literature: Textbook: Adventures for Readers: Book 2 - Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
Main Topics:
* Novel Units which may include The Wave, Cheaper by the Dozen, and No Promises in the Wind
* Units include short stories, poetry, nonfiction , and drama
* Literary terms
* Unit on Diary of Anne Frank
* Literary Circles may be used
Projects:
* Poetry Anthology
* Biography Slide Show preparation and presentation
* Book Reports

8th grade English: Textbook: Language Arts Today - McGraw-Hill
Main Topics:
* Writing Process emphasized
* Writing in different modes (persuasive, narrative, and expository) for variety of purposes and audiences
* Grammar and sentence structure
* Daily Oral language may be used
* Vocabulary development
* Writing conventions
Projects:
* Multiple essays (expository, persuasive, and narrative)
* Research paper concurrent with history class

Social Studies

6th grade

Textbook: The World and Its People – Silver Burdett Ginn
Material: Grade level maps, videos, and other published material
Main Topics:
* Egyptian Ancient History
* Greek Ancient History
* Roman Ancient History
* Middle Ages
* Countries of the Eastern Hemisphere
* WW II
Projects may include:
* Construction a castle
* Cartography
* Country Reports

7th grade

World Geography
Textbook: World Geography: Building a Global Perspective – Prentice Hall
Main Topics:
* Five themes of geography
* The earth’s surface
* Weather and climate
* Population and Culture
* Resources and land use
* Geography of the United States
* Geography of Canada
* Geography of Latin America


Projects:
* Students will research a Latin American country and create a poster, map, Power Point, and oral presentation.

U.S. History Before 1865
Textbook: America’s Past and Promise – McDougal Littell
Main Topics:
* Explorers and exploration
* Colonial settlement
* American Revolution
* Building a new nation

* Westward expansion
* Native Americans
* Slavery
* Civil War

8th grade

U.S. History After 1865
Textbook: America’s Past and Promise – McDougal Littell
Main Topics:
* Reconstruction
* Industrial Revolution / Immigration
* Politics and Reform
* Imperialism
* World War I
* Roaring Twenties
* Great Depression and the New Deal
* World War II / Holocaust
* Cold War, 1945-1991
* Postwar America
* Civil Rights Movement

Projects:
* All students will research a topic pertaining to a wide range of topics covered in U.S. History. A two to three page paper is a requirement for all eighth grade students. Papers are usually due in November.

Civics
Textbook: Civics: Responsibility and Citizenship – Glencoe
Main Topics:
* Types of government
* American democracy
* U.S. Constitution / Bill of Rights
* Executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government
* Federal and state government
* U.S. Flag
Projects:
* The final Constitution exam is a state requirement for all eighth grade students. A passing grade must be earned to gain promotion to high school. The exam is composed of questions for all the material covered in Civics throughout the semester. The exam takes place in May.

Science

6th grade

Textbook: Earth Science - Glencoe
Main Topics:
* Earth
* Water
* Atmosphere
* Astronomy
* You and the Environment
* Matter
Projects:
* Water Project
* Archaeology Project
* Atom Models
* Constellation Book
* Volcanos
* Rock and Minerals Project
* Illinois River Project

7th grade

Textbook: Life Science - Holt
Main Topics:
* Cells
* Genetics
* Animal Classification
* Plant Classification
* Ecology
* Microscopes
Projects:
* Leaf Collection
* Scientific Method
* Animal Research Project
* Disease Research Project

8th grade

Textbook: Physical Science - Holt
Main Topics:
* Atoms
* Elements and Chemical Reactions
* Magnetism
* Electricity
* Laws of Motion
* Simple Machines
* Cars
* Flight
Projects:
* Bridge Building
* Metal Sculptures
* Newton’s Toy Project
* Consumer Product Testing
* Element Research Project
* Carbuilder Project
* Electrical Quiz Board

Math

6th grade

Textbook: Middle Grades Math Tools for Success: Course 1 – Prentice Hall
Main Topics:
* Whole number operations
* Fractions (concepts and operations)
* Graphing (bar, line, pie chart)
* Pre-algebra
* Geometry
* Decimal (concept and operations)
* Problem solving
* Integers

Projects:
* Vary from year to year and from teacher to teacher

7th grade

Textbook: Middle Grades Math Tools for Success: Course 2 – Prentice Hall
Main Topics:
* Data Analysis and statistics
* Geometry
* Graphing
* Number Theory
* Fractions (concepts and operations)
* Ratios, proportions, and percents
* Pre-algebra
* Problem solving
* Integers

Projects:
* Vary from year to year and from teacher to teacher

8th grade (and 7th grade Advanced)

Textbook: Middle Grade Math Tools for Success: Course 3 – Prentice Hall
Special Note: 7th grade students in advanced math must maintain a B average to remain in the course

Main Topics:
* Algebra
* Geometry and measurement
* Data Analysis and statistics
* Fractions (operations)
* Ratios, proportions, and percents
* Number Theory
* Graphing
* Problem Solving

Projects:
* Vary from year to year and from teacher to teacher

Algebra
Textbook: Algebra I – Glencoe
Main Topics:
* Linear equations (solving, application, and graphing)
* Systems of linear systems
* Operations of polynomials
* Factoring
* Quadratic equations (solving, applications, and graphing)

Physical Fitness and Health Education

Physical Education - Grades 6-8
Physical Education is a required daily course for all students at DMS. Students are required to wear a uniform consisting of shorts and a shirt that may be purchased for $10 when they enroll. Units in Physical Education cover knowledge and skills in team and individual sports, personal physical fitness, and leisure activities. Some examples include softball, basketball, volleyball, hockey, badminton, tennis, soccer, Tae Bo, aerobics, bowling, table tennis, frisbee golf, and wall climbing.

Health – Grades 7 and 8
In seventh and eighth grade, students are required to take nine weeks of health class. Some of the main topics studied in seventh grade are personal hygiene, body systems, diet and nutrition, diseases, and drugs/alcohol/tobacco. In eighth grade students study consumer health care, nutrition, alcohol, tobacco, family living, and first aid safety. A report on first aid and safety is required at this level. The textbook utilized is Being Healthy by Harcourt Brace.

Exploratory Classes
Each course is on a nine-week cycle at each grade level.

Sixth and Seventh grade cycle:
Art
Computers
Life Skills
Quest

Eighth grade cycle:
All Aboard
Applied Technology
Art
Computers

Visual Arts

The Middle School Art program provides students an opportunity to experience a hands-on interactive class. Students explore their individual creativity and enhance both fine and gross motor skills.

Sixth Grade Curriculum
* Understanding Perspective Depth / Space
* Color
* Shape
* Artists (Historical and Present)
* 3-D Design

Seventh Grade Curriculum
This is a continuation of the sixth grade curriculum.
* Understanding perspective
* Correlating Art History within personal work (Painting)
* Analyzing work through group work and individual assessment
* Composition

Eighth Grade Curriculum
This is a continuation of the 6th and 7th grade with a more in depth understanding of technology and art within our society.
* Design within advertisement
* Design brochures
* Application of design using computer technology
* Architectural Design

Computers

The vision is all DMS computer classes is to develop lifelong learners who will enter the workplace with the technological skills required by the 21st century occupations.

The mission of all the computer courses is the following:
* Stir up the desire to use computers as a learning tool
* Recognize the interactions among various computer system components
* Discover the answers to questions while using technological resources
* Challenge students to creatively produce new information while using a computer

Sixth Grade
Textbook: Written by Mrs. Joyce and delivered through class web site
Required reading: Career Ideas for Kids Who Like Computers
Main Topics:
* Learn to use computer keyboard with proper posture and fingering technique
* Improve keyboarding speed and accuracy
* Navigate network infrastructure to use applications and to properly save documents
* Describe the work done by each part of the computer system and a network
* Use work processing software to enter, edit, and format one-page reports
Projects:
* Discovering Careers in Computers
* Online ethics and Safety Reports

Seventh Grade
Textbook: Written by Mrs. Joyce and delivered through class web site
Required reading: various Internet resources
Main Topics:
* Continued improvement of keyboarding accuracy and speed
* Review Internet resources for answers to questions
* Prepare multi-page reports according to MLA guidelines
* Use desktop publishing skills to design flyers that combine text and graphics
* Produce a career exploration report after analyzing results of a career interest survey
Projects:
* Various MLA reports
* Desktop Publishing: Business and Career flyer
* Career: Exploring Future Possibilities research paper

Eighth Grade
Textbook: Written by Mrs. Joyce and delivered through class web site
Required reading: various Internet resources
Main Topics:
* Use vector-based drawing software to create original artwork
* Use image-editing software to create photographic composite
* Review Internet resources to gain insight into careers of architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and general contracting
* Use multimedia software to design 3D virtual home tour
Projects:
* Self-descriptive Photographic Composite
* Designing the Car of the Future
* Virtual Home Tour

Life Skills

Sixth Grade – (subject – Life Skills)
Textbook: Young Living – Glencoe McGraw-Hill
Main Topics:
* Child Care
* Clothing Care
* Foods
Projects: Vary from year to year

Seventh Grade
Textbook: Young Living – Glencoe McGraw-Hill (limited use)
Main topics / activities: (students spend 4 days at 8 of the 12 activities)
* Room Design
* Parenting Simulation
* Vacation Planning
* Consumerism
* Car Shopping Simulation
* Breakfast Preparation
* Lunch Preparation
* Dinner Preparation
* Classroom Management
* Beginning Sewing 1 and 2
* Machine Embroidery

Quest

Sixth Grade
Textbook: Changes and Challenges – Lions Club International and Quest International
Main Topics:
* Seven character values: courage, responsibility, justice, respect, friendship, honesty, and compassion
* Entering the Teen Years
* Building Self-Confidence and Communication Skills
* Managing Emotions
* Improving Peer Relationships
Projects:
* Acts of Kindness (opportunities for good deeds)
* Web Quests for quotations about courage and responsibility
* Role plays
* Roller coaster of emotions

Seventh Grade
Textbook: Changes and Challenges – Lions Club International and Quest International
Main Topics:
* Setting Goals for Healthy Living
* Strengthening Family Relationships
* Career Research
* Community Service
Projects:
* Community service project
* Career portfolios
* Marriage project

All Aboard

This class, designed by Pat Fetcho and Mary Nelson, strives to develop teamwork skills that are utilized in the today’s business world. Cooperation and participation are heavily stressed. Highlights of the class include a plethora of teaming activities utilizing the state of the art climbing wall and a field trip to Peoria. This field trip introduces city resources and accessing the public transportation system.

Applied Technology

Eighth Grade
Main Topics: (students work in pairs to complete the activities on selected topics)
* Computer Numerical Controls
* Electronics
* Electricity
* Automotive
* Weather
* Biomedical
* Materials and Processes
* Pneumatics
* Robotics
* Living with Transportation
* Living with machines
* Living with construction
* Construction Technology
* Navigation and GPS

Music

Band

In sixth grade band, students attend lessons one day and have full band rehearsal one day each week during their regularly scheduled study hall. The sixth grade band uses Essential Elements 2000: Books 1 and 2 and supplemental sheet music. They perform in four concerts per school year. The seventh grade band has full band three times per week with one day of sectionals during their regularly scheduled study hall. Eighth graders have full band three times per week with no extra lessons. The seventh and eighth grade bands use the Essential Technique textbook and supplemental music. They also perform in four to five concerts a year and participate in IGSMA Solo & Ensemble, as well as IESA Organizational Contest.

Chorus

Any sixth, seventh, or eighth grade student may participate in chorus. Chorus members have one day of sectional rehearsal per week and two full chorus per week. Students rehearse during their regularly scheduled study hall. Students in all grade levels participate in concerts held at DMS several times a year. In addition, seventh and eighth graders compete in IGSMA Solo & Ensemble, as well as the IESA Organizational Contest.