Middle School Course Offerings



Core Courses

American Leadership Academy uses the Core Knowledge sequence developed by E.D. Hirsch as the academic base for its core classes. The Core Knowledge sequence is designed to give each student a well-rounded exposure to cultural literacy and skills in the areas of History and Geography, Language arts, Visual arts, Music, Mathematics, and Science.

Each student will have eight 90-minute classes; six required core classes and two elective classes. The six required core classes are History & Geography, Language Arts (including Literature), Science, Math, PE and a Leadership Study Skills Lab. Course descriptions are listed below for each core class and elective class.

A/B Schedules

ALA is implementing an A/B schedule for the 2011-2012 school year within the high school and each middle school campus. Students will attend four 90-minute classes each day, with schedules alternating every other day. It is our belief this type of schedule will benefit both teachers and students alike. The alternating A/B schedule will allow students more direct work time in class, and the opportunity to clarify the skills learned during that time with the teacher.

Elective Course Selection

Some of the elective courses are scheduled for the duration of the full year, while others are scheduled to run the course of one semester. Please note this when choosing your elective courses. There is a wide variety of semester and yearlong elective courses to choose from.

Read all course descriptions thoroughly, then complete the Electives Course Selection Form located at the back of this course catalog with the student’s top 4 elective choices for 2011-2012. Please return the form to the ALA school office as soon as possible, preferably by Friday, May 27th.

Thank You,

ALA Administration and Scheduling committee 

 

Middle School Required Courses

 

History and Geography

 

6th Grade History: This year the curriculum will emphasize World history from its earliest cultures through present day, including the early cultures of the Americas.

 

Homework Level: Low -medium


 

7th Grade History: This year the curriculum will emphasize American history from the Civil War through the Great Depression. Students will also study the impact of the Industrial Revolution and imperialism on world events.

 

Homework Level: Low -medium

 

 

8th Grade History: This year the curriculum will emphasize the historical foundations and democratic principles that framed our Constitution and led to our form of democracy. The history of World War II to the contemporary world is also studied.

 

Homework Level: Low -medium

 

 

Science

 

6th Grade Science:

Students will study the following topics over the course of the year:

  • Plate tectonics

  • Oceans

  • Astronomy: gravity, stars, and galaxies

  • Energy, heat, and energy transfer

  • Physical change: energy transfer

  • The human body

Class work will consist of daily bell work, lab activities, projects, quizzes, tests, AIMS preparation, online activities, and daily participation.

 

Homework Level: Low, with the exception of the science fair projects, which will require extensive work at home.


 

7th Grade Science:

Students will study the following topics over the course of the year:

  • Atomic structure

  • Chemical bonds and reactions

  • Cell division and genetics

  • History of the earth and life forms

    • Paleontology and geologic time

  • Evolution

    • Natural selection, extinction, and speciation

Class work will consist of daily bell work, lab activities, projects, quizzes, tests, AIMS preparation, online activities, and daily participation.

 

Homework Level: Low, with the exception of the science fair projects, which will require extensive work at home.

 

 

8th Grade Science:

Students will study the following topics over the course of the year:

  • Physics

    • Motion/forces

    • Density and buoyancy

    • Work, energy, and power

  • Electricity and magnetism

  • Electromagnetic radiation and light

  • Sound waves

  • Chemistry of food and respiration

Class work will consist of daily bell work, lab activities, projects, quizzes, tests, AIMS preparation, online activities, and daily participation.

 

Homework Level: Low, with the exception of the science fair projects, which will require extensive work at home.

 


Language Arts

 

 

6th Grade Language Arts:

An in-depth study based on a Core Knowledge curriculum, of English grammar, vocabulary, literature, and writing skills as dictated by Arizona State Standards. Over the course of the school year, students may be asked to read, discuss, and complete study guides on the following selected book titles: Adventures of Ulysses, Prince and the Pauper, Black Ships Before Troy, and Julius Caesar (Shakespeare for Young People).

 

Homework Level: High

 

 

7th Grade Language Arts:

An in-depth study based on a Core Knowledge curriculum, of English grammar, vocabulary, literature, and writing skills as dictated by Arizona State Standards. Over the course of the school year, students may be asked to read, discuss, and complete study guides on the following selected book titles: Call of the Wild, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, Cyrano de Bergerac, Realms of Gold 2.

 

Homework Level: High

 

 

8th Grade Language Arts:

An in-depth study based on a Core Knowledge curriculum, of English grammar, vocabulary, literature, and writing skills as dictated by Arizona State Standards. Over the course of the school year, students may be asked to read, discuss, and complete study guides on the following selected book titles: Animal Farm, Good Earth, I know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Twelfth Night, Realms of Gold 3.

 

Homework Level: High

 

 

Study Skills:

With an emphasis on the 7-Habits, this class teaches students to effectively manage their time, take notes, organize papers, and complete homework.

 

Students in this class will read and discuss Sean Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. All middle school students are required to take this course.

 

Homework Level: Low

 

Middle School Elective Courses

 

 

Dance: An introduction to the genres of ballet, modern, jazz and hip-hop. Learning the vocabulary, principles and elements of each style is important. The class focuses on students’ development of body awareness, technical facility, spatial expressiveness, and personal creativity.

Fees: none

Course duration: 1 semester

 

Homework Level: Low to none

 

 

Forensic Science: In this exciting hands-on elective class, students will use their critical thinking and reasoning skills to analyze various real-life situations relating to crime scene investigation. Students will learn to collect and analyze fingerprints, study handwriting samples, discover how trace evidence is used to solve crimes, explain the process used in DNA evidence collection, analyze bloodstain patterns, and much more. The culminating activity will include solving a mock crime scene investigation.

 

Class work will consist of daily bell work, lab activities, projects, quizzes, tests, online activities, and daily participation. Students will be required to submit a written report explaining the means, motive, opportunity, and a detailed synopsis of how they believe the crime occurred and who committed the crime, complete with evidence collection/labeling to support their theory.

Fees: $20 for equipment and supplies

Course duration: 1 semester

 

Homework Level: Low, with the exception of the culminating project

 

 

Technology 1: An introduction to Keyboarding and Touch Typing. Students will be expected to achieve mastery on timed typing tests of at least 35 words per minute.  In addition, students will be introduced to Web Browsing for the purpose of doing research for various class assignments. MS WORD basics will also be introduced to enable students to type papers for English and other classes.

 

Requirements: None

Fees: None

Equipment: Students should have a flash drive, to save personal work

Course Duration: 1 Semester

 

Homework Level: Low

 

 

Student Government: The Student Government elective class will be open to those who have been elected or appointed to fill Student Council or Student Body Officer positions for the 2011-2012 School Year.  Course content will include: Roberts Rules of Order, The 7-Habits of Highly Effective Teens and Lincoln Leadership, among others.  Leadership Activities will include:  Morning Announcements; Planning and Executing all Student Council Sponsored Activities (about one per month);  Fund Raising for various Student Council events and expenses; Supporting all ALA events including Sports, Music and Art; Poster design and Creation;  Organizing and Service on Committees;  and many other team building and leadership oriented exercises. Fund raisers will be held for the benefit of all Student Council Members.

 

Requirements:       

  • Must be elected or appointed to Student Council to attend this class

  • Must attend Summer Camp meetings as arranged with parents and students

Fees:  $25 for Officer and Council Member T-shirts

Course duration: Full year

Books:  The 7-Habits of Highly Effective Teens and accompanying workbook (already included as part of the Leadership Skills class)

 

Homework Level:  Medium-High: Students will be required to attend 70% of after school events, such as sports, concerts, activities, and participate on committees which do setup and take-down after these events.

 

 

U.S. Constitution studies: A focus on the legal language and meaning of the U.S. constitution. The class will briefly study the history of the American colonies and the Founding Fathers, as well as examine the concepts of freedom, liberty, natural law and public virtue. We will explore Bastiat’s The Law, and selections from The Federalist Papers. We will dissect and interpret each of the Articles, clauses and sub-clauses of the U.S. constitution.

Fees for this course will be $10.00 (The Law and Constitution booklet)

Course Duration: 1 semester

 

Homework Level: Medium

 

 

Speech and Debate: S&D will focus on many of the great talks and speeches of U.S. history, as well as some of the great historic political and presidential debates. We will concentrate on speech writing and the use of rhetoric in debate. The class will also focus on current events, political and social controversy – past and present. Students will develop opinion, counter argument and rhetoric on various topics.

Fees: none

Course Duration: 1 semester

 

Homework Level: Medium

 

 

Science Exploration: Students will investigate exclusive areas of physics, chemistry and astronomy in an exciting and unique way. An attempt to unlock the genius and creativity of each student by encouraging “ thinking outside the box” and by use of “hands on” activities. Science will never be more fun!

Fees: $10.00 (For supplies)

Course duration: 1 semester

 

Homework Level: Low

 

 

Choir: The basics of vocal method and performance. Students will be required to participate in several performances throughout the year.

Course Fee: $15

Course duration: Full year

 

Homework Level: Low

 

 

Strings: The basics of stringed instruments. The instruments taught in this course will be determined by parental & student demand.

Fees: The cost to rent/purchase an instrument

Course duration: Full year

 

Homework Level: Low

 

 

Flute Ensemble: Open to any student who has a flute.  This class will meet the needs of flute students at all skill levels, from the earliest beginner to those who are very advanced.  Students will be expected to learn to play major scales, read music, and play rhythmically.  Students will play individually and in small groups, and will be expected to participate in semester concerts.

Requirements:  Student must provide their own flute

Fees: $10 for Flute method book

Course duration: Full year

 

Homework Level: Students are requested to practice 15-30 minutes daily, depending upon

their skill level, to achieve mastery

 

 

Theatre: A full-year course covering the basic elements of theatre. Students will learn and practice various theatrical techniques and will be required to participate in school productions throughout the year.

Fees: $15

Course duration: 1 semester

 

Homework Level: Light except for period surrounding school productions

 

 

Journalism: The focus of this course will be to explore the techniques for interviewing and writing newsletter articles for the school newsletter. Students will learn time management, interviewing, writing and newsletter layout for the school newsletter. A select number of students will be chosen to create the 2011-2012 yearbook.

Requirements: Students must obtain approval from the language arts department teachers, and maintain a grade of 80% or higher in all other classes. Students must be able to work independently, and be self-directed during slower times of the class. Previous photography training, and on-line scrapbooking & design skills preferred. Each student will need a flash drive.

Fees: cost of the flash drive (approx. $20)

Course duration: Full year

Homework Level: Low –medium dependent on deadlines


ART 1:  This is a general art course designed to introduce students to the process of creating art with an emphasis on the principles of art and design. Art making, predominantly drawing and painting, will be intertwined with art history and art criticism. The art periods studied by children during this course will correlate with the Core Knowledge sequence for 6th and 7th grade. Some of the periods studied will include Ancient Greece and Rome, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, Romantic, Realism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism.

Fees: $20 for supplies

Course duration: Full year

Homework Level: Low

 

 

ART 2: This is a general art course designed to introduce students to the process of creating art with an emphasis on the principles of art and design. Art making, predominantly drawing and painting, will be intertwined with art history and art criticism. The art periods studied by children during this course will correlate with the Core Knowledge sequence for 7th and 8th grade. Some of the periods studied will include Expressionism and Abstraction, Modern American Painting, Painting After World War II, Photography, 20th – Century Sculpture, Architecture Since the Industrial Revolution.

Fees: $20 for supplies

Course duration: Full year

 

Homework Level: Low

 

 

Realidades A (Middle School Level 1 Spanish): Learning the language and cultural patterns of Spanish-speaking countries is the focus of this introductory middle school Spanish course. Emphasis will be on learning through participation in interviews, mini-presentations, role-plays, skits, singing, total physical response activities and the celebration of cultural artists and holidays of Spanish-speaking countries. The following themes (temas) will provide the context for communication:

  • Weather, time, and calendar

  • friendship and activities

  • school

  • food and drink

  • leisure time activities

Students will learn alphabetic pronunciation, general vocabulary, parts of speech in Spanish and regular present tense verb conjugation surrounding the above themes.

Fees: none

Course duration: Full year

 

Homework Level: Low -medium

 

 

Realidades B (Middle School Level 2 Spanish): This course will be a continuation of Realidades A in which the vocabulary will be reiterated and built upon through studying the following themes:

  • Family celebrations

  • Your home and dormitory

  • Shopping for clothing & other special purchases

  • Vacation experiences

  • Helping in your community

  • Movies & Television

  • Technology

Students will learn advanced parts of speech in Spanish, and additional verb tense conjugations. Students completing Realidades Levels A & B can advance directly to Realidades 2 in high school.

Pre-requisite: Realidades A or Spanish 1 equivalent

Fees: none

Course duration: Full year

 

Homework Level: Low –medium

 

 

Middle School Course Selection Form

Math placement will be based on performance history, teacher evaluation, and performance on placement exams.

Required Courses

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

Math

Math

Math

6th Grade Language Arts

7th Grade Language Arts

8th Grade Language Arts

6th Grade History

7th Grade History

8th Grade History

6th Grade Science

7th Grade Science

8th Grade Science

Leadership Study Skills

Leadership Study Skills

Leadership Study Skills

Physical Education

Physical Education

Physical Education

 
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