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Urban Discovery Academy Middle School 7th - 8th Grade
Academics » 7th - 8th Grade

7th - 8th Grade

Academic Overview
Urban Discovery Academy takes an integrated, whole-child approach to learning. Our small-school setting and individualized approach to learning, where relationships are at the forefront of our work, help create a positive environment for learning and helps our students build self-confidence. To further support this whole-child, personalized learning approach, ongoing Design Challenges are embedded into the school curriculum on to allow our students to solve real world problems and connect more deliberately to the world around them. To culminate these community-based learning experiences, our families are invited to celebrate with us twice per year at our Exhibition Nights (celebrations of student learning). The high-engagement academic culture cultivates self-motivation, problem solving and innovation among our students. Our rich and multi-faceted approach to learning is supplemented with daily enrichment programming and ongoing field trips, including: 
  • Visual Arts
  • Physical/Outdoor Education
  • After School Sports (volleyball, soccer, basketball, and flag football)
Scroll down for specific academic course of study information. 
Meet the Urban Discovery Academy Middle School Team

Mathematics 7 - This course emphasizes focus on active engagement with numbers by focusing on conceptual understanding, computational and procedural skills, scale drawings in geometric figures, understandings of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers, generate equivalent expressions, angles, area, surface area,volume, inferences in data and problem solving of real world problems. The 7th grade standards require students to study the following areas: ratios, proportional relationships, geometric relationships, expressions and equations, number systems and statistics and probability (bias vs. non bias population, random sampling, etc.) Students will increase their understanding of the course material by participating in homework, class work, quizzes, tests, group and individual projects, independent problem solving, and oral presentations.

 

English 7 - The medieval and early modern periods provide students with opportunities to study the rise and fall of empires, the diffusion of religions and languages, and significant movements of people, ideas, and products. During these periods, the regions of the world became more and more interconnected. Although societies were quite distinct from each other, there were more exchanges of people, products, and ideas in each century. For this reason, world history during the medieval and early modern periods can be a bewildering catalog of names, places, and events that impacted individual societies, while the larger patterns that affected the world are lost.

 

To avoid this, teachers must focus on questions that get at the larger geographic, historical, economic, and civic patterns of the world. To answer these questions, students study content-rich examples and case studies, rather than superficially survey all places, names, and events. Students approach history not only as a body of content (such as events, people, ideas, or historical accounts) to be encountered or mastered, but also as an investigative discipline. They analyze evidence from written and visual primary sources, supplemented by secondary sources, to form historical interpretations. Both in writing and speaking, they cite evidence from textual sources to support their arguments.

 

Science 7 - This course guides students through inquiry-based investigations into phenomena found in microscopic and macroscopic processes within the fields of Chemistry and Physics. Students are tasked with thinking and acting as scientists by engaging students in various Science and Engineering Practices (asking questions and defining problems, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using math and computational thinking, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in evidence-based argument, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information) and examining Cross-Cutting Concepts (patterns; cause and effect; scale, proportion, and quantity; systems and system models; energy and matter; structure and function; and stability and change) within each phenomena. Course topics include structure and properties of matter, chemical reactions, forces and interactions, energy, and electromagnetic waves.

 

History 7 - The medieval and early modern periods provide students with opportunities to study the rise and fall of empires, the diffusion of religions and languages, and significant movements of people, ideas, and products. During these periods, the regions of the world became more and more interconnected. Although societies were quite distinct from each other, there were more exchanges of people, products, and ideas in each century. For this reason, world history during the medieval and early modern periods can be a bewildering catalog of names, places, and events that impacted individual societies, while the larger patterns that affected the world are lost.

 

To avoid this, teachers focus on questions that get at the larger geographic, historical, economic, and civic patterns of the world. To answer these questions, students study content-rich examples and case studies, rather than superficially survey all places, names, and events. Students approach history not only as a body of content (such as events, people, ideas, or historical accounts) to be encountered or mastered, but also as an investigative discipline. They analyze evidence from written and visual primary sources, supplemented by secondary sources, to form historical interpretations. Both in writing and speaking, they cite evidence from textual sources to support their arguments.

 

Design 1 - The introductory design course focus is based on curriculum that has an emphasis on the Visual Art, Media, and Entertainment standards.  Students will learn the elements of design and art techniques as they create products that inform, entertain, and educate audiences.

 

The course includes problem-solving skills, artistic perception, critical thinking and self-reflection as students apply the principles of design and elements of art using industry standards. Students will also be tasked with Design Challenges throughout the year so that they can learn to utilize the Design Thinking Process with their classmates to develop their ideas in a collaborative environment.  Major topics include but are not limited to:

  • Artistic Perception and Creative Expression
  • Historical and Cultural Context
  • Aesthetic Value
  • Connections, Relationships and Applications
 
Spanish 1 - The main objective of this course is for students to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures. In that regard, different regions in Latin America will not only be studied in terms of their language and culture but also as the result of historical and socio-economic processes.  Furthermore, students will learn about the history of immigration in the United States and more in depth, learn about the history and culture of Latin American people in the US conducting research and presenting the information to the class as well as to the community.

 

Students will work on individual as well as group projects to practice and demonstrate in a creative way what they are learning during the year. They will have enough time and support to complete these projects. In addition, all of the projects will end with students’ presentations in order for students to share what they have learned.  This will also provide an opportunity for the development of oral as well as written skills.  Assuming that students within the same class will be at different stages of language development, the expectations will vary when in it comes to oral language production, reading, writing and understanding.

 

We will also work on grammar as we work on the projects.  Specific information and guidelines for each project will be provided at the beginning of the project.  For more advanced students, the study of grammar will be more in-depth and use of vocabulary more extensive.

 

Physical Education - At Urban Discovery Schools, Physical Education plays a vital role in providing students with a holistic approach to their education. Physical Education provides the opportunity to explore and promote mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. Through physical activity, students learn to develop confidence, resilience, responsibility and how to work cooperatively with each other.

 

The Physical Education program at Urban Discovery Schools provides the skills and knowledge students will need to lead an active lifestyle. Students will learn about different movements and strategies, the importance of teamwork, and health related fitness. Our program focuses on the development of fundamental locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills in a variety of age-appropriate activities. In addition, our program provides students the opportunity to learn and practice appropriate social interactions. Through regular participation in physical activity, students also have the opportunity to develop their emotional and psychological skills.

Mathematics – Upon the completion of the year, students must be able to:

  • Use order of operations to help them simplify algebraic expressions and they must know and understand the properties of the number system and be able to use them effectively in solving Equations and Inequalities.  These properties are:
    • Identity Property
    • The Commutative Property
    • The Associative Property
    • The Distributive property
    • Inverse Properties:
      • Additive Inverse
      • Multiplicative Inverse
      • Zero Product Property
  • Analyze problems (not excluding word problems) and structure appropriate steps to finding their solutions
  • Understand and explain what relations are and how to represent them algebraically (using variables) from: tables, verbal statements, geometric diagrams, and graphs.  They must be able to test the validity of the relations by substituting numbers.
  • Understand Linear Equations and Systems of Linear Equations.  That includes knowing how to express them algebraically and graphically, how to interpret both the expression and the graph.
  • Understand Quadratic functions and know how to express them algebraically and graphically, how to interpret both the expression and the graph.
  • Solve for x or y in Linear and Quadratic Equations and understand their graphs.
  • Rational Expressions: Simplifying them, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing them.  This includes solving Rational equations in the context of rate, work, and percent mixture problems.
 

English Language Arts 8 - This course will explore U.S. history from a critical and justice perspective. We will also be using literature and the writing process in order to discuss the essential question using design thinking, “How can we turn conflict into change?” The goal will be to develop a creative imagination and critical thinking skills that can trace historical moments in U.S. history and how it has informed today’s experiences, connecting them to modern events.  Major topics include but are not limited to:

  • Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
  • Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
  • Students will also be able to connect historical events to themes and central ideas of a text
  • Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors.
  • Explore texts use evidence to cite historical pieces
  • Conduct short research
  • Participate effectively in collaborative and discussions
 

Science 8 - Examining a broad spectrum of the biological sciences, Life Science is a two-semester course for middle school students that builds on basic principles of scientific inquiry and translates those skills to more complex overarching biological themes. The course includes units that help students understand the definition, forms, and classifications of living organisms and learn to analyze the diversity of each unique group of living organisms. Other units introduce students to the structures and functions of cells, cell theory, and cell reproduction. These larger themes are then applied to other topics, such as genetics, Darwinian Theory, and human biology and health. An introduction of ecology draws all of these concepts together to examine the interrelationships that help to maintain life on Earth. Major topics include but are not limited to:

  • Identify the structures within living cells and describe their functions
  • Describe how genetic inheritance occurs 
  • Summarize the major concepts of natural selection and other evolutionary mechanisms 
  • Examine major structures and key physiological processes in the systems of the human body
  • Identify the components of an ecosystem and explain the interactions among them
 

History Social - Science 8 - This course will explore U.S. history from a critical and justice perspective. We will also be using literature and the writing process in order to discuss the essential question using design thinking, “How can we turn conflict into change?” The goal will be to develop a creative imagination and critical thinking skills that can trace historical moments in U.S. history and how it has informed today’s experiences, connecting them to modern events.

  

Design 2 - The Design 2 course focuses on curriculum that has an emphasis on the Visual Art, Media, and Entertainment standards.  Students will learn the elements of design and art techniques as they create products that inform, entertain, and educate audiences. Some of these standards include:

  • Apply artistic skills and processes to solve a variety of industry-relevant problems in a variety of traditional and electronic media.
  • Analyze, assess, and identify effectiveness of artistic products based on elements of art, the principles of design, and professional industry standards.
  • Acquire and accurately use Arts, Media, and Entertainment sector terminology and protocols at the career and college readiness level for communicating effectively in oral, written, and multimedia formats.

 

Use existing and emerging technology to investigate, research, and produce products and services, including new information, as required in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment sector workplace environment.

This course is designed to expose the student to the techniques needed to create beautiful design/artwork using computer software in a digital environment, or other materials as needed. The student will become familiar with Google Sites and industry standard software used in the advertising and visual arts. The student will become proficient with software such as Adobe Photoshop using the Chrome Extension,  and other software in order to enhance his or her design. He or she will create graphics and products while incorporating the principles and elements of design and Design Thinking. Students will produce and will be assessed on many projects that include creating an online digital portfolio or website where students will be able to showcase other work throughout the year.

 

Spanish 2 - Spanish 2 is an interactive setting supporting students’ Spanish Language skills and development. It builds upon the fundamental and introductory Spanish language skills they acquired in Spanish 1. The language is presented within a context of the contemporary Spanish-speaking world and its culture. A main objective is that students will be able to speak about past activities using the conversational past tense. Students will learn in an interactive environment using games, songs, and exploration, through a variety of activities online, as well as interaction with their educator and classmates. Students will develop an appreciation of the Spanish language and culture through real-world projects. This includes conversational development on relatable and diverse topics such as histories, major holidays, and cultural celebrations.

 

Physical Education - At Urban Discovery Schools, Physical Education plays a vital role in providing students with a holistic approach to their education. Physical Education provides the opportunity to explore and promote mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing. Through physical activity, students learn to develop confidence, resilience, responsibility and how to work cooperatively with each other.

 

The Physical Education program at Urban Discovery Schools provides the skills and knowledge students will need to lead an active lifestyle. Students will learn about different movements and strategies, the importance of teamwork, and health related fitness. Our program focuses on the development of fundamental locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills in a variety of age-appropriate activities. In addition, our program provides students the opportunity to learn and practice appropriate social interactions. Through regular participation in physical activity, students also have the opportunity to develop their emotional and psychological skills.