22-23 Course Catalog

6th Grade: Core Courses
● English/Language Arts 6: This course is designed to allow students to gain an ever-increasing skill
set in the areas of literacy and writing. It is tied to the Common Core Standards and lays the
foundation for ELA 7 & 8. The year-long course is broken into four thematic units: Turning Points,
Ancient Realms, Facing Challenges, & Our Heroes. We explore the themes in each unit through a
variety of fiction and nonfiction texts.
● Math 6: This course is aligned to the Common Core Standards with the purpose of allowing
students to gain mastery of concepts and skills for greater success in future mathematics courses.
Students will be able to apply their understanding of content as well as show mastery of the
mathematical practice standards such as: making sense of problems and persevering through
them, model with mathematics, use appropriate math tools, and communicate their thinking
process. Areas of focus include: ratios and unit rates, arithmetic skills, surface area and volume
problems, and understanding of statistical variability.
● Accelerated Math 6: This course is aligned to the Common Core Standards with the purpose of
allowing students to gain mastery of concepts and skills for greater success in future
mathematics courses. This course covers the content of the regular Math 6 course plus half of the
content of the Math 7 course.
● Social Studies 6: This class is designed to help students understand basic elements of geography,
history, civics, and economics through the study of historical and modern cultures. Students will
use their learning to make connections to their own lives and to analyze how world events play a
part in the course of global events past and present. Students will be equipped with the tools of
reading apprenticeship and historical/geographic inquiry to conduct their studies.
● Science 6: This year-long course will focus on using inquiry skills to explore science in a hands-on
setting. Emphasis will be placed on using the scientific method in order to reach a deeper
understanding of science concepts, and each unit will feature several lab investigations. The
course will cover a variety of topics in all three main branches of science: Life Science, Earth
Science, and Physical Science. This class also incorporates reading strategies and reading
apprenticeship into science content.
6th Grade: Exploratories
● Health 6: This course is designed to welcome students to middle school, and to the beginning
of their transition into adolescence. Students will be introduced to social skills and problem
solving techniques that will help them successfully navigate the next few years. Students will
work on making good choices and apply those choices to health-related behaviors such as
healthy eating. This course is designed in such a way as to encourage positive communication
with caregivers and other trusted adults. [Required]
● Spanish 6: Students will take one trimester of Spanish in each grade level. The combination of
Spanish experience in all grades at MMS fulfills a graduation credit for Milan High School.
Students will explore the Hispanic culture and the basics of the Spanish language with a focus on
vocabulary acquisition and basic conversation.
● Choir 6: 6th grade choir students study and learn many styles of music and to develop poise and
confidence through singing and performing together in this year-long course. Music reading,
singing technique, performing and music history are the focus of this course. In addition to our
December and May concerts and school assemblies, choir members participate in Michigan
School Vocal Music Association Solo & Ensemble. Many 6th grade choir members continue
singing in choir throughout middle and high school, enjoying Michigan Honor Choir, Choral
Festival and solo opportunities each year.
● Band 6: This full year course will help musicians develop into creative, proficient musical
performers. Band members develop musically as individuals and as a group while exploring
elements of musical theory, performance, and instrumentation. You’ll learn familiar melodies,
have the chance to use your skills in other classes, and perform twice in our auditorium!
● SFT: This trimester course seeks to establish 21st century skills and habits that are necessary for
success in middle and high school. Considering routines, goals, and time management, students
learn and practice soft skills to help them grow and succeed.
● Art 6: In this course students will experience and explore the basic Elements of Art. Students will
be encouraged to “Think Like Artists,” stretch their imagination, explore new art materials,
develop craft, envision end results through brainstorming, and create extraordinary Artwork!
● PE: This course is designed for students to gain increased skills and increase their cardiovascular
endurance in a variety of team sports. Each grade level class will be expected to complete
activities appropriate to their level. Sports such as volleyball, basketball, kickball, etc…will be
offered.

7th Grade: Core Courses
● English/Language Arts 7: This course is designed to allow students to gain an ever increasing skill
set in the areas of literacy and writing with a specific focus in increasing quality of written work
and oral presentations. Utilizing a workshop approach, each student will be challenged to grow
and develop into a better reader and writer throughout the year.
● Math 7: This course is aligned to the Common Core Standards with the purpose of allowing
students to gain mastery of concepts and skills for greater success in future mathematics courses.
Areas of focus include: the number system, proportional relationships, expressions and equations,
area and volume, and data distributions
● Accelerated Math 7: This course is aligned to the Common Core Standards with the purpose of
allowing students who successfully completed Accelerated Math 6 to gain mastery of concepts
and skills for greater success in future advanced mathematics courses. This course covers the
second half of Math 7 plus all of Math 8 in order to prepare students for Algebra. Areas of focus
include: The Number System, Geometry, Statistics and Probability, Expressions and Equations, and
Functions.
● Social Studies 7: This course is designed to help students understand ancient history. Students will
look at different civilizations and the characteristics that define them. Students then move into a
brief look at world religions and how they have shaped the growth of the world. The last portion
of the course will give an idea at what many continents found themselves looking like before the
year 1500.
● Science 7: This course will focus on applying inquiry skills to explore science in a hands-on
setting. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing data in order to reach a deeper understanding of
science concepts. Topics that will be covered include: energy, thermal energy, waves, digital
signals, fossils, history of Earth, evolution, plate tectonics, geoscience processes, and Earth’s
resources.
7th Grade: Exploratories
● Health 7: In 7th grade, students will continue working on taking ownership of their physical,
emotional and social health. They will work on creating plans to maintain lifelong health
behaviors. The course is designed in such a way as to encourage positive communication with
parents and other adults, and allows for students to understand complex issues associated with
health. [Required]
● Spanish 7: Students will take one trimester of Spanish in each grade level. The combination of
Spanish experience in all grades at MMS fulfills a graduation credit for Milan High School.
Students will explore the Hispanic culture and the basics of the Spanish language with a focus on
vocabulary acquisition and basic conversation.
● Young Entrepreneurs: This course creates a business and marketing experience for our students.
Founded in the principles of advertising, this project based course guides students through the
development of marketing strategies and campaigns. Students will also develop a State-required
Education Development Plan (EDP) based on their career and/or college interests. Using Career
Cruising, students investigate careers and their required education, average payscale, etc.
● Choir 7: This year-long course provides the opportunity for students to develop into confident
singers and performers. Music reading, performing and studying music history are the focus of
this course. Choir members participate in Michigan School Vocal Music Association Honor Choir,
Solo & Ensemble and Choral Festival annually. Middle School Choirs present two community
concerts each school year and sing for Recognition Night.
● Band 7: This year-long course will help develop students into creative, proficient performers. Band
members work both as individuals and as a group while exploring elements of musical theory,
performance, and instrumentation. Students are also encouraged to participate in a competition
held by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.
● STEAM 7: This trimester course allows students to get hands-on experience exploring Science,
Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics, while focusing on 21st Century Skills of
communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Students will experience many
hands-on projects that will challenge their problem-solving skills.
● Art 7: In this trimester course students will focus on creating artwork utilizing the Principles of
Design. Students will be encouraged to express themselves through their work, practice
persistence through trial & error, observe the art world around them, and connect their tasks to
real-life careers relating to art.
● PE: This trimester course is designed for students who wish to gain increased skills and increase
their cardiovascular endurance in a variety of team sports. Each grade level class will be
expected to complete activities appropriate to their level. Sports such as volleyball, basketball,
kickball, etc., will be offered.

8th Grade: Core Courses
● English/Language Arts 8: This course is designed to allow students to gain an ever-increasing skill
set in the areas of literacy and writing. Utilizing a unique “Workshop” approach, each student will
be challenged to grow and develop into a better reader and writer throughout the year.
● Accelerated ELA 8: This course is designed for students who are advanced readers and writers.
Using Common Core 8th grade standards, students will focus on complex literature in
depth analytical essays. Students would then move on to advanced/advanced placement ELA
courses at the high school.
● Math 8: This course is aligned with the Common Core Standards for 8th grade math. Upon
completion of this course students will be enrolled in Algebra I at the high school.
● Advanced Math Algebra: This course is aligned with the Common Core Standards and is designed
for students who are ready to gain more advanced skills in mathematics. Upon receiving a C first
semester and a C second semester, students will receive 1 high school credit towards math.
Students would then be enrolled in Geometry at the high schoo
● Social Studies 8: This course is designed to help students understand the culture, geography, and
history of the United States from its origins until the end of The Civil War. Students will use their
learning to make connections to their own lives and to analyze how world events play a part in
the course of global events past and present.
● Science 8: This course focuses on the Next Generation Science Standards. Students will perform &
design experiments, create projects & presentations, and research current science topics. Students
will be expected to create arguments backed by scientific evidence in order to prove they have
achieved a deeper understanding of science concepts.
8th Grade: Exploratories
● STEAM 8: This trimester course allows students to get hands-on experience exploring Science,
Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics, while focusing on 21st Century Skills of
communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Students will experience many
hands-on projects that will challenge their problem solving skills.
● Spanish 8: Students will take one trimester of Spanish in each grade level. The combination of
Spanish experience in all grades at MMS fulfills a graduation credit for Milan High School.
Students will explore the Hispanic culture and the basics of the Spanish language with a focus on
vocabulary acquisition and basic conversation.
● Art 8: In this trimester course students will focus on creating artwork utilizing the Elements of Art
and Principles of Design. Students will be encouraged to express themselves through their work,
practice persistence through trial & error and engage with the art world around them.
● Health 8: This course is designed to welcome students to the middle school, and to the beginning
of their transition into adolescence. Students will be introduced to the social skills and problem
solving techniques that will help them successfully navigate the next few years. Students will
work on making good choices and apply those choices to health-related behaviors such as
healthy eating. This course is designed in such a way as to encourage positive communication
with caregivers and other trusted adults. [Required]
● Choir 8: This year-long course provides the opportunity for students to develop into confident
singers and performers. Music reading, performing and studying music history are the focus of
this course. Choir members participate in Michigan School Vocal Music Association Honor Choir,
Solo & Ensemble and Choral Festival annually. Middle School Choirs present two community
concerts each school year and sing for Recognition Night.
● Band 8: This year-long course will help develop students into creative, proficient performers. Band
members work as individuals, in small ensembles, and as a full group while exploring elements of
musical theory, performance, and instrumentation. Students are also encouraged to participate in
a competition held by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. In the spring, band
members select a piece and perform it for their Recognition Night.
● STEAM 8 Enrichment: This trimester course builds on the hands-on experiences in STEAM 8. In this
course, students will dig deeper into the problem solving and innovation that they touched on in
the previous trimester.
● Art 8: In this trimester course students will focus on creating artwork utilizing the Principles of
Design. Students will be encouraged to express themselves through their work, practice
persistence through trial & error, observe the art world around them, and connect their tasks to
real-life careers relating to art.
● PE: This trimester course is designed for students who wish to gain increased skills and increase
their cardiovascular endurance in a variety of team sports. Each grade level class will be
expected to complete activities appropriate to their level. Sports such as volleyball, basketball,
kickball, etc., will be offered.
● HS Prep: This trimester course utilizes 21st century skills to prepare students in the areas of time
management, collaboration, communication, responsibility, and organization.