Fairfax High School
3501 Rebel Run
Fairfax, VA 22030
Tel: 703.219.2200
fcps.edu/FairfaxHS
City of Fairfax Schools
The City of Fairfax School Board is committed to increasing the academic achievement of all of our students, strengthening the climate in which student learning takes place, and expanding our faculty’s professional learning communities to further enhance learning and achievement.
Providence Elementary School
3616 Jermantown Road
Fairfax, VA 22030
703.460.4400
fcps.edu/ProvidenceES
Superintendent Ann Monday
City School Board
Road Map to Academic Success: The Middle School Years, 7-8
Following are options for the classes students can take each year in high school. They are built on from previous courses taken in elementary school. For more information, consult your guidance counselor.
Click here to view the entire Middle School Course Description Guide.
READING
- Grade 7: English 7 Honors or English 7
- Grade 8: English 8 Honors or English 8
MATH: Middle School Grade 7: Algebra 1 Honors, Mathematics 7 Honors, Mathematics 7 Grade 8: Geometry Honors, Algebra 1 Honors, Mathematics 8
SCIENCE
- Grade 7: Investigations in Environmental Science Honors, Life Science
- Grade 8: Investigating Matter and Energy Honors, Physical Science
SOCIAL STUDIES
- Grade 7: U.S. History 7 Honors, U.S. History 7
- Grade 8: Civics / Economics Honors, Civics / Economics
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
- Grade 7: Latin enrichment (one semester), introduction of foreign language (IFL on the Exploratory Wheel (IFL French, German, Spanish)
- Grade 8: Latin 1, French 1, German 1, Spanish 1 (students receive one high school credit)
FINE ARTS
Classes include: art, orchestra, band, chorus, theater arts, dance
The Middle School Years: What kids need to know by the end of 7th and 8th grade
THE LEAP TO MIDDLE SCHOOL IS AN ADJUSTMENT FOR students. But after just a few days at Lanier Middle School, most 7th graders have settled in and settled down, says Lanier’s Principal Scott Poole.
“To make the transition smooth for students, we break each grade into teams, and that provides them with the feeling that they are working as part of a small family.”
Team leaders also host several orientation sessions to familiarize the students with the school. “Although the kids are sometimes a little nervous at the beginning of the year, it doesn’t take long for everyone to get used to the routine. Once that happens, the stress level goes down pretty quickly,” Poole says.
For parents, though, making the adjustment isn’t always so easy, admits Superintendent George Stepp. “There is a tendency for parents to think that when their children get to 7th grade that they no longer need to be involved,” he says. “That’s definitely not the case. In fact, from 7th to 12th grade, parents need to be even more involved than they were in elementary school. They need to make sure their kids are taking the toughest classes they can handle, and getting good grades.”
How can parents balance their child’s need for independence with the all-important job of staying involved? Lanier’s department chairs offer some advice.
The Middle School Years: What kids need to know by the end of 7th and 8th grade
THE LEAP TO MIDDLE SCHOOL IS AN ADJUSTMENT FOR students. But after just a few days at Lanier Middle School, most 7th graders have settled in and settled down, says Lanier’s Principal Scott Poole.
“To make the transition smooth for students, we break each grade into teams, and that provides them with the feeling that they are working as part of a small family.”
Team leaders also host several orientation sessions to familiarize the students with the school. “Although the kids are sometimes a little nervous at the beginning of the year, it doesn’t take long for everyone to get used to the routine. Once that happens, the stress level goes down pretty quickly,” Poole says.
For parents, though, making the adjustment isn’t always so easy, admits Superintendent George Stepp. “There is a tendency for parents to think that when their children get to 7th grade that they no longer need to be involved,” he says. “That’s definitely not the case. In fact, from 7th to 12th grade, parents need to be even more involved than they were in elementary school. They need to make sure their kids are taking the toughest classes they can handle, and getting good grades.”
How can parents balance their child’s need for independence with the all-important job of staying involved? Lanier’s department chairs offer some advice.
ENGLISH
LANIER’S ENGLISH DEPARTMENT CHAIR Cindy Linn knows something few parents do: “Even though your children are old enough to read to themselves, studies show that reading to kids—even into the teenage years—helps them do better in school,” she says, pointing to research by Jim Trelease, an educator and author of The Read-Aloud Handbook.
Trelease argues that a child spends 900 hours per year at school—and 7,800 hours outside it. “Somewhere in that seven-day week,” he insists, “there must be time for your child to discover the specialness of you.”
The mistake parents make is stopping reading aloud to children too soon, Trelease and Linn agree. “I suggest reading to children during those quiet times—while they are eating breakfast or dessert and reading anything from newspaper articles about rock stars to magazine stories on hairstyles,” Linn says. “If they grumble really loudly then at least sit in the same room and read your own book.”
And, Linn notes, don’t underestimate the power of the picture book. “This spring, I had my students read Stella Luna, a book they probably read when they were in preschool. But I had them listen for sensory language, description and the poetry of the words the writer chose. Books like this sketch the story with words, and that makes for good writing—and reading.”
Then, when the book is finished, Linn hopes parents will take the opportunity to talk to their teens about what they learned. “Discuss the book’s meaning, setting, word choices, and the character’s point of view,” Linn says. “The goal is to have chil-
dren grow up loving to read. Parents play a big role in this, so the more time you spend reading with children, the better.”
MASTERING MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH
Lanier’s department chairman Darlene Whitaker knows the key to success in middle school math is helping students fully understand the practical applications of mathematical formulas. “Too often, I hear students say that math won’t matter in their future lives. That is just not true.”
Math is one of the most important areas of study, she insists. “You can’t get through the day without knowing how to calculate a tip, make change, or balance your checkbook,” Whitaker shares.
To help students realize how critical it is to do well in math, she suggests parents
make a game of it. “Talk to them in terms of math vocabulary: Ask what is the sum of all the entrees you bought for dinner at a restaurant, have them calculate the tip, and at the supermarket ask your children to weigh the tomatoes to determine how many are in two pounds.”
Whitaker also suggests taking teens to a department store and giving them a budget of $20. “You’ll be surprised how thrifty they’ll be as they try to get the most for the money,” she says.
Another idea: When taking a road trip, have your middle schoolers calculate how much gas you are using per mile. Then, when you arrive in a different city and need to fill up again, have them figure out which city you get the most miles per dollar.
Most importantly, parents should help their children determine if an answer is reasonable, Whitaker concludes. “This is a lesson in logic, and that essentially is the beauty of what math teaches kids. So, when they do sit down in math class and learn about fractions, percentages and algebraic equations a light bulb will go off.
“They’ll realize that if they can master the information in the classroom, it will help them do well—when they aren’t in school. The thing that always amazes me is that while there is a stigma in society if someone can’t read, that’s not the case with math. But it should be. If they can learn to be logical, critical thinkers, they will excel in all areas of their lives.”
Whitaker suggests parents review the math section of the sidebar, on page 3, for a list of benchmarks students need to master by the end of 8th grade.
SOCIAL STUDIES
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING STUDENTS NEED to know when they leave middle school? “They need to think critically and have excellent study skills,” says Amy Smith, chair of Lanier’s Social Studies Department. The same goes for all of the middle school curriculum areas, she explains. “This is what all four of the department chairs try to help kids master.”
And parents can help. When it comes to social studies, Smith suggests that as often as possible, parents discuss current events with their kids. “Pick a topic that is in the news, and if you don’t know what is age appropriate refer to the Kids Page in The Washington Post.
“The entire family will likely learn something new, and students will also come to realize that their parents are curious and engaged about what is going on in the world. That is a critical message to send.”
Understanding history—present and past—also supports the 7th grade social studies curriculum, which covers U.S. history from 1877 to today. When students get to 8th grade, parents can help reinforce lessons that focus on that year’s course of study:Civics and Economics.
“In 8th grade, students focus on the role they play in the larger world and are required to do eight hours of community service. I encourage them to volunteer at a local charitable organization, and pick something they like so the experience is truly meaningful.”
SCIENCE
“I DON’T RECALL LEARNING ALL THIS GREAT SCIENCE STUFF in middle school,” admits Lanier’s Science Department Chair Mike Savage. “But it sure is wonderful that we are doing it now.” Among the topics Savage teaches in 7th and 8th grade: life science (featuring lessons on cells, microscopes, and observing living things), heredity and diversity, animals and the environment. Students also get an introduction to chemistry where they learn about the periodic table and atom, and 8th graders learn about physics, matter and change, heat and temperature, forces and motion, and six kinds of energy (chemical, electric, mechanical, nuclear, radiant, and thermal).
And best of all, Savage says, almost all of the lessons are taught via hands-on labs. “I love the fact that we use labs because I’m an experiential, hands-on learner. Since I was a kid, if I could touch it, I understood it. I think a lot of students learn this way, which is why the science curriculum is so meaningful.”
How can parents help?
“Talk with your children about what they are learning in science,” Savage says. “If, like me, you were not exposed to all these interesting science concepts in school, have your kids teach you what they are learning about chemistry, physics and energy. By explaining it to you, they will have to truly understand the concepts—and that’s an excellent way for them to master the information. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and show them you have a thirst for learning. We want all of our students to be self-motivated. Showing them you want to figure out the lessons with them speaks volumes.”
WHAT KIDS NEED TO KNOW BY THE END OF 8TH GRADE
ENGLISH: They must master these 12 skills.
1. Analyze: Break down, take apart, figure out.
2. Compare: Show likeness, give similarities.
3. Contrast: Show differences, dissimilarities.
4. Describe: Narrate, give details.
5. Evaluate: Study, judge, give pros and cons.
6. Explain: Make clear, give reasons, give causes.
7. Formulate: Plan, design, draft.
8. Infer: Conclude, imply, read between the lines.
9. Predict: Foretell, anticipate.
10. Summarize: Condense, give overview.
11. Support: Defend, confirm, give evidence.
12. Trace: Follow, track, list steps, map, outline.
MATH:The 6 Benchmarks
1. Number Sense: Be able to represent rational numbers as fractions, decimals; graph numbers; simplify integers using order of operations.
2. Computation and Estimation: Understand sales tax, discount, tip, special interest, proportions.
3. Measurement: Know perimeter, area of 2D figures, prisms, cylinders.
4. Geometry: Compare/contrast quadrilaterals, write proportions, graph ordered pairs in plane.
5. Probability and Statistics: ID number of possible arrangements using tree diagram, solve problems using central tendency, histogram.
6. Plus: Patterns, Factions, Algebra I.
SCIENCE: Sampling of 3 Strands
7th grade: Life Science — Mendel’s Garden; understanding the genetic combinations and physical appearance offspring pea plants produced from hybrid parents. Key terms: gene, phenotype, genetics, purebred, hybrid, heredity.
8th grade: Physical Science — The invisible atom becomes visible. Students learn how can small objects by used to represent the part of an atom in a model, and what are the inadequacies of atomic models. Key terms: proton, valence, ion.
AND: Energy Is Everywhere! — Students learn to trace the flow of energy from one form to another and apply what they observe to the Law of Conservation of Energy. Key terms: radiant energy, energy transformation, fission, fusion.
SOCIAL STUDIES: The Curriculum
7th grade: U.S. History, 1877 to present. Students improve their skills in historical research, geographical analysis, analyze primary sources; they learn to make connections between past/present, interpret ideas/events from different perspectives.
8th grade: Civics & Economics. Students develop citizenship skills and will be able to answer: How are individual freedoms and liberties safeguarded? What are the roles of citizens in our democratic republic? How do individuals make informed political decisions? Has our government affirmed the principles in the U.S. Constitution?