Course Catalog

BEGINNING BAND
Students may begin Band in sixth grade. We deal with specific aspects of each particular instrument such as note fingerings, key signatures, embouchure, breath support, drum stickings, etc. For concerts, arrangements are made with the other classroom teachers to allow the smaller groups to combine in one large band for rehearsal. Students perform in two or three concerts a year. ​Please note: students enrolled in Band are expected to stay in this course for the entire year.

CHOIR 
Sixth grade students will have the chance to explore the “Choral Music” experience by studying choral score, singing in parts and learning basic music theory. Emphasis is placed on the enjoyment of singing in a team and group situation. Both classical and “Pop” music will be explored. Students not participating in Band will take two rotations of Choir during the school year. Band students will receive one rotation during the school year.

ART 
This class will be primarily 2 dimensional. Students will learn the building blocks for basic drawing and painting skills. Projects MAY include (but not limited to) 1 & 2 point perspective; color theory; tempera & watercolor painting. A group mural painting will also be included. All of the classes incorporate the principles and elements of design as well as art history into the curriculum. 

TECHNOLOGY 
Students will learn system fundamentals, concepts and basic operations. There will be a review of keyboarding skills and introduction to word processing with emphasis on programs – Google Suite. Social and ethical issues will be discussed in regard to the Internet along with safe Internet searching techniques. Students will locate and evaluate information from a variety of sources.

ROBOTICS 6 
Students will have a tangible introduction to building and programming robots. Students will have the opportunity to address the growing demand of teaching STEM subjects while learning how science, engineering, math, and technology work together and interact. 

ENGINEERING
Students work cooperatively to develop problem solving strategies and learn basic science and engineering principles while using the scientific method to investigate collisions, bottle rockets and bridges. 

FORENSIC SCIENCE 
Forensic Science is a very lab based class that centers around crime scene investigation. During the course students will analyze fingerprints, examine tire and shoe impressions, and use deductive reasoning to solve mysteries. All techniques used will be comparable to the methods used by real forensic crime labs. 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION 
Students will learn and participate in new-age fitness activities. They will learn about healthy eating for active middle school students. Physical Education for sixth graders has an emphasis on introductory skills in physical fitness recreational activities. Students not participating in Band will take two rotations of Physical Education during the school year. 

EXERCISE SCIENCE 
Students will learn and participate in new-age fitness activities. They will learn about healthy eating for active middle school students. They will learn about heart rate and the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle. Like Physical Education class, Exercise Science for sixth graders has an emphasis on introductory skills in physical fitness recreational activities. 

SPANISH
Spanish is an activities based class with an emphasis on language and culture. This class is a continuation from elementary Spanish. Students not participating in Band will take two rotations of Spanish during the school year. 

STEAM 6 
Students will be exposed to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in this exploratory class. They will use ​project-based and collaborative learning to create system solutions. Explorations include various design challenges. These experiences help students increase their curiosity and confidence in STEAM concepts. 

READING STRATEGIES
This course provides students whose reading achievement is below the proficient level with direct reading intervention. Adaptive and instructional materials, high-interest literature and direct instruction provide students with a diversity of learning experiences in this class.

MATH STRATEGIES
This course provides students whose math achievement is below the proficient level with direct math intervention. Adaptive and instructional materials, high-interest math materials and direct instruction provide students with a diversity of learning experiences in this class. 

ACADEMIC BOOST 6
This course helps your child stay organized, focused, and confident in the classroom. We work on essential skills like planning, time management, and completing assignments—while filling in any learning gaps. With the right strategies and support, your child can turn frustration into success and feel proud of their hard work.

NATIONAL PARKS
This course invites students to explore the beauty and history of our nation’s most treasured landscapes. Through engaging activities, they’ll learn about different parks, uncover fascinating facts, and connect their discoveries to themes in geography and social studies. Students will plan and complete a hands-on project that blends research, creativity, and critical thinking.
 

BAND- Yearlong
Seventh grade Band students meet every day in full band and are expected to participate for the entire school year. Students learn to play many different musical styles from marches to serious concert music to popular music and perform in five concerts a year, including participating in District Band Festival activities. Students enrolled in Band will have less exploratory classes. ​*Class prerequisite: One year of previous band instruction in the Haslett Middle School 6​th grade band (or equivalent in another school district) or by audition and evaluation of musical skills by the director.  

CHOIR- Yearlong
Seventh grade choir is open to students who love to sing. Emphasis is on voice building, learning songs in harmony parts, sight-reading and performing. Students perform in concerts in October, December, March and May. They also participate in adjudicated festivals in March. Students may also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival in February. *​Class prerequisite: Students must complete and submit an application to the choir director or the middle school office.  This is a year-long class. 

COMPUTERS 
Students will continue to build on the fundamentals, concepts and basic operations taught in sixth grade Computers. Programs used will be Google Suites. Social and ethical issues will be discussed in regard to the Internet along with safe Internet searching techniques.  Students will locate and evaluate information from a variety of sources. 

ROBOTICS 7 
Students will have a tangible introduction to building and programming robots. Students will have the opportunity to address the growing demand of teaching STEM subjects while learning how science, engineering, math, and technology work together and interact. 

READING STRATEGIES
This course provides students whose reading achievement is below the proficient level with direct reading intervention. Adaptive and instructional materials, high-interest literature and direct instruction provide students with a diversity of learning experiences in this class. 

MATH STRATEGIES/MATH BOOST
This course provides students whose math achievement is below the proficient level with direct math intervention. Adaptive and instructional materials, high-interest math materials and direct instruction provide students with a diversity of learning experiences in this class. 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION 
Physical Education will focus on physical fitness and sport skills. Students will learn sportsmanship, rules and strategy needed to enjoy sports and fitness. 

SPANISH
Seventh grade Spanish is an exploratory course designed to further heighten students’ interest in Hispanic culture and language. One nine-week course and one six-week course combine for 15 weeks of exposure to various aspects of the language and customs of the Spanish-speaking world. In addition to authentic cultural context experiences, increased reading, writing, speaking and listening opportunities help students manage more effectively and confidently in the target language. 

MATH MATTERS
The Math Matters exploratory class will provide students an opportunity to be engaged in the 7​th grade curriculum by creating relevant projects. Students can expect to discover how math is an important element of the world they live in, as well as, gain a deeper understanding of the material learned in their core math class. 

ASTRONOMY
This course invites students to explore the wonders of our universe from the Moon and planets to distant stars and galaxies. Along the way, they’ll connect science concepts to history, culture, and geography, learning how humans have studied the skies through time. Students will complete a hands-on project, applying their discoveries to create something that reflects their own curiosity about space.

SCIENCE FICTION
This course lets students journey through imaginative worlds where science meets storytelling. They’ll read and discuss classic and modern sci‑fi tales, discover how the genre reflects real scientific ideas and social questions, and connect it to themes in literature, history, and technology. Students will be creative and use a dash of “what if?” curiosity.

GOVERNMENT (will be updated soon)

ART
This class will focus on two main areas: drawing and clay. Techniques of pencil and pen will be the first unit. Clay will be the second unit. Projects may include: portraits, still life, abstraction and cartooning; as well as 3 clay projects. There will also be a short unit on art careers. All of the classes incorporate the principles and elements of design as well as art history into the curriculum. 

BAND - Yearlong
Eighth grade students meet every day in full band and are expected to participate for the entire school year. Students continue to refine basic musicianship skills developed in seventh grade. The music prepared and performed will be more advanced, including some freshman grade level music by the end of the year. There will be at least five performances throughout the year including participating in District Band Festival activities.  Also, eighth grade band students will perform with the high school marching band at one of the home football games. Students enrolled in Band will have less exploratory classes. ​*Class prerequisite: Two years of previous Band instruction in the Haslett Middle School (or equivalent in another school district) or by audition and evaluation of musical skills by the director. 

CHOIR - Yearlong
Eighth grade Choir is open to students who love to sing. Emphasis is on voice building, signing in harmony parts (including tenor and bass parts for boys with changed voices), sight-reading and performing. Students perform in concerts in October, December, March and May and in adjudicated festivals in March. Students may also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival in February. ​*Class prerequisite: Student was in seventh grade Choir or will need to complete an application form and audition for the Choir Director. This is a year-long class. 

DECISIONS
This course will explore four units: Healthy Living, Law, Bullying, and Public Speaking.  Each unit takes a look at the “real world” and provides students with information to help make positive and healthy decisions. 

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
This class will focus on the major factors that characterize present day problems, conflicts and issues around the world. Global issues will include matters of great social concern that affect human populations locally and that are shared among diverse human societies within our worldwide community. 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION 
Physical education for eighth grade students will have an emphasis on physical fitness and team sports. Major sports will be basketball, volleyball, softball, floor hockey, soccer and flag football. 

SPANISH 1 - Yearlong and High School Credit / Grade
Eighth grade Spanish I is a year-long course in which students cover the same material and text series as high school Spanish I students. Students who complete a year of 8​th grade Spanish and pass the common assessment will be awarded 1 credit of the 2-credit foreign language graduation requirement and will then be able to begin their high school career with Spanish II. Throughout this course, students will sharpen their language accuracy and fluency through increased reading, writing, speaking and listening opportunities. They will also gain a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture and customs through readings, various forms of technology, music, storytelling and dance. 

FRENCH 1 - Yearlong and High School Credit / Grade
Eighth grade French I is a year-long course in which students cover the same material and text series as high school French I students. Students who complete a year of 8​th grade French and pass the common assessment will be awarded 1 credit of the 2-credit foreign language graduation requirement and will then be able to begin their high school career with French II. Throughout this course, students will sharpen their language accuracy and fluency through increased reading, writing, speaking and listening opportunities. They will also gain a deeper understanding of French culture and customs through readings, various forms of technology, music, storytelling and dance. 

VIDEO JOURNALISM 
Students in this course will learn all the basics of video journalism. They will learn video camera operation and composition. They will storyboard and produce commercials, PSA’s, music videos and produce their own newscast. Students will learn digital non-linear editing, audio, lighting, advertising and the business of TV. 

TECHNOLOGY
Students will have the opportunity to address the growing demand of teaching STEM subjects while learning how science, engineering, math, and technology work together and interact. 

READING STRATEGIES
This course provides students whose reading achievement is below the proficient level with direct reading intervention. Adaptive and instructional materials, high-interest literature and direct instruction provide students with a diversity of learning experiences in this class. 

MATH STRATEGIES
This course provides students whose math achievement is below the proficient level with direct math intervention. Adaptive and instructional materials, high-interest math materials and direct instruction provide students with a diversity of learning experiences in this class. 

POP CULTURE
This course provides students a fun, insightful look at the music, movies, fashion, TV, and trends that have shaped different generations. They’ll explore how pop culture reflects social and historical events, connect their discoveries to themes in history and media studies, and discuss how today’s trends are shaping the future.

ANATOMY and PHYSIOLOGY
This course will explore the different body systems and functions of the organs that work together within that system. We will do this by participating in activities, discussion and dissection simulations and hands on. 

ECO ACTION
This course empowers students to become environmental problem‑solvers and changemakers. They’ll explore real‑world environmental challenges like climate change, conservation, and waste reduction and connect these topics to science, geography, and social studies. Students will research, plan, and carry out a hands‑on project that makes a positive difference for their community or school, turning knowledge into meaningful action.