Art AVID Guidance Language Arts/Reading Math Music Physical Education Science Social Studies Special Education Technology Education World Languages   Art The Visual Arts Program at Anne Arundel County Public Schools provides a curriculum to challenge students to think about and respond to themselves and their world of experiences in creative and innovative ways. We recognize that children learn through different intelligences and reflection of oneself and one's own creations is an essential tool for growth. Through sequential experiences, students are offered opportunities to develop to the fullest extent of their capabilities to demonstrate cognitive and artistic growth, and to advance according to identified expectancies at different instructional levels. Curriculum has been developed to encourage critical and analytical thinking and to develop skills that make connections to both the student's own life and other subject areas. The visual arts curriculum encourages divergent thinking and creative exploration, which helps students make sense of our increasingly visual world. AVID AACPS AVID Page   Guidance Guidance and Counseling Department We show our Wildcat Pride! Contact Information 410-674-6900 301-621-9584 (Wash) 410-674-6593 Fax Our Role in Your Child's Education The school counselor is a certified professional educator who assists students, teachers, parents and administrators. The Arundel Middle School Department of Guidance and Counseling exists to: enable students to experience school success enable students to develop career awareness and decision-making competencies to assist students in understanding and respecting self and others To achieve these goals we provide: counseling (individual, group & classroom) consultation to parents, teachers and school teams grade or school-wide programs and initiatives, e.g. Anti-Bullying We develop a needs-based program for all students grades 6-8 that address the following areas: developmental remedial social & emotional behavioral After School Activities: Concert Band/Orchestra Dance Club French Club Intramural Sports Knitters Club Math 24 Newspaper Club NJHS Peer Tutoring Pre-Engineering Rocket Club School Store Science Club SGA Spanish Club Step Squad Technology Club Yearbook Make the most of it! Get organized Try new things Meet new people Avoid trouble Improve self-esteem Establish friendships   Language Arts/Reading Reading/Language Arts 6 Reading/Language Arts 6 is designed to accelerate student achievement in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The course includes blocks of time devoted to teacher-directed lessons on reading and writing, monitored reading, vocabulary development, and grammar and usage. Students enrolled in advanced Reading/Language Arts extend their learning with greater depth at an accelerated pace. Reading/Language Arts 7 Reading/Language Arts 7 is designed to accelerate student achievement in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The course includes blocks of time devoted to teacher-directed lessons on reading and writing, monitored reading, vocabulary development, and grammar and usage. Students enrolled in advanced Reading/Language Arts extend their learning with greater depth at an accelerated pace. Reading/Language Arts 8 This year-long course is organized in thematic units centered on high-quality contemporary and classic literature, supported by skills instruction and practice in critical reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar and usage. Students enrolled in advanced Reading/Language Arts extend their learning with greater depth at an accelerated pace. Enhanced Reading/Language Arts 8 Enhanced Reading/Language Arts is a year-long course designed to increase students’ abilities to read, learn, and study academic content. Instruction in the enhanced class focuses on reading to learn across the content areas in preparation for the rigors of the high school program. Students will gain additional skills and strategies when reading for information using a variety of content instructional materials. Math Sixth Grade: Standard mathematics 6 Algebraic foundations Advanced mathematics 6: Impact Mathematics Course 2  Seventh Grade: Standard mathematics 7 Algebraic Thinking, Part I Pre-Algebra 7: Discovering Algebra Algebra I Eighth Grade: Pre-Algebra 8 Algebraic Thinking Part I Algebra I Algebra II Geometry Music Program Goals & Objectives: Coordinate and implement a comprehensive K-12 music program which provides a variety of musical experiences for students in all schools Provide staff development activities for teachers Provide curriculum guides, pacing guides, and resources for teachers Monitor and manage a balanced, comprehensive and sequential music program K-12 Implement “Dimensions of Learning” terminology and processes, Maryland Learning Outcomes, with connections to teacher in-service and instruction Facilitate access for all students to participate in appropriate programs Communicate and implement strategies for meeting the needs of special and “at risk” students Provide high level musical experiences through activities such as festivals, all-county concerts, showcases, state-wide competitions, and music camps Maintain musical alliances with state and community Emphasize cooperation and articulation among feeder schools Increase staff awareness and use of multicultural music Increase the use of effective technology for efficiency and quality of instruction Facilitate and advocate budgeting for appropriate equipment, books, supplies, repairs, and staff Physical Education PE Information - PowerPoint AACPS Physical Education Page Science Science is for all students. All students must have the opportunity to attain high levels of scientific literacy. Scientific literacy means being able to use scientific knowledge and ways of thinking in daily life. Scientific literacy ensures the ability of our students to participate fully as informed citizens and decision-makers in a scientific and technological world. Learning science is an active process. Students learn science by describing objects and events, and asking questions. Students learn science by acquiring knowledge, and constructing explanations of natural phenomena. Students learn science by testing those explanations many different ways, and communicating their ideas to others. In this way, students actively develop understanding of science by combining scientific knowledge with reasoning and thinking skills. Students will recognize that science is more than a body of knowledge. It is also a way of investigating. Students have the opportunity to examine the impact science has had and will continue to have on society. The science program reflects the changing emphasis of science education. There is more emphasis on activities that analyze and investigate science questions, and less emphasis on activities that demonstrate and verify science content There is more emphasis on investigations over extended periods of time and less emphasis on investigations confined to one class period There is more emphasis on groups of students analyzing and synthesizing data after defending conclusions and less emphasis on individuals and groups of students analyzing and synthesizing data without defending a conclusion There is more emphasis on collegial and collaborative learning and less emphasis on individuals learning in isolation Social Studies Grade 6 Social Studies Students investigate two places in the world, and six different ancient civilizations. Using primary and secondary sources, students compare and contrast cultural and geographic characteristics, historical events, and economic resources. They learn about the methods used by historians and archaeologists to understand the past. They continue to practice the skills of Social Studies by sequencing events, analyzing cause and effect, and analyzing perspective. They will read primary sources, and be expected to read and write independently. They will complete writing assignments and research projects using the Internet and other reference sources. They will also read and construct maps, charts, tables and graphs. The units studied are: Canada, Ancient Civilizations, Mystery of History: How do historians know about the past?, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Latin America, Geography, Incas, Aztecs and Mayans. Grade 7 Social Studies In this course, seventh grade students will use the Six Essential Elements of Geography to investigate the cultural geography of Europe, the Middle East/North Africa, Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) & Russia, and Asia. In the first unit, "Using Geography to Investigate the World," students are introduced to major concepts that will focus their study for the entire course. Students will explore the concepts of geography, geographic inquiry, region and review the concept of culture. Throughout the rest of the course, students will use the five geographic inquiry skills described in the first unit. In addition, each subsequent unit will incorporate the use of instructional technology, the development of critical thinking skills, as well as instruction in strategic reading and writing. This on-line curriculum guide includes major elements of Anne Arundel County Public School's curriculum, including the Unit Description, correlation with the Maryland Learning Outcomes and Indicators, Key Questions, Essential Concepts/Content, Skills and Processes, and Student Outcomes. The on-line version of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools' Curriculum Guide is designed to help Anne Arundel County Public School teachers with unit planning, as well as to inform parents, and other members of our educational community about our Social Studies curricula. Beginning with the unit on Africa, each unit is divided into sub-sections. There will be a link for each sub-section, and the Unit Description, and correlation with the Maryland Learning Outcomes and Essential Skills will appear only in the link to the first sub-section of the unit. Grade 8 Social Studies Students investigate the history of the United States from 1790-1877 in order to answer the question, "How has the American identity evolved?" Through an analysis of selected primary and secondary sources, they will draw conclusions about the causes and consequences of important events, including the American Revolution, Westward Expansion, the Civil War and Reconstruction. They learn about the tools and methods of historians to explain events in U.S. history by reading, constructing and interpreting timelines, analyzing cause and effect, and perspective. . By the completion of Grade 8 Social Studies, they are expected to be able to read and write independently, read primary sources, construct a 5-paragraph essay (at a minimum), complete research independently and develop their study skills. They will complete writing assignments and research projects using the Internet and other reference sources. They will also read and construct maps, charts, tables and graphs. Students will take a countywide midterm and final exam in this course. The units studied are Review of Colonial and Revolutionary America, A New Nation, Growth and Change, The Civil War, Reconstruction. Special Education The Division of Special Education supports the AACPS goals of academic achievement, safe and orderly environment and community partnerships by working collaboratively with general educators to ensure maximum educational opportunities for all students with disabilities. AACPS Special Education Page Technology AACPS Technology Page World Languages AACPS World and Classical Languages Page