In this course, students will:

• Read and analyze a variety of works, both fiction and nonfiction, including poetry, essay, short story, and novel
• Explore and create various forms of writing, including responses to literature, personal narrative, and poetry utilizing the writing process and, when appropriate, Modern Language Association (MLA) style and research skills
• Develop vocabulary through the study of literature
• Improve grammar usage and skills

Materials:

McDougal Littell: The Language of Literature: Grade 7
Additional Novel Selections

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

Prerequisite: Language Arts 6

In this course, students will:

• Read and analyze a variety of works, both fiction and nonfiction, including poetry, essay, short story and novel
• Explore and create various forms of writing, including responses to literature, personal narrative, and poetry utilizing the writing process and, when appropriate, Modern Language Association (MLA) style and research skills
• Develop vocabulary through systematic study using the Vocabulary Workshop series and through the study of literature
• Improve grammar usage and skills

Students will be expected to complete all class assignments and to have a solid understanding of the course material. Students will also be expected to read additional outside resources, to engage in writing assignments utilizing higher order thinking skills and to conduct developmentally appropriate research.
  

Materials:

McDougal Littell: The Language of Literature: Grade 7
Sadlier-Oxford: Vocabulary Workshop: Level B
Additional Novel Selections

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: Advanced

Prerequisite: 85% or above in Language Arts 6 or teacher recommendation

This course is designed to prepare Middle School students for success in the next level of mathematics. Students will develop proficiency in problem solving strategies and acquire an understanding as to how mathematics applies to everyday life.

Units of study include:

• Number Sense and Operations
• Algebraic Concepts
• Geometry
• Probability
• Data Analysis
• Measurement

Content includes fraction, decimal and integer operations, algebraic expressions, one-step equations, the coordinate plane, linear functions, ratios and proportions, percent, simple interest, properties of geometric figures, perimeter, area, the Pythagorean Theorem, basic probability and data analysis. This course will develop concepts aligned to the Pennsylvania Mathematics Anchors and eligible content for seventh grade as well as 7th grade Standards. Upon completion of this course students will be prepared for Pre-Algebra.
       

Materials:

Holt: Middle School Mathematics, Course 2

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

This course is designed for the academically talented middle school student who has demonstrated an aptitude for the study of mathematics.  This course will develop concepts aligned to the Pennsylvania Mathematics Anchors and eligible content for eighth grade as well as eighth grade Standards.  Content includes: variables; expressions; integers; equations; multi-step equations; inequalities; fractions; exponents; rational numbers and equations; ratio; proportion; probability; percents; linear functions; real numbers; measurement; area; volume and surface area; data analysis; and angle relationships and transformations.  Upon completion of this course students will be prepared for Algebra 1.
       

Materials:

Holt: Pre-Algebra

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: Advanced

Prerequisite: 85% or better in Math 6, recommendation of teacher and strong PSSA Math score

In this course, students will learn about the foundational themes of geography, the formation and documentation of the historical accounts of ancient civilization, and a cursory survey of the United States and Canada.

• During the First Marking Period, students will examine the Five Themes of Geography and how these themes interact with both local and global level experiences. In addition to learning basic map skills, students will understand the geographic principles that impact their lives in relation to the earth and the weather. Students will also be able to display an understanding of how human interaction and cultural influences impact the human story and how people interact and engage with one another.
• During the Second Marking Period, students will look at the history of the human story by studying the respective histories of Ancient Civilization as empires and civilizations evolved around the world.
• During the Third Marking Period, students will examine the impact of change upon civilization in terms of trade, culture, religious influences, politics and military missions, as well as the impact of technology upon the world.
• During the Fourth Marking Period, students will examine the geography, history and culture of the United States and Canada. In addition, the influence of the United States and Canada upon the affairs of North America as well as the global impact of these world powers will be examined.
• Students will master the Pennsylvania mandated Standards in relation to Geography, History, Civics, Government and Economics for the respective grade level of this course.
     

Materials:

Prentice Hall: Foundations of Geography
Prentice Hall: The Ancient World
Prentice Hall: Medieval Times to Today
Prentice Hall: The United States and Canada

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 4 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 70-90% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

In this course, students will learn about the foundational themes of geography, the formation and documentation of the historical accounts of ancient civilization, the historical impact of the medieval era up to today and a cursory survey of the United States and Canada.

• During the First Marking Period students will examine the Five Themes of Geography and how these themes interact with both local and global level experiences. In addition to learning basic map skills, students will understand the geographic principles that impact their lives in relation to the earth and the weather. Students will also be able to display an understanding of how human interaction and cultural influences impact the human story and how people interact and engage with one another.
• During the Second Marking Period students will look at the history of the human story by studying the respective histories of Ancient Civilization as empires and civilizations evolved around the world.
• During the Third Marking Period students will examine the impact of change upon civilization in terms of trade, culture, religious influences, politics, military missions, as well as the impact of technology upon the world.
• During the Fourth Marking Period students will examine the geography, history and culture of the United States and Canada. In addition, the influence of the United States and Canada upon the affairs of North America as well as the global impact of these world powers will be examined.
• Students will master the Pennsylvania mandated Standards in relation to Geography, History, Civics, Government and Economics for the respective grade level of this course.

Students will be expected to complete all class assignments and to have a solid understanding of the course material. Students will also be expected to read additional outside resources, to engage in writing assignments utilizing higher order thinking skills and to conduct developmentally appropriate research.
       

Materials:

Prentice Hall: Foundations of Geography
Prentice Hall: The Ancient World
Prentice Hall: Medieval Times to Today
Prentice Hall: The United States and Canada

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 4 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 70-90% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: Advanced

Prerequisite: 85% or higher in previous Social Studies course or teacher recommendation

General Science will serve as an introduction to the chemical, physical and earth sciences at The Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School.

In this course, students will:

• Apply scientific process knowledge by using skills such as observing, classifying, inferring, predicting, measuring, estimating, formulating hypotheses, interpreting data and designing and testing controlled experiments
• Identify questions, which can be answered through proper means of scientific research
• Properly design and conduct scientific investigation
• Think critically and logically to draw relationships and form opinions on various issues regarding science and technology in society
• Identify the relationship, structure and properties of matter and atomic structures
• Study the periodic table, chemical bonds and reactions
• Understand the concepts and relationship of energy, temperature and heat, force, motion, electromagnetism, sound and light
• Analyze forces within the Earth and how they affect humans
• Explain how rocks and the rock cycle, weathering and soil formation, plate tectonics, earthquakes, mountains and volcanoes, fossils and other types of natural evidence tell Earth’s geologic story
• Understand that society depends on natural resources for energy and materials
• Analyze forces of nature and how they affect the Earth's weather
• Understand that climates are long-term weather patterns that may change over time
• Explore and understand the solar system, stars, galaxies, structures of the universe and space exploration

Materials:

McDougal Littell Science: The Changing Earth

McDougal Littell Science: Space Science

McDougal Littell Science: The Earth’s Atmosphere

McDougal Littell Science: Motion and Forces

McDougal Littell Science: Matter and Energy
McDougal Littell Science: Chemical Interactions

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

In this course, students will:

• Explore, develop and be challenged in the exploration of the fundamentals of art, critical theory and art history
• Be engaged in various studio projects that integrate history, theory and critical analysis throughout the year
• Experience an in-depth study of the elements of art and principles of design, art movements, time periods and famous artists
• Be introduced to techniques involving acrylic painting, colored pencil, collage, paper mache, sculpture, color field study and clay modeling techniques
• Develop their abilities to make critical judgments about art using their appreciation and influences of various styles of art
         

Materials:

Art Kit
Educational Websites
Teacher Developed Material

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

In this course, students will:

• Learn and develop the basic skills and knowledge to express musical ideas and concepts
• Learn and develop the basic skills and knowledge of reading and performing written music
• Compare the principles of art to the principles of music in a “Related Arts” unit
• Study the different instrument families of the orchestra
• Study music that tells a story, such as ballets and tone poems as well as music that enhances a story, such as music in short films
• Recognize the use of Science and Math in music through “non-traditional” created instruments
• Study the music of different cultures of the world such as Australian, Indian and Native American music
• Recognize music in daily activities through exploring music in film and video games, as well as on Boroadway
• Understand the development of folk and jazz music and its historical significance to American history

Materials:

Jazz, Ken Burns (film)
www.pbs.org/jazz
Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary
The Internet Public Library

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 2 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 10-30% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

In this course, students will:

• Discover and use word processing and presentation software to produce projects and documents that will be useful throughout student’s educational career
• Explore the Internet, learn safe guidelines for Internet use, use search engines efficiently and evaluate the validity of Internet sources
• Improve touch keyboarding using an interactive online program
• Delve into the world of construction, communication and information technology, with a focus on how modern technologies work, as well as their effects on our world
• Study and apply the design process utilizing Google SketchUp, a computer aided drawing program
         

Materials:

Technology Education: Learning by Design
Google SketchUp
Typing Web
Online Resources

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 2 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 10-30% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

After successfully completing the course students should be able to comprehend the basic principles from the following Health Units:

• Nutrition
  • Leading A Healthful Life
  • Nutrition and Health
• Self-Esteem
  • Body Image
  • Self Concept
• Living A Drug Free Life
  • Using the SMART Decision Making Model
  • Realizing Short and Long Term Consequences
• Body Systems I
  • Skeletal, Muscular and Nervous Systems
  • Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
• Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease
  • Common Communicable Diseases
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Common Non-Communicable Diseases
  • Heart Disease, Cancer, and Allergies

In addition, Physical Education skills that are addressed and upon completion of the course should be understood include:

• Components of Fitness
• Social Dance
• Target Heart Rate and Fitness Zone
• Training in Sport and Physical Activity
• Movement Skills
• Physical Activities that Promote Health and Fitness
          

Materials:

Glencoe: Teen Health, Course 2
www.teenhealth.com
Other Educational Websites

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

In this course, students will:

• Be introduced to the Spanish language

• Learn vocabulary and phrases to express personak information and descriptions of family, pets, friends and school life

• Discover the culture of Spanish-speaking countries

• Practice beginning grammar concepts through interactive games and activities

• Develop necessary skills to listen, read, write and speak at a basic level

Students will be expected to record their voices.

Students successfully completing Middle School Spanish A& B will receive one high school credit in foreign language.

Materials:

Holt: Spanish 1A
Interactive websites

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

Prerequisite: 75% or higher in previous Language Arts/English course or teacher recommendation

In this course, students will:

• Continue to look at the mechanics of the Spanish language

• Learn vocabulary and phrases to express themselves on topics related to school, food, health, clothing, shopping and holidays

• Discover in-depth various Spanish speaking countries and places

• Acquire necessary grammar skills and concepts to improve the ability to listen, read, write and speak at a basic level

• Appreciate the cultural complexity of the language through interactive websites

Students will be expected to record their voices. Student successfully completing Middle School Spanish A& B will receive one high school credit in foreign language.
         

Materials:

Holt: Spanish 1B
Interactive websites

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 5 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 90-100% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

Prerequisite: 75% or higher in Middle School Spanish A or teacher recommendation

This is an introductory level French class. Students can expect 2-4 lessons per week and should plan to spend roughly 2 hours a week on the course. Students will learn how to record their voice and will be expected to do frequent recordings.

In this course, students will:

• Learn basic structures and vocabulary to be able to describe themselves and others

• Learn about French culture and the country of France

• Learn about areas in the world where French is spoken

Students successfully completing Middle School French A& B will receive one high school credit in foreign language.
       

Materials:

McDougall Littell: Discovering French 1A, Première Partie
Zut.org
Take Home Tutor CD

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

Prerequisite: 75% or higher in previous Language Arts/English course or teacher recommendation

This is an introductory level French class. Students can expect 3-5 lessons per week. Students will make voice recordings for submission.

In this course, students will:

• Build upon structures taught in French Middle A

• Learn basic grammar concepts such as conjugating verbs

• Be able to express what they and others do

• Learn about various regions of France

Students successfully completing Middle School French A& B will receive one high school credit in foreign language.
       

Materials:

McDougall Littell: Discovering French 1A, Première Partie
Zut.org
Take Home Tutor CD

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Difficulty: On-Level

Prerequisite: 75% or higher in Middle School French A or teacher recommendation

In this course, students will:

• Be introduced to the German language
• Learn vocabulary and phrases to express personal information and descriptions of family, pets, friends and school life
• Discover the culture of German-speaking countries
• Practice beginning grammar concepts through interactive games and activities
• Develop necessary skills to listen, read, write and speak at a basic level
• Record your speaking to develop better German pronunciation

Students successfully completing Middle School German A& B (MS German B will be offered in 2013-14) will receive one high school credit in foreign language.

Materials:

Holt: Komm Mit!
Interactive websites

Home Facilitator Involvement Level: 3 (click here for levels) Assistance is required for 30-70% of schoolwork.

Prerequisite: 75% or higher in previous Language Arts/English course or teacher recommendation