Curriculum Details

English

In the fall we focus on navigating complex fiction and utilized close reading strategies to help us understand texts on a deeper level while reading Home of the Brave. Our grammar unit focuses on identifying the components of sentence structure, including subjects, verbs, and prepositional phrases. In the winter writers develop and organize ideas to create personal narratives utilizing precise words and coherent sentence structure to communicate clearly. As readers, we analyze and evaluate the author’s craft. We identify themes and use inferencing to help understand non-explicit information in texts. To close out the school year in the spring, students write feature articles on topics of expertise. Students organize information in order to be clear and compelling while educating the reader on their topics. They also edit and revise with intention, aiming to structure sentences clearly, improve overall clarity, and leverage stylistic techniques to engage the reader. In reading, students analyze author's craft in various forms. We continue to use inferencing to identify nonexplicit information and critical thinking skills to discern main idea.

Math

In the fall we focus on multiplying and dividing whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; modeling mathematical situations; and persevering in problem solving with an emphasis on making sense of new problem situations. In the spring we divide whole numbers, decimals, and fractions; multiply and divided by powers of ten; identify factors and multiples; and use ;the Distributive Property and the Order of Operations. In the spring we make ;comparisons with decimals, fractions, and percents; connect rates and ratios; and extended knowledge of fraction operations with algorithms.

History

In the fall we study the first humans and learn what it means to think like a historian. We practice identifying reliable sources, corroborating information, and supporting our ideas with evidence. In the winter we debate foraging and farming, learn about the causes and effects of the agricultural revolution, and study the first civilization. We develop historical thinking skills in close reading, sourcing, and corroboration. We form evidence-based opinions and practice communicating in different ways. In the spring we study the structures, achievements, and challenges of various eastern river valley civilizations. We hone our analytical and research skills to draw evidence-based conclusions, form opinions, and express ideas in written and verbal formats.

Science

In the fall we study weather concepts and natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Within that study, we learn and reinforce the following science skills: graphing, measuring, making observations, making predictions, and analyzing collected data and observations. In the winter we study freshwater systems. We focus on where water is on our planet; the water cycle; and the human impact, specifically water pollution. In the spring we reach for the stars by studying astronomy. We start with planets and space objects, then move to the sun and moon. Beyond our solar system, we study stars, constellations, and space exploration.

Spanish

In the fall we studied the Spanish Language Evolution and Latin American countries. Also, we learn to introduce ourselves and others, respond to classroom instructions, and use the subject pronouns and verbs ser, estar, and llamarse to describe who we are and where we are from. In the winter we communicate about classes, places in school, and school supplies, using subject pronouns and conjugations of the verbs estar and ir. In the spring we learn to converse about foods, beverages, and habits related to mealtimes. We use the verb gustar to indicate preferences, practiced conjugating -er and -ir verbs, and learn expressions with the verb tener.

Mandarin

In the fall we identify and pronouce the five Chinese tones when listening and speaking, recognize the basic Chinese radicals, and associate the meaning of radicals to explain the characters. We also practice how to exchange basic greetings, how to request a person’s last name and full name, and how to give your own. In the winter we practice using basic kinship terms, orally and in writing by describing a family photo. We also learn to ask about professions. In the spring we focus on vocabulary related to time, dates, age, and birthdays. We also learn to say and write the terms for various personal hobbies.

PE

We divide basketball, gaga ball, spike ball, kickball and, aerobic activitiy units into two-week units throughout the trimester. Additionally, students participate in fun fitness/cooperative games involving team challenges that motivate and amplify comradery. Units also include physical fitness assessments: one mile run for time, maximum set of pull-ups, one minute of sit-ups, jump rope turns, and push-ups.

Dance

Students study ballet and contemporary genres within a framework of skills and composition building in a historical and cultural context. Students learn to reflect on and discuss connections to their lives and other cultures. They participate in a daily dance warm-up and studied the nutritional elements and their effects on short- and long-term physical performance.

English

In the fall we study the complexity of characters and their traits, both by reading fictional short stories and by writing our own personal narratives. We also practice capitalization and comma rules. In the winter we explore creative writing through poetry and figurative language. We learn to read informational texts critically and use those skills to research and write debate speeches on relevant, real-world issues. In the spring we use research and analytical skills to write informational list articles. This includes revising, editing, and repeating the writing process in three drafts. As part of a project-based learning experience, we design board games to show off our knowledge of grammar concepts like pronoun cases. In reading, we form book clubs to dicuss social issues and to discover how we can learn life lessons from the characters we study.

Math

In the fall we focus on concepts involving decimal operations, coordinate graphing, and an introduction to algebra. In the winter we focus on data and statistics — that are relevant to middle schoolers and the world around us — geometry, and integer operations. In the spring we engage in integer operations, explore scale factors, and study similar figures. We progress to using rates, ratios, and proportions. And to close out the year, we dive into linear relationships.

History

In the fall we explore the world of the ancient Greeks. Through a series of discussions, projects, and presentations, we learn how the Western world was shaped by Greek authors, inventors, and thinkers. And, through them, we learn how to become better thinkers ourselves. In the winter we travel to ancient Rome. This mighty civilization teaches us about the origins of republican forms of government, the power of origin myths, and how to analyze the actions of controversial historical figures, such as Julius Caesar. In the spring we explore the civilizations of the Americas. Students learn that the Inca, Maya, and Aztec cultures have an incredible amount to teach us about the importance of ritual, social structure, and technology.

Science

In the fall we begin with a mini-unit on foundations of science, and conclude with a unit on Forces, in which students explore types of forces and how they work in our everyday lives. In the winter we take an in-depth look at Volcanoes: how they work and their proper anatomy. We conclude with a Volcano Project in which students research a specific volcano and share their findings in a detailed presentation to their peers. In the spring we explore Earth's natural resources in order to gain a deeper understanding of all the states of matter. We learn how the molecules in solids, liquids, and gases behave; and how they are capable of phase changes.

Spanish

In the fall we practice communicating about our families and important dates, expressing possession, and making comparisons. In the winter we practice communicating about clothing and shopping, using stem-changing verbs and direct object pronouns. In the spring we practice communicating about the home, using the contrasting verbs ser and estar and ordinal numbers.

Mandarin

In the fall we focus on learning how to greet one another when visiting a friend’s home. We also learn how to compliment someone at his or her home, introduce one person to another, ask for beverages as a guest/offer a beverage to a guest or visitor, and briefly describe a visit to a friend's house. In the winter we practice making phone calls and setting up appointments, talk about study habits, and discuss the experience of learning Mandarin. In the spring we learn how to describe daily routines, write a simple diary entry, and craft a letter using the proper format.

PE

We divide basketball, gaga ball, spike ball, kickball and, aerobic activitiy units into two-week units throughout the trimester. Additionally, students participate in fun fitness/cooperative games involving team challenges that motivate and amplify comradery. Units also include physical fitness assessments: one mile run for time, maximum set of pull-ups, one minute of sit-ups, jump rope turns, and push-ups.

Dance

Students study ballet and contemporary genres within a framework of skills and composition building in a historical and cultural context. Students learn to reflect on and discuss connections to their lives and other cultures. They participate in a daily dance warm-up and studied the nutritional elements and their effects on short- and long-term physical performance.

English

In the fall we analyze literature and evaluate authors' craft techniques. Our work in this area includes two book reviews, as well as the prep work for an upcoming literary essay comparing the literary devices in two short stories from the Flying Lessons collection. Our grammar unit focuses on identifying the components of sentence structure, including subjects, verbs, and prepositional phrases. In the winter we study fiction writing, including brainstorming, flash-drafting, and revision strategies. Students try their hand at using the literary techniques they had studied as readers in the fall. Next, we have a short grammar boot camp focused on comma rules and verb tenses. Finally, in our nonfiction reading unit, we study how authors structure nonfiction texts to make them engaging as well as informative. We also work on reading comprehension strategies that students will use on high school and college admissions tests. In the spring we work on critical nonfiction reading skills, including identifying text structures and authors' literary techniques. Students write their own nonfiction articles using the techniques they learn. We also work on public speaking skills, as students have many opportunities to present to the class, get feedback, and improve their confidence. 

Math
 

Geometry

In the fall we lay a solid foundation of habits, skills and knowledge which we will henceforth exploit to gain much more profound geometric insights and connections. We work on compass and straightedge skills, gain familiarity with RMTs, and explore congruence and triangle congruence criteria. In the winter we immerse ourselves in the most challenging aspect of geometry: the formal proof. We hone our logical reasoning and proof-writing skills through applications of congruence and similarity relationships between triangles and other polygons. In the spring we begin with introducing right triangle trigonometry, including the Laws of Sines and Cosines. We progress to an in-depth study of circles and three-dimensional shapes and conclude with a study of algebraic representations of geometric concepts.

Algebra I

In the fall we focus on finding and representing patterns and how they grow (visually, numerically, verbally, and symbolically); and further identifying them as arithmetic or geometric, linear or exponential, and discrete or continuous. Students learn important key features of functions, such as the domain, whether it is increasing or decreasing, the asymptote, and the end behavior. They practice their algebraic skills by simplifying, multiplying, and rewriting radical expressions and fractional exponents. In the winter we complete a unit on the features of functions. We also learn about solving equations and inequalities, as well as systems of equations and inequalities. We begin a unit on quadratic functions, where students dig deep into quadratic functions and solving quadratic equations. We also explore piecewise functions, absolute value functions, and square root functions; and then conclude the year with statistics.

Algebra IA

In the fall we begin with an introduction to probability and statistics. Students investigate the relationship between scatterplots and linear models while refreshing their memory on variables and algebraic notation. They also learn about 3D shapes and the foundations of exponents while continuing to build problem-solving strategies and their understanding of algorithmic thinking. In the winter we finish a unit on mathematical modeling with linear relationships and inverse variation. We learn about the Pythagorean theorem and irrational numbers. Then, we begin a unit on exponential functions. In the spring we complete the unit on exponential functions and then explore the graphs, tables, and equations of quadratic functions. We learn about geometric transformations, and we wrap up the year with more algebra: solving equations and simplifying complex expressions.

History

In the fall we focus on cultures indigenous to the Americas as well as the impact of the Columbian Exchange and early European colonization. We practice historical thinking skills, with an emphasis on close reading, corroboration, contextualization, and sourcing, to help us to better understand both historical and current events. In the winter students continue to apply historical thinking skills as they studied the American War for Independence. We also focus on the role of government and how it's structured by studying the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Finally, we begin exploring the Bill of Rights to better understand how individual rights are protected as well as the limits on those rights. In the spring we study the "growing pains" of the United States, including subjects such as Indian Removal, the Texas Revolution, expansion, and the Civil War. Students hone their historical thinking skills and revisit Civic Online Reasoning Skills.

Science

In the fall we practice how to organize and interpret data, explore how our brains respond to the environment to learn new things, and determine how to resist scientific misinformation we encounter. In the winter we focus on inquiry and investigation. Students learn how to model what is going on in the human body, particularly regarding food digestion and growth and repair. Then, we take a deep dive into energy and matter for life by investigating photosynthesis and cellular respiration on the organismal and the cellular level. We practice scientific argumentation by determining what a city can do about the link between obesity and sugar intake. In the spring we explore two big ideas: making healthy, informed choices and how populations pass traits down and change over time.

Spanish

In the fall we use vocabulary centered around chores and other household responsibilities as well as planning a party. We also learn six irregular verbs and affirmative tú commands. We continue with sports vocabulary, learn to talk about whom and what we know, and study culture and baseball in the Dominican Republic. In the winter we focus on sending emails, making phone calls, and places around town. We learn the preterite forms of -er and -ir verbs, affirmative and negative words, pronouns after prepositions, and some irregular preterite verbs. In the spring we focus on daily routines, buying souvenirs, and vacation activities. Students learn how to use reflexive pronouns and reflexive verbs, present progressive, indirect object pronouns, and demonstrative adjectives.

Mandarin

In the fall we learn how to speak about the color, size, and price of purchases. We practice how to ask for a different size and color of merchandise and how to return or exchange items at a store. We also learn to recognize Chinese currency. In the winter we learn how to comment about several means of transportation, explain how to travel from one station to another, and how to describe a traffic route. In the spring we learn how to talk about the weather in basic terms, compare weather in two places, and present a simple weather forecast.

Latin

We work through Stages 4-7 in Unit 1 of the Cambridge Latin Course. These stages introduce the students to the cultural contexts of the Roman theater, slavery and freedmen, and Roman beliefs about death. With regard to Latin grammar, the students study the concepts of the plural noun and verb and the Imperfect and Perfect tenses. We work through Stages 8-12 in Unit 1 of the Cambridge Latin Course. These stages introduce the students to the cultural contexts of the Roman baths and education, Pompeian elections and local government, and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. With regard to Latin grammar, the students study the concepts of the Dative case (i.e., the indirect object), comparative adjectives, ways of asking questions in Latin, and the fully conjugated forms of the verbs in the Present, Imperfect, and Perfect tenses. 

PE

We divide basketball, gaga ball, spike ball, kickball and, aerobic activitiy units into two-week units throughout the trimester. Additionally, students participate in fun fitness/cooperative games involving team challenges that motivate and amplify comradery. Units also include physical fitness assessments: one mile run for time, maximum set of pull-ups, one minute of sit-ups, jump rope turns, and push-ups.

Yoga

Drawing on what they learn in their classrooms through the RULER program, students acquire tools to help them build a positive outlook and to positively cope with common stressors as they continue to grow into young adults. Our practice is focused on core strength, mental clarity, positive body image, awareness of mind and breath, healthy movement, and self-expression in a safe no-judgment space.

English

In the fall we reflect on our summer reading. We focus on writing a personal narrative, the culmination of several weeks of work. Our on-going grammar work focuses on comma, semicolon, and colon usage. Students read novels like Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird or Mildred D. Taylor's Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and focus on emergent themes in the novel. In the winter we write a thematic essay based on our reading of a novel. Students also complete a research unit of study in which they explore a social issue important to them, write a research article (expository essay) utilizing MLA citation and formatting, and give a class presentation on their chosen topic. Throughout the trimester we continue to learn grammar concepts, practice writing conventions, and build vocabulary. In the spring we study Animal Farm and Romeo & Juliet. For Animal Farm, we focus on literary elements such as allegory, metaphor, symbolism, and personification. Students write a critical (response-to-literature) essay on the author's political message; we read related nonfiction texts as well. For Romeo & Juliet, students analyze the play through note-taking and short-answer responses. We further deepen our knowledge of literature through performance, class discussion, and writing. We learn literary terms such as double entendre, iambic pentameter, juxtaposition, and irony. Students receive a broad overview of the evolution of the English language. The unit culminates in a videotaped "performance" of the Balcony Scene and a summative assessment.

Math
 

Math 8

In the fall we revisit different representations of proportional and linear relationships in context, graphed lines and wrote equations, and then use our graphing skills to make predictions. We also take an initial look at function notation and exponents. In the winter students learn multiple ways to substitute and simplify expressions; explore, solve, and graph equations and inequalities; and study functions and features of functions. To reenforce these concepts, students engage in a Desmos project using math to create and manipulate art. We explore how to graph a story and/or tell a story from a graph, by considering functions and their features. In the spring we explore linear functions by examining systems of equations and inequalities and different forms linear equations. We focus on radicals, exponents, and scientific notation. To reinforce the concepts learned over the past few months, students create string art projects, using their math knowledge to discover coordinates and lines in their art. 

Algebra IB

In the fall we focus on finding and representing patterns and how they grow (visually, numerically, verbally, and symbolically); and further identifying them as arithmetic or geometric, linear or exponential, and discrete or continuous. Students learn important key features of functions, such as the domain, whether it is increasing or decreasing, the asymptote, and the end behavior. They also practice their algebraic skills by simplifying, multiplying, and rewriting radical expressions and fractional exponents. In the winter we focus on linear and exponential functions and explore how to graph a story and/or tell a story from a graph, by considering functions and their features. We solve and graph equations and inequalities. To reenforce these concepts, students engage in a Desmos project using math to create and manipulate art. In the spring we study systems of equations and inequalities by exploring a business venture. We focus on the study of quadratic functions, comparing and contrasting them with linear and exponential functions. We discover the many representations of quadratic relationships, and explore how quadratic expressions can be structured in different ways. 

Geometry

In the fall we lay a solid foundation of habits, skills and knowledge which we will henceforth exploit to gain much more profound geometric insights and connections. We work on compass and straightedge skills, gain familiarity with RMTs, and explore congruence and triangle congruence criteria. In the winter we immerse ourselves in the most challenging aspect of geometry: the formal proof. We hone our logical reasoning and proof-writing skills through applications of congruence and similarity relationships between triangles and other polygons. In the spring we begin with introducing right triangle trigonometry, including the Laws of Sines and Cosines. We progress to an in-depth study of circles and three-dimensional shapes and conclude with a study of algebraic representations of geometric concepts.

History

In the fall we examine, through various sources, projects, and written assignments, the value of studying history as the primary means to both flatten and flesh out single-story stereotypes that can hinder, or even alter, a fuller, more accurate, and ultimately freeing historical narrative. In examining the Reconstruction Era, we identify the continuing threads of racial inequity and discrimination that grew out of the legacy of 246 years of legal slavery in America. Students examine the world and citizens of a rapidly growing and developing United States at the turn of the 20th century, zooming in on the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era, both powered by explosive change due to immigration, innovation, and a dynamic surge in population. In the winter we continue to hone and polish skills in research acquisition and organization, as well as carefully considered critical thinking. Students also dig deeper into the lives of Americans in the Great War and the time following, including the culturally foundational periods such as the Roaring Twenties, Prohibition, Dust Bowl, and Great Depression. Throughout our explorations of different people, places, and acts that make up the periods and events of America, we examine the ongoing oppression and inequality that marks the lives and times of Black Americans, as we seek to more fully experience and tell the story of all citizens of these United States. In the spring we examine wars abroad, focusing on the events of World War II and the Vietnam War, and the battle for justice and change at home, zooming in on the American Civil Rights Movements and the dynamic age of protest during 1960's America. Students incorporate high-level research incorporating a variety of sources, practice different aspects of the essay-writing process, and polish their oral presentation skills.

Science

in the fall we investigate the nature of science by evaluating validity and evidence (misleading information, science, and pseudoscience). We then dig into analyzing data and interpreting what stories data may or may not reveal. We perform a major project on engineering design by investigating the statues of Easter Island. Students apply these skills in a new context, as our concepts move into ecosystem dynamics and community interactions. In the winter we explore and model the way energy flows and matter cycles through ecosystems. This involves literally getting our hands dirty, as we dive deep into soil, decomposition, and system interactions at the atomic and microscopic level. In the spring we investigate matter and energy by modeling the way molecules interact and energy transforms during chemical reactions. We also explore the way energy transformations are harnessed to generate electricity and look for patterns in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Spanish
 

Spanish 1B

In the fall we learn to discuss travel plans and vacations using object pronouns and verb conjugations in the present, present progressive, and preterite tenses. In the winter we discuss sports, fashion, and daily routines using irregular preterite and present-tense verbs, reflexive pronouns, present progressive tense, and prepositions. Students begin writing letters to their pen pals in Spain. In the spring students role-play shopping at the marketplace, prepare recipes using formal commands and new vocabulary, share food preferences in a restaurant setting, and learn to set the table in Spanish. We continued to write and record videos for our pen pals in Spain and take the National Spanish Exam.

Spanish 2

In the fall we communicate about health, symptoms, and daily routines using medical vocabulary and reflexive verbs. We also differentiate the two past tenses (preterite and imperfect) to tell a story. In the winter we converse about cars, technology, and household chores using new vocabulary. Students learn to give advice using commands and the subjunctive mood, and they begin writing letters to their pen pals in Spain. In the spring students create a Public Service Announcement about an issue they care about using formal commands and debate environmental problems using the subjunctive mood. We tour a Spanish city using Google Maps and new vocabulary, talk about our past year using the present-perfect tense, and make a timeline of accomplishments over the years at Trinity using the preterite tense. We also continue to write and record videos for our pen pals in Spain and take the National Spanish Exam.

Mandarin

In the fall students learn how to order Chinese dishes, describe their dietary preferences and restrictions, and ask for accommodations in a restaurant setting. In the winter students learn how to ask for and give directions, describe whether two places are close to or far away from each other, and locate places using landmark references. In the spring students learn how to invite a friend to a party, talk about the duration of an action, and discuss their birth year and Chinese zodiac sign. We also learn to describe facial features in simple terms.

Latin

We spend the first part of the year reviewing material from Cambridge Latin Course Unit 1, the textbook utilized by students in Latin 1A (7th grade). We study Stages 13 and 14 in Unit 2. Through the continuous storyline revolving around a household of a transplanted Roman family and their slaves, students learn about different cultural aspects of the Romano-British culture in the 1st century AD. These include farming and agriculture, the British tribal system and the administration of provinces in the Roman Empire. Students study the grammatical concepts of infinitives, the imperfect tense of irregular verbs, impersonal constructions, noun-adjective agreement, prepositional phases, and the ablative case. We work through Stages 16-18 in Unit 2 of the Cambridge Latin Course. These stages introduce the students to the cultural contexts of the British-Roman palace at Fishbourne, Roman Alexandria in Egypt and Roman glassmaking. Grammatically, the students learn about the Pluperfect tense, the Genitive case, in addition to Neuter nouns and adjectives.

Innov8

In our 8th-grade capstone experience, students conduct in-depth inquiry and develop an innovation solution to an identified problem. Students reach out to experts for informational interviews and receive feedback about their ideas from Innov8 Vanguard. Each student tests their solution ideas by creating a detailed prototype, "minimum viable product," or detailed plan that makes their ideas as tangible as possible. They then reflect on their process and share their journey with a larger community through the final Symposium.

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PE

We divide basketball, gaga ball, spike ball, kickball and, aerobic activitiy units into two-week units throughout the trimester. Additionally, students participate in fun fitness/cooperative games involving team challenges that motivate and amplify comradery. Units also include physical fitness assessments: one mile run for time, maximum set of pull-ups, one minute of sit-ups, jump rope turns, and push-ups.

Yoga

Drawing on what they learn in their classrooms through the RULER program, students acquire tools to help them build a positive outlook and to positively cope with common stressors as they continue to grow into young adults. Our practice is focused on core strength, mental clarity, positive body image, awareness of mind and breath, healthy movement, and self-expression in a safe no-judgment space.