Curriculum: 6th – 8th

Sixth through Eighth grade Spanish is the study of skills in speaking, writing, listening, and reading in Spanish. Students will develop comprehension and communication skills. Students will apply reading strategies during independent and classroom reading. Students will use writing skills to communicate effectively and efficiently in Spanish. The students will improve their ability to understand and appreciate Hispanic cultures through focused cultural strategies.

Sixth and seventh grades have class once a week. Eighth graders attend Spanish I class everyday for a high school credit. For students to receive a high school credit they must pass the class and the Charlotte Prep Final Exam. This will allow the students to enroll in Spanish II their freshman year of high school.

6th Grade Math:

A major goal of 6th grade mathematics is to provide students with a solid foundation for exploring and understanding Pre-Algebra and Geometry concepts as they move from elementary to middle school. A central topic students will explore is fractions, their operations and their relationship to decimals and percents. Other areas covered are: problem solving, data analysis and probability, integers, rational and real numbers, measurement, number sense and number theory, ratios, and proportions. Communicating about mathematics, both verbally and in writing, is emphasized during instruction. Students will be able to link learning to real life applications of mathematics.

The textbook being used is Connected Mathematics 3 by Pearson. The curriculum is supplemented with use of math journals, web sources, and Hands-On-Equations materials.

7th Grade Math: Pre-Algebra

Pre-Algebra is designed to enable students to successfully bridge the transition from arithmetic to algebra. The formal methods of Algebra are introduced as students explore linear functions and solve more complex equations and inequalities. Students model problems with mathematical functions represented by graphs and equations, eventually learning to interpret the slope of various functions in contextual situations. To better understand the full breadth of the real number system, students are introduced to sets of numbers including rational and irrational numbers. Additionally, students refine their reasoning and problem solving skills as they move more fully into the symbolic world of algebra.

The main text utilized is Pre-Algebra by Prentice Hall. The text will be supplemented through the use of web sources and other text resources

7th/8th Grade Math: Algebra I / Algebra I Honors – Year Course 1 credit

Algebra is the first year in a three-year college prep math sequence. Algebra focuses on the structure of the real number system. This course examines symbolic representations in solving real-world problems. Linear Functions, quadratic functions, systems of equations, radical expressions, data analysis and probability are some of the topics within the enriching course outline. A solid foundation in arithmetic and pre-algebra skills is essential for success in this course.

Algebra I is designed to provide the student with a solid foundation in the fundamental skills of algebra, and to prepare them for advanced math courses in high school. Emphasis is placed on dealing with real numbers both symbolically and in the context of word problems. Students are taught to approach and solve problems following a logical succession of steps, and to grasp concepts that require analysis and evaluation. Emphasis is also placed on utilizing the problem solving approaches covered in Algebra to other curricular areas.

The textbook being used is Algebra I by Pearson. The curriculum is supplemented with use of web sources and a collaborative math blog.

Our goal is to create not just critical thinkers, but quantitative critical thinkers who connect science to their lives and the world around them. Charlotte Preparatory School students develop an understanding of scientific principles as they acquire the ability to observe, investigate, and analyze natural phenomena. Furthermore, our students are often challenged to devise experiments and engineering solutions that solve problems. As individuals who are equipped with these abilities and skills, Charlotte Preparatory School graduates will be knowledgeable citizens capable of dealing with many contemporary scientific and technological issues.

We offer classes emphasizing earth and space science, life science and physical science utilizing the Cambridge Physics Outlet curriculum. 8th grade students in physical science even earn high school credit. Our technology for labs uses high school to college level materials such as Excel and electronic data loggers.  We also offer electives in ecology, robotics and dronology. In robotics and dronology, students will create computer codes to program their robots and drones using VEX IQ, RobotC Visual, RobotC, and Arduino.

Science Fair

In the fall, seventh and eighth grade students participate in the school level science fair, where they choose a topic, conduct an experiment, and present their results. The top projects move on to the Thomas Alva Edison Regional Science Fair in Fort Myers.

 

As a high school preparatory school, our major focus in Language Arts at Charlotte Preparatory School is identifying and developing the knowledge and skills our students need to succeed in high school. The basic academic competencies essential to effective work in all disciplines—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—are the heart of the English curriculum.

Writing, reading, and speaking are the basic components of the middle school language Arts curriculum.Each grade in middle school will intensely explore a variety of writing genres: descriptive, narrative, persuasive, expository, along with a cross-curricular research paper. Characteristics of good writing such as organization, point of view, voice, word choice, and sentence fluency will be emphasized.

Middle school English includes both the Prentice Hall Grammar curriculum and Wordly Wise vocabulary, which students practice and integrate into their own writing. An increasing understanding and recognition of grammar rules and skills is expected at each grade level. Vocabulary, while a self-contained aspect of Language Arts, is essential in many ways. Students will expand their vocabulary while learning to recognize root words, analyze word relationships (analogies, synonyms, antonyms), as well as denotative and connotative word meanings.

In reading, students are exposed to a variety of literary and informational sources with a focus on analytical and higher level thinking skills. While the anthology, Pearson Literature 2010 e book is the main resource used, novels will supplement the curriculum each quarter. Some novels students are exposed to are the following: The Giver, Hoot, To Kill a Mockingbird, Anne Frank and the Holocaust Children, Romeo and Juliet, and Lord of the Flies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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These selections are explored through whole class activities, small group technological projects, and independent study. Within these activities, opportunities are provided to develop oral communication and presentation skills.

A sound knowledge of the past and the ability to relate that knowledge to the present is essential to becoming a responsible citizen. At Charlotte Preparatory School, we hope to attain this goal by providing varied and intellectually challenging social sciences program for students at all levels. In developing this goal, we feel a Charlotte Preparatory School student should achieve the following:
A general working knowledge of:

• Physical and cultural geography with a concentration on their evolution and interaction.
• The evolution of Western Civilization and the impact it has had on various cultures.
• The major themes of American history from the Founding Fathers to the 2000’s.
• World history and comparative cultures.
• The “sciences” of psychology, economics, sociology, and political science.
• These fundamental academic skills:
• Differentiating fact from opinion.
• Understanding the relationship between cause and effect.
• Able to interpret various documents and offer an in-depth analysis of them.
• Able to analyze and interpret historical and contemporary problems.
• Able to defend a position on a controversial issue using evidence from available sources

These basic study skills:

• Note-taking.
• Able to plan, write and revise a historical essay.
• Convey ideas in both oral and written manner.
• Prepare for objective and subjective tests.
• Plan, write and complete research papers.
• Integrate technology into social sciences research.

The social sciences curriculum incorporates and meets the Florida’s Sunshine State Standards for social sciences and the standards set by the National Council for Social Sciences (NCSS) as well as the National Center for History in the Schools, the National Council for Economic Education, the Center for Civic Education and the National Geographic Association.

History Fair

Sixth  graders are required to participate in the history fair while eighth graders can select either history or science fair. This takes place in January and February. A theme is introduced each year and the students are to create a research project and presentation based on the given theme. The students will then give a presentation on their particular subject. Presentations are judged and the best are chosen to move on to the community judging.

6th Grade Social Studies – Ancient Civilizations

The sixth grade social studies curriculum focuses on ancient civilizations. Civilizations that are typically covered during the year include: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greek, Rome, and China. Our basic text,  examines these cultures through the various aspects that define a civilization, (e.g., trade and food supply, social classes, specialization of labor, formation of government, and culture). Students study, compare, and contrast characteristics of these ancient civilizations, as well as studying the contributions people from the past have made to our world today. Units of study include the first civilizations, Ancient Egypt, The Ancient Israelites, The Ancient Greeks, Greek Civilization, Early India, Early China, the Rise of Rome, Roman Civilization, The Rise of Christianity, and Islamic Civilization.

7th Grade – American Government/Civics

This course is a study of our national government utilizing group-oriented activities to reinforce concepts studied. The scope of the course covers the documents which form the foundation of American government, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, a study of the three branches of government, as well as political parties, campaigning, polls, elections, lobbying and a comprehensive study of the criminal justice system. Our basic text explores units like Foundations of American Citizenship, which looks at Citizenship and Government in Democracy, Roots of American Democracy, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, and The Citizen and the Community; The National Government, which studies Congress, The President and the Executive Branch, and The Judicial Branch; Political Parties and Interest Groups, which explores Political Parties and Politics.

8th Grade – American History

Using the text, students will explore American History from colonization through the American Revolution, the formation of government, westward expansion, Florida History, and specific events of the 20th century. Concepts will center on political, cultural, geographic and economic influences. Units of study include The First Americans, Exploring the Americas, Colonial America, Growth of the Thirteen Colonies, the Spirit of Independence, The American Revolution, A More Perfect Union, the Federalist Era, The Jefferson Era, Growth and Expansion, The Jackson Era, Manifest Destiny, North and South, The Age of Reform, Toward Civil War, The Civil War, Reconstruction and the New South, Opening the West, The Industrial Age, and An Urban Society.