Online Middle School Program

Michigan Merit Curriculum • The Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) is not a curriculum in the traditional sense – it is legislation that specifies all students awarded a diploma have demonstrated proficiency with the content outlined by the state academic standards, benchmarks or guidelines. Challenging Courses = Big Rewards. Students who take strong academic courses in high school are more likely to succeed in college and earn a degree. That’s important, because higher education pays: On average, college graduates earn more than a million dollars more over a lifetime than those with only a high school education.

• What Employers and Training Programs Want. Employers, apprenticeship programs and the military all agree – they expect you to arrive with essential skills, including speaking and writing clearly, analyzing information, conducting research, and solving complex problems all while expecting you to identify the most useful connections to accomplish the task at hand.
• Preparation for College Success. It’s not just about getting in – it’s about finishing. To best prepare for success in college-level work, students need to complete the Michigan Merit Curriculum in high school.

The Michigan Merit Curriculum re-imagines what the diploma represents. With credit based on student proficiency instead of seat time, the diploma represents what the students know and can do, not the courses that they took. Credits don’t have to equate courses; instead courses, CTE programs, work internships, and other learning opportunities can provide pieces of a variety of credits – filling up the credit pipeline. • The legislation also allows for specific credit requirements and/or content standards to be modified based on the individual learning needs of a student. It is designed to serve students who want to accelerate or go beyond the MMC requirements as well as students who need to individualize learning requirements to meet the MMC requirement. Please visit The Michigan Department of Education to learn about the Michigan Merit Curriculum, frequently asked questions, and graduation requirements.

ENGLISH 6A

In this course, students will read and analyze informational texts. These texts take many different forms, including biographies, personal accounts of events, instructional documents, film reviews, and persuasive letters. The course’s reading selections demonstrate ways to understand explicit and implicit information, central ideas and key details, and claims and arguments, among other ideas and concepts. Over the course, students will read the novel The Road by Jack London. They will also examine informational texts to better their understanding of the science behind sunsets, the lives of several important historical figures, the history of the Olympics, and the process of flotation used by archaeologists, among other topics.

ENGLISH 6B

In this course, students will focus on learning reading skills based on literary texts. The texts come from a number of genres and include a novel, excerpts from novels, short stories, poems, and plays. The course’s reading selections demonstrate ways to understand explicit and implicit information, theme, characters, plot, poetic techniques, and figurative language, among other ideas and concepts. Students will read the entire novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, and read a portion of it in almost every lesson throughout the course. They will read excerpts from the novels Little Women and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and stories and plays about challenging situations, getting caught doing something wrong, finding something unexpected, and why the crocodile has a wide mouth. Additionally, students will read poems from famous poets, such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Frost, and Carl Sandburg, to name a few. Students will also watch several videos of famous poems being read aloud.

MATH 6A

In this course, students will build on previously learned concepts like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. They will deepen their knowledge of arithmetic with fractions and work with decimals and negative numbers. They will apply these new skills to help solve real-world problems using statistics, ratios, unit conversions, and geometry, as well as expand their ability to write and evaluate expressions, including ones involving new concepts like variables and exponents. Students will also begin working with equations and learn what it means to solve them.

MATH 6B

In this course, students will build on previously learned concepts, like positive and negative integers and fractions, to learn about rational numbers and how to compare them. They will find the distance between points, both on the number line and in the coordinate plane, and then solve geometry problems involving these concepts. They will study the relationships between variables and how to represent them in different ways. They will learn about ratios and unit rates, and then use them to solve real-world problems. Students will also work with data and discover different ways to display data and how to describe data mathematically.

SCIENCE 6A

This course focuses mainly on plants and animals. The course begins with an introduction to cells. The course then continues with the hierarchy of organization through a discussion of tissues, organs, and organ systems. Once students have learned what makes up organisms, they will look at the interactions between them. The course will also cover the growth of plants and animals and what factors affect their growth. Students will then track the life cycles of plants and animals and find out how they reproduce.

SCIENCE 6B

Second Semester: This semester begins with an introduction to energy and matter, as well as different types of energy and energy transformations. Students focus on natural cycles, the effect of the sun on ocean and air currents, and different types of pollution and the effects of greenhouse gases on the Earth’s climate. This semester uses many creative and interactive assets, including virtual labs and review games, to immerse students in a 21st-century online learning environment.

SOCIAL STUDIES 6A

Sixth grade students will study the beginning of early civilizations through the Gupta dynasty. Students will study the geographical, social, economic, and political foundations for early civilizations progressing through the Gupta dynasty. They will analyze the shift from nomadic societies to agricultural societies. Students will study the development of civilizations, including the areas of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Ancient Israel, and India. The study of these civilizations will include the impact of geography, early history, cultural development, and economic change. The geographic focus will include the study of physical and political features, economic development and resources, and migration patterns. This class will conclude with the Gupta dynasty.

SOCIAL STUDIES 6B

Second Semester: Students explore the geographic, political, economic, and cultural development of Ancient Greece, Rome, and China. The course examines the birth and spread of Judaism, Christianity, Taoism, and Confucianism. Students apply historical thinking skills to understand implications of ancient literature, art, and philosophy on later Western culture.

7^th Grade English

Through a theme of finding their voice, students in the 7th Grade English course study the ways in which word choice and sentence structure contribute to developing the author’s perspective. Students continue to develop the reading, writing, language, and speaking/listening skills necessary for success in college, career, and beyond with a strong connection to civics throughout the centuries. Students closely examine voice, purpose, diction, syntax, and rhetoric in historical speeches, informational texts, and classic and contemporary literature through guided readings, interactive practice, and formal assessments. They also grow their narrative, informational, and argumentative writing skills through the repeated practice of planning, drafting, revising, and editing their written work.

7^th Grade Math

Have you ever wondered, “When will I use this in real life?” Grade 7 Mathematics has great news! There are hundreds of ways that math is used in the real world, and this course is designed to help you think critically as you explore a few of those applications. With interactive lessons and many opportunities for practice, you will be able to apply what you learn in relevant ways. Key foundational concepts like proportional relationships, probability, and geometry will help prepare you for the next level of learning.

7^th Grade Science

Explore the foundations of science, including energy, Earth’s changing features and structures, Earth’s history, genetics, heredity, and the organization and interaction of living organisms.

7^th Grade Social Studies

The primary content for this course pertains to the world’s earliest civilizations to the ancient and classical civilizations of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Students are exposed to the multiple dynamics of world history including economics, geography, politics, and religion/philosophy. They study methods of historical inquiry and primary and secondary historical documents.

8^th Grade English

Through reading, writing, and rhetoric, students in the MJ Language Arts 3 course examine how authors fine-tune and utilize their craft to create texts with purpose. Students continue to develop the reading, writing, language, and speaking/listening skills necessary for success in high school, college, career, and beyond. Students evaluate and analyze voice, purpose, diction, syntax, and rhetoric in historical speeches, informational texts, and classic and contemporary literature through guided readings, interactive practice, and formal assessments. They also refine their narrative, informational, and argumentative writing skills through the repeated practice of planning, drafting, revising, and editing their written work.

Intensive reading (grades 6-8)

This course explores foundational reading skills for middle-school students to remediate gaps in reading fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and vocabulary skills, grammar skills, and writing fluency through responses to a variety of literary and informational texts.

8^th Grade Math

Ready, set, go! Grade 8 Pre-Algebra is all about training to run the race of high school math. You will strengthen your skills in topics like linear relationships, functions, and equations, and learn new skills that prepare you for Algebra 1. This course is designed with interactive learning and real-world activities to strengthen your math muscles for the race ahead.

8^th Grade Science

Spark your passion for science by discovering the properties of matter, changes in matter, and energy flow. Explore the universe and the interactions between the Earth, sun, and moon in our solar system.

8^th Grade Social Studies

US History – You will discover that history is full of adventure, colorful characters, and complex plots. Each plot is different and highlights an important story from our nation’s past.

*Offerings may vary each year.

MS Keyboarding

Watching a keyboard wizard work their magic over the keys is mesmerizing, and now, you can learn the magic of their movements! In this course, you’ll build a solid foundation of typing skills, develop good habits and techniques, and build confidence as you become a typing wiz. you’ll also learn proper finger placement, correct posture to improve speed and accuracy, and explore future careers where typists thrive. Get ready to become a typing magician today!

MS Heartful Life Management

Heartful Life Management aims to build strong social and emotional skills alongside strong academics. This course teaches students practical skills to reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness with a heart-based nurturing environment focusing on relaxation and positivity. This course will explore self-development, fostering positivity, understanding the need for sleeping well, being grateful, embracing diversity and co-existing with others, developing creativity and appreciation, and self-awareness through tuning into the heart. Exciting discussions, hands-on activities, and experiential guided sessions will also be presented in this course culminating in a semester-end service project. Research suggests that those who practice these skills have greater academic achievement and experience more success as adults.

MS Digital Art & Design

The world is filled with so many different forms of art – including digital art. In this course, you’ll explore this special genre of art found in everything from advertising to animation to photography and beyond. Additionally, you’ll tap into your creative side to create digital art and make it come alive!

MS Physical Education

MS Physical Education explores personal health and wellness benefits of physical fitness with a variety of activities, a fitness and nutrition log, and two projects. Project one creates a personal fitness plan and project two creates a synchronized swim routine. Topics include endurance and flexibility applied in activities such as running, hiking, stretching, and dancing, as well as improving fitness and well-being with heart-rate monitoring, nutrition tracking, and interval training. Sports skills are practiced in pickleball, tennis, soccer, hockey, football, baseball, basketball, and bowling.

MS State Test Prep

MS State Test Prep is a course offered to all 8th grade students to help them practice and get ready for the 8th grade state tests, PSAT 8, MStep Science 8 and MStep Social Studies 8. Students will work with teachers to practice and learn strategies to succeed on their 8th grade state testing.

Health 

This course provides an overview of how behavior affects health. The broad range of topics include nutrition and physical activity; growth, development, and sexual health; injury and safety prevention; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; mental, emotional, and social health; and personal and community health. Students will explore how the choices they make about their bodies affect both their present and future. They will also be given the tools to make informed decisions to better their health.

MS 2D Studio art

Close your eyes and imagine you’re standing in an art studio the smell of paint, the heat of the kiln, and the infinite creative possibilities that linger in the air. This is where art is born, and in 2D Studio Art, you’ll learn how to bring your art visions to life. Whatever medium you prefer painting, drawing, photography this course will teach you the design elements and principles needed to create a work of art, explore your artistic inspirations, travel back in time to look at art in different cultures, and gain insight about the art of critiquing. If you’ve ever dreamed about making a living as an artist, this course will give you the tools and background that you need to turn those dreams into a reality!

Career Explorations 1

How do you pick a career path when you’re not sure what’s even out there? This course allows you to begin exploring options in fields such as teaching, business, government, hospitality, health science, IT, and more! You’ll align your interests, wants, and needs to career possibilities, including the required education for each. Let’s find a pathway that works for you.

Character Education

Students explore values of truthfulness, trustworthiness, responsibility, diligence, and integrity. The course offers specific, real world situations to interpret and connect to these traits to provide safe and appropriate ways to respond in real time. Topics include: identifying bullying, how to develop a bullying-prevention mindset.

MS Spanish I A

Students are introduced to the basics of the Spanish language by learning through reading, writing, listening, and speaking about personal interests and hobbies, asking for directions, and discovering the cultures of some Spanish-speaking countries, such Mexico and Colombia. Second Semester: Students explore how to discuss activities with friends, using vocabulary associated with restaurants, traveling, vacations, and exploring cultures of some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Argentina, Spain, and Peru.

MS Spanish I B

Students explore how to discuss activities with friends, using vocabulary associated with restaurants, traveling, vacations, and exploring cultures of some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Argentina, Spain, and Peru.

MS Spanish II A

Students explore how to discuss school subjects, various professions, and daily routines through practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The course also explores cultures of some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Venezuela and Chile.

MS Spanish II B

Students explore how to discuss school subjects, various professions, and daily routines through practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The course also explores cultures of some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Venezuela and Chile.