World Language
6th Grade World Language Exploratory
6th Grade World Language Exploratory
Length: Semester
Format: Meets Every Day
Description: Each sixth (6th) grader rotates through the six (6) World Language Exploratory Classes (French, Spanish, German, Latin, Cultural/School Counselor, and Information Literacy) over the course of two (2) marking periods. Each “rotation” lasts approximately 15 days:
- French/Spanish/Latin/German Rotation: In this exploratory course, students are exposed to French, German, Latin, and Spanish for three (3) weeks each in an effort to make an informed choice for future study. Students will become familiar with the following common themes in each language: the alphabet, numbers 1-20, colors, salutations, body parts, days of the week, months, and basic geography of language groups.
- Information Literacy/Library Rotation: Throughout this 15-day course, students will learn the steps involved in the research process. In the context of a variety of activities, students will practice brainstorming, locating resources, note-taking, evaluating resources, and citing resources. Additionally, the students will learn how to choose books for research as well as for independent reading. They will also learn about the RMS Library. The focus will be on where resources are located, when and how to visit the library, library policies, and procedures.
- Cultural Awareness Rotation: Cultural Awareness is an 8-day course designed to raise student awareness, understanding, and appreciation of cultural diversity. In this course, students will be challenged to consider and modify their perceptions of culture, stereotypes, and individual differences through exposure to cooperative and team- building exercises, multimedia resources, and hands-on activities.
- School Counselor Rotation: The school counselor education class meets for seven (7) straight days, which are broken into two (2) different topics of discussion and exploration. The first four (4) days focus on anti-bullying education. School counselors lead discussions about empathy and help students practice developing this skill by reviewing bullying situations and scenarios. Students learn to identify bullying and how it may manifest in our school and ways to combat it. The class also explores the reasons behind bullying behavior. The last three (3) days of the school counselor curriculum are dedicated to career education. Students learn about their own learning style, take an interest survey, and explore careers based on the results of their interest survey.
French
7th Grade French
Length: Year
Format: Meets Every Other Day
Description: In this introductory French course, students gradually acquire language and cultural proficiency at the novice learner level. They begin developing interpersonal, presentational, and interpretative skills of the French language. They study the following topics throughout the year: introductions, alphabet, numbers, age, days of the week, weather, where French is spoken, asking questions, school classes and lunch, family, leisure time activities, as well as likes and dislikes.
8th Grade French
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: This course is a continuation of the seventh (7th) grade introductory course. In this course, students deepen their language and cultural proficiency at the novice learner level. They continue developing interpersonal, presentational, and interpretative skills of the French language. They study the following topics throughout the year: describing people, food, eating out, soccer, clothing, shopping, talking about a house and one’s room, Paris and its landmarks, cities in France, Northern Africa and Canada, giving directions, sports and leisure activities, and Level I grammar topics, including the past tense.
Latin
7th Grade Latin
Length: Year
Format: Meets Every Other Day
Description: In this introductory Latin course, students gradually acquire language and cultural proficiency at the novice learner level. They learn about basic Latin grammar and sentence structure through stories that discuss the life of a Roman family in the textbook Ecce Romani. Among the topics that are covered throughout the year are: daily life of a Roman, other cultures of the Roman Empire, such as the Etruscans and Greeks, Roman government, military history, famous Roman figures and authors, mythology, and the ways Latin continues to have an influence on America and the English language.
8th Grade Latin
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: This course is a continuation of the seventh (7th) grade introductory course. In this course, students deepen their language and cultural proficiency at the novice learner level. The course will use the Oxford Latin Course: Part I as its basic text. The theme in the text centers on ancient education and the story of the Trojan War and mythology. In addition to the textbook work, students are expected to research several topics on either history or culture during the year, such as historical and mythological figures, Roman art and architecture, and figures of speech used in both English and Latin. Assessments will be made through tests, projects, quizzes, and homework. The major goal of this course is to allow the student to progress through the study of Latin while learning about the influence of Rome on Western Civilization.
German
7th Grade German
Length: Year
Format: Meets Every Other Day
Description: In this introductory German course, students gradually acquire language and cultural proficiency at the novice learner level. They begin developing interpersonal, presentational, and interpretative skills of the German language. They study the following topics throughout the year: introductions, alphabet, numbers, age, days of the week, classroom objects and actions, German geography, clothing, colors, and body parts.
8th Grade German
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: This course is a continuation of the seventh (7th) grade introductory course. In this course, students deepen their language and cultural proficiency at the novice learner level. They continue developing interpersonal, presentational, and interpretative skills of the German language. Students study the following topics throughout the year: telling time, family, seasons, weather, holidays (including cultural traditions), food and drink, hobbies, school schedule, and Level 1 grammar topics.
Spanish
7th Grade Spanish
Length: Year
Format: Meets Every Other Day
Description: In this introductory Spanish course, students gradually acquire language and cultural proficiency at the novice learner level. They begin developing interpersonal, presentational, and interpretative skills of the Spanish language. They study the following topics throughout the year: introductions, alphabet, numbers, age, days of the week, countries of origin, leisure time activities, snack foods and beverages, self-descriptions, telling time, numbers up to 100, school schedules in Spanish-speaking countries, as well as school vocabulary.
8th Grade Spanish
Length: Year
Format: Meets Daily
Description: This course is a continuation of the seventh (7th) grade introductory course. In this course, students deepen their language and cultural proficiency at the novice learner level. They continue developing interpersonal, presentational, and interpretative skills of the Spanish language. They study the following topics throughout the year: cultural comparisons among Spanish-speaking countries, meals and food, family, numbers up to 1,000, clothing and shopping, restaurants and places, describing a house, planning a party, sports, and staying healthy.
8th Grade Introduction to Spanish
Length: Year
Format: Meets Every Other Day
Description: In this introductory Spanish course, students gradually acquire language and cultural proficiency to prepare them for Level I of the language in high school. They begin developing interpersonal, presentational, and interpretative skills of the Spanish language. They study the following topics throughout the year: introductions, alphabet, numbers, age, days of the week, countries of origin, leisure time activities, snack foods and beverages, self-descriptions, telling time, numbers up to 100, school schedules in Spanish-speaking countries, as well as school vocabulary.