Types of Courses

Academic courses present grade level and subject matter educational objectives that meet the Commonwealth’s Standards of Learning (SOL), described as the knowledge and skills that prepare children to continue on a path necessary for success in school and for post – secondary preparation in life.

Gifted Gifted courses present concept-based curriculum through the conceptual lens of change, perspectives, and conflict. The curriculum provides opportunities for critical and higher level thinking in research and problem solving. Students are involved in a cohesive and collaborative culture of active learning through engaging curriculum that aligns with the Standards of Learning. Participants are required to show mastery of content through complex culminating performances or products. Gifted courses are offered for English, science, and history.

Honors Honors classes are specialized classes that offer a faster pace and more rigorous curriculum for those students who are prepared and driven to handle the challenges of the program. These courses are designed for students who have independent learning skills that produce quality products as they complete in-depth studies of core content areas via extension activities and supplementary requirements. Honors classes are designed for the students who have consistently received grades of “B” or better in that subject area in the past, have recommendation of their present teacher(s) in the appropriate subject, and have the approval of their parent.

Special Education Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) is focused on promoting educational excellence for all students. CPS provides a continuum of services to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. Adhering with the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA), and the regulations governing special education programs in Virginia, Chesapeake Public Schools ensures all special education students receive a free and appropriate public education. The Individual Educational Plan (IEP) development process allows for the building of a comprehensive plan designed to meet the individual needs of the eligible student.  Differentiated/Inclusion Students who have an active IEP and receive Special Education services may be in a regular classroom setting that offers support.

Middle School Electives

Technology Education

Intro to Teach Grade 6 – 9 weeks Course Description: Students first study the basic elements of all technology, including processes, energy, information, and people. They explore up to four systems of technology, including construction, transportation, communication, and production/manufacturing. Finally, they relate the impact of technology on society, environment, and culture to future consequences and decisions.

Inventions and Innovations Grade 7 – 18 weeks Course Description: Inventions and Innovations is a middle school technology education course in which students make projects or models of significant inventions that have advanced society and human potential. After studying these developments in technology, the students explore contemporary and future problems facing them, their community, or the world. Students follow formal procedures to create or invent new solutions or innovations that will enhance human potential and result in a desirable impact on society. Students utilize and design brief process to solve problem-solving activities.

Tech Systems Grade 8 – 18 weeks Course Description: Technological Systems is a course designed specifically for the middle school level. Students experience hands on activities that help them use a system approach to solve problems and understand technology. Working individually or in teams, students combine resources and rotate through a number of activities and simulated models, and use computers to solve problems and control systems.

Family and Consumer Science

Intro to FACS 6 – 9 weeks Course Description: Provides a foundation for managing individual, family, career, and community roles and responsibilities. Students focus on areas of individual growth such as personal goal achievement, responsibilities within the family, and accountability for personal safety and health. Students explore and practice financial management, clothing maintenance, food preparations, positive and caring relationships with others, and self-assessment as related to career exploration. Students apply problem-solving and leadership skills as they progress through the course. Mathematics, science, English, social sciences, fine arts, and technology are integrated throughout the course.

Nutrition and Wellness 7 – 18 weeks Course Description: Provides a foundation for managing individual, family, work, and community roles and responsibilities. Students focus on their individual development as well as their relationships and roles within the family unit. They learn how to maintain their living and personal environments and to use nutrition and wellness practices. Students also apply consumer and family resources, develop textile, fashion, apparel concepts, and explore careers related to Family and Consumer Sciences. Time is also provided for developing early childhood education concepts and leadership skills.

Career and Family 8 – 18 weeks Course Description: Students focus on their individual, family, career, and community roles and responsibilities. Students develop change-management and conflict- resolution skills and examine how global concerns affect communities. In addition, students enhance their knowledge of nutrition and wellness practices and learn how to maximize consumer and family resources. This course helps students apply textile, fashion, and apparel concepts to their daily lives and provides background on the stages of early childhood development as related to childcare. Students increase their leadership abilities and explore how volunteerism aids communities.

Art

Art 6 – 9 weeks Course Description: Exploratory Art 6 is an exploratory introductory course that will explore art through examining the elements and principles of design. Students will explore visual communications, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, ceramics, and painting.

Art 7 – 18 weeks Course Description: Art 7 is a general course featuring art project and crafts. The focus of this course is on understanding the basic designs used for various crafts, such as printmaking, string art, and leather tooling.

Art 8 – 18 weeks Course Description: Art 8 is a general course designed to give students an acquaintance with a variety of materials and activities in the fields of art. Topics such as painting, lettering, sculpture, and crafts are studied.

Foreign Language

Foreign Language Exploratory 7 Course Description: Students explore basic conversation French and Spanish in a highly interactive environment for a semester. Common phrases, expressions, and vocabulary are presented and collected in a Phrase Book. Basic situational dialogs are presented and performed. Through classroom discussions, projects, and investigations students will learn about the cultures associated with these languages. The seventh grade student will begin to understand the process of second language acquisition and will be able to make a more informed choice as to which language he/she would like to study further.

Foreign Language Exploratory 8 Course Description: Students explore basic conversational French and Spanish in a highly interactive environment for a semester. An extensive list of common phrases, expressions, and vocabulary are presented and collected in a Phrase Book. Basic situational dialogs are presented and performed.

Music

Band 6 Course Description: Students are trained in beginning performance skills on assigned instruments while developing music literacy and aural skills.

Chorus 6 Course Description: Students are trained in beginning performance skills in choral music while developing music literacy and aural skills.

Orchestra 6 Course Description: Students continue to develop skills learned in the fifth-grade. Emphasis is placed on music reading, tone production, and aural skills.

Band 7 Course Description: Students continue to develop skills learned in the sixth grade beginning level band classes. Fundamentals of music reading, tone production, and pitch awareness are emphasized. Increased performance opportunities are offered.

Chorus 7 Course Description: Students develop vocal skills as learned in sixth-grade beginning chorus. Fundamentals of music reading, tone production, and aural skills are emphasized.

Orchestra 7 Course Description: Students continue to develop skills learned in the fifth-and sixth-grade beginning level string classes. Music reading, tone production, and aural skills are emphasized.

Band 8 Course Description: Students continue to develop skills learned in previous band classes. More advanced technique and repertoire are emphasized and increased performance opportunities are offered.

Chorus 8 Course Description: Students develop skills as learned in previous choral classes. More advanced repertoire, as well as increased performance opportunities are emphasized.

Orchestra 8 Course Description: Students continue to develop skills learned in previous string classes. More advanced techniques and repertoire are emphasized and increased performance opportunities are offered.