Heyworth Junior High Curriculum Overview
7th Grade
Mathematics
The 7th grade math course focuses on expanding fundamental number sense to include all rational numbers (integers, fractions, and decimals), emphasizing all four operations. Students transition to algebraic thiking through Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities, applying these concepts to model real-world situations.
- Major Focus Areas: Ratios and proportions, unit rates, scale drawings, and practical applications of percents (discounts, simple interest, markups)
- Additional Topics: Introduction to probability (experimental, theoretical, and compound events) and Statistics (sampling and comparing populations).
- Geometry Applications: Students calculate the area and cirumference of circles, as well as the Surface Area and Volume of 3D shapes such as prisms and pyramids.
English Language Arts
The 7th grade ELA curriculum is organized into thematic units that cover a diverse range of literary genres and writing styles, all aligned to grade-level ELA standards.
- Thematic Focus: Units explore themese such as actions defining identity, harmony with nature, the impact of games on life, becoming agents of change, the risks of space exploration, and blurring the lines between reality and unreality.
- Key Literary Skills: Students analyze short stories, memoirs, poetry, historical fiction, science, fiction, and screenplays. Core skills include analyzing figurative language, characterization, text structure, central ideas, and comparing themes.
- Key Writing and Projects: Writing assignments include narratives, memoirs, poetry, historical fiction, literary analysis, essays, and research presentations. Assessments include Selection Quizzes, CEI charts and essays (Claim, Evidence, Interpretation), and reading respoonses.
Science
The 7th Grade Science course primarily focuses on Life Science and Introductory concepts in Earth and Physical Science.
- Life Science Focus (Biology): Topis include Cells to Organisms, Reporduction, and Evolution.
- Earthand Physical Science: Topics include Earth's Resources and Force & Motion
- Skills and Assessment: Students develop skills in data analysis, modeling, and evidence-based argumentation.
Social Studies
Seventh-grade Social Studies focuses on the chronological survey of U.S. history from Pre-history through the Civil War and Reconstruction Era. Units include European Colonization, Revolutionary War, nation-building, westward expansion, the Age of Jackson, adn the Civil War.
Instruction emphasizes historical analysis and primary source work. Assessments include unit tests, written responses, class discussions and projects.
What I Need (WIN)
A dedicated period where students receive support based on their individual academic needs. WIN time provides targeted instruction in reading, math, and study skills to help all students grow. They also will be working on some project based learning projects throughout the school year.
Physical Education
JH health is a combined year course that covers a broad range of health topics and physical educatin. This course is designed to help build knowledge that will continue into high school health.
Technology (1 Trimester)
This course both introduces and reinforces key digital skills. Students in the class will review proper keyboarding techniques and explore Google Workspace fore Education tools, including Drive, Docs, and Slides, with an emphasis on formulas, functions, and creating charts/graphs in Google Sheets. This course also provides hands-on experience in beginner photo editing using Photoshop and 3D modeling and design.
Drama (1 Trimester)
This is an introductory course for Drama/Theatre. Students learn about both on-stage and off-stage roles in a theatrical production. Students also use various acting techniques and improv games to learn how to train the body, mind, and emotions into a performance.
Music Technology (1 Trimester)
This is an introductory course into the topic of music technology. Students explore music creation through project based learning. The course introduces students to the history of audio recording technology, the connections between music and the mind, Foley Art, and the importance and role of music in movies, video games and radio.
Band (Elective - 3 days/week)
This course is open to all middles chool students and is designed as an extension to the skills and fundamentals learned in the Intermediate Band Class. Students will continue to develop skills in reading musical notation, reading rhythms and tone production.
- Performances: Students will perform at two concerts (December and April)
Choir (Elective - 2 days/week)
This course is open to all middles chool students and focuses on developing the student's vocal and musical skills through the signing of a varied repertoire of music. Through the repertoire, students explore multiple genres of music and historical periods.
- Performances: Students perform the National Anthem at the Homecoming Football Game and two performances on two concerts (December and April)
8th Grade
Mathematics
Math 8
The 8th Grade Math course serves as a rigorous bridge to high school mathematics, focusing heavily on algebraic concepts and advanced geometry.
- Key Concepts: Solving multi-step equations, applying transformations (translations, reflections, rotations), and exploring properties of congruence and similarity.
- Major Focus Areas: Linear Equations, graphing slope, and solving systems using graphing, sustitution, and eliminiation.
- Additional Topics: Functions, exponents, and scientific notation.
Algebra 1
Algebra 1 is an intensive study of algebraic functions, equations, and inequalities that prepares students for advance high school math.
- Key Concepts: Solving Linear Equations & Inequalities, exploring Linear Functions (domain, range, slope, and models).
- Advance Topics: Systems of Linear Equations, Exponential Functions (growth, decay, sequences), and Polynomial Factoring.
- Quadratic Focus: Graphing, identifying zeros and vertex, and solving quadratic equations using factoring, the quadratic formula, and completing the square.
English Language Arts
The 8th grade ELA curriculum is theme-based and focuses on advanced literary analysis, rhetoric, and argumentative writing, all aligned to grade-level standards.
- Thematic Focus: Units explore the appeal of suspense and fear, how challenges shape the future, learning from tragic events, and the pursuit of freedom.
- Key Literary Skills: Students analyze fiction and nonfiction, focusing on point of view, foreshadowing, rhetorical devices, claims, evidence, and counterclaims.
- Key Writing and Projects: Students complete literary analysis essays, CEI essays, summaries, and book presentations. Class novels may include: Coraline, The Outsiders or The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.
Science
Eighth-grade science sourse primarily focuses on Physical Science and Earth Science.
- Earth Science Focus: Topics include Ecology and Geological Processes.
- Life Science Focus: Ecology
- Physical Science Focus: topics include Chemistry and Materials, Chemical Reactions, Forces and Interactions, and Waves.
- Skills and Assessments: Emphasizes engineering design, data analysis, and constructioning explanations. Assessments include Curriculum Assessments, Analysis Questions, and CERs (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning)
Social Studies
Eighth-grade Social Studies focuses on Civics and Government standards and mandates. Units cover the Foundations of Government, U.S. Constitution, and Illinois Constitution, exploring citizenship, civil rights, nad political systems. Students also study modern societal issues such as redlining and gerrymandering, using resources from iCivics.org and IllinoisCivics.org.
What I Need (WIN)
A dedicated period where students receive support based on their individual academic needs. WIN time provides targeted instruction in reading, math, and study skills to help all students grow. They also will be working on some project based learning projects throughout the school year.
Physical Education
Eighth-grade PE focuses on developing the skills and knowledge needed for students to confidently pursue an active, healthy lifestyle both during and after high school Students will demonstrate advanced motor skills and complex movements used in a variety of team and individual sports, as well as specialized activities like adventure education, dance, and personal fitness. A key goal is for students to understand the strategies and tactics behind these movements, enabling them to make informed, healthful decisions about their physical activity. The program empowers students to maintain health-enhancing levels of fitness by valuing physical activity for the enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction it provides, ultimately preparing them to lead active lives as adults.
Technology (1 Trimester)
Think of this course as an introduction to coding. Scratch focuses on block based coding. Students will learn the basics of game creation, and physics related to games. In robotics, students use Lego Mindstorm kits to navigate challenges. Lastly, in Python students will practice coding through basic functions.
Art (1 Trimester)
This course explores various 2D and 3D mediums and sets students up to be ready for high school art. Students work both individually through choice board exploration and experimentation and as a classroom.
Exploritory Agriculture (1 Trimester)
This course takes middle school students through an exploration of the daily impact of agriculture. This course introduces students to the history of agriculture, the use of plants and animals we use and consume as well as explores future career opportunities in the the industry.
Band (Elective - 3 days/week)
This course is open to all middles chool students and is designed as an extension to the skills and fundamentals learned in the Intermediate Band Class. Students will continue to develop skills in reading musical notation, reading rhythms and tone production.
- Performances: Students will perform at two concerts (December and April)
Choir (Elective - 2 days/week)
This course is open to all middles chool students and focuses on developing the student's vocal and musical skills through the signing of a varied repertoire of music. Through the repertoire, students explore multiple genres of music and historical periods.
- Performances: Students perform the National Anthem at the Homecoming Football Game and two performances on two concerts (December and April)