Curriculum

Middle School Classes

6th Grade Social Studies

Sixth graders will take four quarters of social studies. Each quarter will focus on a different ancient culture or element of ancient history. These studies will emphasize ancient technologies and geography, and the ancient civilizations of Maya, Egypt, and Greece!

7/8 Language Arts

Students are in the same homeroom / LA group for 7th and 8th grades (mixed grade classes). Homeroom is a time to plan for activities such as camp, WEP, as well as to communicate with students about all-school events and organization. The 7/8 LA class continues the writer’s and reader’s model with an emphasis on different forms of writing, and a more rigorous use of book clubs and reading reflection. The 8th grade project is also included in the LA class.

Math

Salmon Bay School uses the district adopted Connected Mathematics curriculum in all grades. Topics are supplemented with other materials to provide students with extra practice and to ensure students are challenged. Students are grouped by grade level in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

PE

Our main goal in PE is to increase student confidence in physical fitness. We accomplish this by providing opportunities to build personal strength, flexibility and endurance while exposing students to a variety of individual, team, and alternative sports to develop sportsmanship and an overall appreciation of a variety of sports from around the world.

Science 6

A beginning biology course that starts with answering the question, “What is Life?” We then move to microscope use, then cell basics, plants, insects and searching for bacteria. We build on the scientific method to explore these topics.

Science 7/8

Our science curriculum in the 7th and 8th grade consists of learning about science content (the properties of matter, earth science, biology, and more) through inquiry based classes that incorporate content, lab skills, investigations and projects.

Social Studies 7/8

Social Studies has a two-year rotating curriculum. This year focuses on US History and Washington State History, which meet the high school graduation requirement for a Washington State History class.

Reading and Writing in the Sixth Grade

Each sixth grader will take a two-hour literacy block both semesters. In this block students will learn, and continue to develop, specific skills that will support their growth as independent writers and readers. The curriculum is centered around each student’s own experiences and interests. In addition to teaching the students the skills and craft they need to know for language-arts growth in whole class mini-lessons, the class will include one-on-one conferences between teacher and student for both subject areas. The conferences guide the student toward becoming independently aware of their growth and progress as learners

Technology - Middle School

All middle school students use computers for word processing, spreadsheets, classroom presentations, and the Internet. Our library catalog is accessible via the school district’s internet on every computer in our school.

Special Activities - Middle School

SERVICE LEARNING

MUSIC
Middle school students can participate in band, and the middle school marimba group. Before and OST, after school programs, such as jazz band and marimba are also available to middle school students.

OTHER SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Gay Straight Alliance, Shakespeare, Sports offerings, banking program.

WINTER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (WEP)
The winter enrichment program has been designed as a supplement to our middle school curriculum, with the goal of connecting every student to learning activities that interest him/her. The program is an extension of our school day and does not interfere with instructional minutes. The program typically runs on Fridays starting after Winter Break until Mid-Winter Break.

Middle school activities fees are collected for activities as they occur.

Scholarships
Scholarships to cover some or all of the elementary enrichment fees and middle school activities fees, including middle school WEP fees are available.

Special Education Program

Our special education program is a full inclusion model, with the opportunity for an academic support class with the specialist teacher and also affords extra adults available in the general education classrooms

Exploratory Classes - Middle School

Journalism
The main purpose of Journalism is to produce a student driven and directed paper. We study how to gather and synthesize information, how to write in a journalistic style, how to use technology to create a professional looking product, and how to ethically and responsibly represent our student body.

World Arts
At Salmon Bay student creativity guides our art curriculum. Every project, whether it is drawing and shading, sculpting clay, decorating Ukrainian eggs, or designing the school dance decorations is created with the intent to increase student creativity and effort.

Spanish
Spanish is one-semester introduction to Spanish language and culture. Students learn introductory words, vocabulary and language skills while also studying historical and cultural issues through weekly current events, videos and art projects.

Marimba (7-8th)
Marimba class is a general music class in which students learn the building blocks of musical expression while studying music from different cultures .The class culminates in a concert experience with the school bands.

Band
Symphonic Band is a daily elective class that offers students the opportunity to continue developing their musical skills while learning to play new music for performance. The class is open to all students playing traditional band instruments, as well as strings, with at least one prior year of instrumental study. Students with no experience who would like to play an instrument are welcome to join, but are strongly encouraged to seek private instruction to enhance their learning. Percussion spaces will be limited to fit the ensemble–please contact the instructor for an interview and for options. Performance opportunities will include assemblies, concerts and festivals throughout the year.

Teacher Assistant | TA (8th)

Designed for students who are responsible self-starters, the TA course give 8th graders a taste of the teaching life. Students are asked to help prepare materials, organize, and possibly mentor other students. TA’s are required to complete an additional application that requires signatures from parent, team leader, and supervising teacher.

Curriculum/Structure - Middle School

In our middle school, there are three teams: one 6th grade team and two teams that have 7th and 8th graders mixed.

6th Grade Team

Sixth graders have integrated homeroom/social studies, literacy block (2 periods per day), science/computer applications (one semester each) and one exploratory class.

Located in own section of building
Homeroom focused on homework planning, organization and life skills
Non-letter grades/assessment
Integrated Language Arts/Social Studies two-period block

7th-8th Grade Teams

Seventh and eighth graders are on one of two 7th-8th teams, Sam/Anna's Team or Melanie/Janet’s Team. Each student has the same teacher for first period for two years, and rotates among the other teachers on that team for core classes (social studies, language arts, science). 7/8 team curriculum is on a two-year cycle. Each student has a daily math class, P.E. and an exploratory class. Exploratory classes include world language, art, band, marimba,, student government, and drama.

All classes multi-age (7/8) except math
Culminating 8th grade project is high school level work
Leadership opportunities
Increased academic rigor

Alternative Education

Important elements of alternative education at the middle school level include a strong emphasis on project based learning, and the social and emotional growth of our students. Through the Winter Enrichment Program we offer our students a chance to try new activities and learn outside the classroom. We also emphasize independent, student led-learning, which culminates in an 8th grade project conceived and created by each individual student.

Curriculum - Elementary Level

Our “hands-on” curriculum helps students develop both inquiry and critical thinking skills in areas of reading, writing, science, history, and math.

A variety of learning centers make the classrooms lively, exciting places to explore
Integrated curriculum allows deeper learning connections
our students are readers; literacy is woven into all activities
A rich curriculum includes outdoor and environmental education, field trips and exploration of individual and cultural differences
Every student is an artist: instrumental music, singing, pottery and clay, design, marimba, drama, dance and movement.