The purpose of this course is to provide continuous instruction in the acquisition of functional reading skills to help students develop the competence and proficiency in reading using a wide variety of texts. The content should include, but not be limited to, the Sunshine State Student Performance Standards. The course will focus on students’ independence, confidence, and lifelong desire to read. Students are placed in this course based on 6th grade FCAT scores. Those scoring at or below a level 2 FCAT SSS or 60th percentile on FCAT NRT are automatically placed in this course.

The purpose of this course is to develop the ability to use, interpret, and appreciate spoken and written English. The content should include, but not be limited to, the study of literature, use of the writing process for creative, expository, and persuasive purposes, speaking, spelling, listening, critical thinking activities, study skills, use of reference materials, development of reading strategies, and related career possibilities.

LANGUAGE ARTS 7, ADVANCED

The purpose of this course is to promote academic excellence in reading, writing, oral communication, critical thinking, and study skills. The contents should include, but not be limited to, use of the writing process for creative, expository, and persuasive purposes, advanced reading, critical thinking activities, vocabulary, study skills, and language arts related career opportunities.

LANGUAGE ARTS 7, GIFTED

The purpose of this course is to promote academic excellence in Language Arts through enriched experiences in literature, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking. Study skills and student responsibility are paramount. The course content will include, but not be limited to the study of traditional and contemporary literature, application of the writing process in expressive and academic modes, the utilization of the higher-order reading skills, intense vocabulary exercises, and the practise of formal and informal speaking and listening activities.** Summer reading and coursework may be assigned. Critical thinking is integrated into all components of the course. The course incorporates the goals and objectives contained in the "Resource Manual for Gifted Programs" and is available only to students staffed into the Gifted Program.

The purpose of this course is to provide remedial instruction and practice in mathematics skills and concepts. The content will be identified by diagnosis of the student’s needs based on his/her performance on the SSS Math test. At the end of this course the student should be prepared to continue his/her math education at a non-remedial level.

Prerequisite: Students who scored Level 1 on the FCAT Math SSS test.

This course continues to develop mathematical content fundamental to high level course work. It is a general math course that is based on the Math Strands of the Sunshine State Standards. This course has a moderate pace usually covering only a single concept per lesson and still provides single concept exercises, although introducing multi-concept exercises at an easy pace. On a daily basis, students are expected to spend a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes on homework. Upon completion of Math 7 the student will be able to compute and solve multi-step problems using rational numbers without dependence on calculators.

Prerequisite: successful completion of grade 6 math.

This course is designed to complete the transition from arithmetic skills to higher level mathematical content with an emphasis on algebraic skills. The text used is different from the 7th grade regular text and the course moves at a faster pace. The students are expected to handle more than one section of content in a lesson and be able to deal with multi-concept problems. On a daily basis, students are expected to spend a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes on homework. Mastery of basic computational skills is required. These students should be highly motivated, academically self-disciplined, and self-directed.

Prerequisites: Students will be considered for placement in this class if they meet at least 3 of the following criteria - 90th percentile Math NRT and 80th percentile Reading NRT, Level 4 Math SSS, 3.5 Math GPA, Placement Test 90% mastery, Teacher Recommendation.

This course will cover the first half of the Algebra I Honors program. It is designed to develop the algebraic concepts and processes that can be used to solve a variety of real world and mathematical problems. On a daily basis, students are expected to spend a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes on homework. Mastery of basic computation skills is required. At the end of this course the students should be able to write, solve and graph linear equations and inequalities, absolute values equations and inequalities in preparation for the second half of the Algebra I Honors program.

Prerequisites: Students will be considered for placement in this class if they meet at least 3 of the following criteria - 90th percentile Math NRT and 80th percentile Reading NRT, levell 4 Math SSS, 3.5 Math GPA, Placement Test score at least 50 out of 63, Teacher Recommendation.

The specific course of study for GEM 7 is Algebra I Honors. Students qualify for the course only if they have successfully completed GEM 6. These should be A/B students who have demonstrated mastery of the skills taught in the prerequisite class, GEM 6, as evidenced by their grades and exam scores.

This is a high school level course. The purpose of this course is to provide a rigorous and in-depth study of algebra, emphasizing deductive reasoning skills, as a foundation for more advanced mathematics courses. The content should include, but not be limited to: operations and properties used within the real number system, algebraic and graphical solutions to first-degree equations and inequalities in one and two variables, operations with polynomials, rational and irrational algebraic expressions, quadratic equations, quadratic inequalities, and quadratic functions. Throughout this course students are expected to develop the skills needed to solve mathematical problems. There is a strong emphasis on algebraic problem solving. This course has a fast pace, requires 30-45 minutes of homework daily, and involves independent work. Students should be highly motivated, responsible, self-directed, and committed to spending the time required to gain proficiency with the content skills. Tests involve questions requiring the application of skills learned.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to continue to build on their experiences as it relates to the study of science. Interactions in the physical world, including physics, electricity, and magnetism are covered. Earth’s resources and the forces that shape them, along with man’s actions on them are also covered. Cell theory and life processes are investigated as well. Understanding processes that formed the earth, as well as astronomy covering our solar system are also explored. Students will be expected to complete projects and demonstrations. External resources, such as the Internet and current articles from scientific literature will be used to broaden the student’s knowledge.

The purpose of this course is to provide gifted students with the opportunity to continue to build on their experiences as it relates to the study of science, interactions in the physical world, including Newtonian physics, electricity and magnetism. Earth’s resources and the forces that shape them, along with man’s actions on them are also covered. Cell theory and life processes are investigated as well. Understanding processes that formed the earth , as well as astronomy covering our solar system are also included. Because this course requires advanced thinking skills and an enhanced curriculum utilizing math and formula solving, students should be enrolled in either the GEM math program or the Advanced Math program. Additionally, students will be expected to complete projects and demonstrations that are consistent with a rigorous, academically challenging program. External resources, such as the Internet and current articles from scientific literature will be used to broaden the student’s knowledge. Students should be enrolled in Gifted Language Arts and Gifted World Geography classes as well.

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop multicultural understanding, use geography concepts and skills to actively seek information, and systematically apply decision-making processes to real-life situations. The content should include, but not be limited to, world political regions in terms of location, physical characteristics, population and culture, historical change, economic activity, and land use.

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop multicultural understanding, and use geography concepts and skills to actively seek information, and systematically apply decision-making processes to real-life situations. The content should include, but not be limited to, world political regions in terms of location, physical characteristics, population and culture, historical change, economic activity, and land use. This advanced course emphasizes critical thinking and application skills. Projects and demonstrations are consistent with a rigorous, academically-oriented course and students are expected to demonstrate their commitment to quality work.

The purpose of this course is to provide students an opportunity to acquire an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the six essential elements of geography (e.g. the world in spatial terms, places and regions, physical systems, human systems, environment and society), and the uses of geography. The content should include, but not be limited to, the study of world regions as they related to topography, climate, political divisions, natural resources, and interrelationships of people and their environment. Students will utilize the content areas of this course to increase growth in evaluation skills, investigatory skills, problem formulation skills, critical thinking skills, planning skills, and social skills. This course incorporates the goals and objectives in the "Resource Manual for Gifted Programs" and is available only to students staffed into the Gifted Program.

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop multicultural understanding, use geography concepts and skills to actively seek information, and systematically apply decision-making processes to real-life situations. The content should include, but not be limited to, world political regions in terms of location, physical characteristics, population and culture, historical change, economic activity, and land use. This course shall integrate the Goal 3 Student Performance Standards of the Florida System of School Improvement and Accountability as appropriate to the content and processes of the subject matter.

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop multicultural understanding, and use geography concepts and skills to actively seek information, and systematically apply decision-making processes to real-life situations. The content should include, but not be limited to, world political regions in terms of location, physical characteristics, population and culture, historical change, economic activity, and land use. This course shall integrate the Goal 3 Student Performance Standards of the Florida System of School Improvement and Accountability as appropriate to the content and processes of the subject matter. This advanced course emphasizes critical thinking and application skills. Additionally, students will be expected to complete projects and demonstrations that are consistent with a rigorous, academically-oriented course.

WORLD GEOGRAPHY 7, GIFTED

The purpose of this course is to provide students an opportunity to acquire an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the six essential elements of geography (e.g. the world in spatial terms, places and regions, physical systems, human systems, environment and society), and the uses of geography. The content should include, but not be limited to, the study of world regions as they related to topography, climate, political divisions, natural resources, and interrelationships of people and their environment. Selection consideration meets the middle school requirement for United States and World Geography. Students will utilize the content areas of this course to increase growth in evaluation skills, investigatory skills, problem formulation skills, critical thinking skills, planning skills, social and self-awareness skills. This course incorporates the goals and objectives in the "Resource Manual for Gifted Programs" and is available only to students staffed into the Gifted Program.