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BRIDGES ACADEMY Middle School Curriculum Guide 2026-2027

CORE CURRICULUM HUMANITIES HUMANITIES 7 Humanities is a blend of Social Studies and Language Arts. In the 7th grade, students will read novels, short stories, poetry, memoirs, articles, and other thought-provoking texts. With an emphasis on critical reading, students will improve their ability to infer main ideas and themes in readings and in history. Through creative projects, essays, and discussions, students will make well-reasoned claims supported by relevant evidence to demonstrate their learning.

HUMANITIES 8 In this 8th grade Humanities course, students will explore key events, ideas, and gures that have shaped U.S. history, from colonization to Reconstruction and beyond. The course will connect historical analysis with reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Students will engage with primary and secondary sources, participate

in discussions, and complete creative and analytical writing assignments and projects. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of the historical foundations of the United States and how these events in uence modern society.

MATH STUDENTS PLACE INTO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

FOUNDATIONAL MATH Our Foundational Math course strengthens essential skills and con dence through place value, whole-number operations, decimals, fractions, patterns, coordinate-plane reasoning, and geometry. Students use models, multiple representations, guided practice, and re ection to develop conceptual understanding, procedural uency, mathematical reasoning, and real-world application while preparing for increasingly complex middle school mathematics.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH

Our Middle School Mathematics course develops the core mathematical understanding, uency, and problem-solving skills students need to progress successfully into Pre-Algebra and later algebra coursework. Students will strengthen number sense while working with expressions, equations and inequalities, ratios, proportions, percents, functions and graphing, geometry, measurement, probability, and statistics. Throughout the course, students will explain their thinking,

make connections across concepts, apply mathematics to real-world situations, re ect on their progress, and develop increasing con dence and independence as mathematical learners.

PREALGEBRA Our Pre-Algebra course builds the mathematical understanding, uency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills students need for Algebra I. Students strengthen number sense and algebraic reasoning through expressions, equations and inequalities, ratios and proportions, functions and graphing, systems of equations, geometry, measurement, probability, and statistics. Throughout the course, students develop conceptual understanding, procedural uency, mathematical reasoning, and real-world application while building con dence and independence.

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Our Algebra course develops students' ability to represent, analyze, and solve mathematical relationships while building the foundation for future mathematics courses. Students will work with equations and inequalities, functions and linear models, systems, exponents and exponential functions, polynomials and factoring, quadratics, rational and radical expressions, and statistics. Throughout the course, students will connect multiple representations, explain their reasoning, choose e cient strategies, and apply algebra to real-world situations through guided practice, problem-solving, and re ection.

GEOMETRY The focus of Geometry is for students to understand the core mathematical concepts of the discipline by learning vocabulary, signs, expressions, and applications in preparation for advanced high school mathematics. Additionally, students will learn to ask appropriate and insightful questions; develop resourcefulness and problemsolving skills across the curriculum by using multiple methods; and become more comfortable with expressing their ideas through using the language of mathematics.

SCIENCE MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE Middle School Science is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the physical sciences while building their skills in inquiry, experimentation, and analysis. The course integrates hands-on projects, labs, reports, and collaborative discussions to create an engaging and comprehensive learning experience.

In this course, students will explore Newtonian physics by investigating motion, forces, and energy, as well as the principles of uid dynamics. They will study the fundamentals of electricity and circuitry, applying their knowledge to realworld systems and problem solving. The course will also examine the solar system and the geologic history of Earth, helping students understand the processes that have shaped our planet and its place in the universe. With an emphasis on phenomenon-based and model-based learning, students will engage in experiments and projects that develop their ability to think critically, interpret data, and communicate scienti c ideas.

ELECTIVES STUDENTS CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING:

ART Middle School Visual Arts is a year-long studio course in which students explore a variety of artistic materials, techniques, and approaches through drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, ber arts, and design. Students strengthen skills in observation, composition, color, value, texture, form, visual communication, and creative problem-solving while experimenting with both representational and imaginative approaches to artmaking. Throughout the year, students develop ideas, make intentional artistic choices, transform observations and experiences into original work, and re ne their artwork through practice, feedback, and revision. Students encounter artists and artistic traditions from a range of cultures, time periods, and perspectives and consider how artists use visual choices to communicate ideas, emotions, identity, and meaning. As their skills develop, students are given increasing opportunities for choice, independence, experimentation, re ection, and the development of an individual artistic voice.

FILM

Sound is Storytelling explores how lmmakers use sound to create action, emotion, setting, and meaning. Students listen closely to the world around them and discover how Foley artists use everyday objects to make sounds for movies. They record sounds, build a sound library, and practice matching sounds to on-screen actions. Students also explore how

music, sound e ects, and silence can change the way a scene feels. The course concludes with groups creating a complete soundtrack for a short scene without dialogue.

MEDIA TECHNOLOGY Computer Science is a hands-on course that explores the intersection of technology, creativity and digital media. Students will develop skills in interactive media, digital design, image editing and digital storytelling while learning how technology can be used as a creative tool. Students will work with platforms such as Scratch and Photoshop and will have opportunities to create projects that re ect their individual interests and ideas. Throughout the year students will learn to plan, create, experiment, revise and present their digital work.

PERFORMING ARTS

Drama is the art of storytelling through voice, movement and imagination. In this course, students will explore the foundations of theatre, develop acting and collaboration skills, and create original performances. Through improvisation, character development, rehearsal and production, students will learn how to express themselves, work as an ensemble, and bring characters and stories to life on stage.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

STUDENTS CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING COURSES PER QUARTER:

BALL SPORTS Ball sports provide students with opportunities to develop physical competence, strategic thinking, teamwork, leadership, communication skills, and lifelong tness habits. Through participation in diverse sport settings, students learn to collaborate, compete respectfully, solve problems, and maintain healthy lifestyles.

ENDURANCE CLUB

Endurance Club is an 8-week course focused on developing cardiovascular tness, stamina, and healthy habits through a variety of endurance-based activities. Students will explore jogging, walking, interval training, tness games, and other forms of continuous movement while learning about pacing, recovery, goal setting, and safe training practices. Throughout the course, students will set personal tness goals, track their progress, and re ect on the strategies that help them improve. The course will culminate in a personal Endurance Challenge, giving students an opportunity to apply what they have learned and celebrate their individual growth.

INTRODUCTION TO WEIGHT TRAINING Introduction to Weight Training is an eight-week physical education course that teaches beginning lifters how to participate safely and con dently in structured strength training. Students follow instructor-designed four-day circuit routines using dumbbells, resistance bands, supported movements, and available equipment. Instruction emphasizes safe technique, equipment use, major muscle groups, RPE, responsible partner behavior, and personal growth. Success is measured through safe participation, consistent engagement, and technique rather than weight lifted or comparison with others.

MINDFULNESS Students will gain an understanding of the meaning of mindfulness and how we can intentionally practice and bene t from mindfulness throughout the day. Students will identify and implement personal best practices in the area of movement and activity based mindfulness and identify what those preferences say about them as practitioners of mindfulness. Finally students will examine mindfulness with a multicultural lens to gain understanding of how world culture and history has impacted mindfulness and mindful practices.

TAE KWON DO

This course presents the basics of Tae Kwon Do while also incorporating techniques from other arts. We will focus on how to e ectively defend yourself while also building life skills like discipline and con dence.

WALKING/HIKING/STRETCHING

Through activities such as stretching and aerobic exercise, students will develop an understanding of how physical activity contributes to overall health and wellness. Students will learn strategies for improving their physical tness, strength, exibility, and endurance. They will explore the bene ts of regular exercise and its role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Students will apply these skills and strategies to make informed choices that support their long-term health and well-being.

ENRICHMENT CLUSTER OPTIONS* ARTS + ARGUMENTS ATHLETICS BRIDGES BROADCAST NEWS JAMMING, MUSIC TECH, + MUSIC APPRECIATION POKEMON DEVELOPMENT: FROM IDEA TO DECK PHIDDLER NEWSPAPER ROBOTICS URBAN AGRICULTURE *These change based on student interests

INTERSESSION Intersession is a two week long, project-based learning experience designed around students’ interests and strengths. Students deeply explore topics while developing their skills in core academics like research, science, and writing as well as social emotional arenas like self awareness, social awareness, and con ict resolution.

Former intersession projects include “Castaway”, in which students had to gure out how to survive in speci c environments such as a rain forest, Antarctica, or a tropical island by building shelters, securing food, and adapting to the ecosystem. Another experience was to produce a musical entirely written, composed, arranged, and performed by the students.

ADVISORY Middle School advisories meet daily throughout the school year and give students the opportunity to engage in a variety of critical activities and discussions. Advisors are advocates for the students in their groups and host conferences with families, gather information about students’ strengths, and develop plans to support individual challenges. Members of the counseling team meet with advisories regularly for explicit social emotional instruction. These lessons include support with executive functioning skills, identity and friendship, understanding social cues, and health and wellness. Middle school students work on Genius Hour projects in advisory, pursuing sustained inquiry based on their passions and interests. Once a week advisory is devoted to academic support when students can check in with teachers and get help with homework from the learning specialist. Each advisory also devotes time to reading and community announcements.