Middle School Required Courses
Language Arts Science Social Studies Math Options Health and PE
Grade 7 Courses
Language Arts 7
Life Science
American Experience
Appropriate Math Course
Health and Physical Education 7 (semester)
Electives (See Middle School Electives page)
Grade 8 Courses
Language Arts 8
Earth Science
Global Studies
Health and Physical Education 8 (semester)
Algebra Concepts or Algebra 1
Electives (See Middle School Electives page)
Language Arts
Language Arts 7
Tara Bladow
tbladow@blueskyschool.org
This class has been designed to introduce interesting standards-based instruction that focuses on individual students’ strategy and skill development in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking. Grade-level literature will be introduced; short stories, the novel and works of non-fiction will be examined. Reading and writing skills will be taught and reviewed. Course assignments satisfy Minnesota state standards in Language Arts.
Language Arts 8
Angie Klopstad
aklopstad@blueskyschool.org
In this course, students will read, comprehend and analyze a variety of classic and contemporary literature selections, which will also be supported by spelling, grammar, and vocabulary exercises. Students will write frequently in several forms, including poetry, stories, essays, research reports, and others. Discussion boards will enhance communication skills such as effectively presenting ideas and opinions, adjusting for audience and purpose, and participating in group discussions.
Science
Life Science (Grade 7)
Leah Sickmann
lsickmann@blueskyschool.org
In this course the students will learn what makes up the various components of life. Topics covered in the first half of the year will include cells, tissues, organs, genetics, viruses, bacteria, plants and animals. The second half of the year will include environmental topics that affect us all as well. We will be completing a variety of assignments from multiple choice to projects that allow for student creativity. Students even get to complete a virtual frog dissection.
Earth Science (Grade 8)
Leah Sickmann
lsickmann@blueskyschool.org
Earth science is a class that covers all aspects of the planet we live on. Topics covered will include plate tectonics, geology, earthquakes, volcanoes, weather, stars, planets, the solar system and erosion. During the second half of the year we will cover environmental topics like water conservation, global warming and recycling. The class tends to have a variety of assignments including labs, written assignments, videos and interactive demonstrations.
Social Studies
American Experience (Grade 7)
Jeff Weiberg
jweiberg@blueskyschool.org
How did things get to be the way they are? How did America become what it is? What are the things that have changed over time and what is it that has stayed the same over the years? What does it mean to be an American? Students will look at this country of ours and discover how what happened yesterday affects what happens today.
Global Studies (Grade 8)
Jeff Weiberg
jweiberg@blueskyschool.org
This course is a Geo-Trek in which students explore people, places, and locations around the world to see how humans have used the Earth for both good and bad. Students will be explorers, uncovering mysteries and discovering the reasons things are the way they are. Students are encouraged to bring their curiosity and questions along on our journey. Mysteries are waiting to be solved!
Math Options
BlueSky middle school students are required to a full-year mathematics course each year. Students are enrolled in math classes that match their abilities. The following classes are commonly taken by middle school students. Students with advanced math abilities may be placed in high-school level math courses on a case-by-case basis.
General Math A & B
Jim Weiberg
jweiberg@blueskyschool.org
This class is designed to prepare students for future math classes. It includes the NCTM Standards. Students will cover information on numbers and operations, data analysis and probability, algebra, geometry, measurement, problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections and representation. We will start out looking at decimals and integers, equations and inequalities, and then move on to exponents, factors, and fractions. We then look at operations with fractions and ratios, rates, proportions and percents. Geometry and measurement are also covered. We will touch on graphing in the coordinate plane, displaying and analyzing data and using probability.
Pre-Algebra Applications
Heidi Kelbel
hkelbel@blueskyschool.org
This class covers a variety of topics that will help students in future math classes as well as your everyday life.We will start out with basic math skills and move up to solving equations, graphing linear equations, using formulas in geometry, and exploring data and statistics. We will be taking math concepts and looking at how we can use them in the real world.
8th Grade Algebra A & B
Marty Brandl
mbrandl@blueskyschool.org
This is a year-long Algebra 1 course designed to help students master introductory, intermediate, and some beginning advanced topics in Algebra. It follows Pre-Algebra and serves as a prerequisite to Geometry in a traditional math track. The topics include order of operations, properties of real numbers, exponents, inequalities, absolute value, ratios, proportions, percents, relations, functions, direct variation, rate of change, graphing linear equations, factoring, word problems, geometric and real-world applications, measures of central tendency, and probability. Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra Applications or General Math.
Health and Physical Education
Health and Physical Education (Grade 7)
Andrea Michels
amichels@blueskyschool.org
This course will focus on the Body Systems. Each student will learn how lifestyle, the environment and their genetics can impact each body system. Students will identify healthy lifestyle habits that relate to nutrition, physical fitness, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs prevention. They will also look at how diseases can impact each of these systems of the body.
The second component of this class is the physical fitness requirement. Each student will be required to participate in 3-5 sessions of physical activity lasting at least 20 minutes each week. Activities will be based on their personal interests. They will document and demonstrate this activity through a variety of evidence of their choosing. This course will meet the 7th grade physical fitness requirement. Semester 2 only.
Health and Physical Education (8th Grade)
Andrea Michels
amichels@blueskyschool.org
This course will focus on the topics of decision-making and lifestyle choices that impact your health and society at large. Areas of focus will be wellness, nutrition, physical fitness, and alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention. We will also discuss communicable and chronic diseases.
Also required of this course is participation in 3-5 sessions of physical activity lasting a minimum of 20 minutes per session each week. Activities will be based on each student’s individual interests. Students will be required to demonstrate their activity through evidence of their choice. This will meet the 8th grade physical fitness requirement. Semester 1 only.
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