Academics
- Academics
- English
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Electives
- Advanced Academics
- AVID
- Junior Cadet Corps
- Programs of Study
Academics
English
Grade 6 ELA
The focus is on the five strands of English Language Arts instruction; reading, writing, oral and written conventions, research, and listening and speaking skills. Students are expected to know how to locate a range of relevant sources and evaluate, synthesize, and present ideas and information as well as listen and respond to the ideas of others while contributing their own ideas in conversations and in groups. Students will learn the use of oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking, writing and reading. Students read, write and understand a wide variety of literary, expository, persuasive and informational texts, media literacy and poems. Students will also compose a variety of written texts with a clear controlling idea, coherent organization, and sufficient detail. A variety of strategies will aid students in developing form, style, purpose and voice in their writing. The writing process will be modeled, taught and practiced, with an emphasis on language conventions, editing and revising, as students learn to write increasingly complex texts. Collaboration, reflection, and peer editing will be used to develop writing comfort and style. Students will learn the use of oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking, writing and reading. Students read, write and understand a wide variety of literary, expository, persuasive and informational texts, media literacy and poems.
Grade 7 ELA
The focus is on the five strands of English Language Arts instruction; reading, writing, oral and written conventions, research, and listening and speaking skills. Students are expected to know how to locate a range of relevant sources and evaluate, synthesize, and present ideas and information as well as listen and respond to the ideas of others while contributing their own ideas in conversations and in groups. Students will learn the use of oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking, writing and reading. Students read, write and understand a wide variety of literary, expository, persuasive and informational texts, media literacy and poems.
This course will focus on the five strands of English Language Arts instruction; reading, writing, oral and written conventions, research, and listening and speaking skills. Students will also compose a variety of written texts with a clear controlling idea, coherent organization, and sufficient detail. A variety of strategies will aid students in developing form, style, purpose and voice in their writing. The writing process will be modeled, taught and practiced, with an emphasis on language conventions, editing and revising, as students learn to write increasingly complex texts. Collaboration, reflection, and peer editing will be used to develop writing comfort and style. Students will learn the use of oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking, writing and reading. Students read, write and understand a wide variety of literary, expository, persuasive and informational texts, media literacy and poems.
Grade 8 ELA
The focus is on the five strands of English Language Arts instruction; reading, writing, oral and written conventions, research, and listening and speaking skills. Students are expected to know how to locate a range of relevant sources and evaluate, synthesize, and present ideas and information as well as listen and respond to the ideas of others while contributing their own ideas in conversations and in groups. Students will learn the use of oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking, writing and reading. Students read, write and understand a wide variety of literary, expository, persuasive and informational texts, media literacy and poems.
This course will focus on the five strands of English Language Arts instruction; reading, writing, oral and written conventions, research, and listening and speaking skills. Students will compose a variety of written texts with a clear controlling idea, coherent organization, and sufficient detail. A variety of strategies will aid students in developing form, style, purpose and voice in their writing. The writing process will be modeled, taught and practiced, with an emphasis on language conventions, editing and revising, as students learn to write increasingly complex texts. Collaboration, reflection, and peer editing will be used to develop writing comfort and style. Students will learn the use of oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking, writing and reading. Students read, write and understand a wide variety of literary, expository, persuasive and informational texts, media literacy and poems.
Resources
Math
6th grade:
1st Nine Weeks- Students will understand whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers, factors and multiples, as well as, applying operations to whole numbers fractions and decimals.
2nd Nine Weeks- Students will study proportionality and algebraic representations and applications. Students will also explore geometry with angles, triangles and quadrilaterals.
3rd Nine Weeks- Students will apply measurement to two-dimensional figures, capacity, weight, time, temperature and volume. Students will also cover statistical representations and analyze them.
4th Nine Weeks- Students will study probability and learn how to make connections between all concepts.
7th grade:
1st Nine Weeks- Students will understand and learn how to apply operations to integers and positive rational numbers. They will also study applications of similar figure representations.
2nd Nine Weeks- Students will study geometry as it applies to coordinate planes, graphing transformations, and perspectives. Students will also examine algebraic expressions and equations.
3rd Nine Weeks: Students will apply measurement to two and three dimensional figures along with analyzing statistical representations.
4th Nine Weeks: Students will explore probability and learn how to make connects between all concepts.
8th grade:
1st Nine Weeks: Students will study operations of rational numbers as well as proportionality.
2nd Nine Weeks: Students will review transformations on a coordinate plane and perspectives. Students will explore algebraic representations, irrational numbers and Pythagorean Theorem.
3rd Nine Weeks: Students will apply measurements to two and three dimensional figures, discuss probability, and analyze statistical representations.
4th Nine Weeks: Students will discover how to make connections to other concepts and investigate the graphing calculator.
Resources
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics has tips and ideas on how you can help your child be successful in school.
Figure This! discusses how family members are crucial to student success. This site provides informational brochures to help families become more involved.
TEA provides the essential student expectations required to be successful at passing the STAAR. The TEKS for grades 6-8 are provided in the link below.
This online math dictionary for kids gives students an opportunity to make connections between vocabulary words and examples while at home.
Our Holt Mathematics textbook provides homework help, a multilingual glossary, lab resources, parental resources as well as games. Note: 6th grade is Course 1, 7th grade is Course 2, and 8th grade is Course 3.
Khan Academy is an online lesson resource that provides practice as well as teaching videos for students struggling.
Texas Success is a website that provides supplemental practice for students in any struggling area. It provides full lessons as well as videos. This is self paced and can be used as a tutoring or recovery tool.
Science
6th grade Science quick overview:
- Focus on Interactive, Hands-On Learning while exploring the following topics:
- Chemical Building Blocks
- Chemical Interactions
- Motion, Forces, and Energy
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Sound and Light
7th Grade Science quick overview:
- Focus on Interactive, Hands-On Learning while exploring the following topics:
- Cells and Heredity
- Work/Force/Motion
- Flow of energy
- Food chains versus food web
- Photosynthesis
- Weathering and erosion/natural disasters
- Organisms and the environment
- Light in the Solar System
- Human Biology and Health
- Environmental Science
- Chemical and physical changes in digestion
8th grade science quick overview:
- Focus on Interactive, Hands-On Learning while exploring the following topics:
- Inside Earth
- Chemistry
- Periodic table trends
- Physical and chemical properties of metals, non metals, and metalloids
- Force and motion- Newton's laws
- Density
- Law of conservation of mass
- Earth's Changing Surface
- Earth's Water
- Weather and Climate
- Astronomy
- There will be daily use of an assignment notebook. Students are responsible for incomplete and overdue homework. Grades will be posted to Skyward.
Resources
Students can play science vocabulary hangman with any grade level STAAR terms from 5-8 grade
Interactive science game sight, just click on student center or games and puzzles or science videos at the top of the page. Who wants to be a millionaire, hangman, videos of awesome science experiments and demonstrations are just a few of the fun things this site has to offer.
8th grade STAAR prep courses. STAAR vocab flash cards with answers and another game of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Social Studies
6th grade Social Studies quick overview:
In 6th grade social studies, students study World Cultures. Students study people, places, and societies of the contemporary world. Places that are included are: Europe, Russia and the Eurasian republics, North America, Middle America Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Southwest Asia-North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific realm.
7th grade Social Studies quick overview:
In 7th grade social studies, students study Texas History. Students examine the full scope of Texas history, including Natural Texas and its People plus the beginnings of European Exploration through Contemporary Texas eras.
8th grade Social Studies quick overview:
In 8th grade social studies, students study United States History. Content includes the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction. Students take a STAAR test over U.S. History curriculum at the end of 8th grade.
Resources
Electives
Art
BEGINNING ART
This course is designed for the student who has not had instruction in art. This course will explore the different mediums of art including painting, drawing, and ceramics. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders may take this course.
INTERMEDIATE ART
This course is designed for the student who has already had art instruction and has submitted an art portfolio for approval by the instructor. This course will explore the different mediums of art including painting, drawing, and ceramics. Students will participate in one art show each semester.
ADVANCED ART
This course is designed for the student who completed Advanced Art I or Art I in the sixth grade. The student must submit an art portfolio for approval by the instructor. This course will explore the different mediums of art including painting, drawing, and ceramics. Students will participate in one art show each semester and will have the opportunity to participate in VASE.
Band
(School code: adamsband)
Use the above link to find information on:
- Band Handbook
- Handouts
- Instrument Fees
- Trip Payments
- Uniforms
- Upcoming Band Events
- Upcoming Rehearsals
- Volunteer Needs
- And much more!
Adams Band Calendar (School Code: adamsband)
“Music has a power of forming the character, and should therefore be introduced into the education of the young.” - Aristotle
Ashley Crowder - Director of Bands
* Symphonic Band Remind * Concert Band Remind * Beginner Band Remind
Career Explorations
Welcome to the investigating world of CEC! The goal of this course is to create a culture of high expectation and continuous improvement that provides middle school students with a foundation for success in high school, future studies, and careers. Students explore college and career planning within specific career cluster(s). The students research labor market information, learn job-seeking skills, and create documents required for employment. Students use self-knowledge to explore and set realistic goals.
Career Exploration Class Syllabus
CEC Links
Word Wall Set 1
Computer Basics Survey
Career Cluster Series
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Career Search
O*NET Online
Career Search
I Seek Careers
Career, Education, Job Resource
Theater
Advanced Academics
Mission
"The Grand Prairie ISD Advanced Academics Program is committed to ensuring that our highest ability learners are challenged to meet their potential and that curriculum and learning opportunities are in line with their needs, interests, and abilities."
Advanced Courses and Programs of Study
Why PRE AP?
Free preparation for the challenges in college while still in high school!
Choose AP
Are you ready for a unique learning experience that will help you succeed in college? Through AP's college-level courses and exams, you can earn college credit and advanced placement, stand out in the admission process, and learn from some of the most skilled, dedicated, and inspiring teachers in the world.
From the moment you enter an AP classroom, you'll notice the difference—in the teacher's approach to the subject, in the attitude of your classmates, in the way you start to think. In AP classrooms, the focus is not on memorizing facts and figures. Instead you'll engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively.
Useful Links
Duke Tip is a scouting tool for Duke University to put our young scholars “on the map.” Recognition for high achievement is determined through the SAT test. Duke offers this experience to qualifying 7th grade students.
AVID
AVID Mission Statement
AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.
Why AVID?
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an in-school academic support program for students. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for college eligibility, career preparation and success as early as elementary school.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) has created a program to provide students with tools and strategies for academic and social success in school, higher education and beyond. According to the organization, AVID is more than just a program, rather, "At its heart, AVID is a philosophy: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge.”
Since 2007, GPISD has instituted the AVID program in 2 high schools, 2 multi-level (6-12) schools, 5 middle schools, 2 multi-level (PK-8) schools, and 1 elementary school. Of those, Grand Prairie High School earned the distinction of AVID National Demonstration School, which is the highest AVID distinction; and most recently, South Grand Prairie High School, AVID Schoolwide Site.
Junior Cadet Corps
Building Stronger Leaders Inside and Out
Digital Arts & Technology Academy at Adams Middle School is proud to expand its opportunities for student achievement and leadership through the first National Middle School Cadet Corps (NMSCC) in Grand Prairie ISD. Through the implementation of the Cadet Corps curriculum, students will experience new learning and strategies that will prepare them for college and career opportunities in STEM, humanities, business, the service industry and more.
Program Goals:
- Develop leadership and build character
- Create informed, patriotic, and responsible citizens
- Develop responsible young adults who are physically, mentally, and morally fit
- Develop informed and civic-minded young adults prepared for higher education, civilian careers, and public service
- Instill structure, respect, and responsibility through challenging activities
Learning Objectives:
During the course of the school year, the student will have the opportunity to learn the following knowledge and skill objectives:
- Individual rights, responsibilities, privileges, and freedoms that underline good citizenship for constituted authority
- Leadership potential and the ability to live and work cooperatively with orders
- The ability to think logically and to effectively communicate orally and in writing
- The importance of a well balanced diet and physical training in maintaining good health
- An understanding of the history, purpose, and structure of JROTC
- Basic military skills, such as drill and ceremony, first aid, and map reading
- Citizenship, as it pertains to American culture and its future
- Knowledge of the dangers of substance abuse
- The importance of goal setting and positive thinking
- Personality traits
- Teamwork and group dynamics
- Community services
Programs of Study
DATA at Adams Middle School is proud to offer students a choice option in GPISD with the Digital Media Technology and Communications program. This provides students exciting opportunities to become experts in developing video games, animated productions, graphic media and more.
If you are a 6th grade student you will explore state of the art technology and become introduced to digital learning in the class Technology Applications.
- Principles of Information Technology (7th Grade)
- Principles of Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications (8th Grade)
Principles of Information Technology (7th Grade)
Students in Principles of Information Technology will learn how to build and render web pages and other technologies for web applications, such as HTML, JavaScript, Audio and Video, Mobile Web, Privacy, and Math on the Web including mobile app creation and publishing. This is a 7th grade class that will provide high school credit upon completion of the course.
Pathway Projects
Principles of Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications (8th Grade)
Students in Principles of AAVTC will develop production and performance skills. In here, Students could learn image editing, design, they can build broadcasting skills, design sets, storyboard, and even develop completed films to learn what it takes to be a director, producer, or actor. This is a 8th grade class that will provide high school credit upon completion of the course.