Astronomy
[JMS only]
[elective, every other day]
Intended Audience: Grade 8
Major Outcomes:
• Learn about the properties of stars
and the constellations they belong to.
• Explore our Solar System with an
emphasis on the terrestrial planets
and the larger moons of the Solar
System.
• Develop an appreciation of the history
of the American space program and
the impact that NASA has made.
• Explore current events in space.
Projects/Activities: Construct a star
wheel, utilize the Jackson Middle School
Observatory [JMO], analyze light using
a spectroscope, engineering projects
to explore space travel concepts,
investigating geologic features of our
terrestrial planets and moons of the solar
system.
Instructional Focus: Students will work
individually and collaboratively on assign-
ments. Students will utilize math, sci-
ence, and research skills throughout the
year. Evening “public viewing” sessions
will be available at the JMO throughout
the year.
Environmental Science
[JMS only]
[elective, every other day]
Intended Audience: Grade 8
Major Outcomes:
• Characterize the biomes found in MN
and around the world by the interactions
of biotic and abiotic factors.
• Understand how the Earth works as
a system by the interaction of the
biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere,
and atmosphere staying in balance.
• Understand the tools used by the
environmental scientist to investigate
our world.
• Learn about global and local environ-
mental issues such as global climate
change, water pollution, air pollution,
and invasive species.
Middle School Registration Guide
Projects/Activities: Field skills will be put
into practice in the prairies, wetlands and
forests around JMS. Webquests will guide
student research on the Earth’s biomes and
spheres. Remote sensing tools will allow
students to study human impact on ecosys-
tems. Field studies will be done at Cedar
Creek Ecosystem Reserve. Classes will
design, and carry out a service learning
project on an environmental issue of their
choice.
Instructional Focus: Students will work on
problem analysis and research; field skills
will be developed with outdoor/hands-on
class activities.
Social Studies Courses
Minnesota Studies 6
[full year]
Intended Audience: Grade 6
Major Outcomes:
• Students study Minnesota history
and its government, placing the state
and its people within context of the
national story.
• Engage in historical inquiry and study
events, issues and individuals significant
to Minnesota history.
• Analyze the state’s physical features and
how the location of resources affected
settlement patterns and the growth of
cities.
• Learn about economics.
• Learn about the unique role Minnesota
played, and continues to play, in
regional, national and global events.
• Study current events and analyze their
global impact.
Instructional Focus: Instruction is presented
in a variety of way such as: class discussion,
small and large group activities, simulations,
and the use of technologies.
United States Studies 7
[full year]
Intended Audience: Grade 7
Major Outcomes:
• Grade seven features history as
the lead discipline.
• The interdisciplinary “Studies” approach
is further enhanced with important
government, citizenship, economics
and geography content that round
out the study of United States history.
• Learn about people, issues and events of
significance to this nation’s history from
1800 to the current era of globalization.
• Examine the Constitution and the Bill of
Rights, and Supreme Court decisions for
their lasting impact on the American people.
Projects/Activities: Students create and use
detailed maps of places in the United
States and conduct historical inquiry on a
topic in the nation’s history.
Instructional Focus: Instruction is presented
in a variety of ways: class discussion, small
and large group activities, simulations and
the use of technologies.
Global Studies 8
[full year]
Intended Audience: Grade 8
Major Outcomes:
• Understand the relationship between
physical and human geography through-
out each region of the world.
• Create and interpret a variety of maps,
calculate and estimate distance, scale,
density and spatial distribution
patterns around the world.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of
economic principles.
• Study current events and analyze their
global impact.
Instructional Focus: Instruction is presented in
a variety of ways: class discussion, small and
large group activities, simulations, and the
use of technology and geographical tools.
Special Education
Students with disabilities will be placed in
support services courses as determined by
their special education needs relating to
their disability as outlined in their Individual
Education Plan [IEP]. For more information
about the Special Education program in
general, please see the Assistance for
Students section on page 16 of this guide.
For individual student service questions,
please contact your child’s case manager.
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