Academics

Branciforte Middle offers an academic program that both pushes students' development and prepares them for success in High School. We work to build problem solving and critical thinking while broadening students' perspective on the world and helping them take agency in their learning. We believe in robust supports and high expectations to help students develop internal tools for success, and to foster an appetite for curiosity and ambition.

Humanities

Recognizing the social and academic needs of students, Branciforte has established a two-period year-long Humanities core class which balances group learning with individual learning. Student performance in writing and reading is assessed upon a set of state and district standards. Writing samples are compiled in a student portfolio in order to show evidence of student achievement and progress.

6th Grade Humanities Core: Language Arts and Social Studies
Students will use the McDougal Littell Language of Literature program and Core Literature to meet state standards in literacy. Our program incorporates important grammar and vocabulary skills to enhance writing. Students will learn literary concepts and active reading strategies that support academic, functional and recreational reading experiences. Throughout their reading, students will be encouraged to think critically.

The writing traits of organization, content, style, and conventions will be emphasized as the students are asked to write narrative, expository, and persuasive compositions.

Utilizing the text, A Message of Ancient Days, students in grade six will expand their understanding of history by studying the people and events that ushered in the dawn of major western and non-western ancient civilizations. Students will develop higher levels of critical thinking by considering why civilizations developed where and when they did. Students will be encouraged to explore the link, despite time, between the contemporary and ancient worlds of the Paleolithic Era, Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Middle East, Greece, India, China, and Rome.

7th Grade Humanities: English Language Arts and Social Studies
Social Studies focuses on world cultures from AD 500-1789, using the model of "cultural universals" to master ten qualities that characterize all societies. The text, Across the Centuries, provides a content base for the study of global tribal cultures, the rise and fall of empires in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, Medieval times in Europe and Japan, world religions, the Renaissance, Reformation and Exploration. Language Arts encompasses creative writing, the development of ideas into essays, vocabulary building, and mastery of writing conventions (grammar, punctuation, form and spelling), supported by the text, The Write Source 2000. Literature includes contemporary novels as well as historical and cultural studies. Our new literature series includes the Interactive Reader which gives students many different opportunities to explore, analyze, and synthesize concepts presented in a wide range of genres. The power of improving reading skills is the emphasis throughout the year.

8th Grade Humanities: English Language Arts and Social Studies

Students in Eighth Grade Humanities Core study the span of United States History from the American Revolution to the early 1900's era of industrialization and immigration. This year long course includes the geography of North America, causes of the American Revolution, the framing of the Constitution, perspectives on Manifest Destiny and Westward Movement, the Civil War and Reconstruction and Industrialization. Students also study important people who have contributed to events which shape the course of history and the development of our shared values.

Our textbooks provide students with key events and stories of U.S. History and help them to identify major themes. Several primary sources and classic novels add richness and depth to our studies some of which include the Autobiography of Frederick Douglass and materials from Stanford's Teaching Curriculum Institute. Literature which presents different points of view, writing styles, and genres is integral to our successful reading and writing program. Students read several historical novels and biographies throughout the year along with such classics as Johnny Tremain, Call of the Wild, and Animal Farm. We incorporate stories from McDougall Littell's Language of Literature textbook. It is expected that each student read twenty-four books a year by taking up our school wide reading challenge!

Writing skills are taught throughout the course. Types of writing instruction include expository, narrative, and poetry. Grammar and spelling are vital to the skills involved in a writer's repertoire and are therefore integrated into the instruction on a regular basis. All projects completed, whether group or individual, contain a writing and research component unifying all aspects of the subject taught.

7th and 8th grade students are assessed based on rubrics, tests, and participation. All students place exemplary work in their individual Standards-Based Language Arts Portfolios. Our Portfolios evaluate student work in the following areas:

Reading: Quality, Range and Depth, Comprehension and Analysis

Writing: Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive Communication, Writing as a Process, Control of Writing Conventions

These Portfolios are passed on to the students' Humanities Teachers and will help monitor progress toward District Standards in Language Arts.

College-Prep Math

Our Core Connections math courses are a 3 year sequence of classes designed to prepare students for a rigorous college preparatory algebra course. All three years use a problem based approach with concrete models. The courses help students to develop multiple strategies to solve problems and to recognize connections between concepts. The lessons meet all of the content standards and embed the “Mathematical Practices of the Common Core State Standards" released in June 2010.

Lessons are structured for student to collaborate actively by working in study teams. During class time, students work in study teams on challenging problems that introduce new material. The teacher provides guidance as needed and helps to consolidate topics. The homework for each lesson reinforces previously introduced skills and concepts and prepares students for new ones. The homework problems also allow students to apply previously learned concepts and skills in new contexts and deepen their understanding by solving the same type of problems in different ways.

Course 1 - Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

Collect, organize and display data in multiple ways
Analyze data using measures of central tendency
Represent data sets using various methods and analyze how changes in data impact the representation.
Represent and compare quantities using manipulatives, diagrams and number expressions.
Represent multiplication using rectangular arrays.
Model integers
Make sense of multiple representations of portions (decimal, fraction, percent) and convert from one form to another.
Compare fractions and generate equivalent fractions.
Recognize rations in tables and graphs and solve corresponding problems.
Use ratios to describe relationships with similar plane figures and other situations.
Use models and standard algorithms for computations with fractions and decimals.
Simplify variable expressions by combining like terms and using the Distributive Property.
Evaluate variable expressions and solve simple equations and inequalities.
Solve distance, rate and time problems.
Solve percent problems including discounts, interest and tips.
Compute area, surface area and volume of rectangular solids.
Represent solids using nets.

Course 2 - Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

Model integers and operations with integers and rational numbers including using order of operations.
Use linear models and equal ratios to represent part-whole relationships.
Use percents and scale factors to determine percent increase or decrease, discounts and markups.
Use variable expressions to represent quantities in contextual problems.
Simplify variable expressions by combining like terms and using the Distributive Property.
Solve linear equations including fractional coefficients and those with no solutions or infinite solutions.
Solve and graph one-variable inequalities.
Compare experimental and theoretical probabilities.
Distinguish between dependent and independent events and calculate the probability of compound independent events.
Represent probabilities of multiple events using systemic lists, charts or tree diagrams.
Design, conduct and analyze surveys.
Collect and compare data and describe the distribution of sets of data.
Solve distance, rate and time problems.
Compare ratios and calculate unit rates.
Recognize and solve problems involving proportional relationships.
Recognize and use the properties of similar shapes and scale factors to solve problems.
Describe angles, angle pairs and their measures.
Compute area and perimeter of standard and compound shapes.
Compute the volume of a variety of solids.

Course 3 - Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

Represent a linear function with a graph, table, rule and context and should be able to find any representation when provided one of the others
Solve systems of equations represented in tables and graphs.
Symbolically manipulate expressions in order to solve problems including those with fractional coefficients.
Solve contextual word problems using multiple strategies including making tables, looking for patterns, drawing diagrams and creating a table of guesses to assist with writing and solving a variable equation.
Describe various transformations on a coordinate grid.
Represent data using scatterplots and describe associations.
Collect and analyze data and make predictions based on the trend of the data.
Compare ratios, calculate unit rates and slope ratios.
Analyze the slope of a line graphically, numerically and contextually.
Recognize and solve problems involving proportional relationships.
Graph and analyze non-linear functions.
Recognize and use the properties of similar shapes to solve problems.
Use the Pythagorean Theorem and its converse to solve problems in 2 and 3 dimensions.
Use square and cube roots.
Represent and simplify expressions using positive and negative exponents.
Represent and compare large and small numbers using standard and scientific notation.
Perform operations with numbers represented in scientific notation.
Use the relationships between angles created by parallel lines with transversals and the triangle sum theorem to solve problems.
Compute the volume of a variety of solids.

Math Support - HIVE Time Interventions 4x weekly

This course is an intervention course for students scoring at less than proficient levels on the CST standardized test. It is designed to provide students with the support necessary to be successful in their regular math course and master the grade-level concepts addressed in the Common Core State Standards. The six topic areas covered are: place value and basic number skills, fractions and decimals, ratios, rates, and percent, the core processes of mathematics, functions and equations and measurement.

Science

Hands-on activities, labs, and experiments along with technologies and local resources are combined to fully engage students as productive learners. As per Santa Cruz City School District, age appropriate nutrition, human development (family life) and drug abuse prevention are part of the curriculum as well. Parent information nights are provided to preview materials. The school science fair is an integral part of the science program at Branciforte.

6th Grade Science: Focus on Earth Science
Sixth grade science is a year-long course of study aligned with the California Science Content Standards and therefore focused on earth science. Some life and physical sciences are also integrated into the program. Units are developed in the following areas:

Plate Tectonics and Earth's Structure
Shaping Earth's Surface
Resources
Ecology (Life)
Energy in the Earth System
Investigation and Experimentation
Heat (Thermal Energy) (Physical Science)

7th Grade Science: Integrated Life Science Studies
Seventh Grade Science is a year-long course in the process of being aligned with the most recent California Science Content Standards. The primary focus is on life science with physical and earth science concepts integrated into our units of study. Units include:

Cell Biology
Physical Principles in Living Systems
Genetics
Investigation & Experimentation
Evolution
Nutrition
Earth and Life History
Human Development
Structure & Function in Living Systems
Drug Abuse Prevention

8th Grade Science: Integrated Life Science Studies
This year-long course combines class lectures and note taking with laboratory activities, reading, and the development of content reading skills, research and class discussion to explore physics and chemistry. Students learn and practice basic scientific skills including metric measurement, the scientific method of problem solving including qualitative versus quantitative analysis and critical thinking. Units are developed around the following content areas:

Motion and Forces
Structure of Matter
Reactions
Periodic Table
Density and Buoyancy
Investigation and Experimentation
Earth in the Solar System (Earth Science)
Chemistry of Living Systems (Life Science)

Physical Education

6th Grade Physical Education

All students are required to take year long physical education classes designed to assist students in building their self-esteem, positive peer relationships and self-awareness. Students are taught the basic techniques of individual and team sports, and recreational games. Learning activities may include flag football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, softball/baseball, strength training, dance, cooperative games and physical fitness testing. Using the State Physical Fitness Standards, students will set personal achievement goals. Building teamwork and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are the overall goal of our program.

7th & 8th Grade Physical Education
All students are required to take year long physical education classes designed to assist students in building their self-esteem, positive peer relationships and self-awareness. Students are taught the basic techniques of individual and team sports, and recreational games. Learning activities may include flag football, basketball, volleyball, speedball, soccer, track & field, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, weight training, softball/baseball, strength training, CPR training (for 8th graders), dance, and physical fitness testing. Using the State Physical Fitness Standards, students will set personal achievement goals. Achieving and/or maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the overall goal of our program.

Electives

Beginning Band
Band is a YEAR LONG beginning band class. Instruments in the band include Flute, Clarinet,
Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn, and percussion (xylophone, drums, and auxiliary
percussion). Students are expected to practice, at home, at least one hour per week and attend all
performances (most are evening performances). Instruments can be provided for students who need
them.

Advanced Band
This is a YEAR LONG elective. Advanced Band is an intermediate/advanced course for musicians who
have been studying their instrument for at least one year. Musicians may join Advanced Band after successful completion of Beginning Band. Musicians who have not been in Beginning Band, but have prior musical training on their instrument may join Advanced Band by an audition with the teacher, or through teacher recommendation. Students are expected to practice at home, at least one hour per week and attend all performances. (Most are evening performances). Please contact the teacher with any questions.

Art
This is a ONE SEMESTER elective. Students will use a variety of traditional materials
such as watercolor, pastels and charcoal. Students may repeat and either follow along with the
projects or work independently on a project of their own choice to improve skills. Suggested
donation for supplies is $20.00

Woodshop: Currently on hold (new woodshop building incoming!)
In this ONE SEMESTER elective (FALL and SPRING), students will be introduced to the
characteristics and properties of wook and safety in a shop setting. Through choice projects,
students will develop a variety of woodworking skills and techniques with both hand and power
tools. There is an optional donation to support materials and supplies. The class may be
repeated with instructor and counselor approvals.

AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination
The mission of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is to ensure that ALL
students, and most especially the least served students who are in the middle range of a 2.5-4.0
GPA, will:
● succeed in rigorous curriculum,
● complete a rigorous college preparatory path,
● enter mainstream activities of the school,
● increase their enrollment in four-year colleges, and
● become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society.

AVID’s systemic approach is designed to support students as they increase schoolwide/
districtwide learning and performance. This is accomplished with in-class tutorials using AVID
trained university tutors, lectures from guest speakers sharing their college stories and career
choices, field trips to colleges and building a strong community of learners that support each
other in all their classes.

AVID is a YEAR LONG elective course for 7th and 8th graders who are determined to reach
their full academic potential. AVID classes focus on study skills, time management, and
strategies for success in school to make all students achieve their goals of attending college.
UCSC tutors support AVID students by leading tutorials for academic classes.

AVID in 6th grade is a semester-long elective course (FALL and SPRING) for students who want
to reach their full academic potential. The AVID elective introduces and instructs students in
skills they will need to be successful in middle school, high school, college and careers. This
class will focus on study skills, time management, setting goals, and strategies for success in
school to make sure that students can achieve their goals.

Office Aide / School Service
This is a ONE SEMESTER elective (FALL and SPRING) that involves working with a Mission
Hill staff member in the office, classroom, or the physical education department. This elective
requires approval by the staff member with whom you will be working. Teacher aide and office
aide positions are only available to 7th and 8th grade students.

Library Aides
This is a ONE SEMESTER repeatable elective (FALL and SPRING) in which you will be
assisting the Teacher Librarian and Library Assistant by using the library catalog system to
check books in and out, and by shelving books correctly in alphabetical order or by using the
Dewing Decimal system.

Other responsibilities will also include assignments which give you practice with library science
skills, and skills to assist our school community, such as students and teachers, in a friendly and
knowledgeable way. Library aide positions are only available to 7th and 8th grade students.

Spanish
Spanish is a YEARLONG 8th grade elective that will provide the student with a general
introduction to the Spanish Language, functional vocabulary related to everyday life, basic
grammatical structures and pronunciation. The successful student will develop beginning level
proficiency in the language by engaging in a variety of communicative activities that focus on
developing reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. In addition, the student will develop
cultural awareness through participation in activities and discussions.

Computer Science
Computer Science is a ONE SEMESTER long elective course (Fall and Spring). This course is
a one semester introductory computer science course for middle school students. We will be
completing units from Code.org’s Computer Science Discoveries curriculum. The curriculum
emphasizes problem-solving, creation, and collaboration, while introducing students to the many
ways computer science impacts their lives. The course will inspire students as they build their
own apps, games, and physical computing devices. This class is open to all grade levels but
enrollment in 7th grade math or higher is recommended as mathematics is fundamental to
many aspects of computer science.

Academics

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