Academics and Programs
In addition to outstanding academic offerings, we believe students should have a variety of experiences during their middle school years. Sunset Middle students have a wide range of program opportunities to participate in during and after the school day. Whether a club, sport, activity, or theater production, there is something for every Saber.
Scope and Sequence
In WCS, all schools share a scope and sequence for each grade level and course. The scope describes what students will learn—the content and skills to be taught in the classroom. The sequence describes the order in which skills and content should be taught. The WCS Scope and Sequence includes Tennessee’s academic standards, student-friendly “I can” statements that describe competencies, and resources available to teachers, students, and parents.
Course Offerings at SMS
Listed below is an overview of the course offerings at each grade level at Sunset Middle School.
Sixth Grade
English Language Arts
Students in 6th grade Language Arts will engage in a rigorous curriculum which focuses on the standard areas of reading, writing and communication. Students will read various literary genres, such as poetry, novels, short stories, and non-fiction selections. As a complement to the reading instruction, students must write narrative, informational/explanatory, and argument essays involving text-based evidence for student responses. Teachers will also scaffold vocabulary and grammar instruction to enhance student effectiveness in reading and writing.
Mathematics
Course 1
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 5th Grade
Mathematical concepts and skills from the following five domains will be explored throughout the 6th Grade Math course. The Number System: Use real number operations to solve problems; extend full understanding and ordering of numbers to include integers, absolute value, and location of points in all four quadrants of the coordinate plane. Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Formal study of ratios and proportions. Expressions and Equations: Use variable expressions and equations to represent written situations; solve one-step equations. Geometry: Build on and extend their understating of area and volume to solve problems. Statistics and Probability: Formally develop statistical thinking; analyze data to identify its center, spread and shape.
Course 2
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 6th Grade Math
Mathematical concepts and skills from the following five domains will be explored throughout the 7th Grade Math course. The Number System: Students extend number operations to all rational numbers, including negative numbers. Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Develop an understanding of proportionality to solve single and multi-step problems, including percent problems; identify the constant rate of change. Expressions and Equations: Apply properties of operations to solve problems using expressions and equations, extending to 2-step equations. Geometry: Area, Surface Area and Volume; Circumference of a circle; use scale drawings and informal geometric constructions; Statistics and Probability: Draw inferences about a population through sampling; use measures of center and variability; develop, use, and evaluate probability models.
Science
The theme of energy guides the 6th grade science focus. Students will begin their science curriculum by examining potential and kinetic energy. Investigations of gravitational, elastic, and electric potential energy will provide students with an understanding of how energy can be stored in different systems. They will continue to explore kinetic energy, as well as thermal energy in the form of conduction, convection, and radiation throughout the atmosphere and oceans. This transfer of energy, along with investigating atmospheric currents, will comprise the majority of the Earth’s processes curriculum. Students will relate the flows of energy with weather and climate by investigating major weather occurrences. The theme of energy systems continues as students investigate the transfer of energy through populations and ecosystems. They will study how ecosystems change over time from natural causes and human impact.
Social Studies
Students study the beginning of early civilizations through the fall of the Roman Empire. The emphasis is on the shift from nomadic societies to agricultural societies; an analysis of the geographical, social, cultural, economic, and political foundations of early civilizations; an analysis of the chronological development of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Ancient Israel, Greece, and Rome; and the impact of geography, early history, cultural development, and economic change in the ancient world. The geographic concentration includes the study of physical and political features, economic development and resources, and migration patterns. This course is the first concentrated study of world history and geography and utilizes appropriate excerpts of informational texts and primary sources.
Seventh Grade
English Language Arts
Students in 7th grade Language Arts engage in rigorous application and reinforcement of grammar skills and a variety of writing strategies and techniques. Students compose narrative, informational/explanatory, and argumentative essays in which they support their ideas with evidence from various genres or informational texts. Reading includes novels, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and informational texts. Students select independent reading books and complete various comprehension and analysis activities based on their books. Continued scaffolding in vocabulary will occur as students employ comprehension strategies to analyze key ideas and details in the wide variety of texts they will read.
Mathematics
7th Grade Math (Course 2)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 6th Grade Math
Mathematical concepts and skills from the following five domains will be explored throughout the 7th Grade Math course. The Number System: Students extend number operations to all rational numbers, including negative numbers. Ratios and Proportional Relationships: Develop an understanding of proportionality to solve single and multi-step problems, including percent problems; identify the constant rate of change. Expressions and Equations: Apply properties of operations to solve problems using expressions and equations, extending to 2-step equations. Geometry: Area, Surface Area and Volume; Circumference of a circle; use scale drawings and informal geometric constructions; Statistics and Probability: Draw inferences about a population through sampling; use measures of center and variability; develop, use, and evaluate probability models.
7th Grade Pre-Algebra (Course 3)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 7th Grade Math
Mathematical concepts and skills from the following five domains will be explored throughout the 8th Grade Math course. The Number System: Extend the number system to include irrational numbers; approximate irrational numbers. Expressions and Equations: Work with radicals and integer exponents; Make connections between proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations; Solve systems of 2 linear equations by graphing; Functions: Begin formal study of functions; translate among representations of functions. Geometry: Use ideas about distance and angles and their behavior under transformations; learn and apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find distances, lengths, and analyze polygons; Volume of Cone, Cylinder, and Sphere. Statistics and Probability: Work with scatter plots for bivariate data; Use linear models to solve problems interpreting the slope and intercept; continue work with probability to compound events; represent data using multiple formats.
7th Grade Honors Algebra 1 (for High School credit)
Prerequisites: Data considered for Algebra 1 placement in middle school may include WCS Math Placement test score, STAR Math Percentile Ranks, and TCAP Math data.
This course includes properties of the real number system, linear and quadratic systems, inequalities, operations on real numbers and polynomials, exponents, and radicals. Students learn the language of algebra and practice the application of algebraic concepts to real-world problems. The Mathematical Practice Standards apply throughout this course and, together with the content standards, prescribe that student experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. Honors Algebra I is covered in greater depth and at a faster pace, providing time for enrichment through the study of additional performance objectives. As part of the requirement for this honor’s level course, students must complete rigorous assignments which may include complex problem-solving, research that involves reading/writing assignments, investigations and explorations, advanced use of technology, and making connections within the discipline and to the workplace. Minimum Credit: 1.0 Maximum Credit: 1.0 NCAA Approved: Yes
Science
The theme of matter, both non-living and living, guides 7th grade science studies. This class will introduce students to the foundations of chemistry as they gain an understanding of atoms, properties of matter, the periodic table, chemical reactions, and the law of conservation of mass. The focus then shifts from chemistry to biology, where students will apply their chemical knowledge to the living world. This includes understanding how molecules combine to make cell structures and interact to maintain homeostasis through various cell functions such as cellular diffusion, respiration, and reproduction. Students will apply their knowledge of cell structure and function to higher levels of the organism where they will study organ systems through dissections of vertebrate specimens. Finally, students will investigate asexual and sexual reproduction and how genetics contributes to the survival of the species.
Social Studies
Students explore the social, cultural, geographical, political, and technological changes that occurred after the fall of the Roman Empire and in Medieval Europe. The study also consists of the later periods of the new cultures and civilizations that developed in the Middle East, Africa, China, and Japan, but with a heavier emphasis on western civilization in Europe during the Renaissance and Reformation. The focus covers the comparison of the history and geography of civilizations concurrently developing throughout these continents; examination of the growth in economic interactions among civilizations as well as the exchange of ideas, beliefs, technologies, and commodities; the resulting spread of Enlightenment philosophies and the examination of new concepts of reasoning toward religion, government, and science that continue to influence our world today. An analysis of geography’s influence on the development of these civilizations is a key aspect. Students conclude their learning by examining the Meso-American and Andean civilizations, and the age of European explorations. Appropriate informational texts and primary sources are used to deepen the understanding of how these civilizations influence our modern world.
Eighth Grade
English Language Arts
Students in 8th grade Language Arts engage in learning aligned with standards to develop greater analytical reading and thinking skills that consistently spiral student learning of grade-level skills. Students write narrative informational/explanatory, and argumentative essays, incorporating textual evidence from literary or informational passages. Grammar instruction equips students for successful application within those three modes of writing. Exposure to a wide variety of genres, such as novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction texts, builds student background knowledge and promotes vocabulary acquisition in preparation for the critical thinking skills needed to master high school standards.
Mathematics
8th Grade Math (Course 3)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 7th Grade Math
Mathematical concepts and skills from the following five domains will be explored throughout the 8th Grade Math course. The Number System: Extend the number system to include irrational numbers; approximate irrational numbers. Expressions and Equations: Work with radicals and integer exponents; Make connections between proportional relationships, lines, and linear equations; Solve systems of 2 linear equations by graphing; Functions: Begin formal study of functions; translate among representations of functions. Geometry: Use ideas about distance and angles and their behavior under transformations; learn and apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find distances, lengths, and analyze polygons; Volume of Cone, Cylinder, and Sphere. Statistics and Probability: Work with scatter plots for bivariate data; Use linear models to solve problems interpreting the slope and intercept; continue work with probability to compound events; represent data using multiple formats.
8th Grade Honors Algebra 1 (for High School Credit)
Prerequisites: Data considered for Algebra 1 placement in middle school may include WCS Math Placement test score, STAR Math Percentile Ranks, and TCAP Math data.
This course includes properties of the real number system, linear and quadratic systems, inequalities, operations on real numbers and polynomials, exponents, and radicals. Students learn the language of algebra and practice the application of algebraic concepts to real-world problems. The Mathematical Practice Standards apply throughout this course and, together with the content standards, prescribe that student experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations. Honors Algebra I is covered in greater depth and at a faster pace, providing time for enrichment through the study of additional performance objectives. As part of the requirement for this honor’s level course, students must complete rigorous assignments which may include complex problem-solving, research that involves reading/writing assignments, investigations and explorations, advanced use of technology, and making connections within the discipline and to the workplace. Minimum Credit: 1.0 Maximum Credit: 1.0 NCAA Approved: Yes
8th Grade Honors Geometry (for High School Credit)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra 1
This course is a survey of the fundamental and advanced concepts of plane geometry and the related topics in three-dimensional, coordinate, and transformational geometry. The fundamental purpose of the course in Geometry is to formalize and extend students’ geometric experiences from the middle grades. Students explore more complex geometric situations and deepen their explanations of geometric relationships, moving towards formal mathematical arguments. The Mathematical Practice Standards apply throughout this course and, together with the content standards, allow students to experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that capitalizes on their ability to make sense of problem situations. Honors Geometry is covered at a significantly faster pace, in greater depth, and with supplemental topics. Strong analytical thinking skills beyond the rigors of algebraic computation are essential for this course, which strongly emphasizes the concept of proof. As part of the requirement for this honor’s level course, students must complete rigorous assignments which may include complex problem-solving, research that involves reading/writing assignments, investigations and explorations, advanced use of technology and making connections within the discipline and to the workplace. Minimum Credit: 1.0 Maximum Credit: 1.0 NCAA Approved: Yes
Science
The theme of force and motion comprises the backbone of 8th-grade science. This year begins with student analysis of the motion of objects and the forces behind that motion. Foundational knowledge will be applied to understanding the relationship between electricity and magnetism and how that relationship is used in everyday technologies. Students will further explore how waves transfer energy and are an integral aspect of today’s communication tools. Force and motion continue to be explored through the expansion of the universe, along with gravity’s role in the formation and motion of celestial objects. An in-depth study will be done on Earth’s plate tectonics including plate movements, rock formation, the occurrence of earthquakes, and the formation of major geological features. Students will end the course by examining Earth’s fossil record to identify how species have changed, adapted, and survived through the process of natural selection.
Social Studies
Students study the European colonization of North America, along with the geographic features that influenced early settlements and colonies. This course emphasizes the development and maturation of the British colonies and the political, cultural, and economic influences that led to the American Revolution. The major events and outcomes of the American Revolution are analyzed, along with the individuals who played influential roles in the development of our nation. The study includes the development of the United States and its government, continuing through the early 19th century, the impact of the expansion of the United States and its implications on domestic and foreign policy and interactions with American Indians. The events leading up to the Civil War are examined, along with the significant individuals and events during the war. The history, people, government, and geography of Tennessee are embedded within the American story to illustrate the role and relevance our state has played in American history. Reconstruction and its impact conclude this course. Appropriate primary sources and informational texts are included to enhance understanding of the content.