Author: PCSB

Curriculum Guide
2023—2024
Fitzgerald Middle School
Home of the
Phantoms

6410 118th Ave. N Largo, FL 33773-3730
727-547-4526
Fax: (727) 549-6631

Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School
Ija Hawthorne
Principal
Leah Donnelly
Christine Douglass
Amanda O’mara
Assistant Principals
Dear Parents:
The selection of courses during your student’s educational experience at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School is extremely important. Morgan Fitzgerald offers a variety of required and electives courses that will enhance your middle school experience.
This curriculum guide has been developed to assist you in making these choices. It contains listings of the required courses, as well as many electives. Utilize this guide as you complete your middle school academic planning. It is important, parents, that you involve your student in this very important
process.
Plan and select wisely! We want you to be satisfied that you have made the best possible choices from among those offered through Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School’s exceptionally rich curriculum.
The faculty and staff of Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School wish you and your student the very best!
And Go-o-o-o-o-o Phantoms!!!!
Ija Hawthorne
Principal
6410 118th Ave. N Largo, FL 33773-3730
727-547-4526

Center for Gifted Studies

The mission of the Center for Gifted Studies at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School is to provide a nurturing and enriching environment for gifted students in grades sixth through eighth via a research-based, rigorous and challenging curriculum in all content areas.

The Advanced Academics 6-8 (gifted elective course) is offered in all middle schools. All of the students in the course have met gifted eligibility and instruction is provided by a gifted endorsed teacher. This course is similar to the elementary pull-out program in that it exposes students to topics not usually included in middle school curriculum. The Advanced Academics course topics rotate over the three years of middle school and include: Literature; Social Sciences-Philosophy and Psychology; Social Sciences-Investigating Cultures. This course also includes critical and creative thinking and affective curriculum.

6th grade Advanced Academics: Independent Study 1 AND Advanced Academics: Literature (replaces 6th grade reading). BOTH elective are REQUIRED as part of the Center for Gifted Studies. Topics: Human Geography and sociology. Competition: Invention competition.

7th and 8th grade Advanced Academics are required in 7th and 8th grade. All Advanced Academic classes build in progression with each other. Topics (7) Government and Sociology (8) Economic and Philosophy
Competitions; (7) Future Cities (8) Competition Cafe

Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School
Home of the Phantoms
Vision
100% Student Success
Mission
Our Mission is to promote the highest academic achievement through a positive and safe learning
environment.

Administrative Team
Principal:
Ija Hawthorne Hawthornei@pcsb.org
Assistant Principals:
Grade 6 Amanda O’mara O’maraa@pcsb.org ext. 2014
Grade 7 Leah Donnelly donnellyl@pcsb.org ext. 2014
Grade 8 Christine Douglass douglassc@pcsb.org ext. 2015

School Counselors
6th Grade Sarah McDonald mcdonaldsar@pcsb.org ext 2062
7th Grade Jessica Read readje@pcsb.org ext 2060
8th Grade Deborah Yeasted yeastedd@pcb.org ext 2061

Support Staff
Principal’s Secretary Erin Epstein epsteine@pcsb.org
Data Management Tech Ikethia Butler butleri@pcsb.org
6th Grade Clerk Patricia Martin martinpatr@pcsb.org
7th Grade Clerk Diana Podgorski podgorskid@pcsb.org
8th Grade Clerk Lynn Heimerl heimerll@pcsb.org

Language Arts and Reading

Intensive Reading
The purpose of this course is to provide instruction that enables students to accelerate the development of reading and writing skills and to strengthen those skills so they are able to successfully read and write middle grade level text independently. Instruction emphasizes reading comprehension, writing fluency, and vocabulary study through the use of a variety of literary and informational texts encompassing a broad range of text structures, genres, and levels of complexity. Students enrolled in the course will engage in interactive text-based discussion, question generation, and research opportunities. They will write in response to reading and cite evidence when answering text dependent questions orally and in writing. The course provides extensive opportunities for students to collaborate with their peers.

Language Arts 1, 2, & 3 Advanced
All middle school language arts courses include the skills and content specified in the Florida State English Language Arts Standards, with an emphasis on the study of texts of appropriate complexity, integrated language arts study in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language for college and career preparation and readiness. The complexity of the course content increases each year.

English Honors 1 - Prerequisite: Language Arts 2
Grade Level: 8 Length: 1 Year High School Credit: 1
This course focuses on the skills and content specified in the Florida State English Language Arts Standards, with an emphasis on the study of texts of appropriate complexity, integrated language arts study in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language for college and career preparation and readiness. Through the application, analysis, evaluation, and creation of complex ideas that are often abstract and multi-faceted, students are challenged to think and collaborate critically on the content they are learning.

Mathematics

Math Grades 6, 7 and Pre-Algebra
All middle school mathematics courses should include the skill/concepts listed in the Course Descriptions, Florida Standards, and the Essential Learning for Secondary Math. The content should include study in the areas of ratios & proportional relationships, number systems, expressions & equations, geometry, statistics & probability, and functions. Students are also responsible for learning and applying the standards for mathematical practice. Students will be challenged with higher levels of thinking & reasoning, displaying content knowledge through multiple representations in mathematics, and applying content knowledge to solve complex real-world math problems.

Note: The purpose of accelerated math courses is to extend the curriculum through horizontal and vertical acceleration. These courses will cover
essentially the same skills as regular classes but at higher levels of complexity, greater depth, and a faster pace. The math level will be higher and more reading will be required. Students will be required to use a higher level of vocabulary, do more writing, do more homework, and meet the standards of more challenging tests. Students who enter with insufficient subject area knowledge will be expected to do extra work to be successful.

Algebra 1 Honors
Grade Level: 7 & 8 Length: 1 Year High School Credit: 1
The purpose of this course is to provide a rigorous and in-depth study of
algebra as a foundation for more advanced mathematics courses and to
develop the skills needed to solve mathematical problems. Topics include operations and properties used within the real number system, algebraic and graphical solutions to first-degree equations and inequalities in one and two variables, relations and functions, direct and inverse variation, operations with polynomials, rational and irrational algebraic expressions, quadratic equations, quadratic inequalities, and quadratic functions. This course is the first in the sequence that culminates in A.P. Calculus in twelfth grade.

Geometry Honors
Grade Level: 8 Length: 1 Year High School Credit: 1
The purpose of this course is to develop the geometric relationships and
deductive strategies that can be used to solve a variety of real world and
math problems. Topics include the structure of geometry, separation properties, proofs, triangles, quadrilaterals, angle concepts, perpendicularity and parallelism in a plane/space, similar polygons, circles and spheres, constructions, area/volume, and coordinate and transformational geometry.

Science

Science 1, 2, & 3 Advanced
All middle school science courses include laboratory investigations aligned to the NGSSS for each grade level. Also included are the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures, an integral part of these courses.

Accelerated Science 1 & 2
All middle school science courses include laboratory investigations aligned to the NGSSS for each grade level. Also included are the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures, an integral part of these courses. This accelerated class enables students to learn Science 3 content– half during Science 1 and the other half during Science 2.

Physical Science—Honors
Grade Level: 8 Length: 1 Year High School Credit: 1
This is a high school course designed to provide students with a study of high school Life, Physical, and Earth Sciences. This course will focus on the identified course benchmarks from the 9 –12 Bodies of Knowledge with high levels of complexity. The reading level will be much higher and more reading will be required. Students will be required to use a higher level or vocabulary, do more writing, do more homework, and meet the standards of more challenging tests. Students must know and use effective organizational skills and work habits.

Social Studies

Civics and Career Planning
The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for active participation in a democratic society. Students will become informed citizens in regard to their local, state, and federal government.

U.S. History and Career Planning
The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand the history of the United States through 1876, including a Florida History perspective.
Students will examine connections to the past in order to prepare for the
future as participating members of a democratic society. Students will use knowledge of history, geography, economics, political processes, religion, ethics, diverse cultures, and humanities to explore problems and solutions in academic and civic settings. Special emphasis will be placed on the formation and structure of the American system of government to meet the state mandate on civic education.

World History and Career Planning
The primary content for this course pertains to the world's earliest civilizations to the ancient and classical civilizations of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Students will be exposed to the multiple dynamics of world history including economics, geography, politics, and religion/philosophy. Students will study methods of historical inquiry and primary and secondary historical documents.

Pre -AP World History
This course focuses deeply on building the skills, knowledge and confidence that will propel students through high school coursework, college, careers, and civic life. Students will learn how history is an interrelated story of the world, history and geography are inherently dynamic and how historians and geographers are investigators.

Advancement Via Individual Determination

AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.

AVID 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an elective class that provides support for students in the AVID program through curricular and mentoring activities. This course is designed to enable students to develop fundamental skills aligned with current curriculum.

English for Speakers of Other Languages

English Language Development
The purpose of this course is to enable middle school students who are native speakers of languages other than English to accelerate the development of communication and literacy skills that will promote English proficiency. This course will strengthen English listening, speaking, reading and writing skills so that students are able to successfully comprehend middle school grade-level text independently, as well as communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting. Instruction will emphasize reading comprehension, writing fluency, and academic vocabulary through various levels of complexity. Texts used for instruction focus on a wide range of topics in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and academic language in order to support students in meeting the knowledge demands of increasingly complex text. Students enrolled in the course will engage in interactive text-based discussion, question generation, and research opportunities, as well as cite evidence when answering text-dependent questions orally and in writing.

Information & Computer Technology

Information and Communication Technology
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the computer, digital, and information technology skills necessary for success in their future academic and occupational goals. The content includes but is not limited to digital technologies associated with web development, multimedia, word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet communications, cybersecurity, and computer programming

Introduction to Marketing Sales and Services
Content includes, but is not limited to, topics related to Marketing, Sales, and Service. Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment, materials and technology appropriate to the course content and in accordance with current practices. This course aligns with the industry certification, Entrepreneurship and Small Business.

Digital Information Technology *HS Credit
This course provides an overview of current business and information systems and trends. Emphasis is placed on developing fundamental computer skills and includes the exploration and use of databases, the Internet, spreadsheets, presentation applications, management of personal information and email, word processing and document manipulation, HTML, web page design.

Amazon Scratch Class
This course is the result of a partnership with Amazon. They provide the curriculum. Scholars learn basic coding which they use to create games and other projects. We are also adding a drone component which could lead to drone safety industry certification

Visual Arts

Visual Arts 1, 2,
Students are introduced to the rigor and routine of the art production process including: planning, producing, and reflecting on art. With an emphasis on studio arts, students explore a wide range of 2D and 3D media, skills and techniques, as related to contemporary and historical art perspectives. Projects may include but not be limited to: drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media, pottery, and sculpture. Students develop technical skills, foster their expressive abilities and employ the use of the elements of art throughout the production process.

(2D) Two-Dimensional Studio Art 1 & 2
Students explore media and techniques used to create a variety of 2-D artworks through developing skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage. Students practice, sketch, and manipulate the structural elements of art. Investigation of artworks from Western and non-Western cultures provide a means for students to expand their understanding and appreciation of the role of art in global culture. Student artists use an art criticism process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal or group works. This course incorporates hands on activities and consumption of art materials.

(3D)Three-Dimensional Studio Art 1 & 2
Students begin an exploration of the structural elements of art used when creating 3-D forms. Additive and subtractive processes are used to manipulate and construct sculptural or ceramic forms in media that may include but are not limited to clay, wood, plaster, found objects, and paper mache, with consideration of the workability, durability, cost, and toxicity of the media used. Student artists examine the effects of attention to detail, size, position, overlapping, visual pattern, and texture. Students in the 3-D art studio focus on use of safety procedures for process media, and techniques. Student artists use an art criticism process to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth in personal or group works. This course incorporates hands-on activities and consumption of art materials.

Music

Band 1,2,3
Includes a thorough introduction to music fundamentals and the development of performance skills on wind and percussion instruments. Experiences in performance of high quality music with continued development of playing skills, ear training, sight-reading, interpretation, musicianship, tone
production and a wide selection of repertoire.

Orchestra 1,2,3
Develop performance techniques such as bowing, fingering, rhythm, ear training, posture, tone and scales, and to use these skills in expressive musical performance on stringed instruments. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of literature. Wind and percussion instruments may be added for full
orchestra.

Chorus 1,2,3
Introduces the student to beginning level melodic and rhythmic music reading. An emphasis will be placed on appropriate tone production through which the student will discover the range and capabilities of his/her individual voice. An emphasis will be placed on sight-reading, theory, tone production and
responsibilities inherent in group activities.

World Languages

Beginning Spanish
Beginning Spanish introduces students to the target language and its culture. Students will learn beginning skills in listening and speaking and an introduction to basic skills in reading and writing. Also, culture, connections, comparisons, and communities are included in this one-year course.

Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 (year-long courses)
The purpose of these courses is to enable students to acquire, reinforce and enhance proficiency in Spanish through a linguistic, communicative, and
cultural approach to language learning. There is continued emphasis placed on the development of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and on acquisition of the fundamentals of applied grammar. Cross-cultural
understanding is fostered, and real life applications of Essential Learnings are practiced and assessed throughout the course.

Physical Education & Health

6th Grade Fitness/6th grade Gymnastics
During this semester course, students will develop the physical skills such as the agility and coordination necessary to be competent in many forms of movement, the knowledge of health and skill related fitness components such as body composition and muscular strength and endurance, and appropriate social behaviors within a physical activity setting.

7th Grade Team Sports
The purpose of this course is to develop the physical skills necessary to be competent in many forms of movement, knowledge of team sports concepts such as offensive and defensive strategies and tactics, and appropriate social behaviors within a team or group setting.

8th Grade Wellness/Extreme sports
This semester-long Wellness Education course is designed for 8th grade students, the purpose of which is to further develop the knowledge, skills and values to enhance healthy behaviors that influence lifestyle choices and student health and fitness. Extreme sports allows students the opportunity to engage in activity of various sports curriculums.

Health 7th Grade
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become health literate and practice responsible behaviors to promote healthy living. This comprehensive course focuses on making wise personal decisions and respecting and promoting the health of others. The content will include, but not be limited to, the following topics: mental and emotional health , prevention and control of disease, consumer health , family life, personal health, nutrition, Internet safety, injury prevention and safety, substance use and abuse, community health, environmental health , consumer health , and teen dating violence. This is a middle school requirement. Students cannot waive out of Health, but students can take the course online.