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SGS Curriculum Overview

The curriculum development process involves a continual cycle of teaching, learning, assessment, and, of course, revision. The grade level descriptions below represent our most current snapshot for grades 5-8 core classes, Art, Spanish, and Health and Fitness. Each academic year provides an opportunity for new experiences in the field, new models for teaching and learning, and new lenses through which we can view our students and our curriculum.

5th Grade Stewardship: The World Is What We Make It

Term One: Stewardship and Ecology

Term Two: Impact and Action

Our guiding principle for the 5th grade curriculum is a quote by Dr. Jane Goodall. "Knowledge leads to compassion and compassion leads to action". As a foundation for our year long focus on Stewardship students in 5th grade at SGS build a strong foundation in Environmental Science learning about the world around them through a developing lens as compassionate scientists.

Throughout the year, the students learn the same skills used by naturalists such as Jane Goodall - observation, recording of data, and how to educate others about the state of the world. We spend time in the field learning how environmental systems maintain balance and cope with the impact of imbalance. Partnerships with the Seattle Aquarium, the Woodland Park Zoo, and the North Cascades Institute provide opportunities SGS 5th graders to be immersed in the pertinent issues facing the Pacific Northwest. With their knowledge they are called to take action in helping reduce human impact on the environment and teach others ways in which they can too "walk softly" on the earth.

The science-centered focus of 5th grade is bound together with an innovative and inspirational art and humanities curricula as well as a challenging math program that empowers girls to believe in themselves and make a difference in the lives of others. 5th graders at SGS are given the skills to step outside their comfort zones, claim their space in the world, and a make difference. Stewardship is a life-long endeavor and with their knowledge, the 5th graders at SGS not only learn to feel compassion for the world around them, but they feel empowered to take responsibility for the welfare of the world.

Integrated Content Strands:

• Scientific Theory
• Zoology
• Environmental Sciences
• Mathematics Strand - Foundations for Algebra
• Beginning Guitar
• Writing and Mechanics
• Reading Comprehension
• Independent Reading Program: Reading Workshop
• Study and Organizational Skills
• Basic Research
• World Topography/Map Skills
• Citizenship
• Fitness and Nutrition
• Active Vocabulary Building
• Art
• Guitar
• Health & Fitness

6th Grade - The Incredible Machine

The sixth grade curriculum focuses on the process of building a working community while weaving together interdisciplinary content through the themes of development, identity, and progress. We begin the year by asking the question "How did we get here?" By studying the evolution of people, place and technology, we develop a deeper understanding of ancient and modern civilizations and cultures.

In the second term, we turn our focus inward, examining our own identities through the lenses of biology, art, and writing. We then look to the future with our study of progress, looking at different visions of progress through our community garden, our bike training, and our study of biotechnology. Throughout the year, our students work together to define their own vision of a successful community.

Integrated Content Strands:

• Organizational Skills
• Research Skills
• Reading for Information
• Writers Workshop
• Integrated Literature
• World/Local Geography
• Human Evolution
• Human Biology
• Ethics
• Biotechnology
• Nutrition
• Soil and Gardening
• Food Systems
• Mathematics Strand-Foundations for Algebra (Year II)
• Spanish
• Art
• Health & Fitness

7th Grade - I Change Myself, I Change the World

Nothing is static and everything is dynamic. We will examine the components that create and shape our community and the forces that keep it in or out of balance. Throughout the year, we will develop personal power that we can apply as change agents, locally and globally. Through expeditionary learning, producing video documentaries, and assuming the roles of activists we will better understand the forces that shape our past and present, as well as our potential to transform the future. We will examine topics in environmental science, chemistry, mathematics, basic economics, global issues, and history related to Seattle, the Pacific Northwest, and the United States.

7th Grade Sample Content:

• Humanities
• Grammar/Vocabulary
• Integrated Literature
• Persuasive Speaking & Writing
• Independent Research & Expository Writing
• Historical Thinking & Perspective Taking
• Washington State History
• U.S. History & Constitution
• Contemporary World Issues
• Art
• Health & Fitness

Science:

• Chemistry
• Local Environmental Science & History
• Climate Change
• Environmental Resources & Sustainability
• Engineering

Mathematics (Algebra Vol. I):

• Working in Teams
• Organizing Data
• Patterns & Graphs
• Writing & Solving Algebraic Equations

Foreign Language:

• Spanish 1B

8th Grade - Discovery

Term I: Exploration

Term II: Power

Term III: Innovation

Expanding on the themes from 5th through 7th grades, we will embark on a journey of discovery that will eventually reach beyond our earthly boundaries into space. World history and literature, physical sciences and more advanced algebra will build upon prior skills and concepts.

8th Grade Sample Content:

• Humanities
• Vocabulary Building
• Independent Reading Program
• Creative Writing/Script Writing
• Select Literature Based on
• Anti-Bias Themes
• Multi-Draft Approach to Academic Writing


• Physical & Cultural Geography
• Washington State History
• World History & Contemporary
• World Issues
• Art
• Health & Fitness

Science:

• Newton's Laws of Motion
• Aerodynamics
• Energy & Power
• Space Exploration
• Engineering

Mathematics (Algebra Vol. II):

• Graphing & Systems of Linear Equations
• Slopes & Rates of Change
• Factoring: The Quadratic Formula
• Rational Expressions
• Solving Inequalities

Foreign Language:

• Spanish 1B

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