The middle school structure encompasses sixth, seventh and eighth grades. At each grade level, students are enrolled in four courses in the core curriculum areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
Students are expected to achieve satisfactory performance in demonstrating the mastery of Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills and to earn a passing grade in each of the content areas. Curricula in each content area are planned to meet the unique developmental needs of Carver students.
Seventh grade Language Arts teachers seek to develop and foster critical and analytical thinking skills through the study of literature, including such works as The Diary of Anne Frank; The Outsiders; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry; and Hatchet, for class work, as well as historical fiction and classic novels for independent reading and book reports. These skills will be demonstrated through activities designed to strengthen speaking, listening, and writing abilities, so that students can learn to articulate clearly and creatively their ideas and feelings. In addition to facilitating the learning of traditional language arts skills, seventh grade teachers seek to promote and enhance student achievement and self-worth through innovative means that make academics timely and relevant, and that are sensitive to a variety of cultures and learning styles.
Students will read, discuss, and write about literature as they learn to analyze its components and meanings. Several strategies will be used including dialectical journals, defense/argument of themes, comparison of books, plays, and poems, and discussion of all the above. Typical texts that might be used include The Tempest, Lord of the Flies, and classic short stories by Hemingway, Thurber, Roald Dahl, and O. Henry. A special unit on library research will be included; centering on literary and biographical research, with a trip to the Central Library planned.
Mathematics courses in the middle grades reinforce and develop new skills that require knowledge of processes for doing mathematics as well as mathematical content. During the 6th grade students will study problem solving, place values, percents, ratios, proportions, statistics and graphs. Sixth grade students will perform the four mathematical operations on whole numbers, decimals and fractions along with geometry, patterns, integers and the coordinate plane.
Pre-Algebra
This course will review data analysis, integers, the language of algebra; variables, expressions and equations, linear equations and inequalities, ratio and proportion, percent, number sense, and rational numbers and irrational numbers. Further, we will cover geometry and measurement, area and volume, similarity, congruence and transformations, counting and probability, and algebra: functions and relationships. This course will prepare the student for Algebra.
Algebra 1
This course will explore expressions, equations and functions, rational numbers, solve linear equations, use proportional reasoning, graph relations and functions, analyze linear equations, and solve linear equalities. Further, we will solve systems of linear equations and inequalities, explore polynomials, use factoring, explore quadratic and exponential functions, explore rational expressions and equations, and explore radical expressions and equations. This course will count as a high school credit.
The study of Geography is defined by the five themes, which generate the essential questions in each area for the investigations leading to discovery on the part of students. The themes are location, place, human-environment interaction, movement and region.
Following the introduction/review of these themes, the first unit of study revolves around the physical aspects of earth-sun relationships and the resulting global patterns of earth's natural features, such as the water cycle and water features, climate, landforms, vegetation, and other natural resources. The tools used by geographers are reviewed in this section.
With humankind added, more fascinating patterns begin to emerge, beginning with the settlement patterns evidenced across the continents. How people comprehend their relationship to the environment is expressed in their various belief systems, formalized into religions, which in turn form the basis for their traditions, rules and laws. How people utilize their resources within the limits of their ideas is the beginning of understanding the economic systems that prevail in a given region. Common and universal types of measuring these systems, such as GDP, are parts of this unit. A general overview of both the physical and cultural components of geography throughout the world includes activities for the Tulsa Sister Cities.
Regional studies by continent complete the yearlong program. To emphasize the value of diversity, we begin with the region that is most different and most distant, Asia, and continue on to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Russia, and finish with the Western Hemisphere. The more in-depth study of the USA includes the review and application of all the basic concepts.
The goal of Carver's Science program is to introduce and integrate the disciplines of life, earth, physical science, technology, history of science and social perspectives of science. This program is based on the National Science Foundation objectives and Oklahoma PASS objectives. Objectives are achieved using a balanced approach of hands-on, inquiry and traditional methods of education. Hands-on exploration provides a concrete experience for the students. This experience is used as a springboard for discussion, reflection and especially integration into the student's view of the natural world. Traditional methods of education allow reinforcement and practice for the concepts. Subjects include but are not limited to motion and forces, changes in matter, reproduction and heredity, structure of earth systems, solar system, personal health, history of science and technology. Seventh Grade Science includes the following areas: Climate, Astronomy, Chemical Elements, and Human Biology.
The art curriculum has a positive effect on each students' overall success in school. Art history and media are reinforced with hands-on learning experiences. Each student is firmly grounded in art theory and the vocabulary of visual elements. The students are required to engage in activities using higher order thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation. "Art does not reproduce what we see. It makes us see" Paul Klee
Family and Consumer Science is designed to enhance the students' feeling of self worth, while developing a sense of respect for diversity. Grade level courses pyramid the previous year of study. Units explore basic principles and skills in personal care, safety, health, image, consumer choices, nutrition, food preparation, housing, family and personal relationships.
Foreign language study during the middle years will provide opportunities for students to gain proficiency in a foreign language that is equivalent to one full year of study. Carver students may choose French, Spanish, or Japanese/Chinese. Sixth grade classes introduce the language in an exploratory setting. Continuing study of one language is recommended for one semester in the 7th grade. Students will continue the sequence of the same language for one year in the 8th grade.
French - One Semester
Students will have further exposure to the culture of the French-speaking world to encourage an appreciation of cultural differences. They will study the culture of France, other European countries, French-speaking Canada, North and West Africa, and one of the French Islands in the Caribbean Sea.
They will become acquainted with some of the traditions, customs and holidays observed by these cultures. An emphasis will be placed on communication, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. All language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing will be practiced.
Spanish - One Semester
Beginning Spanish will provide an introduction. Students will continue the study of Spanish through culture, video, audio and written activities. The course is designed for students to continue on to Spanish II at the high school level, providing they have passed the end of course assessment for Spanish I for high school credit.
Intermediate Band
An instrumental music ensemble consisting of wind, brass and percussion instruments that builds on skills achieved in their 6th grade year. Emphasis is placed on tone quality, instrument hold, counting and reading rhythms, proper breath support, embouchure development and learning to play as an ensemble. Students perform and participate in TPS Honor Band. TPS Band Festival and a spring concert for all 6th and 7th grade students. Prerequisite: Beginning Band or one year of private instruction.
Intermediate Orchestra
An instrumental music ensemble consisting of string instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass) that builds on skills achieved in the 6th grade year. Emphasis is placed on tone quality, instrument/bow hold, counting and reading rhythms, extending the range of playing by learning position and learning to play as an ensemble. Students perform and participate in TPS Honor Orchestra, TPS Orchestra Festival and a spring concert for all 6th and 7th grade students. Prerequisite: Beginning Orchestra or one year of private instruction.
Vocal music students are taught ear and voice development, teamwork, goal setting, musical sight-reading and are immersed in a survey of all musical art forms. Vocal music is open to all students who love music. The choir will perform at school assemblies, city tours, winter and spring programs as well as TPS Vocal Festival and OSSAA District Music Contest.
At each grade level, the physical education courses are designed to demonstrate the appropriateness of expectations at various age levels. The progression of the skills are determined by the students' physical development. The course requires students to perform various advanced intermediate locomotion and non-locomotion skills in a combination of rhythmic activities. Instruction will assist in the development of skills necessary to perform health-related fitness activities, i.e., cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and body composition.
Carver's Speech course will include units of study on story telling, prose reading and dramatic reading. The course emphasizes the fundamentals of public speaking behavior, such as voice, posture and eye contact. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in drama productions.
Technology Education gives students great opportunities to relate what they learn in the core curriculum to real life situations. Units or modules which integrate technology, communication, career search, problem solving and bio-related technology. The communication module will emphasize the use of technology as a tool to access/gather, synthesize/organize, and utilize present information in the classroom, community and everyday life.
6th grade Gifted andTalented students will learn basic research skills, read literature and participate in hands-on activities. In the fall semester, the mystery unit includes viewing The Maltese Falcon, reading and completing projects on Macbeth, and experimenting with forensic techniques. In the spring, we will study architecture, investigating the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, building Leviitown in a day and creating games to architecture terms and concepts.