6-8 Curriculum
Select a subject from the list below to learn more about the curriculum.
Advisory
Overview
Beginning in the 2020 - 2021 school year, Falmouth started an Advisory program at the middle school. Advisory programs give schools the time and space to connect with students on Social Emotional Learning, more commonly known as SEL. Visit the Advisory web page for more information.
Scope & Sequence
The advisory scope and sequence is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade Advisory scope and sequence.
Art
Overview
In art class we work hard to learn techniques that allow us to better express ourselves visually with different tools and materials. We build a vocabulary to help us discuss our work and give voice to our ideas. We have a project-based curriculum that encourages exploration, control, creativity, and discovery. Over the course of the term in art students at all grade levels will have opportunities for drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, and mixed media. We draw inspiration from our materials, environment, and art history.
Scope & Sequence
The art grade level scope and sequence is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade Art scope and sequence.
Standards
ELA
Overview
Our Middle School ELA curriculum prepares students to be clear and effective communicators and to be critical thinkers, readers, and writers. We offer a variety of opportunities for students to practice these skills through the use of inquiry, guided practice, and authentic presentation. Our ELA classrooms offer a space for students to try out ideas, to practice civic discourse, and to consider a variety of perspectives.
Scope & Sequence
The ELA grade level scope and sequence is updated throughout the year.
Read the 6th - 8th Grade ELA course details overview.
Standards
Read the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy
French
Overview
The French language is linked to its speakers and their cultures. In middle school French we build proficiency in the three modes of communication: interpersonal (speaking spontaneously with others), interpretive (listening and reading for understanding), and presentational (writing or speaking for an audience), as well as improving our intercultural competence. Our focus is on the skills and habits that promote language acquisition through culturally-rich lessons and comprehensible input. Assessment rubrics are aligned with ACTFL Performance Descriptors, based on ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
Scope & Sequence
The grade level scope and sequence for French is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade French scope and sequence.
Standards
Maine World Language Standards
Additional Resources
Learning Outcomes
Interpretive: I can identify the general topic and some basic information, in both very familiar and everyday contexts, by recognizing practiced or memorized words, phrases, and simple sentences in texts that are spoken or written.
Interpersonal: I can communicate in spontaneous conversations, on very familiar and everyday topics, using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions.
Presentational: I can present information on familiar and everyday topics using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, and simple sentences through spoken or written language.
Cultural: In my own and other cultures, I can make comparisons between products and practices to help me understand perspectives. I can interact at a survival level in some familiar everyday contexts.
Teacher Google sites
Visit Madame Fournier’s Google site
Visit Manie Musicale Google site
Health
Overview
The Falmouth middle school health education program is designed to create a safe environment where students can explore, create, engage and learn. Students will gain knowledge and skills and decision making skills in order to participate creatively and constructively in society.
8th grade health class will consist of one trimester (2 terms). Within that time period, students will learn about information in the following topics; mental health & stress, and puberty & relationships.
7th grade health class will consist of one trimester (2 terms). Within that time period, students will learn about information in the following topics; personal health & influences, and drug education including nicotine & alcohol.
6th grade health class will consist of one semester (3 terms). Within that time period, students will learn about information in the following topics; social health, fitness/nutrition, and emergency response.
Scope & Sequence
The grade level scope and sequence for health is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade Health scope and sequence.
Standards
History & Social Studies
Overview
Our middle school history and social studies curriculum prepares students to be engaged, responsible, and thoughtful citizens as they explore the content area through inquiry. Each unit offers interactive learning experiences with a focus on student-led learning, inquiry, and hands-on immersive activities. The four strands addressed over the course of the three years are Civics & Government, Personal Finance & Economics, Geography, and History of Maine, the US and the world.
Scope & Sequence
The grade level scope and sequence for history and social studies is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade History & Social Studies scope and sequence.
Standards
Library
Math
Overview
We utilize a variety of resources in our math classrooms, but our primary curricular resource in our Falmouth Middle School math classrooms is the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP).
CMP's guiding philosophy that aligns with our own, has been that “students can make sense of mathematics if the concepts and skills are embedded within contextual problems. If time is spent exploring interesting mathematics situations, reflecting on solution methods, examining why the methods work, comparing methods, and relating methods to those used in previous situations, then students are likely to build more robust understandings of mathematical concepts and related procedures. A problem-centered curriculum not only helps students to make sense of the mathematics, but also helps them to process the mathematics in a retrievable way.” (Michigan State University).
CMP was developed at Michigan State University with support from the National Science Foundation. CMP is extensively researched with more than 500 research articles and 70 doctoral dissertations and is an award-winning curriculum, including awards from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the US Department of Education, and the International Society for Design and Development in Education.
Scope & Sequence
The grade level scope and sequence for math is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade Math scope and sequence.
Placement & Pathways
Standards
Music
Overview
6th, 7th and 8th Grade Choruses
In chorus at Falmouth Middle School, students will work on mastering basic musical concepts (theory, sight-reading, and performance skills). In addition to exploring a variety of musical genres, we will also afford students the opportunity for extra study in ensemble experience, through small ensembles, performances within the community, and district festivals. The student will:
- Develop comprehensive musicianship within the choral rehearsal through a sequenced study of vocal technique, music theory, and music literacy.
- Discover his or her individual potential and build self confidence through singing with an ensemble.
6th Grade General Music
In 6th grade we learn about music history, sound, commercialism, musicals, and composition. We will get a chance to play piano and ukulele.
7th Grade General Music
In 7th grade we learn about music history from the past and present, compose and write a rap. We will get a chance to play the keyboard and ukulele.
8th Grade General Music
In 8th Grade we learn about 20th Century Music, Musical Theater, and Film Music. We will get a chance to play the keyboard, ukulele, drums and the guitar.
Scope & Sequence
The grade level scope and sequence for music is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade Music scope and sequence.
Standards
National Core Arts Standards
Falmouth Learning Standards
Additional Resources
Learn more about the arts in Falmouth Public Schools.
PE
Overview
The purpose of this course is to motivate students to achieve lifetime fitness goals with the emphasis on health-related components of physical fitness as well as cooperative game play and team building. This is achieved by incorporating health-related fitness concepts to help increase overall student wellness.
6th Grade Focus: Skill Development, Concept Knowledge, Team-Building
7th Grade Focus: Tuning Skills, Incorporating Wellness, Goal Setting
8th Grade Focus: Competitive Gameplay, Strategy Integration, Wellness Plans
Scope & Sequence
The grade level scope and sequence for physical education is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade PE scope and sequence.
Standards
Science
Scope & Sequence
The grade level scope and sequence for science is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade Science scope and sequence.
Standards
Spanish
Overview
The Spanish language is linked to its speakers and their cultures. Using comprehension-based methods of language instruction and the Somos curriculum from The Comprehensible Classroom, students learn language and culture simultaneously. The engaging nature of the cultural topics provides an opportunity to develop cultural understanding while also providing valuable comprehensible input required for language acquisition. Instead of traditional vocabulary lists, students will use high-frequency vocabulary, so that they are able to communicate early on. Students will build proficiency in and also be assessed on the 3 modes of communication: interpretive (listening and reading for understanding), interpersonal (speaking spontaneously with others), and presentational (writing or speaking for an audience). Assessment rubrics are aligned with ACTFL Performance Descriptors, based on ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
Scope & Sequence
The grade level scope and sequence for Spanish is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade Spanish scope and sequence.
Standards
2022 Maine Learning Results for World Languages
Additional Resources
Learning Outcomes
Interpretive: I can identify the general topic and some basic information, in both very familiar and everyday contexts, by recognizing practiced or memorized words, phrases, and simple sentences in texts that are spoken or written.
Interpersonal: I can communicate in spontaneous conversations, on very familiar and everyday topics, using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, simple sentences, and questions.
Presentational: I can present information on familiar and everyday topics using a variety of practiced or memorized words, phrases, and simple sentences through spoken or written language.
Cultural: In my own and other cultures, I can make comparisons between products and practices to help me understand perspectives. I can interact at a survival level in some familiar everyday contexts.
STEM
Overview
Students at FMS participate in a Engineering & Technology course in 7th and 8th Grade. These courses teach students how to solve problems through deepening their computational thinking skills and design thinking by following the prescribed steps in the Engineering Design Process. Students are presented with problems and challenged to come up with solutions.
Scope & Sequence
The grade level scope and sequence for STEM is updated throughout the year.
Read the current 6th - 8th Grade Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math scope and sequence.
Standards
International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Students