Parents Guide to KS Curricular Standards
MATH
6th Grade Math - The curriculum includes studying factors and multiples; comparing and ordering fractions; predicting and analyzing data; studying shapes and angles; and understanding perimeter, circumference, and area.
Instructor: Marty Zahn
7th Grade Math- This course is the 7th grade core math class, and will extend students’ knowledge from previous years. It will also provide understanding of new topics such as percents, decimals, and fractions, negative numbers, proportional reasoning, algebraic understanding, variable relationships, and scale. This course will depend highly upon group work and cooperative learning! It is a conceptual based approach to mathematical concepts.
Instructor: Matt Allen
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ADVANCED MATH- This class is for 6th and 7th graders who are performing above the 7th grade level and are motivated to participate in an accelerated class. 7th and 8th grade curriculum is covered in one year. Students must qualify for this class through a screening process. Students will learn the language of mathematics, its patterns of thinking and concepts including integers, solving equations, factors and fractions, rational numbers, indequalities, graphing, ratio, proportion and percent, statistics, geometry, and beginning algebra. A problem-based model of instruction is used for teaching.
INTEGRATED ALGEBRA-
This class is a 7th and 8th grade accelerated class. It covers the same curriculum taught at the freshman level at the high school. Prerequisite: Advanced math or screening.
INTEGRATED GEOMETRY- This class is an 8th grade accelerated class. The curriculum is the same as the sophomore level geometry taught at the high school. Prerequisite: Integrated Algebra.
Instructor: Cheryl Marcoux-Callahan
Integrated Geometry – This class is an 8th grade accelerated class. The curriculum is the same as the sophomore level geometry taught at the high school.
Prerequisite: Integrated Algebra.
Instructor: Melissa Anderson
SCIENCE
6th Grade - Sixth grade science will study astronomy, physics, the environment, and scientific method. Specific topics include gravity, forces, machines, energy, the solar system, stars and star groups, cycles and biomes. Student will complete projects while studying the solar system and energy, and complete a science fair simulation.
Instructor: Brad Bowser
7th Grade - Students will focus on the scientific method and how it can be used to analyze the world around us. There will be exploration of the earth’s crust and rock formations followed by studying the different classifications of species. Life science is addressed as well as genetics.
Instructor: Shane Neel
8th Grade - This is a general science class which includes the following topics: chemistry, physics, astronomy, and earth science. A portion of the course requirements includes mandatory participation in the Wamego Regional Science Fair.
Instructor: Tom Wilson
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ENGLISH/LITERATURE
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6th Grade English -
In sixth grade English, we focus on going through the steps of the writing process. (prewrite, write, revise, edit, publish) We also learn about use, and evaluate the six trait +1 writing model. Students learn and use grammar skills through various activities.
Instructor: Marcia Gier |
6th Grade Reading- The goal for sixth grade reading is for all students to improve their reading skills while they learn how to comprehend, analyze, and respond to the four types of text: narrative, persuasive, expository, and technical. We will be utilizing the Kansas State Curricular Standards and benchmarks as our guide to becoming more fluent and critical thinkers of literature. Students will complete quarterly book projects over a specific “genre” of literature and complete a monthly vocabulary chart
Instructor: Tami Cook
7th Grade - We will focus on improving reading skills by focusing on readingstrategies along with whole class novels, short stories, non-fiction writing, andliterature circles. Students are required to do monthly book report projects and weekly vocabulary exercises. There will be narrative, expository, and technicalwriting along with interdisciplinary research projects with science and social studies.
Instructors: Breanna Van Dyke, Michelle Wark
Ms. Van Dyke's web page Mrs.Wark's web page
8th Grade - Our goal is to improve our reading, writing, and vocabulary abilities. The Kansas
State Curricular Standards for reading and writing serve as a lift of objectes
to be covered using a variety of writing projects, fiction, and non-fiction texts.
In a nutshell, by the end of the course each student will be able to:
- comprehend texts across the curriculum
- respond to a variety of texts
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write narrative, expository, technical, and
persuasive texts effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts.
SOCIAL STUDIES
6th Grade – Sixth grade social studies curriculum follows the guidelines set forth under the Kansas State Curricular Standards. Four main topics apply to ancient times: geography, history, economics, and government/civics. All topics are taught in relation to four ancient river civilizations, Mesopotamia (present day Iraq), the Nile Valley in Egypt, the Indus Valley (ancient western India), and the Huang He Valley in far eastern China. These topics are also studied in relation to ancient Greece and Rome. Additional subjects covered are an historical perspective on five major world religions and five different types of government. Skills the students use include reading for meaning, sequencing events, vocabulary work, and writing to describe and explain.
Instructor: Sue Partridge
7th Grade - Students will be challenged to understand the events of the past, their relationship to the present, and their effect on people’s lives. Students will explore the foundations of geography, United States, Europe, and the rest of the connected world. Finally, students will learn the history of Kansas, dating from prehistoric times to the present.
Instructor: Travis Hardenburger Visit my web page
8th Grade –
Instructor: Adam Topliff
This course is designed to lead students in a general overview of various areas of the Social Studies discipline. Topics of focus include an analyzing our government and the Constitution, the history of America through Reconstruction, and basic understanding of financial literacy. Students will be engaged in research-based instructional methods and be asked to us their various creative outlets through many hands on projects.
ELECTIVES & SPECIALS
FAME - This reading class is developed by Harvard Reading Lab, and is designed to build on students’ strengths and help them to acquire lost or weak skills. Instruction is focused clearly on the components most critical for growth at each level of reading development.
Instructor: Phyllis Herzog
Explore Math – These math classes are designed for those students who need more exposure to the concepts included in the mathematics curriculum. TEAM classes are designed to enhance the skills outlined in district curriculum, including the skills necessary for completion of the District Mathematics Competency Test and the Kansas mathematics assessment.
The Learning Center (TLC) - Tiffany Coetzee
The Learning Center creates an environment where students are able to improve their academic and social skills through a variety of activities. Every student's experience in The Learning Center is specifically designed to meet his or her needs, targeting academic challenges and highlighting positives, so that students gain independence and experience success. The center fosters creativity, organization, specific skill development, and positive interaction between students, parents, and staff. We work hard to promote honesty, self-esteem, accountability, and efficacy in every child.
Technology - The basic principles of industrial technology from eight different areas are the focus. These include: Audio Broadcasting; Drafting; Electricity; Flight; Energy, Power and Mechanics; Simple Machines; Research and Design; and Bridge Building.
Instructor: Jerry Johnson
Woods - Students will learn basic machining procedures and techniques along with machine and tool safety. Application of math principles is stressed.
Instructor: Jerry Johnson
Exploratory - The fundamentals of flight will be the basis of this course. Rockets, NASA, and space exploration are three main topics discussed during this course.
Instructor: Jerry Johnson
Band - Band is a year long elective course, with students having completed some instrumental 
instruction prior to enrollment in class. WMS has three bands, divided by 6th, 
7th, and 8th grade level. Students will need to furnish their own instruments, however a few of the larger instruments are available for rental from the school. All WMS bands have a required performance outside of the school day, once a quarter.
Instructors: Chris Richmond, Susan Gartner
Band Website
Vocal Music –Vocal music offers a comprehensive curriculum with an emphasis on music literacy. Course offerings include two performance-based choirs, seventh and eighth grade mixed chorus and sixth grade music exploratory. Classes are not auditioned; every student is welcome to participate Vocal music offers a comprehensive curriculum with an emphasis on music. Choir Website
Instructor: Joshua Wildin
Accompanist: LeRoy Johnson
FACS (Family & Consumer Sciences) – The FACS program helps students discover the skills, attitudes and behaviors necessary to be successful in family and work life and offers three successive courses.
Instructor: Ashley Weeks
Spanish I & II – These foreign language courses are designed for students to explore the basics of the Spanish language and the culture of Hispanic people.
Instructor: Suzanne Sprenkle, Visit my web page
Physical Education – (GRADES 6-8)
Instructors: Linda Hodges, John Schmidt
Students at the middle school level are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness. Students are responsible for their own learning through active participation. Every day the students make choices to do their personal best or what’s best for the group. Students demonstrate leadership skills by leading the different warm-up exercises each day of the week. They are encouraged to continually challenge each other as well as team members. Good sportsmanship is stressed, as well as safety, rules, personal hygiene, and care and use of equipment.
Visual Art – Students may participate in art throughout middle school, in traditional classes and Computer Graphics I and II.
Instructor: Brenda Diederich
My Classroom Website
Keyboarding – Keyboarding class covers a variety of topics including alphabeticand numeric keyboarding; computer literacy; Internet safety; and application of Microsoft Office Suite programs.
Instructor: Dan Shupe
SPECIAL EDUCATION
