Math & Science

OLPH incorporates an advanced math curriculum. In six grade, students cover all of the sixth-grade and half of the seventh-grade standards. They use the enVision 6 textbook as well as Simple Solutions books for cyclical review and practice. Although the material moves quickly, I incorporate activities throughout the units like pennants, hands-on exercises and digital practice.

Topics include the following:

• Factors and Prime Factorization
• Operations on Fractions
• Operations on Decimals
• Operations on Rational Numbers
• Graphing on Coordinate Plane
• Ordering Integers
• Writing Equations
• Solving Equations
• Area of Polygons
• Surface Area and Volume
• Rate, Ratios and Percent
• Statistics

In seventh grade, students cover the second half of the seventh-grade and all of the eighth-grade standards. They use the enVision 7 advanced textbook as well as Simple Solutions books for cyclical review and practice. Although the material moves quickly, I incorporate activities throughout the units like task cards, FACEing math, pennants, hands-on exercises and digital practice.

Topics include the following:

• Solving Equations
• Graphing Linear Equations
• System of Equations
• Functions
• Exponents and Scientific Notation
• Inequalities
• Data Analysis
• Probability and Statistics
• Transformations
• Angles
• Pythagorean Theorem
• Circles

In eighth grade, students cover the high school algebra standards as a class. This is great because it provides choices to the eighth-graders as they move to high school. They use the enVision Algebra 1 textbook as well as Simple Solutions books for cyclical review and practice.  Although the material moves quickly, I incorporate activities throughout the units like matching, riddles, FACEing math, pennants, hands-on exercises and digital practice.

Topics include the following:

• Solving Equations and Inequalities
• System of Equations
• Graphing Linear Equations
• Linear Functions
• Exponential Functions
• Polynomial Equations and Factoring
• Graphing Quadratics
• Solving Quadratics
• Square-Root Functions
• Rational Equations and Functions
• Statistics

OLPH follows California’s Next Generation Science Standards. The students use the Amplify science series throughout the school year. In sixth grade, students tackle earth science. This year will rock!

Earth Science Units:

• Earth and Space Science
• Launch: Geology on Mars
• Plate Motion
• Engineering Internship: Plate Motion
• Rock Transformations
• Earth, Moon and Sun
• Ocean, Atmosphere and Climate
• Weather Patterns
• Earth’s Changing Climate
• Engineering Internship: Earth’s Changing Climate

These are inquiry-based units during which the sixth-graders investigate solutions to problems. The curriculum includes reading articles, using digital simulations, completing hands-on labs, modeling, writing and discussing. Beyond the text, students also do STEM activities throughout the year.

In seventh grade, students delve into life science — topics to live for. These topics are applicable to the students’ lives as they discover how their bodies work and investigate the interaction with other organisms. They use the Amplify science series throughout the school year.

Life Science Units:

• Launch: Microbiome
• Metabolism
• Engineering Internship: Metabolism
• Traits and Reproduction
• Populations and Resources
• Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
• Natural Selection
• Engineering Internship: Natural Selection
• Evolutionary History

These are inquiry-based units during which the seventh-graders investigate solutions to problems. The curriculum includes reading articles, using digital simulations, completing hands-on labs, modeling, writing and discussing. Beyond the text, the seventh-graders do STEM activities throughout the year. The annual field trip relates to the science course, which provides hands-on application of what they are studying.

In eighth grade, students explore physical science during which they investigate energy sources and transference — the eighth-graders are really moving. They use the Amplify science series throughout the school year.

Physical Science Units:

• Light Waves
• Launch: Harnessing Human Energy
• Force and Motion
• Engineering Internship: Force and Motion
• Magnetic Fields
• Thermal Energy
• Phase Change
• Engineering Internship: Phase Change
• Chemical Reactions

These are inquiry-based units during which students investigate solutions to problems. The curriculum includes reading articles, using digital simulations, completing hands-on labs, modeling, writing and discussing. Beyond the text, eighth-graders do STEM activities throughout the year.

For success in middle school, organization is imperative. We would like you and your child to discuss what might be the best approach to organizing notes, handouts and work. Pick one of the organizational options below:

• A spiral-bound notebook that has a pocket for each of the 6 subjects in middle school
• A three-ring binder divided into 6 sections, with pockets/folders for handouts, or a three-hole punch to organize handouts
• Folders for each class for handouts and lined paper upon which to take notes

DO NOT use large rolling backpacks. It is our experience that students have trouble the first month, or so, remembering what to take to each class, but our students figure it out eventually. When students have rolling backpacks, they tend to put everything in the backpack rather than learning to prepare for class ahead of time and differentiate.

Make sure that your child has reliable access to the internet and a device with a camera and microphone to complete work digitally when at home for various assignments.

Please be aware that some of the supplies below will need to be purchased throughout the year as needed to be used at home and at school.

Supplies your child will need all year: Check weekly with your child to make sure they have everything, and replenish throughout the year.

• 2 packages college-ruled lined paper
• 2 packages graphing paper (81/2 x 11, any size squares per inch)
• Pens – black or blue (students should always have two available) for all student work except in math
• Pencils (students should always have two available) Mechanical is preferred. **Avoid plastic-coated pencils.**
• Red or other color pens for correcting
• 2 fine-tip black Sharpies
• 1 box washable markers (thick or thin) OR 24+ colored pencils *Do not bring anything that bleeds through paper.
• 1 Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS calculator (for 7th- and 8th-graders)
• Scissors
• 1 bottle glue and 1 glue stick
• Headphone set with a microphone for use with the foreign language program (Must have a USB plug to connect to the computer; 2 prong will not work with laptops.)

Clearly labeled with child’s name: 

• New American Bible (one-time purchase in 6th grade but used in 7th and 8th grade)
• ELA – 1 two-subject college-ruled notebook for bell ringers and/or journals and grammar
• 1 8×10 spiral-bound Mixed Media Sketchbook (for Ms. Lamb)
• 500 index cards to use as flashcards

Optional:

• sticky notes

Please bring these items on the first day of school: 

• Jumbo-size book covers (8th grade needs 2, 6th and 7th need 1)
• Last name A-J: 2 boxes Ziploc bags (quart size and gallon size)
• Last name K-Z: 2 packages baby wipes
• 4 boxes tissues
• 2 rolls paper towels
• 2 containers Clorox Wipes
• 1 ream white copy paper (500 sheets) (Please bring to the front office.)