Curriculum

Middle School Learning: Week at a Glance

At the Appleton Area School District, our classrooms combine strong academics with hands-on learning, creativity, and friendships so students are excited to learn each day.

Students explore meaningful ideas through literacy, solve real-world problems in math, investigate scientific questions, and learn about their communities and the world around them. Our dedicated educators create engaging learning experiences that help every student grow and develop a lifelong love of learning, while partnering with families to create opportunities for you to engage in the school community. 

Below are the content areas your child will experience:

Literacy

In English Language Arts, through a collaborative process, teacher teams will select units of study that encompass the essential skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The English Language Arts classes meet daily.

Mathematics

Students learn math every day with a variety of course options in each grade to provide instruction at the level matching students’ understanding of math concepts.

Science

Students engage in an inquiry-based science course daily with a focus on Earth Science in 6th grade, Life Science in 7th grade, and four major themes in 8th grade.

Social Studies

Social studies classes meet daily with a focus on different areas at each grade level. In 6th grade, students learn about how people live in the Western Hemisphere through foundations in geography. The social studies content for seventh grade helps create a foundation for studying the world as a whole while learning about how people live in the Eastern Hemisphere. And in 8th grade, they will gain a deeper awareness of US History.

Music and Physical Education

Alternating every other day, students will attend a physical education and music class. Physical education will provide a wide range of opportunities while improving levels of health-related fitness. Music education choices include choir, band, orchestra, and more.

World Language

The introduction of both Spanish and French begins in 6th grade with a quarter-long class in each language. In 7th grade, a language is chosen to continue learning daily for a semester. By 8th grade, students are encouraged to continue with a world language class, meeting daily for the full year, providing the foundation to continue world language classes in high school.

Additional Encore Classes

Students participate in additional courses every day, such as Art, Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Science, Health, STEM, Technology & Engineering. Each of these courses run daily for a quarter of the school year, providing a variety of academic opportunities.

Social-Emotional Learning

Students regularly practice skills that support emotional well-being and positive relationships. These lessons help students develop empathy, communication skills, and responsible decision-making.

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Together, these experiences create a well-rounded middle school program where students grow academically, socially, and emotionally while developing a lifelong love of learning.