In this quarter-long course, students use computational thinking as well as the engineering design process to solve complex, open-ended problems. This course includes fundamental computer science concepts which support computational thinking. Computational thinking allows students to develop the ability to logically order and analyze data and to create solutions using an algorithmic approach (ordered steps). Students will focus on applying the engineering design process and participate in design activities to understand how criteria, constraints, and processes affect designs. Brainstorming, visualizing, modeling, constructing, testing, and refining designs provide firsthand opportunities for students to understand the uses and impacts of innovations. This is a required quarter long course for all sixth grade students.

In this quarter-long course, students focus on building a foundation for making intelligent financial decisions related to income, expenses, savings, budgeting, and credit. Students will apply financial management principles in learning about how spending decisions impact career choices, saving for college or other post secondary goals, and getting a job. Students explore personal interests and talents, develop an understanding of current and emerging career possibilities, and apply career readiness skills. Students will connect their own career aspirations and classroom learning to real-world roles and opportunities. This career exploration unit is designed to support the Maryland Career Development Framework standards and indicators while also providing opportunities for students to think critically.

In this quarter-long course, students develop critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills through projects and activities needed to be contributing members of their families and communities Through food labs, students will learn food and kitchen safety and use of basic, healthy ingredients to plan and prepare tasty and nutritious meals and snacks.

This quarter-long course equips students with essential skills for independence and life management, including food preparation and kitchen safety, soft skill development, transferable work habits, leadership development and employability skills for diverse career fields. Through hands-on activities, projects, interactive lessons, and real-world applications, students will gain practical knowledge that applies career and technical knowledge to everyday living.

In this quarter-long course, students prepare for careers by exploring a variety of interests and talents, develop an understanding of current and emerging career possibilities, while learning and applying career readiness skills. Students will connect their own career aspirations and classroom learning to real-world roles and opportunities. Students will research and participate in project-based activities in each of the HCPSS Career Academies. Students will learn about costs and planning for opportunities after high school. This career exploration course is designed to support the Maryland Career Development Framework standards and indicators while also providing opportunities for students to think critically. The following CTE High School Computer Science, Engineering, or Technology (CSET) courses fulfill the high school graduation requirement. See Credit for High School Courses Taken in Middle School on page 7. Each of these elective courses below are available to all students in g

This full-year course prepares students to understand and apply technological concepts and processes that are the cornerstone of the high school technology education program. Students study the nature and technological issues of the designed world. Group and individual activities engage students in creating ideas, developing innovations, design, fabricating, and engineering solutions. One high school CSET credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this course. See Credit for High School Courses Taken in Middle School, page 7 for more information.

This full-year course will give students the opportunity to delve into real-world, relevant computing problems while gaining high school level foundational computer science knowledge. Students will engage in several in-depth projects to demonstrate the real-world applications of computing. Units include human computer iteration, web design, programming, computing and data analysis, and robotics. One high school CSET credit will be awarded upon successful completion of this course. See Credit for High School Courses Taken in Middle School, page 7 for more information. All middle school students take English in grades 6-8. Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 learn how to make purposeful and deliberate choices when responding to diverse media and formats. Students read grade-appropriate complex literary and informational texts while further developing the ability to cite textual evidence to support analyses when responding to text in written and spoken modes. Students analyze both the structur

English 6 students learn how to make purposeful and deliberate choices when responding to diverse media and formats. Students read grade-appropriate complex literary and informational texts while further developing the ability to cite textual evidence to support analyses when responding to text in written and spoken modes. Students analyze both the structure and content of complex, thematic-based texts.

English 8 students learn how to make purposeful and deliberate choices when responding to diverse media and formats. Students proficiently read gradeappropriate complex literary and informational texts while further developing the ability to cite textual evidence to support analyses when responding to text in written and spoken modes. Students analyze both the structure and content of complex, theme-based texts.

This course requires students to address the expectations of the grade 6 English Language Arts Curriculum, as well as more advanced critical reading, writing, and thinking demands. The compacted curriculum collapses previously mastered grade-level skills in order for students to engage with more advanced text analysis and student-directed inquiry.

Students in this course read grade-appropriate complex literary and informational texts while further developing the ability to cite textual evidence to support analyses when responding to text in written and spoken modes. Students analyze both the structure and content of complex, thematic-based texts. English 7 students expand their understanding of argument by addressing counterclaims in written and spoken responses.

This course requires students to address the expectations of the grade 7 English Language Arts Curriculum, as well as more advanced critical reading, writing, and thinking demands. The compacted curriculum collapses previously mastered grade-level skills in order for students to engage with more advanced text analysis and studentdirected inquiry.