Curriculum Overview: The Delta Program
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
French
In the sixth grade year, the major objective of this course is to introduce a basic and practical vocabulary, emphasize the differences between English and French pronunciation and expose the students to the language. Students will complete several projects and participate in three games as they strengthen their skills.
In the seventh grade year, the students will build on those skills learned in sixth grade with an emphasis on pronunciation. Major projects require the students to use their writing and speaking skills. In the eighth grade year, students will build a strong facility to conjugate verbs as they prepare for the French Proficiency Exam. A variety of sources will be used.
Latin
The sixth grade year provides students with an introduction to Roman and classical history, culture, politics, mythology and word roots and etymology with their first taste of morphology. During the seventh grade, students develop an understanding of morphology and the structure of English compared to the structure of Latin. The eighth grade course covers translation in addition to more complex conjugation and tenses. In addition to the text, a variety of translated letters and poems are used.
Spanish
The course of study in Spanish is designed to help students attain proficiency. Speaking, listening, reading and writing skills will be the focus of diverse activities and projects. An understanding of and fluency in the language will be developed through the use of visual materials focused on topics relevant to the students and their experiences. At the end of the eighth grade, students will take the Spanish Proficiency Exam.
Chinese
Chinese is offered in the seventh and eighth grades. Students will learn the Pinyin writing system, emphasizing sentence structure and grammatical concepts. A great deal of time will be spent speaking the language as well as exploring the history and culture of China, both in and out of the class on field trips.
HUMANITIES
Humanities
Grade 6
Delta
This course integrates both the English Language Arts curriculum and the social studies curriculum. It covers Early Humans and Ancient Civilizations through the Renaissance and Reformation, including Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome, and China. Included in the curriculum is the history, arts, religion and literature of these civilizations. Students will sharpen their writing skills by writing five paragraph essays, research papers, memoirs, historic fiction, poetry and biographies. In addition, the course will focus on the development of research skills, literature analysis, reading comprehension, study skills, organization and time management. Romeo and Juliet, The Iliad and folktales and traditional mythology are among the literature read in this course.
Humanities
Grade 7
Delta
The seventh grade humanities course focuses on grammar, syntax and the writing process as students develop critical thing skills through the study of literature and American history (pre-Columbian-1865.) Students will analyze, interpret and evaluate information, ideas, and language from a variety of sources. Reading skills will be sharpened as the students read and interpret primary and secondary source documents, as well as books from each of the major genres. Students will write five paragraph essays, research papers, brochures, journals, stories, poems, literary essays and plays as they refine their ability to use standard English for formal presentation of information, selecting appropriate grammatical constructions and vocabulary, using a variety of sentences structures and observing the rules of punctuation, capitalization and spelling. Antigone, The Giver, The Crucible, Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird, To Be a Slave, Across Five Aprils, The Once and Future King and The Tempest are among the texts used in this course.
Humanities
Grade 8
Delta
The eighth grade humanities course focuses on grammar, syntax and the writing process as students develop critical thing skills through the study of literature and American history (1865-present.) Students will analyze, interpret and evaluate information, ideas, and language from a variety of sources. Reading skills will be sharpened as the students read and interpret primary and secondary source documents, as well as books from each of the major genres. Students will write five paragraph essays, research papers, brochures, journals, stories, poems, literary essays and plays as they refine their ability to use standard English for formal presentation of information, selecting appropriate grammatical constructions and vocabulary, using a variety of sentences structures and observing the rules or punctuation, capitalization and spelling. Catcher in the Rye, My Antonia, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Jungle, Of Mice and Men, A Separate Peace, Night, Macbeth, A Raisin the Sun, The Bell Jar are among the texts used in this course.
MATH
Math
Grade 6
Delta
In this course students will gain a conceptual understanding and computational proficiency of real numbers in their most common representation: decimals, fractions, percents. Students will apply basic algebra skills using variables to problem solve using properties of numbers and operations. Students will be expected to complete several investigative projects.
Math Integrated Algebra (Part I)
Grade 7
Delta
The curriculum in this course includes number sense and operations, including the use of radical terms, scientific notation, factorials, absolute value and exponential expressions. Students will represent and analyze algebraically a wide variety of problem solving situations. Students will perform algebraic procedures involving variables and expressions, equations and inequalities, patterns, relations and functions, coordinate geometry and trigonometric functions. Students will organize, display and analyze data. There are two major projects that students will complete; the first is the Statistics Project and the second is the Apartment Project in which students will design an apartment with a floor plan and 3-D diorama.
Math Integrated Algebra (Part II)
Grade 8
Delta
This course completes the Math A curriculum and culminates with the Math A Regents. Students will explore geometric relationships, coordinate geometry, algebraic concepts and operations with rational and irrational numbers.
MUSIC
Instrumental Music (6,7,8)
Music classes will cover a wide range of topics including basic music theory, notation, part reading, sight reading, conduction, composing, rhythmic notation, ear training – dictation, and performance preparation. Students will have the opportunity to hone their instrumental and vocal skills and will learn proper instrument care and maintenance. The Winter and Spring Music Festivals give students the chance to perform. In addition to music, the course emphasizes listening, self-discipline, responsibility and teamwork.
Vocal Music (6,7,8)
The choral music program is designed to build music literacy and promote vocal development for all students. Students will learn music literacy strategies to help them expand their ability to read and analyze music. More specifically, students will learn about the care of the voice, exercising the voice using vocal exercises, learning to read and write music and reading music related literature. The course differs depending on grade level and becomes progressively more challenging as the grade level increases. Students will have the opportunity to perform for an audience in at least two concerts a year. It is a goal of this course to help the students think critically, understand more about the role of music in our lives and use their imagination, talents, and skills to appreciate and create music.
SCIENCE
Life Science
Grade 6
Delta
The sixth grade life science curriculum includes major life science concepts such as the six kingdoms, cells, genetics, evolution, the human body and the scientific method. In addition, topics from the new NYC Science Scope and Sequence including simple machines, weather and climate will be included in grade six. Students will write lab reports in conjunction with major units: bacteria reproduction and squid dissection. Students will complete group projects on animals and protists, as well as an independent Science Fair project on a topic of their choice.
Physical Science
Grade 7
Delta
This course focuses on physical science, motion, matter, energy, simple machines, electromagnetism, waves and chemistry. Students must complete a Science Fair project in addition to lab reports. The course focuses on skills including applying the scientific method, manipulating science tools, following inquiry procedures and practicing inferential thinking.
Earth Science
Grade 8
Delta
This course covers a variety of topics in earth science including paleontology, topography, geology, hydrology, oceanography, astronomy, cosmology and meteorology. In addition to a Science Fair project and lab reports, students will write a research paper for their Science Exit Project. At the end of the course, students will take the Earth Science Regents Exam. In addition to the written exam, there is a laboratory practicum.