Perry Innovation Center Upper School Curriculum

Bus Transportation Available for In-District Residents




​6th & 7th

​Grade

Courses

The course blocks include 6th & 7th grade ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, and Physical Education standards

Semester 1:
* The Art of Me (6th & 7th grades) (Citizenship, Decision Making) - "What is my purpose and impact on the world?"  
* The Amazing World (6th grade) (Earth Science, Geography) - "How do major earth’s physical systems affect the human conditions?" 
* Me in the Contemporary World (7th grade) (Science of Human Impact, Current Global Events) - "How do people, places, and environments relate and interact with each other?"  
* Life Happens (6th grade) (Principles of Quantitative Thinking and Applied Mathematics) - "How might we design an ethical quantitative research study on a topic of interest?" 
* Business and Management (7th grade) (Economics, Retail Math) - "What mathematical and economic principles are needed to make wise business and personal financial decisions?" 
* Health and Wellness (6th & 7th grades) (Mindfulness, Body Management and Health) - "How might we develop healthy behaviors for ourselves and our global community?"

Semester 2:
* Principles of Design, Innovation, and Problem Identification (6th & 7th grades) (Geometry, Engineering, & Design) - "How can design thinking help solve a complex challenge?" 
* Applied Arts & Culture (6th & 7th grades) (Music, Art, Language,History) - "How does the past impact current cultures, art, and music?" 
​* The Watershed Project (6th grade) (Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management) - "How might we inform our communities about their role in the health and sustainability of our watershed?"
* Sustainable Environments (7th grade) (Science, Spatial concepts, Community) - "Understanding my role in the community" 

Practicum Experiences (Full Year):
* Communications and Storytelling/PIC Radio (English Language Arts) - "How do we use communication and storytelling to tell our story and make a positive impact?"
* Research and Development Lab (Statistics/Probabilities/Design Thinking) - "How do we use research and data along with design thinking to solve problems?"
* Reset, Discover, Accelerate - (Self-paced Options) - "What would I like to learn more about, discover, or advance in?" 

Courses and Curriculum

6th - 7th Grades
(expansion to 8th grade in 2019-20)
Grade levels may be combined and/or co-taught

  • Grades 6th & 7th subjects are taught and learned with an integrated approach with methodologies and instructional practices such as lab experiments, research, interviews, modeling, Socratic questioning, and project based learning. 
  • Authentic assessments are utilized to monitor student learning with a variety of representations (projects, presentations, public outreach initiatives, written work, etc.). 
  • Focus is placed on developing critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, independence and collaboration skills and preparing students to be self-directed learners. 
  • Technology is infused with learning as a natural and essential tool.


Optional
Elective Courses
​The following courses are additional elective options beyond the regular 6th grade integrated curriculum.  These courses are optional for students who have a strong interest and desire to learn in these areas of study.  Students may select up to two.
  • Instrumental music (1st or 2nd year band)
  • Spanish (online)
  • French (online)
  • Chinese (online)
  • American Sign Language (online)
  • Leadership (online)
  • Other options possible upon request

​
Extracurricular
Activities
***Activities will vary depending on sponsor interest and availability.

  • ​Technology Club​
  • Lego Robotics
  • Odyssey of the Mind
  • Chess Club
  • ​Running Club
      Athletics
***6th and 7th grade students may participate in athletics with East or West Middle Schools.  The middle school that PIC students participate with depends on the sport.  Transportation is available to one of the middle schools after school.
  • 6th grade:  Cross-country, wrestling, and track
  • 7th grade:  Football, Girl's basketball, cross-country, wrestling, swimming, volleyball, boy's basketball, track, baseball and softball.  All sports except cross-country, wrestling, and track have try-outs.  ​