Band is a year long, co-curricular course. There are 3 levels of Band: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each ensemble provides students with musical experiences through developing their performance on concert instruments, reading and developing music literacy, and collaborating with the director and peers on concerts. Students gain through the music curriculum cultural awareness and broadened world views. Students are also provided opportunities to attain the knowledge and skills necessary to become musically literate, well-rounded individuals. Students work collaboratively with others to achieve common artistic goals, thereby preparing them for a lifetime of engagement with the fine arts.

This is a semester-long course. Coding and Innovative Technologies introduces students to coding and emerging technology through hands-on projects. Students will learn introductory coding concepts through a variety of apps, creating a webpage,  and interactive websites. In addition, students will actively use technology to complete small group or individual projects. Students become confident in their ability to program and are prepared to use tools that are becoming standard in the workplace and in everyday life. Ask your student to show off what they are working on!

This is a semester-long course. Computer Solutions uses project based learning to teach practical computer skills that can be applied to all courses across the curriculum. Instruction includes units in proper keyboarding technique, computer components, operating systems, presentation tools, spreadsheets and charting, databases, word processing, integration, internet research tools, and computer ethics. This course extends student expertise in the 16 Career Clusters and develops an understanding of career pathways with an emphasis on career and college readiness. The above is achieved through meaningful and fun projects that engage all learners. Ask your student about their latest projects!

Family and Consumer Sciences is a semester-long class. It emphasizes personal responsibility for the demands of multiple life roles through hands-on, project-based instruction. Students focus on individual development, maintain their personal environments, apply nutrition and wellness practices, manage consumer and family resources, create textile, fashion, and apparel products, and explore careers related to Family and Consumer Sciences such as child care. Instruction in this course emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts, where appropriate.

  Orchestra is a year long elective class. There are three orchestras: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. In orchestra the students learn and demonstrate critical listening skills. In orchestra students learn to read, perform, and notate music on their instrument. They will demonstrate music performance skills as a member of an ensemble. We explore music through a historical and cultural context, and learn new techniques through exploration of increasingly difficult music to be prepared for the high school orchestra experience.

This is a semester-long course where students will have an introduction to theatre as a performing art.  Students will study their voice and body in the perspective of actors.  The students will explore the new artistic craft in performances and creative writing.  The goal of this class is to build confidence and help students build the skills they need to speak naturally in public.

In this course, students will have a focused curriculum exploring theatre as a performing art. Students will refine using their voice and body in the perspective of actors, as well as learning to make specific choices based on text. The students will explore the new artistic craft in performances and creative writing. The goals of this class are to continue to build confidence, help students develop strong decision-making and leadership skills, and to be prepared to audition/interview professionally in the theatre or business world.

This is a semester-long course where students develop an appreciation of technical theatre, including lighting, sound, scenery, costumes, and stage management. Students will develop skills in listening, collaborating, and discussing in group situations. Students will explore and design technical theatre elements through analysis of scripts and performances.

This is a semester-long course where students will have an introduction to musical theatre as a performing art.  Students will study their voice and body in the perspective of musical actors.  The students will explore the new artistic craft in performances and creative writing.  The goal of this class is to build confidence and help students build the skills they need to speak naturally in public. 

Speech & Theatre is about learning theatrical games and activities to help strengthen focus, listening, body movement & personal connection. Students will engage with each other and with content that helps to strength & develop empathy skills, connect with each other is kind and understanding manners and help them build their confidence.

At Key Middle School, we hope that all students will feel: seen, heard, loved, challenged, supported, and successful. As English 7 teachers, we will support these goals by valuing students’ unique perspectives, building a positive space for students to grow as readers, writers, thinkers, and communicators, empowering students to promote positive change within their community, and providing opportunities for students to build the skills necessary to become lifelong learners. Students should participate appropriately in class discussions and activities by speaking kindly to others, asking questions, and sharing their ideas, come to class prepared by bringing a laptop and charger, writing utensil, and any required reading, check Schoology and Gmail daily for updates from teachers, and email their teacher when help is needed.

In 8th grade English, we strive to empower students to read, write, and discuss in order to improve their ability to communicate their beliefs and connect with the world. As English teachers, we know that the best way to prepare students for the real world is to teach them to read and write. Students will read and study a variety of literature, emphasizing the importance of reading to analyze and interpret a text for meaning. Students will understand writing as a process that includes drafting, revising, editing, proofreading, and publishing. Reading helps students learn more about the world around them, and writing empowers students to use their voices to combat ignorance, effect change, and stand up for their beliefs.

In our ESOL classes, students who are new to English have the opportunity to learn the content areas of English, Social Studies, Science, math, and language development in smaller and supportive classroom environments. All classes are designed for students to make progress in English  literacy proficiency. For students with more advanced English proficiency, classes called Developing English Language Development (ELD) and Academic Language are available to support students in mastering academic language that is necessary for student success. We encourage students as much as possible to converse with family and friends in English, read books for at least 20 minutes a day, and communicate with teachers about any questions or concerns they may have about classes.

The Key MS Health and Physical Education department is committed to providing a safe and caring learning environment in which all students are expected to achieve high standards. We are devoted to instilling the value of a sound mind in a healthy body by providing the essential knowledge and skills for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.

Parents can support students at home by checking SIS for grades and teacher comments. Encourage your child to take advantage of assessment retakes which can have a positive impact on their overall grade. Parents and Teachers are a team so please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The Key MS Health and Physical Education department is committed to providing a safe and caring learning environment in which all students are expected to achieve high standards. We are devoted to instilling the value of a sound mind in a healthy body by providing the essential knowledge and skills for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.

Parents can support students at home by checking SIS for grades and teacher comments. Encourage your child to take advantage of assessment retakes which can have a positive impact on their overall grade. Parents and Teachers are a team so please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The seventh-grade standards continue to emphasize the foundations of algebra. The standards address the concept of and operations with rational numbers by continuing the students’ study from grade six.  Problem solving is integrated throughout the content strands. Students will build on the concept of ratios to solve problems involving proportional reasoning.Students will solve problems involving volume and surface area and focus on the relationships among the properties of quadrilaterals.Probability is investigated through comparing experimental results to theoretical expectations.Students continue to develop their understanding of solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable by applying the properties of real numbers. Students discern between proportional and non-proportional relationships and begin to develop a concept of slope as rate of change.  

This course is based on the Mathematics 8 Standards and includes extensions and enrichment designed to delve deeper into this curriculum. Emphasis is placed on non-routine problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and algebraic connections among mathematical ideas. Please remind your student about their weekly homework assignment on Performance Matters and feel free to offer mathematical assistance when needed.  Also, encourage the student to reach out for help from the classroom teacher, peers, instructional videos and other resources when struggling with the weekly assignments. 

Students will extend their study of algebra and geometry preparatory concepts and skills and build on their knowledge from Math 7.  Students will continue to build on strategies for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; number concepts and skills especially as it relates to proportional reasoning.  Reasoning skills, problem solving, communication, concepts representation, and connections among mathematical ideas are emphasized in an exploratory learning environment.  Students can find additional support for use at home on the class Schoology page under “Current Unit”.   

Algebra 1 is a challenging mathematics program for students who have shown mastery of the  middle school math curriculum prior to 9th grade, including the Virginia Standards of Learning for grades 6-8.  Algebra 1 extends students’ knowledge and understanding of the real number system and its properties through the study of variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, and the analysis of data derived from real-world phenomena.  Students are scheduled to take the Virginia EOC for Algebra 1 which includes the following topics- numerical and algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, relations and functions, polynomials, and quadratic equations.  A student's final grade in Algebra 1 will be recorded on their high school transcript and be part of their high school GPA.  A end-of-course passing grade AND a passing SOL score can verify high school mathematics credit.  Students are encouraged to use Tutor.com and attend Algebra Zone after school for additional support.

Algebra 1H is a challenging mathematics program for students who have shown mastery of the  middle school math curriculum prior to 9th grade, including the Virginia Standards of Learning for grades 6-8.  Algebra 1H extends students’ knowledge and understanding of the real number system and its properties through the study of variables, expressions, equations, inequalities, and the analysis of data derived from real-world phenomena.  Additionally, Algebra 1H includes honors extensions designed to delve deeper into the curriculum.  Students are scheduled to take the Virginia EOC for Algebra 1 which includes the following topics- numerical and algebraic expressions, linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, relations and functions, polynomials, and quadratic equations.  A student's final grade in Algebra 1H will be recorded on their high school transcript and be part of their high school GPA.  A end-of-course passing grade AND a passing SOL score can verify high school mathematics credit.  Students are encouraged to use Tutor.com and attend Algebra Zone after school for additional support.

Investigations in Environmental Science is an inquiry based course that teaches students to develop a complex understanding of change, cycles, patterns, and relationships in the natural world.  Students explore the interactions between living organisms and their environment. Students will discuss ecosystems, levels of organization (cells), passing of genetic information (DNA) from generation to generation, and human impact on the environment. In order to master the course concepts, students should be encouraged to review their materials at home. Students can also receive extra help after school with their teacher. You can reach your child’s teacher anytime via email or Talking Points. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

This course is designed to give students an overview of chemistry and physics in preparation for high school.  An inquiry-based approach will be used to help student development of basic skills in science throughout the course.  Emphasis is placed upon critical and creative thinking through collaboration and lab-based activities.  Topics include Energy, Forces, and Their Effects; Matter and Its Properties; Changes in Matter; and Interactions of Energy and Matter. The end-of-year SOL will include material from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. As we will be holding many hands-on activities involving delicate equipment and chemicals, please make sure that the Lab Safety Agreement form is signed and turned in. You can reach your student’s teacher at any time via email or through Talking Points.

French 1 is an introduction to the French language and culture. The fundamentals of French pronunciation, grammar, and culture are presented through a balanced development of all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This course is designed for students to gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures.  Students start learning how to communicate in French. Students are expected to meet the requirements prescribed by FCPS by developing the four basic language competencies (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) and engaging in the five Cs: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. This course also supports the Standards for Foreign Language Learning by providing clearly defined objectives, a variety of pair- and group-work activities so that students can use French in a wide range of settings and contexts, and offering culture-related activities and questions that develop students’ insight and encourage them to develop observational and analytical skills.

Spanish  is an introduction to the Spanish language and cultures of Spanish speaking countries. The fundamentals of Spanish pronunciation, grammar, and culture are presented through a balanced development of all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This course is designed for students to gain knowledge and understanding of other cultures.  Students start learning how to communicate in Spanish. Students are expected to meet the requirements prescribed by FCPS by developing the four basic language competencies (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) and engaging in the five Cs: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities. This course also supports the Standards for Foreign Language Learning by providing clearly defined objectives, a variety of pair- and group-work activities so that students can use Spanish in a wide range of settings and contexts, and offering culture-related activities and questions that develop students’ insight and encourage them to develop observational and analytical skills.