Dacula Middle School - Connections


Art	The exploratory art curriculum includes sequential instruction of art fundamentals and techniques. Lessons are structured to promote familiarity with the elements of art and the principles of design and to foster self-confidence in individual expression through creative problem solving and exploration of media.
Career Education	The Career Connection curriculum includes objectives for students to develop a sense of personal worth, to recognize responsibility for decision making, to utilize goal setting strategies, to understand the role of work in our lives, to identify reliable resources of career information, and to understand the value of lifelong learning. Each grade level uses different materials including want ads, applications, interview role playing, videos, articles, skits, and activity related worksheets.
Computer Science	Computer Science is designed to introduce computer applications such as keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and multi-media. The students are given the opportunity to learn and explore the entire software package of Microsoft Office. This package includes MS Word, Excel, Access, Publisher and Power Point. At every grade level the students are increasing their technology skills by experiencing something different like scanning, importing pictures, programming, and even creating their own slide show with sound, music and animation.
CREATE	CREATE (Creative Research Experiences And Technology Exploration), founded at Dacula Middle in 2001, is a Gifted/Honors course for students in Grades 6, 7, and 8. Technology is integrated throughout multimedia projects as students explore content interests linked to History, Geography, Sciences, and the Digital Arts. Student-created projects include photographic arts, animation, video, and digital music.
Health/Physical Education Click Here for Syllabus	Health education is an ongoing process that begins in the early years and continues across the life span. Good health is essential to personal happiness and to strong families and communities. A student's health directly influences his or her success in school. Understanding factors which predispose, enable and reinforce healthy and unhealthy behaviors is necessary. Sixth and seventh graders are initially enrolled in an integrated Health/PE class which focuses on the various aspects of fitness and nutrition. They also take a health class emphasizing drug education, self-esteem, family life education, violence prevention, growth & development, and communicable disease. Seventh graders will integrate Quest into their health curriculum. Eighth graders integrate Health, PE, Quest, and Project Adventure in the Challenges curriculum. This 18 week course emphasizes problem solving and group dynamics as well as topics such as fitness, drug education, and family life education. Students are provided opportunities to succeed in a variety of movement and fitness education activities that assist them in acquiring motor skills, health related fitness abilities, knowledge, positive attitudes, and self-esteem. Opportunities are provided through a wide range of activities including team sports, rhythms, individual sports, outdoor education, and fitness activities.
Music	Band, Chorus, and Orchestra - These programs consist of three levels: 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. These classes are held during the Connections portion of the school day with very little after-school rehearsal. Students are required to perform in 2-3 evening concerts per year.
Music in Education - Keyboard Lab	This is a nine week class provided for students not in band, chorus, or orchestra. Focus is on improving listening and processing skills, and reading a musical score while playing the keyboard.
Peer Leadership	Peer Leaders are chosen at the end of the 6th & 7th grade. The selection process includes an application form, teacher recommendations, and an interview with a counselor. Peer Leadership is a Connections class during the 7th &/or 8th grade year. The students who are selected may work with other students individually, or in small groups on academic or study skills. They may act as a big brother or sister to a younger students, act as hosts and hostesses for special events, and may also help teachers or clerks.
RealTech	RealTech is an advanced computer science course taught to high achieving students in grades 6-8. RealTech was designed to teach students basic concepts found in the real world as well as technology that will be helpful in the real world. These real world concepts include banking, finance, economics, and entrepreneurship. Students work is project based and incorporates the following software programs: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher, as well as Macromedia Dreamweaver and Flash.
Technology Assistant	This class meets for 2 nine weeks (18 weeks). Skills such as computer network management, proper care and use of school hardware, use of many computer software applications, and training in media technology will be taught. Student selection will be based on application and teacher recommendations. This class is not available to students who take any yearlong music class.
Theater	Introduction to Theater is a nine week course that covers the basics of acting, directing, improvisation and theater history. The class is slightly different for each grade level.
Spanish	In Spanish, students will be introduced to a different language and different cultures. They will learn greetings, farewells, and expressions of courtest; as well as basic vocabulary related to the calendar, weather, time, sports and leisure, family, home, school and food. The goals of the class are to use Spanish to ask, to answer and to give information, and to explore the culture of Spanish speaking countries. Emphasis will be placed on communication and meaning.
Math Enrichment	Is a hands-on interactive course designed to extend and enrich the current math AKS which students are learning this year in their math classes. Students use technology and manipulatives to explore mathematical concepts. The concepts covered will challenge critical thinking skills, further develop problem-solving skills, and enhance understanding of how math relates to life outside the classroom.