Academics

California State Content Standards

Language Arts

The English curriculum focuses on developing strong writers and life-long readers. Students write frequently on a variety of subjects. Curriculum includes the teaching of writing as a process. Effort is made to provide students with a wide variety of audiences for their written work. Many Taylor students have won regional and national writing competitions including those sponsored by Scholastic Magazine, the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, the United Way, the NAACP, the Humane Society, and the San Mateo County Libraries to name a few. Components of spelling, vocabulary development and grammar are also a significant part of the English curriculum.

Students read from a variety of literature including texts from the traditional canon (Richard III by William Shakespeare), the middle school canon (The Cay by Theodore Taylor), and contemporary classics (The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton). Creative projects are regularly used to take students into, through and beyond the text. The Millbrae School Board approves the core literature used in our classes. The titles are listed below:

Taylor reading teachers recommend the following texts for middle school students who are looking for fun recreation reading.

Math

The goal of the Mathematics Department at Taylor Middle School is to provide a challenging standards based mathematics program for all students. Placement is based on test scores (CST – California Standards Test; MDTP Readiness Tests– Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project; Trimester Benchmark Tests), report card grades, and teacher recommendation. For more detailed descriptions of the standards taught at each grade level, go to www.cde.ca.gov/standards

Sixth Grade: With a focus on General Mathematics, the sixth grade mathematics classes review and practice all strands of mathematics to achieve mastery in all content and skill areas. All sixth graders use the current adopted textbook Prentice Hall Mathematics: Grade 6.

Seventh Grade: Based on placement criteria, seventh graders are placed either in Pre-algebra or Algebra 1-2.
The Pre-algebra course is designed to prepare students to take Algebra 1-2 the following year. Students will review and practice all strands of general mathematics at a higher level with a focus on using algebraic thinking and techniques. The adopted text for this course is Prentice Hall Mathematics: Pre-Algebra.

The Algebra 1-2 course covers all the same standards as a high school level algebra class. Seventh graders placed in this advanced class are expected to conduct themselves with responsibility and maturity. The current text for this course is McDougal-Littell Algebra.

Eighth Grade: There are three courses offered to eighth grade students: Math 8, Algebra 1-2, and Geometry 1-2.

Math 8 is designed for students who require more practice and review in mastering general mathematics concepts and skills. This course offers more support and an introduction into Algebra 1-2. The curriculum and resources used in this course are taken from multiple sources in order to best meet the needs of the individual student.

Algebra 1-2 is offered to students who need to repeat the course and for those students who have successfully completed a Pre-algebra course. The text for this course is McDougal-Littell Algebra.

Geometry 1-2 is offered to students who have successfully completed Algebra 1-2 as defined by our placement criteria. Geometry 1-2 is a high school level Geometry course. The current text used is Key Press’ Discovering Geometry.

Social Studies

6th Grade
Text: History Alive - The Ancient World - TCI

Sixth graders study the development of ancient civilizations beginning with prehistoric hominids and culminating with the fall of Rome. Highlights of the curriculum include interactive classroom activities that tap students' multiple intelligences and make history come alive as well as examining artifacts to draw conclusions and make inferences.

8th Grade
Text: The Story of America - Holt, Rinehart and Winston

Areas Covered:
Colonial Period
American Revolution
Constitution
Geography
Manifest Destiny
Issues of slavery
Civil War
Reconstruction

A variety of activities and programs are used as part of the curriculum. In addition to lecture, film, laser images and computer software used in the regular daily instruction, students are also involved in other learning experiences. They often use the technology lab and the Internet for research and publishing projects. Simulations, projects, games, skits and mock trials are some of the other ways students are able to experience the learning of the subject matter.

Science

7th Grade Science

In alignment with the State of California Science Content Standards, the focus in the seventh grade is life science. Students study cell biology, genetics, biological evolution, structure and function in living systems, visible light and lenses, biomes and ecosystems. Students engage in a variety of hands-on laboratory activities as well as the use of computer technology to enhance the life science curriculum. Our resource text is McDougal Littell - Focus on Life Science. There is an online version of the text available at classzone.com

8th Grade Science

The course of study is physical science. The major units taught are chemistry, physics, and astronomy. Chemistry focuses of the composition and properties of substances. Physics is the science dealing with the changes and interactions of matter and energy;the primary emphasis is on mechanics. Astronomy is the science of stars and other heavenly bodies; composition, motion, position and size are explored.

8th Grade History

The United States History course covers the historical and cultural events preceding the founding of the nation and extending to the late nineteenth century. Included in the course is the study of geography, social studies and language arts skills. A focus is on academic language in the area of social studies preparing students for greater textbook study in the high school and college years. Students will interpret maps, charts and graphs, and utilize reference books and materials. Accordingly, they will demonstrate understanding of concepts through a variety of assignments both written and creative. Students may participate in:  role-playing, group activities, formal presentations, simulations, primary source examination and traditional teacher-led lecture/discussion. Through this cross-curricular social studies course, students will be prepared for the STAR test and high school college prep studies.   

Physical Education

Physical Education is the only subject which, by the very nature of its content, has the potential to affect how a person will feel every moment of every day for the rest of his or her life.  This is why our philosophy in Physical Education is to ensure that all students are engaged in a non-threatening environment where cooperation is valued, skills are developed, and self-esteem and confidence are increased, thereby paving the way to the ultimate goal….. life-long fitness and activity.

Our curriculum is centered on Physical Activity, which encourages life-long participation in sports, dance and other recreational activities as well as proficiency in movement skills and safety awareness.  We work towards conditioning and an overall knowledge and understanding of a healthy lifestyle.  We also focus on interaction and group social skills centering around respect and for one’s self and other’s individual differences along with promoting leadership and sportsmanship. We continually promote a personal understanding of one’s own strengths and places for improvement as well as mastering a positive self image.

We do this through such activities as:  Golf, football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, dancing, hockey, badminton, pickelball, softball, recreation games, running and time in our fitness lab and health classrooms, as well as various other activity opportunities that may arise over the course of the year.