Courses

The Willow Glen Middle English Language Arts (ELA) department is focused on spiraling curriculum that articulates from grades 6-8.  The implementation of the Common Core State Standards is at the forefront of the program with an increase in non-fiction reading and writing based on evidence and analysis.

ELA 6

Students will study the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) units of fictional narrative, expository reading and writing, argumentation, comparing themes across genres, as well as complete a research project.  Classes focus strongly on analysis of informational text (non-fiction) and elements of fictional text.  Students are expected to gain command of English conventions appropriate to 6th grade level and beyond.

ELA 7

ELA 7 is balanced and comprehensive. The language arts processes of reading, writing, listening, and speaking are taught in an integrated and inter-related manner. Course components include the study of rich and varied literature; writing in the genres of narrative, persuasive, expository, and response to literature, direct instruction in language arts skills and strategies, including vocabulary development, spelling, and grammar; a balance of oral and written language activities; and on-going diagnosis and assessment.

ELA 8

ELA 8 is a standards-based course designed to develop skills in listening, speaking, reading comprehension, language usage and writing, literary analysis, and critical thinking. Students develop those skills that enable them to demonstrate their understanding and appreciation of literary works through the use of several writing forms. Additional skills, such as argumentation, active learning techniques and pre-writing skills enhance the students’ development as learners.

Mathematics instruction is guided by the California Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for mathematics. Courses at our comprehensive middle and high schools use College Board’s Springboard curriculum for Math 6 through Algebra 2.

Refer to the Middle School Math Placement Guide for information on secondary math courses, pathways, and placement. San José Unified’s math course placement process is intended to place students in the math course that challenges and supports them at their optimal instructional level. Each student’s placement in middle school math courses is responsive to the student’s mastery-based readiness for course material. Student performance is reviewed each year using multiple data points and placement adjusted accordingly.  

Students cannot skip or take concurrent math courses, as our courses are sequenced to be built on skills and content from previous courses. San José Unified does not accept courses completed at a non-San José Unified program for middle school math acceleration purposes.  

We encourage families to read the guide and also browse the middle school math placement criteria and the process document and view Board Policy 6152.1 - Placement in Mathematics Courses to see the policies that govern our math placement processes.

• Middle School Math Placement Guide (English | Spanish)
• Middle School Math Placement Criteria and Process (English | Spanish)

At Willow Glen Middle School, throughout all grades, the emphasis is on experiential, hands-on learning, and instruction is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The Three Dimensions of Science Learning

Within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there are three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science. These dimensions are combined to form each standard—or performance expectation—and each dimension works with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. http://www.nextgenscience.org/

Project Lead The Way (PTLW) Biomed

In this semester elective course, students explore concepts of human physiology, forensics, DNA and crime scene investigation. This course is available to 7th & 8th graders only.

Project Lead The Way (PTLW) Engineering

Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation.  students develop skills in problem solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation. This course is a semester long elective course available to only 7th & 8th graders.

The Social Studies program at WGMS is a broad, standards-based examination of the human condition from the earliest world civilizations to modern societies. Focus emphasizes particular times and areas of the world. Various research and study skills are reinforced throughout the program and align to the newly-adopted state instructional framework for social studies. 

6th Grade Social Studies - Ancient Civilizations

The 6th grade curriculum covers Ancient Civilizations.  Students explore the elements of society and culture and the conflicts which have influenced the development of mankind and the first societies.  In particular, students focus on: Early Man, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Kush, India, China, Israel, Greece, and Rome before AD 200 approximately.

7th Grade Social Studies - World History

7th grade Social Studies curriculum covers the study of geography, culture and religion in late antiquity through the medieval world.  Following the Middle Ages, students will study the fall of Rome, the spread of Islam, Medieval Africa, China, Japan, MesoAmerica and Europe.  When studying Europe, classes focus on life, religion and politics after the fall of Rome through the Renaissance and Age of Exploration.  The curriculum is based on the Content Standards adopted by the California State Content Standards. The class text is Discovering Our Past: Medieval and Early Modern Times, by Jackson J. Spielvogel, Ph.D., published by Glencoe/McGraw Hill.

8th Grade Social Studies - American History

8th Grade Social Studies has a curriculum that explores the birth and development of America with a focus on the geography, economy, government, military, foreign affairs and people who contributed to creating a new nation. The class begins with pre-colonial America and then to the U.S. Constitution and the events that shaped a young United States. Westward expansion is the next theme, and students will review the effect it had on Native Americans, the land as well as other nations. Classes will examine and analyze the causes and events that resulted in the Civil War and the Reconstruction period.  Additionally, students will examine and analyze the social, economic and technological factors that resulted in America’s industrialization. The final focus will be the major concepts of democracy. The curriculum is based on Content Standards adopted by the California State Board of Education.