English
English - Grade 7
English - Grade 8

Science
Life Science - Grade 7
Physical Science - Grade 8

Math
Pre-Algebra - Grade 7
Pre-Algebra/Algebra - Grade 8

Arabic
Arabic - Grade 7
Arabic - Grade 8

Islamic Studies
Islamic Religion - Grade 7
Islamic Religion - Grade 8

Social Studies
Civics/ World Geography-Grade 7
Ancient World History- Grade 8

The English 7 and 8 program serves as a bridge between the elementary language arts curriculum and the high school English literature and composition program. The purpose of this program is to promote academic excellence in reading, writing, and oral communication, including critical thinking and study skills.
Students read a variety of literary works, building on an understanding of reading as a process that includes analyzing and interpreting the text. Students enter into the study of specific genres of literature - short stories, novels, drama, nonfiction, and poetry which provides a basis for further in-depth analysis in high school. The basic elements of fiction (plot, character, setting, theme, symbolism and point of view) are introduced and discussed within the context of literary works.
The English program emphasizes the grammar-writing connection. The grammar and vocabulary texts complete a developmentally appropriate series introduced in the elementary grades. Through a variety of writing assignments, students develop an understanding of writing as a process that includes prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing. This writing program emphasizes the basic writing

English - Grade 7:

Texts:
Elements of Literature, Elements of Language
Houghton Mifflin English
Houghton Mifflin Spelling and Vocabulary
Reading Drills Intermediate Level, Edward B. Fry, Jr.
Novels chosen from English department reading list

Literature
Short story and literary elements through text
Drama elements through text
Nonfiction elements through text
Poetry and fable elements through text
Independent reading selections

Grammar
Sentences and Nouns
Verbs and Modifiers
Pronouns and Prepositional phrases
Modifiers
Capitalization and Punctuation
Study and Test taking skills
Research skills

Composition Skills
Writing a personal narrative
Writing a cause and effect paragraph
Writing a description
Writing a persuasive letter
Writing a business letter and a friendly letter
Writing a story
Writing poetry
Writing a research report

Spelling and Vocabulary, Units 1-36
Reading Comprehension Skills (Reading Drills, Chapters I - 3)

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English - Grade 8:

Texts:
Elements of Literature, Elements of Language
Houghton Mifflin English
Houghton Mifflin Spelling and Vocabulary
Reading Drills, Intermediate Level, Edward B. Fry, Jr.
Novels chosen from English department reading list

Literature
Short story and literary elements through text
Drama elements through text
Nonfiction elements through text
Poetry and fable elements through text
Independent reading selections

Grammar
Simple, compound, and complex sentences
Parts of speech
Capitalization and punctuation
Study and test taking skills
Research skills

Composition Skills
Writing narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive paragraphs
Writing a personal narrative
Writing an original story
Writing a research report analyzing mass media messages
Writing poetry
Writing friendly and business letters

Spelling and Vocabulary, Units 1-36
Reading Comprehension Skills (Reading Drills, Chapters 4-6)

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Life Science - Grade 7

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The seventh grade Life Science course introduces students to the laboratory of science in which they live. Students demonstrate safety procedures in the use of laboratory equipment, while working individually and groups. They continue to use the basic skills to employ the scientific method for solving problems. Also, it gives the students the necessary knowledge and experience to further their studying the Biological Sciences. Students complete projects for the Academy's Science Fair.

GOALS:

The academic curriculum in science, at the Islamic Saudi Academy, exposes its students to selected activities which emphasize their ability to think critically and rationally, to communicate effectively, to further develop their ability in problem solving and to develop socially in an activity centered classroom.

Students learn through their investigation that has been developed to take advantage of their natural curiosity and interest.
 

OBJECTIVES:

The student will:

• Demonstrate safe and appropriate use of tools and scientific equipment for making observations about the living environment.
• Demonstrate proper handling and care of organisms and show respect for life and property.
• Explore historical contributions to science, career opportunities and general
  interest.
• Investigate relationships among organisms in a biological community using field
  and laboratory activities.
• Describe conservation as a necessary practice in life's attempt to protect and
  wisely use the living resources on earth.
• Identify characteristics that distinguish living things form non-living things.
• Identify and compare typical plant and animal cells parts.
• State the function of cell parts.
• Describe functions of the system of the human body.
• Describe the major differences between sexual and asexual reproduction.
• Identify the basic components of a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
• Construct a food web that shows the food relationship in a community.
• Describe the effects of food on the human body.
• Describe how humans are a part of an environmental system.
• Identify the parts and correct use of a compound microscope.
• Explain the importance of a control in an experiment.
• Construct a table for recording data.
• Use a classification key to name organisms.

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Physical Science - Grade 8

Course Description:

The Eighth Grade Physical Science course further acquaints students with the physical world in which they live. Energy transformations are examined and students learn to distinguish between physical and chemical changes. Physical science is a study of the relationship between matter and energy. Relevant subjects such as photography, lasers, optical fibers, radio, television, transportation, and computers involve students in the purposeful study of physical science. The physical science program requires students to observe and describe a variety of significant physical phenomena so as to arrive at conclusions. The course is a "hands-on" activities approach to develop basic physical science concepts. The course will assist students in doing classroom science projects.

Goals:

The academic curriculum in science for eighth graders, at the Islamic Saudi Academy, is geared to meet the needs of middle school students as they seek to understand themselves and the physical world in the their -environment. It fosters scientific literacy and capitalizes on students' inate curiosity and creativity by internalizing, classifying, measuring, and drawing conclusions.

OBJECTIVE:

The student will:

• Use process skills as a basis for defining and solving problems and answering questions related to the study of the physical environment.
• Demonstrate safe use of laboratory techniques and equipment individual and group activities.
• Identify characteristics and examples of various types of matter by their physical and chemical properties.
• Investigate the scientific principles and the technological applications of work.
• Evaluate past and future effects of science and technology on man and the environment.
• Explore the relationship of physical science to students' interest and career opportunities.
• Differentiate between potential and kinetic energy.
• Identify forms of energy in an energy transformation.
• Diagram an atom, showing the number and location of protons, electrons, and neutrons.
• Distinguish between a physical and chemical change.
• Demonstrate the use of scientific instruments used.
• Identify basic requirements for recreation or employment.
• Identify alternatives ways to reach career goals.
   

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Pre-Algebra - Grade 7

Objectives:
In seventh grade math, the students review the basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. They use these operations with integers, mixed numbers, fractions and decimals. The students are introduced to the use of these operations with negative numbers. Visual models are used to reinforce these concepts. The students also learn the concepts of order of operations, averages, prime factorization and exponents. Following this, the students move on to basic algebraic equations. Then they move to ratio and proportion. Geometry is introduced in the second half of the year where the students learn to find areas, perimeters and volumes. Some geometric constructions are also included.

Content:

Skills
The purpose of this course is to give students an array of figures mathematical skills beginning with basic computational skills.
The student will be able to work with:

Text:
Mathematics: Structure and Mthod Course 1.
 

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Pre-algebra/ Algebra - 8th Grade

Objectives
The aim of this program is to integrate geometry, pre algebra, and statistic. The eighth grade math course is called Pre Algebra because it is just that, an introduction to the High school Algebra course. The first semester is spent reviewing and reinforcing concepts such as negative numbers and fractions. The second semester begins with solving basic equations and gradually moving on to more complex ones. This leads to students being able to write an equation for given information and solving that equation. Geometry is introduced in the second half of the year where the student learns to find the perimeter, area, and volume of many shapes. An introduction of graphing lines, systems of equations, and inequalities is also included.

Content

Skills

Text
Mathematics: Structure and Method course 2

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Arabic - Grade 7:

Reading
Objective:

Literary Extracts - Excerpts

Grammar
Train students to speak and write classical Arabic Language free of any grammatical mistakes, and understand correctly what is being written and read.

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Arabic - Grade8:

Grammatical Rules Selected from traditional literary texts rich in language skills appropriate to student mental capabilities.

Program of study:

Reading:
Objectives: Training students on correct and precise reading language and literary appreciation Synonyms and Autonyms.

Program Study:

Prose and Poetry Texts
Providing students with literary appreciation skills and interest.
Choice of good poetic texts, and understanding and imagination of beautiful perspectives expressed in poetic language, without much concern about flowery language and terminologies.
 

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Islamic Religion - Grade 7:

Qur'anic Memorization: Surat al Hujurat and Surat Yaseen
Qur'anic Recitation: Surat al Hujurat, al Fath, az-Zumur, and Yaseen
Tawhid: Students learn the following topics:

• Expiation of sin
• Avoiding shirk (association with God)
• The Meaning of La ilaha illa Allah
• Putting all trust in Allah solely

Hadith: Students learn hadiths which deal with the following social and moral topics:

• Manner of Remembering Allah SWT
• The Importance of gaining knowledge
• Importance of reciting the Qur'an
• Avoiding hypocrisy and all such characteristics.
• Behavior in the Masjid

Fiqh:

• Types of prayer
• Taraweeh prayer
• The traveler's prayer
• The prayer of the sick
• Friday prayer (jum'a)
• Eid Prayer

Tafseer: students study verses which deal with the following topics:

• Day of Judgement (reward and punishment)
• Past Nations and their demise and punishment.
• Importance of Justice and Equality
• Man's Creation and his resurrection.
   

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Islamic Religion - Grade 8:

Qur'anic Memorization: Surat Kaf and Surat Ghafir
Qur'anic Recitation: Surat Kaf, Ghafir, al Ahzab
Tawhid: Students study the following topics:

• Avoiding shirk (association with God)
• Avoiding magic and sorcery and fortune-telling.
• Avoiding superstition
• Avoiding the devil's path
• Putting your trust in God

Hadith: Students study ahadith which cover the following topics:

• One's relationship with God
• One's relationship with other people
• Building social relations
• Maintaining relations with one's relatives and family
• Building one's own personality

Fiqh: Students study the following topics in details:

• Fasting
• Alms-giving
• Pilgrimage

Tafseer: Students study verses which deal with the following topics:

• The greatness of the Creator
• The Reward of the Believers
• The Punishment of the Disbelievers
• Description of Heaven and Hell
• Stories of the Prophets
   

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Civics/ World Geography-Grade 7

Seventh grade social studies is divided into two semester courses: Civics and World Geography. In Civics, students learn to become engaged, well -informed members of society. Complex political and social issues are explored, preparing them to become morally accountable and law-abiding citizens.

World Geography endeavors an understanding of the world's physical characteristics and human interaction with their environment. Students are introduced to basic concepts, geographic themes, and the skills necessary for effective learning. The course covers the five themes of geography and applies them to world's regions. Students are taught to evaluate, conceptualize and analyze using facts and statistical figures. Critical thinking skills are encouraged.

OBJECTIVES

Content:

A. Civics:

B. World Geography:

Skills

1. To have students acquiring geographic skills like map skills, reading charts, graphs, and tables.
2. To teach students how to utilize their critical thinking skills by comparing, forming questions, perceiving cause and effect relationships, and drawing conclusions and inferences.
3. To improve students’ study skills like identifying main ideas, preparing and outline, paraphrasing and summarizing, and writing an essay.
4. To develop the students’ reading comprehension and listing abilities.
5. To build the student’s knowledge by learning about their environment and the world around them.
6. To enhance students’ vocabulary acquisition for writing and discussion.
7. To strengthen students’ skills in debating current issues and events.

Materials

1. World Geography, A Global Perspective, Prentice Hall, 2000
2. National Geographic Society videos and CD-ROMS
3. Barry, Feinstein, Flynn, Sherman & Yero, Civics in America, McDougal Littell, 2003.
4. We the People; The Citizen & the Constitution, Center for civic Education, 1988
5. Educational videos. 

 Methods of Evaluation

1. In-class Performance assessment through:
   1. Discussions and debates
   2. Grade level worksheets
   3. Participation
   4. Reading supplementary materials and answering questions
   5. Discussions on videos
   6. Note-taking skills
2. Homework assignments that include:
   1. Reading assignments and writing questions on reading assignments
   2. Preparing outlines or summaries
   3. Answering questions at the end of each chapter
3. Tests and quizzes
4. Special project assignments

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Ancient World History- Grade 8

ANCIENT WORLD HISTORY-EIGHTH GRADE 

 Content 

1. To study the history of the world, and particularly of Asia, Africa, and Europe between man’s evolution and the Renaissance.
2. To make students aware of the interconnected mature of the economic, social, political, intellectual and spiritual aspects of early societies.
3. To help students develop a historical context by relating the ancient world to the modern world.
4. To teach an awareness of the relationship between a society’s historical evolution and is approaches to the arts, sciences and literature.

Skills

1. To teach students to read with greater comprehension and intellectual engagement.
2. To teach students the basic chronology of ancient and medieval history.
3. To teach students to understand historical cause and effect, and to use this understanding to make themselves more independent learners of history.
4. To improve students’ ability to plan and write an analytical historical essay.
5. To help students develop a more extensive vocabulary.

  Materials 

 In-class testing which includes:

1. multiple choice questions
2. fill in the bland questions
3. essays
4. graded worksheets based on supplementary reading
5. quarterly projects