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Each student's academic work is
individualized. It is designed to build upon the student's achievement
level according to test scores. Students receive instruction in the
following subjects.
Language
Arts | Math |
Social Studies
| Science |
Art |
Computers
Physical
Education |
Human Growth
& Development |
Drug Education
Rockwell Alternative Program |
Personal
Adjustment | Wood
Shop
Language
Arts / English:
Our Language Arts Curriculum
is composed of six components.
- The first component is the
Literature Anthology. A Scope textbook with approximately 50 short
stories categorized as either mystery, adventure, biography,
historical, or comedy is used periodically throughout the year.
- Group novel reading is another component. These novels often are
related to the social studies curriculum being used. Two to four
novels are read together in the classroom.
- Another reading time is D.E.A.R (Drop Everything and Read)
which is the third component.
This is when everyone, students and staff, sit back, relax, and
read the book of their choice for a designated period of time.
- The
fourth component ties in with the third as it is a library of
books in the classroom. A bookcase for this collection of fiction
and non-fiction books is in each room. This room library conveys
the idea that reading is a leisure activity, available when
assigned work has been completed and students have a moment of
free time.
- English grammar and mechanics are the fifth component.
- The sixth is dialogue journals where students have the opportunity
to choose the content. This provides written communication between
the teacher and the student as the teacher responds to the
writing.
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Math:
The focus of our math curriculum is problem solving
and life skills. We encourage thinking skills necessary for adult
life. Learning how to:
- solve problems,
- figure measurements,
- read
and follow numerical directions correctly,
- use calculators,
- develop consumer skills and
- critical thinking
are all part of the
math program. Some of the objectives are achieved through the use
of textbooks, math manipulatives, food products and their
consumption, cooking, building, writing, field trips, puzzles,
reading and shopping. Homework is given in some classes to
complement the lessons. Math is an essential component of our
junior high program.
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Social
Studies:
The
program that is followed at Rockwell Junior High is a rotating
curriculum that is in alignment with the local school districts of
Macomb County. Depending on the school year and the grade level of
the student the program will investigate:
- World Geography, with an emphasis on the Eastern
Hemisphere,
- United States History I (Pre-Columbian through
Reconstruction), and
- United States History II (Reconstruction through the
Present).
In all areas of the curriculum knowledge specific to the content
area will be presented. Universal skills such as locating,
organizing, analyzing and interpreting information will be promoted,
as will the continuing skills in the areas of reading, writing,
listening, thinking skills, and speaking.
Core democratic values such as liberty, equality, and individual
rights will be explored and developed in association with the
content of the material being presented. Civic participation will
also be looked at in regards to the content material. All of these
areas of investigation and development will be addressed through
information gathering, creative expression, the sharing of ideas and
opinions, and critical thinking activities.
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Science:
The science curriculum is currently under re-evaluation to
bring it into alignment with the Michigan Department of Education
Standards. The curriculum consists of elements from the 3
major science areas. These areas are:
Earth consists of the make up of the planet Earth, its history,
weather, oceans, and astronomy. Physical consists of motion,
energy, light and sound, electric and magnetic fields,
and the nature of matter. The curriculum is being designed to be
congruent both with Maple Lane Elementary and Neil Reid High
School.
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Art:
The art program is a ten-week
curriculum that deals with several media.
The program is designed to enable students
at Rockwell to investigate many aspects
of art.
Students work first with drawing a three-dimensional object. They then
try their hand with clay, plaster, paper mache, foam, or jewelry making.
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Computers:
Computers is a 10-week class that
introduces students to a variety of technology skills. Within each
technology concept a variety of activities are introduced,
mastered and extended. The concepts that are explored include the
following:
- General Technological Awareness
- Keyboarding
- Paint, Draw, and Graphics
- Word Processing
- Network Awareness
- Internet
- Multimedia
- Electronic Presentations
- Desktop Publishing
- Spreadsheets
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Physical
Education
Physical Education is an essential part of a student’s total
learning process. The Physical Education curriculum’s responsibility
is to ensure that all students who participate will have the
opportunity of a balanced learning experience within the growth
areas of cognitive, social, affective and psychomotor.
The curriculum is designed to meet all the individual student's
physical developmental needs. Physical Education should be enjoyable
while meeting those needs. The curriculum includes activities
related to health, leisure and movement skills. These activities
will provide students the opportunity to acquire behaviors that are
consistent with achieving healthy and productive lifestyles that
will continue after high school.
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Human
Growth and Development:
(HGD)
is a comprehensive sex education curriculum covering a 10 week
period. It was developed by teachers and supervised by a building
principal. The curriculum is reviewed annually by a panel of
community leaders including account health nurse, a principal, a
member of the clergy, a representative of the MISSED, and a
parent. The course is divided into five sections:
- social aspects of adolescence
- positive behaviors v. poor choices
- physiology and anatomy of the developing teen
- sexual behaviors and the law
- sexually transmitted diseases
The course is taught lecture style, with lots of group
participation, activities, and role plays.
Videos are used to compliment certain lessons; as
are books, pamphlets, magazines, models and drawings at the board.
The constant theme in all lessons is
"Abstinence for Adolescents." Parents and guardians are
invited to review any part of curriculum or meet with the instructor
should questions arise.
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Drug
Education
The Drug Education program at Rockwell
Junior High is a multi-level approach geared to prevent and reduce
drug use among the teens who attend our school.
- The first level is
the discussion of factual information regarding the physical,
psychological, social, and legal effects and consequences of the
drugs that are often abused by teens. The knowledge of effects and
consequences helps promote positive decision-making.
- The next step
is the exploration of teen drug use and the reasons behind it,
such as peer pressure, risk taking, and stress. Alternatives to
cope with these influences are also explored.
- The third component
is the understanding of and building of skills, such as effective
communication, decision-making, assertiveness, self-esteem, stress
management, and goal setting.
These skills are positive influences
in helping teens to resist drug use and they help promote a
successful life in general.
All of these components are presented
through the providing and gathering of key information, the
encouragement of creative expression, the sharing of ideas,
opinions, and feelings, and the development of critical thinking.
The over-all goal of this program is to arm teens with the skills,
knowledge, and confidence to make positive decisions regarding
drug use and in life.
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Rockwell
Alternative Program
(RAP)
RAP gives students a healthy dose of success and
introduces them to skills essential to their future success. RAP
focuses on knowledge of different careers, appropriate social
skills needed for successful employment, hands-on work experience
in a variety of settings, and experiences that can be used for job
applications and resumes.top of page |
Personal
Adjustment
Personal Adjustment includes:
- social skill development,
- conflict resolution,
- problem-solving,
- skill development,
- anger management,
- team-building
and other skills necessary to live productive lives. Cooking,
role playing, group discussion, and other types of activities are
utilized.
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Wood
Shop
The Wood shop is
designed to stimulate students' interest in utilizing wood working
as a means of developing their creative abilities and their eye/hand
coordination. It also helps them to consider wood crafts for both
recreational hobbies as well as considering job opportunities available
in the wood craft industries.
Basic Shop safety, fundamental hand
tool operations, and demonstrations of various power tool
operation are explored.
The wood shop offers therapeutic benefits as it provides
opportunities for physical energy to be utilized in constructive
and creative ways. It also enhances self esteem by the
success achieved when the student completes a project.
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