Content Specific Middle School
Exit Standards

By the end of Grade 8 students will be able to:

LANGUAGE ARTS

• Apply a variety of strategies to understand, explain, and evaluate material from print, non-print, and electronic sources to construct meaning.
• Communicate effectively in written and oral forms to describe, explain, persuade, and/or create meaning.
• Engage in basic research activities using a variety of materials from print, non-print, and electronic sources.
• Recognize the characteristics of the different literary genre.
• Read and respond to material from print, non-print, and electronic sources for learning and pleasure

MATHEMATICS

• Solve open-ended problems using graphs, geometry, and symbols.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of operations on whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers, and rational numbers.
• Use statistical methods to describe, analyze, evaluate, and make decisions.
• Describe patterns by using tables, graphs, and functional relationships.
• Demonstrate an algebraic understanding of variables, expressions, and equations
• Understand geometric concepts of lines, angles, figures, area, perimeter and volume.
• Use ratio, proportion and percent to represent and describe mathematical relationships.

SCIENCE

• Communicate in a logical manner using written, verbal and portfolio methods.
• Conduct scientific investigations that involve the scientific method while identifying and controlling variables in experiments.
• Describe the major characteristics found in the kingdoms of living organisms.
• Explain how nature and human activities have changed the Earth's land, oceans, and atmosphere.
• Identify important relationships among issues related to science, math, and technology that affect society.
• Describe the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in the Earth's ecosystems.
• Identify interactions between matter and energy on Earth and in space.
• Describe human body systems and how each contributes to the health of the individual

SOCIAL STUDIES

• Describe the relationship between geography and history in terms of time and place and as a context for events.
• Use a variety of research skills that pose, identify, and define geographic and historic issues, problems and questions.
• Participate in persuading, compromising, debating and negotiating the resolution of current, historical, or geographical conflicts and differences.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the historical and economic events that transformed America in the 19th century.
• Understand the basic concepts of economics.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE

• Demonstrate the ability to manage financial resources to meet the goals of individuals and families across ones life span.
• Demonstrate the ability to acquire, handle, and use food to meet nutrition and wellness needs of individuals and families across ones life span
• Recognize the psychological, historical, and economic importance of clothing and demonstrate basic hand and machine sewing techniques through design ideas and visual presentations.

WORLD LANGUAGE

• Use the basic vocabulary and grammar of the target language, formulate statements and opinions in the target language, and write developmentally appropriate compositions.
• Understand and respond appropriately to instructions and questions in the target language.
• Describe similarities and differences between their culture and lifestyle and the cultures and lifestyles studied.
• Describe the various aspects of diversity in a multicultural community.
• Read appropriate material and answer questions based on the reading.
• Use correct spelling, accents, punctuation and capitalization in the target language.

Danbury Public Schools
Danbury, Connecticut
2011

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INFORMATION LITERACY AND TECHNOLOGY

• Demonstrate the skills needed to develop and explore a variety of critical instructional questions.
• Evaluate the authenticity and relevance of information from a variety of sources, including print, non-print, and electronic and demonstrate knowledge of the ethical use of copyrighted materials.
• Present findings in written and multimedia formats.
• Create and implement simple Internet searches with guidance and prepare presentations for Intranet publication.
• Give complete, standard bibliographic citations for all resources used.
• Use the school network to access materials, to manipulate information, and to communicate.

• Develop independent, creative, artistic approaches to self-expression.
• Effectively utilize a variety of art methods, media and subjects to communicate ideas.
• Exhibit basic skills in analyzing, evaluating, classifying and comparing artistic elements, work and genres.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

• Demonstrate developmentally appropriate applications of physical education techniques by combining a variety of movement and body activities.
• Maintain personal records of moderate to vigorous physical activities.
• Develop personal goals and strategies for the improvement of selected fitness components necessary for a healthy lifestyle.
• Demonstrate supportive and inclusive behaviors when meeting the individual needs of peers in physical activity settings.

HEALTH EDUCATION

• Describe the interrelationship of mental, emotional, social, and physical health during adolescence.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize health resources from home, school, and community that provide valid information to develop a personal health assessment that determines strengths and risks.
• Determine how to effectively communicate information, ideas, feelings, and opinions about health related issues and understand the impact of peer influence on personal health.
• Describe how changes in personal capabilities, priorities, and responsibilities influence personal health goals.

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

• Demonstrate an understanding of technology and its systems and how they affect the areas of production, communication, and transportation.
• Recognize the scope of technology and evaluate the impact and consequences technology has on society, culture, and the environment.
• Investigate ideas and develop research skills to address technology-related needs and problems and to design and construct technology-based products.
• Apply science, mathematics, language arts, and technological concepts to solve real world problems.
• Use technology resources, processes, and tools safely and effectively.
• Demonstrate a general understanding of technology-based roles and careers including engineers, technologists, technicians, and craftspeople.