• Academics and Programs

  • In addition to outstanding academic offerings, we believe students should have a variety of experiences during their middle school years. Sunset Middle students have a wide range of program opportunities to participate in during and after the school day. Whether a club, sport, activity, or theater production, there is something for every Saber.

WCS Scope & Sequence

  • In WCS, all schools share a scope and sequence for each grade level and course. The scope describes what students will learn—the content and skills to be taught in the classroom. The sequence describes the order in which skills and content should be taught. The WCS Scope and Sequence includes Tennessee’s academic standards, student-friendly “I can” statements that describe competencies, and resources available to teachers, students, and parents.

Course Offerings at SMS

  • Listed below is an overview of the course offerings at each grade level at Sunset Middle School.
Two boys smiling and sitting at a desk in a classroom.

      Sixth Grade

      • English Language Arts

        Students in the sixth-grade language arts will engage in a rigorous curriculum that focuses on the standard areas of reading, writing, and communication. Students will read a variety of literary genres, such as poetry, novels, short stories, and non-fiction. As a complement to the reading instruction, students will be required to write in a variety of modes that involve text-based evidence for student responses. Students will learn to prepare and write narrative, expository, descriptive, and persuasive types of writing pieces in the form of stories, reflections, essays, letters, and reports. Teachers will also provide vocabulary instruction to enhance students' skills in reading and writing. Equally as important, students will continue to sharpen their grammatical skills so that they can become effective writers and speakers.

        Mathematics

        Course 1
        During the first semester, students will deepen their understanding of real number operations, including whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.  Students will also strengthen their knowledge as they analyze data and probability and evaluate and solve one-step equations during the second semester.  Throughout the year, students learn the relationship between ratios and percentages and apply their skills to real-world scenarios.  They are also introduced to the fundamentals of geometry and integers. Students will be expected to persevere in problem-solving, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments, and critique the reasoning of others as outlined by the Tennessee State Standards in preparation for the sixth grade TNReady test. 

        Course 2
        In sixth-grade Course 2, students will use problem-solving strategies and technology to master Tennessee state standards for the 7th grade. These skills include working with rational numbers and percentages, solving equations, working with proportions, understanding geometric figures, and using techniques of statistics and probability. Students will also begin applying linear relationships to real-world scenarios. Students will be expected to persevere in problem-solving, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others, as outlined by state standards, in preparation for the seventh-grade TNReady test.

        Science

        Scientific inquiry skills and the application of technology and engineering are embedded as grade-level expectations in the science curriculum. In the life science study of interdependence, students will explore the world’s major biomes, how living things interact with one another and the non-living elements of their environments, cycles in nature, and how matter and energy are transferred through ecosystems. The Earth and space science curriculum includes a study of the major components of the universe and the relative distances of objects in the solar system from Earth. Students will learn about the positional relationships between the Earth, the moon, and the sun and how they control the lunar cycle, length of the day, and year. Lunar and solar eclipses, tides, and seasons will be explored. Also included is the study of Earth’s atmosphere, currents, weather, and interpretation of meteorological data. Physical science content includes a study of energy transformations and the interplay between magnetic fields and electrical currents. Students will learn about forms of energy, their transformations, and how circuits are associated with the transfer of electrical energy when heat, light, sound, and chemical changes are produced. Students will be engaging in expository writing to explain scientific principles.

        Social Studies

        Sixth-grade students will study the beginning of early civilizations through the fall of the Roman Empire. Students will study the geographical, social, economic, and political foundations for early civilizations progressing through the Roman Empire. Students will study the development of civilizations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Ancient Israel, Greece, and Rome. The study of these civilizations will include the impact of geography, early history, cultural development, and economic change. This course will be the first concentrated study of world history and geography and will utilize appropriate informational texts and primary sources.

      Seventh Grade

      • English Language Arts

        Students in seventh-grade language arts engage in rigorous application and reinforcement of grammar skills, as well as fine-tuning writing techniques. Students will compose essays in which they will support their points with evidence from various genres or informational texts. Students complete a full research paper that is based on the life, contributions, and legacy of a prominent Civil Rights figure. Reading includes varied genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and informational text. Vocabulary study incorporates both traditional, grade-appropriate words and Greek morphemes. Use of technology, as well as intentional emphasis on 21st-century skills and digital literacy, is woven into the program of study.

        Mathematics

        7th Grade Math (Course 2)
        In 7th Grade Math, students will use problem-solving strategies and technology to master TCAP skills and state standards for the 7th grade. These skills include working with rational numbers and percents, solving equations, working with proportions, understanding geometric figures, and using techniques of statistics and probability. Students will also begin to look at linear and nonlinear functions and how those apply to real world scenarios. Students will be expected to persevere in problem solving, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

        7th Grade Pre-Algebra (Course 3)
        7th Grade Pre-Algebra is the first portion of a high school level math course that uses problem solving situations, physical models and appropriate technology to extend algebraic thinking and engage student reasoning. This course will focus on 8th grade state of Tennessee math standards and begin with a study of the real number system as well as solving multi-step equations. Word problems known as “TASKS” are deeply embedded within the course, and students use algebraic concepts in order to solve them. In addition to solving equations, students will explore functions, writing equations, graphing linear equations, including systems of equations and statistics. Students will be expected to persevere in problem solving, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

        7th Grade Honors Algebra 1 (for High School credit)
        Algebra 1 is an honors level and high school level math course that uses problem-solving situations, physical models, and appropriate technology to extend algebraic thinking and engage student reasoning. The course begins with the study of sets and logic and ends with solving rational expressions. Word problems are deeply embedded within the course and students use algebraic concepts in order to solve them. Students must keep an honors portfolio during the course. Problem-solving and making mathematical connections to real-world problems are two of the many components students use to complete their portfolio. Concepts emphasized in the course: solving equations and inequalities, solving linear equations and inequalities, writing equations and graphing linear equations, systems of equations and inequalities, statistics and probability, factoring, quadratic equations, radical and exponential equations, and rational expression. Students will be expected to persevere in problem-solving, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

        Science

        Students will be introduced to the study of cells, photosynthesis, respiration, heredity, the rock cycle, plate tectonics, motion, force, work, and simple machines. Students will sharpen their scientific inquiry skills and explore technology and engineering using the following methods: participating in many hands-on laboratory activities in order to make proper observations and draw conclusions for themselves, investigating multiple solutions to scientific questions and problems, identifying and testing the best solutions, and appropriately communicating their findings to a specific audience such as fellow students, teachers, or parents.

        Social Studies

        Seventh-grade students will explore the social, cultural, geographical, political and technological changes that occurred after the fall of the Roman Empire and in Medieval Europe. Students will also study the period from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century, including the Islamic world, Africa, China, and Japan, but with a heavier emphasis on western civilization in Europe during the Renaissance and Reformation. Students will compare and contrast the history and geography of civilizations that were developing concurrently throughout these continents during medieval times. They will examine the growth in economic interactions among civilizations as well as the exchange of ideas, beliefs, technologies, and commodities. Students will learn about the resulting spread of Enlightenment philosophies and the examination of new concepts of reasoning toward religion, government, and science that continue to influence our world today. Students will analyze geography’s influence on the development of these civilizations as they continue their study of world history and geography. Seventh-grade students will end the year by examining the Meso-American and Andean civilizations, and the age of European exploration. Appropriate informational texts and primary sources will be used in order to deepen the understanding of how these civilizations influence the modern world.

      Eighth Grade

      • English Language Arts

        Eighth grade Standard Language Arts follows standards to develop greater analytical reading and thinking skills that consistently spiral student learning. Students write expository, narrative, and persuasive essay, incorporating textual evidence from literary or informational passages. Grammar instruction requires students to embed grammar concepts into writing. Students study two novels per year, in addition to short stories and poetry. Latin Morphemes study broadens students’ vocabulary knowledge.

        Mathematics

        8th Grade Math (Course 3)
        Algebraic Concepts is the first portion of a high school level math course that uses problem solving situations, physical models and appropriate technology to extend algebraic thinking and engage student reasoning. This course will focus on 8th grade state of Tennessee math standards and begin with a study of the real number system as well as solving multi-step equations. Word problems are deeply embedded within the course, and students use algebraic concepts in order to solve them. In addition to solving equations, students will explore functions, writing equations, graphing linear equations, including systems of equations and statistics. Students will be expected to persevere in problem solving, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others as outlined by the state standards.

        8th Grade Honors Algebra 1 (for High School Credit)
        Algebra 1 is an honors level and high school level math course that uses problem solving situations, physical models and appropriate technology to extend algebraic thinking and engage student reasoning. The course begins with the study of sets and logic and ends with solving rational expressions. Word problems are deeply embedded within the course and students use algebraic concepts in order to solve them. Problem solving and making mathematical connections to real world problems are critical to a student’s success in this course. Concepts emphasized in the course: solving equations and inequalities, solving linear equations and inequalities, writing equations and graphing linear equations, systems of equations and inequalities, statistics and probability, factoring, quadratic equations, radical and exponential equations and rational expression. Students will be expected to persevere in problem solving, reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others as outlined by state standards.

        8th Grade Honors Geometry (for High School Credit)
        In Geometry, students will investigate and justify geometric concepts and relationships using both inductive and deductive reasoning. Concepts emphasized: undefined terms, postulates, theorems, measurement, geometric patterns, coordinate geometry, two- and three-dimensional figures, transformational geometry, congruence, similarity, inductive and deductive reasoning, logic and proof. A Geometry credit is a graduation requirement for students.

        Science

        Eighth grade science focuses on the practical application of science as it relates to life and the environment. Students will explore scientific inquiry and the impact science has on the development of new technologies. A well-balanced exploration of life and physical science subjects covered include classification of organisms' response to the environment, composition and structure of matter and its behavior, and the electrical and gravitational fields at work in our universe. This program will place an emphasis on writing skills, technology, and hands-on learning. Students will learn to interpret data and use it to solve problems.

        Social Studies

        Eighth grade students will study the European exploration of North America, along with the geographic features that influenced early settlements and colonies. This course will emphasize the development and maturation of the British colonies, and the political, cultural, and economic influences that led to the American Revolution. The major events and outcomes of the American Revolution will be analyzed, along with the individuals that played influential roles in the development of the new nation. Students will follow the development of the United States and its government, continuing through the early 19th century. The impact of the expansion of the United States will be analyzed, including implications on domestic and foreign policy. Policies that affected the American Indians will also be studied. The events leading up to the Civil War will be examined, along with the individuals and events that were significant during the war. The history, people, government, and geography of Tennessee will be emphasized in order to illustrate the role our state has played in American history. Reconstruction and the development of the American West will conclude this course. Appropriate primary sources and informational texts will be included in order to enhance the understanding of the content.