Sheridan Community Schools

Home of the Sheridan Blackhawks

24795 N Hinesley Road ∙ Sheridan, Indiana 46069 ∙ 317-758-4172

Dr. Dave Mundy, Superintendent

Sheridan Middle School Courses

Sheridan Middle School provides students in grades 6-8 a comprehensive curriculum of Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Wellness, Performing Arts, STEM, and Visual Arts. Additional classes are assigned to provide our learners with acceleration, enrichment, and intervention. Sheridan Middle School courses are aligned with the IDOE standards and course descriptions. Full descriptions of each course can be found using the 2025-2026 Elementary and Middle School Course Titles and Descriptions guide.

Daily Core Classes (5 periods):

Physical Education and Health & Wellness

Enrichment, Intervention, and Electives (2 periods):

Art

Music

Interventions

STEM

Computer Science

Preparing for College & Careers

Language Arts

Language Arts 6 (0420.06) Grade 6

Grade Six Language Arts, based on Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts, is integrated instruction emphasizing reading, writing, and communication and collaboration in interest and age-appropriate content. Students apply skills they learned in earlier grades to make sense of longer, more challenging text. Students interpret figurative language and words with multiple meanings. Students examine an author's choice of words and logic of statements in nonfiction works. Students critique the believability of characters and plots in fiction works. Students read and respond to fiction selections, such as classic and contemporary literature, historical fiction, fantasy or science fiction, mystery or adventure, folklore or mythology, poetry, short stories, and dramas. Students read and respond to nonfiction selections, such as subject area books, biographies, magazines and newspapers, various reference or technical materials, and online information. Students self-select books of interest and read independently for enjoyment. Students apply language skills and strategies they learned in earlier grades. Using discussion, writing, and multimedia tools, students respond to fiction, nonfiction, and informational selections or reality-based experiences, multimedia presentations, and classroom or group experiences. Students apply their research skills by writing or delivering reports that demonstrate the distinction between their own ideas and the ideas of others. Students use simple, compound, and complex sentences to express their thoughts. Students deliver oral presentations on problems and solutions and show evidence to support their views. Students also listen to literature read aloud and write independently for enjoyment.

Language Arts 7 (0420.07) Grade 7

Grade Seven Language Arts, based on Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts, is integrated instruction emphasizing reading, writing, and communication and collaboration in interest and age-appropriate content. Students develop advanced skills and strategies in reading. Students understand comparisons, such as analogies and metaphors, and they begin to use their knowledge of roots and word parts to understand science, social studies, and mathematics vocabulary. Students begin to read reviews, as well as critiques of both informational and literary writing. Students read and respond to fiction selections, such as classic and contemporary literature, historical fiction, fantasy or science fiction, mystery or adventure, folklore or mythology, poetry, short stories, and dramas. Students read and respond to nonfiction selections, such as subject area books, biographies or autobiographies, magazines and newspapers, various reference or technical materials, and online information. Students self-select books of interest and read independently for enjoyment. Students develop advanced skills and strategies in language. Using discussion, writing, and multimedia tools, students respond to fiction, nonfiction, and informational selections or reality-based experiences, multimedia presentations, and classroom or group experiences. Students write or deliver longer research reports that take a position on a topic, and they support their positions by citing a variety of sources. Students use a variety of sentence structures and modifiers to express their thoughts. Students deliver argumentative presentations that state a clear position in support of an argument or proposal. Students also listen to literature read aloud and write independently for enjoyment.

Language Arts 8 (0420.08) Grade 8

Grade Eight Language Arts, based on Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts, is integrated instruction emphasizing reading, writing, and communication and collaboration in interest and age-appropriate content. Students begin to study the history and development of English vocabulary. Students begin to compare different types of writing as well as different perspectives on similar topics or themes. Students evaluate the logic of informational texts and analyze how literature reflects the backgrounds, attitudes, and beliefs of the authors. Students read and respond to fiction selections, such as classic and contemporary literature, historical fiction, fantasy or science fiction, mystery or adventure, folklore or mythology, poetry, short stories, and dramas. Students read and respond to nonfiction selections, such as subject area books, biographies or autobiographies, magazines and newspapers, various reference or technical materials, and online information. Students self-select books of interest and read independently for enjoyment. Students get ready for the language challenges of high school materials. Using discussion, writing, and multimedia tools, students respond to fiction, nonfiction, and informational selections or reality- based experiences, multimedia presentations, and classroom or group 9 2025-2026 Elementary and Middle School Course Titles and Descriptions experiences. Students not only write or deliver research reports but also conduct their own research. Students use subordination, coordination, noun phrases and other devices of English language conventions to indicate clearly the relationship between ideas. Students deliver a variety of types of presentations and effectively respond to questions and concerns from the audience. Students also listen to literature read aloud and write independently for enjoyment.

Each grade-level Language Arts course is also offered as an accelerated course. Students are placed in Accelerated courses using multiple points of data including high ability identification, ILEARN, NWEA, and/or Cogat.

Mathematics

Mathematics 6 (0430.06) Grade 6

The Indiana Academic Standards for grade six Mathematics consist of five domains: Number Sense; Ratios and Proportional Reasoning; Algebra and Functions; Geometry and Measurement; and Data Analysis and Statistics. The skills listed in each domain indicate what students should know and be able to do in Mathematics at each grade level. The Process Standards demonstrate the ways in which students should develop conceptual understanding of mathematical content, and the ways in which students should synthesize and apply mathematical skills to match published standards documents in grade six. Grade six begins with the transition from a heavy emphasis on number and operations at the elementary school level toward a more formalized understanding of mathematics that occurs at the high school level. Students connect previous knowledge of multiplication, division, and fractions to ratios and proportional relationships; extend previous understanding of the number system and operations to fractions and negative numbers; apply and extend previous understandings of the number line to plot coordinate pairs on a Cartesian (coordinate) plane; formalize algebraic thinking into algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities; apply their previous knowledge of geometry in real world and mathematics situations; and begin to develop understanding of statistical variability and distributions. Using the Process Standards for Mathematics in a planned and deliberate method to present the Mathematics content standards will prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of the mathematics. Educators and school leaders should be aware that students who are moving from grade six or seven directly into Algebra I content will likely not experience the domains listed above to the breadth and depth of a traditional path to high school mathematics.

Mathematics 7 (0430.07) Grade 7

The Indiana Academic Standards for grade seven Mathematics consist of five domains: Number Sense; Ratios and Proportional Reasoning; Algebra and Functions, Geometry and Measurement; and Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability. The skills listed in each domain indicate what students should know and be able to do in Mathematics at each grade level. The Process Standards demonstrate the ways in which students should develop conceptual understanding of mathematical content, and the ways in which students should synthesize and apply mathematical skills." to match the published standards document for grade seven. Grade seven continues the trajectory towards a more formalized understanding of mathematics that occurs at the high school level that began in grade six. Students extend ratio reasoning to analyze proportional relationships and solve real-world and mathematical problems; extend previous understanding of the number system and operations to perform operations using all rational numbers; apply properties of operations in the context of algebraic expressions and equations; create, describe, and analyze geometric figures and the relationships between them; apply understandings of statistical variability and distributions by using random sampling, making inferences, and investigating chance processes and probability models. Using the Process Standards for mathematics in a planned and deliberate method to present the mathematics content standards will prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of the mathematics. Teachers should be aware that students who are moving from grade six or seven directly into Algebra I content will likely not experience the domains listed above to the breadth and depth of a traditional path to high school mathematics.

Pre-Algebra (Mathematics 8) (0430.08) Grade 8

The Indiana Academic Standards for grade eight Mathematics consist of four domains: Number Sense; Algebra and Functions; Geometry and Measurement; and Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability. The skills listed in each domain indicate what students should know and be able to do in Mathematics at each grade level. The Process Standards demonstrate the ways in which students should develop conceptual understanding of mathematical content, and the ways in which students should synthesize and apply mathematical skills which is from the published standards document for Grade eight. Grade eight continues the trajectory towards a more formalized understanding of mathematics that occurs at the high school level that was started in grades six and seven. Students connect ratio and proportional reasoning to lines and linear functions; define, evaluate, compare, and model with functions; build understanding of congruence and similarity; understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem; and extend their understanding of statistics and probability by investigating patterns of association in bivariate data. Using the Process Standards for Mathematics in a planned and deliberate method to present the mathematics content standards will prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of the mathematics.

Algebra (2520) Grade 8

Algebra I formalizes and extends the mathematics students learned in the middle grades. The 81 2025-2026 High School Course Titles and Descriptions Indiana Academic Standards for Algebra I consist of five domains: Number Systems, Expressions, and Functions; Linear Equations, Inequalities, and Functions; Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities; Quadratic and Exponential Equations and Functions; and Data Analysis & Statistics. These critical areas deepen and extend understanding of linear and exponential relationships by contrasting them with each other and by applying linear models to data that exhibit a linear trend. Students will also engage in methods for analyzing, solving, and using quadratic functions. The eight Process Standards for Mathematics apply throughout the course. Together with the content standards, the Process Standards prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations.

Each grade-level Mathematics course is also offered as an accelerated course. Students are placed in Accelerated courses using multiple points of data including high ability identification, ILEARN, NWEA, and/or Cogat.

Science

Science 6 (0460.06) Grade 6

Incorporating the crosscutting concepts, disciplinary core ideas, and science and engineering practices, students in grade six investigate simple models of waves and how they are reflected, absorbed, and transmitted. They will observe how analog and digital transmission are different. Students will describe biodiversity, photosynthesis, resource availability, cycling of matter, and organismal interactions in ecosystems. Students will investigate lunar cycles, scale in the solar system, and gravity in the universe.

Science 7 (0460.07) Grade 7

Incorporating the crosscutting concepts, disciplinary core ideas, and science and engineering practices, students in grade seven apply Newton's third law, investigate what determines a change in an object's motion, determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces, investigate gravitational interactions and other forces. Students investigate how arrangement of objects changes the amount of potential energy in the system and what relationships affect kinetic energy in a system. Students will understand that all living things are made of cells and be able to describe the structure, function, and overall interactions of cells. Students will investigate how rock strata tell the age of the planet, how geoscience processes have changed the Earth's surface, and how Earth's materials drive cycling and flow of energy. Students will learn how previous natural catastrophes inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.

Science 8 (0460.08) Grade 8

Incorporating the crosscutting concepts, disciplinary core ideas, and science and engineering practices, students in grade eight will understand basic chemistry including the atomic structure of simple elements and molecules, laws of conservation of mass, and simple chemical reactions. They will also learn that synthetic materials come from natural resources and how substances react when thermal energy is provided to a system. Students will learn about reproduction in plants, genetic factors that influence the growth of organisms, and basic statistics of genetic variation. They will analyze the fossil record for organisms that have gone extinct that resemble organisms present today and investigate how humans can manipulate genetic traits. Students will also investigate the interactions of the Earth's systems, its climate, and its weather and how humans impact Earth's systems.

Social Studies

Social Studies 6 (0470.06) Semester 1 Grade 6

Students in grade six compare the history, geography, government, economic systems, current issues, and cultures of the Western World with an emphasis on: (1) Europe, (2) North America, (3) South America, (4) Central America, (5) and the Caribbean region. Students engage in learning experiences that foster the passage from concrete examples to understanding abstract reasoning, concepts, ideas, and generalizations. Students develop skills including the use of a variety of resources and activities. Students should develop positive attitudes regarding active participation, cooperation, responsibility, open-mindedness, and respect for others. Along with the current academic standards for this subject, the 21 History/Social Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development. This one-semester course should be taught to students during the first semester of their grade six year.

Civics 6 (0471.06) Semester 2 Grade 6

Students explain major principles, values, and institutions of constitutional government and citizenship, which are based on the founding documents of the United States and how the three branches of government share and check power within our federal system of government. Along with the current academic standards for this subject, the History/Social Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development. This one-semester course should be taught to students during the second semester of their grade six year.

Social Studies 7 (0470.07) Grade 7

Students in grade seven explore the history, geography, government, economic systems, current issues, and cultures of the Eastern World with an emphasis on: (1) Asia, (2) Africa, (3) the Middle East, (4) the Pacific Islands, (5) Australia, and (6) New Zealand. Students in grade seven engage in learning experiences that help them make the transition from recognizing concrete information to understanding abstract ideas, concepts, and generalizations. In-depth studies provide greater understanding of environmental influences on economic, cultural, and political institutions. Students continue to develop thinking and research skills such as reading and interpreting maps, graphs, and charts. Decision-making and problem-solving activities should include the following: (1) identifying problems, issues and questions, (2) information gathering, (3) hypothesizing, and (4) evaluating alternative solutions and actions. Along with the current academic standards for this subject, the History/Social Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.

Social Studies 8 (0470.08) Grade 8

Students in grade eight focus on United States history. This study begins with a brief review of early history, including the Revolution and Founding Era, and the principles of the United States and Indiana constitutions, as well as other founding documents and their applications to subsequent periods of national history and to civic and political life. Students then study national development, westward expansion, social reform movements, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction Period. Students examine major themes, issues, events, movements, and figures in United States history through the Reconstruction Period (1877) and explore relationships to modern issues and current events. Along with the current academic standards for this subject, the History/Social Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.

New in 2025-26, there will be a section of Accelerated Social Studies 8. Students are placed in accelerated courses using multiple points of data including high ability identification, ILEARN, NWEA, and/or Cogat.

Physical Education and Health & Wellness

Wellness 6 (0452.68) Grade 6

Health and Wellness in grades six through eight, provides for the continued development of attitudes and behaviors related to becoming a health-literate individual as part of a planned, sequential, comprehensive health education curriculum that uses the Indiana Academic Standards for Health and Wellness to support student development of essential health skills within the ten health content areas. Developmentally appropriate concepts of personal and community health; safety and injury prevention; nutrition and physical activity, mental health; alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; and family life and human sexuality are areas of focus. The adolescent student has instructional opportunities to investigate how health behaviors impact health, well-being, and disease prevention and to accept personal responsibility for health-related decisions. Along with the current academic standards for this subject, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.

Physical Education in grade six is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Physical Education. Students in grade six physical education continue to develop psychomotor skills through participation in a variety of developmentally appropriate sports (individual, dual, and team), rhythmic activities, lifetime recreational activities, and fitness activities. The focus is on the development of complex movement skill 32 2025-2026 Elementary and Middle School Course Titles and Descriptions combinations and knowledge. Students develop an understanding of physiological changes, which occur as a result of physical activity. Students expand their knowledge of fitness concepts, principles, and strategies as well as how other concepts like self-responsibility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics affect learning and performance. Students learn to work cooperatively toward a common goal. Ongoing assessment is conducted throughout the curriculum.

Wellness 7 (0452.68) Grade 7

Physical Education in grade seven is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Physical Education. Students in grade seven physical education continue to refine complex combinations of movement in selected sports and activities. Students apply more advanced strategies in physical activities and try new sports and lifetime physical activities. The focus is on meeting challenges and making decisions in the context of expanded personal responsibility. Students learn about different cultures and how they relate to the physical activities and dances from those countries. Students continue to expand their knowledge of rules and strategies, sportsmanship, and cooperative skills as well as fitness concepts and the benefits of health-related fitness. Ongoing assessment includes both written and performance-based skill evaluations.

Health & Wellness 8 (3506) Grade 8

Health and Wellness, a course based on Indiana’s Academic Standards for Health and Wellness and provides the basis to help students adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. Health education should contribute directly to a student’s ability to successfully practice behaviors that protect and promote health and avoid or reduce health risks. Through a variety of instructional strategies, students practice the development of functional health information (essential concepts); determine personal values that support healthy behaviors; develop group norms that value a healthy lifestyle; develop the essential skills necessary to adopt, practice, and maintain health-enhancing behaviors. This course includes the application of priority areas in a planned, sequential, comprehensive health education curriculum. Priority areas include: promoting personal health and wellness, physical activity, and healthy eating; promoting safety and preventing unintentional injury and violence; promoting mental and emotional health, a tobacco- free lifestyle and an alcohol- and other drug-free lifestyle; and promoting human development and family health. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills of health and wellness core concepts, analyzing influences, accessing information, interpersonal communication, decision-making and goal-setting skills, health-enhancing behaviors, and health and wellness advocacy skills.

Electives

Art I (one semester) (0410) Grade 6-8

Art II (one semester) (0410) Grade 6-8

Art III (full year) (0410) Grade 8

Visual Arts Middle Level is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Arts. Students in the middle level program build on the sequential learning experiences of the elementary program that encompass art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production. Through self-reflection, including dialogue, reading, and writing, students analyze each component of their arts education as well as their own personal growth. Throughout the program, students engage in various forms of communication, utilizing a rich vocabulary and a variety of technological resources. Students continue to utilize their art knowledge and skills to make connections across the curriculum, study career options, and identify skills required for those careers. Additionally, students identify how to utilize resources of the arts community as well as how they can support the arts community. Along with the current academic standards, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated in the teaching of this subject with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.

Band (full year) (0442.68) Grade 6-8

Instrumental Music, Middle Level is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Music and provides students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the elementary music curriculum by beginning or continuing to play an instrument. The instrumental classes provide instruction in any of the following areas: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, guitar, and keyboard instruments, including electronic instruments. Ensemble and solo activities are designed for students to develop basic elements of musicianship including tone production, technical skills, and intonation. Activities include improvising; composing; reading, notating, and sight-reading music; listening; analyzing; evaluating; and experiencing historically significant styles of literature. Students are given opportunities to participate in performances outside of the school day that support and extend the learning in the classroom. Along with the current academic standards, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated in the teaching of this subject with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.

Basic Skills Development (full year) (0500) Grade 6-8

Basic Skills Development is a multidisciplinary course that provides students continuing opportunities to develop basic skills including: (1) reading, (2) writing, (3) listening, (4) speaking, (5) mathematical computation, (6) note-taking, (7) study and organizational skills, and (8) problem-solving skills, which are essential for high school course work achievement. Determination of the skills to be emphasized in this course is based on Indiana’s standards, individual school corporation general curriculum plans, and the student’s Individualized Education Programs (IEP) or other individualized plans. Skills selected for developmental work provide students with the ability to continue to learn in a range of different life situations. Basic Skills Development should not take the place of general education courses for students with IEPs, and whenever possible, students should be scheduled into general education classes with the opportunity to access grade-level standards.

Choir (full year) (0432.68) Grade 6-8

Vocal Music Middle Level is based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Music and provides students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the elementary music curriculum by participating in choral ensemble classes. Ensemble classes provide group and solo activities and are designed to develop students' musicianship including vocal production, technical skills, and intonation. Activities and experiences include improvising and composing music; listening to, analyzing, and evaluating music; and performing vocal literature of various styles, historical periods, and world cultures. Students also participate in performance opportunities outside of the school day that support and extend the learning in the classroom. Along with the current academic standards, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated in the teaching of this subject with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.

Computing Foundations for a Digital Age (1 semester) (4565) Grade 8

Computers and the internet have revolutionized the way we access and disseminate information. As technology continues to change at an ever-increasing pace, the need for students to gain a foundational understanding of computer science is clear. Computing Foundations for a Digital Age is designed to introduce students to five major topics within computer science including computing systems, networks and the internet, data and analysis, algorithms and planning, and impacts of computing. The course introduces foundational computing concepts while exploring current events and building critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving, and other important skills that are invaluable for life in a global and technologically advancing society.

English as a New Language (1-2 semesters) (0491.K8) Grade 6-8

English as a New Language, based on the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards, is intended for English learner students in kindergarten through grade eight. The purpose of this course is to develop students’ English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will engage with critical vocabulary, grammar structures, and functional expressions needed to be successful in academic content areas. Through frequent interaction with peers and educators, students will develop oral communication proficiency, and through exposure to texts and writing opportunities will develop literacy skills in English. Comprehension and effective use of English is the objective of this course, while leveraging native language supports and other scaffolds, accommodations, and modifications cited in students’ Individual Learning Plans (ILPs). Language-rich learning experiences such as presentations, collaborative projects, and multimodal activities are emphasized.

Homeroom/Advisory (full year) (0498.68) Grade 6-8

An advisory is a regularly scheduled period of time, typically during the school day, when teachers meet with small groups of students for the purpose of advising them on academic, social, or future-planning issues.

Math Lab (1-2 semesters) (0432.68) Grade 6-8

Mathematics Lab Grades Six-Eight Mathematics Lab provides students with individualized instruction designed to support success in completing mathematics content aligned with Indiana’s Academic Standards for Mathematics. Mathematics lab is to be taken in conjunction with the study of mathematics, and the content of Mathematics lab should be tightly aligned to the corresponding content being studied. Mathematics lab should relate and reinforce mathematics skills students have learned previously, fill in gaps and misconceptions of previous content, and present the current content in concrete and hands-on methods.

Preparing for College and Career (1 semester) (5394) Grade 8

Preparing for College and Careers addresses the knowledge, skills, and behaviors all students need to be prepared for success in college, career, and life. The focus of the course is the impact of today’s choices on tomorrow’s possibilities. Topics to be addressed include twenty- first century life and career skills; higher order thinking, communication, leadership, and management processes; exploration of personal aptitudes, interests, values, and goals; examining multiple life roles and responsibilities as individuals and family members; planning and building employability skills; transferring school skills to life and work; and managing personal resources. This course includes reviewing the national career clusters and Indiana's College and Career Pathways, in-depth investigation of one or more pathways, reviewing graduation plans, exploring postsecondary options and making career plans, and developing personal and career portfolios. A project based approach, including computer and technology applications, cooperative ventures between school and community, simulations, and real world experiences is recommended.

STEM (1 semester) (0490.68) Grade 6-8

Exploring Engineering and Technology provides students with hands-on, problem-based learning opportunities to develop, produce, use, and assess products related to engineering and technology. Students additionally develop individual and teamwork skills to participate in society and the workplace. The four domains included in these standards are general engineering and technology concepts, engineering design and development, producing and using technology, and technology careers. Activities should focus on content related to engineering and technology as a body of knowledge, using resources and actions to: (1) apply engineering design, (2) use processes to produce artifacts and systems, (3) used devices tools and systems safely and appropriately, (4) and assess impacts on society and the environment. Along with the current academic standards for this subject, the Science/Technical Studies Content Area Literacy Standards are incorporated with the expectation of a continuum of reading and writing skills development.