Middle Grades Content Areas

Middle Grades Mathematics

Mathematics questions make up one-fifth of each Quick Recall round. The Mathematics Written Assessment exam has balanced proportions from each category.

1. Number Theory
2. Sequences and Patterns
3. Absolute Value, Integers, Rational Numbers
4. Ratio, Proportion and Percents
5. Problem Solving
6. Systems of Measurement
7. Geometry: Angles, Parallel Lines, Polygons, Circles, Geometric Solids
8. Geometry: Measurement (Perimeter, Circumference, Area, Surface Area, Volume)
9. Indirect Measurement (Similar Polygons, Pythagorean Theorem, Special Right Triangles, Trigonometry)
10. Statistics and Data Analysis
11. Probability: Independent/Dependent Events, Permutation, Combinations
12. Inequalities and Absolute Value
13. Polynomials, Polynomial Factoring, Algebraic Fractions
14. Relations, Functions and Variations
15. Linear Equations and Functions
16. Radicals and Exponents
17. Quadratic Equations and Functions

Middle Grades Science

Science questions make up one-fifth of each Quick Recall round. The Science Written Assessment exam has balanced proportions from each category.

1. Matter: Chemical and Physical Properties, Compounds, Elements, Mixtures
2. Motion and Force: Inertia, Changes in Speed/Direction, Waves
3. Transfer of Energy: Heat Predictability, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Electricity
4. Living Systems’ Structure and Function: Uni/Multicellular Organisms, Specialization
5. Regulation and Behavior: Obtaining and Using Resources, Stimuli
6. Reproduction and Heredity
7. Diversity and Adaptation of Organisms; Populations and Ecosystems: Food Webs, Sunlight & Energy, Carrying Capacity
8. Earth’s Subsystems: Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Climate, Resources
9. Solar System and Beyond: Objects, Events, Gravity/Inertia, Constellations
10. Scientific Process: Experiments, Data Interpretation, Variables, Hypotheses, Laboratory Safety and First Aid (Written Assessment only)
11. 1950 to Present: Science, Technology, Fields of Study, Tools of Science
12. Plants: Resources/Uses, Diversity, Ecosystems, Evolution, Life Cycles
13. Animals: Diversity, Ecosystems, Evolution, Life Cycles
14. Fungi, Viruses and Bacteria
15. History of Science: Scientists, Inventions/Inventors, Technology
16. Health and Nutrition

 Middle Grades Social Studies

Social Studies questions make up one-fifth of each Quick Recall round. The Social Studies Written Assessment exam has balanced proportions from each category.

1. Current History: People and Events from 2010 to the present
2. U.S. Geography: Physical and Political
3. World Geography: Physical/Political Geography, Maps
4. Geography: Climate, Land, Resources, Map Skills
5. World Civilization: Ancient Africa and Egypt, River Valleys, Fertile Crescent, India and China
6. World Civilization: Greece and Rome
7. World Civilization: Middle Ages
8. World Civilization: Age of Exploration – Emphasis on European Explorers
9. U.S. History: Prehistory, Native American Cultures, Exploration
10. U.S. History: Colonial Period (1500-1775)
11. U.S. History: Becoming a New Nation (1775-1815)
12. U.S. History: The Nation Grows (1815-1860)
13. U.S. History: Civil War and Reconstruction
14. U.S. History: Presidents and Great Political Figures
15. U.S. Government (Major Documents and Citizenship)
16. Economics: Principles, Practices, Money/Banking, Economic Systems

 Middle Grades Language Arts

Language Arts questions make up one-fifth of each Quick Recall round. The Language Arts Written Assessment exam has balanced proportions from each category.

1. Classic American Novels (Early American to 1900)
2. Newbery Award Winners
3. Classic Children’s Novels
4. Award-winning Contemporary Young Adult Literature
5. Award-winning Contemporary Young Adult Nonfiction, Famous Speeches
6. Famous Poets and Poetry (including Contemporary)
7. Famous Plays and Playwrights (including Contemporary)
8. Short Stories: Authors, Titles, Characters, Themes
9. Characters in Fables, Folklore, Tall Tales
10. Grammar: Types of Sentences, Phrases, Clauses, Mechanics, Language Usage
11. Grammar: Punctuation, Sentence Structure, Capitalization
12. Parts of Speech and Their Usage
13. Vocabulary: Spelling and Definitions
14. Vocabulary: Greek and Latin Affixes and Roots
15. Common Foreign Words and Phrases
16. Literary Devices and Techniques

 Middle Grades Arts and Humanities

Arts and Humanities questions make up one-fifth of each Quick Recall round. The Arts and Humanities Written Assessment exam has balanced proportions from each category.

1. Visual Arts: Elements of Arts, Principles of Design, Media, Processes, Purposes of Art
2. Visual Artists and Their Works – Emphasis on Cole, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Picasso, David, Monet, van Gogh, Rembrandt, Pollock, O’Keeffe; Historical/Cultural Aspects of Art
3. Architecture — Emphasis on Ancient Greece and Rome; Architects – Emphasis on Michelangelo, Thomas Jefferson, Frank Lloyd Wright, Eero Saarinen, I. M. Pei, Christopher Wren
4. Elements of Music: Rhythm, Tempo, Harmony, Form, Dynamics, etc.
5. Composers and their Works: Classical, Baroque and Romantic – Emphasis on J.S. Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Chopin
6. American Composers and their Works
7. Musical Instruments and Families (including traditional folk instruments)
8. Purposes and Styles of Music—Latin musical styles, Medieval (e.g. Gregorian chant), gospel, popular, ballads, etc
9. Dance: Elements, Movements, Famous Dancers and Choreographers
10. Dance: Historical/Cultural Aspects
11. World Religions and Holidays, Religious Leaders and History
12. Mythology: Greek and Roman Gods, Goddesses and Characters
13. Drama/Theater: Elements, Format, Production Terms
14. Drama/Theater: Historical/Cultural Aspects, Broadway Plays
15. Drama/Theater: Musical Theatre
16. Cultural Icons 1990-present

Language Arts Required Readings

Governor’s Cup

Elementary: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (changed from a previous work)
Middle Grades: The Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers
High School: The Ox-Bow Incident by Walter Van Tilburg Clark

Sixth Grade Showcase

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan