English Language Arts

In grades 6-8 at Nature Coast Middle School, analysis and writing are the primary foci. Rhetoric is introduced in 6th grade. In this grade band, students go from explaining theme to analyzing it. Students progress from examining character perspective to working with complex narrator types. Students are also being introduced to literature from historic time periods. This framework should help students in building a body of knowledge useful in being able to interpret multiple layers of meaning. In middle school, those periods are as follows: Colonial and Early National Period (1600–1830) – American Literature, Romantic Period (1790–1870), Realism and Naturalism Period (1870–1930), Modernist Period (1910–1945), and Contemporary Period (1945–present).

Advanced ELA students will also have an opportunity to earn a high school credit in English 1 (9th Grade Level ELA).

Mathematics

In grades 6-8 Mathematics, Nature Coast Middle School students will focus on the following areas: 6th Grade: Number Sense and Operations; Algebraic Reasoning; Geometric Reasoning, Data Analysis, and Probability. 7th Grade: Number Sense and Operations and Algebraic Reasoning; Proportional Reasoning and Relationships; Geometric Reasoning; Data Analysis and Probability. 8th Grade: Number Sense and Operations and Probability; Algebraic Reasoning; Linear Relationships, Data Analysis, and Functions; Geometric Reasoning.

Advanced mathematics students will have the opportunity to earn a high school credit in Algebra 1 with a focus in the following: Expressions, Functions, and Data Analysis; Linear Relationships; Non-Linear Relationships.

Science

In Grades 6-8 Science, Nature Coast Middle School students will focus on the following areas: Life Science (Organization and Development of Living Organisms, Heredity and Reproduction, Matter and Energy Transformations); Physical Science (Forces and Changes in Motion, Forms of Energy, Properties of Matter); Earth and Space Science (Earth Systems and Patterns, Earth Structures, Earth in Space and Time); and Nature of Science (Practice of Science, Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge, Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models).

Social Studies

Grade 6 Social Studies focuses on World History including Geography, Economics, and Government Structures and Laws of the ancient world. Grades 7-8 Social Studies focuses on American History and Civics including the Geography and Economics of America, the Civics and Government Structure of America, and the Principals and Organization of American Government. Students will delve deeper into these major sections throughout the year.

Learning Lab

Every student at Nature Coast Middle School will be enrolled in Learning Lab. This class allows students to work on missing skills in reading and mathematics, increase grade-level vocabulary, increase reading comprehension and fluency, and increase in knowledge and applicationn of mathematical concepts. Students will also have opportunities to review standards and benchmarks for FAST ELA and Mathematics Assessments, BEST Grade 8 Science Assessment, BEST Algebra 1 and Civics End of Course (EOC) Exams.

Electives

Nature Coast Middle School values student learning outside of the core curriculum. NCMS has developed an extensive Elective Class program that allows students to explore interests in the arts, STEM, culinary, archery, and various sports just to name a few. Each student will have 2 different elective classes each week. Students have an opportunity to change their elective classes at the end of every quarter. On average, NCMS offers 18 different elective classes throughout the year, so there is literally something for every level of interest.