Preparing our Students for High School, College, and Career
Administration and faculty at A. E. Phillips are purposeful in preparing all students for college and career. Graduates of A. E. Phillips are proven to be successful in further chapters of their education. Many are leaders in their high schools and colleges. Student leadership is a quality that is intentionally fostered in students from a young age. Service and leadership opportunities are provided for middle school students through participation in the Student Council and National Junior Honor Society. Middle school electives are purposefully designed to foster leadership as well. Entrepreneurship and Public Speaking are examples of courses that have been included to prepare students for their future.
Sixth grade students have the opportunity to apply for an accelerated math tract. Students that qualify for the tract have the opportunity to accelerate their learning. These students take sixth, seventh, and eighth grade math, as well as Algebra I for high school credit, in their 8th grade year. This allows students to take advanced math courses in high school. Gaining this credit in eighth grade opens student schedules to other courses of interest. All 8th graders participate in a job shadowing experience, of their choice, with professionals within the local community. The administration and faculty is continually assessing how to support student growth and well-being as well as inspire leadership and service among students as they prepare for the next chapter in their education.
English
In all grades at A. E. Phillips, teachers encourage reading, simply for the love and enjoyment of reading. Teachers and the school librarian work diligently to connect students with books they will enjoy. Sixth through eighth grade teachers use the Louisiana Guidebooks to teach students to read, understand, and express their understanding of complex, grade-level, texts of various genres. Understanding is expressed through class discussions and writing for various purposes. Teachers support students in thinking critically and learning to assess their own writing. Along with the Louisiana Guidebooks, students in sixth through eighth grade also receive small group instruction on specific skills, based on individual needs of the students. Teachers use the data gathered from assessments to guide instruction.
AEP Middle School English Syllabus
AEP Middle School English Standards
6th Grade Summer Reading List
7th Grade Summer Reading List
8th Grade Summer Reading List
Helpful Site:
Accelerated Reader Bookfinder
Math
All middle school students are taught using the Agile Minds curriculum. Students at A. E. Phillips are taught math on one of two tracts; the accelerated tract or the traditional math tract. Students going into sixth grade are able to apply for the accelerated tract. The accelerated math tract begins in sixth grade and allows students to complete sixth through eighth grade math standards by the end of their seventh grade year. This allows for these students to complete Algebra I in 8th grade, for high school credit.
The other option is a traditional tract for our sixth through eighth grade students. In both tracts, daily reviews support the curriculum. The daily reviews help students master skills and solidify their foundation of mathematical knowledge. Middle School students are offered math elective choices such as Geometry, Statistics, Next Level Math, and Mathcounts. Mathcounts is a course that allows students to learn advanced math concepts and skills, taught by volunteer math professors from Louisiana Tech University. Students participating in this course have the opportunity to compete in annual middle school mathematics competitions. Faculty at A. E. Phillips desire to inspire a love for mathematics and a confidence in students by supporting students in building a solid mathematical foundation.
AEP Middle School Accelerated Math Syllabus
AEP Middle School Traditional Math Syllabus
AEP Middle School Math Standard
Helpful Sites:
Khan Academy
Virtual Nerd
IXL
Science
Students at A. E. Phillips discover science through hands-on investigations and experiments while deepening their knowledge of science in the real world. Middle school students are taught using the OpenSciEd curriculum, a Tier 1 rated curriculum by the Louisiana Department of Education. In whole-group, small-group, and partner work, students make scientific claims and back those claims with evidence from their science knowledge and experiments. Enrichment opportunities are provided as well. Seventh grade students participate in the local science fair, and students are able to take Science Olympiad, as an elective, and compete in science competitions. Teachers are able to assess student understanding, informally, through observations and discussions, while investigations are occuring in the classroom. Students are formally assessed through quizzes and tests and demonstrate their understanding through classroom projects and writing.
6th Grade Science Unit Overview
7th Grade Science Unit Overview
8th Grade Science Unit Overview
AEP Middle School Science Syllabus
AEP Science Fair Handbook
Social Studies
Social studies is an essential part of the A. E. Phillips middle school instructional day. The faculty and staff at A. E. Phillips desire for students to become effective participants in America’s democratic society and productive citizens in their community. The Louisiana Department of Education has provided the curriculum for social studies and addresses subjects of history, geography, economics, and civics. Along with this curriculum, teachers also use a variety of tools such as primary sources, and technology to teach social studies standards. Inquiry, research, and discussion are key instructional methods. Social studies teachers realize that learners benefit from having a variety of perspectives. Guest speakers, such as leaders in the community and state, are invited to speak to students of all ages. Characteristics of good citizenship are emphasized and integrated throughout the entire school day. Service opportunities are provided as well.
At A. E. Phillips, middle school English language arts teachers also teach social studies because of the integration of these two subjects. Analyzing content, annotating information, evaluating claims, and understanding cause and effect relationships are just some of the skills that social studies and English language arts share. Students are assessed similarly to English language arts. Students are expected to think critically as they read and write for social studies. School wide events, such as the annual Patriot Day program and celebration of Veterans’ Day also serve as teaching opportunities of American History.
8th Grade Social Studies Syllabus
AEP Middle School Social Studies Standards
6th Grade Elective Descriptions 2023-2024
6th Grade Play
Miss Toups, and Mrs. Hearn
The 6th grade play is a holiday celebration with music from the Renaissance era mixed with contemporary script and acting. This elective teaches stage presence, acting, singing, dancing and so much more. This is a great opportunity for students to be introduced to a large production in full costumes and acting.
Intro to Mathcounts
Mr. Rivera
This course is an introduction to Mathcounts to help students excited about one of AEP’s oldest and best academic clubs. As a 7th and 8th grader students will be able to compete with other students within the parish and state that also have a high level of interest in math.
Science Olympiad
Mrs. Blount
Science Olympiad is a science-based academic competition. Students will prepare for the competition during the elective. AEP Olympiad teams will compete at LA Tech’s Invitational competition one Saturday in January.
6th Grade Statistics
Mrs. Pipes
Statistics are the sets of mathematical equations that we use to analyze things. Stats keep us informed about what is happening in the world around us. In this course you will take an in depth look at 6th grade statistics which are required by the Louisiana Department of Education. Topics include an in depth look at asking statistical questions, displaying numerical data and summarizing numerical data sets.
Public Speaking/Communication
Mrs. Williams
Students have fun while learning the basics of public speaking. Sixth grade students will gain confidence, enhance their writing, learn about their classmates, and practice being a good audience member. Speeches are individual and group based. Popular topics included are speaking about their favorite celebrities and the demonstration speeches.
7th and 8th Grade Elective Descriptions 2023-2024
Art
Mrs. Clary
Students will explore more advanced art techniques and processes, using a variety of materials. Art projects include three-dimensional drawing, shading, painting, design, color theory, and collage. Art criticism and art history are also an integral part of the class to help prepare the students for further high school experiences. While using a variety of materials, the elements and principles of design will also be incorporated, along with a sketchbook journal that will be required by the students.
Music Theory and Songwriting
Miss Toups
In this course, students will be working on building their music theory knowledge. We will learn how to read music, what basic chord structures look and sound like, as well as song writing fundamentals. At the end of the 9 weeks, students will have written their own song and will be able to understand how the song writing process works and the theory behind it.
8th grade Jr. Broadway Play
Miss Toups and Mrs. Wick
In a matter of about 8 weeks, the 8th grade class at AEP successfully puts on a full Broadway Jr. performance at the Dixie Theatre. This is an amazing opportunity for students to learn teamwork, stage presence and build confidence. All students must memorize characters, lines, dances, singing and so much more. It truly is an amazing show.
Bullpup Broadcast
Mrs. Postel
This high level course is designed to give students hands-on experience with producing a school news show for broadcast on a bi-weekly basis. Students are responsible for visual and technical aspects of news broadcasting and journalism. As well as reporting on news, entertainment, campus news, sports, weather and school interviews featuring the personalities of our AEP Bullpups. Welcome to the new AEP Bullpup Channel!
Yearbook
Mrs. Postel
Yearbook elective is a class where students help build the AEP yearbook. Students must be driven and willing to help with the inclusion of all classes in the yearbook. As the yearbook is built, everyone will learn how to use templates and insert and edit photos.
Entrepreneurship
Mrs. Ketchum
Foundations in Entrepreneurship is a digital curriculum that features video lessons by Dave Ramsey and his team of business experts. The curriculum covers essential business topics and allows students the opportunity to develop a business idea through project-based learning over the course of the curriculum.
Mathcounts
Mr. Rivera
Some students love math. Others fear math. Mathcounts is a place for both. A fun and challenging middle school math program that is used by schools across the US. Mathcounts builds math skills, promotes logical thinking, and sharpens students’ analytical abilities. Students will have the opportunity to compete in several math competitions during the year and learn from Louisiana Tech Math professors.
Next Level 8th Grade Math
Mrs. Kelly
In Next Level 8th Grade Math, students will master Pythagorean Theorem, Scientific Notation and Exponential Notation which are all requirements for 8th grade math. This will create a solid mathematical foundation for 8th Grade Math and future subjects such as Algebra I and Geometry.
8th Grade Geometry
Mrs. Kelly
This course is designed to take an in depth look at transformations which is a requirement for 8th grade math and a Prerequisite for Geometry in High school. Students will be able to better understand congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software.
8th Grade Accelerated Geometry
Dr. Joseph
This course is designed to take an in depth look at transformations and scale drawings. Students will be able to better understand congruence and similarity using physical models, patty paper and/or geometry software.
7th Grade Statistics
Dr. Joseph
Statistics are the sets of mathematical equations that we use to analyze things. Stats keep us informed about what is happening in the world around us. In this course you will take an in depth look at 7th grade statistics which are required by the Louisiana Department of Education. Topics include an in depth look at measures of central tendency, probability and random sampling.
Next Level 7th Grade Math
Mrs. Pipes
In Next Level 7th Grade Math, students master computation and problem solving with rational numbers, i.e., fractions, decimals, and percent, as part of the process of algebra readiness—preparing for 7th Grade Math. This creates a solid mathematical foundation for future subjects such as 8th Grade math, Algebra I, and Geometry.
Middle School Policies
AEP Middle School Homework Policy
AEP Middle School Disciplinary Policy
AEP Middle School Bulletins
August & September 2022
October 2022
November & December 2022
January 2023
February 2023
March & April 2023
May 2023