Subject Areas

  • Math

    Lyceum students take a wide range of math courses according to the district sequencing recommendations listed below. Students have the opportunity to earn up to three weighted high school math credits while at Lincoln. We are the only middle school that offers Algebra II Honors. 

    What will my math class look like?

    A flow chart that shows math course possibilities, depending on the student's grade level.

    • Explorations/Activities
    • Homework Discussion
    • Smart Board/Brightlink PowerPoint Lessons
    • Graphing Calculators (TI-Nspires)
    • Math review games/activities
    • On-line Math Practice

    Notes:

    • A county-wide exam for Course 2 Advanced Math for sixth graders is being offered this summer. Students that score 40% will be considered for the course.
    • Algebra 1 Honors, Geometry Honors, and Algebra 2 Honors are high school courses. Students will receive high school honors credit for these classes and they will appear on their high school transcripts.
    • In place of their elective, students may opt to take both Geometry Honors and Algebra 2 Honors after taking Algebra I Honors.
    • Students interested in accelerating their learning beyond what we already offer should speak with their school counselor. 
    • Are you interested in trying out for the Buchholz High School Math Competition Team next year? Consider the BHS Summer program. Contact Jenny Frazer at BHS for more information.

    Social Studies

    6th Grade: Advanced World History

    This course begins with a review of Paleo and Neolithic life. By examining the earliest civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt, students learn what aspects of life define a civilization. Throughout the rest of the year, we consistently reflect back on these characteristics and use them to compare and contrast societies as humans progress through time. In addition to these early civilizations, the course emphasizes the ancient Mediterranean and Asian worlds. Students will learn the history of these peoples while understanding how their contributions to society still live in modern times. Utilizing a mixture of the Socratic Method and modern audio-visual teaching techniques, students develop organizational, analytical, and communication skills. Throughout the year, our students reflect on these civilizations; highlights include building Greek Temples, the trial of Julius Caesar, a field trip to the Medieval Times, and our famous Greco-Roman Festival!

    7th Grade: Advanced U.S. Civics 

    An exciting shift in the social studies curriculum has given 7th graders the opportunity to learn the origins, structures and functions of their governments. Part history, part present-day, civics begins with a definition of citizenship. What does it mean to be part of society? What are your rights and responsibilities as citizens of the United States and members of your local communities, and how did we come to be where we are? After building a country through revolution and constitution, the course closely examines each part of the government and how it functions at the local, state and federal levels. Civics allows students to discuss and debate current issues facing our various government organizations while examining precedents. Through this process, students learn not only the functions of government but also why the government takes certain actions or refrains from doing so. To better understand our place in the world, the course consistently compares and contrasts our government with other forms. At the end of the course, students embark on an introductory journey into economics. We look at the basics of supply, demand, prices, and markets while examining different theories and approaches to economics used at home and abroad.

    8th Grade: Advanced US History

    The American History course in eighth grade begins with the study of the prehistoric indigenous peoples of America and continues to the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. We will conclude with a survey of the 1940s through 1960s. The course is designed to help students learn how to read, write and express ideas in an analytical manner and will help them achieve success in their high school level Social Studies classes. Primary sources, (documents, letters, pictures, etc.) as well as secondary sources will be used in our quest to understand what it means to be an American. Our goal is for students to engage in discovering history for themselves and have practice of writing the story of our country.

    Research and Critical Thinking

    The Research and Critical Thinking program at Lincoln Middle School acts as a replacement for a typical reading course. This class focuses on identifying the nature of learning while developing important skills and practices that will equip students with the necessary requirements to become critical thinkers. Students will be given the opportunity to read various pieces of literature from throughout history, helping to develop research and critical thinking skills such as note-taking, finding and identifying credible sources, and implementing and explaining evidence from various formats and media. 
     

    TEXTS THAT WE HAVE READ

    • Allegory of the Cave- Plato

    • Epic of Gilgamesh

    • The Odyssey

    • Julius Caesar- William Shakespeare

    • Theogony of Hesiod

    • Assorted Myths

     

    6th Grade: Research 1

    In Research I, students will explore the history of culture, thought, and art while producing creative and thought-provoking academic studies on a variety of topics. As a part of this class, students will:

    • read complex and compelling texts
    • effectively implement and explain evidence and evaluate arguments
    • craft informed opinions, and support those opinions with evidence from multiple sources
    • evaluate the arguments of others
    • locate, evaluate, and synthesize information
    • construct a well-reasoned argument
    • write well-crafted essays
    • deliver eloquent speeches
    • create multimedia presentations
    • Develop note taking and summarizing skills

    By systematically learning and practicing these skills, students will develop academic habits that will serve them for a lifetime. With this in mind, Research I will focus not just on what students learn, but how they learn. The purpose of this course is to provide a rigorous, writing-heavy immersion in fundamental research skills through the accompaniment of cross-curricular subjects (specifically World History and Language Arts). Students will be challenged to not only learn humanities and writing skills, but apply them in practical academic settings with advanced expectations. This course will encourage critical analysis of source documentation to create and develop written and oral academic arguments.

    Students will be delving into difficult and challenging texts and resources. They will be asked to question their knowledge and understanding of the nature of thought, learning, language and the meaning of the world around us. We will question, reflect, discuss, and create. This course is intended to take academically outstanding students and give them a strong foundation in academic philosophy, questioning, and interpretation.

    7th Grade: Research 2

    In Research 2, students will continue the studies they began last year in Research I, with a focus on producing quality academic reasoning, writing, and speaking about a variety of topics. As a part of this class, students will:

    • read complex texts
    • consider evidence and evaluate arguments
    • craft informed opinions, and support those opinions with evidence from multiple sources
    • evaluate the arguments of others
    • locate, evaluate, and synthesize information
    • construct a well-reasoned argument
    • write well-crafted essays
    • deliver eloquent speeches
    • create multimedia presentations

    By systematically learning and practicing these skills, students will develop academic habits that will serve them for a lifetime. With this in mind, Research II will focus not just on what students know, but how they know.

    As a part of this process, we will be tackling some heavy issues, including ethics and ethical dilemmas, logic and argumentation, the purpose of government, and the concept of national identity. We will read closely, think deeply, and debate. Ultimately, we will become better readers, thinkers, and writers.

    Language Arts

    6th Grade ELA Advanced

    Language study (strong emphasis on grammar, usage, mechanics, and editing of writing)

    Writing– expository, persuasive, compare/contrast, narratives, and poetry, including sonnets

    Shakespeare study – A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Unit includes Shakespearean sonnets, hands-on and written projects

    Portfolio – completed at the end of the year

    7th Grade ELA Advanced

    The 7th grade Advanced English Language Arts program is structured to foster a wide range of rich literacy skills. Students develop research, writing, and oral communication skills that enhance their preparedness to succeed in all subject areas. The curriculum is aligned with the B.E.S.T. Standards and includes literacy learning that fosters self-confidence and encourages our students to diligently use their reading and writing skills.

    Given the course goals, students will be able to read critically, write effectively, and communicate efficiently. Students will continue working on their abilities to analyze a text and use textual evidence to answer critical thinking questions. Students will learn how texts are organized and the purpose for it. In the aspects of writing, students will continue developing their writing skills with explanatory, compare/contrast, argumentative, narrative, and research texts. There is a large focus on organization and writing style while publishing and citing sources to ensure students are producing writing that meets the standards. Students will learn to support their writing through research skills and using evidence from multiple texts. Speaking and listening skills will be learned through group discussions and presentations. Students will practice their command of the English language while delivering presentations with an extensive focus.

    At-A-Glance

    • Writing- expository, compare/contrast, argumentative, narrative, research, creative
    • Literature circle novel study
    • Literary elements/devices workshop- children's book project
    • Short story collection- W.W. Jacobs, Roald Dahl, Lucille Fletcher
    • Strong emphasis on public speaking and presentation skills
    • Participate in class discussions and literature circles
    • Project and presentation development

    8th Grade ELA Advanced

    Language Study: Grammar, usage, and editing skills taught through Caught Ya curriculum throughout the year; Peer revision/editing will also occur for essays

    Vocabulary study is incorporated into the Caught Ya curriculum and will occur throughout the year.

    Writing – Expository and persuasive writing for writing assessments, class debates, poster and slideshow presentations, and narrative and expository writing for the Living History project. Students also write and analyze poetry,translate Shakespearean English into modern English, and write on various topics.

    Additional texts: Lay That Trumpet in Our Hands (historical fiction), Macbeth (play), The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens (nonfiction)

    American Literature: includes poetry, short stories, and articles. The literature curriculum is designed to enhance the American History course, as well as strengthen students’ skills in literary analysis.

    Foreign Language

    Spanish I

    The Spanish I curriculum at The Lyceum focuses on the BEST Standards. It is equivalent to the Spanish I course taught at the high schools in Alachua County. Students may opt out of high school credit during the second quarter of the school year. 

    The course focuses on speaking and culture. Students practice speaking every day in class and the culture of all Spanish-speaking countries is studied. We have many activities related to music, food, dances, and customs. We integrate the culture and history of Hispanics into the curriculum of all the other courses in the Lyceum. We culminate this in an International Fair that encompasses not only the Spanish-speaking countries, but all the other countries represented in our student body.

    For extra-curricular activities, we have a Spanish Club that meets to promote speaking Spanish and the further understanding of all the Hispanic culture.

    French I

    French is offered to our students at Eastside High School. Students attend first period at Eastside and then ride the bus back to Lincoln. Students earn high school credit for this class.

    Science

    In all of our Lyceum science classes, we use both traditional educational practices like note-taking and laboratory activities, along with newer practices involving cooperative learning, presentations, and group work. One of the goals of our Lyceum science classes is to teach students laboratory and classroom skills to prepare them to be leaders in the rigorous science classes they will have in high school, whether it is in the IB, Cambridge, AP, or honors programs. We also prepare them to take the District End of Course exams and the Florida Science Assessment.

    Here at Lincoln, participation in the Science and Engineering Fair is voluntary, not mandatory. No class time is dedicated to the science fair. However, students that are interested are encouraged to participate and they work closely with our science fair coordinator. This year we had twenty-five students participate.

    Lyceum students take Advanced Comprehensive Science I and II in sixth and seventh grade. They take high school Physical Science Honors in 8th grade. Comprehensive Science courses provide an introduction to the major science categories, such as Earth/Space, Life, Physical Sciences.

    Earth/Space Science

    Earth and space science is the study of our Earth and our place in space. The curriculum covers the following content through class discussions, technology, hands-on lab activities, collaboration, student presentations, and text. We practice skills for organization, studying, and time management.

    • The Nature of Science
    • The Roles of Theories and Laws
    • Earth's Structure
    • Earth's Patterns
    • Earth's Systems
    • The Earth in Space and Time

    Life Science

    Life science is the study of living things, their characteristics, their needs, and how they interact and change with their environment. The core content will include, but is not limited to, the following:

    • The practice of science and the characteristics of scientific knowledge
    • The role of theories, laws, hypotheses, and models
    • Organization and development of living things
    • Matter and energy transformations in living things
    • Heredity and reproduction, diversity and evolution of living things
    • Interdependence of living things
    • Human growth and development

    Physical Science 

    Physical Science is the study of matter and energy -- the non-living systems in life. Throughout this course, forces of nature and the properties of matter are studied using many resources, including the textbook, class discussions, internet resources, and hands-on lab activities.

    Physical Science Honors

    This high school credit course is offered to 8th graders. The course takes a deep dive into Physical Science including

    • Properties of matter

    • Changes in matter

    • Properties of energy

    • Principles of force

    • Atomic theory, including the periodic table, atoms, mixtures and solutions, chemical reactions, etc

    • Chemical bonding and reactions

    • Earth's movement in space, stars, galaxies, and the universe

    • Conducting scientific investigations

    . Students receive weighted high school credit for this course.

    Electives

    VEX IQ Robotics

    VEX Robotics at Lincoln Middle School is a full year course.

    VEX Robotics is a competitive class where students learn the fundamentals of design and teamwork. Weekend competitions are offered to test the student's ability to perform under pressure. Students at Lincoln compete at the state and national level and have valuable experiences along the way. Our VEX robotics program is a student-centered program, and students must be motivated to compete and win to have the best experience.

    Lincoln has both VEX programs offered during the school day. VEX IQ is offered to all students and must be the first course students take. VEX IQ is offered to students through 8th grade and is the same level that is offered in elementary schools. VEX EDR (VRC) is offered to highly motivated students after their first year and is played in middle school, high school and at the college level. The UF VEX team often helps with our events, and even competes at Lincoln from time to time! As VEX EDR involves making robots out of steel and aluminum and requires strict safety procedures, students must apply and be selected for this program after their first year in VEX IQ.

    Art

    Art is available as a year-long course for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Advanced Art is also available for 7th and 8th grade students!

    In Art, we explore drawing, painting, and ceramics. A variety of supplies and techniques are used to provide a well-rounded experience in studio art. In one of the highlights of the course, students learn to use the pottery wheel to make their own ceramic pottery to glaze and take home. This is a class for students who enjoy expressing themselves and want to improve their artistic abilities.

    Technology

    Tech at Lincoln Middle School is a full year course.

    Our technology class starts with Microsoft Certification. Students can earn their Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) designation by passing PowerPoint, Word and Excel. Their MOS designation is for life, so students will have a competitive advantage as they progress through high school and college. Students can also earn their MOS on an at-home version of the course. As soon as they are done with Excel, there are several options the students can take, and they are free to pursue their interests. Students can take Access and learn about SQL, learn about website design with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and learn the fundamentals of programming.

    Musical Theater

    Musical Theater is a class that enhances self-awareness and self confidence, enriches communication and social skills, and uses the body and voice expressively. Students learn basic stage knowledge and a variety of acting techniques, ending in small performances and a final showcase. Singers of all levels are welcome to join the chorus.  Each student will learn and apply vocal techniques, demonstrate awareness and tolerance for a diverse choral repertoire, and participate in a variety of performances throughout the school year.

    Band & Orchestra

    Beginning Band

    If you have no prior musical experience in a wind instrument (such as Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Euphonium, Trombone, or Tuba), or Percussion instruments, then this is the class for you. Students do not need to have any previous musical education to participate; students of all levels of experience are welcome to join and learn a wind or percussion instrument.

    Advanced Band

    This ensemble is for students who have been playing a wind or percussion instrument for at least one year and/or have the prior musical knowledge to participate in this ensemble. Members of this ensemble have the opportunity to travel and perform at music festivals.

    Jazz Band

    Jazz rehearses before school two to three times each week. It is comprised of students on an audition basis. This ensemble is called upon for many performances, some planned and some impromptu. The students in the ensemble range from intermediate to advanced. Instruments involved are saxophone, trombone/baritone, trumpet, percussion, piano, guitar, and bass guitar/string bass.

    Orchestra

    For students who would like to play or that have played a string instrument such as Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass. Students in this ensemble will have the ability to advance their skills on their instrument and be given opportunities to share their knowledge with others. This class will also be given the opportunity to travel.