Critical Thinking 1

M/J Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Learning Strategies (#1700100), 6th Grade

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop learning strategies, critical-thinking skills, and problem-solving skills to enhance their performance in academic and nonacademic endeavors.

The content should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• strategies for acquiring, storing, and retrieving information
• strategies for oral and written communication
• critical-thinking operations, processes, and enabling skills
• problem-solving skills and strategies
• strategies for linking new information with prior knowledge

Research 1

M/J Research 1 (#1700000), 6th Grade

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop basic knowledge and skills in the research process with emphasis on determining and refining research questions.

The content should include, but not be limited to, the following:
-research process
-research topics
-research questions and hypotheses
-definition, analysis, and evaluation of research questions
-review of literature and other resources
-formulation of hypotheses
-report formats, styles, and content
-directed investigations
-critical analysis of research
-a major research project, preferably cross-disciplinary

Research 2

M/J Research 2 (#1700010), 7th Grade

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop proficient knowledge and skills in the research process with emphasis on appropriate research design.

The content should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• research process
• experimental, descriptive, and historical research
• legal and ethical issues in research-research questions and hypotheses
• review of literature and other resources-report formats, styles, and content-investigations
• critical analysis of research
• a major research project, preferably cross-disciplinary

Research 3

M/J Research 3 (#1700020), Grade 8

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop advanced knowledge and skills in the research process with emphasis on data collection and analysis.

The content should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• research process
• research questions and hypotheses
• review of literature and other resources
• legal and ethical issues in research
• research design
• data collection, analysis, and statistics
• interpretation of results
• application of findings
• report formats, styles, and content
• investigations
• critical analysis of research
• a major research project, preferably cross-curricular

Career Research and Decision Making

M/J Career Research and Decision Making (#1700060)

The purpose of this course is to enable students to explore careers/career clusters and make informed career choices. Activities enable students to increase self-awareness and develop the skills needed to successfully plan for postsecondary education and the workplace. Career assessment should include interests, aptitudes, and basic skills. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include job shadowing, field trips, and mentors. Work-based activities allow students to evaluate their career choices as they relate to actual careers at the worksite.

The content should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Self-awareness to include interests, values, skills, learning styles, etc.
• Goal-setting and decision-making processes
• Exploring careers/career clusters and educational requirements
• Postsecondary education and training opportunities
• Workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, computer, etc.
• Career and education planning