GRADE 6-8
The Middle School years are a time of change. Not only is this age group changing physically, their emotional, social, intellectual and ethical behaviors are shifting as well. This is a crucial period in the development of young adults and they need support in all these areas. To ensure that this support is provided at school, opportunities for learning and practicing constructive ways to deal with these changes are integrated within Science, Mathematics, Social Studies and Language instruction. The habits of mind that successful people call upon when encountering a new situation are also important to the development of each child. A variety of teaching and learning strategies are used depending upon the discipline, concept, and student.
The content standards start simply and become more complex as children develop through the grades. They are learned through projects, integration with other subjects, and through direct instruction depending upon the concept, the student and the situation.
The following are taught and learned through the Applied Sciences class:
MATH
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As students advance through the grades and master the standards in math they are able to exhibit the following behaviors and knowledge: |
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Mathematical Behaviors |
Math Concepts |
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• problem solving and perseverance |
• geometry |
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• abstract and quantitative reasoning |
• ratios & proportional reasoning |
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• mathematical modeling |
• numbers & operations |
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• attending to precision |
• expressions & equations |
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• looking for and making sense of structure |
• statistics & probability |
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• looking for and expressing regularity in repeated reasoning |
• Functions |
SCIENCE
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Learning in science spirals throughout the grades with varying complexities. The English/Language Arts skills as well as Mathematical skills are applied in science projects in the following scientific areas. In each area systems sustainability and the effects on our future are emphasized. |
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• Physical science |
• Engineering |
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• Life science |
• Technology |
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• Earth & Space |
• Applications of science |
The following are taught and learned through the Humanities class:
ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS
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The following are taught using English and increase in complexity as children progress through the school year/ grade level |
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Reading |
Speaking |
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• Foundational Skills |
• Story Telling |
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• Literature |
• Oral Presentations |
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• Informational Text |
• Debate/Defense |
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• Analysis of print and digital media |
• Presentations of Learning |
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• Research Skills |
• Public Speaking |
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• Language Registers |
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Writing |
Listening |
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• Foundational skills |
• Story Telling |
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• English Grammar in Context |
• Understanding & Following Verbal Instruction |
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• Writing Process |
• Active Listening |
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• Informational Writing |
• Note taking |
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• Persuasive Writing |
• Analysis of speeches |
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• Creative Writing |
• Responding to verbal communications |
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SOCIAL STUDIES
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As a child grows his/her world expands and the study of the social sciences follows the same path. Younger children use the domains of social studies to understand themselves, their homes, and their communities and the world that they can see and touch. As the child progresses their studies grow to include places, peoples and ideas away from home. |
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• Geography |
• Global Citizenship |
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• History |
• Culture |
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• Economics |
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• Government/Civics |
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HABITS OF MIND
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Children also need to develop the habits of mind that will help them be happy and reach goals throughout their lives. The following are dispositions that successful people use and which we integrate in our educational plans. |
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• Persisting |
• Responding with wonderment and awe |
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• Thinking & communicating with clarity and precision |
• Thinking about thinking (metacognition) |
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• Managing impulsiveness |
• Taking responsible risks |
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• Gathering data through all senses |
• Striving for accuracy |
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• Listening with understanding and empathy |
• Finding humor |
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• Creating, imagining, innovating |
• Questioning and posing problems |
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• Thinking flexibly |
• Thinking interdependently |
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• Applying past knowledge to new situations |
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• Remaining open to continuous learning |
