benchmarks
6TH GRADE
Language Arts
What we do
How we do it:
Multi-paragraph writing projects, whole class, and small group discussions encourage critical thinking. Integrating curriculum from other classes, multimedia projects, presentations, collaborative projects, and a variety of other activities demonstrate learning. Writers’ Workshop, writing mechanics, literature circles, and independent reading are integral components of the program.
Math
What we do
How we do it:
Our balanced mathematics curriculum acknowledges that every student is unique with individual strengths and areas for improvement and emphasizes conceptual understanding of computational skills as well as problem-solving and reasoning. Combining whole-group, small-group, and independent activities, students are supported as they develop mathematical thinking through exploration with manipulatives, testing, and reasoning. Starting mid-year, nightly homework reinforces concepts and skills taught during the day.
Science
What we do:
How we do it:
The natural desire of middle school students to explore, take things apart, and “see what’s inside” helps inform our science curriculum. Societal issues and problems serve as themes for the study of earth science. Through scientific inquiry, laboratory investigation, shared reading, and discussions, students explore topics independently and collaboratively. They practice scientific annotation and research skills and present multimedia projects to demonstrate learning.
Social Studies
What we do
How we do it
Through whole-class and small-group discussions, multimedia presentations, and project-based learning, an emphasis is placed on gaining historical empathy and giving the students opportunities to imagine the world from numerous cultural perspectives. The program is built to develop an awareness of culture in context while encouraging students to be curious, open-minded, and think for themselves. Students demonstrate their understanding of visual, video, and dramatic expressions, in addition to objective testing and essay writing.
BACK TO TOP
7TH GRADE
Language Arts
What we do
How we do it:
Multi-paragraph writing projects, whole class, and small group discussions encourage critical thinking. Integrating curriculum from other classes, multimedia projects, presentations, collaborative projects, and a variety of other activities demonstrate learning. Writers’ Workshop, writing mechanics, literature circles and independent reading are integral components of the program.
Math
What we do:
How we do it:
Our balanced mathematics curriculum acknowledges that every student is unique with individual strengths and areas for improvement and emphasizes conceptual understanding of computational skills as well as problem-solving and reasoning. Combining whole groups, small groups, and independent activities, students are supported as they develop mathematical thinking through exploration with manipulatives, testing, and reasoning. Starting mid-year, nightly homework reinforces concepts and skills taught during the day.
Science
What we do:
How we do it:
Societal issues and quandaries serve as themes for the study of life science. The natural desire of middle school students to explore, take things apart, and “see what’s inside” helps inform the scope and sequence of each unit of study. Through scientific inquiry, laboratory investigation, shared readings, and discussions, students explore topics independently and collaboratively. Learning is assessed through scientific annotation and research skills, multimedia projects, and periodic quizzes and tests.
Social Studies
What we do:
How we do it:
Through whole-class and small-group discussions, multimedia presentations, and project-based learning, an emphasis is placed on gaining historical empathy and giving the students opportunities to imagine the world from numerous cultural perspectives. The program is built to develop an awareness of culture in context while encouraging students to be curious, open-minded, and think for themselves. Students demonstrate their understanding of visual, video, and dramatic expressions, in addition to objective testing and essay writing.
BACK TO TOP
8TH GRADE
Language Arts
What we do:
How we do it:
Multi-paragraph writing projects, whole class, and small group discussions encourage critical thinking. Integrating curriculum from other classes, multimedia projects, presentations, collaborative projects, and a variety of other activities demonstrate learning. Writers’ Workshop, writing mechanics, literature circles, and independent reading are integral components of the program.
Math
What we do:
How we do it:
Our balanced mathematics curriculum acknowledges that every student is unique with individual strengths and areas for improvement and emphasizes conceptual understanding of computational skills as well as problem-solving and reasoning. Combining whole-groups, small-groups, and independent activities, students are supported as they develop mathematical thinking through exploration with manipulatives, testing, and reasoning. Open-ended and inquiry-based projects are assigned throughout the course of the year. Nightly homework reinforces concepts and skills taught during the day.
Science
What we do:
How we do it:
Environmental impact and societal dilemmas serve as themes for the study of physical science. The natural desire of middle school students to explore, take things apart, and “see what’s inside” helps inform the scope and sequence of each unit of study. Through scientific inquiry, laboratory investigation, shared readings, and discussions, students explore topics independently and collaboratively. Learning is assessed through scientific annotation and research skills, multimedia projects, and periodic quizzes and tests.
Social Studies
What we do:
How we do it:
Through whole-class and small-group discussions, multimedia presentations, and project-based learning, an emphasis is placed on gaining historical empathy and giving the students opportunities to imagine the world from numerous cultural perspectives. The program is built to develop an awareness of culture in context while encouraging students to be curious, open-minded, and think for themselves. Students demonstrate their understanding of visual, video, and dramatic expressions, in addition to objective testing and essay writing.