THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

In grades 6 - 8 there is a major curriculum shift. At this point children have three needs that come to the fore: independent responsibility, forming their own community, and intimate and direct feedback from the world. These needs still exist within the context of needing to be in a safe, adult-led container, but that container needs to change radically at this point. This is reflected in the methodology and content of the curriculum. 

Core to the community building throughout the Middle School grades are challenging, extended trips. Challenge courses (ropes, team tasks, trust falls etc.) and wilderness camping, hiking, rafting, canoeing, rock climbing, tracking, orienteering, etc., give students a direct and real way they can learn to take individual responsibility in and for a group.

Ongoing work to create group projects for their history, geography and science classes gives the students countless opportunities to work with the challenges of working together in self-directed teams. 

GRADE SIX

In keeping with the shifting sands of pre-adolescence, this year's themes are man's unpredictable impulses and behaviors, and the simultaneous desire for law and order. Myths, legends, and biographies from the historical period between 500 BC and 1000 AD, are the heart of this work, including study of Greece, Rome, the Middle East and South America. Included in the history course is study of the geography, climate and terrain of each area, and their effect on the overall development of each culture. Students now take a significant role in research and presentation of material, including learning the art of storytelling and developing projects. 

Although she is often very fond of breaking the rules, the pre-adolescent is eager to know the rules of the workaday world. To meet this interest, the sixth grade math curriculum focuses on business math. As her thinking skills develop she is able to make connections and speculate more freely. To meet this ability, algebra and geometry are introduced.

The pre-adolescent's desire for discovery is well mirrored in the science classes. Using her own senses, she explores the phenomena of her own experience (including optics and acoustics) and that of the earth and sky around her (geology and astronomy). Her own perceptions, ideas and conclusions form the core of this work. 

GRADE SEVEN

The seventh grader has begun to look outward and develop her own ideas about the workings of the world and her own dreams of new possibilities. In keeping with this, the two themes for this year are exploration of new lands and ideas and the rebirth of culture/renaissance that results. Legends and biographies are the heart of this work, which also includes study of the geography, climate and terrain of each area, and their effect on the overall development of each culture. Students continue developing independent skills through research, writing, presentation, storytelling and projects. 

The seventh grader can handle more complex thinking and manipulation of concepts and ideas. She now begins more focused work with algebra and geometry.

In science classes she continues to look with her own eyes at the world around her. Now for the first time, she also looks within as the study of biology begins. Classes continue to emphasize her own experiences and perception as the ground of developing understanding, independence and confidence.

GRADE EIGHT

SIX DIVISION CIRCLE

The eighth grader is full of answers and all too ready to overthrow the structures around her. Thus, the two major themes for this year are revolution and modern life. Biographies are the heart of this work as the students learn to step into the experiences of those who created the modern world. Time lines and exploration of cause and effect are undertaken as students bring together the many cultures they have studied over the course of the elementary years to help them to gain perspective on modern life. 
As in the sixth and seventh grades, independent skills continue to be developed through research, writing, presentation, storytelling and projects. 

In preparation for the move to high school, the math courses emphasize mastery over the new skills the students have learned in algebra and geometry. As well, the study of modern times in history courses includes study of the history and structure of the computer and an introduction to its usage.

In science classes biology moves from an emphasis on anatomy to an emphasis on function as the students explore such things as digestion and health. This naturally leads into discussion of the effects of substance abuse and gives the students an understanding of the affects of different behaviors on their growing physical systems. Their studies of physics and astronomy are taken further as well. Classes continue to emphasize the students' own experiences and perceptions as the ground of developing critical thinking, understanding, independence and confidence.

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