MIDDLE school curriculum

Language Arts

In the Grade 6 English Language Arts curriculum, students hone and further develop their skills for reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They are active learners who construct their own understandings through a workshop approach that is both engaging and authentically connected to their everyday lives. Choice in both reading and writing is given a high priority to boost engagement and independence. A community of reading and writing is developed through book clubs, writing groups, and seminars. 

Students apply skills they learned in earlier grades to make sense of longer, more challenging books and articles. That includes learning about how authors try to influence readers and find reasons to support their ideas. Focusing on how authors make their points and support their arguments with evidence and reasoning helps students sharpen their abilities to write and speak with more clarity and coherence.

Math

In the Grade 6 Mathematics curriculum, students refine their skills for mathematical concepts and procedures, problem solving, and communication and reasoning through an integrated math approach. They are active learners who construct their own understandings through an inquiry approach that is engaging and authentically connected to their everyday lives. 

Student learning in Grade 6 is organized into five critical areas:

• understanding of division of fractions and extending number sense to all rational numbers which includes negative numbers

• connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division, and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems

• solving real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume

• writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations

• developing an understanding of statistical thinking

Throughout the Grade 6 curriculum, students have opportunities to explore, explain, and present their understanding of mathematics in multiple ways, including using technology independently and collaboratively.

Science

In the Grade 6 Science curriculum, students are introduced to concepts and practices that support scientific inquiry and foster their ability to design and carry out investigations. Content  learning includes light and matter, thermal energy, and weather and climate. Further learning includes examining the Earth's processes, natural hazards, and living systems. The Grade 6 curriculum puts inquiry, curiosity, and academic rigor at the heart of instruction. Grade 6 students embrace collaborative, inquiry-based learning as they explore scientific concepts, actively participating in investigations within our well-equipped laboratories. They not only conduct experiments but also effectively communicate their ideas and conclusions to their peers and community, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

Social Studies

In the Grade 6 Social Studies curriculum, students develop questions and plan inquiries, evaluate sources and use evidence, and communicate conclusions and prepare for social action. Students deepen their understandings of history, geography, civics, and economics. Students will access the content by analyzing primary sources, using key research process steps, developing capacity as critical thinkers, and studying how the past shapes the future.  Learning centers on using questions to spark curiosity, conducting deep investigations through independent and group projects, and applying knowledge and ideas in real-world settings to become responsible, compassionate global citizens. Grade 6 students critically examine current events from diverse viewpoints, nurturing their curiosity and developing a deeper understanding of complex global issues.

Health and Physical Education

The Health and Physical Education program derives its curriculum in Grade 6 from the Society for Health and Physical Exercise (SHAPE) America and the National Consensus for School Health Education. Learning emphasizes the development of foundational skills, conceptual knowledge, and an understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Through a holistic approach, the Grade 6 curriculum encourages participation and physical activity whereby students develop knowledge, dispositions, and movement competence. These authentic and relevant learning experiences enhance social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Students are empowered to become critical thinkers, to make informed decisions to enhance lifestyle choices, and to become advocates for themselves and others throughout their lives.

Art—Visual and Performing

The Performing Arts and Visual Arts curriculum in the Middle School is anchored through the following artistic processes which are common across all programs. Student learning is based upon conceiving and developing new artistic ideas and work, performing and realizing artistic ideas through interpretation and presentation, sharing artistic work, and understanding and evaluating how the arts convey meaning.

The Middle School offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced band and string options along with choir, drama and dance.

Visual Art options include mixed media, photography, design, and ceramics.

World Languages

Mandarin

Building Mandarin is an introductory course designed for students who have had some limited or no prior instruction in Mandarin. The course develops students’ proficiencies in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Students interact with Mandarin from the first day of class, gaining confidence in conversational and foundational language through sharing greetings, numbers, personal information, family narratives, likes and dislikes, celebrations, school, and daily life. The focus is on making Mandarin comprehensible and engaging through various experiences. Pinyin is introduced as a phonetic tool to aid language learning. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment  encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Emerging Mandarin is a course designed for students who have completed Building Mandarin or equivalent. The course is organized in such a way as to continue to lead students towards proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Mandarin is the primary language used to communicate in class. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities and add more detail to their daily conversational language by studying themes: all about me, weather and seasons, school life, food, and eating out. More high-frequency words and simple characters are emphasized throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the class based on context.  Pinyin is introduced as the phonetic tool to aid the learning of the language and high frequency words and simple characters are emphasized throughout the course. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Expanding Mandarin is designed for students who have completed Emerging Mandarin or equivalent. The course increases proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).  Mandarin is the primary language used to communicate in class, and throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities. In addition to daily conversation, there is an increased focus on discussion about global issues and oral presentations such as debates, storytelling, and interviews. There is also an emphasis on developing writing skills to encourage more creative expressions in the language. Students are introduced to more advanced structures, frequently used words, and complicated characters to enhance oral, reading, and written communication. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the courses based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

French

Building French is an introductory course designed for students with some or no prior instruction in French. The course develops proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). The focus is on making French comprehensible and engaging through various experiences. Students interact with the French language in every class through reading and listening which leads to the ability to produce simple sentences. Throughout the year, students develop daily conversational language skills and learn how to talk about events, describe people, and tell stories. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Emerging French is a course designed for students who have completed Building French or equivalent. The course develops  proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). French is the primary language used to communicate in class, and the focus continues to be on making the language comprehensible and engaging through various experiences. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities and add more detail to their daily conversational language and class-created stories and texts. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Expanding French is a course designed for students who have completed Emerging French or equivalent. The course develops and expands  proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). French is the primary language used to communicate in class, and the focus continues to be on making the language comprehensible and engaging through various experiences. Students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities. In addition to daily conversation, there is an increased focus on discussion about global issues. There is also an emphasis on developing writing skills in a variety of genres, and vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Spanish

Building Spanish is an introductory course designed for students who may have had some or no prior instruction in Spanish. The course develops proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Students interact with Spanish from the first day of class. The focus is on making Spanish comprehensible to the students through various methods. Throughout the year, students learn daily conversational language, how to talk about events, how to describe people, and tell stories. They read and hear the language every class, leading to the ability to produce simple sentences. Students read many short stories throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context.

Emerging Spanish is a course designed for students who have completed Building Spanish or equivalent. The course develops proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Spanish is the primary language used to communicate in class. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities and add more detail to their daily conversational language and the class-created stories and texts. Students read many short stories throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the class based on context.

Expanding Spanish is a course designed for students who have completed Emerging Spanish or equivalent. The course develops and expands proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Spanish is the primary language used to communicate in class. Students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities. In addition to daily conversation, there is an increased focus on discussion about global issues and oral presentations such as debates, storytelling, and interviews. There is also an emphasis on developing writing skills to encourage more creative expressions in the language.  Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the courses based on context.

Exploratory Program

The Exploratory Program offers five 7-week courses that are mandatory for all Grade 6 students. The Middle School offers dynamic and innovative options to students in art, dance, design, drama, and Indian Studies.

Language Arts

In the Grade 7 English Language Arts curriculum, students hone and further develop their skills for reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They are active learners who construct their own understandings through a workshop approach that is both engaging and authentically connected to their everyday lives. Choice in both reading and writing is given a high priority to boost engagement and independence. A community of reading and writing is developed through book clubs, writing groups, and seminars. 

Students will analyze, define, compare, and evaluate ideas when reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They will continue to analyze how themes in fiction and nonfiction develop over the course of a book or article. They use relevant evidence when supporting their own points in writing and speaking, making their reasoning clear to readers or listeners, or constructively evaluating others’ use of evidence.

Math

In the Grade 7 Mathematics curriculum, students refine their skills for mathematical concepts and procedures, problem solving, and communication and reasoning through an integrated math approach.  They are active learners who construct their own understandings through an inquiry approach that is engaging and authentically connected to their everyday lives. 

Student learning in Grade 7 is focused on four critical areas: 

• developing an understanding of and applying proportional relationships 

• developing an understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations

• solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume 

• drawing inferences about populations based on samples

Throughout the Grade 7 curriculum, students have opportunities to explore, explain, and present their mathematical understandings in multiple ways, including the use of technology, both independently and collaboratively.

Science

The Grade 7 Science curriculum is phenomena-based (focused on actual scientific events) and designed to center on student-led questioning, investigating, and problem-solving. Content learning includes chemical reactions and metabolic reactions. Further learning is focused on matter cycling and photosynthesis, ecosystem dynamics, and natural resources.

Inquiry, curiosity, and academic rigor are at the heart of instruction. Investigations are designed in ways that require students to both collaborate and communicate to develop robust science investigation practices. Our approach to science education develops the eager, curious, and bright minds we need to solve our biggest challenges.

Social Studies

Social Studies in Grade 7 is crafted to empower students to cultivate their abilities to formulate inquiries, assess sources critically, utilize evidence effectively, and articulate conclusions while preparing for civic engagement. The curriculum is structured around units, each incorporating the perspectives of history, geography, civics, and economics. Additionally, learning integrates the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development, making it a holistic educational experience.

Student engagement is at the core of our approach, following the inquiry design model, which encourages students to explore the past, comprehend the present, and envision the future through various lenses.  Grade 7 students critically examine current events from diverse viewpoints, nurturing their curiosity and developing a deeper understanding of complex global issues.Indian Studies

Geographical, historical, cultural, craft, and linguistic concepts provide the scaffold for new learning as Grade 4 students explore units in a more meaningful way. Students will learn about the Indian freedom movement while they delve deeper into the ideas of peace and non-violence. Lessons around festivals, games, and the geographical states of India include discussion, observations, and research. The students will be involved in hands-on projects that showcase new learning using multimedia. Conversational Hindi vocabulary is taught and Indian food is sampled regularly. A rich array of audio-visual and print materials are used to bring concepts alive.

The Arts— Visual and Performing

The Performing Arts and Visual Arts curriculum in the Middle School is anchored through the following artistic processes which are common across all programs. Student learning is based upon conceiving and developing new artistic ideas and work, performing and realizing artistic ideas through interpretation and presentation, sharing artistic work, and understanding and evaluating how the arts convey meaning.

The Middle School offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced band and string options along with choir, drama and dance.

Visual Art options include mixed media, photography, design, and ceramics.

Health & Physical Education

The Health and Physical Education program derives its curriculum in Grade 7 from the Society for Health and Physical Exercise (SHAPE) America and the National Consensus for School Health Education. Learning emphasizes the development of foundational skills, conceptual knowledge, and an understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Through a holistic approach the Grade 7 curriculum encourages participation and physical activity whereby students develop knowledge, dispositions, and movement competence. These authentic and relevant learning experiences enhance social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. 

Students are empowered to become critical thinkers, to make informed decisions to enhance lifestyle choices, and to become advocates for themselves and others throughout their lives.

World Languages

Mandarin

Building Mandarin is an introductory course designed for students who have had some limited or no prior instruction in Mandarin. The course develops students’ proficiencies in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Students interact with Mandarin from the first day of class, gaining confidence in conversational and foundational language through sharing greetings, numbers, personal information, family narratives, likes and dislikes, celebrations, school, and daily life. The focus is on making Mandarin comprehensible and engaging through various experiences. Pinyin is introduced as a phonetic tool to aid language learning. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment  encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Emerging Mandarin is a course designed for students who have completed Building Mandarin or equivalent. The course is organized in such a way as to continue to lead students towards proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Mandarin is the primary language used to communicate in class. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities and add more detail to their daily conversational language by studying themes: all about me, weather and seasons, school life, food, and eating out. More high-frequency words and simple characters are emphasized throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the class based on context.  Pinyin is introduced as the phonetic tool to aid the learning of the language and high frequency words and simple characters are emphasized throughout the course. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Expanding Mandarin is designed for students who have completed Emerging Mandarin or equivalent. The course increases proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).  Mandarin is the primary language used to communicate in class, and throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities. In addition to daily conversation, there is an increased focus on discussion about global issues and oral presentations such as debates, storytelling, and interviews. There is also an emphasis on developing writing skills to encourage more creative expressions in the language. Students are introduced to more advanced structures, frequently used words, and complicated characters to enhance oral, reading, and written communication. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the courses based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

French

Building French is an introductory course designed for students with some or no prior instruction in French. The course develops proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). The focus is on making French comprehensible and engaging through various experiences. Students interact with the French language in every class through reading and listening which leads to the ability to produce simple sentences. Throughout the year, students develop daily conversational language skills and learn how to talk about events, describe people, and tell stories. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Emerging French is a course designed for students who have completed Building French or equivalent. The course develops  proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). French is the primary language used to communicate in class, and the focus continues to be on making the language comprehensible and engaging through various experiences. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities and add more detail to their daily conversational language and class-created stories and texts. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Expanding French is a course designed for students who have completed Emerging French or equivalent. The course develops and expands  proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). French is the primary language used to communicate in class, and the focus continues to be on making the language comprehensible and engaging through various experiences. Students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities. In addition to daily conversation, there is an increased focus on discussion about global issues. There is also an emphasis on developing writing skills in a variety of genres, and vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As the class develops a sense of community, the resulting safe and nurturing environment encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Spanish

Building Spanish is an introductory course designed for students who may have had some or no prior instruction in Spanish. The course develops proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Students interact with Spanish from the first day of class. The focus is on making Spanish comprehensible to the students through various methods. Throughout the year, students learn daily conversational language, how to talk about events, how to describe people, and tell stories. They read and hear the language every class, leading to the ability to produce simple sentences. Students read many short stories throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context.

Emerging Spanish is a course designed for students who have completed Building Spanish or equivalent. The course develops proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Spanish is the primary language used to communicate in class. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities and add more detail to their daily conversational language and the class-created stories and texts. Students read many short stories throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the class based on context.

Expanding Spanish is a course designed for students who have completed Emerging Spanish or equivalent. The course develops and expands proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Spanish is the primary language used to communicate in class. Students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities. In addition to daily conversation, there is an increased focus on discussion about global issues and oral presentations such as debates, storytelling, and interviews. There is also an emphasis on developing writing skills to encourage more creative expressions in the language.  Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the courses based on context.

Middle School Exploratory Program

The Exploratory Program offers five 7-week courses that are mandatory for all Grade 7 students. The Middle School offers dynamic and innovative options to students in art, dance, design, drama, and Indian Studies.

Language Arts

In the Grade 8 English Language Arts curriculum, students hone and further develop their skills for reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They are active learners who construct their own understandings through a workshop approach that is both engaging and authentically connected to their everyday lives. Choice in both reading and writing is given a high priority to boost engagement and independence. A community of reading and writing is developed through books clubs, writing groups, and seminars. 

Grade 8 students grapple with works of fiction and nonfiction that extend across cultures. They work diligently to understand precisely what an author or speaker is saying, use literature to comment on contemporary society, question an author’s or speaker’s assumptions, and assess the accuracy of their claims. They also engage in a variety of writing projects and independent reading projects, pursuing their own interests while still working towards grade-level standards.

Math

In the Grade 8 Mathematics curriculum, students refine their skills for mathematical concepts and procedures, problem solving, and communication and reasoning through an integrated math approach. They are active learners who construct their own understandings through exploration that is engaging and authentically connected to their everyday lives. 

Student learning in Grade 8 is focused on these critical areas: 

• formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including solving linear equations and systems of linear equations

• grasping the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships 

• summarizing, analyzing, and interpreting data

• analyzing two- and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angle, similarity, and congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem

• working with exponents, including operations with exponents and with scientific notation

Throughout the Grade 8 course, students have opportunities to explore, explain, and present their mathematical understandings in multiple ways, including the use of technology, both independently and collaboratively.

Science

The Grade 8 Science curriculum uses an integrated model where life, earth and physical science content is interwoven throughout the year. The curriculum is phenomena-based and designed to center on student-led questioning, investigating, and problem-solving. Content learning is focused on forces and sound, earth in space, genetics, and natural selection. An overarching goal of the science curriculum is to instill in students an understanding of science and how it applies to and impacts their lives and the lives of others. Grade 8 sees the refinement of problem solving and critical thinking.

Social Studies

The Grade 8 Social Studies curriculum is designed to further help students develop questions and plan inquiries, evaluate sources of information, and use evidence. Learning is created through the lenses of history, geography, civics, and economics. 

The curriculum in Grade 8 explores the concepts of identity, culture, human migration, types of government, civic responsibility, and social activism.  Focusing on skills, such as effective research practices and source analysis, learning is centered on choice to spark curiosity, deep investigations through both independent and group projects, and applying knowledge and ideas in real world settings. Grade 8 students critically examine current events from diverse viewpoints, nurturing their curiosity and developing a deeper understanding of complex global issues.

Art—Visual and Performing Arts

The Performing Arts and Visual Arts curriculum in the Middle School is anchored through the following artistic processes which are common across all programs. Student learning is based upon conceiving and developing new artistic ideas and work, performing and realizing artistic ideas through interpretation and presentation, sharing artistic work, and understanding and evaluating how the arts convey meaning.

The Middle School offers beginning, intermediate, and advanced band and string options along with choir, drama and dance.

Health and Physical Education 

The Health and Physical Education program derives its curriculum in Grade 8 from the Society for Health and Physical Exercise (SHAPE) America and the National Consensus for School Health Education. Learning emphasizes the development of foundational skills, conceptual knowledge, and an understanding of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Through a  holistic approach the Grade 8 curriculum encourages participation and physical activity whereby students develop knowledge, dispositions, and movement competence. These authentic and relevant learning experiences enhance social, emotional and physical wellbeing. 

Students are empowered to become critical thinkers, to make informed decisions to enhance lifestyle choices, and to become advocates for themselves and others throughout their lives.

World Languages

Mandarin

Building Mandarin is an introductory course designed for students who have had some or no prior instruction in Mandarin. The course is organized in such a way to lead students towards proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Students  interact with Mandarin from the first day of class, gaining confidence in daily conversational and foundational language such as greetings, numbers, personal information, family, likes and dislikes, celebrations, school and daily life. The focus is on making Mandarin comprehensible and engaging through a variety of experiences. Pinyin is introduced as the phonetic tool to aid the learning of the language. High frequency words and simple characters are also emphasized throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As we develop a sense of community in our Mandarin classes, we create a safe and nurturing environment which encourages students to take risks as they practice and support their own and each other's growth.

Emerging Mandarin is a course designed for students who have completed Building Mandarin or equivalent. The course is organized in such a way to continue to lead students towards proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Mandarin is the primary language used to communicate in class. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities, and add more detail to their daily conversational language through the study of themes: all about me, weather and seasons, school life, food and eating out. More high frequency words and simple characters are emphasized throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the class based on context.  Pinyin is introduced as the phonetic tool to aid the learning of the language and high frequency words and simple characters are emphasized throughout the course. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As we develop a sense of community in our Mandarin classes, we create a safe and nurturing environment that encourages students to take risks as they practice the language and support their own and each other's growth.

Expanding Mandarin is a course designed for students who have completed Emerging Mandarin or equivalent. The course is organized in such a way to continue to lead students to increasing proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).  Mandarin is the primary language used to communicate in class and throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities. In addition to daily conversation, there is an increased focus on discussion about global issues and oral presentations such as debates, storytelling, and interviews. There is also an emphasis on developing writing skills with an effort to encourage more creative expressions in the language. Students are introduced to more advanced structures, frequently used words and complicated characters to enhance oral, reading and written communication. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the courses based on context. As we develop a sense of community in our Mandarin class, we create a safe and nurturing environment that encourages students to take risks as they practice the language and support their own and each other's growth.

French

Building French is an introductory course designed for students who may have had some or no prior instruction in French. The course is organized to lead students towards proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). The focus is on making French comprehensible and engaging through a variety of experiences. Students interact with the French language every class through reading and listening which leads to the ability to produce simple sentences. Throughout the year students develop daily conversational language skills, and learn how to talk about events, how to describe people, and tell stories. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As we develop a sense of community in our French classes, we create a safe and nurturing environment which encourages students to take risks as they work together and support their own and each other's growth.

Emerging French is a course designed for students who have completed Building French or equivalent. The course is organized in such a way to continue to lead students towards proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). French is the primary language used to communicate in class, and the focus continues to be on making the language comprehensible and engaging through a variety of experiences. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities, and add more detail to their daily conversational language and class-created stories and texts. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the class based on context. As we develop a sense of community in our French classes, we create a safe and nurturing environment which encourages students to take risks as they work together and support their own and each other's growth.

Expanding French is a course designed for students who have completed Emerging French or equivalent. The course is organized in such a way to continue to lead students toward proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). French is the primary language used to communicate in class, and the focus continues to be on making the language comprehensible and engaging through a variety of experiences. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities. In addition to daily conversation, there is an increased focus on discussion about global issues. There is also an emphasis on developing writing skills in a variety of genres, and vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context. As we develop a sense of community in our French class, we create a safe and nurturing environment which encourages students to take risks as they work together and support their own and each other's growth.

Spanish

Building Spanish is an introductory course designed for students who may have had some or no prior instruction in Spanish. The course is organized in such a way to lead students to proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Students interact with Spanish from the first day of class. The focus is on making Spanish comprehensible to the students through a variety of methods. Throughout the year, students learn daily conversational language, how to talk about events, how to describe people and tell stories. They read and hear the language every class leading to the ability to produce simple sentences. Students read many short stories throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture are interwoven into the class based on context.

Emerging Spanish is a course designed for students who have completed Building Spanish or equivalent. The course is organized in such a way to continue to lead students to proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Spanish is the primary language used to communicate in class. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities, and add more detail to their daily conversational language and the class-created stories and texts. Students read many short stories throughout the year. Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the class based on context.

Expanding Spanish is a course designed for students who have completed Emerging Spanish or equilvent. The course is organized in such a way to continue to lead students to proficiency in all four language skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking). Spanish is the primary language used to communicate in class. Throughout the year, students engage in more complex listening and reading comprehension activities. In addition to daily conversation, there is an increased focus on discussion about global issues and oral presentations such as debates, storytelling, and interviews. There is also an emphasis on developing writing skills with an effort to encourage more creative expressions in the language.  Vocabulary, grammar, and culture continue to be interwoven into the courses based on context.

Middle School Exploratory Program

The Exploratory Program offers five 7-week courses that are mandatory for all Grade 7 students. The Middle School offers dynamic and innovative options to students in art, dance, design, drama, and Indian Studies.