Middle School

Sixth Grade

Sixth Grade

The Child

Sixth graders are on the cusp of adolescence, and as such, they bring the increased capacity for critical thinking into the classroom. These students experience rapid physical growth and psychological change and often seek rules and causality to bring order to their new experience of the world. The student has increased interest in social relationships. Once the sixth grader becomes more comfortable with these new developments, he is ready to look out into the world to discern his place, responsibilities, and opportunities.

The Class

The sixth grade history curriculum meets the students’ increased interest in causality and desire for equality with the Roman system of order and justice. The students are also formally introduced to the study of astronomy, physics, and geology. They continue to explore the wonder and beauty of the world through botany and geometry. The teacher provides the students with new perspectives, particularly directing their attention out into the world.

Curriculum Scope:

Mathematics

  • Business math (interest, profit and loss)
  • Equations
  • Geometry
  • Graphs

 

Music

  • Orchestra and chorus
  • Roman music
  • Three part choruses

Language Arts

  • Exploration of different forms of independent writing
  • Vocabulary
  • Grammar, punctuation and capitalization
  • Oral recitation and drama

 

Art

  • Sculpture
  • Painting story motifs
  • Form drawing including geometric forms
  • Advanced drawing techniques

Geography

  • World Geography including South America

 

Movement

  • Movement geared toward increased balance, agility, strength, and coordination
  • Team sports
  • Folk dancing

 

Literature

  • Stories from Medieval history
  • Poetry and ballads
  • Tales of chivalry

 

Mandarin Chinese Immersion Class

  • Continued work on characters and pinyin writing
  • Beginning Grammar
  • Simple reading
  • Dictation

 

Natural Sciences

  • Botany
  • Geology
  • Astronomy
  • Physics:  acoustics, heat, light, magnetism, static electricity

 

Eurythmy

  • Challenging concentration exercises

History

  • Roman empire
  • Medieval society
  • Life of Mohammed and early Islamic people
  • Life of Christ and the Crusades

Practical Arts

  • Metalworking
  • Woodworking

 

Handwork

  • Pattern-making
  • Sewing

Field Trip

  • As a part of their study of geology and mineralogy, the sixth graders take a multi-night camping trip to place of interest in the region where they can explore caves.
  • Visit local points of interest that support the sixth grade curriculum.
 

Spanish Immersion Class

  • Reading and writing
  • Increased understanding of grammar
  • Stories for cultural literacy
  • Festivals of Spanish speaking countries

Seventh Grade

Seventh Grade

The Child

In many ways, 7th grade can be characterized as the year of looking ahead. Finally able to call themselves teens, these students are chomping at the bit, ready to join the world.  Their horizons are expanding, and every day can be full of wonders.  As the seventh grader moves into a new phase of growth, adolescence, they bring the new capacity for critical thinking to the subject matter at hand.  These students are charged with emotional vitality and question everything around them.  They seek to learn the boundaries of authority and the laws of science.  The social experience of the class is also very important for the seventh grader.

The Class

The 7th graders enjoy an intensive study of the Renaissance, which brings all previous cultural achievements to a glorious flowering and ushers in a new age of wide scientific inquiry and exploration.  The students enthusiastically dive into this exploration and take this energy into their own studies of Africa, South America, and Asia.  They are also met with new opportunities to explore the world around them through chemistry, physiology, astronomy, and physics.

Curriculum Scope:

Mathematics

  • Algebra
  • Geometry III
  • Business math II

 

Music

  • Renaissance music
  • Music Theory
  • World Music
  • Motets, madrigals, and ballads

Language Arts

  • Original writing and summaries
  • Essays
  • Comparisons and research papers
  • Poetic forms
  • Oral recitation and drama

 

Art

  • Sculpture
  • Painting story motifs
  • Form drawing including geometric forms
  • Advanced drawing techniques

Geography

  • World geography including Africa and oceans and tides
  • Map reading

 

Movement

  • Vigorous training exercises
  • Sprint work
  • Tumbling and gymnastics
  • Team sports

 

Literature

  • Historical novels
  • Arthurian legends
  • Scenes from the Renaissance
  • Poetry
  • Tales of adventure and discovery

 

Spanish & Mandarin Immersion Classes

  • Expansion of reading and writing skills
  • Cultural History
  • Biographies
  • Songs and poems

 

 

Natural Sciences

  • Chemistry: combustion, chemical transformation
  • Physiology: 9 systems, nutrition, first aid
  • Astronomy
  • Physics:  light, magnetism, static and current electricity, mechanics

 

Eurythmy

  • Challenging concentration exercises
  • Expanded grammatical forms
  • Complex shifts in geometrical forms

History

  • 1400-1700: Age of Exploration, Age of Discovery, Reformation, Renaissance

Practical Arts

  • Metalworking
  • Woodworking

 

Handwork

  • Making spiral hats using mathematical progressions

Field Trip

  • Three to four day camping trip to high ropes course.
  • Visit local points of interest that support the seventh grade curriculum.

Eighth Grade

Eighth Grade

The Child

In this grade, the emergence of independent life brings about a certain ‘completion’ in their picture of the world and place within it. The student has many opportunities to bring together all they have studied into meaningful accomplishment through the independence of work which prepares them greatly throughout high school and post-secondary education and training.

Curriculum Scope:

Mathematics – practical math, number bases, set theory, and pre-algebra

Language Arts – original writing, newspaper reporting, business and practical writing, playwriting, and oral recitation and drama.

Geography – world geography focusing on Asia, Australia, and Antarctica.

Literature – Shakespeare, epic and dramatic poetry, and stories of different people around the world.

Natural Sciences – 

  • Chemistry: organic chemistry, metals, gasses, solids
  • Physiology: bones, muscles, the ye, body chemistry
  • Physics: acoustics, heat, meteorology, hydraulics, aerodynamics

History – 1700-present, American and French Revolutions, the Industrial Revolution, and modern American history

Handwork – advanced knitting and felting and sew clothing on a machine.

Music – Elizabethan songs, symphonic form, chorus and orchestra, and improvisation.

Art – sculpting, advanced painting, advanced drawing techniques.

Sports & Movement – team games and sports, long-distance running, and track and field sports.

Spanish and Mandarin Immersion Classes – grammar, written composition, biographies, historical and cultural topics.

Eurythmy – challenging concentration exercises, ballads, and humorous pieces

Practical Arts – Metalworking, Woodworking – building a useful project

Field Trip – A week-long trip that includes a community service aspect. 

Parent & Child Programs

Play Groups for Toddlers

(1 – 2 1/2 Years Old)

 

Parent & Child Programs

Early Childhood

(2 1/2 – 6 Years Old)

Parent & Child Programs

Grade School 1 – 5

Parent & Child Programs

Middle School 6 – 8