Math Notes - Click Here (PDF file)

Our strong academic curriculum offers students opportunities to apply and advance their knowledge and skills developed in elementary school. Five blocks per day of academic instructional time are offered in the areas of reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Two blocks a day are devoted to learning a wide array of life skills through our Unified Arts program. Teachers utilize instructional strategies and structures that support the success of all students. All curriculum is aligned to the NH Curriculum Frameworks.

Reading involves explicit instruction of comprehension strategies that enhance student understanding. Our goal is to develop students with critical thinking skills ranging from simple recall to the analysis and evaluation of information and ideas. Our teachers use a wide variety of print materials, including class sets of novels, nonfiction materials, student chosen materials, and a literature series. The 6th grade focuses on developing strategic readers through themes. 7th grade explores the elements of literature while applying reading strategies in different genres. 8th grade instruction helps students develop a cognitive toolkit of specific strategies to analyze and evaluate the meaning, accuracy, and quality of text on their own.

Language Arts instruction involves writing, listening and speaking. Students work on the six traits of writing using the writing process, grammar, spelling, vocabulary development, and speaking and listening skills. Writing instruction helps students understand the characteristics of good writing and how to achieve and appreciate it. Students learn to become strong self-assessors as they examine their pieces for ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions. All teachers across all grade levels use six traits writing in their classrooms.

The Mathematics program at the middle school is a continuation and extension of the mathematical concepts and skills taught at the elementary level. The program is aligned with national standards for mathematics as defined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and includes the strands of Numbers and Operations, Geometry and Measurement, Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability, and Algebra. Students explore mathematical concepts such as identifying and computing with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents; identifying relations and properties of numbers; identifying and selecting appropriate units of measurement; identifying geometric relations; representing and analyzing mathematical situations and structures using algebraic symbols; and selecting and creating appropriate graphical representations of data. A great deal of emphasis is placed on application through the use of problem solving, reasoning, communication and making connections in order to build mathematical understanding. As students progress through grades 6, 7 and 8, instruction focuses on developing deeper conceptual understanding of these topics.

The middle school Science program is an inquiry-based program that emphasizes the scientific process. Each student is expected to learn to discover, comprehend, identify, interpret, and apply scientific information and theory in meaningful ways. The approach is, to the greatest extent possible, a "hands-on," experience-based one. Students are involved in projects using the scientific method: forming hypotheses, specifying procedures for proving or disproving the hypotheses, and formulating conclusions. At the sixth grade level, students are instructed in general science, which includes units in the physical, life, and earth sciences. Seventh grade emphasizes life science, the study of invertebrates and environmental topics; and eighth grade focuses on earth science, astronomy and the weather. All students are thus prepared in the basics of science and the scientific method necessary to understand the complex and ever-changing world in which we live.

Social Studies curriculum in the middle school is designed to help students develop a global perspective, foster democratic ideas and values, and understand economic theories. It is based on cultural area studies, which include the geographic patterns, climate, and natural resources of the cultural regions. Studies also include understanding the ethnic groups as well as the historical, political, economic, social, cultural and religious development of the regions. Students are given opportunities to demonstrate social studies skills, including the use of maps and globes, information processing, problem-solving, social participation, and time and chronology skills. The cultural areas studied in the 6th grade include Canada and Latin America. Students learn how the countries of the Western Hemisphere are inter-dependent. In the 7th grade, students learn about the Ancient World, Medieval Times, Europe and Russia, Africa, and Asia and the Pacific. In the 8th grade, the curriculum is based on United States history from the age of exploration to the reconstruction period. Current events in the United States and throughout the world are also taught at all grade levels. Throughout the middle school students also participate in many team and cross discipline activities. The school’s focus on character development, social equity, and academic excellence continues past the classroom into after school enrichment and extra curricular activities. The end result is and integrated curriculum which prepare students for high school and beyond.

Unified Arts Curriculum

Unified Arts classes provide all students with an opportunity to explore areas of learning and interest beyond the purely academic classroom and to see the integration of the classroom learning into life experiences. Classes are activity-based and have special appeal for middle school students, who learn best through active involvement.Students at each grade level spend two periods a day in Unified Arts. They explore classes in six different subject areas.Through Unified Arts classes students gain knowledge and skills that are designed to enrich their lives long after they have completed formal schooling.

Grade Six

Physical Education classes emphasize developing lifelong skills and interests, physical fitness, and the knowledge that a healthy, active lifestyle leads to success in school and work. Some of the sixth grade activities include aerobic games, basketball, soccer, jump rope, softball, golf, tennis, badminton, and volleyball. Health classes provide opportunities to discuss and learn about social issues that affect middle school students on a daily basis. Sixth graders focus on such topics as self-image, drugs and alcohol, nutrition, human growth and development, personal health, coping with anger and stress, advertising and violence in the media, and decision making skills. Music offers an introduction to music as well as orchestra, chorus, and performance band. Sixth grade general music students study rhythm, instrument families, listening skills, and composers. Technology Education classes emphasize keyboarding skills. Students will learn new characters each week to enable them to type words, phrases, and sentences. In addition, they will have an introduction to computer hardware, word processing, and Inspiration, as well as a discussion on Internet safety. Family and Consumer Science provides classes in childcare, consumer education, food science and preparation, sewing, and nutrition. There are three sixth-grade classes: Beginning Food covers kitchen safety, measuring, reading recipes, and preparation of cookies and healthy snacks. Childcare includes child development, toys and toy safety, feeding and nutrition, and babysitting. You and Your Space focuses on individuality, parents and family, and the basics of interior decorating. Students will get two of these three classes within the school year. Art classes are designed to give students an understanding of and appreciation for art. Sixth grade students study line, color, sculpture, printmaking, and perspective through media including pencil, marker, paint, oil pastels, scratchboard, plaster gauze, and clay. They explore the ancient artistic expression of petroglyphs and the more modern Mexican folk expression of Oaxacan animals.

Grade Seven

Physical Education classes emphasize developing lifelong skills and interests, physical fitness, and the knowledge that a healthy, active lifestyle leads to success in school and work. Some of the seventh grade activities include aerobic games, basketball, soccer, jump rope, softball, golf, tennis, badminton, and volleyball. Health classes provide opportunities to discuss and learn about social issues that affect middle school students on a daily basis. Seventh graders focus on such topics as health and wellness, drug abuse, coping with anxiety and anger, resisting peer pressure, food and nutrition, and decision-making skills. Music offers an introduction to music as well as orchestra, chorus, and performance band. Seventh grade general music students learn the history of fretted string instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, etc.), study the blues, compose blues songs, and work on listening skills. Technology Education classes provide an introduction to word processing, Internet research skills, as well as a discussion on Internet safety. They learn to use Inspiration, extensive Power Point, and have an introduction to Paint Shop Pro. Family and Consumer Science provides classes in childcare, consumer education, food science and preparation, sewing, and nutrition. There are two seventh-grade classes: Clothing and Textiles covers wardrobe planning, clothing care, textiles, hand sewing, and clothing construction. Nutrition includes a close look at personal eating habits, the Food Guide Pyramid, the study of each food group and how it benefits our bodies, healthy snacks, and reading food labels. Students will get one of these two classes within the school year. Art classes are designed to give students an understanding of and appreciation for art. Seventh grade students build upon the previous year’s knowledge of color, sculpture, perspective, and print making. Many projects explore the arts and cultures of countries that students are studying in social studies. They may learn about the Renaissance with Leonardo da Vinci or create clay gargoyles reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

Grade Eight

Physical Education classes emphasize developing lifelong skills and interests, physical fitness, and the knowledge that a healthy, active lifestyle leads to success in school and work. Some of the eighth grade activities include aerobic games, basketball, soccer, jump rope, softball, golf, tennis, badminton, and volleyball. Health classes provide opportunities to discuss and learn about social issues that affect middle school students on a daily basis. Eighth graders focus on such topics as health and wellness, drug abuse, coping with anxiety and anger, resisting peer pressure, understanding your body, and developing decision-making skills. Music offers an introduction to music as well as orchestra, chorus, and performance band. Eighth grade general music students develop basic music skills and vocabulary by learning to play the guitar. By the end of the trimester students will be able to read music and play a few basic songs on the guitar. Technology Education classes provide an advanced unit in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Paint Shop Pro and an introduction to Microsoft Access. If there is time, students also begin to learn web page design. They discuss the importance of safe and responsible use of the Internet and the Internet as a research tool. Family and Consumer Science provides classes in childcare, consumer education, food science and preparation, sewing, and nutrition. There are two eighth grade classes: Consumer Education covers decision-making, the world of work, education and training, advertising, being a consumer, and banking. Advanced Foods includes lessons on kitchen and food safety, meal planning, entertaining, baking, and preparing main dishes. Students will get one of these two classes within the school year. Art classes are designed to give students an understanding of and appreciation for art. Eighth grade students develop and refine their artistic skills in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media. Projects include sketchbooks, montage, surrealism, "people pots" (clay), portraiture, printmaking, two-point perspective, and landscape.