Course Meeting Frequency

5th and 6th Grades

• English classes meet six times in each seven-day rotation.

• Math, science, and social studies classes meet four times in each seven-day rotation.

• World language classes meet twice in each seven-day rotation.

• Theatre and art classes meet twice in each seven-day rotation for a semester.

• Chorus and orchestra meet twice in each seven-day rotation all year.

• Dance class meets once in each seven-day rotation all year.

• Physical education meets twice in each seven-day rotation all year.

• Life Balance is a yearlong character education course that meets once during each seven-day rotation in grades 5 – 8.

7th Grade

• English, math, science, social studies, and world language classes meet four times in each seven-day rotation.

• Chorus and orchestra classes meet twice in each seven-day rotation all year. Students taking chorus or orchestra will also take semester courses in speech/theatre and visual arts that meet twice in the seven-day rotation.

• Students may choose to take a full year of visual arts that meets twice each seven-day rotation. Students may also opt for semester courses in Music and Culture (MAC) and speech/theatre that meet twice in each seven-day rotation.

• Dance class meets once in each seven-day rotation all year.

• Physical education meets twice in each seven-day rotation all year.

• Life Balance is a yearlong character education course that meets once during each seven-day rotation in grades 5 – 8.

8th Grade

• English, math, science, social studies, and world language classes meet four times in each seven-day rotation.

• Chorus and orchestra classes meet twice in each seven-day rotation all year. Students taking chorus or orchestra may also choose to take a yearlong visual arts class or semester courses in theatre and visual arts that meet twice in each seven-day rotation.

• Students may select a yearlong visual arts course that meets twice within each seven-day rotation. These students may opt to take chorus, orchestra, or semester courses in Music and Culture (MAC) and theatre that meet twice in each seven-day rotation.

• Dance class meets once in each seven-day rotation all year.

• Physical education meets twice in each seven-day rotation all year.

• Life Balance is a yearlong character education course that meets once during each seven-day rotation in grades 5 – 8.

English

The middle school English program lays the foundation for students to read, write, and speak well. In addition to these primary goals, we build a comfortable and open community for girls to explore and share ideas and opinions. The curriculum includes the analysis of literature, the study of grammar and usage, vocabulary, spelling, and the development of writing skills across multiple genres. At their core, these activities foster each girl’s love of reading, intellectual fortitude, and writer’s voice.

5th

Grade

English

The 5th grade English program harnesses the energy and enthusiasm girls bring for reading and writing and begins to apply the disciplines of argumentation. Students practice providing textual support for their opinions about a book, considering others’ viewpoints in the discussion, and presenting their ideas with precise language and usage, especially at the sentence level. To accomplish these goals, students read international folk tales (“Tatterhood,”) historical fiction (“The Watsons Go to Birmingham,”) and a novel written in verse (“Serafina’s Promise,”) among others. As they collaborate with their peers and receive daily feedback from their teachers, their confidence in the language arts grows.

6th

Grade

English

The 6th grade English curriculum further develops students’ critical reading and writing skills through the study and discussion of class texts, ranging from “Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli to classic Greek mythology. These texts serve as the basis for a deep practice of the writing process as students explore their ideas in brainstorming, drafting, and revision of both creative and expository pieces. The grammar focus in 6th grade builds on the foundation laid in the 5th grade, reviewing the concepts of parts of speech, parts of the sentence, and usage while working with more complex sentences.

7th

Grade

English

The 7th grade English curriculum forms the class into a cohesive writing community as students regularly practice the writing process through both academic and creative assignments. Girls are empowered to express their voices in complex ways as they learn how the study of grammar can help them put their thoughts into words more precisely and completely. Seventh grade literature selections promote girls’ global awareness and independent thinking as they encounter multiple genres and voices, from “Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl” to “Before We Were Free” by Julia Alvarez, among others. Using these rich literary works as a springboard, girls become more sophisticated in utilizing textual evidence to support their claims in academic writing and through the give and take of structured class discussions. Confident in their preparation, girls depart 7th grade as proficient writers, readers, and thinkers.

8th

Grade English

The 8th grade English curriculum focuses on the analysis of literature, the study of grammar in its most complex forms, the process of writing, and the acquisition of vocabulary. Students think about the value of the humanities in understanding the world and their place in it, applying lessons from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies” to their own lives and current issues. In every discussion and writing assignment, students critique their ideas, evaluating the logic and textual evidence they use to form their opinions. Students write often and in varied forms, including handwritten journals in class, electronic discussion board posts, poetry, personal essays, and formal literary analysis. Building on the foundation laid in earlier years, 8th grade students leave middle school as sophisticated, confident thinkers and writers.

Social Studies

The middle school social studies program cultivates a foundational awareness of complex global connections and the knowledge that a student’s actions can, and should, make a positive change in her world. Through a study of geography, history, civics, and current issues, each student learns to listen to the ideas of others as she shapes and clearly expresses her own.

5th Grade

World Geography and Cultures

The 5th grade geography curriculum develops an understanding and a sense of curiosity for different places, environments, and cultures. Students begin their journey by observing the Earth as geographers, learning how to read and interpret information from various types of maps, as well as creating maps of their own. In the first semester, research and communication skills are introduced in a mini-project where students use evidence to decide whether or not they could survive in a specific biome. Students build upon their communication and collaboration skills in a cross-curricular project in science and geography where they study an invasive species on Harpeth Hall’s campus. During the spring semester, students gain a foundational understanding of the relationship between geography and various political, cultural, and economic systems. Students learn about citizenship, how a market economy functions, and how geography has influenced cultures around the world.

6th Grade

Ancient History

The 6th grade course engages students in the study of ancient societies to help them understand how the world functions. Building upon the geographical and cultural elements learned in the 5th grade, students are introduced to historical thinking by reviewing examples of historians using evidence to build a hypothesis. Students then apply this knowledge to their study of artifacts. Each unit of study highlights the history of a civilization and links it to a theme of study. Over the course of the year, students explore additional themes of power, propaganda, government, philosophy, and religion through research, debate, group work, and discussion. The year concludes with two major projects designed to allow students agency and choice in their learning. In the law project, students evaluate ancient and modern law codes, consult school and local leaders, and create their own rules, laws, and policies designed to improve their communities. In a choose-your-own-adventure project, each student pursues an area of interest in the study of Greece and Rome.

7th Grade

American History

Seventh grade students explore the growth of the United States and its civic institutions from the nation’s beginnings to its imperfect recovery following the Civil War. Throughout the course of the year, students will work to understand U.S. government structures, recognize the connection between current political debates and debates of the past, and explore the connection between the choices people made and the values they prioritized. Building on the historical thinking skills developed in the 6th grade, students are introduced to more complex research topics that incorporate varied and conflicting points of view and work deliberately to extend their nonfiction writing skills. By the end of the second semester, with access to extensive software options and the Bullard Bright IDEA Lab, our 7th graders are ready to share their own points of view and historical discoveries through digital posters, original artwork, short stories, podcasts, game designs, and videos, as well as traditional written pieces.

8th Grade

U.S. and the World in the 20th Century

Throughout the 8th grade social studies curriculum, students hone collaboration strategies and independent research skills as they explore the 20th century to the present. Guiding their study of the past, students develop an understanding of the relationship between the government and the economy, social interactions and how groups of people challenge injustice, and global interactions and conflicts. This study offers historical context to contemporary events and broadens understanding of the past and present. In the second semester, students apply research, collaboration, and public speaking skills in various projects, including a deep dive into the United State’s role in modern global politics.

Mathematics

The middle school mathematics program stresses performance in basic operations using natural through real numbers and proficiency in working with percentages, fractions, and decimals. Skill in solving and graphing equations and inequalities, performance in linear, square, and cubic measure, and practice with problems in statistics and probability are explored in depth. Problem-solving and real-world application are incorporated into daily lessons. Communication in the language of mathematics is emphasized through written reports and oral presentations in each grade. Appropriate and fluent use of technology is inherent in each course.

5th Grade

Emphasis in 5th grade mathematics is on the fundamental operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Graphing, probability, measurement, conversions, ratio and proportion, and geometry topics are also studied. Content is taught through a problem-solving format, allowing differentiation within the course and emphasizing application, flexibility, and creativity.

6th Grade

Mathematics in the 6th grade is a bridge from arithmetic to upper-level computation, problem-solving, and numerical relationships. The big ideas in 6th grade are: integer operations, area models, proportions, and percent applications. Woven throughout these content strands are algorithms, estimation, mental arithmetic, number sense, and problem solving. Content is taught through a problem-solving format allowing differentiation within the course and emphasizing application, flexibility, and creativity.

7th Grade

Pre-Algebra

The 7th grade pre-algebra course provides a strong foundation in the operations and properties of the real number system to ensure a background in the arithmetic concepts necessary for success in Algebra I. The big ideas in 7th grade are: linear equations, inequalities, probability, and 3-D geometry. Content is taught through a problem-solving format, allowing differentiation within the course and emphasizing application, flexibility, and creativity.

7th Grade

Accelerated Pre-Algebra

This is a fast-paced course designed to cover all of the topics taught in the regular pre-algebra course and more advanced topics of Algebra I. Emphasis is placed on student-led learning and problem-solving skills. Technology is integrated throughout the course to allow students to explore mathematics in real-world contexts and to help facilitate learning.

8th Grade Algebra I

The Algebra I course introduces students to the structure of algebra and the real number system. Solutions of linear equations and inequalities in one and two variables, laws of exponents and quadratic equations, and systems of linear equations are among topics stressed. Special attention is given to graphing and deriving equations of lines, operations with polynomials, and linear systems. Special projects using technology to apply concepts are completed throughout the year.

8th Grade

Accelerated Algebra I

This course covers the same concepts as Algebra I, but in more depth and at a faster pace. In addition to the regular Algebra I curriculum, students investigate topics such as rational exponents and nonlinear relationships. Emphasis is placed on self-directed exploration, problem-solving, analysis, and logical reasoning. Use of technology is emphasized.

Coding And Computational Thinking

Math and science courses emphasize computational thinking. We believe these skills empower our students to solve current and future problems with perseverance, collaboration, and innovation. Through programming projects and unplugged activities, students explore the steps of computational thinking, including decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithm design. More in-depth projects occur in 7th and 8th grade as students design apps in collaboration with service learning projects, program Lego Mindstorm Robots to tackle challenges, create interactive toys using physical computing, and learn CSS and HTML to code websites. Development of research skills, an understanding of copyright issues, and digital literacy are all components of the website project. This integrated curriculum allows our students to develop the computational tools needed to be productive digital citizens rather than passive users of technology.