NOTRE DAME MARIST ACADEMY MIDDLE DIVISION
What is the Middle Years Programme?
N
otre Dame is an authorized International Baccalaureate World School, offering the Middle Years Programme to students in 6th through 10th grade. The MYP provides a curriculum framework that allows participants to develop the knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes they need to be effective in a world of increasing globalism. In the MYP, teachers collaborate to organize, design and implement a concept-driven curriculum over eight content areas. (See facing page.)
MYP Features
• Interdisciplinary learning, which helps students discover and cultivate relationships between knowledge areas and the real world • Interactive learning, evidenced by problem-solving activities, hands- on experimentation, organized debates, analysis, investigation and reflection, done independently and collaboratively • Service and action within the community through real-world experiences • Focused and frequent criterion-referenced formative and summative assessments of student skills and knowledge The MYP…
• holistically addresses students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being • provides students opportunities to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need in order to manage complexity and take responsible action for the future • ensures breadth and depth of understanding through all eight content areas • fosters understanding of their own and other cultures through the study of two languages • helps prepare students for further education, the workplace, and a lifetime of learning The Learner Profile
The learner profile describes a list of attributes that promote academic rigor and the establishing of a personal value system leading to internationalmindedness. The programme encourages students to become:
Inquirers
Risk-Takers
Knowledgeable
Principled Thinkers Open-Minded Reflective
Caring Balanced Communicators
In the Middle
The middle division curriculum, designed and implemented through the collaborative work of Notre Dame Marist Academy teachers, focuses on active learning, interdisciplinary connections and community service. As a student at the middle division, you will enjoy a curriculum that allows you to explore both traditional and contemporary subjects within the IB framework. A snapshot of the year-by-year class load follows: 6th Grade Science 6: Science and technology, astronomy, chemical energy, and the environment Mathematics: Pre-Algebra or Honors Algebra Language and Literature: Reading, self-expression, and strategies of learning Language Acquisition: Living Spanish (one semester)/ Introduction to Mandarin Chinese (one semester) Individuals and Society (Western World): Geography, the study of climate, environments, resources, and peoples of Western Europe and the Americas Religion: The Old Testament Design 6: Digital citizenship, keyboarding skills, Internet research, Google Drive, Microsoft Word, and the MYP Design Cycle Arts*: Essentials of Art Performing Arts*: Beginning Chorus, Beginning Band, Intermediate Band, or Advanced Band Physical Education and Health 7th Grade Science 7: Cells, heredity and genetics, the human body, weather and atmosphere, and plants Mathematics: Algebra and Geometry or Honors Algebra Language and Literature: Literary genre exploration, grammar, vocabulary, and oral presentations Language Acquisition: Continuing Living Spanish or Mandarin Chinese 1/2
Individuals and Society (Eastern World): Geography, Eastern hemisphere countries, and global perspective Religion: The New Testament Design 7: Digital citizenship, Internet research, Google Drive, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint/ Prezi, blogging, and the MYP Design Cycle Arts: Art Exploration Performing Arts: Intermediate Chorus, Intermediate Band, or Advanced Band Physical Education and Health 8th Grade Science 8: Chemistry, energy, motion and forces, and geology Mathematics: Algebra and Geometry or Honors Geometry Language and Literature: Contemporary and classic literature, and writing across the curriculum Language Acquisition: Continuing Living Spanish or Mandarin Chinese 3/4 Individuals and Society (U.S. History): Forming a new nation and republic, the Civil War, and the relationship of U.S. history to current events Religion: History of the Catholic Church Design 8: Digital citizenship, Internet research, Google Drive, spreadsheets, film creation and editing, 3D design, and the MYP Design Cycle Arts: Art Exploration Performing Arts: Intermediate Chorus, Intermediate Band, or Advanced Band Physical Education and Health *Every student at NDMA must take arts and performing arts, i.e., band or chorus, in grade 6. Students in grades 7 and 8 must continue with arts, band or chorus.
Fit
The Right
Being the “new kid” isn’t always easy, but all students are welcome at Notre Dame. With caring teachers and a full-time counselor, our staff is ready and able to help you navigate the ups and downs of making the transition to our school. We’re pretty sure that like Giuseppe, who transferred to Notre Dame as a 7th-grader, you’ll like it here, too!
BE COOL At Notre Dame, it’s cool to be an athlete, a musician, a dancer, an artist and anything else you want to be. More than anything, though, it’s cool to be smart. As a student at Notre Dame, you, too, would have the opportunity to learn by doing. Here are some of the “hands-on” projects our students experience at our school:
6th Grade: “Aurasma” In Design class, students complete a truly 21st-century book report during Reading Month in March. The students use Publisher to create a two-page poster about the book, then they create a YouTube video; some students act out scenes, some conduct interviews, some discuss content. Next they upload their posters and videos to the “Aurasma” website, which generates an augmented reality. Finally, using the Aurasma app on a mobile device, students can see any of the reports come to life simply by scanning a project on the Aurasma site.
7th Grade: “Culture Quilt Project” In Eastern World class, students learn about the importance of all cultures within our nation and classrooms at Notre Dame. Through the culture quilt project, students examine their own backgrounds, which in turn helps them understand other cultures. Each student creates a quilt square with various symbols representing their culture, including elements such as food, language, celebrations, clothing, music, the role of family, religious beliefs or practices, and art. Through this unit, students learn how culture shapes how we see the world, ourselves and others.
8th Grade: “Zonk a Zombie” In this science lab, students learn critical concepts of physics in a fun way. They hypothesize what amount of force and movement will be required to knock down as many zombies as possible using a pendulum, with the option of lengthening or adding mass to it to change its impact. Students collect data that will prove or disprove their hypotheses, all the while gaining knowledge on mass, force, frequency and momentum.
“As a middle division student at Notre Dame, my teachers make me feel like my opinion matters, and they treat me as an individual. I feel challenged in areas that I excel in, and the teachers ensure that I am supported in areas where I may need extra help. I love Notre Dame because it offers me an opportunity to explore and expand my interests. I feel Notre Dame is allowing me to grow academically, socially, and spiritually. As a second generation Notre Dame student, I hope that one day my own children will be educated here.” Giuseppe Fregoli Notre Dame student
Notre Dame Marist Academy—Middle Division (Grades 6-8) 1300 Giddings Rd. Pontiac, MI 48340 www.ndpma.org Admissions: 248-373-1061