Middle School Guide
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school
“I love The College School because it teaches children to aspire to live honestly, treat others well, and become self-actualized citizens of the world.” —Yuki Noguchi, Class of 1989 NPR Correspondent, WashingtonMIDDLEDCSCHOOL the college school 3
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5 MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school Welcome to Middle School at The College School. The Middle School experience is based on a challenging, thematically-integrated, experiential curriculum. Our program encourages risk-taking, builds confidence, nurtures creativity, fosters collaboration, celebrates diversity, develops leadership, and inspires lifelong learning. Welcome to Middle School! Components of our Program .............................................................................................. 6 Experiential Learning ................................................................................................................8 Sixth Grade Themes............................................................................................................ 9 Seventh Grade Themes 10 Eighth Grade Themes.......................................................................................................... 11 Middle Trimester Themes ................................................................................................. 12 Academic Disciplines ............................................................................................................. 14 Exploratory Courses (and Requirements) 16 Health and Personal Growth Courses ............................................................................ 17 Social Studies Courses ...................................................................................................... 18 STEM Courses ................................................................................................................. 20 Physical Education Courses 22 Language Arts/Foreign Language Courses ................................................................ 24 Performing Arts Courses .................................................................................................. 25 Visual Arts Courses ........................................................................................................... 26 Personal and Social Growth 28 Pathways to Leadership ...................................................................................................29 Parent Partnership ................................................................................................................... 31 Student Support Center ...................................................................................................... 32 Evaluation and Feedback 33 Logistics ........................................................................................................................................34
Components of Our Program
is grounded in experiential learninglearning through experience. Middle Schoolers gain more understanding of themselves and their abilities as they meet a variety of experiences. Students are immersed in diverse forms of expression, including written, oral, visual, and physical. This variety of expressive forms is used to develop creative and logical thought processes that are the basic skills for all school experiences. Rapid changes in physical, mental, and social maturity create an optimum time to develop initiative, responsibility, and commitment. In the classroom, at the Jan Phillips Learning Center on our LaBarque Campus, and on off-campus excursions, our students explore and learn actively. See more on Page 8. While we require certain kinds of experiences at certain grade levels, we do not expect each student to achieve identical levels of skill and understanding at each grade level. We view learning as developmental. We provide students with a variety of experiences and support them as they grow to higher and broader levels of skill and understanding. The community orientation of our Middle School emphasizes cooperation and sharing over competition, challenging students to do their personal best. See more on Page 14.
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school
Middle School is a vibrant and dynamic time in students’ lives. The Middle School program provides a transition for students between the lower school and their journey to high school. Our program supports and challenges students on many levels and is sensitive to the needs of these emerging Ouradults.curriculum
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Experiential Learning Academic Disciplines
Personal and Social Growth Parent Partnership SCHOOL the college school
While every family is unique, the parents and guardians of each student share common values and are partners with the school in providing:
Middle School at The College School is about more than academic preparation and growth; it is also about social growth, self-awareness, and preparation for life. In addition to classes, each student has an advisor. Advisors help students reflect on what they’ve accomplished, evaluate themselves, and set future goals. They help each student find their own road map through adolescence and share all the joys and challenges of the middle school years. See more on Page 28.
• Support for their child’s academic and social development.
• An understanding and support of the school’s mission, educational philosophy and behavioral guidelines.
• A commitment to act with responsibility and respect toward all members of the school community. See more on Page 31.
Components of Our Program
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• 8th Grade: Field Ecology and “Now
• 7th Grade: Environmental Issues and Urban Experience
StudentsWhat?”also have a third theme each year. This theme meets in mixed-grade groups and centers around a major research project. These themes change from year to year. college
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Theme-Based Learning
school
• 6th Grade: Wilderness Experience and Citizanship
In Middle School, students learn core subjects and critical life lessons within integrated thematic projects. Themes represent concentrated areas of study that involve longterm, in-depth investigations that integrate many disciplines and develop varied skills and abilities. Themes cross the boundaries between subject areas. In the Field Ecology theme, for example, students may use math to inventory living things and then use their language arts skills to write the results. They use their science skills to hypothesize how the organism adapts to its environment, and their social studies skills to discuss the human impact on the area. This interdisciplinary work is common across all themes at The College School.
In each of the three years in the Middle School Program, there are two required grade-level interdisciplinary themes:
Experiential Learning
Academic integrations include connected literature study, problem-solving skills, reflective writing, and research ThisCitizenshipprojects.themeteaches
Sixth Grade Themes Wilderness Experience (fall) The Wilderness Experience is a theme that focuses on personal growth, teamwork, outdoor skills, and stewardship. Through weekly day trips, such as rock-climbing and canoeing, sixth graders experience challenges that help them develop a wide range of skills, which are tested during a culminating five-day backpacking expedition to Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. Throughout the theme, students also learn to reflect upon and take responsibility for their learning. They discover more about their personal and collective strengths, ultimately learning that they can do more than they first thought they could. In the end, students learn many lessons, such as perseverance, trust, and cooperation, which they can then apply to many situations throughout their school and personal lives.
students how people make decisions in groups - from the size of a class to the size of a state. Students are put in situations where they need to come to consensus. The theme includes a comprehensive study of government. Students take on the roles of government officials in a series of simulations. They write letters to their legislators sharing their views and concerns. During a twoday trip to the state capital, students meet with and interview legislators and visit various government and historical sites. The class also explores sites and parks that showcases Missouri’s natural beauty.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school 10 Urban Experience (spring) In the Urban Experience theme, seventh graders explore our urban landscape and wonder together about the many different aspects of community. Students learn to use public transportation, explore neighborhoods, and interact with local residents and city officials to better understand the strengths and issues of urban environments. After weeks of exploring and identifying urban issues in the St. Louis area, the class travels to Chicago for a four-day investigation of its unique urban qualities. Students explore Chicago, researching urban issues there and comparing and contrasting their experience with their explorations of urban issues in St. Louis. Finally, students share reflections through carefully crafted radio podcasts with the help of personalities from National Public Radio.
Seventh Grade Themes Environmental Issues (fall) In this theme, students look at a variety of environmental issues including population growth, resource use and management, sustainability, and environmental degradation. Students engage in readings, in-class activities, simulations, documentaries, and field trips as they learn about and discuss the issues that impact our world. Students also work on their presentation skills as they research and present their Current Events Projects, which center on environmental issues that are of particular interest to them. Finally, throughout the trimester, students explore cycling as an alternative form of transportation as they prepare for their four-day point-to-point bike trip on the Katy Trail. Students learn, among other things, how to fix a flat, work their gears, safety check their bikes, and ride safely in a group on streets with minimal traffic.
Middle School is excited to introduce the Singapore Math curriculum Math in Focus, beginning this year for sixth grade students. Math in Focus is a good match for our rigorous and hands-on approach to mathmatics.
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Sixth Grade Math
Now What? (spring) The “Now What?” Theme combines service learning with adventure education and reflection. Eighth graders engage in challenging experiences that require them to build and strengthen individual and group capacities. Through a variety of local service opportunities (e.g. work in the wilderness, in urban communities, and so on), students use the skills they have developed during their careers at The College School to give back to the community. Students interact with a variety of service-based organizations and professionals to learn about their fields. The course culminates in an adventurous six-day trip to New Orleans that provides the class with an extended service opportunity. Throughout the process, students work to identify deeper lessons from their College School careers to craft their graduation speeches.
Sixth Grade Math, students may be placed in one of three classes during their seventh grade year (see descriptions). Students who completed Seventh Grade Math the previous year take Eighth Grade Introduction to Algebra, which completes the pre-algebra curriculum and introduces the fundamentals of algebra in preparation for a full algebra course in high school.
SeventhStudentswhoareongradeleveltakeSeventhGradeMath,whichreinforcesstudents’calculationskills,buildstheirnumber sense, and deepens the connections between mathematical concepts and applications. Students who are prepared to skip one grade level are placed in Pre-Algebra, Mathematics at The College School follows a developmental continuum that includes basic computation, geometry, estimation, problem solving, and algebra. Math is often integrated into other classes as students create graphs and surveys, solve group problems, or predict outcomes of experiments. To prepare for these realworld uses of mathematics, as well as prepare for the more advanced math they will encounter in high school, students build their mathematical thinking and skills in Math in Focus
All students take Sixth Grade Math, which focuses on building the mathematical prerequisites for more complex operations and algebra. Students strengthen their number fluency with positive and negative integers and with fractions, decimals, and percents, and deepen their understanding of geometry, probability, and statistics. Students also work on building the habits of mind that will support them in more advanced Afterclasses.completing
Eighth Grade Themes Field Ecology (fall) Field Ecology is a science-based multidisciplinary theme. Science, math, geography, technology, art, adventure, and outdoor education are all part of this theme. Students apply for scientific jobs (Botanist, Chemist, Zoologist, etc.) that are part of ecological research. They learn the science behind their job and learn to work in teams across disciplines to gather information from a variety of environments that they visit as part of the class. They gather data on the living and non-living aspects of the sites they study. During the theme, students take a nine-day trip to the Southeastern United States. On this trip, students study sites from the summits of the Appalachian Mountains through the watersheds of eastern North Carolina to the estuary and ocean environments of the Outer Banks. After we return from our trip, students break into groups to create a large graphic display, designed to share the information collected, their scientific conclusions, and the experiences they had throughout the trimester.
Middle Trimester Themes (Winter mixed-grade themes)
The Research Project
Technology that Changed the World
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When it comes to technology, one fact stands out clearly: despite the immense achievements of technology by 1900, the 20th century witnessed more innovation than the whole of previously recorded history. The airplane, the rocket and interplanetary probes, electronics, atomic power, antibiotics, insecticides, and a host of new materials have created an unparalleled social situation, full of possibilities and dangers, which would have been virtually unimaginable before the present century.
All middle school students complete a Middle Trimester research project each year. For many students, it is the most academically challenging part of the school year. Topics for the research project stem from the Middle Trimester themes, which normally focus on a historical period. Within the larger theme, students choose a topic of interest to them, conduct independent research, and write a formal research paper to communicate their findings. Requirements in terms of length and sophistication of the topic increase as students advance through the grades. The middle trimester themes are mixed-grade themes. There is a strong tradition in the middle trimester of older students helping younger students navigate the requirements and management of the research project.
Civil Rights
Our study of the twentieth century civil rights movement highlights the history of the AfricanAmerican struggle for equality. We explore the various contributions to the movement from many key individuals and organizations. We examine the significant events of the era and place the issues in the broader context of American history. Through primary documents, film, first-person interviews, and museum and site visits, we explore historic as well as present-day conditions affecting minority groups in the United States. Example Middle Trimester Themes (not limited to the following):
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World War I World War I was a conflict so big, it was “the war to end all wars.” Students will explore the issues that initiated a war between the world’s largest empires. We will spend time considering how this war influenced culture through art, music, and literature. We will examine the revolutionary technologies of the war by studying tanks, aircraft, machine guns, and trench warfare. We will also spend time considering the relationship between many other global wars of the era – the Franco-Prussian War, World War II, and the Cold War. World War II This theme offers the opportunity to study in depth one of the greatest conflicts of human civilization. We begin by looking at the events that led up to the outbreak of the war (for example, colonialism, the Great Depression and the Treaty of Versailles). We then investigate many aspects of the war, such as the atrocities of the Holocaust, the moral ambiguities of the atomic bomb, the strategic importance of various battles and industries, life on the home front, and ways in which the war affects our lives to this day.
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In Middle School, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are part of the daily class schedule.
Academic Disciplines
Exploratory Courses meet three times a week and focus on science, social studies, foreign language, technology, physical education, and visual or performing arts. Most include reading, writing, mathematics, and creative art skills. Language Arts Language Arts instruction centers on developing students as readers, writers, and speakers. In most of their classes, students are asked to read critically, write analytically or creatively, and speak powerfully. These skills, while integrated throughout the other parts of the curriculum at The College School, are taught directly in the daily Language Arts class. In reading, students are introduced to great literature and also required to read independently. Students learn to express their ideas about the issues and themes they encounter in their reading and to analyze the structure of what they read in terms of plot structure, character, setting, and tone.
In writing, students experiment with a wide range of genres, from short stories to vignettes to poetry to formal essays. Using the 6+1 Writing Traits, students grow in the style, organization, and mechanics of their Studentswriting. are also expected to develop as public speakers. Through presentations, debates, and formal speeches, students develop their confidence and skill as speakers. These skills culminate on the night of graduation, as each graduating eighth grader gives a speech to the community. Mathematics Mathematics at The College School follows a developmental continuum that includes basic computation, geometry, estimation, problem solving, and algebra. Math is often integrated into other classes as students create graphs and surveys, solve group problems, or predict outcomes of experiments. To prepare for these real-world uses of mathematics, as well as prepare for the more advanced math they will encounter in high school, students build their mathematical thinking and skills in their daily math class. college school
MIDDLE SCHOOL the
Sixth Grade Math introduces students to Middle School mathematics and transitions them from the arithmetic skills of elementary mathematics to the beginnings of algebraic and geometric thinking.
This course prepares Seventh Grade students to take Algebra 1B as eighth graders. Students explore topics in geometry and introductory algebra, master the skills such as fractions, decimals, percents, order of operations, factors, and ratios.
In Algebra IB, students master concepts and fundamentals of algebra, which they apply to linear, quadratic, exponential, radical and rational functions and systems of equations. Science Science in Middle School emphasizes the patterns and systems in the natural world and how those systems can be understood through observation, measurement, analysis, and experimentation. Science is taught as part of our core curriculum, with each grade level focusing on a particular area, outlined below. Additionally, science is offered through our Exploratory classes and as a part of our theme work.
In this class students will be introduced to many foundational chemistry concepts. Including but not limited to the periodic table, atoms and molecules, solutions and mixtures, bonding, chemical reactions, and acid/base chemistry. Hands-on experimentation will be a key component of this class. Laboratory procedures and safety will be emphasized.
Seventh Grade Algebra 1A
Eighth Grade Biology Come along for a journey to discover, learn and understand more about the inspiring living things our beautiful natural environment has to offer. Students will investigate biological processes at the organismal and ecological level. Laboratory exercises will include dissection of preserved animal specimens and observation of anatomy and physiology.
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The focus of this class will be on the conceptual aspects of physics as opposed to the math that is involved. Students will explore the nature of our physical environment with a focus placed on everyday phenomena and applications to modern life. A study of the basic concepts of physics will include motion, force, momentum, rotation, work, energy, gravity, Newton’s Laws and conservation laws through hands-on experimentation.
Sixth Grade Physics
Eighth Grade Algebra 1B
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school
Sixth Grade Math
Seventh Grade Chemistry
• Sixth graders are required to take the Communication, Cooperation & Collaboration exploratory in the first trimester, and Human Sexuality in the second trimester.
The following pages list this year’s exploratory offerings by topic/subject area.
• Every student must take at least one social studies, one visual arts, one performing arts, and one foreign language course per year.
• Seventh graders must take Choices and Connections in the second trimester.
In signing up for their courses, students must meet certain requirements:
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school Exploratory Courses
• Every student must take a physical education course each trimester.
In practice, students take above and beyond the minimum requirements in science, social studies, and the arts. The system of choice, however, allows students to pursue their interests.
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Each trimester, a student will be enrolled in four exploratory courses, for a total of twelve courses over the school year. Students, with the advice of their families and advisors, choose their explo ratory courses in the summer before the school year begins.
Health and Personal Growth Academic Lab This class projects.completeeachandtoskills.supporttermtoorganizationaltheAcademicsupportorganizationalprovidesandacademicforstudents.InLab,studentshaveopportunitytoworkontheirskills,havetimecompletehomeworkorlong-projects,andcanreceiveindeepeningtheirbasicStudentswillbeexpectedbringtheirassignmentbookscoursematerialstoclassdayandworkoutplanstotheirassignmentsor
CollaborationCooperationCommunication,&
Middle School students can take courses that help them develop personal, social, and emotional functioning skills. Several of these courses (Communication, Cooperation & Collaboration; Human Sexuality; and Choices and Connections) are required classes that help students navigate the transition to Middle School and adolescence.
Human Sexuality Choices Connectionsand
As students grow toward adulthood, relationships can shift and new issues can emerge some that have forever been a part of growing up, and some that have arisen as issues in a changing world. This course provides students with the tools to build positive and healthy interactions with peers, and with the facts they need for the decisions that come with adolescence. This course builds on the Sixth Grade Citizenship and Human Sexuality curricula and addresses such issues as positive peer interaction, healthy relationships, decisions about sex and sexuality, and drug and alcohol use. Note: This course is required for all Seventh Grade students.
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Students explore biological facts, personal values, and moral issues in human sexual behavior. Through a variety of materials, students study anatomy, encouraged.withOpenrelationships,personalreproduction,adolescence,genetics,images,parent/childandparenting.communicationfamiliesandpeersis
This course is an opportunity for sixth graders to become acquainted with the changes from elementary to Middle School. The class focuses on three sets of overlapping goals: Academic: Students will learn strategies for organization and how to tackle long-term assignments such as the middle trimester research papers. Social-Emotional: Students will explore what it means to be a good citizen within a community. Leadership: Students will begin their journey towards leadership within our school community (Pathways to Leadership) and beyond. Note: This course is required for all Sixth Grade students.
Note: This course is required for all Sixth Grade students.
Social Justice in Action In this course, students will examine several social justice movements throughout history. Participants will explore opportunities for community involvement and partner with a variety of outside organizations to learn how to affect change.
Have you ever wondered why baby boys’ clothes are blue and baby girls’ clothes are pink? Or why girls wear make-up and boys don’t?
This interdisciplinary class will examine definitions of gender and concepts of femininity and masculinity, as well as the ways in which gender and power impact the lives of women both today and in history. Topics will cover a broad array of issues, from body image and eating disorders to domestic violence, feminism, and relationship dynamics. Several experts will make guest presentations. Students will be encouraged to think creatively about how gender roles affect their own lives and futures.
Storytelling and Culture
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school Social Studies
This course explores storytelling as a means of passing on essential cultural values from generation to generation. Students will explore folktales from a variety of cultural and historic contexts, analyze them, and share their results. We will also focus on the craft of storytelling, and share stories, both old and new, with little ones, in the spirit of valuing oral Thistradition.classtakes a closer look at how we are personally impacted by culture and culture conflict in society. With a heavy focus on students’ personal experiences and perspectives, we will look at and beyond culture as it relates to ethnicity, heritage, and race and begin to look at cultures developed out of other identity groups like gender, socioeconomic class, sexual orientation, and citizenship status. After examining our own personal attitudes, beliefs, and biases, we will learn and develop skills and strategies that allow us as individuals to work towards positive change within the TCS community, as well as the greater communities to which we belong. This class will foster a mindset of awareness and intention in students. Students will explore the purpose of philosophy and its importance in their daily lives. Common philosophical theories will be introduced and explored such as ethics, critical thinking and logic, and knowledge/ epistemology. These theories will be applied to the lives of the students as often as possible in order to allow the students to experience the relevance of these ancient questions and skills that are still hotly debated today! With plenty of discussion opportunities, the students will be able to add their own voices to the conversation.
Philsophy and Ethics Gender StudiesCulture and Identity Within Middle School Social Studies exploratory classes extend the learning of history and the humanities beyond the content of our theme classes. These courses allow students to choose topics in history, culture, philosophy, economics, and government.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school
History Through You Turn history inside out and personalize it. We will begin by documenting major events and memories in the lives of participants in the class. We will then move on to our parents, coursefamilyindependenttogeneration,media.andwillconditions.theytakinggreat-grandparents,grandparents,etc.,noteofwhereandwhenlivedandunderwhatAlongtheway,wecapturestories,pictures,familytreesinavarietyofStudentswillselectatale,orindividualstudyindepththroughprojects.Strongcooperationinthiswillbehelpful.
From the 10,000 foot view of global statistics to the personal stories of individual families, our world has never been more diverse, but also surprisingly connected. This course will explore broadly how people live all over the world today. Students will reflect on their own culture and circumstance and compare it to those in far off lands, exploring what material conditions, values, political and geographic conditions, and other factors affect the quality of life around the globe. Personal Finance Personal Finance is a course designed to help students understand the impact of individual choices on occupational goals and future earnings potential. Topics covered will include income, money management, spending and credit, as well as saving and investing. Students will design personal and household budgets, simulate use of checking and savings accounts, demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management, and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes. This course will provide a foundational understanding for making informed personal financial decisions.
Few changes have done more to transform the social fabric of America than immigration. This course will explore immigration both broadly and by using St. Louis as a case study. To better understand the experiences of immigrants, our class will investigate some of the most famous immigrant neighborhoods in St. Louis. We will also investigate links with current issues such as legal status, military service and citizenship, and refugees who have escaped war, persecution, and political upheaval. ImmigrationWorld Cultures Today
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Middle School Science exploratory classes extend the learning of science, technology, engineering and math beyond the content of our theme classes. These courses allow students to pursue disciplines in greater depth. Many courses also serve to prepare students for the Eighth Grade Field Ecology theme.
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Exploring EngineeringTechnologyScience,and
ProblemSTEMSolving
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school This course is designed to bring the love of math to everyone. Students will increase their confidence working with numbers and mathematical problem solving through a variety of games, lessons, and challenges.
Do you enjoy word problems? Logic puzzles? Math games? Students in this class will learn and practice a variety of problem solving strategies, including making a table, using the process of elimination, and working backwards to solve a variety of puzzles and problems. This class emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
Math Lab
The Scientific Process Science is not just a body of knowledge, it is a process, a way of thinking. In this class, we will take a scientific approach to answer questions about the natural world. This is a hands-on class that focuses on asking questions, making observations, and designing and conducting reliable, repeatable experiments. In addition to conducting their experiments, students will learn to collect, analyze, and draw conclusions from their data. In this class, students will have the opportunity to investigate a wide variety of both assigned and chosen topics.
Personal Finance Personal Finance is a course designed to help students understand the impact of individual choices on occupational goals and future earnings potential. Topics covered will include income, money management, spending and credit, as well as saving and investing. Students will design personal and household budgets, simulate use of checking and savings accounts, demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management, and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes. This course will provide a foundational understanding for making informed personal financial decisions.
This class course will provide students with an introduction to the principles of science, technology, and engineering and its place in the world. Students will participate in design challenges and in activities that will allow them to gain experience in brainstorming, visualization, modeling, construction, testing, experimentation, and refining designs. The class reinforces the areas of math, science, social studies, and language arts through practical and hands-on application.
The Middle School Computer Science course is open to all students with any background in programming and related concepts. Students in Computer Science will work to establish, deepen and extend their understanding of computer science fundamentals. Using a combination of unplugged activities, graphical programming environments, and textual programming languages, students will increase their familiarity with concepts such as sequencing, variables, communication.creativity,problemprocesstheandstatements,conditionalBooleanlogic,objects.Throughoutcoursethedevelopmentemphasizessolving,persistence,collaborationand
Famed Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle once said, “Whenever you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” Forensic science is an interdisciplinary class designed to combine biology, chemistry, anatomy, physics, and earth science to solve crimes using scientific knowledge and reasoning. Through simulated crime scenes, we will model this investigative science. Primary focus will be on observing, collecting, analyzing, and evaluating evidence to ultimately close each case.
Computer ScienceMissouri Conservation
Meteorology Sustainable Solutions: The Green Schools Quest This class focuses on the project based learning (PBL) opportunities within the Green Schools Quest sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council-Missouri Gateway chapter. Students will be challenged to devise the most creative, effective, and no/ low-cost sustainable practices for The College School. Through data collection and analysis, students will choose an opportunity, develop a plan, and implement it during the school year. Student interests will help drive the direction of the project.
Emphasizing nature’s intrinsic value, this class focuses on fish, wildlife, and natural resource conservation. We will address the need for human beings to be stewards for our environment through awareness,knowledge,advocacy, and skill development. Global and national conservation initiatives will be explored, but the emphasis of the class will be on local Missouri conservation efforts and practices. Students will explore the science and data collection behind conservation, the relations between human populations and resource depletion, as well as pollution and ecosystem disturbance. This class will combine field and classroom work as well as an optional service learning opportunity. Have you wondered how hurricanes and tornadoes form? Or why it’s so hard to predict a snow day? All of the earth’s weather, from wind to rain to storms to blizzards, really depends on only four ingredients. Learn why these four very simple things – heat, air, pressure, and water – are responsible for all of the complex weather we experience. Observation of the daily weather and handson experiments with heat and water will be important parts of this course.
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Forensic Science
In this class you will get your hands in the dirt tending to our many school gardens, growing a variety of vegetables and native species. Learn how to propagate plants in our greenhouse, and how different species have different requirements to thrive. Greenhouse and Gardens
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school
Volleyball Conditioning/ This course is designed as an introduction to the skills, rules, and team aspects of volleyball. Students will practice necessary skills through drills and lead-up games, and they will implement these skills in game situations. The emphasis of this course is basic skill development, as well as conditioning for power, flexibility, and strength. Teamwork and fair conduct will also be emphasized.
Circus Skills This is a hands-on course where students learn to balance, juggle, walk stilts, and use poi, cigar boxes, spin plates, rola-bola, walking globes, unicycles, and much more. The main requirement of this course is for students to be actively engaged at learning or improving these tangible skills and giving each skill their best effort. Students will be graded on how patient and persistent they are, how well they listen to and follow suggestions, and how well they work with each other. There will be a final performance featuring students’ favorite skills that they have learned and/or improved upon.
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school Lacrosse has been played since the twelfth century in many different formats. We will be using the non-contact format. This course is an introduction to the equipment, rules, and skills of lacrosse. Lacrosse sticks, helmets, and pads will be used during the course of this class. Through hands-on learning the students will develop their lacrosse skills. Teamwork and fair conduct will also be emphasized. When weather prevents us from playing lacrosse outdoors, the class will play field hockey indoors.
Lacrosse / Field Hockey Archery Focus, Draw, Aim, Release, BULLSEYE! This course is designed to introduce the students to archery, with an emphasis on safety, community, and fun. Students will learn the components of the Genesis compound bow and the Easton 1820 arrow. They will develop archery skill through practice, effort, and more practice. Students will build focus, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination. We will be using the National Archery in the School Program format (NASP). Basketball Conditioning/ This is a course for students interested in developing or improving their skills in basketball - and playing the sport for the love of the game. Students will work on their fundamentals including dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding, and defense. By combining sport specific skills and exercises students will enhance their aerobic capacity, speed, agility, muscular strength and power.
Yoga, Stretching / Conditioning Improve your balance, breathing, flexibility, stress management, and core strength in the realms of yoga and strength training. Discover the uplifting and challenging aspects of these two complemenatry practices in a way that promotes physical health and mental well-being. We will explore basic yoga poses, breathing techniques and overall personal awareness.
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Physical Education
This course is offered to students who wish to gain a greater understanding for leading outings and expeditions in the outdoor environment. This class will focus on two major skill areas.
Outdoor Leadership
Ultimate Frisbee
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This class will teach the foundations and fundamentals of Ultimate Frisbee. Along with being a highly active, collaborative, and physically demanding sport, it is also one of the few collegiate-level sports that operates without officials on the field. Rather, a “Spirit of the Game” conduct governs play, with players calling and officiating their own fouls. This “Spirit of the Game” is an excellent metaphor for character building. Class time will be spent conditioning, drilling, teaching skills, and scrimmaging. Be prepared to learn a new game, play hard, and have fun! Players will be asked to dress appropriately for all class times.
Soccer / Conditioning Sports skills and teamwork are encouraged in this class. Students will learn the basic rules and and at least the basic skills of the sport, as well as have time to play the game. All skill levels will be accommodated and developed in this class as students work to better understand, appreciate, and enjoy the world’s most popular sport. Conditioning for power, flexibility, muscular strength, and endurancecardio-respiratoryareallpartof this class.
First, Trip Preparation, will emphasize (a) safety, (b) physical conditioning, (c) group dynamics, (d) clothes and equipment, and (e) leaveno-trace camping. Second, Navigation will emphasize (a) maps and their relation to the physical environment, (b) the use, assembly, and improvisation of navigational tools, and (c) advanced technologies in navigation. Throughout the class, students will be asked to reconsider their role within an expedition; students must think and act as responsible leaders rather than yielding followers. NOTE: Students considering the Junior Leader program are strongly encouraged to enroll in this class.
Swing Dance
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school Rock Climbing Rock Climbing is offered for students who wish to gain experience and competence in both climbing and belaying. This class will emphasize technical proficiency with safety systems, knot tying, and equipment as well as physical conditioning through a trimester regimen of climbing. Students who are not yet certified belayers will work toward certification. Prior experience is not a requirement.
This class will primarily introduce students to swing dances such as Lindy Hop and the Charleston. If time allows, it may include a small amount of other ballroom dances. Basic movements and figures will be taught and expanded upon throughout the trimester. Students will have the opportunity to experience both leading and following to maximize their opportunity for development. Students will explore concepts such as musicality, rhythm, connecting with a partner, verbal and nonverbal communication, all the while developing confidence and a lifelong skill as they learn about this exhilarating and timeless dance!
Comics and Graphic Novels
Eighth Grade Spanish Eighth Grade Spanish offers a review and an extension of the key areas of Spanish language study: listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is designed to help students advance their listening and speaking ability as they fine-tune their basic Spanish language skills. It is an interactive class in which students participate and are actively engaged in their own language learning, using common vocabulary and phrases to communicate with others.
Spanish classes expose students to both the language and culture. Over the three years of Middle School, students can take a three-year sequence of Spanish.
Language Arts & Spanish
Sixth Grade Spanish Sixth Grade Spanish introduces students to the basics of the Spanish language, including Hispanic culture. Students learn basic language structure and develop their Spanish speaking skills. This class helps to build a strong foundation for students as they practice their reading, writing and communication skills, and explore the unique traditions and celebrations important to Hispanic cultures around the world.
Middle School Language Arts classes allow students to explore topics in writing that extend the learning of our core Language Arts classes, providing them with the opportunity to delve into writing projects in greater depth.
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This course will appeal to readers and artists alike! Each week students will read a new graphic novel - some in small groups and some individually - and discuss them. Students will use these as model texts to identify and explore the tools artists and authors use to tell a story graphically. Students will apply what they’ve learned by creating their own short comic, which they will take through an editing process and publish for the Middle School at the end of the trimester.
Seventh Grade Spanish Seventh Grade Spanish provides a continuation of the Spanish language-learning journey. This class extends students’ skills in their use of the Spanish language; it broadens their conversation skills and deepens their appreciation of Hispanic cultures around the world. Students will continue to build their vocabulary, and their understanding of common verbs and phrases, as they expand their Spanish language skills.
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school
Classic Theater In this class, we approach teaching classic plays by casting, rehearsing, and performing a well-known play. Acting and being involved in a play helps students to work together, sharpen communication skills, and more fully understand the creative process, literature and social studies. Students are given an assignment sheet with final rehearsal and performance dates.
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Performing ArtsWorkshop/ Music Ensemble Students will be assigned roles based on interest and strengths, and will form an ensemble and practice in preparation for a performance. They will also practice various instruments, create poetry, original music, art, dance or a combination. Research will be conducted on various musical connections with opportunities to share their findings and progess with their classmates.
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ShakespearePerforming In this class, we approach Shakespeare by casting, rehearsing, and performing a play written by the Bard. After all, Shakespeare wrote his plays to be performed, and it is by acting in one of his plays that students will best appreciate it. The dedicated work of this creative and responsible group of students will help to make our play a great success and an awesome learning experience for
Performing Arts courses allow students to choose to develop both musical and theatrical talents. These courses generally involve larger performances (plays attended by the rest of the school, musical accompaniment at school events, and so on).In this course students learn about and practice various performance skills, techniques, and styles used in the theater. Course curriculum includes: Voice and Speech, Creative Movement, Monologues, Scenes, Theater Games and Challenges, Nonverbal Communication and Storytelling. Theater Skills
This class will explore the basic principles of good graphic design through a number of projects in which visual ideas are evolved. Students will be introduced to the use of the Adobe Creative Suite as it is used in the world of graphic design.
Visual Arts
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This class will focus on the role of the computer in the arts, with a special focus on the Adobe Creative Suite of programs. Students will produce several works of art using the drawing/illustrating power of Adobe Illustrator and the image manipulation ability of Adobe Photoshop. Students will further strengthen their design by putting their work produced in Illustrator and Photoshop together with the written word, typography, and page layout in Adobe InDesign.
Technology and Visual Arts
Art for Resiliency and Self Care Open Studio/Art WorkshopExploring Watercolor
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school Middle School Visual Arts courses allow students to explore the visual arts both through physical media such as drawing and sculpture and through digital media. Art can be a wonderful opportunity for self expression and for gaining understanding about ourselves and the world.
Graphic Design
In this course, students will gain inspiration from artists throughout history who have used art to persist through challenges, such as Frida Kahlo, Chuck Close, Faith Ringgold, and Vincent van Gogh. Young artists will work together to explore themes of identity, social justice, mindfulness, and positive change. Art journaling will be used as a springboard for ideas. Choices of project mediums may include paint, collage, sculpture, printmaking, jewelry making, ceramics, and more. The class will end with a community mural project that reflects the identities and passions of the group and invites TCS to join in and continue the conversation. Students will have freedom to choose their own creative journey in this class. Brainstorm sessions, collaboration, art stations and more will invite students to find their creative voice. Throughout the class, students will be introduced to a variety of 2D and 3D techniques, as well as encouraged to research and explore new ideas. Specialized career paths in art will be introduced and explored. At the end of the trimester, students will organize a unified portfolio of work and practice an art critique with their classmates. In this class, students will learn to paint animals, portraits, still lives, architecture and abstract designs using a variety of watercolor techniques. Students will use inspiration from famous painters throughout history to paint from life and from imagination. Preparation, materials, color, and composition will be studied throughout the process. Foraged natural materials such as flowers, berries, acorns and nuts will be used to create unique color paints to be used in art making. Media Technology Scriptwriting, storytelling, and video production will be the primary focus of this course. Additionally, students will study proper lighting techniques. Students will learn to write a properly formatted screenplay. Using these scripts, studenst will record video footage that will then be edited using Apple’s iMovie to create video productions.
Fiber Arts SCHOOL the college school Upcycled Art Reduce, reuse, recycle! Gathering a collection of antique, old, useless or outdated items, students will work together to reimagine new lives for found objects. Students are encouraged to bring in things they own or have found that could use a makeover. Items may include but are not limited to books, frames, small wooden furniture, instruments, containers, jewelry, clocks, home decor, etc. A variety of processes and techniques will be used such as paper mache, mosaics, collage, paint, modge podge, sewing, and beads. This class will culminate with a group project which will involve identifying a local community with a specific need and donating a large scale upcycled piece. Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of the clothing and fashion industry? Or the steps artists take to sew, knit, crochet, and weave fabric and yarn together into beautiful designs? Look no further! In this class, middle school artists will learn about the tools and techniques needed to create colorful and intricate fiber art. They will explore patterns, stitches, knots, looms, and how to carefully operate a sewing machine. Students will learn about the early origins and purposes of these techniques, as well as current and emerging trends in the field. Young artists will create works of art they can both wear and display, all while having fun and collaborating with their classmates.
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The College School’s curriculum in Middle School extends far beyond the academic. We ask students to grow as individuals and peers as well as as scholars and thinkers. Our adventure curriculum is designed to help students become judicious risk-takers and to accept challenge as an opportunity for growth. We develop students’ sense of independence, their ability to reflect on both good and bad choices, and their sense of self-advocacy and Beyondresponsibility.theirpersonal
Personal and Social Growth
development, we ask students to grow into positive and responsible members of the community, both the immediate world of Middle School and the larger world around them. We encourage service to their communities and develop their skills at being good speakers and listeners with peers. We teach the skills of being able to make decisions in a group, making sure all voices are heard, and resolving interpersonal conflicts. Advisors
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Each student in Middle School has an advisor, one of the six core middle school teachers. Advisors check in with students every morning as part of the Homeroom period and meet with their advisees as a group periodically through the year. Advisories also work together as a group on service projects at various points during the year (such as the canned food drive leading up to the younger grades’ Wagon Train of Food). A student’s advisor is a person to whom a student can bring concerns or issues. Advisors also serve as the first point of contact for parents. Parents should feel free to contact their child’s advisor to ask questions or to check in about their child’s progress.
Pathways to Leadership
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A key component of our Middle School program is leadership. As with all things at The College School, leadership is learned by doing. Our goal is to ensure that every student is challenged to step into a leadership role by the end of their Middle School years.
of the unique features of Adventure Education at The College School is student leadership. It is not enough for our students to rock climb, spelunk, or navigate urban neighborhoods - we expect students to lead in those environments by sharing the skills and confidence that they began developing in the earliest grades. At the core of this philosophy is TCS Junior Leadership. This program gives middle school students an extracurricular opportunity to volunteer in the service of our school. For instance, Junior Leaders organize and maintain the Adventure Education gear room, assist earlier grades on campouts and field trips, and contribute to Adventure Education curriculum, among their many responsibilities.
Junior Leadership is an all-volunteer program that is open to students who qualify. To be eligible for TCS Junior Leadership, a student should be enrolled in Seventh or Eighth Grade, have completed or be enrolled in an outdoor leadership class (including Rock Climbing and Outdoor Leadership), and be in strong academic standing. To apply, students should submit to the Adventure Education Coordinator a resume of educational and volunteer experiences, as well as a cover letter that explains why she or he is a good fit for the program. Admittance is also contingent on the availability of positions. There is no formal due date, though early application is advised because positions fill quickly.
While there are many leadership opportunities both large and small in Middle School, we offer three specific leadership programs, each of which requires a different kind of initiative or service to the larger community. Collectively, these three programs are our “Pathways to Leadership” in Middle School.One
Note: applicants should not request a specific leadership experience, as placement includes many factors, including scheduling and skills match. Junior Leadership Program
The College School Student Service Leadership Program (SSLP) is a unique exploratory class that is offered to Eighth Grade students who have distinguished themselves through academics, service, and collaboration. Prospective students are selected by a committee of teachers and invited to participate. Participation is optional. SSLP students participate in service learning projects within the school; their service work replaces one of their exploratories in the winter or spring trimesters.
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The projects depend on the interests and skill-set of the individual student. Some students work with younger grades, while others work on a project that can benefit the school as a whole. There are many possibilities, and the student is an active designer of his or her service experience. The exact details of the placement are developed in collaboration with the Adventure Education Coordinator during the fall Note:trimester.Students in the Student Service Leadership Program are selected by teachers and notified the summer prior to Eighth Grade. There are no prerequisites for involvement other than a demonstration of excellent citizenship, kindness, and respect for others during the Sixth and Seventh Grade years.
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PleaseVolunteerconsider volunteering your time and talent at The College School. We depend on our wonderful parents to support the myriad of activities that raise money for our teacher enrichment programs and strengthen the social fabric of our school community.
among students, faculty, parents, and administration is crucial to each student’s success in Middle School. Communication is naturally a two-way process. We believe in regular communication with parents: it is always easier to communicate about an issue when there is already a relationship formed from earlier communication.
Parent Partnership
From Home to School
Parents should feel free to get in touch as questions or concerns arise. Email is normally the most efficient way to contact teachers. For questions about a specific class, parents should contact the teacher. For concerns about a student’s progress, parents should contact the student’s advisor. For larger questions or concerns about the schedule or the program, contact the Upper Division Head, Lori Knoblauch, lknoblauch@thecollegeschool.org.
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From School to Home The Middle School team sends home a weekly email to parents about the week’s schedule and logistical information. Parents can also expect that teachers will use email (and sometimes phone calls) to communicate about student or class progress or issues.
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school 32 The Student Support Center (SSC), comprised of a Learning Specialist and School Counselor, partners with teachers, students, parents, and outside professionals to ensure the academic and social success of every student at The College School. Established after years of need and requests from faculty and parents, the Student Support Center assists different students at The College School in different ways to help them reach their highest potential. The SSC directly helps individual students who have diagnosed or undiagnosed learning disabilities or profiles or who need specific academic, social, and emotional support. You may see the SSC in action •through:Support and planning around Individualized Learning Plans • Small group support for academic, social, emotional needs • Guidance in navigating and requesting outside resources when, and if, appropriate Student Support Center
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End-of-Trimester Report Cards
Excellent Progress - Shows consistently high level of understanding of subject matter, performing tasks with competence, confidence, and creativity.
Evaluation
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
Throughout the school year, our faculty provides feedback to students to help them approve upon their work. Beyond the evaluations conducted by teachers, there is a strong philosophy of reflection and selfevaluation at The College School. Students are regularly asked to reflect on their work and progress, assess themselves, and set goals for the future.
Middle School students also take the following tests: and Feedback
• Self-Evaluations
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Honorsstandard:-Performance, follow-through, and application of learned knowledge is exceptional and beyond the usual high expectations. Awarded rarely and represents a significant achievement.
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school Ongoing Formative Assessment
Average - Does average work that meets basic requirements of the class. Below Average - Does below average work that does not meet the basic requirements of the class.
• Pre/Post Theme Tests
• Specific course tests and quizzes
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Middle School Report Cards are issued three times a year, after each trimester. The report card is a mixture of checklists and narrative reports with anecdotal highlights. The report card grading system uses a 0 through 4
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Unsatisfactory Progress - Does not meet the basic requirements of the class
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences are scheduled in the fall, with additional conferences added as deemed necessary by any of the involved parties. Student participation is a key element of our conference program. At conferences, students reflect on their progress, set goals for the future, and discuss high school options.
Above Average - Performs above average work, showing occasional excellence mixed with meeting basic requirements for class.
• Standardized Testing; e.g., ERB-CPT Test (Educational Records Bureau) Math Quizzes and Chapter Tests Vocabulary Quizzes and Tests
We expect students to dress appropriately for each day’s activities. Students should not wear revealing clothing or attire with drug, alcohol, or violence-related themes. Undergarments should not be visible. Apparel must not be disruptive to the learning process. Tennis shoes and socks are required for PE classes. On trip days, appropriate dress will also include having rain gear, suitable shoes, warm clothing, and a change of clothes when necessary.
Lunch
SchoolLogisticsHours
Homework
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Advisory begins promptly at 8:10 AM. Students should arrive in plenty of time to be in their Advisory with all neces sary items (paper, pencils, books, etc.) for their first class. Students are not allowed to be anywhere in the building other than BSP (the Before School Program) before 8:05 AM. Classes are dismissed at 3:15 PM. A few times per year, students may have day trips which return to school later in the afternoon; parents will be emailed when these late-return days are scheduled.
When students are absent, it is requested that a parent call the office before 8:00 AM. Students are responsible for getting missed assignments from the portal or teacher. Unless otherwise arranged, all work is due the day after students return to class. If possible, doctors’ appointments should be arranged for after school. Extended family vacations during the school year may impede a student’s progress. Please consider the school calendar and call us as soon as possible when making such plans.
MIDDLE SCHOOL the college school
Medications / Controlled Substances
Appropriate Dress
Students not in their Advisory with their supplies (including pencils, pens, paper, and books) by 8:150AM are marked tardy. They should go to the Administration Office, sign in, and receive a tardy slip for the current teacher. Parents will be notified if a pattern of tardiness develops. Students are also expected to arrive on time for their classes throughout the school day. They have five minutes between classes for using the drinking fountain, restrooms, or lockers.
There is a strong emphasis on healthy living and stewardship of the environment that we model and teach our students. Our lunch program will provide lunches that are nutritionally-sound with locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible, as well as reusable dishes and utensils. Milk and water will be available.
Absences
When it is necessary for a student to take medication during the day, a note signed by a parent/guardian must be sent to the School Nurse stating the medication’s name, as well as when and how it should be taken. Medications should be in their original container and will be kept by the School Nurse until needed by the student. Medications needed for overnight trips must be given to teachers for safekeeping, with clear directions for administration. Possession of any controlled substance, or improper use of any substance, is forbidden and could result in suspension or expulsion from school.
Middle School students should plan on at least one hour of homework every night. Sometimes assignments will take more time. Students can keep track of their assigned homework via the portal and Google classroom.
Tardiness
Students may not bring cell phones or tablets to class without specific permission from teachers. Students, in general, should not bring expensive items to school unless they are needed for school work. Lockers are not designed to be locked, and it is difficult to provide a secure place for such things.
Personal Items
The Before School Program (BSP) runs from 7:00-8:00 AM. The After School Program (ASP) runs from 3:15-6:00 PM. Participation in the Middle School ASP program is a privilege. Misbehavior or repeated failures to check in or out will result in the loss of this privilege. After School
Once students leave the school grounds at the end of the school day, they may not return to school unless accompanied by a parent. In particular, if students are allowed by their parents to walk down the street after school to local restaurants, students may not return to school afterwards. This policy is in place to ensure that it is never unclear whether the school or parents have responsibility for the safety of a student at any given time.
Cell Phones
Students may not use cell phones during school hours, during the Before or After School Program, or while on day or overnight trips. A telephone in the Administration Office is available for student use on a special-needs basis. Stu dents may not use classroom telephones without permission from a teacher.
Faculty and staff have high expectations for our Middle School students. As leaders at our school, and students preparing to enter their next educational milestone with high school, we expect middle schoolers to model the way for our younger students. Middle schoolers work hard and play hard, developing a passion for lifelong learning and discovery. And, each student must have a willingness to contribute to our community of respect and care.
Technology Usage Technology is provided for students to use for projects and for them to be able to extend their technological skills. Students are expected to use technology safely and appropriately. Students are not allowed to play computer games during the school day. Students are also not allowed to access social networking sites (e.g. TikTok, Snapchat) at school. They should not use media sites (e.g. YouTube) unless their work is related to class research. Students are expected to practice basic Internet safety, in particular to avoid providing information online that could be used to identify or locate them or their classmates. All Middle School students sign a technology acceptable use agreement.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
Making the Most of the Middle School Experience
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We graduate kind, confident leaders. the college school 7825 Big Bend Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63119 314.962.9355 • thecollegeschool.org MIDDLE SCHOOL
