Middle School Philosophy and Overview
Maria Montessori described the middle school years as a period of
vulnerability characterized by physical and emotional unrest. She
also viewed it as a period of opportunity and growth during which
students seek to discover both self and society in order to take
their places in the adult world as contributing members.
Montessori called her program for adolescents Erdkinder, which
translates as “land children,” emphasizing the interdependence of
the natural world and human life. In addition to academics and the
arts, a major component of Erdkinder would entail students living
and working on a farm and running a store or hotel as a means for
them to have a place in the social and economic life of a community.
In keeping with Montessori’s ideas about adolescence, the MSC
middle school program, which serves students in grades seven and
eight, includes a strong academic and arts component in conjunction
with opportunities to interact with the natural world and the
community in which they live.
MSC middle school students study mathematics, science, language
arts, and social studies in accordance with the Georgia Performance
Standards. They also have the opportunity to garden, go on a variety
of curriculum-based and outdoor-education-oriented field trips, run
a class business, facilitate community service projects, and
participate in community internships.
Middle School Course of Academic Study
The MSC middle school program is a two-year program for students
in grades seven and eight. Students work at their individual levels
through ongoing courses in mathematics and language arts. Social
studies and science operate on a two-year rotating schedule. All
courses meet or exceed Georgia Performance Standards.
Mathematics
Students are placed in a math textbook based on their previous
math experience along with the mastery of certain concepts as
demonstrated by beginning and end-of-year assessments. The following
textbooks are used:
McDougall Littell Mathematics Course 2-The topics
covered include algebra, integers and equation solving;
algebra and rational numbers; similarity, geometry and
measurement; and advanced algebra topics.
McDougall Littell Mathematics Course 3-The topics
covered include integers, equations and inequalities;
rational numbers and proportions; functions, geometry and
measurement; and data analysis, polynomials and
transformations.
McDougall Littell Algebra I-This course begins with a
review of simple equations and properties of real numbers.
Once this is completed, the following topics are covered:
solving, graphing and writing linear equations and
inequalities; systems of equations and inequalities;
exponents and exponential functions; quadratic and rational
equations and functions; polynomials and factoring; and
radicals and connections to geometry.
Language Arts
A central component of the language arts program is writing
workshop. Through writing workshop, students experience the writing
process of studying literary models, brainstorming and collecting
ideas, researching information, drafting, conferencing, revising,
editing, and publishing. Students work in a variety of genres,
including personal narrative, essay, research paper, photo essay,
short story, and poetry.
Literature is another key component of the language arts program.
In addition to examining literature as a model for their own
writing, students read for enjoyment as well as to understand,
discuss, and write about the universal themes found in literature.
Much of the literature in the middle school program supports the
social studies curriculum
Books that middle school students read include the following:
Ecology of a Cracker Childhood, Across Five Aprils, Sounder, My
Brother Sam is Dead, Harriet Tubman: Conductor of the Underground
Railroad, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Witch of Blackbird Pond,
Touching Spirit Bear, The Giver, The Outsiders, Nothing But the
Truth, and Z for Zachariah.
Writing workshop and literature are supplemented with additional
work in the areas of vocabulary, editing, and grammar.
Social Studies
With a strong background in world geography and cultures from
their years in the early childhood and elementary programs, middle
school students are well prepared for yearlong studies of North
America and Georgia.
The two-year rotation for middle school students includes close
examination of American and Georgia geography, history and
government. Local geography, history and government are incorporated
into the Georgia studies year. Students learn history through
primary source analysis, lectures, independent research, literature,
and textbooks. Textbooks include the following: A History of US
1-4-, The Georgia Studies Book, We the People: The Citizen and the
Constitution, and Project Citizen.
Field trips which supplement the curriculum have included
overnight trips to Colonial Williamsburg, the Okefenokee Swamp,
Cloudland Canyon, Moody Forest, and Savannah. Day trips have
included Etowah Indian Mounds, the Alcovy River, Bostwick Homeplace,
Newton County Historic Courthouse, Porterdale, a county commission
meeting, and the Lake Varner granite outcrop.
Science
Like social studies, the science curriculum operates on a
two-year rotation. Students spend a year studying life science and
another studying chemistry and physical science in keeping with the
Georgia Performance Standards for seventh and eighth grade.
The science curriculum introduces students to both the
characteristics of science as well as specific content. Students
learn that science is a way of thinking about and investigating the
world around us as well as a growing body of knowledge. Hands-on,
student-centered, and inquiry-based approaches are the emphasis of
instruction. Also central is the relationship between science, our
environment, and the everyday world.
Textbook resources include the following: Glencoe Science Life
Science, Glencoe Science Introduction to Physical Science, and
Topshelf Chemistry.
The Arts
Middle school students have weekly classes in art and music. In
both classes, students have the opportunity to explore a variety of
genres and materials. An annual art and music show highlights
student work.
Foreign Language: Spanish
The middle school foreign language program is a continuation of
the foreign language study students begin in the lower elementary
classroom with expanded work in the areas of conversation,
vocabulary, grammar, and cultural studies.
Physical Education
MSC has contracted with the Covington YMCA to provide a weekly
physical education class for middle school students. The program
emphasizes preparing students for a lifetime of physical fitness.