MIDDLE SCHOOL

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Middle School Homework Website

Middle School is a critical and wonderful time for children. Students of this age present a terrific combination of attitudes and skills that can be the springboard for incredible outcomes. Because they have enormous energy and a fair degree of developed skills, there is literally nothing that they cannot achieve, as long as they have the proper facilitation. No other age level is of more enduring importance because the determinants of adult behavior, self-concept, learning interests, skills, and values are largely formed in this period of life.

Calmont's Middle School capitalizes on its intimate and majestic setting and provides students with a curriculum that makes them think their way through each day, analyzing problems, proposing solutions, communicating, working collaboratively, and managing resources such as time and materials. Calmont encourages topical integration between and among subjects. For instance, when the 8th grade U.S. History teacher is discussing World War I, the English teacher may assign Johnny Got His Gun to read and the science teacher may discuss the creation, evolution, and impact of the automobile and the airplane. Abstract concepts are integrated with real world applications. In math class, students might measure the campus in preparation for cable installation for Internet access while the environmental classes participate in a research project that compares the efficacy of different methods they have used to eradicate a non-native invasive plant.

There are five full-time faculty members in the Middle School who teach the core curriculum (English, History, Mathematics, Science, and Spanish). Subject specialists teach art, library, music, environmental studies, computer and physical education. In addition, each child is assigned an advisor who monitors the student's progress and is the chief line of communication between the parents and the school.

Weekly Schedule

English (5x week): The focus of the Middle School English curriculum is to refine previously learned skills. A priority is to continue to strengthen listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Special emphasis is given in reading to decoding, comprehension, genre recognition, and research, while the writing curriculum focuses on grammar, spelling, proofreading, and writing for a specific purpose and style. Examples of core literature are Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and The Giver in 6th Grade, Lord of the Flies and The Diary of Anne Frank in 7th Grade and Rocket Boys and Of Mice and Men in 8th Grade.

Mathematics (5x week): Students build on previous concepts by making deeper connections between mathematical concepts, solving more complex word problems and building their knowledge of algorithms. They are placed in 6th Grade Math, Transition Math, Pre-Algebra or Algebra based on their achievement, maturity, and ability.

History (5x week): Students learn about historical events that shape our own and the world community, with the objective of creating a sense of respect of self and others. Depending on their grade level, students enroll in Ancient History (6th Grade), World History (7th Grade), and US History (8th Grade).

Science (5x week) The science offerings include geology, health and sex education in 6th Grade, life sciences in 7th Grade and physical sciences in 8th Grade. Students develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry by participating in lab and classroom activities, hikes, and field trips.

Spanish (5x week) Through dialogues, stories, role-plays, audio tapes, videos, research, and the internet, students develop listening and speaking skills so that they can communicate with one another, as well as understand the important role that the Hispanic culture has played in our history and society. Students are prepared to enter Spanish 2 as freshmen in high school..

Physical Education (4x week) The Middle School is divided into two physical education classes. The sixth grade is in one class and the seventh and eighth grades in another. Students are introduced to a variety of activities emphasizing social and physical development. They are encouraged to have fun, try their best, play fair, and play by the rules, as well as relate well with other classmates, cooperate, and learn to play safely. Among the activities are swimming, field and court sports, movement, and physical fitness.

Environmental Studies (1x week) Through observation and exploration in the canyons around the campus, students learn about our eco-system and the fragility and resilience of nature. The interdisciplinary nature of this program comes into full play, combining geography, problem-solving skills, ecology, creativity, and the art of working together.

Library (1 x week) The program teaches children the skills necessary to use organized sources of information and stimulates their intellectual curiosity by providing students with a wide variety of reading material.

Electives (4x week, Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday) A variety of electives are offered each trimester. Students enroll in these courses across grade level. Offerings are determined by student interest. In addition to Calmont faculty, outside teachers/coaches are also employed to offer specialized courses. Examples of past elective offerings are art, drama, film criticism, math enrichment, robotics, computer animation, web site design, guitar, kickboxing, horseback riding, public speaking, photography, calligraphy, newspaper, literary magazine, yoga, test taking, teacher/office helper, and study hall.

9th GRADE CURRICULUM

The ninth grade program offers an enriched and challenging education. The teachers engage students by helping them to develop their own unique strengths and set personal goals to explore other areas of potential interest. The curriculum will provide the opportunity to sharpen and fine tune reading, writing, and math skills; as well as offer the means to explore passions, discover big ideas, develop deep knowledge bases, and gain authentic practice in solving real world issues. Aligned with the California State and California Association of Independent School Standards, the ninth grade program will support the unique developmental and social issues that students face during this important time in the students lives.

World Literature (5x week)

  • Students will study a variety of genres written by authors around the world.
  • Work in groups to recreate or modernize scenes from literature
  • Write a short novella in a specific genre and style of writing
  • Research, debate, find solutions to an issue - global/environmental related to literature
  • Explore a wide range of poetry
  • Meet with other ninth grade classes for in depth book talks and discussion

    • Biology (5x week)

  • Laboratory investigations
  • Community linked investigations
  • California ecology linked investigations
  • Cottontail garden - research, plan and implement garden in cooperation with local experts in gardening and ecology
  • Cottontail greenovation-design, energy alternatives, community involvement, and grant writing
  • Solar power cells
  • Individually tailored science programs

    • History (5x week)

  • Design a government for the Medieval time period.
  • Include development of overarching structure, laws and codes, the justice system, and the relationship between the governed and governing
  • Explore key questions: What is the purpose of government, what is effective government, and what's the government's role in criminal justice
  • Design a Medieval community. Include architectural plan, defense, food sources, dress, skit on daily life

    • Foreign Language (5x week)

  • Emphasis on literature, writing, and conversation
  • Getting together with 9th Graders from other schools for activities, discussions, and cultural events
  • Trips into the community and beyond to further knowledge of culture and language
  • Online study of other languages possible

    • Math (5x week)

  • Design a city using only one specific shape utilizing different levels. Students then use different shapes to create one large city and build models.
  • Create sand castles using geometric figures.
  • Create a transformations book that defines and illustrates reflections, translations, rotations, and dilations.
  • Create a geometric ornament. It should be 3D and illustrate 10 geometric concepts. The ornament may represent the holiday you celebrate. If you do not observe a holiday, you may create an object with a winter theme.

    • Physical Education (3x Week) - Initiative games or Independent Study

    Electives (1-2-3x Week) - Art, Musical Theater, Computer

    Leadership/Advisory/Planning Meeting (1x week)