Middle School

The goal of our middle school math program is to help students become independent learners and to prepare them to meet the challenges of high school math.  Teachers incorporate a variety of materials, groupings, and formats in order to meet individual needs.  Students move through the program at their own pace and are guided to solve problems using different approaches, having the opportunity to experience math in a hands-on fashion.  Teachers utilize multisensory techniques (manipulatives, color- coding, interactive games, etc.) to engage students in math concepts such as scale, linear functions, proportionality, and graphing.  When applicable, teachers work across the curriculum, incorporating science topics into the math class and vice versa. 

In middle school the emphasis begins to shift from skill remediation to strategies that bypass weak functions and allow students to meet the increased content and comprehension demands of the curriculum. The reading/language arts program encompasses grammar instruction, written expression, reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and critical thinking.  It is designed to stimulate interest and discussion among students who are typically conceptual and abstract thinkers.  Students are introduced to a variety of genres where guided reading is conducted to aid in the development of independent reading skills for those who need further assistance.  Emphasis is placed upon helping students manage and use the strategies they have been taught along with their personal approach when working with more complex reading and writing assignments.

Writing instruction is taught through both whole class and guided instruction while working on skills such as planning, writing a rough draft, getting peer feedback, making revisions, and polishing a final draft.  Students benefit from a sequential approach where they move from being able to write simple paragraphs to developing multi-paragraph essays and responses.  Instruction is also provided in note taking, using digital and print formats, and the elements of effective discussion. 

Our middle school science program centers on the scientific process and what it means to be a scientist and engineer in the 21st century.  Classes center on real-world topics and projects that ask students to think critically and creatively to solve problems as individuals and in teams.  Each year students will build upon their experiences with the scientific process while learning to identify problems, design experiments, analyze data, and present their findings.  The use of direct instruction provides lessons and assessments that are consistent with the diverse learning differences, needs, and abilities of our student population.  In addition, the program develops self-advocacy skills to promote self-awareness of individual learning challenges.  Our science program also promotes peer collaboration to solve problems, build confidence, and expand students’ interest in the world.

Topics for 6th grade include:

• ·Energy
• ·Climate and weather
• ·Ecosystems: interactions, energy, and dynamics
• ·Earth and human activity

Topics for 7th grade include:

• ·Cells
• ·Heredity
• ·Ecosystems: impact of environmental variables
• ·Interdependence

Topics for 8th Grade include:

• ·Energy
• ·Motion, electricity, & magnetism
• ·Mechanical & electromagnetic waves
• ·Atomic structure, chemical elements & reactions
• ·Atmosphere

Our desire is to make history come alive for our students during social sciences classes.  By reading first person accounts and primary documents while using dramatizations and reenactments, teachers help students make personal connections to the people and cultures they explore.  Students learn about the cause/effect relationships between historical events and are challenged to consider how the actions of the past have and continue to impact today’s society.

As a part of social sciences classes, students work on becoming more active, effective learners of historical information by using strategies to read and take notes from textbooks and other sources, critically evaluating ideas and information, processing and retaining ideas presented in instruction and discussion, and preparing for quizzes and tests.

Topics include:

• ·Early civilization - The fall of the Roman Empire (6th grade)
• ·Middle ages & exploration of the Americas (7th grade)
• ·United States history & geography - colonization to reconstruction eras (8th grade)

Developing strengths, integrating learning

Skyuka Hall is dedicated to providing a well-rounded education for all students in order to help them become self-aware, confident, knowledgeable, and resilient.  We know that many students with learning differences do best when they are in motion, participating in the arts, and engaging in high interest activities.  It is our belief that in addition to developing academic skills, we also must develop the whole child by offering classes that provide experiences of success necessary to build personal confidence and self-worth.

The development of self-expression and creativity is fostered through weekly art instruction.  Our intent is to help our students flourish and realize their strengths through the use of multiple modalities designed to integrate various functions of the brain.  Students are introduced to different design concepts, how to use various familiar and unfamiliar media, and to art history. 

Learning another language opens many doors as students prepare for college or for other careers beyond school.  Middle school students will receive an introduction the foundations of the Spanish language with a focus on conversational lessons to prepare them for advanced courses in upper school.

Students are exposed to a variety of music, composers, and songs to nurture interest, talent, and appreciation.

In Grades 6-8 we move into an ensemble setting, with guitar being introduced in class instruction. Band instruments are also studied, as well as percussion.  As the students progress in their singing skills, we begin to branch out in this area.  Piano is also explored in the middle school grades.

In middle school students are taught how to sharpen individual skills and how to use those skills in the context of a team situation. The goal of the physical education program at the middle school level is to deepen the social and physical skills taught in the lower school program and to develop an interest in a variety of physical activities.

We understand the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math for today’s learners.  Skyuka recognizes that by adding the art component to the STEM program so we can help enhance students’ critical thinking skills by giving students creative ways to be innovative problem solvers. This class emphasizes collaboration, problem solving, communication, research, critical thinking, and creativity.  Students work together in teams and use research skills and materials to solve a problem or build a solution.