Curriculum Map

The Middle School humanities program is an amalgamation of history and English. Much of the content is driven by the social studies program as a variety of genres and ideas are explored. Writing and critical thinking skills are emphasized in both written work and dialogue; students are required to articulate their ideas and lead class discussions at various times throughout the year.

In the Middle School, students will be exposed to a balanced mathematics program that uses their emerging abilities to find structure, make conjectures, test ideas, build understanding, think hypothetically and engage in abstraction and generalization. Algebra is the language in which most of mathematics is communicated. It also provides a means of operating with concepts at the abstract level and then applying them, which is a process that fosters generalizations and insights beyond the original context.   The three-year program of mathematics instruction offers students continuous opportunities to make essential mathematical connections that will enable them to advance to the high school curriculum with a solid foundation.

The Middle School science program is an inquiry-based science program that provides students with opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge through hands-on experiments and explorations in a variety of topics. They are actively involved in exploring phenomena that interest them both in and out of the classroom. Students are exposed to a broad definition of science and recognize the role of science in all disciplines. Critical thinking skills are emphasized as well as an understanding of the civic responsibility that comes with scientific knowledge.

The philosophy of the Middle School Spanish program centers on communication, cultures and connections as they sophisticate the students' level of communication. The goal of the program is to present Spanish as a mode of communication, emphasizing understanding, creativity and confidence with the skills acquired. The program continues to emphasize Total Physical Response Storytelling.  Through contextualized exposure to grammatical concepts, active engagement with relevant texts, original compositions and dynamic conversation, students absorb and own the nuances of the Spanish language, while increasing their appreciation for Spanish-speaking cultures.

Arts

Creative expression through the visual arts is important and nurtured throughout the middle school years. Students create increasingly complex original works of art reflecting personal choices and increased technical skills. Additionally, students study the development of the visual arts and how they reflect values in past and present cultures throughout the world.

Music

The Orff Schulwerk approach is used in music instruction. Students experience music through song, movement, dance, improvisation, instrumental work, listening and critiquing, which leads to the development of increasingly sophisticated skills and the understanding of musical concepts.

Drama

Drama in the Middle School becomes more refined and focuses on developing skills through an intensive study of voice, movement and theatrical terminology.  Specific theatre techniques created and mined in the American Theatre are used to sharpen and enhance the student’s imagination, creativity and self-expression.  Students are encouraged to take risks, think critically and create freely in ensemble and solo work without judgment of self or others.

The goal of the Blue Oak School Physical Education program is to present meaningful opportunities for students to learn behaviors, concepts, knolwedge and skills that will help them make appropriate decisions in terms of social, emotional, intellectual and physical health.  The Middle School Physical Education curriculum emphasizes four key areas:  New Games; Individual and Team Sports; Adventure-Education; and Wellness.  This curricular design provides opportunities for students to explore a variety of movement skills and concepts, develop appropriate social skills, think critically and reflect on their experiences.  Throughout the curriculum, students are encouraged to accept new challenges, delve deeper into personal interests and explore their role within the group dynamic.

The goal of the technology program is to integrate developmentally appropriate technology skills into all areas of the curriculum. Students learn to be skillful producers of information, using various technology tools to communicate, illustrate and solve problems, and develop as thoughtful and responsible consumers of information by learning to access, evaluate and use information from online sources. All skills are meant to be cumulative; that is, the skills learned in one grade level will be used again as students progress through higher grades.