Woodside Middle School Meet the Middle School October

Woodside Middle School Meet the Middle School October 11, 2017

English Language Arts Program Highlights • Double periods of ELA daily • Implementation of Teacher College Units of Study at every grade level • Tapping into opportunities for cross-curricular alignment • Equip writers with multiple strategies to think and write independently • Confident learners, who advocate for themselves • 8 th Grade transition to High School

English Language Arts Curriculum Emphasis • Text-based learning • Balance of fiction and nonfiction in both reading & writing • Focus on narrative, literary essay, research based writing, and argument writing • Provide frequent opportunities for honing presentation and language skills • Design thinking, multimedia, and digital technology projects • Jennifer Mull – [email protected] us • Leanne Otten - [email protected] us • Kristina Valentine – [email protected] us

Math • Big Ideas Common Core Curriculum • SVMI Members • Small Class Sizes – Average of 10 students per class • Flexible Ability Groups • Opportunities for Acceleration • Ginger Waters – [email protected] us • Nikkie Mc. Manis – [email protected] us

Social Studies • Simulations • Design Thinking lessons and projects • Current event readings, analysis, and discussions • Socratic Seminars, Mock Trial, Debates • Primary source readings and analysis • Washington, D. C. Field Trip • 8 th Grade “Exit Project” • Teachers’ Curriculum Institute + Stanford History Education Group (SHEG) • Kristina Valentine – [email protected] us • Steve Frank – [email protected] us

Español Course Description • Emphasis on developing communicative language • Builds listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills • Spanish language-immersive classroom environment • Language taught through content • Content features authentic Central and South American texts such as songs, legends, & artwork • Bjorn Wickstrom – [email protected] us

Mandarin 中文 Course Description • Development of four skills in Mandarin Chinese —listening, speaking, reading, and writing (typing). • Curriculum and learning activities: 1. Match students’ proficiency level in Mandarin. 2. Respect students’ different learning styles and needs. 3. Consider students’ interests and what are meaningful for them. 4. Teach learning strategies and skills. • At the end of the school year, students are able to communicate in Chinese on a variety of topics. • Hui Liu- [email protected] us

Physical Education • Mission: To provide students with the skills, knowledge, and attitude needed to lead physically active lifestyles lives both today and in the future. • Students will have a wide variety of activities including dance, tumbling, cooperative, and competitive games. • PE class alternates with music every other day. • SEL – A safe and positive learning environment. Students learn to build relationships by working together both cooperatively and competitive activities.

Physical Education • Physical fitness is emphasized and measured using FITNESSGRAM (a state required physical education program that helps students focus on personal improvement). Students learn to set goals and monitor progress. • Middle school students have additional opportunities for physical activity classes such as courses in Physical Fitness or electives such as Self Defense, Yoga, Wrestling, and Strength and Conditioning. • James Haddon – [email protected] us

Music 6 th Grade Music • 6 th grade students have music two times per week • A continuation of the 5 th grade music program • In addition to music class, many 6 th grade students choose to be part of the Middle School elective band • Beth Hoss - [email protected] us • Christine Lovejoy - [email protected] us

Music Electives • 7 th Grade guitar & 8 th Grade Percussion • Philosophy • Choice music • Performance opportunities and class activities • Middle School Elective Band • Zero Period Jazz Band • Advanced performing group • Performance opportunities

Music

Science • Hands-on investigations and demonstrations • Abundant lab resources and small class size • Interactive Notebooks for Common Core connection • STEM Fair • NGSS Aligned - Currently piloting the Integrated Model in 6 th Grade • 6 th Grade Science field trip to Marin Headlands • 7 th Grade Science field trip to Yosemite • ZSpace 3 -D computers for supplementary study in Life Science, Earth Science, Physics, and experiment design • Melissa Bowdoin – [email protected] us • Jennifer Parker – [email protected] us

Example of 6 th Grade Integrated Model:

Visual Arts Course Highlights • Middle School Art lessons follow the social studies curriculum in 6 th and 7 th grade. 8 th grade is a mixture of culminating projects and is also connected to curriculum • 6 th Grade: Early Man cave art and Mandalas from India • 7 th Grade: Pattern study from Islamic art and West African masks • 8 th Grade: Self-portraits inspired by Frida Kahlo and design thinking project on Social Consciousness Art using Vector Design as theme • Bev Iverson – [email protected] us

The Learning Center • Provides specialized academic instruction classes specific to individual learning strategies and goals • Full Inclusion Model with Push-In Support & Collaboration with general education teachers • Small group classes with individual support in key areas • Study Skills Elective • Specific learning strategies that assist students in core classes • Recommendation by teachers and administration • Organization, study strategies, learning styles, memory techniques, notetaking strategies, goal setting, reading strategies, test strategies, spelling & vocabulary strategies, research, & project planning • Heather Fair – [email protected] us

Advisory • Small groups of students in a supportive setting with opportunities for social and emotional learning • Advisory teachers share common themes with MS teachers • Know-Choose-Give • The better we know ourselves, our own strengths and challenges, the better choices we can make and the more successfully we can contribute to the community around us • Advisory class focuses on SEL • • • Self-awareness Social awareness Responsible decision-making Self-management Relationship skills

Advisory • Open Session • • • Student-driven Stress management High School applications Changing friendships How to approach a teacher Judgment from peers • Beth Hoss - [email protected] us • Allison Brunner - [email protected] us

Advisory

Electives • Art • Short Stories • Band • Blogging • Yearbook • Modern Readers • Lego Robotics • Documentary Filmmaking • Coding • Web Design • Community Service • z. Space • Yoga • Body Science • Wrestling • Plant/Life Nutrition and Wellness • Strength and Conditioning • Study Skills • Self-Defense • Operetta (8 th Grade)