Middle School

The fifth grade begins our first year of Middle School transitioning with a 5th grade advisor who teaches and guides them in multiple subjects, while students begin to participate in the middle school experience.

English/Language Arts (5-6 times/week) - A class that is directly integrated with World Geography, fifth grade ELA uses novels to explore themes of cultural identity, overcoming struggles, and understanding different perspectives throughout our world. In addition, using the 6+1 Writing Traits program, students explore their creativity through poetry, personal narratives, journals, and ultimately stretch their writing into longer, more complex essays and research reports.

World Geography (4-5 times/week) - A course that begins with basic concepts introducing the five themes of geography. Then students explore several continents with deep dives into one country on each continent. Each unit culminates in students producing an individual country report and exhibition.

Math (5 times/week) - Using the Math in Focus curriculum, students expand upon prior knowledge of place value and basic operations with decimals, and fractions before applying these skills to ratio, proportion and percent. Students close the year with an introduction to categorizing and measuring two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometric figures. Across all units, there is an emphasis on real-word problem-solving, creating and understanding word problems,  and metacognition.

Science (5 times/week) - The Full Option Science System (FOSS) fifth grade module provides opportunities for students to engage in and understand science and engineering practices which are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).   Fifth grade units of study include Mixtures and Solutions, Earth and Sun, and Living Systems. Multiple field trips and lab experiences solidify classroom learning.

Spanish (2 times/week) - An immersive-style Spanish program, fifth grade students begin to have a greater emphasis on Spanish reading and writing by including real world reading materials, graphic novel style stories, activity pages and unit projects. The class encourages movement, hands-on activities, and lively debates.

Music (2 times/week) - Students in Middle School music are learning to become proficient performers, increasing their skills, and seeking outlets to share their talents.  Students study music history and listen to various musical genres to further understand music’s role in society and culture throughout history.  Students also participate in seasonal concerts such as the Grandparents/Special Friends Day, the Christmas Concert, and the Spring Musical.

Art (Once/week) - Students explore different cultures and develop skills in the areas of art history, design concepts, art production, and art criticism. They create work using a variety of media. Students also create collaborative projects with other core subjects (STEAM) and participate in art competitions such as the MAESA Academic fair.

PE (5 times/week) - Physical activity is a hallmark of a CES education which is why our fifth graders participate in PE five times each week. Sportsmanship, skill development, and game playing is highlighted throughout the year both on campus and off campus at various athletic facilities.

Health Unit (taught as part of the PE curriculum) - In this short unit, students study the early stages of puberty, which many fifth graders are beginning to experience or will experience in the near future. Students will learn about the physical and emotional changes they experience during puberty, and learn that these changes are a normal part of growth and development.

Study Skills (2 times/week) - Study Skills aims to instill ideals of organization and process thinking for fifth graders as they begin their Middle School experience. Students learn the skills they need to take on more responsibility, to self-advocate, and to practice accountability in their daily lives. A particular focus is placed on the organizational skills, both digital and paper-based, needed to manage multiple demands and also strategies for managing and accessing online resources.

Other fifth grade highlights include:

• Project BioEYES - a live zebrafish classroom unit
• Chapel Partner Program - 5th Graders become older partner for first time in the program
• Safety Patrols - 5th graders begin serving as safety patrols for morning carpool
• After school sports program (soccer, basketball, swimming)
• Offsite PE units including activities such as swimming, boxing, gymnastics, and fencing.
• Leadership opportunity through the Student Council
• Opportunity to participate in Middle School electives (yoga, art, personal finance, study hall, etc.)
• Field trips (Georgetown, Lady Maryland sailing excursion, Calleva Outdoor Adventure, Smithsonian museum, historical sites)

English/Language Arts (5 times/week) - A class that is directly integrated with Social Studies, sixth grade ELA uses varied genres of literature and integrates a study of the human community through fiction and non-fiction texts. An instructional priority in the sixth grade is an increased focus on advanced forms of evaluation in expository critique and literary criticism and more developed writing skills.  The 6+1 Traits of Writing program is a guiding focus in the writing curriculum

American History (5 times/week) - A course that begins with the study of the earliest human inhabitants in the Americas to the development of a new republic following the American Revolution.  Students will learn to interpret historical texts, analyze primary sources to extrapolate important details, and understand the lasting impact of early American history on our country today.

Math (5 times/week) - In Course 2, a transition from arithmetic to an algebraic approach to mathematics is set in motion as students work towards more conceptual understanding and explaining their reasoning rather than just finding the correct answer. The class fosters an environment that is  highly interactive with the students and teacher..

Science (5 times/week) - In sixth grade science, students take an Earth Science course with some review of Chemistry and Physics topics. We begin with a lesson on climate change and its causes, where students calculate their carbon footprint and determine ways to reduce it through a reflection process. We study the Scientific Method as the basis for all science experiments and introduce laboratory safety procedures. Topics of focus from the Elevate Science Course 1 curriculum include:  (1) Introduction to Matter, (2) Solids, Liquids, and Gasses, (3) Energy, (4) Thermal Energy, (5) Introduction to Earth’s Systems, (6) Weather in the Atmosphere, (7) Minerals and Rocks in the Geosphere, and (8) Plate Tectonics.

Spanish (3 times/week) - An immersive-style Spanish program, the sixth grade curriculum has a greater emphasis on Spanish reading and writing by including real world reading materials, graphic novel style stories, activity pages and unit projects. The class encourages movement, hands-on activities, and lively debates.

Music (2 times/week) - Students in Middle School music are learning to become proficient performers, increasing their skills, and seeking outlets to share their talents.  Students study music history and listen to varying musical genres, to further understand music’s role in society and culture throughout history.  Students also participate in seasonal concerts such as the Grandparents/Special Friends Day, the Christmas Concert, and the Spring Musical.

Art (Once/week) - Students explore different cultures and develop skills in the areas of art history, design concepts, art production, and art criticism. They create work using a variety of media.  Students also create collaborative projects with other core subjects (STEAM) and participate in art competitions such as the MAESA Academic fair.

PE (5 times/week) - Physical activity is a hallmark of a CES education which is why our sixth graders participate in PE five times each week. Sportsmanship, skill development, and game playing is highlighted throughout the year both on campus and off campus at various athletic facilities.

Other sixth grade highlights include:

• Readers’ Theater performance of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” in December
• MAESA academic competition in the spring
• Offsite PE units including activities such as swimming, boxing, gymnastics, and fencing.
• After school middle school sports program (soccer, basketball, swimming)
• Multiple field trips such as Smithsonian museums, Calleva outdoor adventure, historical sites, glass-blowing workshop, the Baltimore Aquarium, and an end of the year
• Hershey Park trip.
• Safety patrols - 6th graders serve as safety patrols for morning carpool
• Continued chapel partner program
• Leadership opportunity through the Student Council
• Opportunity to participate in middle school electives (yoga, art, personal finance, study hall, etc.)

English/Language Arts (5 times/week) - The many components of language arts become more interwoven in seventh grade as students learn to become increasingly skilled in written as well as oral expression. Seventh graders will be building, developing, and honing their skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking. Students will develop skills of close reading and analyzing literary offerings including novels, short shared texts, and poems. Students will be encouraged to continue to find their own voice to support their own opinions and unique ideas.

American History (5 times/week) - Beginning with an examination of how slavery came to America, seventh graders will study the events that shaped the United States from the mid-nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century (The American Civil War up to World War II.) Place based learning, works of art, oratory, films, and primary sources will punctuate the curriculum. Emphasis will be placed on the recurring importance of the words of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and  the pursuit of Happiness.” Understanding our nation’s struggle to realize these words in practice through a factual foundation and an emphasis on critical thinking, students will be equipped to better understand the present and be prepared for their future.

Math (5 times/week) - In Pre-Algebra, students continue the transition from arithmetic to an algebraic approach to mathematics in preparation for Algebra I. An emphasis is placed on computation skills with real numbers, algebraic and pictorial representation of real-world situations, understanding and usage of algorithms to calculate answers, identification and usage of the properties that permit the arithmetic behind the algorithms, and the application of algorithms and properties to solve real-world problems.

Algebra I provides students an in-depth look into functions and families of functions, with emphasis on linear and quadratic functions, as well as other functions.  Students will learn to model functions using multiple representations, including equations, graphs, pictures, tables, verbal descriptions and other representations.  Students will ultimately learn to apply the use of functions and multiple representations to help model and solve real world situations and problems algebraically.

Science (5 times/week) - In seventh grade science, students take a course in life science with some topics in Earth Science and Physics reviewed. Topics of focus from Elevate Science Course 2 curriculum include: (1) The Cell System, (2) Human Body Systems, (3) Reproduction and Growth,  (4) Ecosystems, (5) Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems, (6) Distribution of Natural Resources, (7) Human Impacts on the Environment, and (8) Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation. Emphasis is placed on organisms and the study of their structure and function, growth and development, interdependence within an environment, and survival adaptations. Multiple field trips and lab experiences solidify classroom learning.

Spanish (4 times/week) - An immersive-style Spanish program, seventh grade students begin to have a greater emphasis on Spanish reading and writing by including real world reading materials, graphic novel style stories, activity pages and unit projects. The class encourages movement, hands-on activities, and lively debates.

Music  (2 times/week) - Students in Middle School music are learning to become proficient performers, increasing their skills, and seeking outlets to share their talents.  Students study music history and listen to varying musical genres, to further understand music’s role in society and culture throughout history.  Students also participate in seasonal concerts such as the Grandparents/Special Friends Day, the Christmas Concert, and the Spring Musical.

Art (Once/week) - Students explore different cultures and develop skills in the areas of art history, design concepts, art production, and art criticism. They create work with a variety of media.  Students also create collaborative projects with other core subjects (STEAM) and participate in art competitions such as the MAESA Academic fair.

PE (4 times/week) - Physical activity is a hallmark of a CES education which is why our seventh graders participate in PE four times each week. Sportsmanship, skill development, and games playing is highlighted throughout the year both on campus and off campus at various athletic facilities.

Other seventh grade highlights include:

• Three day outdoor education adventure at Echo Hill Outdoor School
• MAESA academic competition in the spring
• Offsite PE units including activities such as swimming, boxing, gymnastics, and fencing.
• After school middle school sports program (soccer, basketball, swimming)
• Multiple field trips including Smithsonian museums, historical sites such as Gettysburg, the Baltimore Aquarium, and an end of the year Hershey Park trip.
• Continued chapel partner program
• Leadership opportunity through the Student Council and Student Ambassador Program
• Opportunity to participate in middle school electives (yoga, art, personal finance, study hall, etc.)

English/Language Arts (5 times/week) - Eighth graders continue building, developing, and honing their skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking as they learn to become increasingly confident in their written as well as oral expression, finding their own voice to support their own opinions and unique ideas. Students will study a variety of literary offerings including the novels The Wednesday Wars, as well as other titles by Gary D. Schmidt, and To Kill A Mockingbird, poetry, short stories, and speeches. Shakespeare study and performance is a highlight of eighth grade.

Civics (5 times/week) - Eighth grade civics is designed to prepare students to continue to carry on democratic ideals with their generation. Critical thinking will be encouraged as we examine our nation’s struggle to realize the goal of “liberty and justice for all” in practice. Students will be better equipped to become informed voters as well as leaders in their homes, communities, and country in the future as they better understand the rights and duties of American citizens.

Math (5 times/week) - In Geometry, students will explore the properties and applications of common geometric figures in two and three dimensions. The course will also focus on the topics of measurement, congruency, similarity,  and transformation of lines, angles, polygons, circles, prisms, pyramids, cylinders, and cones. The rules of logic, both inductive and deductive, will be used to explain and prove various geometric properties.

Algebra I provides students an in-depth look into functions and families of functions, with emphasis on linear and quadratic functions, as well as other functions.  Students will learn to model functions using multiple representations, including equations, graphs, pictures, tables, verbal descriptions and other representations.  Students will ultimately learn to apply the use of functions and multiple representations to help model and solve real world situations and problems algebraically.

Science (5 times/week) - In eighth grade science, students study Chemistry, Physics, and Biology topics. Topics of focus from Elevate Science Course 3 include: (1) Atoms and the Periodic Table, (2) Chemical Reactions, (3) Forces and Motion, (4) Genes and Heredity, (5) Natural Selection and Change Over Time, (6) History of Earth, (7) Energy in the Atmosphere and Ocean, and (8) Climate. A continued emphasis is placed on following the scientific method in all experimental work. The eighth grade students also participate in a science fair and the top projects present at the MAESA Academic Fair.

Spanish (4 times/week) - An immersive-style Spanish program, eighth grade students begin to have a greater emphasis on Spanish reading and writing by including real world reading materials, graphic novel style stories, activity pages, and unit projects. The class encourages movement, hands-on activities, and lively debates. A capstone event is a week-long trip to Seville, Spain over spring break, where eighth grade students delve into Spanish culture and language, interacting with Spanish peers and using their language skills in their daily interactions and activities.

Music (2 times/week) - Students in Middle School music are learning to become proficient performers, increasing their skills, and seeking outlets to share their talents.  Students study music history and listen to varying musical genres, to further understand music’s role in society and culture throughout history.  Students also participate in seasonal concerts such as the Grandparents/Special Friends Day, the Christmas Concert, and the Spring Musical.

Art (Once/week) - Students explore different cultures and develop skills in the areas of art history, design concepts, art production, and art criticism. They create work in a variety of media.  Students also create collaborative projects with other core subjects (STEAM) and participate in art competitions such as the MAESA Academic fair.

PE (4 times/week) - Physical activity is a hallmark of a CES education which is why our eighth graders participate in PE three times each week. Sportsmanship, skill development, and games playing is highlighted throughout the year both on campus and off campus at various athletic facilities. Eighth grade students are also the leaders of the annual field day event, where they plan and manage the various sports competitions for the rest of the school.

Other eighth grade highlights include:

• Three day outdoor education adventure at Echo Hill Outdoor School
• MAESA academic competition in the spring
• Create, design, and publish the school yearbook
• Offsite PE units including activities such as swimming, boxing, gymnastics, and fencing.
• After school middle school sports program (soccer, basketball, swimming)
• Folger Theatre’s Secondary Shakespeare Festival (performance of a play)
• Eighth Grade Trip (End of the Year, overnight)
• Ballroom Dance Recital
• Ethics Course
• March Trip to Seville, Spain (overnight)
• Multiple field trips such as Smithsonian museums, historical sites, theater productions, and the Baltimore Aquarium.
• Leadership opportunity through the Student Council and Student Ambassador Program
• Opportunity to participate in middle school electives (yoga, art, personal finance, study hall, etc.)