Welcome to the Upper School Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science classrooms!
Humanities:
Specializing in Cultural Studies during graduate school, Mr. Dyson focused on intersections of literature and history. Teaching Humanities is, therefore, the natural extension of a lifelong scholastic endeavor. Students are presented with novels in alignment with the historical period that produced them. Essay questions frequently challenge students to consider the context that created the characters, ideas, and symbols of a given novel.
Writing is integral to the study of Humanities and Mr. Dyson’s published work speaks to his enthusiasm on this front. We encourage best habits with regards to reading, critical thinking, brainstorming, outlining, and citations by breaking the process into bite-sized chunks.
Middle School students cover US History, Civics and the Constitution. Emphasis is placed on project-based activities that encourage creativity, engagement, and conceptual understanding. International Studies and mapping skills are also taught through hands-on activities. Grammar, Latin & Greek roots, Literature, Vocabulary, Speech, and Debate round out the Language Arts curriculum. Participation in the annual Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, and International Fair are fun ways to interact in these subjects, and students also take a variety of field trips!
Math and Science:
Science comes to life, from hands-on and interactive demonstrations to labs. Students get dirty learning about Science! Middle School curriculum includes Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, and Environmental Science. Students take many field trips and also utilize our lush campus and neighboring mountain to take samples, conduct experiments, and experience first-hand learning.
When it comes to Math, students are met at their current level, and the classes are designed to meet their needs. Students may take courses in Integrated Math, Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2 (or higher). Some students participate in Project Based Learning with a Math focus, and all children have a weekly Math Lab.
An integration of Math and Science happens as students chart data after conducting an experiment or do statistical analysis using excel. The Science Fair is a major project in the fall, and all students work toward eligibility in the Bay Area Science Fair on up to the State fair! We have students place in the State Fair regularly.
Sixth Grade:
In Grade 6, we remove much of the scaffolding provided to our children, one layer at a time, so that they can navigate middle school with ease and grace, starting with "Middle School 101" an introduction to lockers, studying, social dynamics, independence and more! Under her expertise, Sixth Graders will study Integrated Math 1 (Pre-Algebra & Geometry) and US History (from Native Americans to the founding of the country).
Digital Literacy Classes:
Here our students are guided in their computer science development. Digital Literacy and Online Safety are taught to all grades, continuing to develop their tech skills during their regular tech classes. In addition Eighth Graders will create the yearbook and Seventh Graders will create a website to catalog their accomplishments and share about themselves in preparation for the high school admissions process. Elective classes include graphic novels, coding, and more.
Service learning is taught to all students. An injustice is determined, and action is taken to improve the situation.
Outdoor Education experiences are a critical element for growth and learning, and boy are they fun!
4-5th Graders attend 3-4 night trips to Web of Life Field School, Gateway Mountain Center, or Mosaic Project. Here they learn about Science, Nature, and Team-building.
6th Graders take a trip to Ashland, OR to experience the Shakespeare festival and acting classes.
7th Graders take a week long camping trip where they build environmental and self-awareness.
8th Graders take week-long adventures to Washington D.C. for enrichment in Science, History, and Culture.
