The notion that a learning environment could promise to impact something as intangible as a person's charisma came from observing this group of students.
We enjoy our intermediate students, they embody the fruition of our efforts. We find them to be kind, confident, and knowledgeable. Their opinions and personalities are a part of our campus because they are leaders.
Our limited enrollment offers the individual something that is lost on a large campus...the individual. Keeping the Seventh and Eighth graders surrounded by adults that know and appreciate them makes the students accountable and confident. We use a home school model in presenting curriculum. The classroom is perfect for challenging academics but we hit the road frequently for electives and to enrich themes. The interaction of the students with the community widens their frame. Our students are aiming past high school into their college degrees. They have the courage to face 'what is possible for me when I grow up'. Really, what can't you do when you dream of it from intermediate school? Science and Social Science; We use a looped cycle to cover state standards and national expectations. This gives the class an opportunity to learn what we ought and saturate the topics that really inspire. The first semester is devoted to state content standards. handy link to cycle 2 first semester science
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/hstgrade8.asp Third quarter handles what else the nation's intermediate students are learning. In the final quarter we will revisit and master the topics that most closely embody the values emerging in our oldest students.
Language Art goals can often be satisfied with work from other subjects. Our extra time is spent composing original work, putting opinions and theory into comprehensive written works. It was out of Language Arts class that the idea of new uniforms came to be. handy link to 7th grade content standards
handy link to 8th grade content standards
Additionally the group reads selected books with emphasis on the deconstruction of plots and characters. We draw from a variety of genre because many times the reluctant reader is only someone that hasn't found their favorite.
Electives are a miscellaneous catch all for art and music appreciation, sculpture, crafting, First Aid, nutrition, yearbook, cooking, life skills, photography, etc... The sixth and seventh graders often begin campaigning for preferences and new ideas. Physical Fitness with more of a fitness emphasis is taught with an eye to the options the individual may choose in pursuit of life long vitality. Math goals are a balance of; state mandates, student's ability, and national expectations. Student ability trumps all. Our instructors have time and again helped their students achieve into excellence.
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