- Experience art, history and culture during a week-long class trip to Chicago.
- Collaborate, design and present during a week-long, on-site and interdisciplinary unit exploring Perspectives: Life at Stan Hywet.
- Increase exposure and understanding of World Languages with the choice of either Latin or Spanish.
- Improve critical thinking and creative problem-solving strategies in a math sequence customized to student abilities.
- Develop advanced skills as musicians by participating in band, string orchestra or chorus.
- Pursue enhanced learning opportunities in visual arts, technology, music, library and media, service learning, physical education and swim.
- Explore history, science, and world cultures through hands-on edible education cooking lessons. Students learn about early agriculture and the history of bread, the importance of biodiversity, and the contributions of Spanish and Roman cultures.
Students learn, develop and apply key skills in writing and composition, vocabulary, grammar, speaking and listening. Through challenging coursework, students are prepared to become efficient readers and effective communicators. Students use context clues and root words to discern meaning of complex, unfamiliar vocabulary. Students write research reports and other expository forms, personal narratives, creative prose and poetry, all while focusing on content, structure, examples and evidence, style and tone. They apply lessons in grammar, proofreading, revision and editing to correct and enhance their work. With numerous individual presentations and class discussions, students become confident speakers and respectful listeners. Students read a variety of novels, short stories and poems including classics, historical fiction and selections that highlight the middle school experience. These books, as well and corresponding exercises in comprehension, analysis and evaluation, encourage students to become skilled and informed readers.Latin
Students are introduced to Latin through listening to and reading the target language. At this first stage of language acquisition, students learn what it means to have effective interpersonal communication skills by practicing close listening to the language and being an attentive, engaged member of the classroom. As students grow in confidence, they are able to begin speaking and writing in Latin. Regular topics of discussion and writing include the calendar and the weather, describing people or characters in stories, discussing things the students enjoy, and simple, creative stories. Students are also introduced to various cultural topics, such as mythology, the foundation of Rome, ancient Roman housing, and Roman daily life - all through listening to and reading the target language. In the second half the year, students also begin regularly reading Latin novellas to improve their literacy.Math
In middle school, the Old Trail course sequence allows students to be appropriately challenged with curriculum and concepts that coincide with their abilities. After an Algebra test, review of prior testing and teacher assessment, students are placed in either Math 6 or Math 6A. In both courses, students learn new skills essential to the successful completion of Algebra and/or Geometry. Students study proportional relationships, operations with integers and rational numbers, expressions and linear equations, geometric constructions, ratios, percent, proportions, probability and statistics. Both courses prepare students for one of three Algebra courses offered in Grade 7 and for long-term success in math. Students also participate in Edible Education, preparing food and calculating proportions of ingredients.Music
Students participate in either band, strings or choir. In these groups, students study basic technique of their instruments or voices, rhythm and note reading and learn to perform basic music vocabulary. The band, orchestra and choir demonstrate their range of musical learning with two evening performances throughout the year, as well as special venues like Tuesday Community Assemblies or Rubber Ducks baseball games.
Students learn about personal health and wellness, nutrition, weight management, fitness and exercise. They learn about the impact healthy eating choices can make on their overall health and performance. In regards to fitness, students learn about maximizing heart rate, stamina, muscular endurance, and muscular strength. In the swim component of our course, students improve strokes, turns and dive techniques and stamina. They utilize these skills by participating in interscholastic meets. In the gym, students acquire and improve individual skills and techniques, and learn the rules and strategy behind various team sports including: soccer, field hockey, flag football, volleyball, basketball, cross country, track and field, lacrosse and tennis.
Through many interesting hands-on experiments, from testing skull identities to analyzing force using marshmallows and balloons, students use the scientific method to obtain accurate results. Students study geology, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanos, mineral and geological formations. They learn about motion, force, types of energy and machines. In their study of plants and ecology, students are introduced to the concept of biodiversity and the importance of wetland environments to plants, animals and humans. Through research, field work, experiments, drawings, discussions, debates, and project work, students are able to better understand and appreciate science as it relates to their everyday lives.
Students begin their study of ancient history by examining geographic concepts and learning how geography impacts where civilizations begin and flourish. They analyze research, artifacts, and the impact of various theories and interpretation on historical information. They use many different tools, including primary and secondary sources to help them connect to the information. Students study indigenous peoples and their culture and how the advancement of society has adapted over time and impacted civilizations. They explore the great ancient civilizations of North America, Latin America, India, Greece, and Rome. They discuss and evaluate the many factors that contribute to the development of these countries including: geography, social interaction, religion, the economic and political environments, and the culture of each civilization. Students discuss the achievements, beliefs and influences of each of these countries on current governments, both in the U.S. and overseas. The 6th Grade also does a week-long project based learning experience with Stan Hywet to examine the impact of Stan Hywet on Akron in the past and today.
As students progress in their study of Spanish, they are challenged to demonstrate proper pronunciation, conjugations, punctuation, sentence structure and voice inflection. They add new vocabulary related to food and everyday places. To enhance conversations skills, students role-play and create cartoons that convey various social situations. To apply their knowledge of numbers, students play cards, bingo and dice games. Students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by preparing and presenting research on Latino countries, traditions and influential people. They learn the importance of holidays, such as The Day of the Dead, and create video presentations focused on current political or cultural events.
Students explore a variety of media as they continue to build their skills in drawing, painting, graphics, calligraphy and sculpture. Theory is introduced to further elaborate upon ideas about color, perspective and design. Teachers discuss artists, artwork and provide technique demonstrations to develop the four strands of art education: art appreciation, art history, art production and art criticism, as well as problem-solving and critical thinking.