Middle School

Longer class periods provide opportunities for multiple teaching approaches as well as time for students to work collaboratively and one-on-one with a teacher in a single class period. This extended instructional time allows for rich exploration into content and provides the space needed for direct explicit academic skill instruction.

 

 

Learn more about our innovative schedule for middle and upper school here

Middle school language arts teachers use an Orton-Gillingham approach to teach the following key components of language acquisition: decoding, spelling, writing, vocabulary, morphology (word forms and roots), oral reading fluency, and reading comprehension. We have developed our own accredited Orton-Gillingham based teacher training program focused on teaching language skills to adolescent learners. All of our language arts teachers receive training and certification in this program.

In middle school, English and language arts are separate classes. Where language arts focuses on developing literacy skills, English class focuses on reading grade-level fiction and developing critical reading and writing skills. Students study texts representing diverse voices and cover a wide variety of genres, time periods and world cultures. Students use readings to improve their analytical, informative and persuasive writing skills. Students are encouraged to use assistive technology for reading and writing when necessary.

In middle school, we use Judith Hochman’s approach to teaching basic writing skills across the curriculum. Writing instruction begins at the sentence level. And as students advance, they begin composing pieces of writing with varying purposes and lengths using more sophisticated structures and vocabulary. Additionally, students will practice keyboarding and cursive writing.

The DVFriends middle school math program uses a very specific multisensory approach that emphasizes numeracy and automatic recognition of quantity and quantity relationships. Students learn new skills through a progression that starts at the concrete level using manipulatives to demonstrate concepts. This tactile experience helps students grasp the next level which is representational (illustration-based). Finally, the students are ready to tackle the skill in the abstract (using digits and traditional formulas) because the concept is now grounded in real meaning. We understand that students may vary in their ability to retrieve math facts and that some students will have gaps in conceptual and procedural knowledge. Students are placed in sections based on their skill level and advanced students may be placed in Algebra or Geometry.

At DVFriends, middle school science is taught through a multi-modal approach using various verbal, visual, tactile, and kinesthetic activities. Science is a hands-on, inquiry-based learning experience integrating a STEM approach to classroom activities and projects. Students will apply scientific practices to solve real-world problems. Students will participate in the McGraw Hill Science curriculum. They will conduct investigations, create and critique models, and gather evidence to support claims, just as scientists do. Across the curriculum, students will experience differentiated lessons to meet the needs of all learners.

The social studies curriculum integrates concept and skills learning. The focus of the sixth and seventh-grade program is American History. Students travel back in time to study geography, government, civics, growth of industry, Civil War, and Reconstruction. The focus of the eighth-grade program is 20th and 21st-century American history. Areas of study include essential themes such as immigration, the growth of big business, Urbanization and the Progressive Movement, the first and second world wars, the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, the modern crisis in the Middle East, and the Post 9/11 World. Areas of expressive and receptive language skill development including finding the main idea and organizing details through note-taking are integrated into all lessons. Ongoing discussions of various topics, current events, analysis of primary documents, map skills, and study and test-taking strategies are integral parts of the program.

Our students often need support for and direct instruction in executive functioning skills such as managing time, self-awareness, initiating and following thru with tasks, and, breaking tasks into sequential steps. Knowing this we train our teachers based on consultation with executive function experts Russell Barkley and Sarah Ward. It is important to note that this instruction does not exist as a pull-out model or a substitution for an elective. These skills are taught across the curriculum including support in our Advisory program.

The middle school Advisory program provides the opportunity for each student to have an adult advocate who also serves as their parents' first point of contact when communicating with the school. Advisories have 6-8 students and a teacher. Advisory periods meet at the start and end of each day, as well as a daily advisory period in the middle of the day. Advisors help students properly prepare for the day - check their email, organize their class materials and assignments to hand in, and plan any time they need to schedule with specific teachers. Advisors provide support to make sure students have a plan and the materials they will need to complete homework assignments. There is an emphasis on materials management and for students to practice and become more independent with self-advocacy skills.

Technology is integrated through the program and is highlighted by the student laptop program. Each student is provided with a laptop computer loaded with all the software they need for each class - as well as any individualized assistive tools specific to their learning needs. Teachers use technology as a means to uniquely deliver instruction and organize content while encouraging students to effectively use these tools as a means to enhance their learning strategies. Our middle school teachers are constantly exploring new and better ways to support students learning including innovative and effective technology tools.  

Our Middle School Counselor, Elizabeth Reilly, provides traditional school counseling support through short-term interventions to address social-emotional challenges that arise and helps families connect with outside resources if ongoing therapeutic support is needed. As a member of our student support team, our school counselors monitor the social-emotional needs of students and partner with faculty, families, and outside support providers to collaborate on meeting the needs of the whole student. Elizabeth provides direct instruction on social-emotional learning topics at developmentally appropriate levels to teach students self-awareness/management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills.

Middle School students enjoy a rotation of fine arts classes that provide an introduction to each discipline. Students experience drawing and painting, ceramics, photography, and culinary arts. These classes are critical in our students’ development as well-rounded individuals, and therefore given the same amount of time in the schedule as the academic disciplines.

Part of the arts rotation, the middle school MakerSpace class encourages hands-on and creative ways for students to design, experiment, build, and invent. Students hone their design thinking skills on a wide array of physical construction and digital challenges. The project-based learning experiences encourage students to question, collaborate, think critically, problem-solve, communicate, and discover new knowledge.

Also part of the arts rotation, middle school music follows an improvisational-based curriculum that covers the three main elements of music, melody, rhythm and harmony. In addition, students begin creating their own songs in Garageband. Music teacher Tim Simmons developed this curriculum based on research that demonstrated the neurological intersection between music and language. The improvisational exercises in music class stimulate the pathways in the brain that also address their language learning needs. Students also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a variety of instruments from drums to guitar, bass, keyboard, and more. Students who already play an instrument are welcome to bring those into the mix as well. This approach allows students with various levels of experience and ability to work together to learn and make music.

Students learn to use their voices and bodies as they explore acting and movement through improvisational games. Students enjoy the physical aspect of this class and have a lot of fun learning from teacher Khalil Munir, a DVFriends alumnus who is himself an award-winning actor.

Middle school students perform individually and in groups in several of the school’s concerts, including a fall “open mic” coffeehouse, annual holiday concert, and Family Music and Arts Night. Middle school students also participate in the school’s annual original musical production as writers, musicians, stage crew, or cast members.

In Middle School Physical Education classes, students are exposed to many different activities that use eye/hand and eye/foot coordination. Throwing, catching, dodging, aiming, basic movements and game situations are explored. Some games and activities are team-oriented while others are individual. A variety of the activities are designed to promote problem-solving and critical thinking. In all activities, sportsmanship, teamwork and supporting one another are modeled and emphasized. Students are encouraged to be physically active and learn the benefits of lifelong activity. In middle school, students also take part in health class which emphasizes healthy lifestyle choices and includes units on nutrition, healthy relationships, and drug and alcohol abuse.

Middle school students also participate in all-school community time -- a designated period of about 35 minutes each day for unstructured fellowship and community-building. Students go outside and play on the turf field or Dragon’s Rock play space, attend club or committee meetings, or just spend time hanging out and socializing with friends. This is an important time for non-academic activities, building social skills, and enjoying a brain break between class periods.

Middle school students can start clubs based on student interests. Middle school students have led the way in starting the school’s Environmental Club, which has initiated a composting program at the school. Middle school has its own GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance). Middle school participates in school-wide social activities like spirit weeks, movies, and off-campus meet-ups at places like trampoline parks, as well as having their own middle school dances and social activities at school.

Middle school participates in larger school-wide service projects such as food and toy drives around the holidays, as well as conducting their own service projects like making plastic mats to donate to animal shelters. Service is an important community value and central to the Stewardship tenet of Quaker practice.

Middle school students can join any of DVFriends’ interscholastic athletic teams. The school offers soccer, cross country, tennis, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, golf, and ultimate frisbee. DVFriends teams are no-cut and emphasize skills development and sportsmanship while still being competitive in our league. Middle school athletes make friends across grades and divisions and learn leadership and teamwork through school athletics.

The middle school offers day trips in each grade that vary from year to year. The trips are designed to highlight parts of our curriculum and extend student learning through experiential opportunities. In the Spring, 8th-grade students participate in a 3-day trip to Echo Hill Outdoor School. Participation in these trips is covered by tuition.

Middle school is an integral part of DVFriends’ Quaker community, and the students participate in daily all-school Gathering and weekly Meeting for Worship. These are Quaker practices that begin with silence in which members of the community may stand and share what is on their minds if so moved, followed by announcements. Middle school students often announce club meetings, sports results, friends’ birthdays, and introduce visitors during announcements.