Curriculum
Bridge
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Bridge Year for 5th and 6th Graders
A gateway program for gifted and curious learners
The Bridge Class:
- attracts a diversity of exceptionally curious and strong, independent learners and collaborative thinkers;
- respects the emotional and educational developmental needs of 5th and 6th grader boys;
- includes boys who have completed either the fourth or fifth grade;
- implements the latest research on boys, learning, and curriculum design;
- makes connections across all disciplines in the curriculum;
- integrates hands-on learning, applied instruction, and challenging classroom assessments,
- learns under the lead of one full-time, experienced educator who reports directly to Head of School; and
- fosters strong community between students and families in a small class environment.
Methods:
Seven Hills School will build on its early successes and move into new areas of study:
- Nancie Atwell’s Middle Classroom Methods
- Cornell University’s Note-Taking System for the Middler
- Michael Gurian’s Boys and Girls Learn Differently
- Harvard University’s Multiple Intelligence Theory
- University of Chicago’s Sphere Learning in the Middle Years
- National Society of Experiential Education’s Service Learning Model
- Incorporating Introduction to Philosophy Studies
Framework: OPEN SPHERES UTILIZING MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
SHORT-LONG TERM MEMORY
Daily exercises and game practice in the rudiments of reading, writing, and mathematics
MATH-LOGICAL
Mathematics Level Grade 6
---Applied Math & Problem-Solving Focus
MATH/SCIENCE LABS
Living Science Exploration
---Smithsonian, 3 Volume Series by Joy Hakim (2003-2008)
Introduction to Physics and Chemistry
Application and ExperimentsKINESTHETIC & INTER/INTRA PERSONAL & SPIRITUAL/NATURAL
Service Learning Integration with Central VA Foodbank, SPCA and other Neighborhood Ventures
James River Curriculum and Monthly RIVER DAYS
8-unit Philosophy Seminar I
Exploring the Mind—Philosophy Rocks
LINGUISTICS
Language Arts
--Genre Study
--Creative Writing
--Publication
--Reading Labs
--Writing Labs
Applied Text Forms
--Print, Cursive Strategies
--Keyboard Lessons
--Foreign Language Texts
Global and Leadership Studies
--Current World Events
--Cultural Studies
--Leadership Studies
--Shared Values
Future Problem Solving
--Case Studies & Future Scenarios
-- Underlying Problem & Action Plan
-- Analysis
VISUAL/SPATIAL & ARTISTIC
Visual Arts & Architecture
Designing Overbrook Together
Woodworking I, II, III
Art, Design, and Function
Theatre and Musical Arts
Alternating Student-Created Productions & Published Works
ASSESSMENTS/TESTING
In-Class Assessments
Written (Individualized and Standard)
Oral
Experiential
Arts Focused
Year-Long Assessments
Learning Style Inventory
DART Assessment
By Quarter Goal Setting and Self-Assessment
Competitive Team Testing: FPS, Robotics