Core Curriculum 6/7/8 Classroom
Language Arts | Math | History | Science | Physical Education
Even in a small school setting, transition to middle school curriculum and learning standards can be a challenging experience for many students. When students enter the middle school, they are expected to become more independent and responsible learners. In order to provide students with support in acquiring these essential life skills, 6th graders are separated from their 7th and 8th grade classmates for math and language arts.
Language Arts
Middle school students broaden their skills in reading, writing and speaking through a variety of resources. The language arts curriculum includes Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes and a selection of high quality novels/literature.
Grade 6 Novels/Literature: Bridge to Terabithia, Chasing Vermeer, D' Aulaires Book of Greek Myths, Esperanza Rising , Walk Two Moons, Where the Red Fern Grows
Grades 7/8 Novels/Literature (two-year rotation): (Rotation 1) Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl, Farewell to Manzanar, Of Mice and Men, The Outsiders, The Pearl, To Kill a Mockingbird; (Rotation 2) Animal Farm, A Christmas Carol (adapted play), Fahrenheit 451, The Myths of Greece and Rome (Guerber), Robinson Crusoe, Tom Sawyer
Math
Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, Holt Mathematics is studied in the middle school classroom. Students in grade 6 receive small group instruction for their grade-level math. Grades 7 and 8 participate in a combined math period of two student groups for pre-algebra and algebra.
History-Social Science
Using TCI's History Alive!, students in grades 6, 7 and 8 learn together primarily through a variety of interactive, in-class, hands-on activities. History curriculum traditionally is identified as belonging to a particular grade level (The Ancient World - Grade 6, The Medieval World and Beyond - Grade 7, The United States, Grade 8). Rather than teaching each grade level separately, history at Nicasio School is taught to all middle schoolers in a 3-year cycle. By the end of 8th grade, each student will have completed the 3-year course of study. To support 8th graders participating in STAR testing, key elements of US History are reviewed and kept fresh each school year and connections are made to the current period of history being studied.
In addition to focusing on the past, middle school curriculum actively engages students in current events. Students are responsible for gathering current events and presenting information to their classmates on a regular basis.
Science
Hands-on science provides Nicasio's middle schoolers with authentic, engaging learning experiences. CPO Science is taught in a 3-year cycle, similar to history, with all students exploring Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science by the end of their 8th grade year.
Physical Education
Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 participate in P.E. together four days a week for 45-minute class periods. Most activities and sports take place outside, but Nicasio School's multi-purpose room provides an excellent indoor space when needed. Students meet with their primary teacher for P.E. two days a week and receive instruction from a P.E. specialist, funded through Nicasio School Foundation, the other two days.