MiddleSchool Curriculum Guide&Programs
MBS Mission and Values
OUR MISSION
Withinacultureofsupportandcollaboration,MorristownBeardSchoolstudentsdiscoveranddeveloptheirindividual pathwaystoacademicsuccessandpersonalfulfillmentwhilebecomingenlightened,morallyresponsiblecitizensofthe world
OUR VALUES
Thebedrockofourcurriculumistoproviderigorousacademicpreparationforcollegeandbeyond Equally,weencourage allmembersoftheMBScommunitytocultivatealifeguidedbymoralprinciples AtMBS,wevalue:
Personal Responsibility isthefoundationofcharacter Itrequiresintegrity,personalaccountability,andthe highestmoralstandardsinallcommunication,decision-making,andactions
Awareness Of Diverse Perspectives enhancesallaspectsoflearning.Themorestudentsencounter, understand,andrespectotherpointsofview,themoredeeplyengagedtheybecome,bothacademicallyandsocially. Empathyisapowerfulforceincreatingpositiveinteractions
Engagement inallaspectsofschoollifeencouragesrisk-taking,createsamorefulfillingeducationalexperience,and enhancespersonalgrowth
Tenacity isessentialinovercomingobstaclesasitredefinesfailuresasnecessarystepsofthelearningprocess
Independence Of Mind allowsustoquestiontrendyorconformistthinking,andhelpsusasindividualsto examinecriticallyourdecisionsandassumptions
Humor And Humility arecentralcomponentsoftheresiliencerequiredtomeettheinevitablechallengeswe encounternotonlyinschool,butalsoinlife. AtMBS,wevaluetheabilitynottotakeourselvestooseriously,even whenweareengagedinthemostseriousofendeavors.
Curricular Philosophy of MBS
Ensuringthegrowthandwell-beingofourstudentsliesatthecenterofallourdecisionsatMBS.Wemaintainabalanced approachtorigorousacademics,enrichingco-curricularandextra-curricularactivities,andanengagingfamilyand communitylife. Asstudentspursuetheirindividualpathstoacademicsuccessinourcommunityoflearners,theyare guidedbyhighly-dedicatedteacherswhoarefullyversedinthelatesteducationalresearch,withparticularemphasisonthe followingkeypracticesinallsubjectareas:
CRITICAL THINKING facilitatesgreaterunderstandingofcomplextopicsandsituations Studentslearntoask questions,identifyproblems,synthesizekeyconcepts,anddesigncreativesolutionsinpursuitofknowledge
RISK-TAKING isencouraged Oureducationalprogramrecognizesthisasavalidlearningmodality,evenwhenan investigationdoesnotproceedasexpected Playandasenseoffunarekeycomponentsinnurturingappropriateintellectual risk-taking
WRITING isameansofthinkinganddevelopingthoughts,notjustawaytorecordpre-existingideas Analyticand reflectivewritingshouldnotbetheexclusivedomainofthetraditionaltext-baseddisciplines,butshouldbeactively encouragedacrossthecurriculum
QUANTITATIVE REASONING isvaluedasameansoflogicalprocessingbothinandbeyondthemathclassroom Developingasoundquantitativemindsetiscrucialtounderstanding,critiquing,anddrawingconclusionsinour increasinglydata-intensiveculture.
INNOVATIVE CONNECTIONS acrossdisciplinesinspireoriginalapproachestosolvingproblemsandpreparestudents forlifebeyondtheclassroom.
Withintheframeworkoftheschool'scurricularphilosophy,theMiddleSchooliscommittedtoimplementingthe followingpracticesacrossouracademic,co-curricularandextra-curricularofferings.
GROWTH MINDSET
Allstudentsarecapableofintellectualandpersonalgrowthinanysubject,providedtheyarenurturedastheydevelop strategiesformanagingtheirtime,focusingtheirattention,andperseveringthroughchallenges.TeachersintheMBS MiddleSchoolarecommittedtoworkingwithstudentstodeviseandimplementstrategiesthatservetheirgoalsand ambitions.
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Sixth,seventhandeighthgradearefoundationalyearsindevelopingthinkingskills.TheMiddleSchooliscommittedto buildingstudents'habitsofmindandprovidingopportunitiesforstudentstopracticeanalytical,writingandquantitative skills.Thesevaluesareembeddedacrossouracademicclasses ineverythingfromtheanchortextsselectedforEnglishtothe coretopicsinmathtothescaffoldingofinstructionandassignments.
COLLABORATION
Asstudentstransitionfromchildhoodtoadolescence,theyareincreasinglycapableofcomplexsocialinteractionsand team-basedactivities.Collaborativeskillssuchascommunication,conflictresolution,andsharedproblem-solvingnotonly enhanceacademiclearningbutalsopreparestudentsforreal-worldchallenges.Workingtogetheronprojectsandin classroomsettingshelpsstudentsappreciatediverseperspectivesandbuildsempathy.
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Theyearsfromsixththrougheighthgradeareessentialasstudentssearchforidentities,definingthemselvesintermsofnew relationshipsandroleswithpeersandadults.Bothwithinandbeyondtheclassroom,learninginmiddleschoolis fundamentallysocialandemotional:deepeningtheirawarenessofselfandothers,studentsformasenseofhowtheymight contributetoandflourishintheworld.Socialandemotionallearningisatthecoreofclassactivities,theadvisoryprogram, andtheeverydaylifeoftheMBSMiddleSchool.Ourstudentscultivatestrategiesforspeakinguponbehalfofthemselves andothers,andtheylearnhowtoproductivelyaddressfriendsandpeersoverdifferencesofopinionanddisagreements. Theseopportunitieslaythegroundworkforourschool-wideeffortstopromotediversity,inclusionandsocialjustice.
PURPOSEFUL TECHNOLOGY
MBSrecognizesthatweliveinadigitalage.Thoughtechnologypermeatestheexperienceofstudents,overuseormisuse canbetempting.IntheMiddleSchool,studentsnotonlylearnthroughtechnology,butlearnhowtousetechnologyto servethemastheysolveproblems,research,communicate,collaborate,andcreate.Usingtechnologyundertheguidanceof ourfaculty,MBSstudentsdiscoverboththeutilityandlimitationsoftheselearningtoolsastheylearntoappreciatethe horizonsthattheyopen.
The Morristown Beard Advisor System
Ouradvisoryprogramisastudent-centeredspacefacilitatedbyanadvisorwithafocusonguideddiscussionsand meaningfulconversationsaboutcommunity,self-awareness,andleadership.Ourstudentsworkindividuallyand collaborativelyontheirsocialemotionalandacademicgrowthusingguidedactivitiesthataredevelopmentallyappropriate. Ouradvisorssupportourstudentsinbecomingbetterself-advocatesandresponsiblecommunitymembersthrough buildingpositiverelationships.MiddleSchoolAdvisoryisaplacewherestudents,parents,andteachersworktogetherfor thebenefitofthewholechild.
OUR WORDS AND GUIDING QUESTIONS
6th Grade: Community
● Whatconnectionscanwemaketooneanother?
● Howcanwehelponeanother?
● WhataresomewaysIcancontributetoourMBScommunity?Beyond?
● Whatcanwelearnfromthosearoundus?Howcanwehelpeachotherbeseen?Heard?
7th Grade: Self-Awareness
● Whatdoesitmeantotakeownership?
● Whatdoesitmeantobeself-aware?Whyaremistakescrucialinacquiringself-awareness?
● Whyisitimportanttohaveself-acceptance?
● Howcanwords/actionsbeimpactfulonyourself?Onothers?
8th Grade: Leadership
● Whatisyourroleasan8thgraderintheMBScommunity?
● Howcanyoufindwaystoimproveandgrowasaperson?
● Howcanyoubuildtrust?
● Howdoyouknowwhentoleadandwhentofollow?
Community Service
SCHOOL-WIDE EFFORTS:
Aspartofoureffortstoeducateforgoodcitizenship,ourstudentsparticipateincommunityservicethroughouttheir MiddleSchoolexperience.OuradvisoryprogramandMiddleSchoolMeetingsraiseawarenessandprovideaforumfor discussionandlearningabouttheroleofserviceinourcommunity.Ourprogramaimstohelpourstudentsbecome participatorycitizensandeffectivemembersofourSchoolcommunitythroughservice.
LEADERSHIP AS SERVICE:
WebelievethatservinginavoluntaryleadershipcapacityisservicetotheSchoolandenhancesadolescentdevelopment.
● SGA(MiddleSchoolStudentGovernmentAssociation)collaborateswithourDirectorofStudentLife torunthe MiddleSchoolMeeting,planstudentevents,andrepresentthestudentbody.AllMiddleSchoolstudentshavethe opportunitytobeelectedintoourSGAclassleaderroles.
● CrimsonAmbassadorshostandtourprospectivestudentsandsupportandmentornewstudentsasthey transitiontoMiddleSchool.Middleschoolstudentswhoareinterestedgothroughanapplicationprocesstobe CrimsonAmbassadors.
● TheCrimsonLeadershipGroupsincludestudentsenthusiasticaboutengaginginDiversity,Equity,Inclusion, andBelonging(DEIB)initiatives UndertheKaleidoscopeumbrella,studentscanparticipateinGLOW, Spectrum,andaffinitygroups Theircollectivemissionistoensurethateverymiddleschoolstudentfeelsvalued andembracedasanessentialmemberofourcommunity Withastrongfocusoncommunity-building,the CrimsonLeadershipCommitteeactivelyreflectsontheessentialelementscontributingtoathrivingandinclusive environment Afteridentifyingareastheycanenhance,theyapplyawell-structured,step-by-stepapproachto implementingtheirinnovativeideas Acoreobjectiveistoallowstudentstopracticeusingtheirvoiceseffectively Thecommitteeaimstofosteracultureofpositivechangeandactiveparticipationwithintheschoolby empoweringthemtoexpresstheirthoughts,concerns,andideas ThisCrimsonLeadershipCommitteevalues inclusivityandwelcomesallmiddleschoolstudentstobepartofthisimportantinitiative Studentswillbe selectedforthiscommitteeusingaself-nominationprocess
● 8thgradestudentsplan,prepareandleadtheweeklyMiddleSchooldivisionmeetings
SERVICE INITIATIVES:
By Grade
● 6thTheInterfaithFoodPantry/Advisoryvisits(Morristown)
● 7thMorristownNeighborhoodHouse/Advisoryvisits(Morristown)
● 8thLifeTown-friendshipCircle/Advisoryvisits(Livingston)
Other Middle School initiatives
● VeteransDayCards/Letters
● PumpkinDecoratingContest(fundraiser)
● BreakfastbaginitiativeforNJNourish
● Pajama,cocoa,andbookdriveforNeighborhoodHouse
● MiddleSchool-widefooddrives
● Apercentageofthesnackshackproceedsgoestoanorganizationthatisidentifiedbystudents
Schoolwide
● ThanksgivingFoodDrive(FoodPantry,Morristown)
● WinterHolidayToyDrive(MorrisCountyParkCommission,Morristown)
Club Program
ClubsintheMiddleSchoolarestudentdrivenandbasedonwhatthestudents,themselves,wishtoexplore.Clubofferings changethreetimesperyearcoincidingwiththeathleticcycle.Clubsmeeteverycycle.Recentofferingshaveincludedcar club,chessclub,FantasyFootballclub,knittingclub,no-bakecookingclub,STEMclub,andmore.
Signature Programs and Practices
TheMBSMiddleSchool’sSignatureProgramscomplementthecorecurriculum,givingstudentsfocusedexposuretoareas essentialforacademicsuccess,forself-understanding,andfornavigatingtheworld OurSignatureProgramsare characterizedbypurposefuldevelopmentalplay,creativethinking,skilldevelopment,andstudent-directedinquiry They serveasastartingpointforfulfillingthepromisesofourmissionstatementastheylaythegroundworkforstudentstocarve theirindividualpathwaystosuccess.Eachprogramreceivesdedicatedtimeintheschedule.
CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND DESIGN
EachyearintheMBSMiddleSchool,studentsareprovidedwithopportunitiestolearnintheCenterforInnovation& Design,includingthemakerspace,artisanstudio,computationaldesignstudioandenvironmentalsystemslab There, studentsareencouragedtolearnthroughimaginative,hands-on,collaborativeprojectsandtoencounterthefundamentals ofthedesignthinkingprocessthatwillservethemthroughouttheirtimeatMBSandbeyond.
Artisan Studio
Computational Design Studio
Environmental Systems Lab
Makerspace
Video Content Creation Lab
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM WALLS
DuringeachyearoftheMiddleSchoolprogram,ourstudentsandteachersdelveintotheworldbeyondMBSthrough off-campusclasses,visits,trips,communityserviceprojects,andotheroutreachprograms.Ourhistoriclocation,adjacentto thepicturesqueFrelinghuysenArboretumandWhippanyRiver,affordstheopportunityforstudentstogetoutsidewhile thelearningcontinues Meanwhile,communityserviceinitiativesindowntownMorristownallowourstudentstoconnect withtheinstitutionsandsocioculturaldiversityofthearea Inaddition,weendeavortoplangrade-levelfieldtripsthatare anchoredinourcurriculum
Mini-Boat Project: OneofthemostuniqueanddefiningexperiencesoutsideoftheMiddleSchoolclassroomdoesn’t involveactuallygoinganywhere Instead,oursixth-graderslearnaboutweather,geography,andoceanographybyfollowing thetravelsofonetinyandverywell-stockedvessel!Throughouttheschoolyear,afive-footmini-boatequippedwithsensors andtrackingdevices,travelstheocean,landingoccasionally,sothatstudentscangatherdatathatwillhelpthemdevelopa senseofthemagnitudeandcomplexityofourbig,blueplanet
LEARNING FOR ENHANCED CURRICULAR ENGAGEMENT
TheMiddleSchoolprovidesdedicatedtimeforstudentstohoneskillsthatwillbenecessaryfortheireducational developmentandsuccess
ENGLISH WORKSHOP
EvenasstudentsinMiddleSchoolarefiguringoutwhotheyareintheworld,theyareaskedtocommunicatetheir ideas,expressthemselves,anddiscoverwhotheyareonthepage MiddleSchoolwritingdemandsstudentsgain rapidfamiliaritywitharangeofmodes,audiences,andoccasions InEnglishWorkshop,asupplementalclass offeredforasinglesemesterinseventhandeighthgrades,studentsaregivenspacetonurturetheirreading interests,andencouragedtoexplorearangeofwritingstylesandoccasionswithspaceforself-reflection
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
Asstudentstransitionfromelementaryschooltohighschool,itiscrucialthattheydevelopskillsthatwillsupport theirlearning InOrganizationalSkills,aquarterlycourseofferedin6thand7thgrades,studentswilllearnvarious helpful,funwaystoimprovetheirstudyandorganizationalhabits Theseskillswillbeanchoredineachstudent's learningstyleandstudypreferencesandwillincludeorganization,timemanagement,note-taking,homework completion,long-termassignmentcompletion,preparationforformalassessments,andtest-takingstrategies
Grade Level Trips
Fieldtripsareanopportunityforstudentstobondtogetherasaclassandfurthertheirunderstandingofacourseofstudy
TheMiddleSchooliscommittedtofallandspringtripseachyear Pasttripshaveincluded:
6thgrade:SandyHookandEllisIsland
7thgrade: Philadelphia(ConstitutionCenterandFranklinInstitute)
8thgrade:WashingtonDC
Academic Policies
TheMiddleSchoolprogramrespondstotheuniquedevelopmentalneedsofyoungadolescents Studentsparticipateina varietyofareasofstudyandactivitiesthatemphasizeactiveengagementinlearning Oneofthemajorgoalsoftheprogram istocreateaclimatewherecuriosity,integrityandcreativeexpressionarevalued
MiddleSchoolstudentsarerequiredtocompletefivecorecourses,aswellaselectivesandquarterlyclassesinthearts, Wellness,OrganizationalSkills,orEnglishWorkshop.In7thand8thgrade,studentswhoareenrolledinStudyStrategies donotparticipateinthequarterlyrotation.
GRADES & COMMENTS
TheSchooluseslettergradesrangingfromAthroughFforcorecurriculumclasses GradesrangingbetweenAandC-are consideredacceptable,whilegradesbelowaC-areofconcernandmayleadtoastudentbeingplacedonAcademic Probation.
TheSchoolsendsgradesfourtimesperyearandcommentsthreetimesayear–typicallyabout10daysaftertheendofeach quarter.
1stQuarter(Interim)gradesandcomments
1stSemester(Final)gradesandcomments
3rdQuarter(Interim)gradesandcomments
2ndSemester(Final)grades,commentswhenneeded
Inadditiontoregularlyscheduledgradesandcomments,teachersmaysendParentCommunicationFormsforeither excellentorsubstandardperformance StudentswhoneedmorefrequentmonitoringaresometimesplacedonProgress Reports
HOMEWORK GUIDELINES
Studentsaretypicallyassignedanaverageof15hoursofstudyingand/orhomeworkpernight Itiseachstudent’s responsibilitytomakesuretheyhaveallthematerialsanddirectivesnecessarytocompletetheirassignments Late, incomplete,orcarelesslydonehomeworkwillnegativelyaffectastudent’saverage Parentswillbenotifiedofrecurrent patternsofinconsistenthomeworksubmission
HONOR ROLL & HIGH HONOR ROLL
TheSchoolhastwohonorrollsforacademicachievement
● HonorRoll–forstudentswithaminimumGPAof35
● HighHonorRoll–forstudentswithaminimumGPAof38 Bothhonorrollsarebasedonsemestergrades,notendofyeargrades
TheNationalJuniorHonorSocietyrecognizesstudentsineighthgradewhohavedemonstratedoutstandingscholarship, leadership,service,character,andcitizenship StudentsmustearnHighHonorRollfortwoconsecutivesemesters beginningwiththesecondsemesterof7thgradetobeeligible StudentsreceivingthishonorareinductedattheMovingUp ceremony
OUR SCHEDULE
TheMiddleSchoolscheduleisdesignedtomeettheneedsofgrowingadolescentchildren Ourstudentsbegintheirdayin homeroomwiththeiradvisors Collaborativeperiodisadesignatedtimetoworkwithteachers,collaboratewithclassmates andbeginhomework Weclosetheschooldaywithsportsandactivities Wearecommittedtoofferingourstudentsample opportunitiesontheplayingfieldandbelievethatgoodsportsmanshipisanintegralpartofcultivatingcharacter
Sample Course Lists and Schedule:
6th Grade Sample Course List
Period Class
Period1 English6
Period2 Performanceart,digitalart,visualartorotherelective
Period3 MathFoundationsorIntroductiontoIntegratedMathA
Period4 Quarterlyrotation:Wellness,OrganizationalSkills6,VocalEnsemble,Artand2DDesign
Period5 Geography
Period6 Science6
Period7 LanguageExploration
Period8 RotationofAdvisory,MSMeeting,CollaborativePeriod,Clubs
7th Grade Sample Course List
Period Class
Period1 English7
Period2 Performanceart,digitalart,visualartorother elective
Period3 IntroductiontoIntegratedMathAorIntroductiontoIntegratedMathB
Period4 Science7
Period5 Quarterlyrotation:Wellness,EnglishWorkshop7,Artand3DDesignorOrganizationalSkills7(NewStudentsOnly)
Period6 History,SocietyandCivics7
Period7 WorldLanguage(French,LatinorSpanish)
Period8 RotationofAdvisory,MSMeeting,CollaborativePeriod,Clubs
8th Grade Sample Course List
Period Class
Period1 English8
Period2 Performanceart,digitalart,visualartorotherelective
Period3 Intro toIntegratedMathBorIntegratedMath1
Period4 Science8
Period5 US in21stCenturyWorldHistory
Period6 Quarterlyrotation:Wellness,EnglishWorkshop8,Makerspace:CreativeProblemSolving orMSMusicProduction
Period7 WorldLanguage(French,LatinorSpanish)
Period8 RotationofAdvisory,MSMeeting,CollaborativePeriod,Clubs
Middle School Schedule
Departmental Offerings
English
MissionStatement:Asstudentstraveltheirownuniquepathsthroughourcurriculum,theydeveloptheskillstonavigate challengingtexts,thinkcritically,andexpressthemselvesconfidentlyinbothwrittenandspokenword Studentsalsolearnto appreciateandtelltheirownstoriesbyexploringthoseofothers,andindoingso,theydevelopawarenessofthemselves,their communities,andthehumancondition
ENGLISH 6 Inadditiontodevelopingskillsinreading,writing,vocabulary,andgrammar,studentsinEnglish6learnhow toannotateeffectively,identifyingthemesandsymbolsastheydiscussplotandcharacterdevelopment Studentslearnto useawritingprocess(planning,drafting,revising,publishing)withrespecttotheconstructionofindividualsentencesthat arethenlinkedtocreatecohesive,well-organizedparagraphs Bymid-year,studentsbegintowriteanalyticalresponsesand userubricsforrevisionthatfacilitateagrowingsenseofautonomyandconfidence TeacherscarefullyintroduceiPaduseso thatstudentslearntechniquesofworkingwithpaperaswellaselectronictextsinboththeirreadingandwriting Students engageinindividualizedvocabularystudythroughMembean Textsincludeshortstories,poemsandlongertexts,suchas OurTown,TheOutsiders,andRefugee
ENGLISH 7 EnglishinGrade7continuestodeepenandbroadenhabitsofcriticalthinkingintroducedinGrade6.Close readingofliteratureenhancesstudents'understandingoftheworldinwhichtheyliveandtounderstandthecomplexityof lifethrougheffectivestudyofcharacterization.Asstudentsbegintocomprehendthewaysinwhichauthorscreate,they respondtosuchclosereadingthroughregularannotation,writing,andclassdiscussion.Studyofgrammarcontinuesto occurwithinthecontextofreadingandwritingalongwiththeuseofspecificexercises.Studentsengageinindividualized vocabularystudythroughMembean.Ongoinguseofwritingandrevisionrubricsreinforcestheunderstandingofwriting asaprocess,particularlywithrespecttothecreationofanalyticalessays.Independentthinkingisencouragedthroughthe useofexpositoryandcreativejournaling.Textsincludeshortstories,poetry,andlongertexts,suchasTheAlchemist,New Kid,andTheGiver
ENGLISH WORKSHOP 7 InadditiontotheirGrade7Englishclass,studentsrotatethroughEnglishWorkshop7,a semester-longcoursedesignedtoenhancewritingandreadingskills Afteranalyzingexpository,descriptive,narrative,and persuasivewritingstudentswilldevelopaportfoliooftheirownwritingbytheendofthesemester Amajorcomponentof Workshop7thisyearisthestudentreadingclub Undertheguidanceoftheirteacher,smallgroupsofstudentswillselect texts,createreadingassignments,andestablishweeklydiscussiontopics
ENGLISH 8 StudentsinGrade8deepentheirskillsinliteraryanalysiswithcontinuingemphasisonthedecisionsauthors makewhencreatingtheme,character,andplot Theemphasisonauthorialintentisfurtherpromotedthroughthecreation andrevisionofanalyticalessaysthatrequirestrongthesisstatements,appropriateuseofevidence,andthediscoveryof subtextuallevelsofliterarymeaning Shorterwritingassignmentspromoterobustpatternsofthinkingthatarebothcritical andcreative.StudentsengageinindividualizedvocabularystudythroughMembean.Studyofgrammarcontinueswithin
thecontextofreadingandwritingalongwiththeuseofspecificexercises.Studentsareencouragedtoworkautonomously andwithconfidenceasameansofprefiguringexpectationsintheUpperSchool.Textsincludeshortstories,poetry,and longertexts,suchasAnimalFarm,NightandRomeoandJuliet.
ENGLISH WORKSHOP 8 InadditiontotheGrade8Englishclass,studentsrotatethroughEnglishWorkshop8,a semester-longclassdesignedtoenhanceskillsinreading,writing,andpublicspeaking.Areasoffocusinthefirsthalfofthe courseincludenote-takingandannotation,essayandparagraphplanning,andtheincorporationandanalysisoftextual evidence.Studentsalsopracticethekeyskillsofproofreadingandrevisionforclarityandprecision.Focusinthesecondhalf ofthecourseshiftstoothermodesofwritingsuchaspersuasiveandnarrative,aswellaspublicspeaking.Through analyzingarangeoffamousspeeches,studentslearntheelementsofsuccessfulpersuasivespeaking,payingkeenattention towhatspeakerssayandhowtheysayit Studentsthenbuildskillsandconfidencebycreatinganddeliveringaseriesoftheir ownspeechesofvaryinglengthsandstyles
History and Social Sciences
MissionStatement:Bylinkingthepastandpresent,theMorristownBeardHistoryDepartmentfostersskillsessentialtothe understandingofthehumanexperience,whileguidingstudentsontheirindividualpathstobecomingengagedandempathetic globalcitizens.
GLOBAL GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE 6 introducessomeofthebasicconceptsandskillsthatareexpandedupon inGrades7and8.Thecourseisdesignedtohelpstudentsbetterunderstandthemselvesandtheworldinwhichtheyliveas theyexaminethephysicalandhumanaspectsoftheEasternandWesternHemispheres Studentslearnabouttheworld’s people,placesandenvironmentsthroughhands-onactivities,mappinglabs,oralpresentations,cross-curricularrealworld simulations,andusingtechnologytocommunicatewithothersaroundtheglobe Thereisastrongemphasisonthewriting process
U.S. HISTORY AND CIVICS 7 StudentsinseventhgradeHistory,Society,andCivicsfocusondecodingartifactsfrom thepasttomakesenseoftheworldtheylivein Movingfromthepersonaltotheglobal,andfromtheAncientWorldto recentAmericanhistory,theylearnhowthepastlivesoninthepresent TheyearculminateswithaninvestigationoftheUS constitutionasalivingartifact,undergoingamendmentandreinterpretationsinceitsinception,shapedbyandactively givingshapetoAmericansociety
U.S. HISTORY AND CIVICS 8
Studentsineighthgrade“TheUSin20thcenturyWorldHistory”considerAmericanhistoryinrelationto20thcentury conflictsandsocialmovementsaroundtheglobe Relatingthenationaltotheinternational,studentswilllearnto understandhistoryfromaglobalperspective Overtheyear,studentswillfocusonpivotal20thcenturyconflictsandsocial movements,whilesharpeningtheirabilitiestoaskquestions,conductresearch,andanalyzeforcesofchangeintheworld
Mathematics
MissionStatement:TheMorristownBeardSchoolMathematicsDepartmentproducesstudentsfluentinquantitativeand abstractreasoning.Weemphasizetheimportanceofconstructingandevaluatingsoundargumentswhilefocusingon connectionswithinandbeyondmathematics.Withinthisframeworkweaimtocultivateresilience,criticalthinking,creativity, andintellectualcuriosity.
MiddleSchoolMathematicscoursesstressanunderstandingofmathematicsasfundamentaltomakingreasonable interpretationsofhumanandscientificaffairs Themathprogramreinforcestheskillsandconceptsnecessaryforfuture studyaswellasforintegrationwithothercontentareas Beginningwithareal-worldapproach,studentsaretaughttouse mathskillsfordataanalysis,tounderstandbasicalgebraicandgeometricconcepts,tousestatisticalanalysisacrosstopics, andtothinkcritically Aplacementtestisusedtodeterminewhichlevelofmathematicsisappropriateforourincoming students Astrongfoundationinbasicskillsiscriticaltosuccess,andstudentsshouldbefluentwithbasicaddition, subtraction,multiplicationanddivisionofwholenumbers,fractionsanddecimals.
MATH FOUNDATIONS
isastudyofbasicmathematicalskillswhilechallengingstudentswithsomeabstractalgebraic concepts.Thecourseintroducesstudentstonumberpropertiesandintegeroperations,integratingnegativenumberswitha studyofotherrationalnumbers.Throughamixofproblemsolving,logicchallenges,andwordproblems,Math Foundationsemphasizescriticalthinkinginpreparationformoreadvancedcourses.Thecoursechallengesstudentstoshow andexplainwork,demonstratingthatprocessandend-productareequallyimportant.
INTRODUCTION TO INTEGRATED MATH PART A courseispartoneofatwo-yearintroductorycoursethat concludeswithPartB.InPartA,studentsworkwithrationalnumberstoensurethattheycanapplyalloperationsfluently andbegintocreateabridgebetweenconcreteoperationsandmoreabstractalgebraicexpressionsandequations.Students workwiththecoordinateplanetomaketheconnectionbetweenconcreteoperationsandgraphing.Studentscontinueto userationalnumberoperationsinapplicationwithratio,rate,unitrate,percentandprobability Astudyofdataallows studentstomakesenseofinformationfromtherealworldandhowtoexpressthatinformationtoothersgraphically, numericallyandinwrittenform Studentsuseavarietyofmeansofexpressiontojustify,explainandmodelmathematicsas theymakesenseofproblemsandpersevereinsolvingthem
INTRODUCTION TO INTEGRATED MATH PART B courseisparttwoofatwo-yearintroductorycoursethat beginswithPartA InPartB,studentscontinuetheirworkwithrationalnumbersbysynthesizingthemwithanin-depth studyofexpressions,equations,exponentsandradicals,theequivalentofapre-algebracourse Studentsapplythoseskills andconceptsinastudyofgeometryincludinganglerelationships,thePythagoreantheorem,andtwo-and three-dimensionalmeasurement Finally,toprepareforthesubsequentcoursework,studentslearntosolve,writeand graphmulti-stepequationsandinequalities Studentsuseavarietyofmeansofexpressiontojustify,explainandmodel mathematicsastheymakesenseofproblemsandpersevereinsolvingthem
INTEGRATED MATH 1 initiatestheIntegratedMathsequencebyengagingstudentsinfoundationalconcepts,skillsand habitsofthought.Pedagogicaltechniquesareeclecticanddiversetoallowfordifferentwaysoflearningmath.Thecourse coversfoundationalalgebraicandgeometricconceptsthatwillbebuiltuponinsubsequentcourses.Algebraictopics coveredincludebasicequationsandinequalities,absolutevalue,linearequationsandgraphs,andsystemsofequations equivalenttoatypicalalgebra1course.Geometrictopicsincludeintroductiontoproofs,coordinategeometry,midpoint anddistanceformulas,andspecialanglesonparallellines.
INTEGRATED MATH 2/2H continuestheIntegratedMathsequencebybuildingonthefoundationalconcepts acquiredinMath1 Studentswillencounterthought-provokingproblemsinavarietyofcontextsthatrequirestrong connectionsbetweenalgebraandgeometry Principletopicscoveredthroughproblemsolvingandexplorationincluderight triangletrigonometry,quadraticfunctions,methodsofproof,polygons,transformations,andrationalexpressions Each topicrequiresanaddedlevelofsophisticationandabstractionasstudentsobtainahigherlevelofmathematicalfluency ThedifferencebetweenIntegratedMath2and2Hispacing,independentworkhabits,problemsolvingabilityand consistenthighlevel Studentsin2Hareexpectedtoconsistentlyapplyconcepts,skills,andtechniquesofaclassto assessments,activities,andproblemsofnovel,unfamiliarcomplexitywithlightscaffolding
Science
MissionStatement:AtMBS,studentsareinspiredbythewondersoftheworld Ourprogrampreparesstudentsforcivic responsibilityandglobalstewardshipthroughexperientiallearningandbydevelopingtheirunderstandingofthepowerand limitationsofscientificinvestigations Studentsdeepentheircriticalthinkingandacquirequantitativeandqualitativetools necessarytomakeresponsibleandinformeddecisionsasscientistsandcitizens
FromGrades6through12,theMBSScienceCurriculumasksstudentstoapproachscienceasaprocessofactive,hands-on inquiry,requiringcloseobservation,theelaborationoftheories,thedesignandconstructionofexperiments,analysisof data,andanongoing,revisionarypursuitofthetruth.TheMiddleSchoolScienceprogramintroducesstudentstoscience asanopen-ended,self-criticalprocess,layingthefoundationsforsuccessinUpperSchoolscienceclassesandproviding themwithanappreciationforthecomplexityandmysteryoftheworldaroundthem
SCIENCE 6 introducesstudentstothefundamentalsofthelaboratory,experimentation,andthestagesofscientific inquirythroughaseriesofhands-ontasksandprojects Astheyearprogresses,studentsareintroducedtothefundamentals ofEarth’sspheres,geosphere,hydrosphere,atmosphere,andbiosphere,andhowtheyareinterconnected Studentspay specialattentiontotheecologyofwaterandtheenvironmentalimpactofwateruse,forgingcloseconnectionswiththeir workinGeography6
SCIENCE 7 isdesignedtodeepenstudents’graspofthefundamentalconceptsofscientificinquiryandenhancetheir abilitytothinkcritically Throughouttheyear,studentsfocusonhowtocollectandinterpretdatathroughavarietyof hands-onexperienceswhilestudyingsimplemachinesandenergy Studentsalsolearntoapplytheseprocessesinreal-world contexts,fosteringapracticalunderstandingofhowscienceimpactseverydaylife
SCIENCE 8 introducesstudentstobiology,challengingthemtothinkthroughproblemsofformandfunctionofcells andorganismsfromanewperspective.Studentsbuildontheirknowledgeoftheearth’sspheresandphysicalscienceto understandthebiologicalandecologicalsystemsoftheworld.Asinpreviousyears,studentsengageinvarioushands-on projectsandexperimentswithgreaterindependenceandfurtherdevelopthecoreskillsofscientificinvestigation,suchas formingcoherenthypotheses,conductingsystematicobservations,andeffectivelyinterpretingdata.
World Languages
MissionStatement:TheWorldLanguageDepartmentbelievesmeaningfulcommunicationisfundamentaltoalllanguage learning.Wepracticethelanguageincontext,developingculturalawarenessaswellaslinguisticcompetencies.Studentslearn aboutwhatcanbesaidinaworldlanguageaswellashowtosayit.Ourprogramembracesprogresswhileacknowledgingthat learningalanguageinvolvescyclesofaccelerationandadjustment.
TheMiddleSchoolWorldLanguageProgramisdesignedtodevelopstudents’communicativeabilitieswhilecultivating culturalawarenessandanappreciationofdiverseperspectives.Student-centeredclassroompracticespromoteengagement whileintroducingstudentstovariousinterwovenaspectsoflinguisticcompetency(oral,aural,grammatical,lexicaland cultural).StudentsareexposedtobasiclexicalandstructuralfeaturesofFrench,SpanishorLatinwhilelearningabout Francophone,Hispanophone,andancientculturesandpractices,respectively InthecaseofFrenchandSpanish,making useofthelanguageincommunicativesettingsisemphasized Thisincludesacquisitionofvocabularyincontext, developmentofgoodpronunciationandactiveuseofthetargetlanguagetosuccessfullycommunicateinavarietyof commonsituations StudentsofLatinareexposedtothebasicstructureofthelanguageviamanyofthesamepracticesas studentsofFrenchandSpanish,relyinguponlevel-appropriateLatinreadingsastheprimarycenterpiecefor communication
SIXTH GRADE LANGUAGE EXPLORATION cultivatesanawarenessofdiverseperspectivesthroughan interdisciplinaryexaminationoflanguageandculturethroughthelensesofFrench,LatinandSpanishaswellasgeography, art,historyandotherdisciplineswithafocusonglobalcitizenshipandcommunity.StudentsspendtimestudyingFrench, LatinandSpanishinahighlycommunicative,supportive,andcontextualizedframework,focusingonathemeinthe contextofeachlanguage Studentsalsoengageinseveralintegratedlessonsinwhichtheygrapplewiththeintersectionof language,culture,identity,andcommunity
FRENCH, LATIN OR SPANISH A focusesonthedevelopmentofstrongbasiccommunicationskillsinmanyroutine topicssuchasgreetings,introductions,personalandfamilyidentity,basicneedsandwants,likesanddislikes,introduction tofood,timeandweather,schoollifeandleisureactivities Studentspracticethefourfoundationallanguageskills (listening,speaking,readingandwriting)astheystrivetowardscompetencyintheaboveareas Languageistaughtthrough thelensofculture,andassuch,culturalthemesandbackdropsframethelanguageexperience Uponcompletion,itis expectedthatthestudentcommunicatewithlimitedflexibilityinvocabularyandstructure,usinghigh-frequencywords androtephrases
FRENCH, LATIN OR SPANISH B providesacontinuationoftheendeavorbeguninFrench,LatinorSpanishA, spiralingmanyofthestructuresandtopicstolayastrongbaseforfurtherdevelopmentintheUpperSchoolprogram. Uponcompletion,itisexpectedthatthestudentcommunicatewithemergingflexibilityinvocabularyandstructure,using high-frequencyvocabularywords,rotephrasesandsimplesentences.
Art & Design Electives
MissionStatement:TheArtandDesignDepartmentguidesstudentsthroughaskill-based,multi-disciplinaryjourneythat buildsfromgradetograde Withafocusoncreativethinking,technicalgrowth,andpersonalexpression,studentsdevelopthe toolstoconnectideasacrossmediaandconfidentlybringtheirartisticvisiontolife
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN introducesstudentstothefundamentalsofarchitecturaldrawing,designandmodel making.Studentswillusethelasercuttertocreateapersonalsketchbookforcreatingalibraryofobservations,andlearnthe fundamentalsofmechanicaldrawingincludingisometric,axonometricandperspectivedrawing.Studentswillalsostudy severalnotablearchitecturalprojectsfromaroundtheworldwithanemphasisonsustainability.Theclasswillculminatein ahands-ondesignprojectincorporatingelementsofmodelmakingandwoodworking.
CERAMICS introducesstudentstothefundamentalsofworkingwithclaythroughavarietyofhand-building techniques,includingpinch,coil,andslabconstruction.Studentswilllearnhowtoshape,join,andrefinetheirformsas theycreatebothfunctionalandexpressiveceramicpieces Alongtheway,they’llexploresurfacedesign,texture,andglazing techniqueswhiledevelopinganunderstandingofthefullceramicprocess fromrawclaytokiln-firedwork Thiscourse encouragescreativity,patience,andcraftsmanshipinasupportive,hands-onstudioenvironment
DIGITAL SKETCH & DRAW introducesstudentstodigitalartandillustrationusingiPadsandtheProcreateapp.In additiontofocusedlessonsoncharacterdesign,colorperception,andtheelementsandprinciplesofdesign,students
engageinweeklycreativesketchassignmentsthatencouragepersonalexplorationandartisticgrowth.Theseopen-ended promptsallowstudentstoexperiment,takecreativerisks,anddeveloptheirownvisualstylealongsidemorestructured projects.Thecoursebalancesskill-buildingwithimaginativeexpression,helpingstudentsgainconfidenceinusingdigital toolstocommunicateideasvisually.
DIGITAL CONTENT
CREATION LAB exploresthefundamentalsofvideocontentcreationtoequipstudentswith theskillsnecessarytodevelopandcreatevideoprojects Studentswillplan,film,andeditoriginalprojects rangingfrom shortfilmstosocialmediasegments whilegainingexperiencewithcameras,lighting,sound,andpost-productiontools Thecourseemphasizescreativestorytelling,medialiteracy,andtheabilitytocriticallyanalyzeandproducecontentin today’sdigitallandscape Assessmentwillconsistofpresentationsandcritiquingmedia-basedwork,aswellastheuseof digitaltechnologies
DRAWING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN
isdesignedforstudentstolearnaboutandbegintomasterthe skillofobservationaldrawing Thecourseisdesignedforthestudentwhowantstobeabletodrawobjectsandmakethem look“real”Usingvariousdrymedia(graphite,charcoal,pastels),studentswillmasterlookingatthree-dimensionalsubjects placedinfrontofthemandreplicatingthemonapage
MIXED MEDIA SCULPTURE explorestheworldofmixedmediaart,focusingonsculpturalprojectsandunique hands-ontechniques.Throughoutthesemester,studentswillengagewithmaterialslikewire,paper,andnaturalfibersto createunique,three-dimensionalworksofart.Studentswilldiveintotheprocessofmakingtheirownpaperfromrecycled materials,experimentwiththeartsofbasketweavingandbookmaking,andchallengetheirimaginationsthrough sculpturaldesignsusingwireandotherfoundobjects.
Performing Arts Electives
MissionStatement:ThePerformingArtsDepartmentfosterscriticalthinking,discipline,andasenseofcommunity,allina creativeandrigorousenvironment.Throughavarietyofperformanceandlearningopportunities,studentsdiscoverand cultivateanenduringconnectiontotheintrinsicvalueoftheperformingartsinthehumanexperience.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND studentsengagewithmusicinawidevarietyofstyles.Thisclassprovidesyoungmusicians withtheopportunitytoincreasetheirindividualmusicalabilitywhilealsoworkingasthememberofaplayingensemble. Throughclassesandperformances,theydevelopknowledgeoftheelementsofmusic,thepropertechniquerequiredfor eachindividualinstrument,andmusicreadingskills.StudentsperforminconcertsonstageinFoundersHall. Oneyearof beinginaninstrumentalprogramorprivateinstructionistheprerequisiteforthiscourse.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORUS isanengagingvocalprogramopentoallmiddleschoolsingers,designedtobuild musicianship,vocaltechnique,andensembleskills Studentswillexploreadiverserangeofmusicalstyleswhilegaininga deeperunderstandingof20th-centurypopularmusichistory Withafocusontwo-andthree-partharmonies,singerswill developtheirabilitytoblend,listen,andperformwithconfidence Thechoruswillshowcaseitsworkinschoolconcerts, providingstudentswiththeopportunitytosharetheirprogressandpassionformusicwiththecommunity
MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE isforstudentsinterestedindancetechniqueandperformance.Studentswillgainan increasedunderstandingoftheirindividualrangeofmovement,anddevelopbalanceandcoordination.Studentsperform inboththeWinterandSpringDanceConcerts.
MIDDLE SCHOOL TAP ATTACK combinestraditionaltapdancetechniquefoundin42ndStreetandSingin'inthe RainwiththeenergeticcontemporarystyleofSTOMPandTAPDOGStoprovidestudentswiththeopportunitytoraise theroofandmakesomenoise!Theydevelopfocusandrhythmicintelligence,whilealsoincreasingphysicalstaminaand coordination StudentswillperformintheWinterorSpringMiddleSchoolPerformingArtsShowcase
MIDDLE SCHOOL STRINGS ENSEMBLE offersstudentsanintroductiontobasicstringtechnique Studentswill gaindexterityanddeveloptoneastheystudyandperformmusicofvaryingperiods Idealforstudentswithpreviousstring experience,aswellasthosewhoplayotherinstrumentsanddesireanintroductiontotheworldofstrings Theensemble performsinvariousconcertsonstageinFoundersHall
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE CLASS givesstudentstheopportunitytolearnabouttherich historyoftheAmericanmusicaltheater,whilepursuingspecializedperformancetraininginacting,singing,anddancing Throughtheproductionofanhour-longmusical,theywilldevelopmusicality,spatialawareness,andcollaborativeskills, andalsolearntocreatesustainableandmotivatedcharactersforthestage.Themusicalwillbechosenspecificallyforthe studentsintheclasstohelpthemcultivatetheseskills,andwillbeperformedattheendofthesemester.
PIANO BASICS Inthiscourse,studentswillusethecontrollerkeyboardsandstudentworkstationsintheCenterfor InnovationandDesigntolearnthebasicsofkeyboardplayinginagroupsetting.Fromsimplechordsandmelodies,to keyboardharmony,elementarymusicsequencing(usingApple’sLogicProXsoftware),andtraditionally-notatedpiano repertoire,studentswillworktoacquirefoundationalskillsapplicabletoanymusicalstyle
Wellness
MissionStatement:WellnesseducationatMorristownBeardaimstoproduceapositiveattitudetowardlifelongwellness addressingbiological,socialandpsychologicaldimensionsofhealth,throughdevelopingtheskillsneededtopromoteoverall well-beingemphasizingself-careanddecision-making.
WELLNESS 6 addressesthreekeytopics:howwestayhealthy,howwestaysafeintherealandvirtualworlds,andwhat happenstoourbodyduringpuberty.Thehealthylivingdiscussionsincludelearningaboutnutrition,sleep,stress management,andbraindevelopment.Studentsexplorepersonalsafetybyreadinganddiscussingtheconceptsofinternet safety,peerpressure,bullying,teasing,andfriendship Findingtrustedadultsintheirlivesisakeygoalfocusforthiscourse Aunitofstudyisonpuberty,thephysicalandemotionalchangesthatoccuraswellasdealingwithstressduringthistime Themainprojectforthequarterisfocusedonthestudentsteachingoneanotheraboutthekeynutrientstodeepentheir understandingofhowtofueltheirbody
WELLNESS 7 focusesonavarietyoftopicscenteredonpersonalsafety,decisionmaking,andadolescentdevelopment. Ourpersonalsafetydiscussionswillincludediscussionson“streetsmarts”andonlinesafety,includingunderstandingcrisis management,ourdigitalfootprintsandpreventinganddealingwithcyber-bullying.Studentswillexamineandrefinetheir decision-makingskillswithunitsonethicsandstressmanagement.Intheunitonadolescentdevelopment,oursessionswill emphasizehygieneandthephysicalchangesassociatedwithadolescenceincludingpubertyandbraindevelopment The mainprojectsinthiscoursepertaintostressmanagementanddigitalcitizenship Theseworktoapplytheinformationfrom thecoursetothelivesofthestudents
WELLNESS 8 IneighthgradeWellness,studentswilldeepentheirunderstandingofmanyoftheconceptsexploredin sixthandseventhgrade,focusingonpersonalsafety,decision-making,andadolescentdevelopment Inaddition,wewill delveintonewareas,includingcommunicationskills,managingrelationships,resolvingconflicts,substanceuseandmisuse, sexeducation,anddevelopingagrowthmindsetthatisresilientandseekschallenges Wewillalsospendtimeconsidering thestudents’impendingmovetotheUpperSchool,discussingthechangestheycananticipate,andwaystoprepare The mainprojectfocusesoncreatingapublicserviceannouncementoncybersafetytoreinforceinformationlearnedthrough theirthreeyears
General Electives
THE ART OF STORYTELLING isacourseinwhichstudentswillexplorethehistoryofstorytellingtraditionsfrom culturesaroundtheworld Studentswilllearnhowto“tellatale”andhonetheirspeakingskillsbyadaptingtheirown experiencesintoentertainingandengagingspoken-wordstories Videoandaudiorecordingwillbeincorporatedinto projects,allowingstudentstosaveandsharetheirworkbytheendofthecourse
MINDFULNESS FOUNDATIONS
Studentswillbeintroducedtobeneficiallifeskills,includingself-awareness, throughthepracticeofmindfulness Studentswilldevelopandstrengthentheirabilitytofocus,recognizeandmanagetheir emotions,andempathizeintheirrelationshipwiththemselvesandothers Thecoursewillincludemindfulcopingskills suchasdeepbreathingexercises,journaling,guidedandself-guidedmeditation,meditativewalkinganddrawing
INTRODUCTION TO CODING AND ROBOTICS isacoursedesignedtoequipstudentswithessential programmingfundamentalsandpracticalskillsinadynamiclearningenvironment.UtilizingtheplatformScratch, studentswillfirstdelveintocodingbycreatinginteractivemediasuchasanimations,movies,andsimplevideogames.As thecourseprogresses,studentswillapplytheiracquiredcodingskillstoprogramrobots.Bytheendofthecourse,students willhaveasolidfoundationinprogrammingandapracticalunderstandingofhowcodingintegrateswithrobotics.
Quarterly Courses
SIXTH GRADE:
ART AND 2D DESIGN: Projectswillfocuson2-dimensionaldesign,line,patternandtheotherelementsofartthrough avarietyof2Dmediums Studentswilldiscoverthefundamentalsofcomposition,color,andthecreativeprocesswhile
unleashingtheircreativity. Fromtherestudentswilllearntoconceptualizeanddrawobjectsin3dimensionson2D surfacesfromdifferentanglesandperspectives.
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS 6 isaquarter-longcourseinwhichstudentswilllearnvarioushelpful,funwaysto improvetheirstudyandorganizationalhabits.Thecoursebeginswithactivitiesthathelpstudentsidentifytheirown uniquelearningstyleandstudypreferences.Classroomlessonsandactivitieswillshowstudentshowtoleveragetheir individualstrengthsinordertoimproveorganizationalskills.Specificskillstaughtwillinclude:organization,time management,note-taking,homeworkcompletion,projects/long-termassignmentcompletion,preparationforformal assessments(quizzesandtests),andtest-takingstrategies.
VOCAL ENSEMBLE allowsstudentstheopportunitytoparticipateinavocalmusicprogramfocusingbothon developingensemblesingingskills,aswellasimprovinggeneralmusicianship Thegroupsingsmusicofvariousstyles, rangingfrompoptoAmericanfolkmusic,aswellasmoretraditionalchoralpieces TheVocalEnsembleperformsinboth theWinterandSpringVocal/InstrumentalConcerts
WELLNESS 6 (seecoursedescription)
SEVENTH GRADE:
ART AND 3D DESIGN: Projectswillbuildupontheskillslearnedin6thgradeandintroducestudentstocreatingartin 3dimensionswithanumberofsculptureprojects.Thesewillinclude,butarenotlimitedtocardboard,styrofoam,recycled materials,andpapermache,allculminatingina3DprintingprojecttopreparethemfortheMakerspace
ENGLISH WORKSHOP
7 (seecoursedescription)
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS 7 isaquarter-longcourseinwhichstudentswilllearnvarioushelpful,funwaysto improvetheirstudyandorganizationalhabits Thesestrategiesandtipswillincludefocusareassuchasorganization,time management,note-taking,homeworkcompletion,projects/long-termassignmentcompletion,preparationforformal assessments(quizzesandtests),andtest-takingstrategies.Atthestartofthecourse,studentswillselectoneareawherethey wouldliketoimprovetheirstudyhabitsandthencreateaplantotackleandimprovethatarea.Midwaythroughthe quarterandagainattheendofthequarter,theywillassesshowwelltheyachievedthatgoal.Studentswillnotbeassigned gradedhomeworkforeveryclass.Theymightbeasked,however,togohome,checkouttheirstudyspaces,discussstudying andproductivitywiththeirparents,orparticipateinotheractivitiesforthenextclass.
WELLNESS 7 (seecoursedescription)
EIGHTH GRADE:
ENGLISH WORKSHOP 8 (seecoursedescription)
MAKERSPACE: CreativeProblemSolving.Studentsinthiscoursewillworkthroughdesignchallengesandsolve problemsbyprototypingandmakinginanynumberofmaterials.Theywillbeencouragedtoaskrepeatedly,“Whatelse
couldthisbe?”and“Whatelsecouldthisdo?”Alongtheway,theywillexpandtheirimaginations,sharpentheir observationskills,andlearntocritiquewithpositivityandfocus.
ELECTRONIC
MUSIC PRODUCTION Thiscourse,usingtheresourcesoftheCenterforInnovationandDesign (CID),explorestheprocessofmodernmusicproduction StudentswillreceivetraininginApple’sLogicProDigitalAudio Workstationastheylearnhowtocraftbeatsandbasslinesaspartoforiginalcompositionprojects Eachstudentwilluse theirownindividualworkstationsinCID2whichincludepianokeyboardsandMIDIpadcontrollers Studentswillalso learnhowtomulti-recordvocaltracksusingtheAudioStudioinCID3 Completedsongswillthenbeuploadedand sharedwiththeMBScommunity
WELLNESS 8 (seecoursedescription)
Sports & Fitness
TheprimarygoaloftheMBSMiddleSchoolAthleticProgramistoprovideasportsprogramthatemphasizesthe developmentofthestudent-athleteacademically,emotionally,socially,andphysically Coachesstressthevirtuesof sportsmanship,commitment,integrity,andteamworkinasupportiveandempathicenvironment
Student-athleteslearnthevaluesofparticipatinginsportsandphysicalactivities IntheMorristownBeardMiddleSchool AthleticProgram,studentswilllearntovalueandappreciatehonestcompetitionbasedontherulesofthegame Student-athleteswilllearntorespectthesporttheyplayandallwhograntthatopportunitytoplay Thisincludes,butis notlimitedto,teammates,coaches,officials,opponents,andfans
Thefitnessprogramincludesspeedandagilitytrainingaswaystoimproverunning/sprintingformandtechnique Students learntoimprovetheirfirststepandgainstridelength Agilitydrillsarealsoutilizedtodevelopoverallquickness Strength andflexibilityexerciseshelpstudentsbecomestrongerwhilekeepingafocusonbuildingandmaintainingflexibility.Planks, squats,push-ups,andsit-upsareusedtogainstrengthwithoutusingweights,whileflexibilityisachievedthroughexercises suchasstaticstretchinganddynamicstretchingandyoga.
FALL: