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INTRODUCTION

Each trimester, a student will be enrolled in four exploratory courses, for a total of twelve courses over the school year. Students, with the advice of their families and advisors, choose their exploratory courses in the summer before the school year begins.

In signing up for their courses, students must meet certain requirements:

• Every student must take at least one social studies, one visual arts, one performing arts, and one foreign language course per year.

• Sixth graders are required to take the Communication, Cooperation & Collaboration exploratory in the first trimester, and Introduction to Gender and Sexuality in the second trimester.

In practice, students take above and beyond the minimum requirements in science, social studies, and the arts. The system of choice, however, allows students to pursue their interests.

The following pages list this year’s exploratory offerings by topic/subject area.

ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL GROWTH

Middle School students can take courses that help them develop academic, personal, social, and emotional functioning skills. Some of these courses (Communication, Cooperation & Collaboration; Introduction to Gender and Sexuality) are required classes that help students navigate the transition to Middle School and adolescence.

Academic Lab

This class provides organizational and academic support for students. In Academic Lab, students have the opportunity to work on their organizational skills, have time to complete homework or long-term projects, and can receive support in deepening their basic skills. Students will be expected to bring their assignment books and course materials to class each day and work out plans to complete their assignments or projects.

Creative Writing

Middle School Creative Writing will focus on the craft of creating original works of poetry, stories, and narratives via the use of storytelling and imagination. It will emphasize the individual and creative expression of ideas, feelings, and thoughts more than following strict norms. Through fun and engaging writing activities, students will develop their writing skills, expand their vocabulary, and find their unique voice.

Communication, Cooperation, and Collaboration

This course is an opportunity for sixth graders to become acquainted with the changes from elementary to Middle School. The class focuses on three sets of overlapping goals: Academic: Students will learn strategies for organization and how to tackle long-term assignments such as the middle trimester research papers. Social-Emotional: Students will explore what it means to be a good citizen within a community. Leadership: Students will begin their journey towards leadership within our school community (Pathways to Leadership) and beyond.

Note: This course is required for all Sixth Grade students.

Introduction to Gender and Sexuality

Students explore biological facts, personal values, and moral issues in human sexual behavior. Through a variety of materials, students study anatomy, adolescence, reproduction, genetics, personal images, parent/child relationships, and parenting. Open communication with families and peers is encouraged.

Note: This course is required for all Sixth Grade students.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Middle School Social Studies exploratory classes extend the learning of history and the humanities beyond the content of our theme classes. These courses allow students to choose topics in history, culture, philosophy, economics, and government.

Legal Studies: An Introduction

This course is designed to provide an overview of the American law and legal system, with a particular focus on constitutional law. Learn plenty of courtroom terminology and explore several landmark Supreme Court cases in a mock trial centered framework. Discussion and structured debate are major components of this course. Take on an active role in the courtroom and decide how our historical rulings hold up today–you be the judge!

Ancient Civilizations

Discover the wonders of ancient civilizations in this engaging course. Explore the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, India, Persia, Greece, and more by going back in time. Find out about their accomplishments in everyday life, politics, and technology. Discover how these prehistoric communities paved the way for modern society through narratives, relics, and interactive activities. This course is a fascinating and enjoyable look back at history, ideal for anyone with an interest in the subject.

New Media

Think you have a healthy relationship with social media? Think you can spot a fake news article? Think artificial intelligence wrote this course description? You might be surprised! Get these questions answered and many more in this empowering class designed to help you understand how to navigate the complexities of our digital existence. We will interact with various tools and hold numerous discussions, so come with a willingness to problem solve and share your thoughts!

Storytelling Across Cultures

This course explores storytelling as a means of passing on essential cultural values from generation to generation. Students will explore folktales from a variety of cultural and historic contexts, analyze them, and share their results. We will also focus on the craft of storytelling, and share stories, both old and new, with little ones, in the spirit of valuing oral tradition.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Personal Finance

Personal Finance is a course designed to help students understand the impact of individual choices on occupational goals and future earnings potential. Topics covered will include income, money management, spending and credit, as well as saving and investing. Students will design personal and household budgets, simulate use of checking and savings accounts, demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management, and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes. This course will provide a foundational understanding for making informed personal financial decisions.

World Geography

Take a comprehensive course on world geography and set out on a global tour. See the many climatic conditions, landscapes, and cultural traditions that define our world. Discover the relevance of natural resources, the dynamics of weather patterns, and the physical characteristics of the continents. Recognize how environmental influences and human activity affect different parts of the world. Students’ understanding of the interconnection of our world will grow as a result of interactive exercises, case studies, and maps. This course offers fundamental information on the geography of the Earth and how it affects human life, making it ideal for students who are keen to learn about the world in which they live.

STEM

Middle School Science exploratory classes extend the learning of science, technology, engineering and math beyond the content of our theme classes. These courses allow students to pursue disciplines in greater depth. Many courses also serve to prepare students for the Eighth Grade Field Ecology theme.

Botany

This course provides an overview of our local flora, with a particular emphasis in plant identification, classification, and the relationship between plants and people. The abundance of growth within our own campus will serve as the backdrop to our exploration. You will *leaf* this class with new knowledge and the tools to interact with your immediate environment, and yes, you will get your hands dirty along the way!

Exploring Science, Technology and Engineering

This class course will provide students with an introduction to the principles of science, technology, and engineering and its place in the world. Students will participate in design challenges and in activities that will allow them to gain experience in brainstorming, visualization, modeling, construction, testing, experimentation, and refining designs. The class reinforces the areas of math, science, social studies, and language arts through practical and hands-on application.

Survive

This class will explore the most important essential skill in life... SURVIVAL! Students will learn about basic skills, including fire and shelter building, overland navigation, first aid, and other skills. In addition, we will explore the stories of famous survivors in works of both fiction and nonfiction. We will also delve into the mindset of a survivor and explore various scenarios. We will discuss the importance of grit, task focus, and attitude in survival situations. We might even eat bug!

Personal Finance

Cooking! (with a side of science)

Ever wondered what made your favorite cookie taste so good? Or how milk was turned into that delicious cheese on your pizza? Why can’t we ‘uncook’ an egg? We’ll delve into these topics and more in this course where you’ll cook and learn some science on the way!

Weather or Not?

Have you wondered how hurricanes and tornadoes form? Or why it’s so hard to predict a snow day? All of the earth’s weather, from wind to rain to storms to blizzards, really depends on only four ingredients. Learn why these four very simple things – heat, air, pressure, and water – are responsible for all of the complex weather we experience. Observation of the daily weather and hands-on experiments with heat and water will be important parts of this course.

STEM

Missouri Conservation

Emphasizing nature’s intrinsic value, this class focuses on fish, wildlife, and natural resource conservation. We will address the need for human beings to be stewards for our environment through knowledge, awareness, advocacy, and skill development. Global and national conservation initiatives will be explored, but the emphasis of the class will be on local Missouri conservation efforts and practices. Students will explore the science and data collection behind conservation, the relations between human populations and resource depletion, as well as pollution and ecosystem disturbance. This class will combine field and classroom work as well as an optional service learning opportunity.

Chromosomes, Genes, DNA, oh my!

(Intro to Genetics)

Let’s decipher the mysteries of DNA!

Recreate Mendel’s historical genetic principles of heredity using model organisms, and perform techniques used in modern research labs all over the world such as DNA extraction, restriction enzyme digest, PCR, and gel electrophoresis.

New Media

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Middle School Physical Education courses allow students to choose among a wide variety of physical activities, from traditional sports offerings like soccer to outdoor adventure skills like Rock Climbing, to team-building and leadership opportunities like Outdoor Leadership.

Archery

Focus, Draw, Aim, Release, BULLSEYE! This course is designed to introduce the students to archery, with an emphasis on safety, community, and fun. Students will learn the components of the Genesis compound bow and the Easton 1820 arrow. They will develop archery skill through practice, effort, and more practice. Students will build focus, dexterity, and handeye coordination. We will be using the National Archery in the School Program format (NASP).

Basketball/Conditioning

This is a course for students interested in developing or improving their skills in basketball - and playing the sport for the love of the game. Students will work on their fundamentals including dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding, and defense. By combining sport specific skills and exercises students will enhance their aerobic capacity, speed, agility, muscular strength and power. Through drills and game play students will have the opportunity to implement and further practice their skills both individually and as part of a united team.

Volleyball/Conditioning

This course is designed as an introduction to the skills, rules, and team aspects of volleyball. Students will practice necessary skills through drills and lead-up games, and they will implement these skills in game situations. The emphasis of this course is basic skill development, as well as conditioning for power, flexibility, and strength. Teamwork and fair conduct will also be emphasized.

Survive

Yoga, Stretching/Conditioning

Improve your balance, breathing, flexibility, stress management, and core strength in the realms of yoga and strength training. Discover the uplifting and challenging aspects of these two complemenatry practices in a way that promotes physical health and mental well-being. We will explore basic yoga poses, breathing techniques and overall personal awareness.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Outdoor Leadership

This course is offered to students who wish to gain a greater understanding for leading outings and expeditions in the outdoor environment. This class will focus on two major skill areas. First, Trip Preparation, will emphasize (a) safety, (b) physical conditioning, (c) group dynamics, (d) clothes and equipment, and (e) leave-no-trace camping. Second, Navigation will emphasize (a) maps and their relation to the physical environment, (b) the use, assembly, and improvisation of navigational tools, and (c) advanced technologies in navigation. Throughout the class, students will be asked to reconsider their role within an expedition; students must think and act as responsible leaders rather than yielding followers.

NOTE: Students considering the Junior Leader program are strongly encouraged to enroll in this class.

Soccer Skills and Drills

Sports skills and teamwork are encouraged in this class. Students will learn the basic rules and and at least the basic skills of the sport, as well as have time to play the game. All skill levels will be accommodated and developed in this class as students work to better understand, appreciate, and enjoy the world’s most popular sport. Conditioning for power, flexibility, muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance are all part of this class.

Flag Football

Students will learn techniques, drills, and games to assist with development of skills and techniques in flag football. They will be taught catching, throwing, flag pulling as well as offensive and defensive fundamentals. Students will also study the rules and basic strategy and will be able to participate in games. Teamwork and sportsmanship will be emphasized.

Ultimate Frisbee

This class will teach the foundations and fundamentals of Ultimate Frisbee. Along with being a highly active, collaborative, and physically demanding sport, it is also one of the few collegiate-level sports that operates without officials on the field. Rather, a “Spirit of the Game” conduct governs play, with players calling and officiating their own fouls. This “Spirit of the Game” is an excellent metaphor for character building. Class time will be spent conditioning, drilling, teaching skills, and scrimmaging. Be prepared to learn a new game, play hard, and have fun! Players will be asked to dress appropriately for all class times.

Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing is offered for students who wish to gain experience and competence in both climbing and belaying. This class will emphasize technical proficiency with safety systems, knot tying, and equipment as well as physical conditioning through a trimester regimen of climbing. Students who are not yet certified belayers will work toward certification. Prior experience is not a requirement.

SPANISH AND JAPANESE

Spanish classes expose students to both the language and culture. Over the three years of Middle School, students can take a three-year sequence of Spanish.

Sixth Grade Spanish

Sixth Grade Spanish introduces students to the basics of the Spanish language, including Hispanic culture. Students learn basic language structure and develop their Spanish speaking skills. This class helps to build a strong foundation for students as they practice their reading, writing and communication skills, and explore the unique traditions and celebrations important to Hispanic cultures around the world.

Seventh Grade Spanish

Seventh Grade Spanish provides a continuation of the Spanish language-learning journey. This class extends students’ skills in their use of the Spanish language; it broadens their conversation skills and deepens their appreciation of Hispanic cultures around the world. Students will continue to build their vocabulary, and their understanding of common verbs and phrases, as they expand their Spanish language skills.

Eighth Grade Spanish

Eighth Grade Spanish offers a review and an extension of the key areas of Spanish language study: listening, reading, writing and speaking. It is designed to help students advance their listening and speaking ability as they fine-tune their basic Spanish language skills. It is an interactive class in which students participate and are actively engaged in their own language learning, using common vocabulary and phrases to communicate with others.

Eighth Grade Advanced Spanish

This course is designed for students who have a strong foundation in Spanish and are ready to take their skills to the next level. Through engaging activities, students will refine their speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities. We will explore diverse Spanishspeaking cultures, incorporating authentic materials such as literature, music, and film. This course will help prepare students in anticipation of their high school Spanish placement exams.

Introduction to 日本語 Japanese げんきですか。 In this introductory course to Japanese we’ll study grammar and vocabulary by speaking and listening while we explore the different regions of Japan. We’ll also dive into learning the three writing systems used in Japan through calligraphy practice. And of course we’ll have to watch an anime or two!

PERFORMING ARTS

Middle School Performing Arts courses allow students to choose to develop both musical and theatrical talents. These courses generally involve larger performances (plays attended by the rest of the school, musical accompaniment at school events, and so on).

Performance Experience

The Middle School Performance Experience will give student actors an opportunity to perform a play at the end of the trimester. Students will develop their audition, acting, memorization, and performance skills during this class. Every student in the class will perform in the play, however auditions will be held to properly place students into roles. The course will culminate in two performances at the end of the trimester: one evening performance and one for the school community.

Peformance Experience Tech

Middle School Performance Experience

Tech will survey different technical elements of theater. This includes (but is not limited to) set design and building, prop design and building, lighting design, costume design, sound design, and stage management. These students will be responsible, under the guidance of the teacher, for creating and implementing all technical elements for the Fall Middle School Performance Experience Production. They will support an evening performance and school day performance of the play.

Music Workshop/Ensemble

Students will be assigned roles based on interest and strengths, and will form an ensemble and practice in preparation for a performance. They will also practice various instruments, create poetry, original music, art, dance or a combination. Research will be conducted on various musical connections with opportunities to share their findings and progess with their classmates.

Improvisation Techniques and Application

Students will have the opportunity to stay on their toes in improv class. Students will be exposed to different improvisational styles, working individually and as a part of an improv troupe. This class will focus on having fun on stage, developing improv techniques, and applying improv in daily life.

VISUAL ARTS

Middle School Visual Arts courses allow students to explore the visual arts both through physical media such as drawing and sculpture and through digital media.

Color Studio

This class focuses upon color and its important role within artmaking and design. Students will be introduced to the many aspects of color theory via a series of hand-on art projects. Through these projects, students will deepen their understanding of the color wheel, improve mixing skills, and learn about color harmony. Most importantly, they will learn how to skillfully choose and use color within their artworkan ability that will benefit any future creative endeavours.

Sewing Studio

In this class, students will learn introductory sewing skills through a series of sewn projects. The trimester will begin with hand-based sewing and progress to machine-based sewing. By the end of the trimester, students will have a solid foundation of sewing skills - from threading a needle to cutting a pattern to operating a sewing machine.

Media Technology

Scriptwriting, storytelling, and video production will be the primary focus of this course. Additionally, students will study proper lighting techniques. Students will learn to write a properly formatted screenplay. Using these scripts, studenst will record video footage that will then be edited using Apple’s iMovie to create video productions.

Graphic Design

This class will explore the basic principles of good graphic design through a number of projects in which visual ideas are evolved. Students will be introduced to the use of the Adobe Creative Suite as it is used in the world of graphic design.

Zine Studio

A zine is a self-made, self-published small book or pamphlet. In this class, students will become “zinesters” - designing, creating, and publishing their own works - while simultaneously exploring the rich cultural history of zines and their various forms. In the process of creating their zines, both individually and collaboratively, students will deepen a variety of artistic skill sets, including drawing, collage, graphic design, and bookbinding.

Clay Studio

This class explores clay as an artistic medium. Over the course of the semester, students will be guided in a variety of ceramic handbuilding techniques and create a collection of their own ceramic pieces. Technique explorations will include pinch potting, coil work, slab building, and more.

Drawing Studio

This class focuses on building drawing skills. Students will be introduced to various drawing practices, such as blind contour, negative space, and still life. Through these projects, students will deepen their understanding of how to compose and create a drawing - an ability that will benefit any future creative endeavors.

Technology and Yearbook Design

This class will focus on the role of the computer in the arts, with a special focus on the Adobe Creative Suite of programs. Students will produce several works of art using the drawing/illustrating power of Adobe Illustrator and the image manipulation ability of Adobe Photoshop. Students will further strengthen their design by putting their work produced in Illustrator and Photoshop together with the written word, typography, and page layout in Adobe InDesign.