Middle School (5th - 8th grades)

The head of school, with the assistance of faculty, created the middle school curriculum when Stevens began its middle school expansion in 1996. Building on the earlier grades, which lays the foundations for inquiry and project-based learning, the middle school continues to embrace and nurture the multiple intelligences and variety of passions in our students. During the middle school years, students hone their work skills and the ability to work independently and cooperatively on in-depth studies of civilizations in other times and places.The intention is to provide them with all the skills necessary for success in the wide variety of high schools they select but also to ensure that they will be engaged, active and dedicated learners in their adolescent years and beyond.

During middle school, students begin to look beyond their immediate community and make connections to the entire world. Now students begin to learn how societies were constructed, how power is distributed and why conflicts arise. They begin to establish an essential web of communication between the past and the present. The social studies curriculum becomes a ticket to travel to other cultures such as Ancient Egypt, Medieval Europe, Africa and Greece and is the basis for a full year of integrated and in-depth study. Information is gleaned from a wide variety of sources, encouraging critical thinking and comparative understanding. Students produce research papers and multimedia presentations.

Writers’ Workshop is an important part of middle school since the depth and scope of the social studies program increases the need for focus on expository writing; however, creative writing is still emphasized through stories, journals and poetry. Particular attention is paid to taking notes, formal essay structure, research skills, organization, conventions of writing and thesis development. Reading is emphasized through read aloud and independent reading. Literature circles may be whole class format or in small groups and includes a study of classic and contemporary works of fiction, including Shakespeare.

TERC investigations continue to be used as one of many resources for the math curriculum in 5th. These materials are supplemented with teacher-designed activities and problems that keep math relevant to students’ lives.The students receive the added expertise of a math specialist who is in the classroom to assist the teacher and support individual students at least twice a week. The math specialist uses the Connected Math curriculum for 6th – 8th grades.This program provides in-depth explorations in mathematical thinking, reinforcement activities for all skills along with extension suggestions for more gifted mathematicians.Students have completed all components of traditional Algebra 1 by the end of 8th grade and are prepared for more advanced math courses in high school.Students who face challenges in math are supported by the two math specialists in one-on-one meetings.

Stevens employs an integrated, spiraling approach to science education that builds on life, mechanical and environmental sciences throughout each year. The curriculum is aimed at developing student fluency with scientific skills and concepts through hands-on projects and experimentation. Teachers team up with the science teacher to support student recognition of science in their everyday lives as well as scientific development over time.

The study of human sexuality begins during the intermediates grades and is continued during middle school. Students also study the effects of smoking on the lungs, infectious diseases, substance abuse, and the reproductive system.

Each week, students prepare a written assignment about an article they have chosen; summarizing the article and giving their opinions. Students then share their assignments in small groups and comment on each other’s work. There is weekly practice in comprehending complex issues, formulating opinions, posing discussion questions for peers and respecting others’ points of view. The goals of current events are linked both to social studies and language arts skills as students learn to explore the world in which we live. Students are encouraged to use the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Star Ledger, CNN.com and a variety of news magazines supplied to the classrooms.

Second language study is an integral part of the academic life at Stevens. Consistently, the Spanish curriculum is integrated with Social Studies and other curricular areas in 1st through 8th grades. Instruction time is progressively increased in the Middle School. There is a strong emphasis in Spanish proficiency (verbal and written skills) and the Spanish experience is enhanced by the 8th grade international exchange experience with students from Mexico. In our commitment to world citizenship it is extremely important that we assist students not only by nurturing their curiosity about other cultures and exposing them to foreign languages, but by providing them with sufficient tools to establish relationships of trust with people of other parts of the world and other cultures. Fluency of languages is fundamental to global citizenship.

While the philosophy of the art program is the same throughout all the grades, the developmental stages and abilities of the students shape the program’s goals in each class. The goal of the program is to help children recognize, explore and expand their visual fluency. With this goal in mind, collaboration is an essential component of the art program. The art teachers work closely with the classroom teachers to design units that include science, social studies, mathematics, and language arts. Through the integration of the curriculum, students study different subjects from many perspectives. The primary art making processes that recur throughout the curriculum are: collage, drawing, painting, printmaking, construction, woodworking, clay arts and fiber arts.

Students perform group jobs that are at the core of the Stevens curriculum. The 5th graders are Reading Buddies with 1st grade students and take daily attendance. The 6th grade students are Reading Buddies with PreK/K and deliver classroom supplies. The 7th grade assists in PreK/K classrooms twice a month, and in 8th grade, students help in the 2s classroom and volunteer with local community organizations.

During middle school, homework is connected to daily discussions. Students are given long-term assignments for which they are asked to determine the time needed to complete the work.

In middle school, the key musical concepts learned in the intermediate grades are expanded upon. Additionally, instruments are offered, students attend a classical concert at NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center), music appreciation is a very large part of the curriculum and singing becomes more advanced. Also, the composition of songs is explored. All 5th graders are required to study an instrument, and upper grade students are encouraged to continue this study.Instrument choices include the flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, cello, electric bass and guitar. Students perform on their instruments in either a solo or ensemble setting at the annual spring concert.

The purpose of our physical education program is to develop small and large motor skills to increase self-confidence and instills a lifetime habit of fitness. In the middle school swimming and basketball are added to the curriculum. Team play is extended through participation in the local Basketball league, and the physical education curriculum strives to integrate other areas of the curriculum into its activities.

The goal of the technology program at Stevens is to empower students to use technology comfortably, efficiently and appropriately. Students engage in a multitude of projects where they can freely express their creativity while building a strong body of skills that will be used beyond the walls of Stevens.Students at Stevens engage early on in using popular programs from Adobe, Apple and Microsoft to work with video, audio, layout and graphic design along with building typing skills and acquiring basic understanding on productivity such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel and InDesign.

In addition to many day trips related to the social studies and science curricula, students in the middle school enjoy an annual trip to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center to see the New Jersey Symphony.5th graders go on a two-day camping trip to Stokes State Forest, and 6th grade students go on a two-day camping or city trip.7th graders spend five days on a working farm and 8th grade students go on a number of trips, including Washington D.C., Philadelphia and an exchange trip with a school in Mexico City. Teachers and an administrator accompany the students on all overnight trips.