Middle School Curriculum Guide
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Learning Support
The middle school learning support program is called “Boost.” Boost is a stand-alone class taking the place of Spanish within a student’s schedule. During Boost class, a learning specialist will engage in numerous strategies to boost the student to be successful with the middle school curriculum. Boost teachers support the middle school curriculum by helping students strengthen basic skills and by reinforcing the material taught in math, science, social studies, and English. In boost, students also learn various organizational techniques, test-taking strategies, study habits, and executive functioning skills.
Art
The middle school art curriculum is primarily based on the National Standards for Visual Art. Multiple standards and concepts are integrated within each project or lesson, with historical, cultural, academic, or media connections serving as components. Skills and concepts build from year to year. There is an emphasis on critical thinking skills, making connections to other disciplines, and utilizing individual strengths. Some assignments require preliminary plans or sketches, and students are often asked to demonstrate competence in several skills or thought- based concepts within one finished product. World culture and history are often integrated into units, and students are challenged to view their art as they view the world, through a variety of perspectives, while recognizing the value of differences.
Band
Middle school band covers the fundamentals of instrumental performance starting at the beginner level and progressing through the intermediate level of performance. In addition to classwork, students learn to prepare for performances and learn the art of stage presence and concert etiquette. The instrumentalists will learn band literature that corresponds with the present level of performance in the band method book. Major topics studied include breathing/sitting with proper posture, playing with the proper tone production, sight-reading, playing with the proper embouchure, articulating, and analyzing music. Each year, students take those skills to the next higher level of performance. Over the course of middle school, the students will be exploring and performing musical genres in the areas of jazz, Latin, Broadway, classical, major works, Rock-n- Roll, movie soundtracks, multicultural, and original repertoire. The band curriculum is based Indiana State Music Standards.
Choir
During middle school choir, students participate in a wide variety of musical activities utilizing hands-on experience and vocal techniques within a choral setting. Students participate in concerts and also perform in Winter and Spring Pageants. The course also presents aspects of music history, culture, theory, and related topics as it pertains to vocal repertoire. As students progress through middle school choir, the goal is for improved vocal skills and further understanding and appreciation of musical styles and elements. The choral curriculum is based on the Indiana State Music Standards.
THE ORCHARD SCHOOL
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