Middle Years
SEVEN PEAKS SCHOOL MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAM OF INQUIRY (POI)
The Middle Years Program (MYP) is for ages 11 to 16. The program is designed to create learners who apply their knowledge to real-world situations. Our program is organized around six global contexts. The teachers also ensure that state and national standards are also worked into the curriculum through the lens of the global contexts. The curriculum is made up of 8 subject groups listed below, providing a balanced education.
• Language & Literature
• Design
• Language Acquisition
• Science
• Physical health & Education
• Math
• Individuals & Societies
• Arts
The MYP framework provides structures for students to learn in an inquiry based environment. Inquiry-based learning emphasizes teaching methods that incorporate students’ individual knowledge and interests. It gives each student a seat at the table to construct their own meaning that is relevant to themselves and take ownership of their learning.
Throughout the MYP program (grades 6th-8th) students will look at each global context in all 8 subject areas. The global contexts are listed below.
- Identities and Relationships
- Orientation in Space and Time
- Personal and Cultural Expression
- Scientific and Technical Innovation
- Globalization and Sustainability
- Fairness and Development
Identities and Relationships
Orientation in Space and Time
What is the meaning of “where” and “when”? Students will explore personal histories; homes and journeys; turning points in humankind; discoveries; explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between, and the interconnectedness of, individuals and civilizations, from personal, local and global perspectives.
Personal and Cultural Expression
Scientific and Technical Innovation
How do we understand the world in which we live? Students will explore the natural world and its laws; the interaction between people and the natural world; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on communities and environments; the impact of environments on human activity; how humans adapt environments to their needs
Globalization and Sustainability
How is everything connected? Students will explore the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the relationship between local and global processes; how local experiences mediate the global; the opportunities and tensions provided by world interconnectedness; the impact of decision-making on humankind and the environment.
Fairness and Development
6th Grade
Core Curriculum
Science: During 6th grade science, the students will explore what it means to be a scientist throughout the Middle Years Program. We focus on hands-on science, developing testable questions, collecting data, and evaluating the validity of sources and quality of data. Students are encouraged to follow their curiosity and find their own answers. Outdoor Learning is an essential ingredient for connecting science concepts to real-world experiences.
Specials
Performing Arts: The program will often align the Language Arts and Individual & Societies units. 6th Grade students will have an introduction to Shakespeare and adapt one of his plays. They will also create and give performances that explore Greek literature and conflict in history.
Design: 6th Grade is the first year of the Middle Years Program. The first quarter will be spent learning and refreshing the students’ skills with the tools found in the design lab. During the second through fourth quarters, they will be using these skills to go through the design thinking process while integrating knowledge from other subject areas, such as using measurement skills from math class, problem solving issues discussed in humanities, and creating solutions to needs found within their day to day life.
Band: Sixth grade band continues with their progress in method book one and playing concert repertoire to their ability. Students enjoy the success of playing concert music for an audience. We strive to advance all students to be confident players on their instruments while playing through Method Book One with the goal of starting Method Book Two.
This group will explore more styles of concert music and extend their level of play from Grade 1 to Grade 1 1⁄2 concert pieces.
Students are always so proud of their progress through learning, playing and performing. Students need to be able to support each other and work together as a group to be a successful ensemble. We will also include new students to the program with help of advanced musicians.
Spanish: Students will progress through the three levels during middle school. Completing level 3 will prepare students to successfully transistion to Spanish 2 or 3 in high school. The course objectives align with National Forgein Language Standards and Bend-LaPine secondary programs.
PE: Strength and Conditioning II Fitness for Life (Weight lifting, circuit training, aerobics, yoga II, power walking, Jogging and Cross Country Running)
Team Sports II: (Volleyball, Softball, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, Lacrosse and Ultimate Frisbee)
In-door Games II: (Team Handball, In-door Soccer, In-door Football, International Kickball and Wiffleball)
Individual Sports II: (Pickle ball, Badminton, Golf, Tennis, Archery, Racquetball, Croquet, Bocce, Project Adventure II and Horseshoes)
Action
These are a few examples of the types of action projects done in 6th grade:
Science: We kick off our year together with “How Strong is an Egg?” Students are given a problem that too many eggs are breaking during transport, and they need to design a test to determine how to best protect the eggs as they travel. Students design their own investigations to gather evidence for their proposed design solution for the engineers of egg transport materials.
Our Moon Project occurs later in the year when we are studying cycles. Students spend a month observing the moon and its patterns, drawing sketches, and recording quantitative data and qualitative data. Ultimately, students create a model of the moon and all of its phases to share with the class. The creativity is endless!
Class Experiences
These are a few examples of the class experiences done in 6th grade:
Science: Sixth graders raise Rainbow Trout in the classroom from eggs to fry. They monitor the water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen to ensure the living conditions support healthy fish. We take several field trips to the Deschutes River to test the water quality for wild fish, then to Shevlin Pond, where we release our trout babies. Students have the opportunity to try fishing for their own trout during our visit to the Metolius in the Spring.
7th Grade
Core Curriculum
Science: Through a broad range of in-class and student-centered activities, Seventh Grade Science covers the basics of Chemistry, Scientific Method, and Cellular Biology/Genetics with a focus on critical thinking and problem solving and connecting scientific knowledge to everyday real-world applications. The overarching theme for the year is “Identity: what makes something unique”
Individuals & Societies: Concept-based inquiry empowers students to prompt their own learning and gives them the flexibility to make connections to their local, regional, global experiences. I strive to have a student-centred approach that allows for an inviting and warm atmosphere that promotes communication, open-mindedness, critical thinking, reflection, and global understandings across various subject matters. I encourage my students to be self-driven inquirers and empower them to express themselves as individuals and to collaborate with their peers. Through this approach, students are more engaged and gain more depth in their understandings by inviting each student to make connections and gain multiple perspectives in their surrounding global community.
Specials
Visual Arts: Quarter 1: An exploration into art mediums, techniques, artists and genres (both historical and modern). 2D Art - Drawing Fundamentals- Elements and Principles of Design 3D Art - Ceramics - Empty Bowls Community Service
Quarter 2: 2D Art - Collage/Mixed Media 2D/3D Art - Figure Drawing/Wire Sculpture 3D Art - Ceramic Sculpture - Creating Characters - Career exploration
Quarter 3: 2D Art - Painting - Pointillism - Impressionism/Post-Impressionism 3D Art - Fused Glass - Themed Art Show Piece
Quarter 4: 2D Art - Altered Books or Copper Relief 2D/3D Art - Linoleum Block Prints - Printmaking Historical & Modern day
Performing Arts: The program will often align the Language Arts and Individual & Societies units. 6th Grade students will have an introduction to Shakespeare and adapt one of his plays. They will also create and give performances that explore Greek literature and conflict in history.
Design: The first quarter of 7th grade design will be spent learning and refreshing the students’ skills with the tools found in the design lab, and going deeper within the digital programs used for the Laser Cutter and 3D printer. During the second through fourth quarters, they will be using these skills to go through the design thinking process while integrating knowledge from other subject areas, such as integrated units around National History Day, performing arts stage needs, and creating solutions to needs found within their day to day life.
Band: Seventh grade band is a complete ensemble with great instrumentation. Students continue to learn their instruments and are ready to move to book 2 and more complex concert music. These students are committed to their instruments and love the achievements they hear in class and at concerts. This group should advance playing Grade 1 1⁄2 to Grade 2 literature. Students are always so proud of their progress through learning, playing and performing. I hope to be able to take this ensemble to contest in the spring. Students need to be able to support each other and work together as a group to be a successful ensemble. We will also include new students to the program with help of advanced musicians.
Spanish: Students will progress through the three levels during middle school. Completing level 3 will prepare students to successfully transistion to Spanish 2 or 3 in high school. The course objectives align with National Forgein Language Standards and Bend-LaPine secondary programs.
PE: Strength and Conditioning II Fitness for Life (Weight lifting, circuit training, aerobics, yoga II, power walking, Jogging and Cross Country Running)
Team Sports II: (Volleyball, Softball, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, Lacrosse and Ultimate Frisbee)
In-door Games II: (Team Handball, In-door Soccer, In-door Football, International Kickball and Wiffleball)
Individual Sports II: (Pickle ball, Badminton, Golf, Tennis, Archery, Racquetball, Croquet, Bocce, Project Adventure II and Horseshoes)
Action
These are a few examples of the types of action projects done in 7th grade:
Science: Students will participate in projects such as Stop-motion animation creation and constructing a mobile to represent their individual identity.
Individuals & Societies: Students in Individuals & Societies will participate in many action projects that are driven by their own inquires while navigating The Middle Year’s Program. Such exemplars of this framework will include the opportunity to explore Debate & Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences during our National History Day exploration in the New Year!
Class Experiences
These are a few examples of the class experiences done in 7th grade:
Science: Students also participate in supporting experiences such as presenting their own experimental data in a grade level Science Fair where students must demonstrate their thought process and defend their conclusions based on the evidence presented.
Individuals & Societies: One of our highlighted experiences is participating in the Oregon Historical Society. This trip/experience is a student-directed, project-based, interdisciplinary learning program that invites students to interpret a historical event that connects to the annual theme by creating a website, paper, performance, exhibit, or documentary. We are hoping to all physically attend this event in April 2022
Another highlighted experience is the Model United Nations Program. This is a widely practised program across the globe in IB schools that is “student-led” learning by informing our students about the world and developing the skills such as research, position papers, public speaking and problem-solving.
8th Grade
Core Curriculum
Science: Using a variety of student-driven, design-thinking activities, Eighth Grade Science students explore the basics of Newtonian Physics, Wave properties, Human Sensory Systems, and Planetary Geology. Using science based novels they delve deeper into the Periodic Table of the Elements and Scientific Ethics with a focus on critical thinking and connecting scientific knowledge to everyday real-world events both past and present. The overarching theme for the year is “Change: how do changes to a system affect its performance?”
Individuals & Societies: Concept-based inquiry empowers students to prompt their own learning and gives them the flexibility to make connections to their local, regional, global experiences. I strive to have a student-centred approach that allows for an inviting and warm atmosphere that promotes communication, open-mindedness, critical thinking, reflection, and global understandings across various subject matters. I encourage my students to be self-driven inquirers and empower them to express themselves as individuals and to collaborate with their peers. Through this approach, students are more engaged and gain more depth in their understandings by inviting each student to make connections and gain multiple perspectives in their surrounding global community.
Specials
Visual Arts: Quarter 1: An exploration into art mediums, techniques, artists & genres (both historical & modern). 2D Art - Drawing Fundamentals- Elements & Principles of Design 3D Art - Ceramics - Empty Bowls Community Service Project
Quarter 2: 2D Art - Painting - Modern Expressionism 2D Art - Collage - Self Portraits - Modern Art
Quarter 3: 2D Art - Drawing/Mixed Media - Perspective Drawing historical and modern achievements 2D Art - Drawing/Mixed Media - Hero Portraits - Artist focus: Chuck Close - Modern Art
Quarter 4: 2D/3D Art - Themed Art Show Piece 3D - Independant Ceramic Project
Performing Arts: The program will often align the Language Arts and Individual & Societies units. 6th Grade students will have an introduction to Shakespeare and adapt one of his plays. They will also create and give performances that explore Greek literature and conflict in history.
Design: The first quarter of 8th grade design will be spent learning and refreshing the students’ skills with the tools found in the design lab, and practicing more independence with digital design programs/machines and power tools. During the second through fourth quarters, they will be using these skills to go through the design thinking process while integrating knowledge from other subject areas, such as science standards around sketching and designing to scale, math concepts around measurement and geometry, performing art productions, and creating solutions to needs found within their day to day life.
Band: Eighth grade band continues with their progress in method book 2 and playing concert repertoire to their ability. We strive to advance all students to be confident players on their instruments while playing in their method book and concert music.
This group will explore different styles of concert music and extend their level of play from
Grade 1 1⁄2 to Grade 2 and beyond. Students will continue to become better musicians through class work and practice at home.
Students are always so proud of their progress through learning, playing and performing. Students need to be able to support each other and work together as a group to be a successful ensemble. We will also include new students to the program with the help of advanced musicians.
Spanish: Students will progress through the three levels during middle school. Completing level 3 will prepare students to successfully transistion to Spanish 2 or 3 in high school. The course objectives align with National Forgein Language Standards and Bend-LaPine secondary programs.
PE: Strength and Conditioning II Fitness for Life (Weight lifting, circuit training, aerobics, yoga II, power walking, Jogging and Cross Country Running)
Team Sports II: (Volleyball, Softball, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, Lacrosse and Ultimate Frisbee)
In-door Games II: (Team Handball, In-door Soccer, In-door Football, International Kickball and Wiffleball)
Individual Sports II: (Pickle ball, Badminton, Golf, Tennis, Archery, Racquetball, Croquet, Bocce, Project Adventure II and Horseshoes)
Action
These are a few examples of the types of action projects done in 8th grade:
Science: Students will participate in projects such as building water bottle rockets and Newton-Scooters in demonstration of Newton’s 3 laws of motion.
Individuals & Societies: Students in Individuals & Societies will participate in many action projects that are driven by their own inquires while navigating The Middle Year’s Program. Such exemplars of this framework will include the opportunity to explore Debate & Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences during our National History Day exploration in the New Year!
Class Experiences
These are a few examples of the class experiences done in 8th grade:
Science: Students participate in supporting experiences such as presenting a mini-lesson on a scientific concept of their choosing to another grade level as a final demonstration of their knowledge.
Individuals & Societies: One of our highlighted experiences is participating in the Oregon Historical Society. This trip/experience is a student-directed, project-based, interdisciplinary learning program that invites students to interpret a historical event that connects to the annual theme by creating a website, paper, performance, exhibit, or documentary. We are hoping to all physically attend this event in April 2022
Another highlighted experience is the Model United Nations Program. This is a widely practised program across the globe in IB schools that is “student-led” learning by informing our students about the world and developing the skills such as research, position papers, public speaking and problem-solving.