- MULTIAGE HOME
- 3 YEAR CYCLE
- CURRICULUM
- STUDENT PROFILE
- STUDENT WORK
WELCOME TO MULTIAGE The Scarborough Middle School Multiage program recognizes the diverse and unique developmental characteristics of early adolescents. We strive to build a multiage community of self-directed and life-long learners in a collaborative atmosphere with a developmentally appropriate curriculum that challenges the diversity of students and promotes their self-worth. HIGHLIGHTS The Multiage Open House for 5th grade families is Tuesday, March 2, with a snow date of Wednesday, March 3rd. Staff and students will be on hand from 6:30 to 7:30 PM to answer questions and show samples of student work. Please join us for an informative evening. MULTIAGE CONTACT PERSONS Scarborough Middle School Phone: 730-4800 |
FRAMEWORK OF MULTIAGE
MISSION STATEMENT The Board of Education is dedicated to offering quality education for all its students in order that they may become effective, responsible, and well-adjusted citizens in a changing society. The Scarborough Middle School Multiage program recognizes the diverse and unique developmental characteristics of early adolescents. We strive to build a multiage community of self-directed and life-long learners in a collaborative atmosphere with a developmentally appropriate curriculum that challenges the diversity of students and promotes their self-worth. |
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| MULTIAGE 3 YEAR CYCLE | ||
| Cycle | Social Studies | Science |
| 1 | Eastern Hemisphere Geography, Cultures History of Selected Regions of Asia, Europe, and Africa Economics |
Life Science Classifying Life Forms Cells Ecology Continuity & Change Scientific Process |
| 2 | Western Hemisphere Early Explorers History of U.S.A., Canada Latin America Maine Studies Economics Geography |
Earth Science The Earth Scientific Process Continuity & Change |
| 3 | Civics & Government American History Geography Economics |
Physical Science Structure of Matter Motion The Universe Energy Scientific Process |
| Math | Language Arts | |
| Core units from the Connected Math Project are supplemented with the skills-based Scott Foresman text. A problem-solving emphasis is used with opportunities to write about mathematical strategies and conduct hands-on investigations. At the conclusion of the 7th grade school year, placements for 8th grade math will be made. Offerings include two levels of Algebra and Pre-Algebra. | Language arts incorporates social studies, reading, and sometimes science into interdisciplinary units. Literary groups are used in thematic units. Novels are read in conjunction with Glencoe materials. | |
Multiage Methods Group
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MULTIAGE CURRICULUM OVERVIEW - 2007/2008
All curriculums have been aligned with the
State of Maine Learning Results
and adopted by the Scarborough School Board
Language Arts - English/Literature
Language Arts instruction is in the following areas: reading, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, writing, research, and public speaking. In addition, specific instruction is provided to build a foundation for being able to write well. Students will have opportunities to work with various types of writing, such as creative writing, basic essay writing, and research papers. We also will provide opportunities to create articles, write, present, and publish.
Students will read a variety of literary types (novels, poems, short stories, essays), some of which tie into their social studies curriculum. They will look at themes in literature and learn to compare and contrast characters, ideas, and themes. Students become familiar with literary terms, learn to read for detail, to use details to support their interpretation of a character and to become aware of the beauty and power of the written word. Strategies of reading will be a component of our learning.
Social Studies
This year’s social studies cycle involves the study of the Western Hemisphere. This course includes the study of Latin America, North America, and a more focused exploration of Maine. Integrated within this course of study are the history, civics and government, geography and economy of the various areas.
Science
Our middle school science provides a “hands-on” approach. This encourages learning through experiences that have the greatest potential for development of positive attitudes towards science and scientific concepts. Areas of concentration for the earth science cycle are exposure to the scientific process, earth’s materials and history, and physical science. Specific topics include: geology, motion, solar cars, and a look at variables and how they are used in the scientific process. Laboratory safety and metric measurement is integrated into the curriculum.
6th Grade Math
The middle school mathematics curriculum stresses a connection of mathematics to real life situations and to other curriculum areas. It also promotes an ongoing emphasis on problem solving, both for its own sake, as well as to review and reinforce skills. The textbook that is used is the Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Middle School Math. Specific skill areas that are targeted include: place value, multiplication and division, decimals, fractions, and geometry.
Three supplemental core units from the Connected Math Project are required of all sixth graders. They are “Bits & Pieces 1,” “How Likely Is It?” and “Covering & Surrounding”. In the first unit, students work with fractions, decimals, and percents. The second unit focuses on developing students’ abilities to understand and reason about probability. The third unit helps students begin to understand what it means to measure.
7th Grade Math
The middle school mathematics curriculum stresses a connection of mathematics to real-life situations and to other curriculum areas. It also promotes an ongoing emphasis on problem-solving, both for its own sake, as well as to review and reinforce skill. The textbook that is used is the Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Middle School Math. Specific skill areas that are targeted in the seventh grade include: fractions, decimals, ratios, rates and proportions, percents, expressions/equations/formulas, integers, four quadrant coordinate graphing, and data analysis.
We will be teaching two units from the Connected Mathematics Project. The unit “Comparing and Scaling” develops students’ ability to make comparisons using ratios, fractions, decimals, rates, and percents. Students build an understanding of positive and negative numbers in the unit “Accentuate the Negative”.
8th Grade Math
Pre-Algebra- The textbook that is used is the Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Middle School Math. Three supplemental core units from the Connected Math Project are required of all pre-algebra students. The unit “Variables and Patterns” teaches students to observe, describe, and record changes in order to analyze and search for patterns. In “Thinking in Mathematical Models,” students learn about algebraic relationships, including linear, inverse and exponential relationships used in real-life situations. The third unit, “Filling and Wrapping”, focuses on surface area and volume of 3-dimensional figures. The textbook reinforces concepts through interdisciplinary examples of real world situations. Some of the topics that are covered include fractions, decimals, integers, ratio and proportion, geometry, and the use of variables. The course is designed to prepare 8th graders for algebra at the high school.
Algebra- Students will review order of operations, integers, and fractions. Specific skill areas that are targeted in algebra include: equations, inequalities, proportions, graphs, exponents, functions, systems of equations, polynomials, factoring, and exposure to quadratics.
Advanced Algebra- This course will cover all topics included in an Algebra course. In addition students will learn and study axioms and properties, compound and linear inequalities, systems of equations with inequalities, and exposure to quadratics, radical expressions, and functions.
Algebra/Geometry- This course will cover all topics included in an Algebra I Advanced course. In addition, an introduction to basic elements of geometry is explored. Topics in geometry will include: logic and proofs, coordinate geometry, and transformations, similarities and congruence as related to polygons, circles, and solids. The instructional format is an integrated approach in which algebra and geometry applications are covered simultaneously when appropriate.
MULTIAGE STUDENT PROFILE
Adapted from The Story of Alpha by Susan Kuntz
The successful middle school multiage student ....
- Thinks creatively and critically
- Shows initiative
- Demonstrates self-direction
- Communicates clearly and effectively
- Cooperates and collaborates with peers
- Uses appropriate resources to seek, access, and apply knowledge
- Functions independently and accepts responsibility
- Takes risks to succeed
- Exhibits self-confidence
SAMPLES OF MULTIAGE STUDENT WORK
PICTURE BOOK PROJECT
The project was to first read, and then write and illustrate a picture book. The student-created picture book was modeled after either the writing style, theme, or author's purpose of the original book that was read.
CONSUMER PRODUCT TESTING
Students on the Penobscot Team conducted Consumer Product Testing experiments as part of their Variables Unit. The groups had to follow the scientific method for their experiments and attempted to collect reliable data to answer specific questions about different products. Some of the products were trash bags, white-out tape, toilet paper, diapers, shaving cream, gum flavors, stain removers, lollipops, and duct tape strength. Here are many of the posters the students used to report their procedures and results. The students are from Mrs. Allen’s, Mrs. Laflamme’s, and Mrs. Hunt’s science classes.
WINTER PREPOSITION POEMS
Students learned about the power of prepositions through poetry. After reading Robert Frost's "Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening", students wrote and illustrated their own preposition poems. Illustrations were drawn and then cut from construction paper in shades of black and white.
GREEK GODS AND GODDESSES
Students read from D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths and then chose one God or Goddess to represent. The figure that they created had to be dressed appropriately and depict at least two attributes of the mythological storyline.