HUMANITIES
Humanities takes an integrated approach to the study of world cultures through literature, world geography, history, and religion. The skills taught are those connected with the language arts, social studies, intercultural communication, research, and study skills.

Students develop such basic skills as daily organization, giving and following directions, map reading, chart and diagram interpretation, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, analysis of current events and literature, locating and synthesizing information, effective listening, reading a variety of genres and styles, written and oral communication of ideas, working cooperatively with others, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.

Class activities include discussions, cooperative group work, reports, book talks, interviews, simulations, role playing, projects, learning games, and recreational reading.

Writings include summaries, literary analysis essays, narratives, letter-writing, research reports, stories and folk tales, poetry, skits, opinion essays, and newspaper articles. Students also participate in field trips related to their studies and service.

Areas of focus include China, India, Middle East, Kenya, South Africa, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, Australia and journalism.

SECOND LANGUAGE 6/7/8
Students may choose to study French, Spanish, Mandarin, or Japanese. The goals for the students in all language programs are to understand simple and common oral and written language; to speak and write simple sentences and questions with good grammatical structure and pronunciation; to begin to understand some of the characteristics of the culture whose language is being studied; and to look at their own culture(s) in comparison. Students learn to use basic grammatical structures in the present, future, and past tenses.

The 7/8 Grade language sequences are designed to prepare students who enter the Upper School program for the second-year course. The text and resources available are appropriate for Middle School learners and compatible with those used in the Upper School courses.

Language classes meet three times a week for 30 minutes in 6th grade.

LIBERAL ARTS
In Liberal Arts, Sixth Grade students create the class wall hanging, and address developmental issues in the social, emotional and spiritual domains are addressed. This class is taught by the MS Head, the MS Counselor, and the MS Chaplain.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
All Sixth Graders will rotate through a specific Language Skills course emphasizing specific writing, grammar, and reading comprehension skills. This class will work in close coordination with both Humanities 6 and Second Language classes.

LIBRARY
Library class has two major focuses: reading for pleasure, and honing information-seeking skills for integration into the curriculum. Students spend part of their time reading, analyzing themselves as readers, and writing recommendations of books they read in class. The rest of their time is spent becoming familiar with the library and its many resources. Students explore both print and online materials, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each resource in a variety of contexts.

MATHEMATICS
The math program in the Middle School is designed to provide for both individual and cooperative learning. A spirit of genuine inquiry is encouraged, along with the practice which is essential for a student to master ideas and techniques. While content is the flesh and blood of any math program, courses at OES are supported by a framework which underlies the learning of both skills and concepts. Reading the mathematics and organizing materials are skills emphasized throughout our program.

The importance of the following common themes is emphasized; problem solving, applications of math content to the real world, both inductive and deductive mathematical thinking, bridging the gap between the concrete and the abstract, developing estimation skills, finding relationships and patterns, and using appropriate tools. At each grade level, experiential projects are part of the curriculum.

Students are placed in math courses commensurate with their aptitude and achievement levels. 6th Grade Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry are offered within the Middle School. More advanced students, on rare occasion, are placed in Upper School courses.

Sixth Grade Math is an integrated course intended as a bridge to Pre-Algebra. The course includes the study of fractions, decimals, percents, word problems, geometry, perimeter, circumference, area, pi, volume, ratio, proportion, exponents, scientific notation, signed numbers, solving basic algebraic equations, and unit multipliers. This course provides knowledge and experience that can be easily applied to real-world situations.

Pre-Algebra consists of applied arithmetic, pre-algebra, and pre-geometry focusing on arithmetic operations in mathematics and the real world. Variables are used to generalize patterns, abbreviate formulas, and represent unknowns in problems. They are also used on the number line and graphed in a coordinate plane. Basic arithmetic and algebraic skills are connected to corresponding geometry topics. This course also includes work with scientific notation and systems of measurement.

SCIENCE
The Sixth Grade science program revolves around the theme “Energy and Life”. The first semester focuses on the physical sciences, exploring various forms of energy such as solar, heat, electrical, and chemical energy. The second semester transitions to life sciences and independent research, with units of study including cells, cardiovascular system, ecology, as well as time spent designing and implementing student-led research projects. Throughout the year, an emphasis on science inquiry skills will give the students the foundation they need to do independent science research.

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