The Buzz of the Middle School

Mass
Beyond academics, students in the Middle School continue their journey of faith. Mass is attended by all grade levels biweekly with the majority of masses conducted by students. “One of my favorite things about the Middle School is doing the reading and singing at masses along with being a Eucharistic minister,” said Sarah Abbottsmith, an eighth-grade student. Students have the option of being lectors, singers, Eucharistic ministers, instrument players, and servers.

As I walk through the 7th grade hallway just before lunch, I stop at a classroom where I witness an unusual scene: Instead of students at desks, I see all the seventh grade teachers—math, language arts, science, social studies, and religion—engaged in an intense discussion.

Team Teaching
“We have time to meet daily to discuss curriculum, schedules, and student concerns,” says Rosie Alway, eighth grade language arts teacher.  “This allows us to help each student more effectively and provide a more cohesive curriculum.” 

Teachers try to match curriculum and teaching styles with student learning styles. Steve Penticuff, seventh grade language arts teacher, explains that his students are “all over the board in terms of maturity and ability, so it's important for me to be eclectic with my teaching and give different students a variety of outlets and assignments in class.” He also notes that “teachers have the freedom or ‘creative autonomy’ to pursue more or less what we want. Our curriculum is ‘mapped,’ but not too strictly, and administrators trust us to move in different directions, experimenting with different content and teaching styles.”

Patti Kenney, fifth grade language arts teacher, reiterates this point. “Teachers are focusing in on individual learning strategies through looking at each child’s strengths,” she said. “Teachers are differentiating instruction to meet individual needs.”

“Having a small class makes it so much easier to teach successfully,” says Mrs. Alway. “I am able to speak to every student several times during a forty-five minute bell, which helps me know each student’s strengths and weaknesses.”  

This individualistic approach allows students to reach their potential. More advanced students aren’t left to wait until others catch up, while those who struggle are guaranteed the assistance they need. “Whether our teachers have 15, 16, or 17 kids in a class, they must determine where they want each child to be by June,” says Mr. McClellan. “They meet them where they are and take them as far as they can go.”

At recess, while some of the boys are playing football, I start talking to a group of seventh grade girls who are asking each other “Wait…what house are you in again?”

House Teams
Beginning this year, a resurrection of the House system is occurring. Students across all grade-levels are divided into various houses led by an eighth grader. Mr. McClellan describes it as “taking our mission statement and having kids achieve things both in and out of school that revolve around the five pillars.” For an achievement, such as an art competition prize, a kindness nomination, academic honors, or a team championship win, points are earned. While the accumulation of points is tallied and the highest scoring team is recognized at the end of the year, Mr. McClellan emphasizes that it’s “not really a competition. It’s a team effort. Students will pull each other along.”

Beyond encouraging students to utilize their talents, a second purpose of the house system is for students across all grade levels in the Middle School to get to know one another. “Students in the same grade know each other pretty well, but they usually don’t know much about student’s talents and gifts in other grades,” says Mr. McClellan. “The house system helps them get to know each other vertically.”

After recess, as I roam the halls, I find that the entire sixth grade hall is dark. All classrooms are locked and the lights are off. I learn that they are on the yearly sixth grade trip.

Continue… The Buzz of the Middle School: Trips, Advisement and Clubs