Stephen Murray - Curriculum Leader
The classes included in our combined arts rotation are an integral part of our middle school’s comprehensive curriculum. Early adolescence is a time for exploratory learning and the development of new skills: physical, social, and thinking. While the core curriculum classes (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages) provide students with opportunities to develop their Linguistic Intelligence and their Logical- Mathematical Intelligence, the Combined Arts classes offer the chance to strengthen other intelligences such as Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, and Extrapersonal.
The curriculum in each of the arts classes is designed to challenge students’ problem solving and critical thinking skills and to foster a greater sense of self-esteem. As students learn about engineering and design, try different art media, rehearse a Shakespearian play, or compose a simple melody, they begin to link up with the adult world through the awareness of new competencies and strengths.
Students will rotate through the following specials each term:
- Applied Science
- Art
- Drama
- Music
- Sixth grade students will also participate in a Library/Technology class during the term in which they have Drama on their schedule.