Curriculum documents are organized around the outcomes that will be achieved by students when studying a specific course. All curriculum documents are available for parents to review in the curriculum office and the MS Principal’s office.
The curriculum in the Middle School is presented to students in three categories:
core requirements, exploratories, and electives.
1. Core requirements:
All students are required to take Humanities (Language Arts and Social Studies), Math, Science, and Physical Education in grades 6 – 8. Humanities classes meet in a 115-minute block of time, three out of every four days, and as a 55-minute period on the fourth day.
In grade 6, students take a 115 minute block of mathematics and science taught together by the same teacher, three out of every four days; they also get a fourth day of mathematics with their same teacher for 55 minutes. In grades 7 and 8, students take a 55-minute period of mathematics every day, and a 55-minute period of science, three out of every four days.
Humanities: The Humanities Program in the middle school combines both social studies and English/language arts outcomes into a single curriculum. The Middle School believes that an integrated curriculum provides a more meaningful, contextual learning experience for students.
Math: The Middle School mathematics program is committed to providing each student with both, challenge and success, while fostering curiosity and self-confidence in doing mathematics. It strives to develop student's knowledge, skills, and understanding in the five content standards of mathematics: number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. The process standards, (problem solving, reasoning and proof, making connections, and multiple representations) highlight ways of acquiring and using content knowledge. Procedural fluency is valued when embedded in deep understanding of mathematical concepts. This is why we expect ISB students to communicate mathematically to demonstrate their understanding. Calculators and other technology tools are used in the mathematics program to develop understanding and aid in problem solving. Mathematics instruction is integrated with other disciplines whenever appropriate.
Science: The Science Program is committed to having students develop an understanding and appreciation of the exploratory nature of the scientific process. A major part of the program is the student being actively involved with and utilizing the scientific processes. Students are exposed to a wide range of scientific fields through experimentation and exploration. Science classes are integrated with math and/or humanities classes when applicable. At each level, students are challenged to develop new skills. These skills enable students to initiate and plan scientific investigations, perform experiments, and record and analyze results. Communication and teamwork are the essence of our classrooms. We encourage students to see the relationship between science, society and the environment. Helping students to see this relationship establishes the link that makes science relevant to their lives.
Physical Education: Physical Education is taken in a 55-minute period, three out of every four days. Students participate in individual sports, team sports, lifetime sports and physical fitness activities. Ongoing personal fitness profiles are developed as students assess their fitness throughout the year.
2. Exploratories:
At the ISB Middle School, exploratory classes are designed for sixth grade students to experience so that they can make informed choices for their elective classes in 7th and 8th grade. Sixth graders get to explore one semester each of Art and Drama. In Music, 6th graders get to choose a full year of study between, Band, Chorus, or Strings. With these experiences from sixth grade, students then select elective classes they are interested in to learn and experience at a higher level in 7th and 8th grades. All exploratories in 6th grade meet in a 55-minute period two out of every four days.
3. Electives:
Students select electives from a wide array of opportunities including from five world languages, enrichment, intensive support classes and interest-based classes.
For a more complete description of all our Middle School programs and all course offerings available to students, please browse through our MS Program of Studies available by clicking on the following link: http://www.isb.ac.th/Middle_School_Publications
