College Entrance Record

College Guidance

Use of Technology in Learning

Middle School (4-7)

Curriculum

English

The Middle School English department aims to promote independence and originality of thought, integrity, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning. We have developed a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes reading and writing skills. Selected texts represent a variety of genres and diverse cultures; discussions of literature develop reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and character; and both expository and imaginative pieces help foster the realization that writing is a process, from the articulation of the topic to the final revision.

Foreign Languages

Through the study of French, Spanish and Chinese, beginning in Class 5, Middle School students develop proficiency in listening, reading, speaking and writing. The girls develop their skills by using language in context, including conversations that might be held while traveling, shopping, or eating in a restaurant, and by experimenting early on with literature. Through a curriculum that exposes students to resources such as the Alliance Française, the Museo del Barrio and the China Institute, students gain an understanding of the complex and diverse French-, Spanish- and Chinese-speaking worlds. In addition, students begin studying Latin when they enter Class 7.

History and Geography

Students in Middle School history and geography classes undertake a rigorous course of study designed to provide historical content as well as reading, writing, analytical and research skills. In Class 4, students concentrate on world and U.S. geography. They begin the formal study of history in Class 5 with an examination of the ancient world, continuing in Class 6 with the study of medieval and early modern Europe, and culminate with American history in Class 7.

Mathematics

The goals of the Middle School math department are for students to understand geometric and numerical patterns and relationships, to master arithmetic facts and skills, to use estimation to judge the reasonableness of answers, to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, to analyze data presented graphically, and to begin to use abstract algebraic symbolism. Our program includes the use of manipulatives and concrete materials, inquiry-based teaching, and the mastery of standard algorithms. The curriculum encompasses all operations on whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and integers, ratios, proportions, percent, geometric language and relationships, area, perimeter, volume, graphing and the solution of first-degree equations.

Science

Middle School science students work both collaboratively and independently as they perform experiments to support class work in the life and physical sciences. Extensive projects such as designing and building an Egg Mobile, a vehicle to safely carry an egg through a crash without breaking, and field trips to area resources such as the American Museum of Natural History, enrich student learning and provide unique opportunities to apply concepts.

Technology Education

The goal of the technology program in the Middle School is to build skills and enthusiasm in these important formative years. Each course, by grade level, incorporates a unique theme:
• Class 4: Spreadsheets (Excel)
• Class 5: Computer graphics (Photoshop)
• Class 6: Making Web pages (HTML)
• Class 7: Computer science (Building a computer)
In addition, we try to spiral the curriculum so that each course builds upon the skills of previous years. Using the Web-based Typing Pal program, the department emphasizes typing from Classes 4 through 7 with an ongoing set of levels and incentives to facilitate progress and practice. Our Class 6 Laptop Immersion Program (LIP) weaves numerous aspects of honesty and personal responsibility into computer proficiency skills with Inspiration, Powerpoint, Photoshop and many other software tools. This unique one-year program provides each girl with a digital portfolio using our FirstClass e-mail system; this portfolio serves her for the next six years of her Chapin career. In addition to building a computer from scratch, our Class 7 girls become the technological leaders of the Middle School, posting daily notes on the Web as "scribes" and integrating their skills into many high-tech academic classrooms with projectors and smartboards. We use the Jeroo programming language as an introduction to Java in Class 7.

Drama

Building upon the foundation of ensemble work and improvisation and upon the students’ performance experiences in Lower School, Middle School drama begins with an interdisciplinary collaboration with dance, bringing movement and text together in Class 4. The program builds skills in improvisation, text analysis, creative exploration and group work. In Class 7, a fully integrated performing arts curriculum prepares girls for advanced Upper School courses in the arts. In order to balance performance opportunities with workshops and classes, a variety of extracurricular opportunities exists for girls with different levels of experience at every grade level.

Dance

The Middle School dance curriculum in Classes 4 through 6 focuses on technical and choreographic skills based in modern dance, ballet and yoga and on building self-confidence through in-class performance. Watching and critiquing dances encourages students to observe carefully and to clearly articulate their personal perspectives as they become informed audience members. Class 7 students work in the disciplines of dance, drama and music to explore interdisciplinary concepts through collaborative projects. The curriculum gives students a broader understanding of the expressive role of the performing arts.

Music

Middle School students continue to develop music literacy skills through physical, visual and aural activities in a singing-based curriculum. Students experience music of the Masters (medieval through contemporary), American and European folk traditions, and World Music through singing, playing, listening, moving and conducting. The student’s ability to play the recorder reaches a higher level of sophistication. Students learn major and minor scales and become able to read staff notation in the treble clef. Great emphasis is placed on vocal skills: projection, tone quality and pitch accuracy. Students create and perform both accompaniments on the barred instruments — xylophones, metallophones and glockenspiels — and movement phrases of authentic folk songs.

Visual Arts

In the Middle School, more sophisticated art-making processes and visual concepts are presented. Students are introduced to units that require greater eye-hand control and a longer sequence of steps, requiring them to sustain their focused involvement while interpreting assignments in an individual way.

Physical Education

The Middle School program emphasizes skill-building and game strategy and features an intramural component that requires all girls to pursue physical activity outside of their usual class time. The curriculum includes gymnastics, individual and team sports, and physical fitness conditioning. Gymnastics, including instruction on the vault, balance beam, uneven bars and floor exercise, promotes confidence, strength, poise and courage. Physical education classes encourage strategic thinking, leadership, teamwork, good sportsmanship and a positive attitude toward physical activity. Students participate in a wide range of sports, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, softball, floor hockey, fencing, team handball, field hockey and lacrosse. Project Adventure and New Games activities enhance students’ team-building and problem-solving capabilities.

Library Education

Middle School students are encouraged to be enthusiastic readers and successful seekers and users of information through book talks, instruction in finding and evaluating information from print and online sources, and individual research help. Library research skills are thoroughly integrated into the curriculum of each academic subject. In addition, Class 4 and 5 library classes meet once a week for the entire year, Classes 6 and 7 take semester-long library classes, and all classes work on at least one research project each year in conjunction with the history and science curriculums.

Learning Resources

The Learning Resources Department provides guidance and support to both students and faculty in all three divisions of the school. The department is also responsible for both informal and standardized testing from Kindergarten through Class 8. In the Middle School, learning specialists work collaboratively with teachers and students in all grades and in many subject areas developing a variety of skills such as organization, reading and expository writing, as well as note taking, annotation and test-taking. The specialists also meet with individual students when the need arises for short-term intervention.

Homeroom Program

The Chapin School’s mission to develop personal integrity and community responsibility in each student defines the Middle School homeroom program. The class supervisor, homeroom coordinator and a team of teachers lead the program. There are three important elements. In class meeting, students assume rotating responsibilities on homeroom committees that take charge of attendance, homework for absent students, birthday celebrations, classroom decoration and maintenance, community service projects, etc. In weekly advisor group meetings, students engage in structured exercises to practice communication skills, conflict resolution, self-advocacy and decision-making. In addition, advisors develop an individual relationship with each advisee counseling her on school issues, academic goals and achievement. The ultimate goal of the homeroom program is to develop and practice independence, responsibility and leadership.