upper school

Grades 5-8

Upper School Dean

Welcome to Upper School!

At IDS, our small community, cross-grade activities, and emphasis on the whole child allows teachers and staff to know all students as learners and people. This is critical to the mission of IDS and it is our greatest strength. Teachers get to know their students on a level that allows them to nurture individual strengths and areas for growth. Because of this, teachers are able to support students in risk-taking, encouraging and modeling leadership, public speaking, and positive agency– building 21st century skills in a confident and comfortable way.

In addition to educating students on content and building a strong core of background knowledge, we integrate the principles of community and responsibility into all aspects of the school. With an emphasis on justice, students explore topics of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to become global, cultural and environmental citizens. Cross-division activities like All-School Meeting, and school initiatives like the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and Centers’ Days provide the stage for these concepts to blossom. Teachers have the agency to create programs that reflect the needs and diversity of their students and allow them to build a curriculum that prepares them to be global citizens. Students learn to care about the larger world and create an action step to make a difference. 

Come see for yourself how the Upper School prepares leaders for the future! 

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Student advisors employ lessons of social-emotional learning to foster individual growth and responsibility. The Advisory program follows the Second Step Social Emotional Curriculum as well as the principles of Responsive Classroom and the CARES Competencies (Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy, Self-Control) Building community and fostering leadership are the primary goals of both programs. From cleaning up in advisory to helping distribute lunches and raise the flag daily, 5th through 8th graders learn an increased sense of community responsibility. Leading class meetings, Upper School meetings and eventually All School meetings empowers the students and allows them to define what it means to be a citizen and a leader.

Student Enrichment at upper School

Centers of Excellence

In Upper School, instruction extends beyond traditional academics to allow for students to participate in experiences that emphasize our values and the principles of the Centers of Excellence: Environmental Literacy, Global and Cultural Citizenship, Innovation and Design Thinking, and Creative Studies. Students take the following classes twice a week on a rotating basis:

  • Woodshop
  • Health and Wellness
  • Innovation Lab
  • Transitions (study skills for Grades 5 & 6)
  • Mock Trial for Grades 7 & 8

Student Clubs

Students also participate in clubs throughout the school day at least once a week. These are student-led and allow students to pursue an interest while building collaboration and self-advocacy skills. Sample clubs include:

  • Newspaper
  • Eco-Action
  • Community Service
  • Math Counts

Sports & Movement

Sports and movement are also integrated into the school day once a week. Students who choose not to participate in athletics during the quarter participate in an engaging, collaborative, and social activity at this time. Sample activities include:

  • Yoga
  • Hiking
  • Latin Rhythmics Dance
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Gardening

Grade 5

Through the advisory model and under the direction of two core classroom teachers, STEM and Humanities, IDS welcomes its fifth graders to the Upper School. During this year, students learn what it means to be a responsible citizen of our school and of our larger community. Through use of the Responsive Classroom framework and the Second Step curriculum, 5th graders gain the social emotional skills needed to become successful Upper School students. Academically, we start to broaden our thinking and examine the material using text structures like cause and effect, compare and contrast, sequencing and main idea and detail, across disciplines. Summarizing, research, investigation, analysis, reading skills, and quantitative reasoning lay the foundation for our coursework.  Students start to think of themselves as scholars, historians,  mathematicians, scientists, readers, writers, and lifelong learners.

Grade 5 curriculum

English

Grade 5 language arts begins with making observations and developing curiosity. Students build upon skills readers use to understand and engage with a variety of texts and writing conventions.  Throughout the year, they focus on writing mechanics, grammar, vocabulary, and literary elements through class reads, independent books, First Chapter Friday, and Theater Thursday.

Math

Grade 5 math focuses on developing a solid foundation of conceptual understanding. Using a Singapore framework, students build comprehension through a concrete-pictorial-abstract approach. This approach uses multiple strategies for computation rather than a single rote method for each operation. Moreover, teaching computation using a variety of strategies provides more access points to better reach each individual student. The goal is to develop students who are not only capable of solving computational problems, but also who truly understand computation and can apply this mathematical thinking and learning to new situations.

Science

Grade 5 science exposes students to a full range of introductory science topics including Earth and Space Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and Engineering Design. Throughout the year, students build an understanding of the natural world as they explore scientific phenomena through investigations and experiments that cultivate essential scientific skills of observation and analysis. The ultimate goal of the class will be to inspire students to ask why and search for answers in a way that encourages problem-solving and collaboration. Students also participate in the Invention Convention. 

Social Studies

Grade 5 students learn history through the lens of a social scientist by understanding the foundations of ancient civilizations, comparing and contrasting them to each other and to modern day. They study Rome, Greece, China, and India using the GRAPES technique (Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics, Economy, and Social Structure). An in depth look at citizenship allows students to examine what it meant to be a person of a particular time period and how that compares to life today.

Spanish Immersion Program

Grades 6-8

Upper School Spanish at IDS is studied in Grades 6, 7, & 8 in a spiraling curriculum. After the 8th grade year of Spanish, students from both levels of Spanish, 8a and 8b, will be well positioned to be placed into higher levels of secondary school Spanish, depending on both the aptitude and investment of the student in the work of Spanish learning, as well as the standards and assessments of the secondary school to which a student attends once graduating from IDS. 

The primary focus of the Spanish curriculum is to provide students with opportunities to practice and develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Additionally, our classes are used to discover systems and methods for second language acquisition, prioritize fundamental skills and content of language learning, and encourage developing interests, connections, and insights into any cultures beyond one’s own.

Students converse, present information to others, and understand written and spoken language on various topics. Lessons are built around thematic units to make the material more meaningful and memorable. It also allows studying differences and similarities between the cultures of various Latin American countries, Spain, and the United States. Most of the class uses the Total Physical Response Storytelling method (TPRS). This means students use gestures, stories, and acting to learn and practice the language.

Grade 6

In 6th Grade, students fine tune their Upper School student behaviors through the advisory program. Daily check-ins, weekly class meetings, and social emotional lessons through the Second Step curriculum help guide students through the challenges and successes of the middle school years. Sixth grade target skills  include time management, self advocacy and organization. Stewardship and community engagement are highlighted through the use of advisory jobs and responsibilities. We strive to move away from the teacher-dependent model of many elementary school classrooms to the realm where they are independent thinkers who can employ critical and analytical skills to their academic programs. Curiosity, collaboration, creativity, empathy, identity, and investigation are the foundations of the IDS sixth grade education and weave themselves into the curriculum across all disciplines. Preparing students to be 7th and 8th grade leaders, sixth graders learn what it means to be part of the IDS Upper School community.

Grade 6 curriculum

English 

Grade 6 students begin the year by exploring identity through literature and revisit this concept throughout the year. Books and the characters within them often help students understand who they are and who they strive to be. Investigating this connection allows students to extract key details from writing that will build necessary literacy skills for middle school. Students focus on developing reading and writing skills including text analysis, citing text within writing, and highlighting literary elements and devices. In addition, theater arts is integrated into the curriculum. 

Science 

Grade 6 students delve into the topics of Environmental Science, a study of the natural world and how it is influenced by human activity. Through investigation of the fundamental principles of ecological science, students acquire ecological literacy about how the natural world works and also develop an understanding of how scientific methods are used to construct ecological knowledge. Students explore the patterns and processes of Earth and how these are affected by natural and human impacts. The ultimate goal of the course is to create an awareness of and an appreciation for the natural processes that sustain life on earth, including human life.

Social Studies

Grade 6 students learn the why behind the what by exploring human systems, identifying patterns, and gaining an understanding of History, Geography, Civics, and Economics through immersive and hands-on learning in a responsive classroom setting. They learn how to analyze primary sources and understand how bias and perspective impact one’s understanding of history. 

Math

Grade 6 students develop problem solving skills, which lie at the heart of the mathematical path students take using the Singapore framework. This approach focuses on understanding not just the how but the why of mathematical processes. Students learn mathematics in order to apply it to solve problems. Students learn for problem solving (emphasizing learning mathematics in order to apply it to solve problems), about problem solving (emphasizing processes, strategies and metacognition), and through problem solving (emphasizing learning mathematical concepts through inquiry). Throughout the year, students build on prior knowledge as material is presented at an increasingly deep and rigorous level to strengthen and develop conceptual understanding of concepts and critical thinking skills.

Grade 7

In 7th Grade, students are energetic, self-aware, insightful, and empathetic as they continue to build leadership qualities. This prepares them to be confident in oral speaking as they lead Upper School meetings and other school activities. The expectations for this grade are that students will invest more time and effort in delving more deeply and broadly into core subject classes, apply critical thinking skills, and remain curious as they learn new concepts. The classes increase in depth as the content deepens, requiring students to conduct more advanced research, write reports based on readings, and demonstrate engagement in class discussions, group work, and presentations. As students increase their community service, club participation, sports practice, and citizenship roles, they learn in a safe and inclusive environment where each student can reach their full potential as fearless learners willing to take risks and explore the world around them.

Grade 7 curriculum

English 

Grade 7 English begins with exploring identity but extends to include perspective and outside determining factors that alter and shape those things. This exploration builds upon the literacy and writing skills necessary for middle school. Students examine characters in various types of writing to establish who the character is in his/her world and use that to reflect upon who we are in our world. Readings emphasize history and the ability of the author to convey different aspects of historical events through writing as well as the reader’s ability to understand how those events influence the author’s work. Students then analyze those observations by crafting their own essays and traveling through the writing process. Key unit elements include perspective, underrepresented voices, authors craft in historical fiction, censorship, justice, and belonging. Grammar, vocabulary, independent reading, and theater arts weave their way into the curriculum throughout the year.

Math

Grade 7 students learn the foundations of algebra to prepare them for Intro to Algebra in Grade 8. The content follows the Grade 7 content strands of the Common Core State Standards using the Math in Focus text.

Math – Pre-Algebra

Grade 7 students deepen their skills in problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and mathematical communication while gaining a strong foundation of algebraic concepts. The content is a combination of grades 7, 8, and Algebra content strands of the Common Core State Standards Initiative using various resources including the Math in Focus Course 2 Accelerated textbook, online, and teacher made resources.

Science 

Grade 7 science is an opportunity for critical thinking, but also a chance for students to have fun and connect to the world around them. Students investigate physical phenomena, draw conclusions from data, and create models to show their understanding. They learn physics, astronomy, and geology throughout the year and practice the scientific method.

Social Studies

Grade 7 students explore essential questions: What is “America” and what does it mean to be an “American”? How did the various ways of “arriving” on the continent shape things that followed and the people who ended up in the country? Over what did we fight at the two most critical junctures in our nationhood: the Revolution and Civil War? How did those both affect who we are today? How did they both shape global issues and not just our own? Do our history, demographic make-up, important documents, and variety of “American stories” really make “e pluribus unum”? Through a variety of research projects, primary-source readings, and seminar-conversations, students dive into these questions and more as they investigate roughly 350 years of life on this continent. They also learn a variety of study strategies, note-taking and time-management skills, improve research and critical thinking skills, and develop their voice in class discussions, in projects, and in written work. The course culminates with the annual experiential trip to Boston.

Grade 8

Our “seniors” lead campus in formal and informal ways as they take on the extra responsibilities as 8th graders and get ready to transition to high school. It is a year that is both exciting and challenging. The academic work reaches its peak and they are seen as role models. Their talents and passions are spotlighted as leaders on the fields and courts, in the plays and concerts, at events like Field Day and Fall Festival, and during Centers Days. They lead their very own All School Meeting, sharing a passion with the community. They are also preparing intellectually, physically, and emotionally for secondary school and getting ready to use the habits and skills that they developed at IDS to succeed at their next school. From the first “Mountain Day” bonding and leadership trip in the fall, through the Snow Ball and annual musical in the winter, to the Camp Jewell trip and final dance in May, our 8th graders leave us with a strong foundation and positive momentum, and we know that they will shine in high school and beyond.

Grade 8 curriculum

Science

Grade 8 science is an opportunity for critical thinking, but also a chance for students to have fun and connect to the world around them. Students investigate physical phenomena, draw conclusions from data, and create models to show their understanding. They learn physics, astronomy, and geology throughout the year and practice the scientific method. 

Math – Intro to Algebra 

Grade 8 students deepen their skills in problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and mathematical communication while gaining a strong foundation of algebraic concepts. The content is a combination of the grade 8 and Algebra content strands of the Common Core State Standards Initiative. We will be using various resources including the Math in Focus Course 3 textbook, online, and teacher made resources. 

Math – Algebra 1 

Grade 8 students deepen their skills in problem solving, mathematical reasoning, and mathematical communication while gaining a strong foundation of algebraic concepts. The content is the Algebra content strand of the Common Core State Standards Initiative. Additional topics from Geometry and Data & Statistics are included when applicable throughout the course and at the end of the year, if time allows. The class uses various resources including the HMH Intro Algebra 1 textbook, online, and teacher made resources.

English

Grade 8 English, also known as “Senior English” is a journey towards understanding “story” as a craft and as an art, our own and other’s, fiction and non-fiction, short, long, and poetic. Students explore essential questions: Why do we need stories? Where do stories come from? What purpose do they serve? What are the essential parts of them? How do I write them? How do I write about them? How do I tell mine? Students look at literature, first in-and-of itself, and then comparatively. Students work on their writing from both a technical and a content angle, developing a vocabulary and a toolbox to communicate the stories, and the context and meanings around them. Students practice vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, close reading, pre-writing, outlining, annotating and editing. Further, stories are used to examine themselves and the world around them.

Social Studies

Grade 8 students investigate the social sciences through the lens of themes to learn important content and skills and to have a more well-rounded idea of becoming a social-scientist when they move on to high school. Three major themes this year are: Civics and political science, economics, and 20th century history. Throughout the year, the four IDS Centers of Excellence focus their work. As a class and in smaller cohorts, students ask how each of the Centers is affected by and influences history. The year culminates in a “Capstone Project” with each student picking a very specific topic within their Center Cohort in which to examine the year’s work, which is presented to the entire school community.

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