Brush Creek Montessori School

"There is no description, no image in any book that is capable of replacing the sight of real trees, and all of the life to be found around them in a real forest"
Maria Montessori

Middle School

Middle School-ages 12-15

In September, 2003, Brush Creek Montessori will reopen its doors to children 12 through 15 years of age. In addition to an academic junior high school curriculum, the students become experienced in "life skills", such as entrepreneurship, community stewardship and outdoor survival skills.

We believe any child at this age needs practical experience to succeed as an adult. They need to know who they are and what they can become. Each child is given leadership experience in all areas. Our teachers/counselors are committed to supporting the child through this very awkward transition to adulthood. Patience, truthfulness, compassion and integrity are their models.

Field trips to the San Francisco Symphony, Steinhardt Aquarium, SRJC Planetarium, Sonoma County Observatory, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, and several local plays and orchestral presentations will be offered each month. The children will raise their own money for these trips through gardening and selling the produce, baking and selling their goods, creating and selling a yearbook and a monthly newsletter.

The students will be offered several opportunities for the camping experience throughout our temperate months, where they learn survival skills necessary for their self-awareness and confidence.
We hope you will visit our website again for updates on our process in this direction.

Curriculum

MATHEMATICS-Pre-algebra and algebra, including number theory; data analysis; fractions, decimals, percents; probability; rational numbers; relationships among variables; positive and negative integers; ratio and proportion; scaling, linear functions; graph and equation models; exponents; quadratic relationships and equations; permutations and combinations.

GEOMETRY-Properties of polygons, area, volume, applied projects in perimeter and area; two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional objects;geometric representation of statistical data; coordinate geometry; three-dimensional measurement; pythagorean theorem extensions into area, distance and slope.

READING-Reading workshop format to refine reflection; discussion and communication about collective and
individual-choice reading material from Middle School book lists and the Great Books series.

LANGUAGE-Refinement of vocabulary through mini-lessons and individual conferences; mastery of mechanics through self-editing, peer-editing, and teacher-student conferences; presentation and publishing of research and essays .

GRAMMAR-Study of clauses; refinement in usage, phrases; regular and irregular verbs (conjugation of regular and irregular verbs) ; use of compound and complex sentences, refine understanding of all parts of speech and syntax.

WRITING AND SPELLING-Production of polished and finely-tuned writing in several genres, including essays, short stories, term papers, letters, plays and dialogues; mini-lessons in mechanics and spelling as needed.

RESEARCH-Science projects, history projects, literary projects and mathematics projects presented in written form,
demonstration form, and integrated with dramatic production and publishing.

LITERATURE-American literature, historical literature and world regional literature is integrated with the study of
History and consists of books drawn from Middle School book lists; Readers' Workshop develops skills of presentation, critical thinking and discussion of ideas.

SCIENCE -Physical science including mechanics, aeronautics and chemistry; life science including body systems,
health, reproduction and ecology; earth science including plate tectonics geology , ocean and atmospheric elements and their dynamics.

GEOGRAPHY-Cultural literacy pertaining to geography is developed in conjunction with the study of History , Regional Studies, Literature and Science.

HISTORY-Study of early humans, early civilizations, Roman Empire to the French Revolution, modern history and
other regional studies.

PRACTICAL LIVING -Operation of a business includes complex organization, communication, basic economics,
accounting and problem solving; buddy relationships with young children builds awareness and skills of working with children.

SOCIAL SKILLS-Community-building experiences throughout the year (beginning with) group challenges while camping; daily community meetings to discuss individual and group needs; group work and projects with assigned and rotating individual roles.

INDEPENDENCE-Students are responsible for work contracted in five- week cycles; students choose electives in five-week cycles; wide choice of specific projects within many curriculum areas including history , literature, science, reading and research; students assume leadership of daily community meetings.

SERVICE-Students must choose at least one community service project each school year from available opportunities
such as elder care, collection of clothing for the homeless, fundraising for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and assisting in community child-care programs.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT-Cardiovascular, muscular and skeletal development through high interest short courses in varied disciplines such as swimming, dance, volleyball and climbing, regular physical education games.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE-Three hours weekly of Spanish instruction centering on conversational skills; steady progress in vocabulary development and the conjugation of regular and irregular verbs.

ARTS -Visual, performing and practical arts including painting, sculpture, printing, sewing, ceramics and others offered as elective in five-week cycles; drama classes twice weekly including reading of great plays and play performances.