Curriculum Highlights
Through a set of middle school core competencies for 21st century learning, students are challenged by unique academic experiences at each grade level.
Take Action Research Project – Sixth Grade
While studying geography, sixth grade students learn about the relationship people have with the Earth. This project transports students’ learning beyond the classroom as they tackle real world issues and develop actions plans that empower them to take an active role in promoting positive change. Students explore their
world through research, learning and developing a foundation of 21st century research skills. In creating an action plan for change, students may act as individuals, in small groups, or as a class to make a positive impact in their community and beyond. Issues students have chosen to “explore, think, and act” on in the past have included: children’s rights, the global food system, maternal health, universal education and environmental sustainability. Students gain important research and writing skills from their work on this project but more importantly they are led to become more empowered global citizens who recognize that they have the power to make a difference locally and globally.
Integrated Public Speaking – Seventh and Eighth Grade
In seventh and eighth grade, integrated units of study in public speaking are woven into the curriculum. Extemporaneous, informative, and persuasive speaking, the oral interpretation of literature, storytelling, and acting are the major activities, with each experience as an introduction or follow-up to a unit of study within the academic class. Seventh graders are exposed to story and poem interpretation as well as given an 
opportunity to perform monologues. The culminating unit in seventh grade invites student to collaborate as a team on an informative science presentation which highlights their stream study. In eighth grade, students progress toward acting out scenes from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Through Civics class, students choose an issue of social significance, research it, and take a stance through a formal oration. Skills gained though seventh and eighth grade IPS units prepare students for their memoir performance, which serves as a culminating experience to middle school.
Stream Study – Seventh Grade
In seventh grade science, students investigate the stream on Greenhills’ property by asking, “How clean is our stream?” This interdisciplinary, inquiry, project-based unit allows students to develop an understanding of earth science, chemistry, biology and environmental science by engaging in similar activities to real scientists. A primary goal is to empower students to view themselves as global eco-citizens who have responsibility to take positive action to contribute to a sustainable earth. Students collect and analyze various water quality data twice during the year. Throughout the year, students engage in service-learning projects related to the theme of water, including building and maintaining trails, a boardwalk and bridges along the stream on campus, working in the Ann Arbor community to chip trails with the Natural Area Preservation unit of the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department and collecting water quality data along Flemming Creek with the Huron River Watershed Council. Additionally, students make a difference globally as they work on a project with global partners. This project culminates in students presenting their water quality findings along with highlights from the service learning projects to members of the community.
Roundtable Discussions – Seventh Grade
Roundtable Discussions are active assessments that are a part of the seventh grade American History curriculum. These assessments take a “Socratic Seminar” approach to learning. Students take on a role as
an individual or a group of people and discuss major historical debates and questions with one another. The roundtable discussion allows for students to develop ideas with other voices requiring students to take on multiple perspectives, argument formation, and utilize historical knowledge. Students develop these sophisticated content skills while also learning important developmental skills such as teamwork, assessment preparation, reading and writing development, and discussion techniques. Students utilize formal, role-playing discussions during several roundtable discussion assessments that range from a specific era of history to a cumulative end of the year project called the “Historical Figures Roundtable.” This cumulative capstone project requires students to portray characters from early Native cultures to the Great Depression and discuss historical dilemmas still relevant to our national conversations today.
Memoir Project – Eighth Grade
In English class, eighth grade students spend the year writing a personal memoir collection. Throughout the year, students take time to study and practice the genre of memoir as a literary and writing form. Inspired from their reading of A House on Mango Street and To Kill a Mockingbird, Sandra Cisneros and other writers, students begin experimenting with their voices and taking their writing to new heights through the use of figurative and sensory language, dialogue, and tone. As students write memoirs focused on childhood memories, personal beliefs, family anecdotes, and life lessons, skills in editing and revision become integral parts of completing this capstone writing project. At the Academic Capstone Showcase held in May, projects are put on display and students read a memoir aloud to an audience of parents and teachers. Ultimately, each student’s memoir project serves as a major milestone in his or her middle school writing career.
Sustainability Action Project – Eighth Grade
This evolving project builds upon 21st century research and inquiry skills gained in sixth and seventh grades and invites eighth graders, through their science class, to investigate an issue of sustainability. Student are led to think critically about their issue, to collaborate as a team in posing a central question, to research and blog about the issue, and to ultimately create a project that promotes change in their community’s sustainability practices. Through the year, students work together to synthesize their understanding of their issue and its potential solutions while using technology to manage information and communicate ideas. Examples of past projects include an investigation of Great Lake fish depletion, creation of solar powered cars, and a project aimed at dolphin conservation. This unique, year-long project culminates during the Academic Capstone Showcase when students present their research and final projects in front of parents and teachers.
Click here for Capstone Showcase highlights
