Middle School

The Detroit Country Day Middle School English program focuses primarily on the development of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The program also seeks to foster the enjoyment of language, the appreciation of literature, the expression of creativity and the development of logical, critical thinking.

 

Middle school language arts teachers employ a variety of student-centered approaches to create activities designed to further develop students’ abstract, logical and critical thinking skills:

The goal of the Middle School history department is for students to develop a sound understanding and appreciation for people, places and events that have shaped the world in which they live today.

 

The history department believes that in order to foster and reinforce academic growth a variety of learning techniques must be utilized. Skills strongly emphasized and practiced throughout the history curriculum are: technical reading, identifying main ideas, note-taking formats, paragraph and essay writing, interpretive analysis and oral expression. Historical information and academic skills are explored through cooperative learning exercises, interdisciplinary activities, computer web quests, individual research projects, audio-visual aids and roleplaying activities. We are striving to develop students who will be able to take factual material and apply it to formulate thoughts, ideas and conclusions of their own.

The Middle School math department offers a rich variety of course to meet the individual needs of the student. Emphasis is placed on applying computational skills to quantitative situations. The aim is to present concepts in a manner that is engaging and allows students to think critically while developing mathematical understandings and connections.

 

For students who complete the Middle School mathematics sequence early, advanced courses are offered within the Middle School and for some, the Upper School. The department provide numerous opportunities for students to compete in local, regional, state, national and international competitions.

The intent of the Middle School science curriculum is to engage students with meaningful context of their science education at both a personal and global level. All classes are student-centered with emphasis on hands-on and intellectually engaging activities. Through cooperative learning students are challenged to think critically and creatively.

The majority of the students study at least one world language with the intent to broaden their horizons in terms of cultural and geographical awareness and increased understanding of one's own language.

 

All skills of language acquisition are targeted: reading, listening, speaking, and writing in conjunction with culture by native or near-native speakers.

The primary goal of the Music department is to provide excellent musical experiences through performance in instrumental music (band and orchestra) and choral music. Through its multi-level structure, the instrumental program offers the beginning student the opportunity to perform while giving the advanced players the proper environment in which to further develop their skills and express their musicality. The choral program is open to every student who wishes to participate. Each ensemble offers a unique experience.

The mission, philosophy and purpose of the physical education program reflects the school's motto - Mens Sana in Corpore Sano (a sound mind in a sound body). Students are taught values of health and wellness in addition to be challenged to meet their individual potential.

The Theatre, Dance, & Communication Arts department offers students the opportunity to explore their creativity in a nurturing and supportive setting. Courses offered include combined speech and theatre courses for each grade level in addition to an honors level for eighth grade students, and dance rotator courses for each grade level as well as a year-long course for the more advanced dancers.

The Middle School Visual Arts department offers arts instruction for all students. At all grade levels there is a rotating art class offered. A year-long option is available for the upper grades.

 

The program embodies creativity in a collaborative, safe, approachable environment. The focus is to create artists by instilling the eight Studio Habits (Studio Thinking: The Real Benefits of Visual Arts Education, 2007). While core artistic skills are emphasized, fun and enjoyment of learning is an important element as well.