Middle School Courses

The top-ranking Middle School at NEST+m offers an accelerated curriculum with a firm grounding in Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Mathematics, plus exciting courses in Web Design, French, Mandarin, Spanish, Theater Arts, Music, Studio Art, Physical Education and Health. Students follow an A/B schedule, with some courses and labs occurring on alternating days.

Art | English | Health | Library | Literacy | Math | Music | Physical Ed | Science | Social Studies | Theater | World Languages: French | Mandarin | Spanish
 

6th Grade Studio Art: Students explore the fundamentals of drawing, painting and collage through a variety of art projects that explore The Elements of Design in a studio art environment. Students use a variety of mediums and build their art vocabulary and appreciation for the arts.
7th Grade Studio Art: Students further their knowledge of the principles and elements of design with an emphasis on perspective, proportion, scale, and point of view. They also learn about different artists, cultures, and movements and make interdisciplinary connections throughout the year. 
8th Grade Studio Art: Students develop an ability to interpret and work in a variety of visual art forms through the study of the elements of design in drawings, paintings, sculptures, collages, and other media. top 
 
6th Grade English Language Arts: The class explores and critically analyzes works of literature, thinking carefully about how they relate to our lives and the world around us. This year we explore the theme of "identity," through discussions, writing assignments, projects, and literature. Students are expected to read at least 25 books as a way to develop a lifelong love of reading.
7th Grade English Language Arts: This year the class explores the theme of "perspective": What is perspective and why is it important to explore other points of view? The class will read nonfiction articles from a variety of sources. Students will choose a current issue that is important to them, then research different points of view and write a feature article that examines two or more sides of the issue. The class also develops strategies for reading nonfiction and understanding the structure of nonfiction writing.
8th Grade English Language Arts: This class, which emphasizes reading from multiple genres, independent inquiry, and composition, is designed to prepare students for the rigors of high school English classes. Students will read, analyze, and compare works of American literature from the Civil War period through modern times (authors include Stephen Crane, William Golding, Elie Weisel, and Harper Lee). They will take the New York State ELA exam in January. top
 
8th Grade Health: Students follow the HealthSmart curriculum, which helps develop skills necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Topics include mental and emotional health; HIV/AIDS; abstinence and safe sex; tobacco, alcohol, and drug prevention; violence and injury prevention; nutrition; and physical activity. top
 
Library classes are integrated into classroom instruction. In collaboration with classroom teachers, students are taught research skills while investigating topics covered in their classes. In addition to the resources at the NEST+m library, students will learn how to find information on the Internet, gather sources from the New York Public Library, and use electronic databases. They will also learn how to avoid plagiarism and properly cite their sources. top  
 
6th Grade Literacy: This course meets every other day, providing a block of time for students to work on fluency and stamina in reading and writing, and to build vocabulary. Students work on both creative and expository writing, and will be exposed to both fiction and nonfiction texts. This course is an opportunity for individual strengths and weaknesses to be identified and addressed, to help students prepare for the challenges they will meet as they progress through their academic careers. top 
 
6th Grade Math: Continuing with the Singapore Math program used in the NEST+m Lower School, sixth graders will complete a course in pre-algebra. 
7th Grade Math: Students continue to build on their pre-algebra skills, and begin studying algebra as well as some geometry. The class is infused with instruction, group work, presentations, and work at the board. Various math projects are also done throughout the year to emphasize material covered in class. By the time the New York State math exam is given in March, they will be well prepared for all topics on the exam. 
8th Grade Math: This year, students complete an integrated algebra course, including an analysis of number systems and operations, algebraic expressions, trigonometry of the right triangle, functions and relations, probability and statistics. The class culminates in the Regents Algebra Exam. top
 
6th Grade Band: Students who take music will participate in the Sixth Grade Concert Band (instrument choices include flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone horn, and percussion). They will develop instrumental proficiency and music literacy through performance of a repertoire including Western classical music and contemporary concert band literature.
7th Grade Band: Continuing their instrumental studies, students in Seventh Grade Band develop musicality, read music, and work as a team, playing a varied concert repertoire and learning scales, etudes, and chorales. 
8th Grade Band: Students further refine their musical skills in Eighth Grade Band. In addition to expanding their range and sight-reading ability, students concentrate on proper intonation, phrasing, and musical interpretation. Selected literature focuses on pieces listed in the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) manual. top 
 
The Physical Education program at NEST+m is designed to develop the mental, emotional, physical, and social skills to promote lifelong fitness. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of team and individual sports, which include skills, rules, game strategy, and physical fitness, as well as promoting activities they can integrate into healthy lifestyles, such as walking, biking, yoga, and weight lifting. top 
 
6th Grade Project-Based Inquiry Science: PBIS is a nontraditional curriculum that provides students with a rich and engaging experience, enabling them to consider and apply complex science ideas. 
7th Grade Living Environment: In preparation for the Living Environment Regents Exam, students meet six times a week (including two lab sessions) to study life sciences. The seven units covered in this course include organization of life; heredity and genetics; evolution; reproduction and development; homeostasis; ecology; and human impact on the environment.
8th Grade Earth Science: In preparation for the Earth Science Regents Exam, students focus on astronomy, meteorology, and geology. In lab sessions, students have the opportunity to conduct experiments and analyze data for each unit, including: measuring Earth; energy in the atmosphere; weather; rocks and minerals; weathering, erosion, and deposition; climate and landscape regions; plate tectonics; and geologic history. top
 
6th Grade Social Studies: Students study world history from the formation of our planet all the way to the Medieval period. The class explores how our species developed, the beginnings of civilization, and the beginnings of agriculture. They will also study the great ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. 
7th Grade Social Studies: This year, students examine American history from European exploration in the fifteenth century to the Civil War and Reconstruction. One of the primary goals of this course is to utilize a variety of disciplines, including geography, anthropology, economics, and political science, to better understand the history of our nation. An emphasis is placed on the lasting impacts that history has on individual lives and the world at large. 
8th Grade Social Studies: In eighth grade, students focus on a chronological study of the history of the United States, and particularly New York State, from the Civil War to the present. While students will look at the actions of presidents and other important figures, they will also focus on how common people lived and acted, comparing the different experiences of various ethnic, religious, and racial groups, social classes, and genders. top
 
6th Grade Theater: In this introductory course, students build a foundation of performance technique and a basic vocabulary for production and critical viewing of theater. The course will develop the mind, body, and voice as expressive dramatic tools, as well as building confidence and teaching students how to work effectively as a group. The yearlong course culminates in a performance/production. top
 
WORLD LANGUAGES:
FRENCH
6th Grade French: In this class, students will acquire basic language skills, including listening, reading, speaking, and writing, and will also explore the cultural aspects of different French-speaking countries around the world. Class activities include grammar and vocabulary games, songs, skits, and charades.
7th Grade French: In this class, students continue to improve their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills.
8th Grade French: Students prepare for their proficiency exam, which will allow them to skip one year of foreign language in High School. By the end of the year, they will be able to communicate basic ideas in French, read and write intermediate texts, and listen to authentic basic French conversations. top
 
6th Grade Mandarin: This beginning course is designed for students with little or no Chinese language background. Over the course of the year, they will acquire the skills to communicate effectively in socially, culturally, and developmentally appropriate ways. They will also be introduced to the writing of Chinese characters and will explore cultural practices and perspectives of Chinese culture. 
7th Grade Mandarin: In this course, the goal is for students to attain novice-mid to novice-high proficiency in Mandarin through a standards-based approach. They will give brief oral reports and presentations in each thematic unit, and also write sentences in Chinese characters on the topic covered. top
 
6th Grade Spanish: In this class, students will acquire basic language skills, including listening, reading, speaking, and writing, and will also explore the cultural aspects of different Spanish-speaking countries around the world. Class activities include grammar and vocabulary games, songs, skits, and charades.
7th Grade Spanish: In this class, students continue to improve their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills.
8th Grade Spanish: Students prepare for their proficiency exam, which will allow them to skip one year of foreign language in High School. By the end of the year, they will be able to communicate basic ideas in Spanish, read and write intermediate texts, and listen to authentic basic Spanish conversations. top