NOTRE DAME MARIST ACADEMYMIDDLE DIVISION

What is the Middle Years Programme?

Notre Dame is an authorized International Baccalaureate World School, offering the Middle Years Programme to students in 6th through 10th grade. The MYP provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand

the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers.

The programme consists of eight subject groups integrated through five areas of interaction that provide a framework for learning within and across the subjects. These areas of interaction are: •Healthandsocialeducation •Communityandservice •Humaningenuity •Environments •Approachestolearning

The Five Essential ElementsThe five essential elements—concepts, knowledge, skills, attitudes, action—are incorporated into the MYP framework so that studentsaregiventheopportunityto: •gainknowledgethatisrelevantandofglobalsignificance. •developanunderstandingofconcepts,whichallowsthemto make connections throughout their learning. •acquiretransdisciplinaryanddisciplinaryskills. •developattitudesthatwillleadtointernational-mindedness. •demonstratedeeperlearningandresponsiblebehavior through responsible action; a manifestation in practice of the other essential elements.

The Learner ProfileThe learner profile describes a list of attributes that promote academicrigorandtheestablishingofapersonalvaluesystemleadingtointernational-mindedness.Theprogrammeencouragesstudentsto become:

Inquirers

Communicators

ThinkersKnowledgeablePrincipled

Open-Minded

Balanced

Reflective

Risk-Takers

Caring

Asastudentatthemiddledivision,youwillenjoyacurriculumthatallowsyoutoexplorebothtraditionalandcontemporarysubjectswithintheIBframework.Asnapshotoftheyear-by-yearclassload follows:

6th Grade

Science 6:Scienceandtechnology,astronomy,chemicalenergy,andtheenvironmentMathematics:Pre-AlgebraorHonorsAlgebraandGeometryLanguage and Literature:Reading,self-expression,and strategies of learning Language Acquisition: Living Spanish (one semester)/IntroductiontoMandarinChinese(onesemester)Individuals and Society (Western World): Geography,thestudyofclimate,environments,resources,andpeoplesofWesternEuropeandtheAmericasReligion: The Old TestamentDesign 6:Digitalcitizenship,keyboardingskills,Internet research, Google Drive, Microsoft Word, andtheMYPDesignCycleArts*:EssentialsofArtPerforming Arts*:BeginningChorus,BeginningBand,IntermediateBand,orAdvancedBandPhysical Education and Health

7th Grade

Science 7:Cells,heredityandgenetics,thehumanbody,weatherandatmosphere,andplantsMathematics:AlgebraandGeometryorHonorsAlgebraandGeometryLanguage and Literature:Literarygenreexploration,grammar,vocabulary,andoralpresentationsLanguage Acquisition:ContinuingLivingSpanishorMandarinChinese1/2

Individuals and Society (Eastern World): Geography,Easternhemispherecountries,andglobal perspective Religion: The New TestamentDesign 7: Digital citizenship, Internet research, GoogleDrive,MicrosoftWord,Excel,PowerPoint/Prezi,blogging,andtheMYPDesignCycleArts:ArtExplorationPerforming Arts: IntermediateChorus,IntermediateBand,orAdvancedBandPhysical Education and Health 8th Grade

Science 8:Chemistry,energy,motionandforces,andgeologyMathematics:AlgebraandGeometryorHonorsGeometryLanguage and Literature:Contemporaryandclassicliterature, and writing across the curriculum Language Acquisition:ContinuingLivingSpanishorMandarinChinese3/4Individuals and Society (U.S. History): Forming anewnationandrepublic,theCivilWar,andtherelationshipofU.S.historytocurrenteventsReligion:HistoryoftheCatholicChurchDesign 8: Digital citizenship, Internet research, Google Drive, spreadsheets, film creation and editing,3Ddesign,andtheMYPDesignCycleArts:ArtExplorationPerforming Arts: IntermediateChorus,IntermediateBand,orAdvancedBandPhysical Education and Health *EverystudentatNDMAmusttakeartsandperforming arts, i.e., band or chorus, in grade 6. Students in grades 7 and 8 must continue with arts, band or chorus.

In the MiddleThe middle division curriculum, designed and implemented through the collaborative work of Notre Dame MaristAcademyteachers,focusesonactivelearning,interdisciplinaryconnectionsandcommunityservice.

The Right

Beingthe“newkid”isn’talwayseasy,butallstudentsarewelcomeatNotreDame.Withcaringteachersandafull-timecounselor,ourstaffisreadyandabletohelpyounavigatetheupsanddownsofmakingthetransitiontoourschool.We’reprettysurethatlikeMira,whotransferredtoNotreDameasan8th-grader,you’lllikeithere,too!

BE CooLAt Notre Dame, it’s cool to be an athlete, a musician, a dancer, an artist and anything else you want to be. More than anything, though, it’s cool to be smart. As a student at Notre Dame, you, too, would have the opportunity to learn by doing. Here are some of the “hands-on” projects our students experience at our school:

6th Grade: “Cookbook”As a collaboration between Math and Technology classes, students select recipes, gather ingredients, and calculate changes necessary to halve or double their recipes. Using PowerPoint, each student designs a two-page layout with pictures of them cooking or baking their recipes for a class cookbook. Through this unit, students learn how their knowl-edge can have practical applications in their lives.

7th Grade: “Culture Quilt Project”In Eastern World class, students learn about the importance of all cultures within our nation and classrooms at Notre Dame. Through the culture quilt project, students examine their own backgrounds, which in turn helps them understand other cultures. Each student creates a quilt square with various symbols representing their culture, including elements such as food, language, celebrations, clothing, music, the role of family, religious beliefs or practices, and art. Through this unit, students learn how culture shapes how we see the world, ourselves and others. 8th Grade: “Zonk a Zombie”In this science lab, students learn critical concepts of physics in a fun way. They hypothesize what amount of force and movement will be required to knock down as many zombies as possible using a pendulum, with the option of lengthening or adding mass to it to change its impact. Students collect data that will prove or disprove their hypotheses, all the while gaining knowledge on mass, force, frequency and momentum.

Fit

Notre Dame Marist Academy—Middle Division(Grades 6-8)1300 Giddings Rd.Pontiac, MI 48340www.ndpma.orgAdmissions: 248-373-1061

“My favorite thing about Notre Dame is the freedom and oppor-tunity it provides as well as the way everyone encourages kids to try their best. This school also invites and welcomes all students, and provides an environment that really allows students to shine – academically, physically, and socially. The classes provide a better learning experience, and there is a wide variety of after-school sports and clubs.”

Mira HouseyNotre Dame student