MIDDLE SCHOOL OFFERINGS

Admission is rolling, as space is available.  For the 2019 - 2020 academic year, we are accepting a maximum of only 10 students in each class/program. Currently (as of August 21st) we have a waiting list for the Radix program and limited space available in our Breathe program, in our Pratt Center program, and in our Spanish & Sign Language classes.

Our Radix curriculum includes math, science, English, history, art, music, acting, and foreign language, as well as offering additional writing, organizational, and math support services. This schedule which emphasizes project-oriented, cross-curricular classes, has executive functioning and social skills instruction built in and is designed specifically for middle school students because it is right in line with their brain development.  Radix classes run M-W-F from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. The facility is open for early drop-off and late pickup 8 am to 4 pm.  

Our Breathe program is designed either for families looking for five full days or for homeschoolers looking to add some structure to their children's curriculum.  This is cross-curricular, active learning, particularly powerful for kinesthetic learners.  Classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8:30 am - 3:00 pm.

Students may choose to participate in either program or both.  Both the Radix and the Breathe programs are drop-off programs, however, parents are asked to volunteer some time on site. No educational program can meet its full potential without parental support!

​

While all of the included areas of study are foundational to a strong liberal arts education, academics are always secondary to the children's sense of self and mental health.  Everyone learns more efficiently and deeply when they are well-rested, well-fed, secure, and interested in what they are doing.  Our classes are organized in such a way that students can explore many topics and have the opportunity to get up and move around during their day. Kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learners are all supported in these classes. 

Our philosophy in middle school education begins with the truly foundational work of strengthening executive functioning & organizational skills - always a process!  Social skills come in at a close second in terms of the needs of this age group and these are addressed in our Improv, storytelling classes, and Q.I.C. classes, as well as through plenty of discussions, teamwork, and group exercises in classes.  Our focus is always on the mental health and happiness of our students because students must have their need for a safe and supportive learning environment met first before any learning happens.

Academically, our focus is the love of learning through exploration and curiosity.  We include foreign language, math, and music which hone skills while paving the pathways for language in the brain.  Individualized curricula and attention help students to move as quickly as they prefer, while also learning as deeply as their interest takes them.

Class Descriptions

***Drawing & Painting***

Get back to foundational work in this art class, offered by popular demand.  Kids love to work on their drawing and painting skills and this class fits the bill with some incredible instruction designed to kick any student's work up to the next level.

***Math***
Students are placed according to ability in either Foundational Math Skills I, Foundational Math Skills II or Pre-algebra/Algebra I.  Students who need Algebra I will be placed in the high school class.  Private math tutoring is available, of course!

***Science***

Science this year will focus on the environment in all its complexity.  Currently, we are looking at programming that focuses on the polar regions, marine life, and nature-based engineering and design, working with special guest teacher, Chris Lener.  Check back for more information as we put this exciting program together!

***Science & Math in Art***

Fibonacci, anyone?   This class will play with science and mathematics in art.  The possibilities are endless and will help to support their efforts in both their science classes and their math classes.

***Communication***
In this class, students will focus on artistic forms of communication including body language (acting/improv), poetry, use of language to evoke emotion, dance, and music.  Students will learn to read social cues more effectively, to create their own works with specific goals of communication in mind, and to appreciate great works of art.  Improv and Music Theory are being absorbed into this class.

***QIC: Questions, Inquiries, and Conundrums***
Have you noticed how kids are naturally curious? The way they ask a question every few minutes? In this class, where the curriculum revolves around students' curiosity, questions are required. This is what we like to call a 'follow your nose' class.

Each week students will discuss topics that they find fascinating with one another. The conversation will be very organic and natural. Simple questions will be answered in class. More difficult ones are written on the board and kids choose which ones they want to research and explain to the class the following week.

***Writing Lab, Organization, & Homework Lab***

Students in this class will be able to work on papers that have been assigned in other classes, guided every step of the way by a hands-on writing instructor.  Through analytical writing, peer critiques, and presentations, students deepen their ability to analyze, evaluate, and critique text independently.  Specific writing types; arguments, informative/explanatory texts, and narratives in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience will be emphasized.

The key here is to get students organized at the end of the week, to work on their writing assignments and projects for other classes, and to get a strong dose of executive functioning work to round out their week.

***Food Culture & Geography of the World*** 

Foreign languages and communication are top academic priorities here at Education without Walls.  We want students to be exposed to as many cultures and languages as possible.  This class is where culture, language, geography and, of course, food all come together.  Students will be asked to research their favorite aspects of countries around the world, suggest recipes, learn about that country's history and culture, and then will have a great time cooking and eating together as they discuss their work.  We will tie in lessons with a few native phrases and conversational skills with a bit of vocabulary.  Just an intro and then moving on to the next place.

***Sign Language 1 OR Sign Language 2***

In this course, students will begin by learning the alphabet as well as how to fingerspell. In addition, they will learn numbers, colors, family members, foods, and other basic vocabulary. Introductory conversational skills will be the focus as the course continues. Other vocabulary categories will include adjectives, questions,  items and areas in the home, school-related terms, foods, and time, as well as common phrases.  Lessons on deaf culture and ASL specific grammar styles will accompany their learning.

Informal "quizzes" will accompany the students' learning. Additionally, they will practice their skills in both scripted and unscripted dialogues. One or more songs will be included to further integrate their targeted vocabulary (as well as introduce new words) and support their lessons on deaf culture by bringing music to life visually.

***Spanish 1 OR Spanish 2***

The main objectives are for students to achieve the ability to carry on a simple conversation and to learn basic language patterns and vocabulary. These objectives will be developed through comprehensible input and repetition with the use of media, games, adapted readings, oral-written tests, homework, art and/or class discussions.

By the end of the year, students should be able to communicate with others about activities related to daily life. It is expected that all foreign language students will practice outside of class at least three additional days per week. 

***Art at the VCA***

This where big projects and serious hands-on work happen.  Pottery, Ceramics, and 3-D Design are the focus in this class.  The VCA offers a top-notch pottery studio with 8 wheels and incredible, personalized instruction.   Students will be dropped off at the VCA in the morning and walked across the green, back to EWoW when the class is finished.  The off weeks when classes are not running at the VCA will have kids working at EWoW in QIC and Math Games.

***The Art of Storytelling***

Kids love to tell stories!  This class helps provide goals and structure for their creative writing pursuits.  Touching on the hero's journey at the beginning, and looking at engaging short stories, poems, and literature throughout the year, students will have the opportunity to emulate their favorite authors and their stories.  They are sure to complete the year with a greater appreciation of the art of telling a story, as well as their own unique and truly memorable work of literary art.  

***Pratt Center Thursdays***

From Pratt Center: We offer flexible programming which allows for each session to find its own rhythm, based on the season and the children’s interest and inspiration. With nature as our classroom, each day can feel like play while also being strongly rooted in exceptional academics.

Identifying native and invasive plant species while on a hike or for making a tea? We’re learning orienteering, herbalism, perseverance.

A trip to the pond to catch frogs, feeding the barn animals, or noticing animal tracks? Zoology, freshwater ecology, and responsibility.

Observing the changing leaves or growing in our garden? Chemistry,  plant biology and teamwork.

These are just a few of many examples of how interacting with nature lends itself to academic learning, not to mention the physical and social layers embedded in each experience. It can seem like a bit of magic to see just how much anyone learns when they’re outside. We strongly believe that when a child is outside, strengthening their connection to the natural world, learning isn’t necessarily magic, it’s just the way they were meant to do it.

Pratt Center will be working with EWoW staff to support our science and history classes.  EWoW teachers will help out at Pratt as needed and for special projects.