The Middle School curriculum builds upon previously acquired skills with the aim of encouraging familiarity and confident use of computers and other technology tools in all appropriate areas of life. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of programming, data analysis and visual design and are prepared for courses in the Tutorial House as well as for success in an increasingly digital world.
An integration specialist works with faculty across all other subjects to develop new ways to foster student learning objectives. Also, the faculty who take on direct ICT instruction attempt, as much as possible and appropriate, to integrate content from other subjects into the delivery of the skills and concepts necessary for successful participation in the current and future global society.
Middle One
Subjects and skills taught in Middle One include the use of Office productivity tools such as word processing and spreadsheets as well as various applications for desktop publishing, drawing, animation, and digital presentations. Problem solving skills and programming concepts are taught through the use of MicroWorlds Pro and subjects such as computer ethics, Internet safety and research skills are introduced.
Middle Two
The Middle Two ICT classes build upon the skills learned in Middle One and introduce more advanced topics in publishing, including the associated terminology such as banner, byline, masthead and white space. Students are taught how to use built-in functions in spreadsheets for the first time to display (both numerically and graphically) data collected in a class survey. Students also work with Photoshop and learn techniques for editing and manipulating digital images. These images are eventually integrated into their digital presentations and Web Page designs. They use Inspiration to learn concept mapping and outlining and continue using MicroWorlds to reinforce their problem solving and programming skills. Students also complete a report on a Web site of their choosing, evaluating the validity of the content and authenticity of the content provider as well as how efficiently the Web pages function.
Middle Three
In the first semester of their Middle Three year, students finish their work with spreadsheets, learning how to create formulas using the advanced concepts of Conditionals and Arrays (VLOOKUP tables). Later in the semester, they are introduced to Scratch, a simple and exciting animation programming environment developed by MIT. Using it, they learn to program a game in a drag-and-drop environment and add sound effects to it. Students also learn how to use image manipulation software to work with existing images in order to make posters and other published materials. In the second semester, students work in pairs as entrepreneurs creating a restaurant business. They use various software applications to design floor plans, company logos, letterhead stationery templates and menus. The students are introduced to the concept of a target market and then identify the target market for their business. By creating an address book and using mail merge to write letters to prospective investors, the students are introduced to the concept of a simple database and data types. Working in pairs, they use various methods of file sharing and gain experience in being responsible members of a team. The skills they learn this year are meant to help them with their course work, as well as with any individual digital projects they might pursue outside of school.
Middle Four
Middle Four students start the year learning how to create and manage relational databases as well as how to construct the varied Boolean techniques that can be used to search databases for information. After their technical skills become second nature, the course directs its focus to graphic design, in particular with the role of warm colors, cold colors, contrast, saturation, simplicity, complexity and balance. Their plan of study in this year stands out from the rest of their work in Middle School because they are given larger sections of time to work on individual projects as well as more control over the content of their projects.