27 Over the next several pages, you’ll experience a day in the life of a 5th grader at Park. The climate in Park’s Middle School, which encompasses Grades 5 through 8, is ideal for self-exploration, and each student is supported in developing independence and individuality. Early adolescence is a period of rapid change. Young people have simultaneous - often competing - needs: for structure and clear limits on one hand, and increased autonomy on the other. Park’s Middle School combines a rigorous academic curriculum with an engaging and supportive environment to help students negotiate those competing needs and to build each student’s responsibility for active learning while maintaining the joy of discovery. Students begin to transition from the self-contained core classrooms of Lower School to the shared teaching model of our 5th and 6th grades, with each teacher concentrating in either ELA/Social Studies or Math/Science across both grade levels. This allows faculty to delve deeply into their content expertise and engage students in differentiated learning to meet their needs. Students develop independence as they travel around campus for World Language, Art, Drama, Music, and Physical Education classes. While building their confidence and autonomy, students retain a strong team-teaching structure to guide their growth. Grade 5 students start the day in their homeroom each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they join with the entire Middle School for Community Gathering, a time to share division-wide announcements, hear from the Middle School Student Government, and plan for upcoming events (like Country Fair). At the conclusion of the Community Gathering, students are given the freedom to walk on their own to their first special of the day: today it’s art with Mr. Loomis! 8:00 | ARRIVAL & MORNING MEETING The focus of Grade 5 art this semester has been introducing the elements and principles of art through a variety of individual and group projects. The projects are intended to give students a better understanding of materials and how to properly use them to bring their creative ideas to life. Students are encouraged to get out of their comfort zones and try new techniques or improve on skills they already know. 8:20 | ART WITH MR. LOOMIS A DAY IN GRADE 5: Rich Content, Collaboration, and Creativity in Park’s Middle School
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