Middle School Curriculum ( 6-8 Grades)
ELA
Middle School English Language Arts provides exciting opportunities for students to explore, analyze, create and communicate language. By examining classic works of literature and being exposed to new titles and genres, including novels, poetry, drama, speeches, short stories, music lyrics, graphic novels, non-fiction, news and magazine articles, primary sources, and art, students will learn to read critically and think deeply. In sixth grade, students explore the internal journeys, experiences and personal choices that help people to shape their thinking, develop their convictions, and discover their own voices. In seventh grade, they examine how the world around them shapes their thinking, matures their convictions, inspires them to raise their own voices in the face of adversity, and aids them in following a meaningful path in life. As writers, middle school students will learn and apply correct language usage, mechanics, and structure, focusing on developing clear and concise writing skills. They will expand and vary their vocabulary and sentence structure, study figurative language to become more passionate writers of poetry, short stories, persuasive arguments, and essays. Students will leave eighth grade with the oral and written skills and confidence necessary for the academic challenges of high school.
Science
Through inquiry and hands-on labs, middle schoolers learn to apply the scientific method and the engineering design process and use both to solve real problems through experimentation. Students learn to use careful observation and thoughtful inferencing to develop testable hypotheses and design their own experiments. They collect and analyze data in a variety of ways, and learn how to effectively communicate information using graphs and charts.
The sixth grade curriculum examines physical science: understanding and measuring mass, volume, length, and density; metric conversions; properties of matter such as conductivity, state, malleability, solubility, and density; states of matter and molecule arrangement; how to separate mixtures; weather, the atmosphere, air pressure, wind, weather and climate. The seventh grade curriculum explores physical science, focusing on the principles of motion, speed, velocity, and acceleration; Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation, simple machines and how they are used in the real world, and the various forms of energy (thermal, potential, kinetic, etc.). In eighth grade, students apply their inquiry and analysis skills to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions in the field of biology. They learn the structure and function of cells within our bodies, how organisms change over time, how genetic information is passed on between parents and offspring, and how the various body systems work together to support us in completing daily activities. Throughout middle school, students participate in weekly STEM projects.
Math
WDS follows the curriculum as outlined by the New York State Department of Education. Overarching math goals include honing the skills needed to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, to reason abstractly and quantitatively, to model with mathematics, and to look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Sixth grade math focuses on a strong introduction to ratios, rates, proportional reasoning and percents, as well as algebraic expressions and equations. The students are introduced to the system of rational numbers and then apply their understanding to negative numbers. Students will continue their fluency with decimals and fractions, as well as continue their work with topics in geometry, statistics, data analysis, and probability. Beyond sixth grade, students are offered a grade-level math class or an advanced math class. The advanced 7th grade section learns 8th grade pre-Algebra, and the advanced 8th grade section follows the advanced 9th grade Algebra 1 curriculum.
Social Studies
In accordance with the New York State curriculum, Social Studies is presented in ways that allow students to explore the past in order to understand the present and shape the future. History is brought to life by having students write and perform original songs about the countries, learn dances from around the world, and write and perform in historical plays. In addition to learning key events, students also learn writing and analytic skills, including forming and justifying arguments, analyzing primary and secondary sources, writing analytical essays, conducting research, interpreting maps and locating specific places and other skills. In sixth grade, students explore the history, geography, economies, governments and cultures of Eastern Hemisphere nations. Units of study include the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece, Italy and Western Africa along with a unit dedicated to Medieval Times and the Renaissance. Seventh graders explore the history, geography, government and economy of the United States from pre-Columbian times to the 19th century. Units of study include: Native American Civilizations, Exploration, the 13 Colonies, Life in the Colonies & the Enlightenment, the American Revolution, the Constitution & American Government, New York State History & Government, the Early Republic, the Age of Jackson and Reform Movements & Westward Expansion. Eighth graders learn about the history, geography, government and economy of the United States from the Civil War to the present. Units of study include the Civil War, Business and Progressivism, Imperialism, World War I, the 1920s, the Great Depression and the Stock Market, World War II, Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam Era and the 1980s-2000s.
Chumash
The primary goals for students studying Chumash are 1) to analyze the text with critical thinking, breaking down words according to their shorashim (roots), and 2) develop text-to-text and text-to-self connections in order to discover the Torah’s timeless messages, highlight overarching themes, and develop a personal and enduring connection to Torah. Classes focus on highlighting recurring themes and relevant life lessons. Cognitively, students learn the pshat (basic meaning) of the pesukim, and explore Rashi to clarify and deepen their understanding. By 8th grade, students have been introduced to a plethora of mefarshim (commentaries) on the Torah, which deepens their understanding of the text and gives them a greater appreciation of the vibrancy, depth, and richness of the experience of Torah learning. Additionally, students are challenged to begin learning Chumash more independently and in Chavruta (pair) learning. With this style of learning, students prepare new material with guidance from the instructor, and gain the confidence to become independent Chumash learners. 6th grade continues the study of Sefer Shmot (Exodus), focusing on Bnei Yisrael as an incipient nation and tracing their development as they adjust to their newfound freedom and home in the desert – from the monumental tenth plague in Egypt, through the splitting of the sea and the giving of the Torah, and the building of the Mishkan. In 7th grade Chumash students focus on Sefer Bamidbar (Numbers), examining Bnei Yisrael’s experience in the desert. 8th Grade Chumash continues to trace the nation’s development, including its growth, setbacks, and relationship with Hashem.
Gemara
After being introduced to Torah Sheb'al Peh (the Oral Torah) in fifth grade, middle schoolers take their first strides in the world of Gemara. Students deepen their understanding of the context and function of these major texts, develop the linguistic and comprehension skills necessary to understand their teachings, and analytically explore the practical lessons that emerge from their study.
In sixth grade, the study of the laws of Hashavat Aveidah (returning lost property) in Masechet Bava Metzia becomes a tool for engaging with the Torah, fostering appreciation for the Mitzvot Bein Adam L'Chaveiro (mitzvot between people), and understanding our place in our millenia-long Mesorah (tradition). Students emerge with the ability to navigate a volume of the Gemara, the mastery of major concepts that underlie Torah Sheb'al Peh (the Oral Tradition), and a deep thirst to continue drinking from the Yam HaTalmud (the Sea of Talmud). During seventh grade Gemara, students more directly engage with the teachings of the Amora'im (authors of the Gemara). Through the study of Masechet Berachot, students will expand their key vocabulary, appreciate the structures of Talmudic conversation and argumentation, and learn to track the Shakla v'Tarya (back-and-forth) of Amoraic reasoning. They will consider how the Amora'im expand on the rulings of the Tanna'im (authors of the Mishna) and appreciate how later generations of scholars build on the teachings of their predecessors. They will also study Talmudic passages concerning Tefillah, which will afford them opportunities to deepen their relationship with Hashem and with this central Mitzvah. In 8th grade students build on the skills gained in both 6th and 7th grades. 8th graders are challenged to break down the "back and forth" of the final step in the discussion as they study Tractate Arvei Pesachim, which deals primarily with laws concerning the preparations for the Pesach Seder, the laws of Kiddush and Havdalah. The material acts as a springboard for many discussions about the logic and philosophy of the Torah Sh'b'al Peh. The various layers of Gemara enable organic opportunities for differentiated learning.
Hebrew Language
WDS’s Hebrew curriculum develops students’ proficiency in the Hebrew language as a primary vehicle for expanding their connection and love of Israel, and for enriching their understanding of their national, religious, and cultural identity. Students develop their skills in all areas of language acquisition: reading and listening comprehension, and written and oral expression. Classes are infused with Israeli culture - stories, songs, games, newspapers, movies, and celebrations. The class provides opportunities for students to use Hebrew language to communicate about ideas and events that are central to their life experiences. Units focus on Jewish leaders, significant places in Israel, values, middot and Jewish history. Students learn through engagement with authentic and interest-based texts and materials that reflect the modern state of Israel related to everyday life activities to make learning Hebrew meaningful and exciting. Students continue to study WDS’s unique and signature Yisrael B’Chayai (Israel in My Life) curriculum, developed by two WDS master teachers.
Navi
Navi provides opportunities to focus on the historical content of the books, as well as the religious guidance it offers, on both an individual and a nationalistic level. Successful Navi students apply the historical, moral, and interpersonal lessons learned to their daily lives. Emphasis is placed on the skills necessary to independently understand the storyline of the Navi, as well as to appreciate the role of the meforshim (commentators) in the process of learning Tanakh. Navi lessons uses a variety of modalities in order to enhance students’ learning, including lectures, chevruta (paired) learning, cooperative group learning, interactive SmartBoard lessons, and creative assignments (projects, skits, etc.) Sixth grade studies Sefer Shmuel Alef, appreciating how divided the nation is during the time of the shoftim (judges) and how much both Shmuel and Shaul unite the nation in the land of Israel. In 7th grade, students build on their knowledge as they learn the second book of Shmuel, delving into the nation of Israel establishing itself as one nation under King David in the city of Jerusalem. 8th grade Navi explores Sefer Melachim Aleph (Kings I) and focuses on the personality and kingship of King Solomon in depth, including the obstacles to his succession, the key characteristics of his era, and the building of the Beit Hamikdash.
Co-curricular Offerings
WDS offers an executive functioning skills-building program, as well as Learning Center which provides additional language-based support for students. Middle School is an opportunity for students to explore academic and non-academic interests. Students choose from a variety of electives, including: Journalism, Yearbook, Italian, Chesed and Learning, Engineering, Coding, Ganon assistant, Musical Jam session, Challenge Math, Coding, Engineering, Sports and Fitness, Book Club, Israeli Food & Fun, and Persuasive Speech and Debate. Students are also invited to participate in the school newspaper, Torah Bowl, Student Council, and Chidon HaTanakh (the International Bible Contest). Students can choose to participate in Mishna Yomi (daily learning of a passage from the Mishna), mishmar (afterschool Torah learning), and ReLiSH, which stands for Ruach Lifnei Shabbat - singing, kugel and cholent to get us into the spirit of Shabbat on Friday afternoons.