Middle School OverviewThe Middle School concept requires educators to design curriculum with content, developmental appropriateness, and subject area integration in mind. At The Wellington School, this design process is informed by current research and resources and seeks to be consistent with our schools mission, educational philosophy, and goals. While there are certainly things we want them to know and do, expecting students to understand deeper concepts challenges them to be mature, curious, and active learners.

EIGHTH GRADE

The Wellington School is an independent, coeducational, preschool through grade 12, college-preparatory day school dedicated to preparing citizens who achieve, lead, and find fulfillment in a global community.

The Wellington family expects integrity; fosters mutual respect; embraces diversity; inspires each person to discover and strive to meet his or her unique potential; and celebrates excellence in character, academics, the arts and athletics.

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Erin NOVISKIHead of Middle SchoolM.A. – The Ohio State UniversityB.A. – The Ohio State University

David “Berc” BACKHURSTSocial StudiesB.S. – DePaul University

James W. BECKER P ’27BandM.M. – Western Michigan UniversityB.M. – The Ohio State University

Karen BUTLER P ’12 ’16 ’20StringsB.M. – The Ohio State University

Sean COREyMathM. Ed. – The Ohio State UniversityB.S. – The Ohio State University

Marianne CROWLEyEnglish/Language ArtsB.A. – Urbana UniversityB.A. – Ohio Wesleyan University

Ryann GILTONLearning SpecialistB.A. – University of DaytonM. Ed. – Antioch University Midwest

David C. HERRICKPhysical EducationB.S. Ed. – Bowling Green University

Emelie INDERHEESLatinM.A. – The Ohio State UniversityB.A. – University of Mary Washington

Craig JONESCounselorM.Ed. – University of VirginiaB.A. – College of the Holy Cross

Jennifer JUPP7th and 8th Grade CoordinatorSpanishB.A. – Ohio Dominican University

The WellingTOn MiDDle SchOOl giveS each STuDenT a Safe place TO experiMenT, exTenD, cOnSiDer, DiScuSS, DebaTe, anD Take riSkS.

8TH GRADE FAculTy

Helen A. MCCONAGHyTechnologyM.Ed. – University of IllinoisB.S. – University of Illinois

William MEyER P ’11ScienceM.Ed. – Wright State UniversityB.A. – Wittenberg University

Michelle NEELyGeometryM.A. – University of Colorado at BoulderM.A. – University of DenverB.S. – University of Pittsburgh

Mark RODGERS P ’16MathM.B.A. – Vanderbilt UniversityM.Ed. – Wilmington UniversityB.S. – Valparaiso University

Lindsey SMITH P ’26Athletic Director B.S. – DePaul University

Lisa D. SPRINGERVocal MusicB.M. – Heidelberg University

Lissa WADEFrench M.A. – The Ohio State University B.A. – Wittenberg University

Stephen J. WINSLOWSocial StudiesM.A. – The Ohio State UniversityB.S. – The Ohio State University

P. Jayne yOUNGArtM.A. – Boston UniversityB.A. – The Ohio State University

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cHARAcTER DEvElopmEnT Focus• Self-discovery,advocacy,reliance,motivation• Personalresponsibilityandacademicautonomy• Leadershipdevelopment• Mutualrespectforpeople,cultures,ideas,andbeliefsinaglobalsociety• Workingwithotherstoreachacommongoal

sKIll DEvElopmEnT Focus• Self-monitoringthroughtimemanagement,organization,andutilizationof personalized study strategies • Informationanalysisandsynthesisthroughactivereading,notetaking,critical thinking, and full use of resources • Useofformalacademicwritingstyleandformat• Howtomanageconsequencesandclaimownershipofallactions

EssEnTIAl QuEsTIons• Whatdefinesmeasanindividual?• Whataremystrengthsandareasforimprovement?• HowcanIusethisself-knowledgetoimproveanddevelopmypotential?• Whatismyrole,impact,andcontributiontothecommunity?

polIcIEsAssessment Policy•Onanassessment,ifastudentearnsaDorlower,itisthatstudents’responsibility to meet with the subject teacher.

Absence Policy •Studentswhoareabsentareresponsibletoseeeachteachertofollowuponany missed work.

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pHysIcAl EDucATIonStudents should understand that:• Physicalfitnessisanimportantpartofhavingahealthy lifestyle and its benefits last a lifetime. • Cardiovascularendurance,flexibility,muscularstrength, muscular endurance, and agility are the components of physical fitness. • Frequentparticipationinphysicalactivity,recreation,and sports are important to mental, physical, and social well-being. • Nutrition,exercise,hygiene,andtheabuseofalcohol, tobacco, and other drugs are factors that can be controlled on the path to physical wellness. • Teamwork,leadership,communication,andcooperationare important skills to get along with others on the field and in life. • Therearerewardsandconsequencesforthelifestylechoices that people make.

Students consider the following questions: • WhatcanIdotohaveahealthylifestyle?• HowdoIachievephysicalfitness?• HowcanIsucceedwhenIamworkingingroups?• WhathealthriskfactorsdoIhavecontrolover?

musIcStudents should understand that: • Reading,performing,andlisteningtomusicarelifelong skills. • Thereisapropertechnique,posture,handposition,and performance protocol for varying genres of music. • Thereisasystemofsymbolsandforeigntermsthrough which music is notated. • Teamwork,concertetiquette,preparation,andrehearsal protocol are essential in building musicianship skills for individuals and ensembles. • Musicaldevelopmentisobtainedthroughensemblerehearsal and independent study including, but not limited to, home practice and live performance attendance.

Students consider the following questions: • Whatlifelongskillscanbelearnedthroughthestudyof music?• Whatfunctiondoesmusicplayinmylifeandthelifeof others?•Howdoesmusicianshiphelpmeinterpretandcontributeto aglobalcommunity?

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ARTStudents should understand that: • Artandsocietyinfluenceeachotherinthepastand present. • Therearecommonanduniquecharacteristicsofartas found in its histories, styles, and traditions. • Principlesofartareconnected/interrelatedwithother disciplines. • Feelings,ideas,issues,themes,andpersonalexperiences can be expressed through art. • Thereareelementsandprinciplesofartwhichcanbe organized, composed, and designed to generate different expressions. • Knowledgeofdifferenttools,media,techniques,and processes allow for greater experimentation and expression. • Artcanbecritiqued,analyzed,interpreted,judged,and assigned value.

Students consider the following questions: • Howandwhyisartcategorized?Wouldyoucategorize visualcultureimagesandartifactsasart?•Howdoesthehistoricalnarrativeofartprovidea foundation from which to understand modern works andimages?Istherevalidityinexaminingtraditional worksfrompastculturesandtimeperiods?•Whatroledidsculptureplayinearlycultures?Does sculpturestillholdsignifiganceinyoursociety/culture?•IfWarholpaintedsoupcansandThiedbandpainted cakes and pies, should we view grocery stores as art museums?Whyorwhynot?Iseverythingart?•Doyouconsiderpainting,sculpture,orarchitectureto bethehighestformofart?Why?•Istheartist’sownindividuality,senseofuniqueness, and vision more important to the final product than the public’sresponsetothework?

socIAl sTuDIEsStudents should understand that: • Therearecommonthreadsineachancientcivilization; empires rise and fall.• Eachoftheeightfeaturesofacivilizationimpactallof the other features. • Ancienthistoryhasimpactedtheworldweliveintoday.

Students consider the following questions: • Bywhomishistorywrittenby,anddobiasesinterfere withthefacts?• Whataretherecurrentthemesofhistory,andinwhat wayshavetheychangedorremainedthesame?• Whatmakesanidealleader?• Howisthefutureshapedbythepastandthepresent?

WoRlD lAnGuAGEStudents should understand that:•Thegrowthofmulticulturalpopulationsand globalization of the economy are making language learning not simply an academic endeavor, but a lifelong necessity.•Speaking,listening,reading,andwritingareessential skills for communicating in a second language.•Activeparticipationinglobalcommunities,throughthe use of technology, the media, travel, and other means of making connections, enhances communication and understanding.•Developinganawarenessandappreciationofcultural differences (in music, food, religious beliefs, traditions, and customs) is a necessary component of global citizenship.•Aknowledgeofimportantclassicalandsocial artifacts of other cultures, such as literature, art, film, and music, helps us to understand the world.

Students consider the following questions: • Howdoeslearningalanguagehelpmetocommunicate moreeffectively?• Howdoeslearningalanguagehelpmetounderstand theworld?

scIEncEStudents should understand that: • Scientificprinciplesofphysicsandchemistryapplyto everyday life. • Recognizingandutilizingkeyinformation,alongwiththe scientific method, is a useful means of identifying and solving problems.

Students consider the following questions:• Whataretheconceptsofspeed,velocity,acceleration, inertia,momentum?• HowdoNewton’sLawsofmotionaffectoureveryday lives?• Howdoesenergyandworkaffectourlives?• Howdoweusetheprinciplesofphysicsandchemistryto solveproblems?

READInG & WRITInGStudents should understand that: • Literaryanalysisenablesreaderstointerpretand synthesize the various elements of literature. • Authorsutilizearchetypesandsymbolismto communicate truths and generalizations universal to human experience.

• Specificconventionsandtechniquesofformal composition and public speaking promote effective communication. • Thewritingprocesscanbeindividualizedinorderto best construct and convey meaning. • Activereadingstrategiescanimprovecomprehension, retention, and the ability to recognize salient information. • Grammarandmechanicsaresystemsofappliedtheory rather than simply a collection of rules.

Students consider the following questions: • Howdoauthorsconveymeaning?• Howdoreadersconstructmeaning?• Howdoesapieceofliteraturebecomeaclassic?• Howdogrammar,mechanics,punctuation,andword choiceaffectmeaning?

mATHStudents should understand that: •Mathematicsisatoolforunderstandingourphysical world. • Problemscanbesolvedinavarietyofways,both individually and as part of a group. • Technologycanbeanappropriatetooltosolve problems.

Students consider the following questions: • HowcanIuseandapplymathtomydailylife?• HowcanIcommunicatemyreasoning?• Whatkindsofproblemsolvingstrategiesareavailableto me?•Howcandata,trends,andinformationberespresented bytables,formulas,andgraphs?•Howdoesmathenhanceandinteractwithallother disciplines?

enDuring unDerSTanDingS anD eSSenTial QueSTiOnS

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