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 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.

FIFTH 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

Cheryl L. ALLENDean of StudentsMathM.A. – The Ohio State UniversityB.S. – Miami University

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

Me-Chelle BURKHALTER P ’22Math LabB.S. – The Ohio State 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

Danielle GIBBSGuidanceM.A. - The Ohio State UniversityB.A. - The University of Michigan

Cristen HEALy5th and 6th Grade CoordinatorScienceB.S. – The Ohio State UniversityM.Ed. – Ashland University

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

Mikki JOSEPHLearning SpecialistB.S. – Kent State UniversityM.Ed. – Ashland University

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

Kenan Le ParcFrenchB.A. – Birmingham-Southern CollegeM.Ed. – University of Alabama at Birmingham

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

Bill MILLER P ’15 ’17 ’21Physical EducationB.S. – The Ohio State University

Mary POTTEREnglishB.S. – The Ohio State University

Lisa D. SPRINGERVocal MusicB.M. – Heidelberg University

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

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5TH GRADE FAculTy

ENDuRING uNDERSTANDINGS• Transition•Adaptation• Energyandnaturalresources• Culture• Organization• Communicationstrategies

SKIll DEVElOPMENT FOcuS• Socialskilldevelopment(interpersonal,encouragement,friendship)• Organizationalskills• Problemsolving(brainstormingandidentification)• Beingabletoexpressoneselfbothorallyandinwriting• Self-reflection

ESSENTIAl QuESTIONS• Whatdoesitmeantobeamiddleschoolstudent?• Whatdoesitmeantobeorganized?• Whatisaglobalcitizen?HowdoIbecomeone?• HowdoImakeandkeepgoodfriends?• HowdoIcommunicateeffectively?

POlIcIESAssessment Policy•Onanassessment,ifastudentearnsaDorlower,itisthatstudent’sresponsibilityto 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,and cooperation are important skills to get along with others on the field and in life. • Therearerewardsandconsequencesforthelifestyle choices 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.• Musicaldevelopmentisobtainedthroughensemble rehearsal and independent study including, but not limited to, home practice and live performance attendance.

Students consider the following questions: • Whatlifelongskillscanbelearnedthroughthestudyof music?• Whatfunctiondoesmusicplayinmylifeandthelifeof others?•Howdoesmusicianshiphelpmeinterpretand contributetoaglobalcommunity?

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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,anddesignedtogeneratedifferent expressions. • Knowledgeofdifferenttools,media,techniques,and processes allow for greater experimentation and expression. • Artcanbecritiqued,analyzed,interpreted,judged,and assigned value.

Students consider the following questions: • Doesartreflectorshapesociety?• Whatroledoesartplayinsociety?• Whydohumanscreate?• Whydoyoucreate?• Whywouldanartistneedtoknowhowtoarrangeselect elements and principles of art when creating a work ofart?• Whatinfluencesanartistsstyle?• Howandwhatdoesartcommunicate?• Howdoformandfunctiondiffer?• Istheresuchathingas“badart”andcanitbe good?• Whatisanaestheticresponse?

SOcIAl STuDIESStudents should understand that:• The physical world has had a great impact on culture and history.• Humanshavecreatedavarietyofwaystoorganizethe globe for location and navigation. • Thefivethemesofgeographycanhelpusunderstand how our world works. • Aprobleminonepartoftheworldcanimpactmany other parts.

Students consider the following questions: • Whatshapesourviewoftheworld?• Howdohumansorganizethemselves?• Howdooureverydaylivesaffecttheenvironment?• Whatishappeningtotheborders(politically,culturally, andphysically)betweenNorthandSouthAmerica?

WORlD lANGuAGEStudents should understand that: •Thegrowthofmulticulturalpopulationsand globalization of the economy are making language learning not simply an academic endeavor, but a life long 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(inmusic,food,religiousbeliefs,traditions, andcustoms)isanecessarycomponentofglobal citizenship.•Aknowledgeofimportantclassicalandsocial artifacts of other cultures, such as literature, art, film, and music helps us to understand the world.

Students consider the following questions: •Howdopeoplecommunicateinalanguageotherthan English?•Howdonon-verbalcueshelpusunderstandlanguage?•Howdowesharesimpleinformationwithpeerswhile speakinginalanguageotherthanEnglish?

ScIENcEStudents should understand that: • Alllivingthingshavethesamebasicneeds,andtheyget theseneedsmetindifferentways.• Therearemanydifferentwaysofobtainingand transferring energy. • Thehumanbodyiscomprisedofmanyinterdependent and complex systems.

Students consider the following questions:• Howaregroupsoflivingthingsorganized?• Howdotemperature,pressure,humidity,andwind interacttocreateweather?• Howdoorganismsinanecosystemaffecteachother?• Howdoesmybodywork?

READING & WRITINGStudents should understand that: • Communicationcomesthroughreading,speaking, writing, and body language.• Readingandwritingintegrateacrossallcontentareas.• Authorsusespecifictechniquesthatstudentscanuseas models for learning and emulation. • Literaturecanbeusedasamodelforwriting,enjoyment, a source of information, and a basis for discussion.

• Writingisaprocessthatincludesbrainstorming, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing. • Researchisaprocessofaccessinginformation,selecting information, organizing information, and presenting information. • Specificelementsandtechniquesarerequiredinawell- written, coherent paragraph.

Students consider the following questions: • Whydowepunctuate?• Whydowereadavarietyofgenres?• Whydowelearntowriteinavarietyofforms?• Whatwouldtheworlddowithoutreadingandwriting?• Wheredowrittenandspokenlanguagefitintomylife andlearning?

MATHStudents should understand that: • Problemscanbesolvedinavarietyofways,both individually and as part of a group. • Technologycanbeanappropriatetooltosolve problems. Students consider the following questions: • HowcanIuseandapplymathtomydailylife?• HowcanIcommunicatemyreasoning?• Whatkindsofproblem-solvingstrategiesareavailable tome?

enDuring unDerSTanDingS anD eSSenTial QueSTiOnS

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