MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School classes (Grades 6 – 8) are located in their own building, which is also where many of their subjects are taught. Subject specialists teach these grades, so it is not uncommon for students to have a different teacher for each subject.

Many students join Brent at different stages of their schooling and it is not uncommon for students to join Brent during the school year. Our assessment and reporting practices take these situations into account.

In general the curricula proceed from Grade 5 with a continued emphasis on discovery, investigation and skills-based courses.

English

The curriculum is increasingly Literature based, with an emphasis on effective reading of different genres (short story, novel and poetry) as well as different media (film, text, static images). The goal of the Middle School program is to lay a sound foundation of literature appreciation in preparation for the International Baccalaureate. Grade 6 presents a broader appreciation of English, together with a language (grammatical) base. Grade 7 focuses on ‘Coming of Age’ texts, and Grade 8 looks closely at Poetry and Short Stories in particular.

Writing skills are an increasingly important component of all courses, and students will be heavily involved in research, writing and correct formatting (citations, bibliographies) to avoid committing plagiarism.

Performances are important in developing a student’s confidence and rhetoric skills. Debates, presentations and class/school performances are regular features of these classes.

Mathematics

Following work covered in Grade 5, these years continue to develop an integrated approach covering topics including number, shape, space and measure, algebra and data handling. Stress is on mastering basics, using and applying mathematics, communicating mathematically and reasoning. The approach to all topics is investigative, encouraging students to seek solutions using a range of strategies, rather than a single, formulative approach.

Social Studies

All Grades are taught through a unit-based approach that encourages classes to focus attention on a ‘Big Idea’, then uses different vehicles to transfer key concepts, skills and information. Grade 6 pays particular attention to Latin America and Europe, Grade 8 looks closely at Asia and the Philippines in particular, while Grade 7 introduces students to the most important Geographical skills in Physical and Human Geography, particularly in the context of Asia.

Science

Grades 6 – 10 are taught Science as an Integral Science course, the aim of which is to provide students with a sound understanding of the concepts, principles and applications of Science in the modern world. Aspects of the physical, chemical, life and earth sciences will all b e covered and emphasis is placed on learning through experimental and investigative methods. Each Grade level is therefore exposed to all the core Science strands, allowing students a broad understanding of the realm of Science, but also allowing students to make reasoned subject selections in Grades 11 and 12.

Foreign Languages

Students in Grade 7 are introduced to French, and Philippine nationals study Filipino.  Both these subjects may be continued through to the I.B. program in Grades 11 and 12. One-semester exposure studies may be done in Gr. 6.

Religious Studies

Grade 6 studies the Covenants of the Old Testament and the Gospels in the New Testament in greater detail, as well as Parables and Paul. 

Grade 7 looks closely at Values and Teen issues; the importance of values and relationships with friends, peer pressure, stress, loneliness and depression, self esteem and knowing God are integral to the course.

Grade 8 relates Christianity and Judaism as the general beginnings of a World Religions course, paying attention to founders and religious personalities, sacred writings, essential beliefs, festivals and pilgrimages, ways of worship etc. This course is continued in Grade 9.

Physical Education & Health

Many of the key elements taught in Religious Studies are emphasized in PE and Health classes. Students also participate in the Outdoor Education Course which runs through the year. The course is aimed at reinforcing the personal and group skills (communication, leadership, cooperation) that students in multi-cultural settings find so valuable through their lives. The addition of a High Ropes course and outdoor problem-solving activities are a student-centered way to teach outdoor skills within these themes.

In Physical Education individual and team sports are taught to encourage a lifelong enjoyment. Archery, badminton, volleyball and basketball are examples of these. Regular fitness testing allows students to see individual progress through the year.

Information and Computer Technology

These courses continue for Grades 6 – 10 and are sequential in their structure, each year building particular skills, reinforcing previously learnt material, and encouraging student application of these to their ICT and other subjects.

Grade 6 looks more closely at File management and graphics, and introduces students to spreadsheets (Excel) and slide applications. Grade 7 and Grade show increasing sophistication in each of these areas and culminates in multi-media presentations in Grade 8.

The computer suites remain open until 4:30 pm to allow students to use computers to complete assignments and do research. The Upper School Library also has computers that may be used for this purpose.

Art

Art is essentially project-based at these levels and encompasses basic elements and principles of drawing, painting, composition, sketching, studio experimentation, multimedia projects, art and art history appreciation. Students experience three-dimensional work, and are taught the processes used in graphic design, ranging from product design to building design and advertising. All projects are intended to encourage individual expression and thought.