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CurriculumStudents at LWGMS engage in an academically rigorous curriculum, including extensive research and writing, regular debates and oral presentations, individualized math instruction, and real-world, experiential science. LWGMS prepares girls to critically assess environments and events, to excel academically, and to exercise their voices. Our students graduate as confident, socially responsible, creative young women, who are well prepared for high school and beyond.HumanitiesYou and Your EnvironmentThe sixth grade curriculum focuses on the interaction between ourselves and our surroundings. Students explore how every decision they make affects the world around them. Topics include personal, family, and community histories,Latin American history, utopia and genocide, and American diversity. A World of PerspectivesSeventh graders explore rites of passage customs around the world, the world's religions, and world cultures and history. Students research, write, and imagine world history. They use primary and secondary sources, guest speakers, and email pals to support their study and to broaden their own worldviews. The Shape of Washington and the United StatesEighth graders study Washington State history from an exploration of its land formations and the people who live on this land. Eighth graders spend an average of one day a week out in the community on field experiences. Field learning includes: A three-day geology trip to Mt. St. Helens or Eastern Washington, where students explore the Hanford Reach and the Columbia Plateau. Walking trips through our own International District community. Our connections to the organizations around us include Hilltop House, the Wing Luke Museum, and the Rainier Valley Historical Society. ScienceThe science curriculum is intended to foster a sense of excitement and curiosity about the field of science and the ways in which it permeates every aspect of our daily lives. LWGMS students conduct experiments, explore connections between different scientific phenomena, carry out research, build models, and present their findings. Science is both integrated with other areas of study and highlighted as its own individual subject, so that the girls can both see the connections between science and the humanities and learn the processes and skills necessary for scientific experiential learning. Sixth graders, while studying their personal and family histories, learn about the human body and genetics. They also study botany and agriculture, in relation to humanities and fall field experiences. Seventh graders study evolution, ecology, and chemistry, as they learn about the world and each individual’s effect on it. They also study the scientific achievements of world civilizations. Eighth graders study the geological formation and weather of Washington State and the US, in conjunction with their humanities curriculum. MathOur math program uses a combination of traditional and project-based approaches. Students explore mathematical concepts and their applications through collaborative and individual learning experiences, including math labs and projects, skills and concepts problems, and evaluation exercises. Real-world math applications are designed to widen the scope of students’ mathematical thinking and to exercise problem-solving and communication skills. Students are required to write, in detail, their process for solving a problem and what the real-world applications of the problem are. Most LWGMS graduates enter high school ready to take sophomore or junior level math classes. SpanishSpanish incorporates reading, speaking, and writing skills through the use of dialogues, textbooks, songs, literature, and cultural lessons. The goal is to introduce the language and develop a love for learning languages. By eighth grade, the students are able to write and present poetry, prose and research projects in Spanish. All LWGMS graduates will enter high school with the skills to begin at least in Spanish II, while many will begin their freshman year with Spanish III. Integrated Team ProjectsIntegrated Team Projects are cross-grade, cross-curricular, hands-on, collaborative learning experiences. Students work together to create a product that reflects and builds upon their own creativity, interests, skills, and desired learning outcomes. Projects have included researching, designing, and building a Japanese garden; building a landmark tower, writing plays, and designing and building solar cars. Visual ArtThe visual arts program at LWGMS uses art elements for expressive purposes. Art is used to communicate feelings and ideas, and to reflect on cultural and historical events. Ours is an integrated program, combining many elements to create an enriching experience that is process based as opposed to product based. Drama and performancesThe drama program at LWGMS is, in the words of one reviewer, “unbelievably good”. Our program goes beyond the typical middle school play: each year, all students participate in all aspects of the production of at least one full-length show, including set-building, costuming, lighting and sound, directing and performing on stage in professional theaters. Through working together on these plays, students learn to collaborate, to be confident speakers and performers, and to express themselves creatively. LWGMS productions have included: Arsenic and Old Lace To Kill a Mockingbird A Midsummer Night's Dream Harvey The Mouse That Roared Animal Farm LWGMS also participates in the Rainier Valley Young Playwrights Program. Each May, LWGMS students' plays are read on stage by professional actors during the Young Playwrights Festival. At the 2005 festival, a play written by an LWGMS eighth grader was chosen to be fully produced on stage.Mock TrialThe 8th grade Mock Trial class is one of the ways LWGMS students develop a strong voice in analytic reasoning and participatory democracy. In the course, students prepare both sides of the YMCA’s Youth and Government Case for 2007: in the roles of witnesses, lawyers, and courtroom personnel, the entire LWGMS 8th grade participates in the King County district high school competition in February. The class analyzes the Washington State case, selects individual roles, and prepares as a team for the competition. As attorneys, students write pre-trial motions, opening statements, and closing arguments; additionally, student-attorneys learn some of the basic rules of evidence and will work with witnesses to prepare their testimony. As witnesses, students develop a dramatic character to portray while on the witness stand and learn to give direct testimony as well as to stand up to cross-examination. Finally, students who participate in the program as court personnel organize all the exhibits, keep time, and assist the team in many important administrative tasks. Regardless of the role she plays, each student learns about the legal process, legal reasoning, case presentation, and the function of the judicial branch in American government. Field Experiences and TravelLWGMS believes that learning experiences outside the classroom are among the most valuable and memorable. Therefore, all aspects of the curriculum include field experiences and travel. Students are out of the classroom an average of once per week. These trips include: Eastern Washington: Organic orchard, appearance on a Spanish-speaking radio station program, Yakama Nation. Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR. Mt. St. Helens, the Columbia Plateau, and the Hanford Reach. Puget Sound marine biology trips. Rites of Passage trip and other outdoor education experiences. Numerous plays, dance performances, museums, and galleries. The sixth grade trip to Eastern Washington. Apple orchard Alvarez Farm Radio Cadena (KDNA) Yakama Nation The seventh grade trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. The eighth grade geology trip to Vantage, Diablo Lake, North Cascades Highway, Lake Chelan, and the Chimposium. Service LearningService learning is an integral and rewarding part of the LWGMS experience. The goal of service learning is for students to recognize their own abilities to improve their communities and gain experience taking action with social responsibility. Students choose projects that interest them, that they can learn skills from, and that benefit their community in some way. In addition, LWGMS students adopt an area of Seward Park and are responsible for its upkeep. By the end of middle school, an LWGMS graduate will be able to: View the world through multiple perspectives |
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