Middle School

ICS follows the Common Core State Math Standards for all math classes.

Math Course 1 (6th Grade)

This course builds on the arithmetic skills developed in earlier years and introduces more complex operations such as prime factors, exponents, and parentheses. More abstract concepts are introduced as well, such as expressions and variables, coordinates, and ratios. Area calculations are extended to more complex shapes, and basic statistical concepts are introduced and applied. Problem-solving, reasoning, and connections between math and everyday applications will be emphasized throughout Math Course 1.

Math Course 2 (6th, 7th Grade)

This course is a continuation of the math taught in Math Course 1. It will focus primarily on geometry, measurement, data analysis, and number sense. It will build a foundation through the use of technology, manipulatives, problem-solving, and cooperative learning to prepare students for pre-algebra. Problem-solving, reasoning, and connections between math and everyday applications will be emphasized throughout Math Course 2.

Pre-Algebra (6th, 7th, 8th Grade)

This course is to serve as a bridge between middle school mathematics and Algebra 1. It is designed to prepare students for a standard high school algebra course. It will build a foundation of algebraic concepts through the use of technology, manipulatives, problem-solving, and cooperative learning. Concepts include algebraic expressions, linear equations, inequalities, geometry, statistics, and graphing.  Reasoning and connections between math and everyday applications will be emphasized throughout Pre-Algebra.

Algebra 1 (7th, 8th Grade)

Algebra 1 is a High School course earning High School credit.  Middle School students should expect to be challenged. Pre-algebra skills in solving equations and inequalities are extended to include solutions of more complex equations and systems.  Function notation is introduced, and linear functions are explored by graphing and analytical methods. Operations involving polynomials lead to solving quadratic equations by factoring, completing the square and graphical methods.  Other nonlinear functions (inverse, radical and rational functions) are introduced briefly.

Geometry (8th Grade)

This course is a study of geometrical concepts. Students are required to know and apply definitions, theorems, and postulates of geometrical figures such as parallel lines, circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, and other convex polygons. Students are expected to know and perform the basic constructions of geometry made with a compass and a straightedge, and with technology software. Students will also write direct and indirect proofs.

In the Middle School at ICS, we have two classes dedicated to English/Language Arts: Literature & Composition and Spelling & Grammar.

Literature & Composition focuses on the reading and writing portions of the Common Core standards. Students engage in reading a variety of texts, such as novels, poetry, short passages, and informational text, as well as writing in a variety of forms, such as informative, persuasive, narrative, while using the writing process and the traits of writings. Each year in their writing, students should demonstrate increasing sophistication in all aspects of language use, from vocabulary and syntax to the development and organization of ideas, and they should address increasingly demanding content and sources.

Spelling & Grammar focuses on the language portion of the Common Core standards. The focus for instruction is to help ensure that students gain adequate mastery of a range of skills and applications in the conventions, mechanics and usage of the English language, gaining in complexity each year.

The skills and knowledge captured in the ELA/literacy standards are designed to prepare students for life outside the classroom. They include critical-thinking skills and the ability to closely and attentively read texts in a way that will help them understand and enjoy complex works of literature. Students will learn to use cogent reasoning and evidence collection skills that are essential for success in college, career, and life. The standards also lay out a vision of what it means to be a literate person who is prepared for success in the 21st century.

More information is available at corestandards.org if you wish to look in depth at what students will learn at each grade level.

In order to meet the needs of the transient student population, ICS has chosen an integrated approach to science, wherein each year students will have an opportunity to learn from each of the areas of science: life, earth, and physical. In addition to an integrated approach, we foster curiosity, honesty, open-mindedness, and skepticism while teaching the students to how to think like a scientist and use the scientific method. Every other year, students get the opportunity to explore the scientific method in depth as they take part in the middle school science fair, preparing and presenting a project of their choosing. Discussions of controversial topics that are typical in science classrooms are conducted with those attitudes mentioned above (curiosity, honesty, open-mindedness, and skepticism) while maintaining ICS’s core value of Biblical worldview. The standards ICS uses for Science were developed in-house, using McREL, AERO, and select states as a base for where we wanted our science program to go; this allows us to be academically relevant and hold to our core values.

Science (6th Grade)

In this course, we will be exploring the fundamentals of Chemistry, Physics, Ecology, Astronomy, and Geology.  Throughout these units, students will have hands-on opportunities to experiment with and discover some of the basic principles that fuel the modern practice of these various scientific fields.  At ICS, we try to learn by doing whenever possible so that students are not just being told about science, but instead, are experiencing it for themselves. Most of the activities are driven by the online textbook “STEMscopes”.  STEMscopes presents students with activities that give them opportunities to observe the scientific principles that make up the standards. Because of the nature of these activities students do a majority of the work in class, only taking home what they are unable to finish.  When students do finish the activity they can turn it through STEMscopes, and return a short time later to view feedback and comments.

Science (7th Grade)

In this course, we will be exploring the fundamentals of Chemistry, Physics, and Biology.  We will start off the year by looking at chemical reactions and how they absorb and release energy.  From there we are going to be exploring different types of force fields and waves and how they are used in modern technology. At the end of the year, we will look at the basic anatomy of plant and animal cells.

Throughout these units, students will have hands-on opportunities to experiment with and discover some of the basic principles that fuel the modern practice of these various scientific fields.  At ICS, we try to learn by doing whenever possible so that students are not just being told about science, but instead, are experiencing it for themselves.

Science (8th Grade)

In this course, we will be exploring the fundamentals of Physics, Biology, and Meteorology.   We will start out by learning how gravity and elasticity can be used for energy, then we will move on to biology and learn how genes and genetic mutations are passed on through generations of various species.  At the end of the year, we will look at the atmospheric and geological phenomenon that have shaped, and continue to shape our world today.  

Throughout these units, students will have hands-on opportunities to experiment with and discover some of the basic principles that fuel the modern practice of these various scientific fields.  At ICS, we try to learn by doing whenever possible so that students are not just being told about science, but instead, are experiencing it for themselves.

The content for each grade level is used alongside the conceptual standards discussed below that together give students a greater understanding of social studies, culture, and history allowing students to be knowledgeable, engaged members of society who go on to live well-rounded and productive lives.

Global Studies (6th Grade)

This course aims to cover the basics of geography - both physical and human. Students will study the physical geography of different regions of the world and learn how this often directly impacts the cultural ideas of a particular place. The students will become more adept at understanding the cultural diversity and political events happening around the world.

Ancient Civilizations (7th Grade)

This course will be one that focuses on the themes of human civilization. It will focus primarily on the River Valley civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, as well as the foundations of Western thought in the civilizations of the Greeks and finally the Romans. We will examine key historical movements, events, and figures and explore the interconnections of people, places, events, and developments.

U.S. History (8th Grade)

This course will cover the growth of the United States of America from its early beginnings through to Reconstruction covering themes of exploration, revolution, freedom, development of government, expansion, industrialization, and war. It will focus primarily on the region of the United States, but will also touch on all the other areas of the world that had an impact on the U.S.’s development. We will examine key historical movements, events, and figures as well as explore the interconnections of people, places, events, and developments.

Bible (6th Grade)

This course provides an opportunity for students to discover the book of Proverbs. This Bible curriculum in the book of Proverbs was written to help the student gain the wisdom of God and then apply it to all kinds of situations that will come their way. In this course, the student will be given the opportunity to get to know and understand who God is, the author of wisdom. This study from Proverbs will help the student master the principles of wisdom that God knew would be needed for our lives today.

Bible (7th Grade)

This course provides an opportunity for students to discover the Bible. This Bible curriculum was written to help the student gain the wisdom of God and then apply it to all kinds of situations that will come their way. In this course, the student will be given the opportunity to get to know and understand who God is, the author of all scripture. This study from Genesis to the minor prophets will help the student master the principles of wisdom that God knew would be needed for our lives today.

Bible (8th Grade)

This course provides an opportunity for students to discover the Bible. This Bible curriculum was written to help the student gain the wisdom of God and then apply it to all kinds of situations that will come their way. In this course, the student will be given the opportunity to get to know and understand who God is, the author of all scripture. This study from Hosea of the minor prophets to the Book of Revelation will help the student master the principles of wisdom that God knew would be needed for our lives today.

ICS follows the SPARKS curriculum Standards for PE. It is essential for middle school students to participate in physical education as they are growing and developing at an intense rate. Students in ICS will have PE classes every other day.

6th Grade -- The focus is on building skills with numerous opportunities to practice in a non-competitive setting. They begin to combine skills and apply them while playing modified sports. In these games, rules are introduced and students learn strategies for different positions. Fitness is a focus throughout the course with an emphasis on achieving and maintaining a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.

7th Grade -- Students will be refining their skills, building new ones, and increasing their focus on applying skills in modified team sports settings. Fitness remains a focus as students work towards improving physical fitness.

8th Grade -- Students focus on skill-refinement, skill-application, and games strategies. Fitness continues to be a focus as students work towards improving physical fitness.

Students choose to participate in two electives each semester. Electives offered will vary each year. Please see the Middle School Program to see which electives are being offered this year.

ICS middle school students are assigned a Chromebook to be used in their classes. The Chromebook is a learning tool, not be used during lunch or break, but only under the supervision of classroom teachers. Students are not to bring their Chromebooks home. It is important for our students to learn how to appropriately use technology and become digital citizens. By keeping the Chromebooks at school, we are giving the students’ parents the authority to control their child’s time spent in the digital world. Students will collect their Chromebook from their homeroom each morning and return it to their homeroom for charging each afternoon.

Design Technology (6th Grade)

Design Technology is a project-based course focused on concepts from science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM).  Students will explore their creativity through hands-on learning and collaborative experiences in making and inventing. The projects for Design Technology 6 are centered around three themes: creating with digital media, using the design process to create innovative artifacts, and effectively contributing to project teams.  Students will learn how to use 3D modeling software to create designs and see their design come to life on a 3D printer. Students will learn camera techniques for filming and refine their video editing skills. In the “Shark Tank” project, students will learn and apply the design thinking process to create their own new product to pitch before a panel of “sharks”.  The learning experiences in this course have been designed to help students foster a growth mindset, allowing students to try new things, celebrate progress, and develop persistence. The overall goal of this course is to prepare students for their future courses and careers through open-ended challenges to develop complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative skills.

Design Technology (7th Grade)

Design Technology is a project-based course focused on concepts from science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM).  Students will explore their creativity through hands-on learning and collaborative experiences in making and inventing. For the 2019-2020 school year, the projects in Design Technology 7 will focus on programming, human-centered design, using cyclical design to improve prototypes, and effectively contributing to project teams.  Students will use JavaScript to create their own online game. Students will use microcontrollers to create robots and develop wearable inventions. In the “Shark Tank” project, students will learn and apply the design thinking process to create their own new product to pitch before a panel of “sharks”. The learning experiences in this course have been designed to help students foster a growth mindset, allowing students to try new things, celebrate progress, and develop persistence.  The overall goal of this course is to prepare students for their future courses and careers through open-ended challenges to develop complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative skills.
 

Design Technology (8th Grade)

Design Technology is a project-based course focused on concepts from science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM).  Students will explore their creativity through hands-on learning and collaborative experiences in making and inventing. For the 2019-2020 school year, the projects in Design Technology 8 will focus on programming, human-centered design, project management, and effectively contributing to project teams.  Students will use JavaScript to create their own online game. Students will use microcontrollers to create robots and develop wearable inventions. In the 20% Project, students will take ownership of their learning by further exploring their interests and passions and creatively solving a problem for a specific audience.  The learning experiences in this course will challenge students to learn more about their world and contribute to the good in the world for the Glory of God. The overall goal of this course is to prepare students for their future courses and careers through open-ended challenges to develop complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative skills.

Middle school is a time of great social growth as students begin to look for direction from their peers and world around them. ICS provides opportunities for our middle school students to develop socially in a positive manner. As an international school we also want our students to develop a global perspective, seeing beyond the borders of Singapore and their passport country so that they can be equipped to impact the world for God’s glory.

International Night: A huge celebration exploring the school community’s cultural diversity and celebrating God’s creativity.

Field trips: Throughout the school year classes may visit museums, factories, historical buildings, and other places that pertain to the current course of study.

Student Council: Each year students have an opportunity to apply and be chosen for the Middle School Student council. As leaders of the classes, the SC sponsors and host different activities like Shoeboxes for India, See You at the Pole, movie and dance nights.

ECAs (Extra Curricular Activities) & Sports Clubs: After school activities and clubs offered by teachers and parents to enhance the interests of our students in different non-academic areas. Some of the courses are Robotics, Dance, Service Club, cross-country, Bowling, Ukulele, Creative Writing, basketball, soccer, and Badminton.

Elementary Buddies: Being a school with junior kindergarten through seniors on the same campus, provides wonderful opportunities for mentoring and friendship across the grade levels. Every other week during Bible class, middle school students visit a lower elementary classroom to spend time with the elementary buddies where they spend time reading, working on projects, and completing crafts with their elementary friend.

Advisory: Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we have a 35-minute class period for Advisory time. We’ve designed our advisory time to provide all students with dedicated time for reading (for pleasure) and consistent opportunities to get targeted support or learning extensions with teachers - essentially a place for students to “get what they need”. Advisory days are built around the following schedule: M - silent reading; W/Th - W.I.N (What I Need - student- or teacher-directed learning extensions and learning support; F - Service Groups.

Service Learning: FaithWorks is a service oriented, cross-cultural learning experience that is an important part of the middle school curriculum. Within FaithWorks, students have the opportunity to contribute and seek to improve situations in a service location selected by the Middle School Team and Secondary School Administration. Head over to our Service Learning Page for more details.