Archive
ELL: Bridge English
- English
This class is intended for second language learners who need an additional year of ESL instruction after taking ESL Writing and Reading classes, as well as incoming eighth grade international students. Students in this class need to have advanced intermediate to advanced level English proficiency. In Bridge class, students follow the mainstream eighth grade English class curriculum; however, it is modified so that they can complete assignments independently. They use the mainstream eighth grade English textbooks except for the vocabulary textbook: instead, they strive to master new vocabulary from their grammar and reading books. Students are expected to improve their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in Bridge class; participation is expected during every class. Evaluations include regular quizzes and tests, as well as the SLEP and ITP (Institutional Testing Program) TOEFL test given in the spring.
Eighth Science
- Science
Eighth graders at Indian Mountain take Lab Science, which centers around chemistry and engineering. Throughout the first two terms, students focus on matter and its physical and chemical properties. Through a great deal of experimentation and lab work, (hence the name: Lab Science) students gain an understanding that matter cannot be created or destroyed but rather cycles through different phases and forms based on what else is in its environment, including energy. Utilizing the data generated by their lab work, students practice analyzing results, graphing, and drawing conclusions. Additionally, writing scientifically, which is detailed yet concise, is emphasized.
The third term is reserved for an introduction to engineering, where they investigate the nature of function and design. In teams of two or three, students build an underwater ROV from scratch. Because the nature of this project demands it, by the end of the year, students are just as comfortable measuring a liquid in a graduated cylinder as utilizing a power drill or soldering a pin on a circuit board. The culminating affair is an Olympics-style contest where underwater ROVs participate in individual and team events.
Lab Science aims to give students a window through which to see the possibilities of further application of these fields of science as well as a mirror with which to see themselves doing that science.
Seventh Science
- Science
Seventh graders at Indian Mountain take Earth and Space Science. The program investigates the following: geology, including studies of rocks, minerals, and plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes; meteorology; astronomy, including the origins of the universe and the life of stars; and mapping, as well as the impact that humans have made on the Earth and solar system. A major focus of the course is to give the students a sense of scale, time, and perspective regarding the earth, its history and its place in the universe.
Lab work is done as often as possible, and much time is devoted to discussion of how and why things work the way they do. Considerable emphasis is placed on the processes that occur in the lithosphere, atmosphere and deep space. Other skills that are stressed include highlighting, writing, note-taking, and organization. Digital presentation, data analysis, and public speaking are all key skills focused on in class. As in every science course at IMS, creativity, curiosity, and independent thought are fostered throughout Earth and Space Science.
Earth and Space Science aims to give students a sense of understanding about the physical place in which they find themselves currently and in the future, here on Earth as well as within the universe. It also aims to give the students a sense of how to protect our planet for future generations.
ELL: Reading
- English
First year international students take this class in addition to ESL Writing and Grammar Class. Students begin the year by completing Level 4 Focus reading and skills textbook, and advance to reading historical fiction, plays, poetry, and essays at their instructional reading level. They learn vocabulary words from their reading and from a comprehensive textbook, Vocabulary in Use. It is the goal of this class to provide ESL students with the practice and skills they will need to comprehend materials being read in mainstream or ESL Bridge class the following year. Evaluations include regular quizzes and tests, as well as placement and cumulative testing using the Cambridge Michigan English Placement test.
Latin IA
- Global Languages
Latin 1A is the first half of a traditional high school first year Latin course taught over two years. Latin 1A stresses vocabulary acquisition, a working knowledge of inflection, basic grammar, and syntax and translation skills. Topics on Roman society are discussed, especially the impact of Latin language and culture upon our society. By the end of the first year, the class has studied four conjugations of verbs in all six tenses of the active voice, five declensions of nouns, adjectives, and the uses of all six cases.
Spanish IB
- Global Languages
Spanish 1B is a continuation of introductory course and is the rough equivalent to the second half of Level 1 Spanish in high school. The class begins with a thorough review of the present tense and related grammar units, reinforcing the foundation that was begun in Spanish 1A. Vocabulary lessons related to ordinal numbers, places in town, superlatives and comparatives, and reflexive verbs add to the strength of this foundation. Being about to speak about events in the past as well as to respond to instructions are key components to the Spanish 1B curriculum. For this reason, the major units studied at this level concentrate on the preterit (past) tense and the imperative verb tense. Daily activities stress all four modalities: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The cultural units studied in Spanish 1B will vary, depending on the specialization of the teacher. In the past, topics have included peninsular cuisine, pre-Colombian history, and how to bargain in the marketplace. These lessons help bring relevance to the student as they explore the richness in the lives of the people of Latin America and Spain. Successful completion of this course advances the student to the next level, Spanish 2.
Intensive Studio Art
- Arts
The intensive studio art studio is a culmination of skills learned in seventh and general studio classes. While previous classes present an overview of many skills and mediums, the Intensive Studio class focuses on a select few techniques or materials, allowing students to delve deeply in to an area of study. Students may study woodworking for a whole term before switching to printmaking, or ceramics for example. Projects tend to be more conceptual in nature and students are expected to be self-directed with an increased ability to carry out more complex ideas. Upon completion of the Indian Mountain School art program, students are expected to have a solid understanding of essential art making skills including drawing, basic color theory, 3D construction, and ceramics.
Eighth English
- English
The eighth-grade curriculum increases the emphasis on reading, writing, and communication through the study of literature, vocabulary, and grammar. Persuasive writing skills are interwoven with the literature. Learning how to write the five-paragraph essay is emphasized as a major component of the eighth grade curriculum. In the fall, the students are introduced to the genre of tragedy and the heroic ideal. Throughout the year, the study of literature and development of writing skills are supplemented with grammar and vocabulary work. The study of grammar begins with a brief review of the parts of speech and the verb types, followed by the study of commas and sentence types. Expansion of student vocabulary is achieved through the use of the book, Vocabulary Energizers II. The literature studied and texts utilized include: Brown Girl Dreaming, Things Fall Apart, House on Mango Street, Antigone, When The Emperor Was Divine, Maus I & II, Macbeth, and The Great Gatsby.
Language Analysis and Development IA
- English
Language Acquisition and Development (LAD) is designed to strengthen students understanding of language, and to reinforce their skills in the areas of reading fluency, reading comprehension, word attack skills, vocabulary recognition and usage, grammatical concepts, and other rudiments of language. Throughout the year, students will study short stories, articles, short essays, and other literature to deepen their understanding of the material and be able to analyze, interpret, and converse constructively about what they have read. Vocabulary words will mostly derive from the context of assigned reading, and punctuation and grammar will complement reading-based coursework. Assessments will include a variety of informal writing assignments, creative projects and quizzes.
Fifth Latin
- Global Languages
Latin 5 is a full year Latin course for the 5th grade. The course uses the text Minimus in its exploration of the Latin language, Roman culture, daily life, and mythology. Connections between English and Latin are stressed within the course through Latin derivation of English vocabulary and similarities between English and Latin grammar. The course aims for a cursory introduction to the Latin language through the study of a family living in the village of Vindolanda, situated in Roman Britain along Hadrian’s wall. The book is supported by primary archaeological sources as evidence of the life and communications of people living in this settlement.