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Grade 6 to Grade 8

As students mature into middle school age, they experience rapid development, both mentally and physically. These are the "transition years" as students begin to change from their childhood to adulthood. 

The focus in the core subject areas remains on Math and English. However, it will shift from learning the basic skills to a much broader understanding in both subjects.

The core subjects are Math, English, Social Studies, Science and Second Language.

Students are also greatly expanding their interests at this point. There is, therefore, an increased emphasis on exposing students to a wider range of topics involving careers, understanding human relationship, technology applications, and life skills.

Students will be required to write standardized assessments in both Math and English at the end of their middle school years. These assessments are not used for promotional purposes. However, students who are not successful on these assessments must rewrite with a passing score successfully to be considered for eventual graduation.

Subject:

English: Students experience a wide range of reading including fiction, technical, poetry, fantasy and personal choice. They also explore a range of writing such as letters, reports, journals, stories, poems, and descriptive writing. They are exposed to drama, movies and other language-rich media. Students are expected to respond critically and creatively about what they read, hear, watch and see.

Assessments will stress the 4 key areas of Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing. (Both demand and process writing) Writing is a significant component of the grade 8 program.

Mathematics: Students cover a wide variety or range of "strands" such as geometry, number concepts, number manipulative-based teaching in the Middle School program.

Science: Science is a combination of Geography, Chemistry, Physics and Biology (including some Botany). Foundation topics such as physical geography, ecosystems, natural phenomenon, weather, tides, and chemical solutions are studied in this course.

Social Studies: This program is designed to acquaint students with geography and cultural diversity. Many connections are explored in the areas of economy, social justice, and stewardship.

Health: Topics include human growth and development, relationships with peers and adults, self-esteem, nutrition, and hygiene. Group guidance is a part of the Health Program. (The homeroom teachers will also deliver some group guidance.

Second Language: We will continue to offer Chinese as a second language course. As CIS grows, we will explore and add any potential second language courses for our students.

Information Technology: The focus will be using word processors, spreadsheets, graph generators, web based research tools, publishing, presentation programs, and data management. These skills will be reinforced in the core subject areas.

Music/Art: Both the Music and Art programs are continuation of the elementary program. Music theory and appreciation as well as a focus on instruments for performance will be the themes.

Art will incorporate some art theory and history as well as the hands-on work with various art mediums.

Physical Education: Physical Education will be paired with Health in the timetable. The focus is skills development in a series of sports including badminton and basketball. Practical skill development will be mixed with theories related to the latest popular sports.

IB Middle School Program (IBMYP): CIS does not offer the IBMYP at this time. It has, however, begun the process to offer it at a later date.