URCS Middle School!

The 6th grade curriculum offers a Christian cooperative, constructive learning environment. With a “team teaching” approach, the teachers integrate all subject areas into the numerous curriculums. The main task with the reading curriculum is quite simple-to keep the class reading. I do this by integrating numerous genres and books into the curriculum.

Currently for the month of February our reading theme is: Around the World Literature. We are studying numerous short stories in all the genres from around the world. Students learn about: different countries, cultures, time zones, and character traits. The theme of the month incorporates: Reading, Bible, Science, Math, Writing, and Social Studies. Through Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop differentiated teaching is also incorporated; we know that all students learn in different manners.

As far as our Bible theme for the month of February students created the theme: Allow the Spirit to Guide the Way. The students worked collaboratively to create the theme and work “hands on” with the teacher towards creating all the Bible lessons for the month. We have just completed an effective and fun week of Biblical poetry.

Science is taught through a Christian lens. We have a extraordinary Christian Earth Science textbook. Our Science theme for this month is: Text to Self Connections. Students are learning about the importance of an organic way of living by connecting the Science concepts to their real life experiences. Through numerous “hands on” activities and parent involvement students are “dissecting” their way of living under their own scientific microscope.

The junior achievement representatives will be coming into the building on Wednesdays (starting next week) for the next 6 weeks. They will be here between the periods of 4-7 working with grades 6-8!

The 6th grade won the David Scarpa contest. He is writer who wrote the film: The Day the Earth Stood Still....He sent us an editor's DVD which the class each received a copy and we will be conducting a phone conference with him where the students will come up with questions to ask him...His movie tied into the Earth Science theme we were working on...We are ecstatic to have won!

Lastly, in Computer class this month the students are learning how to use Microsoft Word features: highlight, cut/paste, word count, inserting tables, etc. They are also learning how to evaluate good research vs. unreliable research on the Internet for the upcoming unit in writing: research paper.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Rotziokos

To learn more about our school go to www.URCS.org !

Middle School Progress

The middle school did such a wonderful job with the ELA exams, we are truly proud of them! For the month of February the middle school students have decided to act as "mentors" towards the elementary school (bridging the gap)....They are writing weekly letters to the elementary school students focusing on Black History Month...Each middle school student has a new elementary pen pal in the school! This project is an integration of Language Arts & Social Studies It is constructive and cooperative learning. We will also be posting a bulletin board by Ms. Claudio's room of the letters, responses and pics of the pen pals!!!They absolutely LOVE IT! With these letters all students are learning proper letter writing techniques, as well as the history of some of the greatest African American role models to have ever lived. With fun and creativity we are spreading the love and knowledge of writing and teaching within our own school environmnet.

Mrs. Rotziokos

You can see and hear more about the school at our web page http://www.urcs.org/ .

Or go to the Upper Room Christian School Group on facebook.com .