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Copyright - 2007. All rights reserved. Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy jsbacademy.org

Academics - Middle School

7th and 8th Grade

The middle school program currently includes both 7th and 8 th grades.  The curriculum is comprised of a two-year program with alternating cycles.  In cycle “A”, U. S. history, American literature, and life science are taught.  In cycle “B”, world history, world literature, and physical science are taught.  Mathematics, language, physical education, art, music, drama and foreign language are taught in both cycles as part of a continuum of skills.  Earth science is incorporated into both life and physical science where appropriate. The middle school program is challenging.  Although the program is individualized for each student, the expectation level is set high. 

The students will complete a large amount of work throughout the school year.  Each student is capable of completing the work given to them.  The teacher acts as a facilitator helping students set goals and achieve the desired results.  Students will have on average two hours of homework each night. 

Within the daily schedule, there is approximately one hour of work time which can be used for individual or group work.  Students learn to make efficient use of their time. The various disciplines in the middle school curriculum are integrated so that the students' knowledge becomes a complete whole rather than segmented parts lacking needed concepts and information.  When students study world history they may read The Bronze Bow and research the ancient Roman and ancient Jewish cultures, or they may read Animal Farm and research the Russian Revolution.  Students also study the arts of these time periods and discover the influence of culture and historical events on drama, visual art and musical productions.

Mathematics at the middle school builds on the students' beginning level of ability.  Teachers provide lessons based on the specific needs of each student.  Mathematics lessons will include basic math, pre-algebra, two levels of algebra, geometry, probability and statistics. 

Students will work both individually and in groups throughout the school year.  Students working individually are required to establish a timetable for completing their requirements.  This timetable is reviewed with the teacher and monitored for progress.  Students in groups will develop the essential skills of working together towards a common goal.  Tasks are divided among group members and are discussed with the teacher.  At the end of the project, students will evaluate each group members’ effectiveness in being a part of the team. The use of technology is incorporated into the middle school curriculum in most content areas.  Knowing that students must be able to use computers and computer related software, it is a required part of the middle school program for the students to become proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

In addition to paper tests, students will create presentations that not only include display boards, slide shows, 3-D models, but also video.  Students can edit their video using software and learn to incorporate it into their presentations.  Professionalism is stressed in all presentations.

WORKFORCE WORKSHOP :

At Bruno Montessori Middle School our curriculum stresses the importance of learning and using what you learn in the real world.  Our goal in the classroom is to create a community where all students will develop a sense of responsibility, make good decisions, become independent learners and learn to work together to successfully reach a goal.  The Workforce Workshop program allows the students to extend these experiences to the larger community.  Please decide how the student can best contribute to your organization, and know she is there to gain an understanding of what is involved in this type of job.  In the past we have found this to be a great learning experience for both the student and the sponsor. 

Middle School Teachers:

Phone (205) 995-8709 | Fax (205) 995-0517

Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy | 5509 Timber Hill Road | Birmingham, Al 35242

Check the latest emergency radio stations that will make announcements for JSB concerning school closings on AM 960 (WERC) and AM 1070 (WAPI.) Also check FOX 6 local news.

The Bruno Academy admits students of any religion, race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.