Ayer Program

R.H. Dana Middle School: Program

At R.H. Dana Middle School, the structure of gradual transition from elementary to middle school programs begins with a teamed learning environment in the sixth grade, which consists of four teams of two academic core teachers who share a common planning period, an exploratory elective wheel, and P.E.

In the seventh and eighth grades, there is a natural teaming environment as students remain in a core for humanities (language and social studies) and move to individual subject classes (mathematics, science, and P.E.).

Key to Dana's success as a small learning community is the school-wide master plan which offers teamed configuration and block scheduling. Teaming partners at each grade level and consistent communication through organized, regularly scheduled meetings has ensured increased student achievement.

Each student's homeroom teacher/advisor coordinates family communication and teacher team conferences. Homeroom teachers review grades, standardized tests scores and current reading levels for their students and initiate Student Success Team meetings.

Positive behavior is promoted throughout the campus through a student rewards program and a consequence matrix which offers a logical series of consequences. A full-time counselor works directly with families and coordinates an active conflict resolution program and peer mediator program with counselor interns to facilitate targeted counseling groups. The Lunch Bunch program addresses social-interaction skills for disenfranchised students. A lunchtime sports program provides positive alternatives, while the principal's honor roll, the Dana Honor Society, and recognition assemblies focus on student achievement.

Teachers and students consistently make connections across disciplines. An integrated research project requires students to apply the language arts writing standards to demonstrate knowledge of social studies content standards. A sixth-grade math survey project requires that students learn to calculate measures of central tendency and generate a written analysis of findings. This project integrates writing standards as well as technology into the P.E. program. Many academic projects incorporate teacher-parent-student evaluation rubrics.

All students have access to exploratory and elective classes. Sixth-grade students experience an exploratory wheel, which includes art, drama, public speaking, creative writing, journalism, leadership, keyboarding, collage art and choir. Seventh- and eighth-grade students' elective choices include drama, advanced drama, art, advanced art, leadership, journalism, yearbook, visual presentation, oral presentation, peer tutoring, choir and AVID.

In mathematics, strategies include student use of hands-on activities, computer-based problem-solving, and scientific and graphing calculators. Science field trips (Big Bear, Joshua Tree, and The Aerospace Corporation), science fair projects, MATE (an underwater robotics program), and the new electronics/robotics class extend standards-based learning.

Parent and student surveys provide valuable data to help us focus our goals and school plan. Future programs include Learning Quest, in which students analyze and synthesize acquired California state standards through content-specific, comprehensive projects. A farmers' market and organic garden will offer lessons on economics, growing seasons, ecology and geography.

New classes will include Technical Theatre and World Music Drumming. Targeted Learning of Content (TLC), formerly used exclusively for Accelerated Reader, is expanding to include Accelerated Math, electronics/robotics, MathCounts, and Science Connections, where students collaborate with a sister school to write, design and publish two scientific surveys using parallel technology at both school sites.

The Math Safari intervention classes strengthen basic math skills while Robotics offers students exposure to electrical engineering, computer technology and robotics. Odyssey of the Mind is a competitive program open to students who apply their creativity to solve thought-provoking problems. Community partnerships and an online mentoring program with aerospace employees combine to eliminate the digital divide at our school by providing every student with a home computer and online access to link students with their mentors.

California League of Middle Schools
6615 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 120, Long Beach, California 90803
Voice: 562/430-3136 or 800/326-1880 . . . FAX: 562/430-5607. . . E-Mail: info@clms.net