Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School

Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School uses the middle school philosophy.  The middle school philosophy focuses on the unique needs of the adolescent learner.   Students are exposed to an array of subjects that are a blend of academics and the arts.  This model allows for students to develop their interests and talents.   In addition to their coursework, every Friday is clubs.   The teachers serve as advisors for the clubs, and students can choose the club that matches their interest.  

 

Daily Schedule

 

The daily schedule at the middle school is designed to provide students with a balance of academic instruction and flexible time to pursue their interests.  The students have a homeroom at the beginning of that day and a 30-minute lunch period. There are four, 80-minute blocks for instruction and one flexible period for music ensembles or study.

 

Students follow an A Day/B Day schedule.   There are four core courses in grades 6 and 7.   These include English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.  Students in grades 6 and 7 have English language arts and mathematics each day while science and social studies occur on either an A Day or a B Day. 

 

There are five core courses in grade 8.  These include English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and a world language- French I or Spanish I. Students in grade 8 will have mathematics every day, and English language arts, science, social studies, and world language occur on either an A Day or a B Day.     

 

All middle school students have a related arts block that meets each day.   The related arts block includes a rotation of physical education, music, art, technology education, family and consumer science, and business education. These courses rotate on a six-day cycle.     

 

Grade 6

 

A typical sixth grade schedule may look like this.

 

 

The related arts block is always the fourth block, and the students may have English language arts, mathematics, and science, or social studies within blocks 1, 2, and 3. 

 

Grade 7

 

A typical seventh grade schedule may look like this.

 

 

The related arts block is always the first block, and the students may have English language arts, mathematics, and science, or social studies within blocks 2, 3, and 4. 

 

Grade 8

 

A typical eighth grade schedule may look like this.

 

 

The related arts block is always the second block, and the students may have English language arts, world language, mathematics, and science, or social studies within blocks 1, 3, and 4. 

 

Dragon Hollow

 

Dragon Hollow is a 45-minute flexible period in the middle of the day.   Students who participate in chorus, band, and/or orchestra will meet with their ensemble groups.   Students who do not participate in music ensembles have independent study. 

 

Core Courses

 

In sixth and seventh grades, the core courses include English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.  In eighth grade, students may begin their exploration of a world language with French I or Spanish I.  In addition to the core courses, students will have dedicated STEM in mathematics and research in English language arts.

           

Dedicated STEM in Mathematics

 

 

On two days out of the six-day cycle, the 80-minute block will be split into two, 40-minute periods.  The students will receive a STEM lesson by one of the sixth and seventh grade math teachers for half the block.  This teacher will instruct both his/her students and the partner math teachers’ students in each period. The partner math teacher will conduct a math workshop with the students during each period.   The math workshop will include math remediation, extension, and enrichment based on individual student needs.  

 

Sample Mathematics with Dedicated STEM

 

 

	Block 2/Cycle Days 1 and 4
	Teacher A
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Period 3	STEM with Teacher A Students	Math	Math	STEM with Teacher A Students	Math	Math
Period 4	STEM with Teacher B Students	Math	Math	STEM with Teacher B Students	Math	Math
	Teacher B
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Period 3	Math Workshop with Teacher B Students	Math	Math	Math Workshop with Teacher B Students	Math	Math
Period 4	Math Workshop with Teacher A Students	Math	Math	Math Workshop with Teacher A Students	Math	Math

 

 

 

Dedicated Research and Language Arts

 

For up to two days out of the six-day cycle, both the sixth and seventh grade ELA 80-minute blocks will be split into two, 40-minute periods. For the two periods, the students will have CollabLab where the partner teachers in the grade level provide mini-lessons in research skills, digital citizenship, language arts, and literacy.  The CollabLab lessons are extensions beyond the sixth and seventh grade curriculum, and they are tailored to the students’ individual needs.  

 

Sample English Language Arts and CollabLab

 

	Block 2/Cycle Days 2 and 5
	Teacher A
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Period 3	ELA	CollabLab with Teacher A Students	ELA	ELA	CollabLab with Teacher A Students	ELA
Period 4	ELA	CollabLab with Teacher B Students	ELA	ELA	CollabLab with Teacher B Students	ELA
	Teacher B
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Period 3	ELA	CollabLab with Teacher B Students	ELA	ELA	CollabLab with Teacher B Students	ELA
Period 4	ELA	CollabLab with Teacher A Students	ELA	ELA	CollabLab with Teacher A Students	ELA

 

Related Arts

 

The related arts courses are interdisciplinary courses that allow the students to explore new subject areas as well as provide a well-rounded experience.  

 

Physical Education

 

Students will have physical education twice a six-day cycle.   The middle school physical education curriculum focuses on the students’ exposure to team and individual sports and lifetime fitness.   The curriculum includes units on health and wellness. 

 

Music

 

Students will have music for a semester.  The middle school music curriculum includes units of study in the fundamentals of music composition, performance, and appreciation.  

 

Art

 

Students will have music for a semester.  The middle school art curriculum is designed to develop students’ knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts.  

 

Technology Education

 

Students will have technology education for one marking period.   The middle school technology curriculum has hands-on projects using traditional woodworking tools and technical projects using computer programs.  

 

Family and Consumer Sciences

 

Students will have family and consumer sciences for one marking period. The middle school family consumer sciences curriculum includes units of study in nutrition and food preparation and home economics.

 

Business Education

 

Students will have business education for a semester.   The middle school business education curriculum includes units of study in personal finance, career exploration, and basic business principles.  

 

Ensembles

 

Students in grades 6 through 8 can participate in chorus, band, and/or orchestra.   The music ensembles are separated by grade 6 and grades 7 and 8.   The ensemble rotation supports students who wish to participate in more than one ensemble.   The music teachers plan the sessions to accommodate the students.  The ensemble rotation has a 12-day cycle.  

 

Ensemble

12-Day Cycle

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Orchestra

O

O

O

O

O

O

Band

B

B

B

B

B

B

Chorus

C

C

C

C

C

C

Band/Orchestra

B

O

B

O

B

B

O

B

O

O

Band/Chorus

B

C

B

C

B

C

C

B

C

B

Orchestra/Chorus

C

O

C

O

O

C

O

C

C

O

Orchestra/Chorus/Band

B

O

C

B

C

O

B

O

C

B

C

O

 

Clubs & Advisory

 

Each Friday, the four instructional blocks are shortened to 60 minutes for clubs and advisory.   The advisory block is 16 minutes, and this time is used to teach social skills appropriate for middle school students.  After the advisory block, students have clubs at the end of the day for 60 minutes.   Students select a club for each marking period.  

 

Gifted Education

 

Student who are eligible for gifted education services have a gifted individualized education plan, or GIEP.  Students are supported through enrichment and extension activities within the core courses, and they receive individualized instruction and support from the gifted education teacher in small group settings.    

 

Special Education

 

Students who are eligible for special education services have an individualized education plan, or IEP.   The middle school program provides a continuum of services for students, depending on the individual student’s needs.  Most students are fully included within the general education setting, and the teacher provides the supports outline in the student’s IEP.   Some students may receive direct support and instruction from a special education teacher.   This can occur in the general education classroom or in a small group setting with the special education teacher.  

 

English Language Learners

 

English language learners are students for whom another language besides English is their first language.   Students receive instruction in English depending on their level of proficiency.   This instruction includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening.  

 

Middle School Program Changes

 

For the 2022-23 school year, the middle school program includes the following enhancements:

·      Dedicated STEM curriculum and instruction

·      Dedicated research and language arts instruction

·      A full Level 1 of a world language course (French I or Spanish 1)

·      Addition of business education into the related arts rotation

·      Remediation time for math and English language arts within the course