Special Activities

Art instruction for 6th and 7th grade students is totally immersed in the humanities program. Art lessons relate to the cultures that are studied, using a variety of materials, often the same materials used by the culture. Lessons range from two- or three-dimensional work from papyrus paper to clay and paper mache.

In 8th grade, students study watercolor painting in depth, producing a watercolor technique booklet and several paintings, usually in the landscape genre. Students create their graduation invitations, programs, and visuals.

Middle School electives are taught for two hours a week for a trimester. A variety of courses are taught, such as drawing, portraits, calligraphy, painting, watercolor painting, furniture painting, sculpture, paper sculpture, paper mache, papermaking, collage, batik, jewelry, small hand weaving, weaving on four-harness looms, stitchery and  ceramics.

The focus of art classes is on taking the students' capabilities and expanding their talent. Student art work is on display throughout the school. We follow the National Standards for Arts Education.

By the end of sixth grade students are expected to be proficient in the use of all word processing skills. During fifth and sixth grade the students are introduced to spreadsheets using Excel. They practice entering basic data and formulas and create simple charts and graphs. The students start to use more advanced techniques in their PowerPoint presentations. They insert simple graphics and learn to use hyperlinks.

In the upper grades we introduce the concept of databases and their uses. The students create databases of their own and run reports, forms and queries from them. Using Excel, the students learn to use logical expressions in their formulas and customize their spreadsheets, charts and graphs. In PowerPoint the students learn to insert sound and movies and to use advanced animation techniques. In grades six through eight the students complete a formal research project each year. In relation to the project we study plagiarism, citing sources and outlining. Also in grades six through eight, we offer three computer-related electives each year, one of which is the creation of our yearbook online. 

The library is available for teachers to schedule research opportunities. Students are free to enter the library as needed to locate reading materials for enjoyment. The librarian assists during the yearly visit to the public library.

Music instruction for Kalamazoo Country Day School's middle school students is directly related to the topics that are covered in their humanities classes. When a culture or period of history is studied, music classes deal with the music and drama of that culture or era. For example, when sixth grade students study Africa, their music class involves drum circles, using authentic hand drums. Seventh grade students work on vocal projection and dramatic skits, based on ancient Greek theatre. During their study of American history, eighth grade students focus on jazz.

In addition, music electives for middle school students provide options ranging from "Intro to Opera" to "Performance Committee," where students are involved in all aspects of putting on our all-school holiday and spring productions.

Middle School students practice sports skills and movement concepts, and learn about health and nutrition. Students are required to take a physical education elective every trimester. Physical education is offered twice a week for 45 minutes. During this time students are graded on participation, effort, respect, being prepared for class and being on time. Ultimate Frisbee and dance are offered as physical education electives.

Our Middle School Spanish program is both highly academic and competitive. The students attend Spanish class five days a week for 45 minutes per class. The program follows the same general format as high school Spanish programs, and after three years of Middle School Spanish at KCDS, students place in either Spanish II or Spanish III at the high school level and are among the more advanced students in their classes. 

Students are encouraged to strive for perfection in their attention to detail as they advance their skills in all the areas of communication throughout their years in the program: reading, writing, speaking and listening. At the end of eighth grade, students spend five weeks reading and discussing a short novel in Spanish, which demonstrates the high level of proficiency they have achieved by that time.

Students are also exposed to various cultural activities throughout their Middle School years. Students study Central America, South America and Spain. They participate in cooking projects and a poetry unit, as well as annually celebrate Day of the Dead, Christmas and Cinco de Mayo. Eighth graders learn about and debate the controversial pastime of bullfighting. Each grade is also introduced to a famous Spanish painter, and in a two-week study students are asked to create some art of their own, following the style of the famous painter.

Extra opportunities for middle school students include:

• Spanish Conversation Elective
  The elective is offered one trimester per school year and is purely Spanish-language-based. The class includes conversation, games, pen-pal letter exchange, vocabulary enrichment and cooking projects. It is designed and driven by student interest, making every class different from the last.
• Mexico Trip
  Every other year, Middle School students are invited to participate in a Spring Break trip to Tepoztlán, Mexico. The students live with Mexican families, take daily Spanish lessons and visit several incredible archeological sites around Mexico City. The trip is always a success and helps broaden student understanding and interest in Spanish language and world culture.
• Mexico-Michigan Exchange
  The years that we do not travel to Mexico, we invite students from the Tepoztlán community to spend a week here in Michigan with us. Students similar in age to our own students live with KCDS families for a week in June, right after school dismisses for the summer. Our families offer the students a chance to see how life is lived here in the United States, while the Mexican students to share their culture with us. 

The Middle School Tutorial Program offers supportive services to students who have been identified as experiencing learning challenges. Students are identified and referred by parents and classroom teachers. Tutorial assistance is directly related to the humanities curriculum. Study skills include organizational techniques, test preparation and writing instruction. Transferring newly developed skills and techniques to regular classes is emphasized. Tutorial classes are offered during middle school elective times, and class size varies from one to three students.