Grades 7 & 8 is the Middle School program at RSGC. Students focus on STEM and humanities, and also have daily physical education and French four times a week. Normally, they also have daily instrumental or choral music; however, since the pandemic, this has switched to music twice weekly, with visual art once a week. We will return to daily music as soon as we can.
An inquiry-based approach is used in our curriculum design. It is meant to generate opportunities for critical thinking, asking thought-provoking questions, and seeking out new knowledge. Students are at the centre of the learning process, with teachers acting as facilitators and guides.
Learning goals are designed with the students in mind. A partnership is formed with our students, where we set goals and make plans. Students work towards their learning goals through practice and by receiving frequent feedback.
At RSGC, we believe in sparking curiosity and creating meaningful work. Our units are project-based and foster a love of learning. They are designed to combine skill development, deepen knowledge, and lead to personal growth and connections.
We understand that our students are individuals with varying interests and needs, therefore, there is no one size fits all approach in the classroom. By providing choice in our programs, students can make decisions and take ownership of their learning experiences. Students demonstrate their skills by focusing on the process of their projects, not the final product. This is where authentic learning takes place.
In our programs, students continue to work towards achieving their learning goals. They develop their skills through practice and receive continuous feedback from peers and teachers to grow as learners. There is great value in the self-assessment process, where students will reflect on their learning experience to celebrate areas of strength and understand opportunities for growth. We work in partnership with our students to ensure that they feel successful as learners.
If you walk through the hallways of our school, you will see and hear collaborative learning at work. Clear expectations are created together, and students work cooperatively to learn together and consider each other’s perspectives. These opportunities lead to the co-creation of new knowledge and prepare them for real-world experiences.
In the classroom, students are encouraged to act thoughtfully, and to learn boldly and courageously. Learning experiences are designed to be challenging and meaningful. Students are most successful when they take risks in their learning.
We hold our students to a high standard, and we also make space for joy and laughter in our classrooms.
Our goal is for each student to feel seen and heard, and know that they are valuable classroom community members.