Middle School Program Overview

For the 2024/2025 school year, HEaT Middle School will offer three instructor-led enrichment sessions and a lunch period. Our class sizes are set at 18 and students are loosely grouped around grade-level. Students take all class offerings and courses change each semester. Below are the course offerings for our fall 2024 classes.

Language Arts- Middle Schoolers LOVE to talk, so we’re going to focus on that in ELA this semester. Students will learn how to plan, write, and give effective speeches! We will be focusing on the planning, organizing, and presenting of authentic speeches. During the semester, students will complete a How-To Speech on a topic of their choice. We will also plan for and give a persuasive speech for whatever position they are running for in their “tiny town”-- a cross-curricular theme in all of our Middle School Classrooms this semester. Then, they will finish the semester with an informational speech focused on a holiday theme! Together we will become comfortable and confident speakers!

Humanities- We’re bringing civics and economics to life by creating our own city in the county of HEaT! Throughout the semester students will study the organization of local government and the vital role we play as citizens. As their own city, each class will choose the laws and customs that citizens will follow, design their own currency and flag, and hold elections for city council members. In addition, students will experience economics at work by opening their own businesses and selling goods on Market Day that meet the needs of their community!

STEM - As part of the Middle School's theme of "Mini Society" for Fall 2024, the STEM class will provide students the opportunity to bring their cities to life, structurally speaking. This semester students will wear the hat of City Planner and Builder as they create sketches, apply for permits, and form a rendering of their specific city that will meet the needs of a given population size. The final project will be a 3D model on foam poster board of their city including housing, commercial and government buildings, commodities, structural systems like power grids and water towers, and more. At the conclusion of the semester, students will present their city models to their peers for feedback and review!

Lunch and Recess- Students will need to bring a nut-free lunch each week, along with a water bottle. There will be a 45 minute lunch break for students to eat and socialize.