Middle School Curriculum
The Independence School District implemented AVID for 6th-grade students in the 2018-19 school year after considerable research, including visiting school districts that experienced academic gains thanks to the AVID approach. AVID strategies, including note-taking and organizational skills, are taught during homeroom at the beginning of each day. Students are provided with a standardized 3-ring notebook, pencil pouch, notebook dividers, and other materials that are important for a student to have each day. The ISD is excited to currently offer AVID to all 6th-8th grade students.
Tips for Success in Middle School
Middle school is an exciting and important time in a child's development, but can sometimes be a difficult time of transition for students. The links below offer ideas to help your child.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a learning system that provides students with real-world strategies to accelerate their performance so they can succeed in college and life. More than 6,000 schools worldwide have adopted the AVID program since it began in 1980. An AVID school means more conversation, structured movement and student-centered activity. Students learn how to ask questions that go beyond memorization and encourage higher-level thinking, providing students with an educational advantage. AVID layers on existing curriculum, allowing teachers to implement AVID strategies into any lesson or subject. Students utilize the Cornell note-taking process to create powerful study tools. They learn to recognize the most important parts of a lesson, create questions to guide their studying, and revisit and refine their notes to solidify learning. Students also learn soft skills, including public speaking, self-advocacy, time management and organization.
Middle School Course Information
The links below provide you with information about the concepts studied in each middle school course, and will allow you to better understand the learning occuring during each grading period. This will also show you what is reflected in the academic grade on your child's progress report.
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6th Grade |
7th Grade |
8th Grade |
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| Counselor | Counselor | |
| Impact | Impact | Impact |
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Missouri Learning Standards
How can I help my child be more successful academically?
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Elective Offerings |
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Vocal Music |
Project Lead |
Engineering Fundamentals |
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Instrumental |
Performing |
Introduction to Acting and Debate |
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Music |
Foreign |
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PE and |
Physical Education 6 , Physical Education 7/8 Strength and Conditioning |
Art |
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