Middle Years Programme (MYP)

The Curriculum

The HDS Middle School curriculum contains eight subject groups naturally integrated in an interdisciplinary approach. Students study these subjects through different lenses to prepare them for the changing demands of life in the twenty-first century. The curriculum has been adapted to guide students to develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to participate actively and responsibly in a changing and increasingly interrelated world. All MYP students complete six programs of inquiry throughout the year that incorporate every subject area and that are designed around the trans-disciplinary themes of the IB curriculum: sharing the planet, who we are, where we are in place and time, how we express ourselves, how the world works, and how we organize ourselves.

For information about our core classes, please see the Course Outlines link or view our class pages link.

For information about our core classes, please see our class pages or the course outlines below:

Humanities 7th Grade Language Arts 7th Grade Spanish 7th Grade Theatre Arts Science 7th Grade Technology 7th Grade Pre Algebra Wellness

Humanities 8th Grade Language Arts 8th Grade Spanish 8th Grade Visual Arts Science 8th Grade Technology 8th Grade Algebra 1 Music

The Arts

Throughout the school year, the visual arts program works directly with the MYP classroom teachers to plan activities that correlate the arts with their Program of Inquiry. Students create work to reinforce and enhance their studies in addition to fulfilling the objectives required of the NC Standard Course of Study. HDS students also present two major performing arts productions each year. Through these productions, students learn about technical theater and the powerful influence of music.

Technology

All students grades TK through nine have access to computers both in their classrooms and in the technology lab. Technology at Hickory Day School is naturally integrated with the curriculum as an effective tool that facilitates student learning. Students receive opportunities to work with Kid Pix Studios, Kidspiration, Inspiration, Type To Learn, blogging, videoconferencing, web applications, desktop publishing, etc. All eighth grade students prior to their graduation complete the North Carolina Computer Competency Exam.

Spanish

All Hickory Day School students receive daily Spanish instruction. The Spanish program allows students opportunities to develop and enhance their communication skills. Within the Spanish language, students learn the four language skills of writing, reading, speaking, and listening and gain the ability to apply these skills to real-world situations. The ultimate goal for our Spanish program is a conversant Spanish speaker upon completion of the eighth grade.

Wellness

All Hickory Day students receive daily instruction in wellness. Our wellness program is designed to allow students opportunities to appreciate and understand the value of physical education and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Students are exposed to a variety of new activities/games to aid in the development of their motor skills. Age-appropriate social skills, teamwork, cooperation, and self-reflection are all important parts of our wellness curriculum.