Middle School Integrated Studies—from Maps to Mosaics . . . to Solutions
In this globalized, high-tech world—where existing information is rapidly superseded by new “facts”—Principia School graduates will face exciting opportunities as well as unforeseen challenges.
“We cannot solve economic, political, environmental, or other problems that are coming up in the world through one lens,” says the School’s Dean of Innovation and Academics Peter Dry. “We need to be able to look at and grapple with challenges through multiple perspectives. . . . A multidisciplinary approach is essential.”
The initial units for the new Integrated Studies classes at the Middle School are demonstrating the value of such a multidisciplinary approach. Led by teacher Sam Dry, in coordination with Dan Sheets (US’81, C’85) and Dave Wallace (C’06), these sessions have engaged students in project-centered learning and performance-based tasks that are intended to develop a problem-solving mindset and skills. Through team projects, students have already learned to collect, sift through, and analyze information and data; prepare and deliver written, oral, and audiovisual reports and presentations; create maps, models, and artful mosaics; and present well-reasoned rationales for proposed solutions.
Together, the teaching team employs the “See, Think, Wonder” approach—What do you see? What do you think about it? What does it make you wonder about? “There’s lots of collaboration, problem solving, making presentations, journaling, and reflection,” Sam Dry points out. “The students are learning to be critical thinkers and not just regurgitate the information we give them. They have to do something with information every single time, and they are developing the skills of excellence every time they make a presentation.”
Since the start of the year, students in all three Middle School grades have been immersed in activities that have challenged them to grow not only in competence but also in character, including learning how to function as responsible members of a team:
- Sixth graders worked in teams, under the guidance of art teacher Louise Elmgren (C’84), to conceptualize and create a large four-panel mosaic that depicts the School’s Community Commitment (“Strive, Conquer, Love, Give”). In the process, they grew in planning and artistic skills as well as in the ability to share and present information. This mosaic will soon be installed on the wall in the Middle School entryway.
- Seventh graders studied waste and pollution around the world and then focused on the Principia campus—examining specific areas (such as ponds and streams) or practices (water-fountain usage) to identify and address wastage or pollution. Their work included creating 3-D maps or models as well as video clips of interviews with a range of stakeholders.
- Eighth graders grappled with the pros and cons of technological advancement. They then participated in a public forum debate on complex issues such as cloning and artificial intelligence.
In reflecting on the first unit of the year, one middle schooler commented: “It taught me not to argue [but] to take in every idea gratefully. It helped me to be careful—and to check over my work for mistakes. My group helped me grow so much.”
That kind of learning impacts every area of life! While information will continue to change at an ever-faster pace in the 21st century, creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and character will never go out of date.