Basic Subject Courses
Team teachers of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies provide core curriculum instruction. Each subject area builds specific skills and strategies which students can then transfer to other areas and apply to “real world” situations.
Language Arts
Emphasizes reading and writing skills as well as literature and study strategies.
The art of communication is measured by the ability to cooperate, exchange ideas, and interact with others. This interaction, whether verbal or written, is basic to all relationships throughout our lives. During the course of a single day people share information and beliefs, make plans, and respond intellectually and imaginatively. In each language arts learning environment at Dodd, students are provided with a variety of opportunities to develop and improve communication skills. To achieve this end, an integrated approach to instruction occurs. In addition to each student’s Language Arts class, direct reading instruction also takes place.
Literacy Support Classes
These classes of 4-8 selected students provide opportunities to strengthen students’ word attack skills, learn and practice literal and inferential reading skills, develop a broader reading vocabulary, improve reading fluency, and acquire strategies for reading across the curriculum. The teacher uses motivational materials, books appropriately leveled for each student, and direct strategy-based instruction to improve each student’s confidence and attitude toward reading. These classes meet every day. Students selected for these classes are not enrolled in world language and may begin their world language studies in grade 9.
Mathematics
Students learn estimation, classification, patterns and functions, probability, graphing and statistics, number sentences and word problems. Geometry, measurement, division, decimals, fractions, and percentages are also emphasized.
Science
The sciences at Dodd Middle School emphasize constructivist learning experiences and the application of the scientific method. There is a balance between learning factual material through reading and studying the textbook and understanding scientific concepts through investigative lab experiences using inquiry skills. As a result, the course units of study allow for deep examination, exploration, integration and application of the life, physical, and earth sciences.
Social Studies
The Social Studies department has developed curricula centering on the K-12 Social Studies standards. Both seventh and eighth grades infuse the strands of history, geography, economics, political science, human behavior and culture into their studies. Each grade provides ample opportunity to integrate technological resources into the areas of study.