Academics

IV Daily Schedule: Parents can look at how a typical student's schedule is constructed at the middle level. Course descriptions are linked below on this page. Note: The initials "BOC" stand for the music performing groups of Band, Orchestra and Chorus.

• Daily Bell Schedule

Course Selection:

• 8th Grade Course Selection Presentation 2013 (PDF)
• 8th Grade Course Selection Sheet 2013 (PDF)
• Requirements for 8th Grade Honors Courses (PDF)

Middle Level Mission Statement: To meet the needs of the middle level students, the staff, parents, and community of Souderton Area School District are firmly committed to promoting a program which offers a balance between academic excellence and socio-emotional development of all students, and one which fosters lifelong learning, respect for the rights of others, and good citizenship.

To find out more about the Middle School Program of Studies for Grades Six, Seven and Eight, click to read about...

• Components of Middle Level Education
• Indian Valley Essential Learning Goals

Use the links below for course descriptions from the Indian Valley Program of Studies:

• Arts
• English as a Second Language Program (ESL)
• Family & Consumer Science
• Language Arts
• Library
• Math
• Music
• Reading
• Science
• Social Studies
• Technology Education
• 21st Century Skills
• Wellness
• World Language
• Middle School Gifted Program

Components of Middle Level Education
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1. Middle Level Learning Environment: Instead of fostering competition, the middle school seeks to promote cooperation. An environment is created which encourages students to help each other instead of trying to outdo each other. This can be achieved by cooperative learning exercises in the classroom, by emphasis on intramural sports as well as interscholastic sports, and by other programs which help students recognize and accept each other, regardless of individual differences.
2. Interdisciplinary Team Teaching: The goal of team teaching is to have a group or team of teachers from each major discipline - Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science - share the academic responsibility for the same group of students. In a typical team, a designated group of students has the same teachers for all of their major subjects; their teachers meet weekly to discuss the students' progress. Teachers, as a group, focus specifically on conditions that may be blocking students' achievement, such as lack of organization, poor study habits, or problems getting along with others. The emphasis on the affective needs of students is what distinguishes team teaching from other teaching, and enables the school to go beyond the academic needs of students.
   
   Interdisciplinary Projects: In sixth grade each teacher team frequently undertakes a team project. Because a team is made up of several teachers from different subject areas, the project is interdisciplinary. Science projects, service projects and literature projects are typical interdisciplinary programs.
3. Exploratory Courses: Discovery is another important theme, and so the middle school encourages students to explore a variety of subjects for possible careers or further study. These areas include art, family and consumer sciences, technology, foreign language, and music. Major or core subjects meet daily; exploratory courses may meet less frequently.
4. Service Learning: Another major component of an effective middle school program is the opportunity to link community service programs to the middle school curriculum. Service learning may take different avenues. Meaningful service can come from establishing a relationship with a group of people with special needs. For example, as part of a project, students might schedule visits to a nursing home, keep a journal of their experiences, and correspond with residents. Service learning projects might also allow students to use classroom skills, (making quilts during family and consumer science class for Ronald McDonald House), or to explore a future career. Click here to find out more about Indian Valley Service Learning Team Projects
5. Flex Period: Middle schools must take advantage of the need for young people to learn social skills and function in small groups where they can interact and perhaps excel in a non-academic setting. They also need the opportunity to find models and mentors among adults. A program of exploratory activities is a focus of the middle school program. What is important is that none of these activities emphasize competition. Instead, students need a variety of opportunities to try out their interests and learn new skills. Examples of scheduled activities include:
   • Resource Period to concentrate and reinforce learning, either by working individually or with a teacher or peer.
   • Focus Enrichment to provide unique complementary and extended learning experiences in a variety of areas.
   • Silent Reading to encourage reading appreciation as a lifelong enjoyment.
   • Club Period to provide a time for students to meet with others who share hobbies or interests beyond the regular academic program.

Indian Valley Essential Learning Goals
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We expect our students to acquire and demonstrate a broad base of knowledge and skills as a foundation for continued learning.

We expect our students to be:

• Complex thinkers, who can reason, reflect, make decisions, and solve problems while supporting and defending their solutions.
• Self-directed learners who can set and prioritize goals, monitor and evaluate progress, use information resources and emerging technologies, and adapt to change.
• Effective and creative communicators who use a variety of skills to express concepts and ideas.
• Informed and responsible citizens who contribute to their community, their country, and their world.
• Collaborative workers who can demonstrate cooperation and leadership within groups to accomplish a common goal.
• Quality producers whose work reflects high standards, originality, and unique abilities.