Middle School Notes

Middle school at UNIS covers grades 5 (Middle 1) through 8 (Middle 4). In Middle School, students leave the safety and security of a single homeroom teacher to 4 teachers for their core subjects, known in UNIS as MESH (Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities).

The middle school years can be tumultuous -- especially socially and emotionally. Young adolescents are not simply older elementary school students nor younger high school students, but because of the dramatic changes that occur during this stage of adolescence, students require a radically an approach to education that takes those needs into account.

Middle school students thrive on peer relationships and social-emotional feelings and situations can often distract and consume them. Emotional shifts can be sudden and intense. Students can become extremely self-conscious and often are exploring aspects of personal identity as they navigate daily life at school.

WE BELIEVE....

In order to support students during this time of growth and change in so many areas, effective middle school instruction at UNIS includes:

• Active Learning - Students are active participants in their learning as they explore, research, debate and communicate in order to build knowledge and understanding. Middle school students do well at Queens as it provides small communities of learners, and the implementation of a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum that encourages active and personalized learning.
• Multiple Teaching Approaches - Engaging middle school students requires teaching strategies and techniques that keep students invested in their learning since so many physiological, emotional and hormonal changes can distract them. Classroom routines can help the sometimes-frantic middle schooler feel safe and comfortable. But too rigid routines and structures can also stifle the independent spirit of a middle schooler, so it's important to strike a balance.
• Varied Forms of Assessment including Self-Assessment and Reflection - Students need to understand how they learn best and to set goals to keep learning. Learning to reflect on one's achievement, examine strengths and challenges, and plan next steps is critical at this stage to develop lifelong independent learners.
• Pastoral Care as well as Rigorous Academics - Building organizational and study skills, as well as advisory focused on supporting students as they deal with the challenges of adolescence helps students both academically and personally. As students grapple with issues of identity, faculty and staff help students build resilience, and model respect, empathy and compassion for others. Teaching students how to understand and effectively cope with emotions also helps students as they learn how to evaluate options and anticipate consequences before making decisions.

Broadway Classroom

1-1 Chromebooks

The importance of technology in our daily lives is undeniable. As technology continues to advance in our lives, it is important that our students become literate and responsible digital citizens.

Each student in middle school receives a Chromebook. The Chromebook remains the property of UNIS, Guidelines for the use of technology are discussed with the students and can be found in the Student and Parent Handbook or on the Technology page on this site.