Academics
A collaborative community of inspired and engaged learners
Hamilton International Middle School, a rigorous academic and collaborative learning community, educates students to succeed and contribute in a diverse world.
Continuous Growth – Respect – Diversity – Integrity – Teamwork
DEPARTMENTS
Welcome to Hamilton International Middle School! Here is a brief description about each department:
| Department | Description | |
| International Arts: | HIMS is proud to serve all of our students. A special aspect of our school community is our diversity. All of our students have access to World Languages and International Arts. This includes work with teaching artists who work side by side with International Arts teachers to provide opportunities that enrich our student’s lives. We have discovered the culture, music, dance and art of many places including Japan, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Benin, South Sea Islands, The Middle East and the United States just to name a few. The performance opportunities for all students are an invaluable way of building community, teaching cooperation and honoring the myriad of cultures in our world. Future experiences will include the study of Gaelic people of Ireland, the Sephardic Jewish people of southern Spain and the Mediterranean and the original American art form of jazz. | |
| Language Arts: | The Language Arts teachers at HIMS use the workshop approach to teach balanced literacy. Writers Workshop approach is designed to help student fluency in writing through continuous, repeated exposure to the process of writing. With this approach, students incorporate their learning in authentic ways because they learn through demonstration and practice. Reading instruction is taught in using a similar approach. Readers workshop provides students with tools for selecting and comprehending literature by combining explicit instruction with time to practice independently. | |
| Math:
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The goal of our mathematics program is to prepare each student to meet the mathematical demands presented by high school, college and careers. In our math classes, students are active participants in building their understanding of mathematical concepts as well as practicing procedures. Students learn in a collaborative problem-solving environment, and they are expected to work in a variety of situations, including independent work, in pairs, and groups. They are also expected to justify their ideas orally and in writing. The Hamilton math teachers actively collaborate with each other to improve our methods and implement proven and research-based techniques that help students learn. Some examples of these methods include the use of a clear teaching point, public records, the intentional treatment and use of vocabulary, journal writing, pressing for justification, accountable talk, group work, and the use of technology.The mathematical focus at each grade level is determined by the WA State Math Standards. Students in the regular education program work on grade-level standards, students in Honors work on standards one year above grade-level, and students in APP on standards two years above grade-level. For students who need extended time or are below standard, we offer a support math class, called Math Improvement, at each grade level. We also provide support after school.
The core set of instructional materials for our mathematics program is the Connected Mathematics Program (CMP2) and Discovering Series (high school courses). For information on these programs please visit the following web-sites: CMP2: http://www.phschool.com/cmp2/parent_guide/ and Discovering Series: http://www.keypress.com/x1735.xml |
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| Music: | HIMS music has an orchestra, band, and choir. These are multi-leveled classes such as Jazz band, beginning strings, etc. tryouts for each group are held in late summer to begin registration for our new school year. | |
| Orchestra/Choir:
Physical Education: |
There are four orchestra classes and one choir that meet daily for rehearsals at Hamilton. All of the classes are mixed grades (6th-8th). Beginning orchestra and choir are open to all students including those with no previous musical experience. Placement for all other classes is dependent on a performance audition with Ms. Mandojana. Orchestra and choir students perform throughout the year at a variety of events including three school concerts, festivals, International Arts assemblies, and other school functions. Music classes are a great way to meet new friends and have fun learning something that can last a lifetime!HIMS PE follows a curriculum that helps align with the State’s Classroom Based Assessments. Each grade level class helps students plan on getting fit while learning about nutrition and health. | |
| Science: | HIMS general science follows the Inquiry-Based Science Kits adopted and provided by Seattle Public Schools. In 6th grade we follow the Diversity of Life Kit and the Solutions and Pollution Kit. In 7th we cover the Catastrophic Events Kit and the Energy, Machines and Motion Kit. In 8th grade we follow the Properties of Matter Kit, Earth and Space Kit, and Ecology and Evolution Kit. The specifics concerning each Kit can be found on the District’s website. | |
| Social Studies: | HIMS Social Studies classes are blocked with our Language Arts classes. That means our students have the same teacher for Language Arts and Social Studies. Curriculum: Our 8th grade covers Washington State History (one semester) and World Geography (one semester). Our 7th grade covers United States History (all year). Our 6th grade covers Ancient Civilizations the Eastern Hemisphere (all year). | |
| World Languages: | As part of the International Curriculum, Hamilton offers students three years of World Language which is considered a core class. All language classes, including those using the immersion model, meet for one class period each day and are designed to deepen students understanding of another culture. Most students take a traditional world language program at Hamilton: three years of language instruction are offered in Japanese and Spanish. Students learn fundamental skills in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing the target language, along with a focus on the geography and culture of the countries where those languages are spoken. The teachers use a variety of methods and resources that go beyond the textbooks, including Total Physical Response. The goal of these programs is to prepare students for the second level of language in high school. The three year Spanish and Japanese Immersion Programs offers a World Language option for advanced speakers of Spanish or Japanese. The focus is on increasing written and oral fluency, including comprehension, production, and correct usage, as well as increasing understanding of Spanish and Japanese speaking cultures. The curriculum builds on the K-5 language immersion programs at John Stanford International School. Instruction is conducted exclusively in Spanish or Japanese and presumes a high initial level of comprehension. Heritage speakers of Spanish or Japanese and other students with advanced language skills are eligible to take these classes. Students should leave the program prepared to enter at least the third level of language in high school. |
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