Dunn Middle School A Curriculum for Growth and Challenge

About learning...
"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way." - Mark Twain

At Dunn Middle School students are challenged to work to their individual potential while meeting the school's high academic standards. Over the course of three years the school as a whole (rather than separate grades) studies the three themes of the California Framework for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades: Ancient Civilizations; World History and Global Studies; and American Studies. This allows the faculty to coordinate themes and strengthen skills across the curriculum.

Each morning at DMS consists of a rigorous academic program focusing on the acquisition of skills in the core areas: Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, and Science. Twice weekly two-hour block periods allow for in-depth exploration of subject matter. We encourage inquiry and learning through dialogue and demonstration, listening and questioning, reflection and action. Writing is emphasized in its many permutations, informal and formal. This includes writing for journals, note taking, stories, myths, historical fiction, letters, essays, scripts, proposals, lab reports, and research projects. Students have many opportunities to "go public" with their work in our annual festivals, fairs, performances, and publications.

We believe there is much to be learned outside the confines of the classroom. Each student participates in a fulltime work internship for 4 days, including local businesses and human services. On the last day of the week students present their experience to classmates in a celebration of the working world.

Our computer communications technology offers access to software applications, programming, research, and math/science applications. The "Information Highway" runs right through DMS on the World Wide Web in the form of the Dunn Middle School Homepage. With Internet stations in every classroom and a fully networked computer lab, our students may visit U.C. Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County Library Services, and WEB sites throughout the world.

INQUIRY
COOPERATION
APPLICATION
EXPRESSION
ACCOUNTABILITY
STANDARDS
PERFORMANCE
CELEBRATION

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