Grades 6-8
Philosophy
The middle school years are important exploration years as young adolescent students begin to formalize their personal identities. We understand the important balance between learning through curriculum and learning through life experiences and activities. Horizon recognizes the complex skills required for proficiency in Math and English Language Arts in readiness for more advanced studies in high school and so we offer various choices of learning paths in these subjects to meet individual student needs.
Although we provide a foundation to help assure our students develop critical skills and dispositions in readiness for more advanced work in high school, our model assumes that each family will build upon our foundation. We encourage our families to provide additional enrichment activities, supplementary learning opportunities, and engaging experiences. We ask families to carefully consider the most appropriate learning path and assume a full partnership with Horizon Teachers to assure each of our learners develops to their fullest potential. The following slides will clarify the various options.
Learning Path Options
On-Demand Learning | Blended Learning | Supported Home Study | Alternative Home Study* |
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What is On-Demand Learning (ODL)?
Online curriculum that is available any time and includes instruction, interactive learning, and supplementary offline “home” work managed through one platform. HCS provides digital access, supplementary resources, and pacing guides.
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- Students typically engage in online curriculum and “home” work: for 60-90 minutes each day in Math and 60-90 minutes each day in English Language Arts.
- Families ensure students complete online and “home” work, monitor engagement and learning, use the HCS support resources, and provide additional enrichment activities in Math and ELA.
- HCS Teachers provide ongoing assessments and regular progress feedback to families.
- HCS Teachers provide social interactions, small group lessons as needed, and meet with families regularly to help families maintain student pacing, to monitor and to guide student achievement.
What is Blended Learning (BL)?
Scheduled, live, virtual instruction is provided by an HCS Teacher a few days each week. HCS provides workbooks, grade level material, pacing guides, and digital online resources.
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- Students attend weekly online class sessions and are expected to attend and engage in all class sessions which include small group and whole class interactions.
- Students can also expect to complete assigned work, minimally for 60-90 minutes daily in Math and 60-90 minutes daily in English Language Arts.
- Families work with the pacing guides, ensure students complete the assigned work, monitor learning, use the HCS support resources, and provide additional enrichment activities in Math and ELA.
- HCS Teachers provide ongoing assessments and regular progress feedback to families.
- HCS Teachers provide social interactions, small group lessons as needed, and meet with families regularly to help families maintain student pacing, to monitor and to guide student achievement.
What is Supported Home Study (SHS)?
Family provides daily instruction in Math and/or English Language Arts. HCS provides workbooks, grade-level material, pacing guides, and/or a digital online curriculum.
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- Students typically engage in daily literacy and math activities and complete assigned work, 60-90 minutes daily in Math and 60-90 minutes daily in English Language Arts.
- Families use the recommended curriculum, follow the pacing and teaching guides, ensure students complete work with adequate quality, monitor learning, use the HCS support resources, and provide additional enrichment activities to support Math and/or English Language Arts.
- HCS Teachers provide ongoing assessments and regular progress feedback to families.
- HCS Teachers provide social interactions, small group lessons as needed, and meet with families regularly to help families manage their pacing, and monitor and guide student achievement.
What is Alternative Home Study (AHS)?
Family provides daily instruction in Math and/or English Language Arts. Materials are selected with the HCS Teacher to align with grade-level standards and expectations, learner needs, and interests.
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- Parent Educator provides daily literacy and math activities typically to be completed 75-90 minutes for Math and 75-90 minutes for English Language Arts.
- Families work with the HCS Teacher to develop the pacing and a personalized learning plan.
- HCS Teachers provide ongoing assessments and regular progress feedback to families.
- HCS Teachers provide daily opportunities for social interaction, small group lessons as needed, and meet with families regularly to help families manage their pacing, monitor, and to guide student achievement.