Middle School Academics

Individualized Literacy Pathways

A key feature of Craig's Middle School program is the ability to adjust the balance of Orton-Gillingham and Reading Comprehension instruction according to each student's level of need.

There is not one literacy schedule for every student.

Model Intensive Orton-Gillingham Model

90 min Orton-Gillingham + 45 min Reading Comprehension

Students who benefit from intensive foundational literacy instruction may receive an extended Orton-Gillingham block in addition to dedicated Reading Comprehension instruction.

Model Balanced Literacy Model

45 min Orton-Gillingham + 45 min Reading Comprehension

Students continue to receive direct, targeted OG instruction while also participating in a separate Reading Comprehension class.

Model Comprehension-Focused Model

45 min Reading Comprehension

Some students have developed sufficient foundational reading skills that they no longer require Orton-Gillingham. These students participate in Reading Comprehension to continue developing higher-level literacy skills.

Model Extended OG / Integrated Model

For some students, the 90-minute Orton-Gillingham block incorporates Reading Comprehension instruction, allowing foundational literacy and comprehension skills to be addressed within an extended literacy block.

Small-Group Instruction Matters

Orton-Gillingham

Avg. 2–3 Students

OG classes average approximately 2–3 students and are intentionally grouped according to instructional need.

This allows teachers to:

Individualize instruction
Adjust pacing
Provide immediate feedback
Respond to student progress
Focus intensely on specific areas of need

Reading Comprehension

Up to 8 Students

Reading Comprehension groups may include up to 8 students. The somewhat larger group creates an important collaborative learning environment in which students can:

Discuss shared novels
Exchange perspectives
Build background knowledge
Practice expressing ideas
Analyze characters, themes, and events
Develop confidence participating in academic conversations

This distinction is intentional: OG benefits from very small, targeted groups, while Reading Comprehension benefits from a collaborative community of readers.

Subject Area

Language Arts

Middle School Language Arts builds increasingly sophisticated writing and communication skills while helping students become more independent writers.

Students progress from sentence-level work to organized paragraphs and multi-paragraph essays. Instruction emphasizes organization, written expression, grammar, revision, editing, and the effective use of assistive technology.

Structured Approaches

Project Read Written Expression

The Writing Revolution

Handwriting Without Tears

Structured approaches help students understand not only how to write, but how to organize and communicate their thinking.

2 Subject Area

Math

Middle School mathematics combines explicit instruction, conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and problem solving. Students develop the reasoning and independence needed to approach increasingly complex mathematical concepts.

6

Sixth Grade

Sixth grade balances conceptual understanding with procedural fluency through rigorous, research-based instruction incorporating both direct instruction and discovery learning.

7–8

Grades 7–8

Students work with Pre-Algebra and Algebra concepts while developing critical, logical, and analytical reasoning.

Project-based, hands-on, and multisensory activities provide opportunities for students to apply mathematical thinking.

Daily Schedule

Important Daily Schedule Information

All Middle School students receive:

45 Minutes of Language Arts

Daily

45 Minutes of Math

Daily

The amount and structure of literacy instruction varies according to individual student need.

3 Subject Area

Science & Social Studies

Middle School students deepen their understanding of science, history, geography, civics, and culture while simultaneously developing the academic strategies needed to manage increasingly complex content.

Students engage in inquiry-based science across life, earth, and physical science. Learning includes:

Scientific vocabulary

Background knowledge

Hands-on investigations

Data analysis

Experiments

Engineering design

Note-taking

Test preparation

Scientific communication

Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards

Middle School Social Studies begins with human origins and ancient civilizations and progresses toward U.S. history, while incorporating geography, civics, cultures, and diversity.

Teachers intentionally incorporate academic skill development into content instruction, including:

Vocabulary

Background knowledge

Note-taking

Organization

Time management

Prioritization

Long-term assignment planning

Research skills

Test preparation

A key feature of the Craig model is that content teachers help students learn how to access and manage academic content, not simply the content itself.

4 Subject Area

STEM & Environmental Science

Middle School STEM challenges students to apply what they know, solve authentic problems, and communicate their thinking. Students develop collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Grade 6 STEM

Students explore simple machines and the STEM design process through hands-on building challenges, including a culminating pinball machine project.

Grades 7–8 STEM

Students add a research and presentation component to the STEM process. Students:

Research a topic
Practice note-taking
Create a presentation
Use their research to inform their design
Build and test
Revise their work

Skills Developed

Collaboration Creativity Critical Thinking Problem Solving Presentation Research Note-Taking

Past Topics Have Included

Bridges, structures, electricity and circuits, and STEM in fashion.