Intermediate Class

Fifth and Sixth Grades

Japhet’s fifth- and sixth-grade students learn in a supportive middle school setting that requires high academic achievement, while still receiving a homeroom teacher’s daily nurturing and guidance to instill confidence and independence.

A team-teaching approach between the middle school teachers enables students to learn in whole-group, small-group, and individual sessions to build confidence and mastery.

Intermediate Class is capped at 18 students.

Lessons are taught with an understanding that students have multiple learning styles, including the use of an electronic interactive whiteboard.

Intermediate Class students experience daily Math, Writer’s Workshop, Science, and Social Studies classes, with reading and literature integrated into their units several times each week.

Students enjoy seven special classes weekly: Spanish, Phys. Ed., Art, Integrated Technology, Life Skills, Music, and time in the school Library.

Units and benchmarks for Intermediate Class — which are covered over a two-year cycle — meet or exceed the Michigan and national content and learning standards.

Intermediate Class students complete daily homework, which varies — independent reading, finishing or redoing math problems for mastery, written work, etc. — 45 minutes to an hour each day.

In Intermediate Class, students practice time-management, prioritization, and study skills. Through Writer’s Workshop and oral communication lessons, students build their written expression and oral delivery both creatively and technically. Reliability and respect for self are key character qualities for this age, as students are encouraged to achieve their personal best without the limitation of age or grade level. Leadership opportunities arise with frequent public speaking, Student Council, Leadership Class with the Head of School, and service