Nyia deserves this award because she is always ready to think critically and solve problems, whether in her schoolwork or within her community. She confidently expresses her thoughts and is never afraid to share her ideas. Nyia actively contributes to class discussions, even when she may not feel like it, always applying her thinking to real-world problems. She is mindful when sharing her perspectives and genuinely cares about others' feelings. Nyia’s dedication, thoughtfulness, and problem-solving mindset make her truly deserving of this award.
When I had her in my class, she was always one of the first to raise her hand, the most focused, on-task, and a dedicated learner. She consistently put in her best effort to understand and master the subject. I believe that those who truly earn recognition—no matter what form it takes—deserve their moment of appreciation. In my opinion, she is one of those people. She is always willing to go the extra mile, take risks, and demonstrate bravery as a student. I’m confident that her family would be proud if she earned this award, and I know Mehek would be proud too.
Paisley is always engaged in group work, actively contributing and sharing her ideas. She consistently stays on task and considers others' perspectives, demonstrating thoughtfulness and collaboration. No matter how challenging a problem may be, she applies her knowledge to real-world situations with determination. Paisley is a hardworking student who not only strives for success but also cares deeply about others.
Zoey, a seventh grader at our school, is an exemplary student who consistently demonstrates the qualities of a critical thinker, making her an ideal candidate for the Thinking IB Award. This year, in my 7th-period class, she has repeatedly shown her strong analytical skills. For example, she once helped me write an entire TOSEEC paragraph for my 6th-period class. She assisted me in finding quotes, provided helpful tips, and even influenced most of my conclusion with her insightful suggestions. Another example of her dedication is how she remains completely focused during i-Ready and assignments, always striving to find the best answers. These are the reasons why I believe Zoey Bustoes deserves the Thinking IB Award.
She is kind to others and always willing to help when someone is in need. She cares deeply about her grades and is a true risk-taker, unafraid to step out of her comfort zone and try new things. She is a loyal friend who always checks in on others and ensures they are okay. Her positivity is contagious, bringing a smile to everyone around her.
Ella has done an excellent job in her most recent summative project with researching a particular culture. Furthermore, she is using critical thinking skills that exhibit the traits of an IB "Thinker" through challenging assumptions and considering multiple viewpoints of individuals from the culture that she selected. She is also assisting others in the classroom who have chosen the same culture as she did, and providing them guidance in a way that makes sense for all learners to understand. She is a great scholar to be considered for this award!
Ella has been a creative thinker since the day I met her. She is always open-minded and communicates effectively with teachers, students, and staff. She applies her knowledge to any problem with ease, making her one of the smartest and most versatile thinkers I’ve encountered. Ella is also an active listener and a dedicated learner.
He consistently approaches problems with creativity and fresh perspectives, making smart and decisive decisions. His curiosity and diligence shine through in every project he takes on. His critical thinking elevates his work, and he is truly one of the smartest people I know.
Mrs. Corah is always so helpful around the classroom. she always thinks of ways to keep the classroom fun and never boring. Mrs. Corah is always so sweet and fun. she is the best science teacher everrrrr.
Mrs. Corah is a great example of the IB Profile trait of Caring. Whenever someone in her class is feeling down or in need of help, she is always there for them. She is incredibly kind and compassionate!
Hunter has been doing an excellent job with exhibiting the traits of an IB "Thinker" in his most recent summative project of researching of culture. Furthermore, he is uses a variety of resources to include multiple viewpoints of individuals from that culture, in addition to understanding the different perspectives of that culture. He has used his class time wisely and is contributing to classroom discussions that show his ability to think critically!
Don't forget PE Uniforms!
During one semester of the school year, scholars will have Physical Education (PE) classes. They will need to bring uniforms for changing and a combination lock for their lockers. Scholars start dressing out Monday!!!
It is a great idea to grab a combination locker this summer and have scholars practice unlocking and locking them!
Language and Literature
Wit and Wisdom is our Language and Literature curriculum designed for K-8 scholars, developed by Great Minds. It focuses on building knowledge through the integration of rich content, rigorous reading and writing activities, and thought-provoking discussions. The program emphasizes understanding and analyzing high-quality texts across various genres, encouraging scholars to think deeply and critically. Wit and Wisdom aims to develop scholars' vocabulary, comprehension, and analytical skills.
Math
Great Minds Eureka Math² is an advanced math curriculum designed to provide a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Developed by Great Minds, this program builds on the original Eureka Math curriculum, offering enhanced features such as more engaging problem-solving activities, digital resources, and adaptive learning tools. Eureka Math² emphasizes a coherent and sequential approach to math instruction, ensuring scholars develop a strong foundation and progressively build their skills. The curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and a genuine appreciation for the beauty of math.
Science
OpenSciEd is an innovative science curriculum designed for middle scholars, providing open-source, high-quality science education resources. Developed through a collaboration of educators, scientists, and curriculum developers, OpenSciEd aims to make science education engaging and accessible to all scholars. The program emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based learning, encouraging scholars to explore scientific concepts through experiments, real-world problem-solving, and interactive activities. OpenSciEd aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), promoting deep understanding and application of scientific principles across disciplines.
Spanish
SAVVAS Spanish Curriculum offers a comprehensive approach to learning Spanish for scholars at various educational levels. Designed to build language proficiency and cultural awareness, this curriculum includes a variety of engaging resources such as interactive activities, authentic texts, and multimedia content. The program focuses on developing essential skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, while also incorporating cultural insights to enhance scholars' global understanding. SAVVAS Spanish Curriculum is structured to support differentiated learning, making it suitable for diverse classroom needs.
Leadership
IB Design Cycle is a structured method used in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program to guide project development. It includes four stages: inquiring and analyzing, developing ideas, creating the solution, and evaluating. This process promotes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
In a Leadership Class, scholars can use the IB Design Cycle to tackle leadership challenges by:
- Inquiring and Analyzing: Researching leadership issues.
- Developing Ideas: Planning strategies.
- Creating the Solution: Implementing projects.
- Evaluating: Reflecting on results.
This approach helps scholars systematically enhance their leadership skills through real-world applications.
All Classes are MYP
Middle Years Programme (MYP) for 6th-8th Grade provides a challenging and comprehensive framework designed to foster critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and communication skills. It includes eight subject groups: Language and Literature, Language Acquisition(Mandarin/Spanish), Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design. The MYP encourages scholars to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, promoting holistic learning, personal development, and preparation for higher education.
Note this is the reason for the certain electives we offer to align with MYP.
Junior High Admin Team Emails
Ms. Small, Assistant Principal
This email address goes to the admin team: jhadmin@topamail.com
2024-2025 School Supply Lists
At the end of the year, we polled the teachers to make sure that the correct supplies were purchased. The 1 inch binders will be staying in their classrooms, they won't be carrying them in their backpack.
6th Grade School Supply List for 2024-2025 School Year