Overview
The Middle School is designed to meet the needs of early adolescents through their transition from Primary education to Secondary education. Middle School students extend their knowledge to application and take more independent steps into learning while enjoying support from their school.

• The middle school is from Year 7 through Year 9 and organized as Key Stage 3 (KS3).

English Language Arts

In studying English Language Arts (ELA) students develop skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. It enables them to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others effectively.
Students learn to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama as well as non-fiction and media texts. The study of English helps students understand how language works by looking at its patterns, structures and origins.
The skills and knowledge covered by the ELA program are

• Usage
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking and Listening

Key Stage 3
During KS3 students develop confidence in speaking and writing for public and formal purposes. They also develop their ability to evaluate the way language is used. They read classic texts as well as contemporary ones and explore moral and social issues. They also learn to speak and listen confidently in a wide variety of contexts. They develop a higher flexibility, adapting what they say and how they say it to different situations and people. When they speak formally, they are articulate and fluent.

Mathematics

Mathematics equips students with a uniquely powerful set of tools to understand and change the world. These tools include logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think in abstract ways. Mathematics is important in everyday life, many forms of employment, science and technology, medicine, the economy, the environment and development, and in public decision-making. Different cultures have contributed to the development and application of mathematics.
Today, the subject transcends cultural boundaries and its importance is universally recognised. Mathematics is a creative discipline. It can stimulate moments of pleasure and wonder when a student solves a problem for the first time, discovers a more elegant solution to that problem, or suddenly sees hidden connections.
The knowledge, skills and understanding covered by the Mathematics program are

• Number
• Problem Solving
• Organizing and Using Data
• Shape, Space and Measures

Key Stage 3
During KS3 students take increasing responsibility for planning and executing their work. They extend their calculating skills, begin to understand the importance of reasoning and produce reasoned arguments. They become more familiar with algebra, generate and solve simple equations and study linear functions and their corresponding graphs. They begin to use deduction to manipulate algebraic expressions. They also progress from a simple understanding of the features of shape and space to using definitions and reasoning to understand geometrical objects. As they encounter simple algebraic and geometric proofs, they begin to understand. They develop positive attitudes towards mathematics and increasingly make connections between different aspects of mathematics.

Science

Science stimulates and excites students’ curiosity about phenomena and events in the world around them. It also satisfies this curiosity with knowledge. Because science links direct practical experience with ideas, it can engage learners at many levels. Scientific method is about developing and evaluating explanations through experimental evidence and modelling. This is a spur to critical and creative thought. Through science, students understand how major scientific ideas contribute to technological change – impacting on industry, business and medicine and improving quality of life. Students recognise the cultural significance of science and trace its worldwide development. They learn to question and discuss science-based
issues that may affect their own lives, the direction of society and the future of the world.
At HJIS Primary School, Science is taught in four strands:

• Scientific Enquiry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

 

Key Stage 3
During KS3 students build on their scientific knowledge and understanding and make connections between different areas of science. They use scientific ideas and models to explain phenomena and events, and to understand a range of familiar applications of science. They think about the positive and negative effects of scientific and technological developments on the environment and in other contexts. They take account of others’ views and understand why opinions may differ. They do more quantitative work, carrying out investigations on their own and with others. They evaluate their work, in particular the strength of the evidence they and others have collected. They select and use a wide range of reference sources. They communicate clearly what they did and its significance. They learn how scientists work together on present-day scientific developments and about the importance of experimental evidence in supporting scientific ideas.

Social Studies

The Social Studies program, which is taught during Key Stages 2 and 3, investigates people and their relationships with their social and physical environments. The knowledge, skills and values developed in social studies help students to learn about and appreciate the past, to understand the present, and to influence the future. Therefore, social studies has the unique responsibility of providing students with the opportunity to acquire global knowledge, skills and values enabling them to function effectively within society, as part of an interdependent world.
Social Studies is taught in the three strands of Geography, History and Citizenship.

• Citizenship
  In Citizenship, students build confidence, and learn about responsibility and making the most of their abilities. They also learn about playing an active role as citizens, developing a healthy and safer lifestyle, good relationships, and respecting the differences between people.
• Geography
  In Geography students learn about 'geographical enquiry and skills', 'knowledge and understanding of places, patterns and processes', and 'environmental change and sustainable development'.
• History
  In History students learn about placing events, people and changes into correct periods of time, events, people and changes in the past, and historical enquiry.

Information and Communication Technology

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) prepares students to participate in a rapidly changing world in which work and other activities are increasingly transformed by access to varied and developing technology. Students use ICT tools to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly, creatively and with discrimination. They learn how to employ ICT to enable rapid access to ideas and experiences from a wide range of people, communities and cultures. Increased capability in the use of ICT promotes initiative and independent learning, with students being able to make informed judgements about when and where to use ICT to best effect, and to consider its implications for home and work both now and in the future.

Key Stage 3
During KS3 students become increasingly independent users of ICT tools and information sources. They have a better understanding of how ICT can help their work in other subjects and develop their ability to judge when and how to use ICT and where it has limitations. They think about the quality and reliability of information, and access and combine increasing amounts of information. They become more focused, efficient and rigorous in their use of ICT, and carry out a range of increasingly complex tasks.

Music

Music is a powerful, unique form of communication that can change the way students feel, think and act. It brings together intellect and feeling and enables personal expression, reflection and emotional development. As an integral part of culture, past and present, it helps students understand themselves and relate to others, forging important links between the home, school and the wider world. The teaching of music develops students’ ability to listen and appreciate a wide variety of music and to make judgements about musical quality.
It encourages active involvement in different forms of amateur music making, both individual and communal, developing a sense of group identity and togetherness.
It also increases self-discipline and creativity, aesthetic sensitivity and fulfilment.

Key Stage 3
During KS3 students extend and deepen their own musical interests and skills. They perform and compose music in different styles with increasing understanding of musical devices, processes and contextual influences. They work individually and in groups of different sizes and become increasingly aware of different roles and contributions of each member of the group. They actively explore specific genres, styles and traditions from different times and cultures with increasing ability to discriminate, think critically and make connections between different areas of knowledge.

Art and Design

Art gives us the opportunity to respond to the problems and seek the solution in different ways. The process of making art is very important for artists because they can discover their solutions through the experiences of using materials. The process of handling materials by adding colour, form, texture, and pattern stimulates the development of their creativity and imagination. Art education helps artists to expand their process of thinking and to connect with their visual sensory and emotion in their works. Artists’ discipline influences their own aesthetic values and their development of perceptions of the contemporary issues and problems in the world.

 

Key Stage 3
During KS3 students develop their creativity and imagination through more sustained activities. These help them to build on and improve their practical and critical skills and to extend their knowledge and experience of materials, processes and practices. They engage confidently with art, craft and design in the contemporary world and from different times and cultures. They become more independent in using the visual language to communicate their own ideas, feelings and meanings.

Physical Education

Physical Education (PE) develops students’ physical competence and confidence, and their ability to use these to perform in a range of activities. It promotes physical skilfulness, physical development and knowledge of the body in action. Physical education provides opportunities for students to be creative, competitive and to face up to different challenges as individuals and in groups and teams. It promotes positive attitudes towards active and healthy lifestyles.
Students learn how to think in different ways to suit a wide variety of creative, competitive and challenging activities. They learn how to plan, perform and evaluate actions, ideas and performances to improve their quality and effectiveness. Through this process students discover their aptitudes, abilities and preferences, and make choices about how to get involved in lifelong physical activity.

 

Key Stage 3
During KS3 pupils become more expert in their skills and techniques, and how to apply them in different activities. They start to understand what makes a performance effective and how to apply these principles to their own and others’ work. They learn to take the initiative and make decisions for themselves about what to do to improve performance. They start to identify the types of activity they prefer to be involved with, and to take a variety of roles such as leader and official.

Design and Technology

Design and Technology prepares KS3 students to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. They learn to think creatively to improve quality of life. The subject calls for students to become autonomous problem solvers, both as individuals and as team members.
Students start looking for needs and develop a range of ideas and make products and systems to meet these needs. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and effects. All pupils can become discriminating  and informed users of products,  and become innovators through design and technology.

Key Stage 3
During KS3 students use a range of materials to design and make products. They work out their ideas, as they take into account how a product will be used, who will use it, how much it costs and its appearance. They develop their understanding of designing and making by investigating products and finding out about the  work of professional designers and manufacturing industry. They use computers, including computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) and control software, as an integral part of designing and making.

Foreign Language

Through the study of a foreign language, KS3 students understand and appreciate different countries, cultures, people and communities – and as they do so, begin to think of themselves as citizens of the world. They also learn about the fundamental structures of language. They explore the similarities and differences between languages they know, and learn how language can be manipulated and applied in different ways. Their language skills improve together with pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the structure of language, and lay the foundations for future study of other languages.

Key Stage 3
During KS3 students begin to familiarize with a foreign language. They become familiar the fundamentals of that language, and use their knowledge in mainly guided activities. They improve their understanding of the language by listening to people talking about different subjects and by reading a range of texts. They also increase their cultural awareness by communicating with people who speak the language and by using materials from countries and communities where the language is spoken.

Japanese Language

The Japanese curriculum is focused on communication through listening, speaking, reading, and writing so that students will become confident and competent Japanese users. We provide an environment where students are immersed in both Japanese language and culture.
 
 
 
 

• Japanese at Native Level (国語)
  We use the Japanese textbooks which are used at Japanese public school. The main purpose of the class is to focus on reading, listening, writing and speaking. These activities help to improve students’ overall Japanese skills. A Kanji test is held once a week in order to increase knowledge of Kanji vocabulary. The students regularly work as a group and use different ways to develop their skills such as presentations, poems, story makings. Also, it is important to expand their creativity and imagination as well as their Japanese skills.
  
• Japanese as an Additional Language (JAL)
  Through the study of Japanese as an additional language, students begin to understand and appreciate Japan, its culture, people and communities – and as they do so, begin to think of themselves as citizens of Japan as well as of their own country. Students also learn about the basic structures of language. They explore the similarities and differences between Japanese and English or their mother tongue, and learn how language can be manipulated and applied in different ways. Their listening, reading and memory skills improve, and their speaking and writing become more accurate. The development of these skills, together with students’ knowledge and understanding of the structure of language, lay the foundations for future study of other languages.
• Key Stage 3