Curriculum » Upper School

Hampstead Academy strives to create a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and dynamic. Our Upper School features an integrated curriculum that goes beyond the National Standards in an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. Students are challenged to engage in the world around them, and become active participants in their communities.

Mathematics: The Mathematics curriculum in the Upper School helps students develop the ability to solve problems and reason logically. Our core texts, published by Prentice Hall (Course 1, 2, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I) are designed to expand student knowledge of numbers, computation, estimation, measurement, geometry, statistics, probability, patterns, functions, problem solving and algebraic concepts. Real world problems, hands on exercises, and technology are at the core of this curriculum. Classroom activities provide students with opportunities to work individually and in groups. The program is supplemented with challenges, skills reinforcement, Math-a-thon, brainteasers, MathCounts and Math League competitions, games, math videos and challenges, math magazines, and Smartboard activities.

Language Arts: The Language Arts program is a synthesis of reading and writing that provides our students with exposure to a variety of literary styles. In studying both classical and contemporary authors, students discuss the timeless aspects of characters, language, and story telling. Our students are encouraged to think to think and write freely and explore different types of writing. Creative pieces of work often reflect the styles of literature being studied. Through the process of peer editing, and with teacher feedback, our students review the mechanics and content of their written work. Students are introduced to extensive vocabulary lists, mostly from literature being read, which reinforce both spelling and comprehension. Grammar is integrated into all elements of the program. There are many cross-curricular links in the LA program. For example, we often use literature that reflects Social Studies topics and themes.

Science; The science program is divided into three main content domains, Earth-Space, Life, and Physical Science. Our program integrates the basic science process skills together to gradually develop a student's abilities as they progress through grades 5-8 for each content area of science covered. The Science program emphasizes the use of Scientific Inquiry as a foundation through which students develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world.

Students in 5th and 6th grade receive introductory science courses which investigate: Solar system, Color and Light, Magnetism, Simple Machines, Flight and Rocketry, Weather Instruments and Weather Forecasting, Oceans, Classification, Fungi, Pond Life, Pollution and Erosion, and Body Organization and Structure. Investigations at this level are based upon detecting the similarities and differences among the things they collect and observe. Students at this level are encouraged to observe more carefully, measure things with increasing accuracy, record data in journals and communicate results through written Scientific Method reports. Students in 7th and 8th grade receive advanced courses which investigate: Chemistry, Electricity, Physics, Famous Scientists, Astronomy, Earth Processes, Sources of Energy, Environmental Problems and Solutions, Anatomy and Physiology, Reproductive Genetics, Botany, and Classification. At this level students are more systematic in conducting their investigations; explicitly discuss how explanation relates to experimental design and support their learning of scientific concepts through selected readings.

Social Studies: The Social Studies program for the Upper School combines a chronological sequence of World and United States history with a strong emphasis on regional geography. We use the Holt textbooks, World History: Human Legacy and Anthem. Students are challenged to discover the cause and effect relationships of history and physical or economic geography, as well as, analyze and synthesize information garnered through their readings. Current events are connected to the study of history and geography through once a week "Newsreel" classes in which the students generate video or computer presentations of current or historical events. The curriculum encourages students to be interactive through class simulations. Technology is further used to enhance the curriculum through interactive whiteboard presentations and virtual field trips. Responsible research techniques using the internet are also taught. Assessment of understanding is conducted with multiple choice testing, short and long answer essays, research papers, note-taking and class participation. Where possible, the Social Studies curriculum integrates with Language Arts and the Fine Arts program.

Personal Development: The Personal Development program utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to support and communicate school wide philosophies and personal living skills. The curriculum addresses four primary areas of instruction: Character Development, Health Literacy, Educational and Life Skills, and Consumer Education. Strategies are developed to promote lifetime health, directing students to respect themselves and others, to avoid behaviors, which pose a health or safety threat, and to enable them to gain insight toward positive healthy decisions and practices. We also work on improving organization and study skills, offering help with ongoing assignments and test preparation.

Spanish: Students are introduced to Spanish at the Nursery level, and continue yearly, building their mastery of this language. In the Primary grades, students are exposed to Spanish through singing, role-playing, games, stories, coloring, and simple writing activities. Basic topics are repeated yearly to ensure mastery. By third grade, students are introduced to the geography of the Spanish speaking world. In fourth grade, we begin a more formal study of Spanish, using a textbook. We continue progressively, learning grammar concepts and communication skills. This same method continues through the Upper School and prepares students to qualify for Spanish II programming in High School.

Chinese/Latin: Introduction to Chinese and Introduction to Latin are offered to the seventh grade as 1/2 year courses. One 7th grade group will begin with Chinese and the other group with Latin. The groups will switch half-way through the year. Each group meets once a week. In Grade 8, students choose either Latin or Chinese and meet twice a week.

The Mandarin Chinese class builds student's listening and speaking and writing skills by offering students an introductory of Hanyu Pinyin (Mandarin Chinese Phonetic system), tones, practical dialogue in Chinese (based on typical everyday situations), Chinese culture (including festivals and social customs), and essential features of Chinese grammar.

The Latin class uses Jenney's First Year Latin text and focuses on etymology and expanding English vocabulary through familiarity with Latin roots. Grammar and Latin translations will also be introduced.

Art: The Upper School Fine Arts program strives to develop students who are confident in observation and technical skills in a variety of mediums. Individuals are supported in their strivings for aesthetic and expressive growth. The studio environment provides the opportunity for both group instruction and individual consultations on high quality independent pieces. The program promotes the understanding and use of basic art concepts, terminology, and tools. The students render still-life, landscape, figure, portrait, and wildlife studies in both two and three dimensional mediums. We build cooperation among students through partnership and team projects.

Drama: The eight year Drama curriculum addresses the whole child's journey to explore his/her creativity and imagination, from the rudiments of basic stage movement techniques through voice and diction and on to character development. Classes create a fully realized stage production with which they demonstrate mastery of theatre knowledge for their particular developmental group. Both process and performance are valued, with most thorough emphasis on the discipline and collaboration of the rehearsal periods. Production titles are chosen in consideration of class sizes and gender breakdowns, so that each student be given an equal chance to experience the magic of Drama. Grade 6: Focus on the art of storytelling and comedy. In Grade 7 students perform a full scale musical (past titles include Fiddler on the Roof, Once on This Island and Honk!). In Grade 8 students perform Shakespeare or a classic American playwright.

Music: The Music Educator's National Standards and the NH Curriculum Framework for the Arts provide the basis for our Music curriculum. In music classes, we offer a balanced sequential study of the art form. Topics explored include: musical history and culture, literacy, sight reading, sight singing, improvisation, solo, choral and instrumental performance, movement and dance. Students prepare, perform and assess their work in musicals, choruses and instrumental productions. We believe that the skills, knowledge and dispositions acquired from the study of music form necessary foundations for cross-curricular academic achievement.

Physical Education: Physical Education units, intramural, and upper school team offerings are rotated each year to include the following: badminton, tennis, paddleball, Kin-Ball, archery, snow shoeing, soccer, football, lacrosse, field hockey, orienteering, cross country running, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, team handball, swimming, down hill skiing, fencing, indoor soccer, floor hockey, dance, yoga, fitness, cooperative games and problem solving, track and field, softball, baseball, ultimate Frisbee, and golf. Student interest plays an integral part in choosing intramural offerings and upper school sports team choices for each season. The NASPE (National Association for Sport and Physical Education) standards are integrated and emphasized throughout the physical education curriculum, as well as the intramural and upper school sports programming.

Technology: The technology program is designed around national student standards that focus on skills and knowledge that students need to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly digital society. Grades 1-8 are involved in projects with technology that address standards covering collaboration, innovation, research/media fluency, digital citizenship, technology operations, and problem solving. Projects may involve internet collaborations, programming concepts, internet use/safety, databases, video production, keyboarding, word processing, and more.

Students will demonstrate the ability to:

• Use collaborative electronic authoring tools to explore common curriculum content from multicultural perspectives w/other learners.
• Plan, design, & develop a multimedia product to present research findings & creative ideas.
• Perform advanced searches on databases & the internet and cite properly.
• Conceptualize, guide, and manage individual or group learning projects using digital planning tools.
• Recognize & describe the potential risks & dangers associated w/ various forms of online communications.
• Demonstrate mastery use of multimedia & presentation tools.

Activity Period: The Upper School participates in Activity Period once a week. Each session lasts 8-9 weeks where students choose activities of interest. Teachers, parents and students offer a wide variety of choices which have included: Intramural sports practice, arts and crafts, model building, FIRST Lego League, protocol and etiquette, HAM radio, SSAT preparation, sewing, improvisation, study hall and helping in classes in the Lower School and Early Childhood Center.

Enrichment: Students in the Upper School participate in Student Council. They engage in community service projects both within the school and in projects to benefit programs and residents of surrounding towns. School sports teams include Cross Country, Volleyball, Soccer, Baseball and Basketball as well as Intramural sports. Swim, ski and golf are offered off-site. Other after school programs available are FIRST Lego League, Destination Imagination, Math League, Orchestra, Drama Club, Yearbook and private instrumental lessons.