Transition to Teel

Over the past several years, the middle school has focused on civility as a theme. In this enrichment, 6th grade students will be instructed in what civility is, examples of it in everyday life at Severn’s Middle School, how to cultivate civility by small actions in school, and what civility looks like as a middle school student.

The class will conduct this learning through case studies, where students will discuss and grapple with many civility dilemmas that appear in the lives of 6th graders. Students will be enrolled in this course for 4.5 weeks during the third or fourth quarter. The remaining 4.5 weeks in the quarter will be spent in Design Thinking and Innovation.

Design thinking is a creative approach to finding meaningful solutions using logic, imagination and reasoning. This way of thinking is applicable to all classes, disciplines and life!  Through innovative problem solving, students will collaborate with their peers to solve a challenge while working through the design thinking process. 

Throughout the course, students will be given opportunities to work in the RxNT Tech Center and become familiar with the school's 3D printers and laser system.  Student will be enrolled in this course for 4.5 weeks during the third or fourth quarter.  The remaining 4.5 weeks in the quarter will be spent in Civility Seminars.

The Middle School Health and Wellness program supports the philosophy and mission of Severn School by helping to educate the whole child. The curriculum encompasses character education and its purpose is to help our students develop good social relationships.

No grades are assigned for Health and Wellness classes. They are conducted in an informal manner in order to foster free-flowing discussion. The goal is to help students think constructively, make sound decisions, solve problems, access information, and take responsibility for their own lives.

This course focuses on maximizing learning by making the best use of: our minds, our habits, and the resources available at school. Students will cover topics such as strategies to study and remember information effectively, how to prioritize and plan in the short and long term, and routines and habits for organization. They will learn about the support available at Severn, such as regular study halls and extra help sessions with teachers.  Students will also practice advocating for themselves by communicating confidently and appropriately with their teachers. At the end of the quarter, students will leave armed with the tools and knowledge to take charge of their education.

Chess enrichment is a hands-on activity for players of all abilities and experience. Players spend the majority of the time playing scheduled games with their classmates.  Additionally, students receive introductory instruction in the strategy and tactics used in the beginning, middle, and endgame. Besides regularly scheduled matches, students play exhibitions, bughouse, and have an end of quarter tournament.  

Do you love to draw, or are you interested in starting?  In this class, you will learn about the basic elements of drawing such as line, shape, value, color, and perspective while working towards your personal drawing goals. Through the use of an individual sketchbook to observe progress, you will focus on developing personal creativity, technical skill, and the ability to draw what you see.

In Outdoor Education, students will build and cook over campfires and cookstoves, construct  shelters  from natural materials and using tarps, learn the basics of orienteering and mapmaking, (both with compass and GPS), practice essential knots, identify fish, birds,  animals,  and their tracks, build snare traps and deadfalls, make kites, and play outdoor games.