Hive - Middle School

In Hive students develop mathematical knowledge, understanding, and skill along with an awareness of and appreciation for the rich connections among mathematical strands and between mathematics and other disciplines. Students grow in their ability to reason effectively with information represented in graphic, numeric, symbolic, and verbal forms and to move flexibly among representations for fluency in both conceptual and procedural knowledge. We follow the Connected Mathematics Project by Michigan State University (https://connectedmath.msu.edu/the-math/math-by-unit/ ) supplemented with rich tasks from nrich.org from The University of Cambridge.

Hive students follow an age appropriate Science curriculum, covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics with a focus on laboratory skills, analysis and evaluation. We foster an environment which promotes growth mindset, thinking skills and deeper learning.

The Spanish programs, in Hive and Flight, cover four areas: Language and Study, Language and Culture, Language and Literature, Reflection on Language. In class, students explore different literary and non-literary texts, and acquire skills for critical thinking and communication. The classwork promotes collaborative work and the use of new technologies. Also, we have the Achieve 3000 platform, where we work on reading comprehension and informative and argumentative writing.
In Humanitree we have a personalized program of Spanish as a foreign language for non-Spanish-speaking students,  where students learn to implement the skills of understanding and communication that allow them to join the regular Spanish lessons.

In Modern Foreign Language the pupils are learning relevant vocabulary and topics so that they can express themselves and understand content that is useful in everyday life. Mainly pupils learn how to describe themselves and others, talk about their activities and hobbies, describe their living environment, talk about trips and holidays, school, describe their routine, how they use technology, and we learn how to describe a picture or a movie. We also use every opportunity to discover the culture of countries where the target language is spoken. Pupils are practicing reading, speaking, writing and listening skills regularly, and technology has a big role in entertaining and assessing.

Our Computer Science program is designed to develop an interest in programming and robotics. We provide students with the opportunity to engage with many different programming platforms in order to develop their logical thinking and problem solving skills. We begin with Apple Swift Playground and Scratch, and finally, students move onto Python. We encourage a creative learning environment where students can use these skills to develop websites, multiple choice quizzes, 'apps' and robotic creation and programming. We have a project-based learning approach where students have the opportunity to express their learning though iMovie and animated KeyNote projects. 

The real products of Design and Technology at Humanitree are empowered youngsters, capable of taking projects from inception to delivery. Detailed product analysis gives students the vocabulary with which to discuss design ideas in depth. Mark making and computer aided design software skills make design development and rapid prototyping fast and intuitive. Students begin to learn where specific materials and resources come from and how to minimize negative impacts on the environment. Learning to use electronics and programmable chips brings mechanical systems to life in the form of new and imaginative products. Students learn to use a wide range of technologies with which to present their design progress. 

The Drama program in Hive encourages discipline, concentration, organization, self-control, self-criticism, creativity and mental agility. The program challenges students with a variety of theatrical, improv and mime games that require imagination, empathy, teamwork, vocal and corporal expression, as well as literacy and memorization, especially when they perform a play in front of an audience. All these challenges improve communication and foster students’ self-esteem and confidence.

Hive students follow a programme of world history and mexican history including important aspects of geographical knowledge and understanding with a strong emphasis on liberal philosophy. The Big History project is an integral part of our Humanities programme https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home In Hive 4 students have the option of studying Economics.
 

In HIve the Fine Arts program introduces a wide variety of creative skills and mediums to all young artists. Hive learns the fundamentals of drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking, and composition in a collaborative and fun environment. We research about many artists from around the world that impact our own art. Then we learn how to apply their techniques, ideas and concepts into our own unique art.

In Hive the music program aims to develop our students sensibility, motor ability, creativity, expression and the capacity of abstraction or analysis. Through the playing of various musical instruments with adequate technique and the use of musical language, different genres and styles are recognized, analyzed, interpreted and performed individually and in groups, valuing the importance of music in the life of human beings as art, science and as a universal language.
 

All Hive and Flight students follow a programme of PE that is based around playing games, learning new sports skills and developing teamwork, communication and collaboration in the sporting arena. Healthy lifestyles are encouraged alongside sport and fitness as a routine for life.