Middle School

We use the Orton-Gillingham methodology to continue remediating student decoding at the middle school level. In daily Reading class, students work in small groups of 3-7, grouped by instructional level.

Middle school instruction builds on consistent phonics skills, advancing to morphology for decoding and vocabulary building. Students gain a deeper understanding of word structures through root words, prefixes, and suffixes, enhancing their vocabulary acquisition and comprehension across subjects. Strategy instruction in morphology and word origins is essential for high school preparation.

Oakwood teachers follow a structured scope and sequence to improve students' written communication. Middle school students meet in small groups of 3-7 for daily Written Language classes.

In preparation for high school writing, Oakwood students learn to research, organize, and write content-driven narratives and essays. This includes strategy instruction and explicit teaching of different writing styles.

Students also explore assistive technology, outline development, and graphic organizers to find what best supports their writing process and execution.

Some middle school students excel in math and benefit from our small group instruction, allowing them to work at different levels in math and reading.

Other students may struggle with math due to language-based difficulties, numerical challenges, or spatial processing issues. All Oakwood students benefit from our program's focus on building organizational and executive function skills through systematic, explicit instruction.

Oakwood's math program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application of concepts beyond rote memorization. Teachers use multisensory methods and engage students in open-ended tasks and real-world problems to prepare them for complex challenges.

We aim to equip students with the skills to confidently and competently solve problems and navigate mathematical challenges.

Science and Social Studies classes are taught in homeroom groups to prepare students for larger high school settings. To engage students with the material, we use textbooks, experiments, multisensory activities, and hands-on learning through assemblies and field trips.

These content-heavy subjects help students develop as independent learners, ready to analyze and organize complex information. Teachers provide scaffolded strategy instruction to equip students with skills to dissect and analyze content.

Science and Social Studies also offer opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching, encouraging students to consider various perspectives, engage in creative problem-solving, and recognize the interconnectedness of subjects.

The integration of technology increases in middle school, with higher expectations for independent and efficient resource use.