Module 2-1 -133How Can the Individual School Plan for the Special Interests of Each Student?l1
Each middle school should develop a program that will "offer a wide range of special interest activities designed both to awaken and deepen interests of children. ." (The Emergent Middle School, Alexander, et al., 1969, p. 69). The value of such a program lends itself to the personal development of youth,provides a vehicle for human relations, and serves as an agent for creating school spirit. In planning such a program, consideration should be given to the three areas outlined below.
A. EXPLORATORY COURSES: Each middle school should make a plan for providing structured courses that will give children a maximum exposure to a variety of selected areas. After exploring several areas, the student should be guided in selecting one or more for a longer period of study. Several suggestions for scheduling exploratory courses might include the following:
1. Six six-week mini-courses during the first year(s) and
four or six more the following year, with two or more
full semester courses the last year.
2. Twelve six-week mini-courses (using two periods per
day) during the first year(s) with full semester and/or
year long courses thereafter.
3. A schedule of alternating mini-courses activities on a
daily or weekly basis with other subject areas (such as physical education, art, music, industrial arts, health,
etc.)
B. INDEPENDENT STUDY: Each middle school should plan for independent study opportunities based on relevant topics in all basic subject areas for students that are interested and can demonstrate competence. These opportunities should be developed as a series of steps, beginning with rather highly structured activities with work assignments for pre-developed
11
Alexander, William M., in Summer Seminar Middle
School 1972,Gainesville: School Board of Alachua County, 1972, pp. 26-29.