Middle School
Grades 6–8
Becoming engaged.
Finding their voice.
Schedule: Three or five days a week, with weekly writing and soccer practices, and Friday Game Days
Structure: The Middle School program is designed to meet the physical, social and academic development needs for grades 6–8
Fall: Hip-Hop, Poetry and Song
This curriculum is aligned with the 12 Standards for English Language Arts (National Council of Teachers of English) and uses poetic devices such as rhyme, alliteration and comparison. Poet-Athletes create written works reflecting on their emotions and experiences, and engage in leadership and literacy activities. Teams create a music video for their poem to premier at the Community Poetry SLAM.
Spring: Leadership in Action
Aligned with the 8 K-12 Service-Learning Standards (National Youth Leadership Council), this curriculum encourages Poet-Athletes to explore the relationship between self and community. Teams then create a service-learning project to present at Jamboree. Topics have included homelessness and immigration rights.
Soccer: Developing Skills
The Soccer Coach Manual 6-8 is aligned with the 6 National Standards for Physical Education (National Association for Sport and Physical Education). It combines small-sided games and soccer activities to keep practice moving, safe and fun, and to create on-the-go health knowledge. Coaches also have a back-pocket guide to set up quick games.
Highlights: SLAM and Jamboree
These two joyous, high-energy events end their respective seasons—Community Poetry SLAM in the fall and Jamboree in the spring. They bring school teams together to encourage and applaud each other as Poet-Athletes perform their slam poems and service-learning projects, with awards given for the winning performances.