Mini Term

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, teachers throughout the school have the freedom to introduce special topics of study.

Every year, the weeks before Thanksgiving and Christmas are busy ones.  Throughout mini term, the school community comes together for Advent worship. Middle School students take advantage of special course offerings designed to broaden their experiences.  In the mornings and on some afternoons, middle school students take part in electives of their choice. There are approximately eight courses offerings from which students choose two. The hard part, of course, is choosing. Mini term courses change from year to year.

At the end of the term, Upper School students lead the school in Las Posadas, Mustard Seed's community Christmas celebration.

2009 Upper School Miniterm Overview

What is the Relationship between Structure & Freedom?

• What are some of the characteristics of freedom?
• Where does freedom exist and what do we do with it? 
• When are structures (and rules) good and when are they frustrating? 
• How do we balance freedom and structure if we are to create good lives, work and play well, and fulfill our callings?

This year, the term begins as students participate Carnegie Hall’s Global Encounters Program: Music of India.    Then, three weeks later, we end the term with a whole-school celebration led by Upper School students, (including the MSS Chorus) at Las Posadas.  In between, daily worship involves the whole school, as we celebrate Advent together; music experiences include a concert at our school, as well as a field trip to Carnegie Hall; service projects will be prominent;  and literature will include the reading of significant classic pieces:  a Shakespearian play  (Grade 8),  a young adult author study (Grade 7), and a novel study  (Grade 6).  At the same time, teachers will be providing students with the opportunity to take advantage of special course offerings. 

Among other things, during the mini-term, students will take part in electives the on the mornings of Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays.

2009 Upper School Mini Term Course Offerings

Living Well
This mini-term will involve a variety of activities. It is intended for students to think about what it means to live a healthy life style. This will include exploring physical health and goals, social relationships, and spiritual well being. Some of this mini-term will include learning how to bake “from scratch”, participating in Yoga and Pilates, collage creation, and creating journals.   

Capoeira
Capoeira is a unique martial art that is African in origin and Brazilian in evolution. Introduced to the US in the mid-1970s, Capoeira has become one of Brazil's top sports (second only to soccer). Capoeira's agile movements are deft and tricky, a combination of sweeping kicks and acrobatics that marries flexibility, agility, strength, balance and coordination and results in self-confidence. 

Weight Training & Cardio Training
Students will experience circuit weight training along with cardiovascular workouts.

Paisley Pattern Printing
In this mini term elective students will experiment with different printing techniques. They will start by carving potato blocks and develop the skills necessary for lino printing. The designs used will be based on traditional paisley patterns, a motif that was popularized on textiles from Kashmir, India.   This option will also include a time of henna painting, an activity in which students may choose to participate (that part is optional). The henna plant grows in desert areas of north and western India and is used for painting temporary tattoos.

Modern Indian Culture as “Scene” in Bollywood  
This mini-term students will explore Indian culture as it is portrayed in modern Bollywood films.  Students will watch three films and discuss how they differ from Western films: What values are emphasized?  How is humor, violence, romance and drama portrayed differently (or similarly)?  The three films will be Koi...Mil Gaya, Krrish, and New York. 

Indian Independence & the Question of Pakistan
In this elective, students will explore the difficulties surrounding independence for British India and the series of events that divided India from Pakistan.   In this elective, students will examine the effects of British imperialism, reflect upon the biographies of Mahatma Gandhi and Mohammed Ali Jinnah (through documentary and movie clips, as well as texts), study the geography of the Indian subcontinent, consider the ancient religions of Hinduism and Islam, and participate in an informal debate, as they examine the conflicting positions that existed at the time of the Cabinet Mission that was assembled in 1946. 

History of Baseball
Students will learn the history of baseball.  Part of the learning will take place through watching a variety of baseball movies and documentaries.

Other Mini Term Courses from Recent Years