Middle School Educational Specifications Core Academic Area

Program Overview Core Academic Area Our long-term vision for the core academic areas is to prepare globally competitive students with 21st century skills and maintain fidelity to the middle school model in regard to teaming and a collaborative mentality. In order to facilitate this vision, we have developed a physical layout of classrooms and ancillary rooms that will accommodate both human needs and material resources. Each grade level has a clover-like design containing pods for each team. Each pod contains 3 core classrooms for math, language arts, and social studies, 1 science lab with a prep room attached, and a collaboration room for small group projects and tutoring. Centrally located are shared facilities, including student restrooms, teacher workroom (including restrooms), bookroom, technology storage (including at least 3 mobile lab carts, digital cameras, student response systems, etc.), and EC and ESL classrooms. The clover design facilitates team identity and minimizes student movement across teams, in turn maximizing supervision and limiting disruptions. A minimum of two outdoor courtyards are placed between pods for instructional activities, meetings, and team-building. The recommendation is to reallocate funds from desktop computers in classrooms to purchase additional mobile laptop carts, the ideal being 1 per classroom. Additionally, ceiling-mounted LCD projectors, interactive whiteboards, and wireless sound systems (e.g., Audio Enhancement) are a necessity for every classroom. In order to raise achievement and close the digital divide, schools need to provide equitable access and use of current technologies to support teaching and learning as we prepare students for a successful progressive future.

Science Science is an essential part of establishing a classroom environment that promotes 21st century learning. Students must be equipped to use technology and critical thinking skills in order to compete in the global community they are a part of. They must work collaboratively to problem solve on global issues and they must be able to communicate effectively with students around the world. To this end, the science classroom/lab must be designed with the following specifications in order to meet these goals.  Technology that can adapt to change.  Multiple electrical outlets that can accommodate laptops and various configurations.  Software that expands the technology to support student work and global communication.  Flexibility in the set up of the classroom to accommodate lab work, cooperative grouping, inquiry based activities, and individual work.  Teacher should have the ability to control the environment of the classroom to best suit the learning situation. (e.g., lighting, natural lighting, HVAC)  Ventilation should include windows that open and fans that can circulate air.

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 A classroom door that leads to outside learning opportunities, such as greenhouses, outdoor learning labs, water studies.

ESL The following aspects are important to having a successful ESL programs.  Students acquiring a new language (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) require dedicated space to practice skills in a conducive environment (lighting, acoustical ceilings, flexible space to have areas for learning activities).  ESL classrooms would preferably be located near areas such as the media center, core academic areas, as well as other collaborative spaces.  Classroom physical requirements include space for at least 15 students, 500 square feet to allow multiple purpose activities, cooperative group work, area for silent reading (with comfortable bean bags, carpeted area, movable bookshelves that display books flat as opposed to vertical), room for hands-on activities, and audio activities. In addition, testing ESL students and parent/student conferencing will also take place in the classroom.  ESL students would need the same state of the art technology that all other students and teachers have access to –for example, laptop computers and smart boards. The ESL program should include the most current technology.  The classroom should include multiple whiteboards, magnetic boards, cork strips or a tackable wall for hanging word walls, charts, and display areas for student work.  A secure type of closet/work area-for locking up secure testing materials and sensitive student data/forms would be very useful.  Furniture should include tables for cooperative learning groups, as well as desks and chairs.  Just to emphasize, larger schools may require multiple ESL teachers based on the ESL population. Therefore, multiple rooms may be required.  ESL is an essential part of each school.

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Space Requirements

# # Square Teaching Total Rooms Feet Stations

Grade 6 Core Academic Classroom 9 9 850 7,650 Grade 6 Science Classroom/Lab 3 3 1,100 3,300 Grade 7 Core Academic Classroom 9 9 850 7,650 Grade 7 Science Classroom/Lab 3 3 1,100 3,300 Grade 8 Core Academic Classroom 9 9 850 7,650 Grade 8 Science Classroom/Lab 3 3 1,100 3,300 ESL Classroom 3 500 1,500 Support Science Storage/Prep Room 9 100 900 Teacher Workroom 3 450 1,350 Book Room/Media Room 3 250 750 Collaboration Room 9 100 900 Technology Storage 3 200 600 Total 36 38,850

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Spatial Relationships

OUTDOORS

CORE SCIENCE SCIENCE CORE ACADEMIC CLASSROOM/ PREP PREP CLASSROOM/ ACADEMIC CLASSROOM LAB ROOM ROOM LAB CLASSROOM

CORE COLLA- COLLA- CORE ACADEMIC BORATION BORATION ACADEMIC CLASSROOM ROOM ROOM CLASSROOM

CORE CORE ACADEMIC BOOK/ ACADEMIC TECH CLASSROOM TEACHER MEDIA CLASSROOM STORAGE WKROOM ROOM

OUTDOORS RESOURCE ESL ROOM PREP ROOM ROOM

COLLA- SCIENCE GRADE BORATION CLASSROOM/ LAB LEVEL ROOM

SELF- CORE CORE CORE CONTAINED ACADEMIC ACADEMIC ACADEMIC CLASSROOM CLASSROOM CLASSROOM CLASSROOM

SUPPORT AREAS

Note: The functional relationships illustrated are diagrammatic only. SELF- Further interpretation of these CONTAINED relationships shall be implemented by CLASSROOM the design team.

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Core Academic Classroom (Grades 6-8)

Objective

 A space provided for the instruction of core curriculum.

Users of This Activity Area  Students  Teachers Activities Conducted in this Space  Internet research - computers  Kinesthetic  Collaborative/coop. groups - flexible  quiet vs. noise area for whole group  Presentations - podium/LCD - by teachers  Art projects and students

 Videos - united streaming  Hands-on learning Number of Teachers: 1 Number of Students: 30

Environmental Characteristics

Lighting  Daylight required (balance daylight throughout room) Electrical  Multiple electrical outlets on each wall

 Multiple electrical outlets in floor Plumbing  Deep sink(s) with hot and cold water HVAC/Mechanical  Individual room control for heating/cooling Doors and Hardware  Door with vision panel with built-in blinds

 Ability to lock door from inside and outside of room (comply with code requirements) Interior and Exterior Windows  Operable windows

 Blinds on all windows

Finishes

Ceiling  Acoustical ceiling Floors  Resilient flooring Walls  2 walls paint

 2 walls tackable (including tackable

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teaching wall) Other Finishes  No Special Requirements

Specialties

Casework  No special requirements Whiteboard  2 magnetic whiteboards with tack strips and map rails (on facing walls)

 Additional sliding whiteboard on side wall if possible Tackboard  No Special Requirements Other Specialties  Display cases in corridors for student work

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Furnishings  Teacher stool with back  Task chair  Student chairs  Wardrobe cabinet  Bookcases  4-drawer file cabinet  Mobile storage cabinet with 4 lateral file drawers, and adjustable shelving (lockable)  Teacher desk with computer workstation  Student desks  Printer table  Kidney-shaped table  Document Camera

 Classroom performance system

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Science Classroom/Lab (Grades 6-8)

Objective

 Space for exploring and teaching science

Users of This Activity Area  Students  Teachers Activities Conducted in this Space  Hands-on labs  Lecture (class discussions)  Cooperative grouping  Expanded technology for research, lesson  Independent learning plans, participating in global learning  Demonstrations  Inquiry based learning activities  Presentations - student, teacher, community members Number of Teachers: 1 Number of Students: 30

Environmental Characteristics

Lighting  Indirect lighting

 Daylight required (balance daylight throughout room) Electrical  Multiple electrical outlets throughout room and at each lab station (must have multiple conditioned circuits)  Coordinate electrical connections with equipment requirements

 Outlets in the floor for mobile labs Plumbing  8 epoxy resin sinks  Large epoxy resin sink in demo table  Emergency shower/eye wash with floor drain

 Floor drains HVAC/Mechanical  Continuous exhaust, ventilation  Independent supply

 Individual room control for heating/cooling Doors and Hardware  Door with vision panel with built-in blinds

 Ability to lock door from inside and

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outside of room (comply with code requirements) Interior and Exterior Windows  Operable windows  Blinds on all windows

 Greenhouse bay window

Finishes

Ceiling  Acoustical ceiling Floors  Resilient flooring Walls  Tackable teaching wall, paint on remaining walls Other Finishes  No Special Requirements

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Specialties

Casework  Epoxy resin perimeter countertop with lockable base and wall cabinets  8 peninsula lab stations  Demonstration table with sink, knee space, and base cabinets

 Built-in shelving beside and beneath whiteboard Whiteboard  Magnetic whiteboard with tack strip and map rail Tackboard  Tack strip in corridor to display student work Other Specialties  Include greenhouse if possible Furnishings  Teacher stool with back  Student stools with backs and baskets below  Adjustable chair on casters  Storage cabinets with whiteboards on doors (lockable)  Bookcases  4-drawer file cabinet  Teacher desk with computer workstation  2-person tables with chemical resistant tops

 Drying racks (countertop or wall)

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ESL Classroom

Objective

 Space for instruction of core academic subjects for English language learners.

Users of This Activity Area  ESL Teacher  Students Activities Conducted in this Space  Reading  Writing  Listening  Speaking

 Small group instruction  Testing Number of Teachers: 3 Number of Students: 15

Notes: This space should have ability for 2 teachers with separation.

Environmental Characteristics

Lighting  Daylight required (balance daylight throughout room) Electrical  Multiple electrical outlets on each wall HVAC/Mechanical  Individual room control for heating/cooling Doors and Hardware  Door with vision panel with built-in blinds

 Ability to lock door from inside and outside of room (comply with code requirements) Interior and Exterior Windows  Operable windows

 Blinds on all windows

Finishes

Ceiling  Acoustical ceiling Floors  Resilient flooring Walls  Tackable teaching wall, paint on remaining walls Other Finishes  No Special Requirements

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Specialties

Casework  No Special Requirements Whiteboard  4' x 16' magnetic whiteboard with map hooks

 4'x8' whiteboard Tackboard  No Special Requirements Other Specialties  Display cases in corridors for student work

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Furnishings  Teacher stool with back  Student chairs  Individual student desks  2-door full height storage cabinet (lockable)  4-drawer file cabinet  4-shelf bookcase  Bean bag chairs  Movable storage cabinet with 4 lateral file drawers, adjustable shelving, and whiteboards on doors  Teacher desk with computer workstation

 Printer table

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Science Storage/Prep Room

Objective

 Storage and prep area for science labs

Users of This Activity Area  Teachers Activities Conducted in this Space  Equipment Storage  Chemical storage

 Lab supply storage Number of Teachers: 1

Environmental Characteristics

Lighting  Fluorescent lighting Electrical  Multiple electrical outlets on each wall

 Coordinate electrical connections with equipment requirements Plumbing  Single deep epoxy resin sink  Floor drains

 Connection for dishwasher HVAC/Mechanical  No special requirements Doors and Hardware  Door with vision panel with built-in blinds Interior and Exterior Windows  No Special Requirements

Finishes

Ceiling  Acoustical ceiling Floors  Sealed Concrete Walls  Paint Other Finishes  No Special Requirements

Specialties

Casework  Epoxy resin perimeter countertop with lockable sink and base cabinets with knee

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space

 Wall cabinets with lockable and open shelving Whiteboard  No Special Requirements Tackboard  No Special Requirements Other Specialties  No Special Requirements Furnishings  Eye wash  Drying racks for glassware  Safety goggle sanitizer cabinet  Reach in refrigerator (not self defrosting)  Dishwasher  Chemical storage cabinet (lockable)

 Wardrobe cabinet (lockable)

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Teacher Workroom

Objective

 Space for teachers to collaborate and prepare documents for class

Users of This Activity Area  Teachers  Educational Assistants Activities Conducted in this Space  Photocopy  Faxing  Collaboration - team planning  Conferences

 Laminating  Cutting Number of Teachers: 15

Note: Locate two individual restrooms with workroom.

Environmental Characteristics

Lighting  Fluorescent lighting  Task lighting at work surfaces

 Daylight preferred Electrical  Multiple electrical outlets on each wall Plumbing  Sink with hot and cold water HVAC/Mechanical  Consider quantity of heat producing equipment when calculating HVAC loads Doors and Hardware  Door with vision panel with built-in blinds Interior and Exterior Windows  Operable windows preferred

 Blinds on all windows

Finishes

Ceiling  Acoustical ceiling Floors  Resilient flooring Walls  Paint Other Finishes  No Special Requirements

Specialties

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Casework  Countertop with base and wall cabinets (for supplies and shared materials) Whiteboard  4'x8' whiteboard Tackboard  Tackboard Other Specialties  No Special Requirements

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Furnishings  Task chairs  Storage cabinet (for paper)  Paper rack on wheels  Copier Worktable  6-person table  Copier  Laminator

 Poster machine

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Book Room/Media Room

Objective

 Storage area for books and media

Users of This Activity Area  Teachers Activities Conducted in this Space  Book/media check out

Environmental Characteristics

Lighting  Fluorescent lighting Electrical  Multiple electrical outlets on each wall

 Coordinate electrical connections with equipment requirements HVAC/Mechanical  Continuous exhaust, ventilation

 Climate controlled for books Doors and Hardware  Solid door Interior and Exterior Windows  No windows

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Finishes

Ceiling  Acoustical ceiling Floors  Sealed Concrete Walls  Paint Other Finishes  No Special Requirements

Specialties

Casework  Maximum linear feet of 18" deep, full height, heavy-duty adjustable shelving Whiteboard  2'x4' whiteboard calendar Tackboard  No Special Requirements Other Specialties  No Special Requirements Furnishings  None

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Collaboration Room

Objective

 Space for small group work and tutoring

Users of This Activity Area  Teachers  Students Activities Conducted in this Space  Small group work  Collaborative projects

 Tutoring Number of Teachers: 1 Number of Students: 20

Environmental Characteristics

Lighting  Fluorescent lighting

 Daylight preferred Electrical  Multiple electrical outlets on each wall HVAC/Mechanical  Individual room control for heating/cooling Doors and Hardware  2 doors (1 to hallway and 1 to classroom) Interior and Exterior Windows  Fixed window into hallway and classroom

 Blinds on all windows

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Finishes

Ceiling  Acoustical ceiling Floors  Resilient flooring Walls  Paint Other Finishes  No Special Requirements

Specialties

Casework  No Special Requirements Whiteboard  4'x8' whiteboard Tackboard  No Special Requirements Other Specialties  No Special Requirements Furnishings  Student chairs  Bookcases  Storage cabinets

 Student tables

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Technology Storage

Objective

 Area for storage of instructional technology items.

Users of This Activity Area  Teachers Activities Conducted in this Space  Recharging laptops  Storage of laptops (3 carts)  Digital Camera  Document Camera

 CPS/Student Resp. Pads  Writers

Environmental Characteristics

Lighting  Fluorescent lighting Electrical  Multiple electrical outlets on each wall

 Multiple outlets (ability to charge 100-120 laptops at the same time) HVAC/Mechanical  Consider quantity of heat producing equipment when calculating HVAC loads Doors and Hardware  Solid door

 Ability to lock door from inside and outside of room Interior and Exterior Windows  No windows

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Finishes

Ceiling  Acoustical ceiling Floors  Resilient flooring Walls  Paint Other Finishes  No Special Requirements

Specialties

Casework  Shelving (upper half of walls) Whiteboard  2'x4' whiteboard calendar Tackboard  No Special Requirements Other Specialties  Bar code scanner for equipment checkout Furnishings  Laptop carts  Laptops  Laptop batteries and charging station

 Digital camera charging station

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