Lower & Middle Schools
Headmaster
Teaching at Thornton-Donovan since 2002
B.A. Education Concordia College, Bronxville, NY, 1993
M.S. Education Iona College, New Rochelle, NY, 2003
Mrs. Virginia Keating- Miller
Thornton Donovan's Lower School consists of grades K through 5. Classes are intentionally kept small so students' individual needs can be met, and instructional strategies are implemented so that all students can be successful at learning at their own pace.
The curriculum is vigorous and best described as a classical and Western approach. Students in lower school are taught Math, Language Arts (Reading, Writing, and Grammar), Social Studies, Science, and Vocabulary development throughout the week, and Music, Art, Physical Education, and two World Languages on a rotating schedule at least twice a week. In addition to our classical education curriculum, we also foster the importance of Social-Emotional learning to teach students crucial life skills, including the ability to understand themselves, develop a positive self-image, take responsibility for their actions, and understand those actions have consequences, and forge happy and healthy relationships with the people around them.
Lower School at T-D
Explore individual grade curriculum.
Middle School at T-D
Thornton Donovan's Middle School comprises grades 6, 7, and 8. Classes are intentionally kept small so students' individual needs can be met, and instructional strategies are implemented so that all students can be successful at learning at their own pace.
Thornton-Donovan is a college preparatory and offers academically challenging classes. We believe every child can learn and be successful and hold all students to high expectations. At Thornton-Donovan, students are provided with the knowledge and skills to address life's challenges and become successful leaders in tomorrow's world. Students receive instruction in Mathematics, Science, History, Writing, and Literature throughout the week, with classes in two World Languages, Art, Music, and Technology a couple of times a week. Students in grade 8 can also participate in special thematic courses. Successful academic students can take part in high school classes.
Thornton-Donovan Middle School
Summer Reading Assignments
At Thornton-Donovan, we consider reading the foundation for learning. Therefore, we prioritize making all our students good readers and instilling a lifelong love of reading. All students must read at least two books as their summer assignment. The first book is mandatory, and the second is chosen from the given list.
All assignments must be submitted by the first week of school
TIP: An outline will help you construct a well-developed essay.
Your essay must have a title, an introduction (a paragraph), at least three body paragraphs, and a conclusion (a paragraph). It must also have two quotes from the novel to support your claims.
Happy
Reading!
Below are specific assignments for each grade:
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Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhá Lai
What have you learned in the story about the impact of war on a family?
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Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhá Lai
Use Há and her family’s experience to discuss the themes of war and migration in the story.
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Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhá Lai
Discuss the circumstances under which Há and her family leave their homeland as well as the challenges that front them in their adopted country. Would they have been better off staying in their old country rather than coming to their new country? Why or why not?
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You may choose from the options below.
1. Create a poster detailing the plot of your novel. Include descriptions of the events in the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Write a statement of the main theme with quotes from the novel for support.
2. Create an illustrated book cover for your novel. Include a summary of the story that describes the main character and the central conflict.
3. Create a cartoon/storyboard (minimum of 8 panels) based on your novel. Focus on pivotal events and put them in chronological order
4. Write a poem or song lyrics that connect to your novel. Focus on the plot, characters, and/or personal connections you have with the novel. (*30 lines or longer)
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Students, you are required to write a five-paragraph essay based on your reading of the novel. As you read, think about the main character and her struggles as well as the main themes of the novel. How is the character developing as a person? How is she handling the challenges of life? What characteristics (character traits) does she exhibit to meet those challenges? As you read, write two (2) quotes, including page numbers, that reveal how the main character is evolving or growing as a person. Remember to use text evidence!