Middles
Grades 3 to 5
In this class, we’ll examine big questions with open-ended games, formal debates, and current events scavenger hunts to build our research skills. We’ll debate substantive topics like animal rights by designing a humane zoo, and we’ll practice our critical thinking with a mock trial.
All classes will include 6-8 students per class and will also include parent updates, take-home activities, and individualized progress reports.
One Hour
Class Duration
6 to 8
Friends per Class
Schedule Options
Course Information
Learning Goals
Course Details
Our Middles Program is for our third, fourth, and fifth graders and classes are capped at 8 students. This quarter, we’ll focus on the core skills of logic, perspective-taking, and active listening. Students will learn how to think creatively, identify fallacious reasoning, and will flex their empathy muscles as they embody a range of different perspectives. We’ll teach concepts through a game-based approach to enable our kiddos to engage with the skills in a low-stress, fun, and effective way. Students will be participating in formal debates where they’ll explore big topics like animal rights and partake in forensic units where they’ll engage in a silly mock trial!
Example Activities
Absurd Statements—a DIF fan favorite—enables our kiddos to practice their critical reasoning and creative thinking skills. Each student will be assigned an absurd statement, like “Apples do not grow on trees” or “Clocks do not tell time!” After taking a bit of prep time, each student will have the opportunity to present their statement and their supporting argument. Kiddos usually get pretty silly with it and it’s always incredible to see how creative they are!
Once or Twice per week
Classes
If Pricing is a Concern...
Here are two ways to meet you where you are!
The DiF-Ferral Program
You tell a friend about DIF, and let them know you’ll both get a discount if they sign up. When they insert your name on our registration form, we’ll issue you both a discount. And the more people that reference you, the more you save:
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Refer 1-3 Friends - You'll get a 50% discount and your referrals will each receive a 20% discount.
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Refer 4+ Friends - You'll get a 100% (full) discount and your referrals will each receive a 20% discount.
Flexible Pricing
When you sign up for a class and begin the payment process, we’ll ask if you’re in need of financial support. We’ll ask a few simple questions, request a supporting document, and then invite you to select what you’re able to pay with no further questions asked.