MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULA

Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
Eighth Grade

Language Arts:
Development of critical thinking is a major focus.  Reading skills are taught in the context of literature.  Students analyze stories for literary techniques.  Vocabulary skills are taught in context.  Note-taking and mapping skills are applied.  Grammar, mechanics, sentence, structure, and paragraph structure are taught in detail.  The writing process is used in developing style and paragraph continuity in persuasive, descriptive, expository or creative writing assignments.  Word processing applications and computer presentations are utilized. Spelling is taught in the context of writing.

Mathematics:
Critical thinking skills are emphasized in regard to analysis and problem solving.  Whole number operations, fractions, decimals, and estimation are reviewed.  The main focus is on number theory, measurement, geometry, statistics, graphs, probability, calculator operations, computer literacy, including spreadsheet applications, and introductory algebraic concepts and calculations.

Religion:
The focus of this course is the understanding of the Bible.  It begins with a study of the Old Testament and gradually continues through the early New Testament.  Emphasis is placed on the study of the Israelite's mission in seeking the Promised Land.

Prayers:  Nicene Creed, Prayer of St. Francis, the Angelus. Prayers learned in previous years are reviewed.

Science:
Learning about our planet, Earth, and its place in the solar system is the primary focus of this course.  Topics of discussion include agents of erosion, plate tectonics, the rock record including fossils, the hydrosphere and atmosphere, weather and climate, natural resources, space exploration, motions of the earth, and a study of the stars.  Introductory laboratory skills are taught.

Social Studies:
World cultures and their histories are the focus for this course of study.  Special emphasis is placed on the discoveries of early man, ancient Egypt, the Greek city-states, the Roman Empire, the beginning of Christianity, the medieval period, the Renaissance, the Reformation and political revolutions throughout the world.

Art:
Student may choose are as a 4 1/2 week elective and receive instruction four days per week for 45 minute sessions.  These classes combine students from grades 6 – 8.  All classes are taught by an art specialist.  Some of these mini courses are: mixed media, drawing, sculpture and clay, printmaking and painting.

Music:
Students may choose music as a 4 1/2 week elective and receive instruction four days per week for 45 minute sessions.  These classes combine students from grades 6 – 8.  All classes are taught by a music specialist.  Some of these mini courses are:  outreach choir, introduction to keyboard, guitar, musical theater, and great composers.

Media:
The Library skills necessary for active participation in gathering information are reviewed.  Appropriate use of the atlas, almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, phone book, maps and specialized dictionaries is required.  Boolean searches are practiced to narrow accumulated research sources to a useful level.

Physical Education:
Our physical education curriculum emphasizes advanced sports skills and lifetime sports skills. Teamwork and cooperation and an appreciation of how sports and activity influence a healthy lifestyle are also included. P.E. is offered as a wheel class, and students are required to take three 4 1/2 week periods.

Seventh Grade Curriculum

Language Arts:
Development of higher level analytical skills is a major focus.  Students further analyze literature for literary technique.  The various genres of literature are taught in depth with specific elements of each.  Vocabulary is taught in context of literature.  Students apply note-taking and mapping skills and synthesize information into formalized writing.  The five-paragraph essay is introduced.  Students regularly make use of the writing process, word processing, computer presentations, and research skills.  Grammar skills mechanics, structure and style are taught in detail.  Spelling is taught in the context of writing.

Mathematics/Pre-Algebra:
Mathematics classes are divided based on student's developmental abilities.  In general mathematics, analysis and problem solving through the use of critical thinking skills is emphasized.  Fractions, decimals, measurements, and integers are reviewed. The main focus is to develop the concepts of ratios, proportions, percents, geometry, measurement, calculator operations, and computer literacy including spreadsheets.

Pre-Algebra:  Problem solving strategies are emphasized.  Algebraic expressions and equations are introduced at the beginning of the year.  The main focus is development of the concepts for rational numbers, inequalities, graphing, ratio, proportion, percents, geometry, probability and statistics.  Computers and calculators are used to enhance problem solving techniques.

Religion:
In this course, doctrine, scripture, Church history and the liturgical seasons are discussed.  These are present throughout the course.  This approach ensures that the students will come to a better understanding and commitment towards their faith, which we profess in our creed.

Prayers:  The Creed and prayers learned in previous years are reviewed.

Science:
The primary focus of this course is to gain knowledge of living organisms and vital processes.  The topics explored include the structure and function of the cell, heredity, evolution, biological classification, the six kingdoms of life, the human body and ecology.  Laboratory skills focus on microscopy and dissection.

Social Studies:
The curriculum calls for a comprehensive study of our world's geography.  Students review the map skills necessary for locating places of study, while investigating the land, climate, and the people throughout the world.

Art:
Student may choose are as a 4 1/2 week elective and receive instruction four days per week for 45 minute sessions.  These classes combine students from grades 6 – 8.  All classes are taught by an art specialist.  Some of these mini courses are: mixed media, drawing, sculpture and clay, printmaking and painting.

Music:
Students may choose music as a 4 1/2 week elective and receive instruction four days per week for 45 minute sessions.  These classes combine students from grades 6 – 8.  All classes are taught by a music specialist.  Some of these mini courses are:  outreach choir, introduction to keyboard, guitar, musical theater, and great composers.

Media:
The Library skills necessary for active participation in gathering information are reviewed.  Appropriate use of the atlas, almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, phone book, maps and specialized dictionaries is required.  Boolean searches are practiced to narrow accumulated research sources to a useful level.

Physical Education:
Our physical education curriculum emphasizes advanced sports skills and lifetime sports skills. Teamwork and cooperation and an appreciation of how sports and activity influence a healthy lifestyle are also included. P.E. is offered as a wheel class, and students are required to take three 4 1/2 week periods.

 Eighth Grade Curriculum

Language Arts:
Development of higher level analytical skills is a major focus.  Literature is analyzed for literary technique.  The genre of literature and their specific elements are analyzed in depth.  Vocabulary skills are taught in context of literature.  The formal stages of the research and the development of the research paper are major focuses.  The five-paragraph essay is further developed, and the thesis statement is introduced.  Word processing, information gathering, and information categorizing are regularly applied.  Grammar, mechanics, structure and style are taught in detail.

Mathematics/Algebra:
Mathematics classes are divided based on student's developmental abilities.  Problem solving strategies are emphasized.  Algebraic expressions and equations are explored.  The main focus is development of the concepts of rational numbers, inequalities, graphing, ratio, proportion, percents, geometry, probability and statistics.  Computers and calculators are used to enhance problem solving techniques.

Algebra:  Building on the prior emphasis on critical thinking skills, analysis and problem solving skills are reinforced.  Polynomials and rational expressions are reviewed.  The main emphasis is on the introducing symbols, expressions, exponential notation, solving equations, inequalities, factoring polynomials, graphs, linear equations, systems of equations absolute values, rational expressions, radical expressions, and computer literary.  Relations, functions, quadratic equations, and trigonometry are introduced in the second semester.

Religion:
Morality – A course on Catholic Living – Through God's grace our conscience is formed and we make moral decision.  The Ten Commandments and Beatitudes are studied in depth.  Major emphasis is placed on social issues

Prayers:  The Benedictus, The Magnificat, The Prayer to St. Francis.  Prayers learned in previous years are reviewed.

Science:
Students explore forces, motion, work, simple machines, and thermal energy.  Students also investigate electricity, energy resources, sound, electromagnetic waves, and light.  Laboratory investigations are performed on these topics

Social Studies:
The history of our great nation is extensively studied.  Special emphasis is placed on the early Native Americans, the discovery of America, establishing our new nation, the battles fought while building our nation, our expansion, depression, and prosperity.  The Presidents and other leaders who played an integral role in these events are discussed in depth.

Art:
Student may choose are as a 4 1/2 week elective and receive instruction four days per week for 45 minute sessions.  These classes combine students from grades 6 – 8.  All classes are taught by an art specialist.  Some of these mini courses are: mixed media, drawing, sculpture and clay, printmaking and painting.

Music:
Students may choose music as a 4 1/2 week elective and receive instruction four days per week for 45 minute sessions.  These classes combine students from grades 6 – 8.  All classes are taught by a music specialist.  Some of these mini courses are:  outreach choir, introduction to keyboard, guitar, musical theater, and great composers.

Media:
The Library skills necessary for active participation in gathering information are reviewed.  Appropriate use of the atlas, almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, phone book, maps and specialized dictionaries is required.  Boolean searches are practiced to narrow accumulated research sources to a useful level.

Physical Education:
Our physical education curriculum emphasizes advanced sports skills and lifetime sports skills. Teamwork and cooperation and an appreciation of how sports and activity influence a healthy lifestyle are also included. P.E. is offered as a wheel class, and students are required to take three 4 1/2 periods.