Middle School

RELIGION

Grade 6

The Sixth Graders are given their own study Bibles.  They use them daily as they study and explore the Old Testament and the promises God made to us through the Patriarchs.  Our faith journey in religion class also takes us to the life of Jesus and the development of the Church.  There are class discussions, prayers, and celebration of our faith.

Grade 7

Grade Seven Religion focuses on the person of Jesus.  Jesus’ life ministry and teachings are explored through scripture, films and textbook.  Prayer and meditation encourage personal reflection on each student’s relationship with Jesus.  Projects, creative expression, and skits are used to illustrate the role of Jesus in the lives of the students.  Additionally, ten hours of Christian Services are required.

Grade 8

Grade Eight Religion focuses on the history, structure, and the role of the church in the lives of Catholics.  Scriptures, films, textbook, and meditation encourage the student to explore the meaning of faith in his/her life.  Additionally, students prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Scripture, films, textbook, and discussion help the students to understand their commissioning as witnesses for Christ.  Twenty hours of Christian Service are required.

SCIENCE

It is project-based Science which is a learning environment that encourages student-led investigations and exploration coupled with teacher instruction.  Each unit of study concludes with the students extending their studies by asking more questions and performing further or building artifacts.

The following details the program:

• The entire program meets the middle school science standards set by the State of Michigan Department of Education.
• The textbooks used are the Holt Science and Technology series.
• The Science program utilizes all aspects of technology.  Microsoft software products, video streaming, virtual white board and digital presenter are used for student-led presentations, as well as for daily instruction.

Physical Science topics explored by the Eight Grade include:

• Matter    
• Energy
• Elements
• Compounds
• Electricity
• Forces and motion

The Life Science topics explored by the Seventh Grade include:

• Cells
• Genetics
• Classifications
• Bacteria
• Protest and Fungi
• Plants
• Human Body Systems

Earth Science topics explored by the Sixth Grade include:

• Rock Cycle
• Minerals
• Plate Tectonics
• Earthquakes
• Volcanoes
• Weather/Climate
• Flow of Fresh Water
• Alternative Energy/Natural Resources

MATH

Grade 6

The Sixth Grade curriculum is based on making solid mathematical foundations in which success can be built in Seventh and Eighth Grade.  There is also sufficient review and practice of basic skills from elementary mathematics.  The Sixth Graders begin the year working with algebraic equations.  They then develop decimal, ratio and fraction skills, followed by graphs and data displays, ending the school year with geometry.

Grade 7

The Seventh Grade curriculum builds upon the skills learned in Sixth Grade.  The students continue with the same mathematical concepts, but explore them in a more in depth fashion.  Equations are covered in multiple chapters.  An extended time is spent with integers, as well as fractions and decimals.  To end the year, students will work on geometry and upper level algebra.  The ultimate goal is to be prepared to work at an accelerated pace through the Eighth Grade curriculum.  An additional goal is to increase the knowledge base so that each student will be prepared for the High School Placement Test.

Grade 8

The Eighth Grade curriculum will fully immerse students in algebra. The students will work with complex algebraic equations. The Eighth Graders will work with linear functions and graphing functions on a coordinate plane. The year will conclude with polynomials and quadratic functions. Throughout the school year the students will use graphing calculators together as a class to explore the many features available. This will give all the students a technological advantage for high school mathematics. The complexity of material covered in Eighth Grade will allow many students to proceed to honors or advanced tracks in high school math. The Eighth Grade is prepared in taking the High School Placement Test and also for the Math Placement Exam.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Grade 6

Writing will be a daily activity in Language Arts.  Whether it is in a journal or a final paper, students will make writing a fantastic part of everyday life!

Literature: Sixth Graders will read a variety of short stories and classic novels throughout the year.  Students will participate in group discussions about the required reading.  They will also have individual questions and activities to do that will involve them in higher level thinking.

English: From compound sentences and conjunctions to prepositional phrases, students will learn the ins and outs of grammar.  Students will also be writing a variety of different papers and stories.  They will write a Personal Narrative and publish their own Children’s Story.  Students will be assessed by tests at the end of each unit and by the quality and understanding of each paper assigned.

Vocabulary: Through the Vocabulary Workshop workbook and a variety of review games, students will learn around 200 new words in their sixth grade year.  Students will be assessed with a vocabulary test at the end of each unit.  Different editions of the Vocabulary Workshop workbook will be used in Seventh and Eighth Grade, so students will become very familiar with this type of workbook and testing.

Grade 7

The Seventh Grade Language Arts curriculum is designed to create a connective thread of instruction between English, Literature, and Vocabulary.  These shared foundations are based in fundamental Language Arts Institutions.

English: Text – PLAIN ENGLISH Book One, SRA McGraw Hill structured focus on the elements, concepts, mechanics and applications of grammar.

Literature: Text – THE LANGUAGE OF LITERATURE, McDougall Little, as well as supplemental novels concentrate on literary elements, terms and genres that combine reading strategies with critical thinking to enhance comprehension and foster positive reading experiences.

Vocabulary: Text – VOCABULARY WORKSHOP Level B, Sadler-Oxford offers intensive cross-over instruction of 300 new words and their fundamental parts that focus on the mastery of word meanings and usage.

These three components of Language Arts complement each other in developing an understanding and an appreciation for communicative language by building listening, speaking, thinking, reading, and writing skills.

Grade 8

The Eighth Grade Language Arts curriculum further integrates components of English, Literature, and Vocabulary into augmented extensions of the Seventh Grade curriculum with stronger emphasis on comprehension, critical thinking, and writing.

English: Text – PLAIN ENGLISH Book Two; DIAGRAMMING SENTENCES, Book 1 & 2 stresses mastery of the usage and mechanics of grammar through instruction, drilling, reviewing, and testing as well as a strong concentration on diagramming.

Literature: Text – THE LANGUAGE OF LITERATURE 8, McDougall Little, as well as supplemental novels continues with the focus of literary terms and elements that facilitate comprehension and interpretation with a heavier emphasis on personal response writing.

Vocabulary: Text – VOCABULARY WORKSHOP Level C, Sadler-Oxford extends the mastery of word meaning and usage with an intensive cross-over instruction of 300 new words.

ANCIENT HISTORY (SIXTH GRADE)

Sixth Grade ancient history class starts with the study of the ancient Sumerians and the Fertile Crescent.  We then progress to the study of ancient Egypt and quickly cross the Mediterranean north to Greece.  After a lengthy stay in Greece, we move on to Rome and all of its conquered territory.  The Middle Ages, affected by Islam and Christianity, is among our final stops. We end the year in the Renaissance period.  With each culture we study, our knowledge of government, architecture, social structure and religions increase.  The discussion of current events always brings us back to the present.  Maps are a favorite project in Grade Six.  We learn to draw all the countries we study from memory and are able to locate major cities and landforms.

GEOGRAPHY (SEVENTH GRADE)

Grade Seven geography class is devoted more to the present world.  We start the year off learning about the many fields of study encompassed under the title of geography.  We then travel to North America and learn about the land use as well as the economic effects of topics such as NAFTA, OPEC, GDP, GNP, immigration and the stock market.  Our studies progress from continent to continent studying the lay of the land and the economic challenges facing our modern world.  We carry our mapping skills past the one-dimensional paper map and work in transparencies and 3-D effects.  The final exam is based on the students' ability to identify at least 180 countries in our world.  Discussions on current events, especially those that are global in scope, are a regular part of our weekly lesson.

AMERICAN HISTORY (EIGHTH GRADE)

From the first Americans to patterns in our recent history, students will explore all of the most important events throughout history.  The Eighth Grade students read about history changing wars and the important battles within those wars.  Students have the opportunity to do projects, in class work, and speeches about a variety of topics.  Students also take a field trip to the Holocaust Memorial Museum while learning about WWII.  Eighth Graders are able to stay current with world events by doing a bi-monthly current event.  Students are assessed through unit test and projects.