Middle School Curriculum Guide 2018-2019
DISCOVER YOUR GIFTS. LIVE YOUR SPIRIT.
PORTRAIT OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Lives Jesus according to Gospel values and Salesian spirituality Shows respect for herself and God’s creation; respects the unique gifts and challenges of others Is a person of character who gives generously of herself in service to others Values and displays a love of learning and excellence in scholarship Solves problems analytically, logically, and creatively through independent, critical thinking Organizes information, manages her time, and applies effective study strategies Is a confident and articulate communicator Demonstrates initiative, self-direction, and cooperation when collaborating with others Applies knowledge and skills across the curriculum and to real-world situations Is a responsible digital citizen Recognizes her role in a global society and appreciates cultural diversity Models confidence, self-reliance, and resilience; feels empowered to make a difference in the world Understands the importance of balance in mind, body, and spirit Is fully prepared to thrive and excel in Upper School
SPECIAL EVENTS, ACTIVITIES, & ORGANIZATIONS Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
Eighth Grade
6th Grade Retreat 6th Grade Pajama Party After-School Enrichment Classes Girl Talk-Peer Mentoring Program Middle School Father-Daughter Event Middle School Communities Middle School Play Mother-Daughter Mass & Reception Study Skills Program Theatre Tech Crew
7th Grade Retreat After-School Enrichment Classes Middle School Father-Daughter Event Middle School Communities Middle School Play Mother-Daughter Mass & Reception Owning Up-Guidance Program Theatre Tech Crew
8th Grade Retreat 8th Grade Mass and Completion Ceremony 8th Grade Regional Mass 8th Grade Cotillion 8th Grade Talent Show After-School Enrichment Classes Middle School Father-Daughter Event Middle School Communities Middle School Play Mother-Daughter Mass & Reception Owning Up-Guidance Program Theatre Tech Crew
COUNSELING PROGRAM
Middle School students’ unique needs are addressed through a comprehensive guidance program provided in individual, small group, and large group settings. Topics addressed include academic guidance, study skills, social relationships, media awareness, internet safety, and health and wellness.
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Structured Aftercare Program until 5:30 PM includes supervised homework time and optional enrichment activities.
COMPUTER SCIENCE Computer Science is integrated across the Middle School curriculum. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are conceptually practiced through design and prototyping in the Makerspace with hands-on projects related to subjects from literature to social studies and foreign language. The sixth and seventh grades are immersed in a formal computer science curriculum with a strong emphasis on developing a complete understanding of a structured problem-solving process, computer hardware, software, digital citizenship, robotics, web development and design, and app creation. Critical thinking and collaboration are required to design and create websites and applications that are relevant to the real world. Innovative spaces, such as the Makerspace, food science kitchen, video studio, science labs, and outdoor plant science garden, provide the physical places for students to explore their passions and extend content understanding into authentic experiences. Eighth grade is an extension of the foundation laid in sixth and seventh grades with project-based learning experiences that include creative design, historical recipes recreated in the food science kitchen, and instruments that underscore the physics of sound. The curriculum is very rich in learning experiences that require critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication allowing students to become fully future ready.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Sixth Grade
Outdoor Team Building Overnight at Trout Lodge Curriculum-Focused Field Trips
Seventh Grade Science Trip - Great Smoky Mountains National Park Corps of Engineers Geocaching Curriculum-Focused Field Trips
Eighth Grade Social Studies Trip - Washington D.C. Curriculum-Focused Field Trips
ATHLETICS Fall Sports Field Hockey (7th & 8th grade) Soccer Volleyball Winter Sports Basketball Racquetball (7th & 8th grade) Spring Sports Golf Lacrosse (7th and 8th Grade) Tennis Track
CLUBS
Ambassadors Art Club Bellarmine Speech Book Club Campus Ministry Club Creative Writing/Literacy Club Crescent (Yearbook) French Club Latin Club Middle School Choir Middle School Handbells Paper Moon (Newspaper) Robotics Club Spanish Club Spirit Club Student Council
Grade 6
Theology
Our Response to God’s Plan - Students celebrate the Church through the liturgical year while learning about and participating in the sacraments. Emphasis is placed on the history of Jesus’ Biblical family and God’s plan for salvation. Students are encouraged to respond to God’s call by identifying and performing acts of service to others. Various forms of prayer are practiced to enhance a personal relationship with God and evangelize others in the school community and beyond. Catholic Christianity in the Salesian tradition is taught throughout the curriculum.
English
English 6 - designed to strengthen comprehension and appreciation of modern and classical literature across the genres. Discussion and activities surrounding plot, setting, characterization, literary devices, and vocabulary are present in all literature studies. Emphasis on grammar and editing skills enriches expression in speech and in writing. Additionally, research skills are introduced when relevant to the curriculum.
Mathematics
Science
Intro to Pre-Algebra - Topics include proportions, percents, rational numbers, solving and graphing linear equations, and functions. This is a project-based course designed to solidify understanding of concepts in preparation for Pre-Algebra.
Science 6 - This course promotes the development of science and engineering skills through active investigation. Physical science topics will include properties of matter, density, energy, and waves. Life science topics will include inheritance, diversity of life, cells, senses, and terrestrial ecology. Engineering principles will be integrated into each of the units. The students will engage in outdoor education throughout the entire year by designing and working on long-term projects in the school courtyard and prairie. Students will visit the Challenger Learning Center—St. Louis to engage in a simulated space mission and rocket launching.
Grade 7
Grade 8
Studies in Catholic Christianity - Focuses on the study of God and God’s relationship to human beings and the universe with the understanding that God is revealed to us continuously. Students meet Jesus as Divine Savior, human being, teacher, healer, and friend. They come to know Jesus in order to love Jesus and Live † Jesus. Students read selections from the Old and New Testament; study the Jewish tradition from which Jesus comes; are introduced to the Visitation charism; and pray with the Church’s liturgical cycle and for the world each day. They become aware of the integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Finding My Place in the Church - The purpose of this course is to help students understand some of the pillars of the Catholic Church and to see themselves as active members of the Church now and throughout their adult lives. We examine forms of prayer, the Rosary, Catholic Social Teaching in conjunction with the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Beatitudes, and the Liturgical Calendar. Students will have opportunities for faith leadership such as planning masses and prayer services, organizing mini-service projects, and leading younger students in liturgical tradition. Salesian studies focus on the biographies of St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane de Chantal, and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. English 7 - Aims to develop comprehension and English 8 - Develops student comprehension and application of essential concepts in grammar, application of essential concepts in grammar, literature, composition, and research. This course will literature, composition, and research. Previous broaden student interaction with and understanding knowledge of literature is expanded to explore new of literature by developing the understanding of plot, elements and ideas. In addition to original fiction, characterization, literary devices, and other tools non-fiction, and poetry, students will work in a variety that authors employ to enhance their works. The of written forms to increase mastery of expression basic elements of research introduced in sixth grade including literary analysis, narrative, and descriptive are reviewed and expanded in their use in student writing. Elements of research introduced in English 7 writing. Continuous vocabulary development enriches will be expanded and applied in student writing. student comprehension of literature and capacity for self-expression. Pre-Algebra - Topics include operations and properties of the real number system; simplifying and writing algebraic expressions; writing, solving, and graphing multi-step equations and inequalities; order of operations and solving proportions. Topics in Geometry, including right triangles and the Pythagorean Theorem, are introduced.
Algebra I - The study of all standard Algebra topics, including the real number system, algebraic expressions, linear equations, inequalities, graphing solutions, systems of equations and inequalities, factoring and solving quadratic equations and functions, and rational and radical equations. This course emphasizes problem solving and applications. Honors Algebra I - This course studies all standard topics covered in Algebra I at an accelerated pace. Topics are addressed in more depth with application projects done to reinforce concepts.
Science 7 (Earth Science) - This course emphasizes weather, climate, Earth’s waters, sustainability, astronomy, and forces inside Earth. Technology resources include: OneNote, Inspiration, Venier probes, and Lego EV3 Robotics. Instruction focuses on inquiry, observing, experimenting, and modeling. Data collection and analysis incorporating student laptops and Vernier Logger Pro software. Skills learned in this class are applied during a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the spring.
Science 8 (Physical Science) - This course emphasizes real-world application of biological and physical science concepts. The first unit is an in-depth study of Missouri’s aquatic ecosystems. Students participate in a field experience in which they look at all aspects of water quality. The second unit uses model wind turbines to apply the study of electricity and magnetism. The physics unit applies simple machines and acceleration by designing and building Rube Goldberg machines, and the final unit is an introduction to chemistry. Study skills and process skills are emphasized so students learn to manage and analyze scientific information. Technology resources build on those introduced in prior grades. Instruction focuses on using inquiry: observing, experimenting and presenting.
Social Studies
Modern / Classical Languages
Visual and Performing Arts
Grade 6
World Cultures -This course is a combination of Geography and Cultural Studies. It is designed to introduce the student to the concepts of culture in human experience and the concepts of geography. What culture is, how it develops, how it changes, and how it is transferred in time and space, its power to influence our lives and events, are some of the main topics examined. Because of the substantial influence of religion on human cultures and history, understanding major world religions will also be a focus of the course. The study of World Cultures will include participation in the Model U.N. program in the spring. Introduction to Modern Languages is an exploratory course designed to educate students about general language principles in order to facilitate future language learning. The course is conducted almost exclusively in the target language. It focuses on beginning level expressions, writing through listening, reading, and pronunciation. It introduces students to the customs, history, and geography of Spanish-speaking and francophone cultures through a variety of cultural activities involving music, dance, food, art, theatre, and current events. Art (alternates with Physical Education) - Students learn basic principles of art through a variety of projects and media. The appreciation of art is emphasized. Music (alternates with Physical Education) - Students create, perform, and respond to music in various ways using notation, musical vocabulary, instruments, and computer hardware and software applications. Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between music, history, and culture.
Physical Education
Physical Education and Health (alternates with Music and Art) - Incorporation of team building, rhythmic activities, and team and individual sports which help develop the mind, spirit, and body. Program stresses the values of responsibility, cooperation, self-esteem, and good sportsmanship. A comprehensive health program aids students in understanding their bodies and guides them to make informed choices to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Grade 7
World Geography - Focuses on the five themes of location, place, interaction, movement, and regions with an emphasis on reading, study skills, the effective use of maps, charts, and graphs, development of an understanding of different cultures, and a knowledge of current events. Modern/Classical Languages IA - Students may choose French, Latin, or Spanish. This course, the first in a two-part sequence, provides students with the foundation for continued study of the language through level I. It presents basic grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Students practice oral and written communication through language lab activities. French and Spanish students read short stories and complete a TPRS (Teaching Proficiency Through Story-telling) novel. Latin students focus on the study of grammatical structures and vocabulary with a particular emphasis on the influence of Latin on English vocabulary. The course also introduces students to customs and geography through a variety of cultural activities and projects. Art (alternates with Dance and Physical Education) Students are introduced to a variety of media through projects that relate to the elements of art and design. Students discover how the elements of art can be used to express feelings and ideas. Dance (alternates with Art) - A study of a variety of dance forms including jazz, tap, modern and contemporary dance.
Physical Education 7 (semester course alternating days with dance) - Provides an opportunity to develop body awareness and improve sport specific skills. Cooperative team-building activities, skill development, and an introduction of basic rules and strategies are included. Program encourages responsibility, cooperation, self-esteem, and good sportsmanship.
Grade 8
Civics - Examines the core values and ideas that define American culture. The course focuses on history and social development from the Colonial Period through the 20th Century. The study of the U.S. Government is brought to life by a trip to Washington, D.C. in the spring. Modern/Classical Languages IB - This course completes the two-part sequence of level I. It continues to present basic grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Students practice oral and written communication through language lab activities. French and Spanish students read short stories and complete a TPRS (Teaching Proficiency Through Story-telling) novel. Latin students continue the study of grammar and vocabulary and the readings of stories adapted for middle school students. The course also continues to introduce students to new customs and geography through a variety of cultural activities and projects.
Art (one semester) - Building upon the 7th grade art curriculum, students find their personal artistic voice and style. Students are introduced to a variety of media through projects that help them discover an artistic voice. Creative Drama (one semester) - Students explore a variety of communication and theater concepts. Through activities, group work, and performances, students gain self-confidence, cooperation, and time management skills. Music (one semester) - This course leads the student through the historical eras of music from Medieval/ Renaissance through today. Learning to “listen� and discuss styles of music is paramount to the course. Exploration of sound rounds out the course with the design and creation of musical instruments. Physical Education 8 (semester course) - Promotes development in fitness, and team and individual sports. Emphasis on proper use of fitness equipment and importance of a balanced fitness program: endurance, strength, and flexibility. Program encourages responsibility, cooperation, self-esteem and sportsmanship.
“BE WHO YOU ARE AND BE THAT WELL.” -ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
CATHOLIC | INDEPENDENT COED MONTESSORI EARLY CHILDHOOD TODDLER-K | ALL-GIRLS 1-12