Blest Are We, supplemented by Steps to Respect, Second Steps, Chastitiy Unit and Called to Protect programs. The focus for sixth grade is the Old Testament, however, the text also helps us understand how the Old Testament and New Testament are connected. The supplemental materials are mainly focused on identifying and dealing with bullying, supplemental materials also deal with recognizing and reporting abuse and respecting ourselves in relationships.
The middle school Language Arts curriculum is designed to expose students to a variety of text selections across genres in each year. As students progress through middle school they read and study elements of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama with increasing knowledge and sophistication. In addition to the selections in the adopted text resources, together students participate in an in-depth novel exploration at each grade level. Developing skills in composing written work is an integrated part of our students’ Language Arts studies. Students complete frequent, in-class writing on topics related to the literature studied in class. Students are expected to provide evidence of learning through classwork, exams, essays, speeches, and multi-media presentations.
Text: Mirrors & Windows ©2009 by EMC Publishing, LLC
This course provides opportunities to fine tune basic skills, introduce more complex problem solving strategies, critical thinking skills, and practical applications with ratios and proportions. Geometry, simple probability and pre-algebra round out this core curriculum. The goal is to feel confident in mathematical skills and enjoy math. Problem of the Week: Problems are assigned weekly and initially students are permitted to work in groups to solve them, with written explanations of problem solving strategies completed independently. This provides excellent practice in group work, problem solving strategies, and communication of solution procedures.
Text: Core Focus on Math Stage 1 by SMc Core Focus on Math
Supplementary materials include: Problem of the Week, Focus in Grade 6: Teaching with Math Focal Points, and NCTM Illuminations Website.
Focus is mainly plants, animals, cells, and ecosystems using the scientific inquiry method for labs. Lab opportunities may include growing plants and making observations, dissecting flowers to identify the basic parts, and dissecting owl pellets. Students work with others to gain strength in science performance skills as well as how to cooperate and communicate with others. Sixth graders spend a week at Outdoor School where they focus on faith building, community building and science skills. Parents provide the supervision and are chaperones for this event.
Text: Life Science by Holt Science and Technology.
As students examine and learn about living a healthy lifestyle, activities in class provide time to discuss and apply what they have learned. Students are encouraged to be a catalyst in their own homes for others to live wisely. As students examine various body systems (skeletal, digestive, and nervous), they will begin to recognize how these systems are interconnected. This class meets twice a week.
Text: Teen Heath, Publisher: Harcourt
Ancient Civilizations class requires reading, planning, note taking skills, active listening, diligence and a willingness to apply skills previously learned to academically succeed. Students meet three times a week to learn about people and places such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and China. Students will have opportunities to complete unique projects and other hands on activities.
Text: Ancient Civilizations, Publisher: Harcourt
Collage, lettering, water color and mobiles are the focus. Students use a variety of media to produce artwork. Style focus is surrealism.
Text: Art in Action supplemented by Scholastic Art magazine on Magritte and Dali.
Activities focus on specialized skills and sport activities. Students continue learning and improving sport skills while participating in cooperative games of different types. Students are given the opportunity to participate in a wider variety of individual and team sports. Tournaments are held within specific sports to encourage teamwork, cooperation, and healthy competition. One example of this is the annual badminton doubles-tournament. Greater emphasis is placed on muscular and cardiovascular strength and endurance. Fitness routines are established and implemented to focus students on making personal improvements in different fitness areas. Instruction is given to guide students in making decisions on personal approaches to maintaining physical fitness levels and enhancing their mental and spiritual outlook on life. Students are guided to understand and gain an appreciation for living an active lifestyle and our Schoolwide Learning Expectations are woven throughout the program.
Presidential Fitness Testing: Students are administered fitness testing twice a year. Ample class time is dedicated for students to practice and prepare for these fitness tests as they approach. The Presidential Fitness Testing includes a pull-up test, a sit and reach flexibility test, the shuttle run, a one-minute sit-up test, and a one-mile run.
Cooperative Learning: Throughout the school year students in all grades participate in different cooperative learning exercises and games to promote, practice, and encourage teamwork, communication, and cooperation with classmates. Building relationships within each class and enhancing the school environment is a primary focus.
We explore the richness of Spanish-speaking cultures in support of the experience of learning the Spanish language. Games, stories, puppets, songs, skits, art projects, cooking and cultural information all supplement the study of Spanish. All students use Spanish workbooks and cultural notebooks created especially for Saint Paul School. Middle school students also use a three-part middle school textbook and an interactive DVD.
Goals for students in Middle School:
1. Hear, understand, speak, read and write in Spanish
2. Participate in cultural activities from the Spanish-speaking world
3. Recognize and use Spanish vocabulary and phrases
4. Participate in games, songs and skits that teach Spanish grammar and vocabulary
5. Participate in Spanish conversational exercises called Solo Español Fun, in-depth study of Spanish vocabulary and grammar, greetings, pronouns and simple verbs, following the journey of a boy and his friends across Latin America, interactive DVD for vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar practice, creating altars for El día de los muertos.
Students in Grades 5 - 8 participate in improving performance standards in the All the Right Type keyboarding curriculum. In addition to All The Right Type curriculum, instructional time in the Computer Technology program is devoted to gaining experience and skills that support learning in the content areas curricula such as research, digital presentation, and word processing skills. Students learn and utilize the following programs: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, All the Right Type, Accelerated Reader and Internet Explorer.