Middle School

Grade 5-8
The Middle School Religion Program educates the students to “learn the Catholic Faith and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ”.  

Students:
•  attain the foundation to lead a life of faith, service, and integrity.
•  follow the Liturgical calendar and enter into the prayer life of the Catholic Church.
•  celebrate Holy Days of Obligation and other special saint days.
•  celebrate with the school community at Mass at St. Pius X Church. During Advent, and at other times participate in school-wide prayer service during Advent and other times of the year.
•  pray in the chapel before each Religion class. Formal prayers are learned.
•  learn and pray formal prayers.
•  in Gr. 6-8 complete ten hours of community service each school year.
•  learn the virtues and are encouraged to practice them on a daily basis.

Grade 5-8
The fifth through eighth grade Language Arts/Literature curriculum focuses on the key components of a comprehensive literacy program:
•  Reading
•  Writing
•  Listening
•  Speaking
•  Communicating and collaborating effectively  

Students are exposed to various genres, utilizing the Sadlier or Prentice Hall textbooks, and numerous trade books with a mix of fiction and non-fiction. The genres include:
•  novels
•  short stories
•  poetry
•  plays
•  biographies
•  other nonfiction 

Reading, discussion, analysis, and assessment focus on literary elements such as:
•  main ideas
•  character
•  setting
•  plot
•  theme
•  textual evidence
•  author’s point of view or purpose

Students utilize or access various media:
•  texts
•  trade books
•  video
•  dramatic performances
•  electronic resources

Through the use of informational texts, students successfully access non-fiction material. This crosses over to:
•  areas that require an ability to read, understand, and utilize information such as math, science, and social studies
•  research on a particular topic

The study of proper grammar and mechanics is guided by:
•  Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop
•  Sadlier Grammar Workshop

Writing is an integral component of our daily middle school curriculum. Students explore various writing styles and modes. There are opportunities to develop writing skills in all subjects, to use our tech lab and Chromebooks for research, report writing and creative writing. 

Writing routinely over an extended time, students will individually, or collaboratively, create pieces that:
•  compare/contrast
•  present arguments
•  inform/explain
•  narrate
•  demonstrate research
•  entertain

Grade 5
This course includes instruction based on the Diocese of Fall River and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Standards.

Mathematical concepts and skills introduced for mastery include:
•  operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions
•  skills such as algorithms and data analysis
•  fluency in math vocabulary and reflection on mathematical processes and patterns are stressed
•  problem solving to demonstrate the application of the fundamentals and skills mastered previously

Grade 6
This course includes instruction based on the Diocese of Fall River and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Standards.

The program cultivates:
•  conceptual understanding and procedural fluency
•  provides in-depth instruction in fundamental mathematical concepts, such as place value and the interrelatedness of operations, and in skills such as algorithms
•  fluency with vocabulary and higher-order thinking
•  development of problem-solving strategies

Grade 7 – Pre-Algebra
The Pre-Algebra course is a transition from the arithmetic of elementary school to the algebra of high school, or a transition from the concrete to the abstract study of mathematics.

Grade 7 Pre-Algebra:
•  builds the foundation necessary for success in the study of Algebra I
•  emphasizes conceptual understanding and computational fluency
•  encourages higher-level thinking skills
•  assists students in developing skills and processes to be applied using a variety of techniques to solve problems

Grade 8 – Pre-Algebra:
The Pre-Algebra course is a transition from the arithmetic of elementary school to the algebra of high school, or a transition from the concrete to the abstract study of mathematics.

Grade 8 Pre-Algebra:
•  builds the foundation necessary for success in the study of Algebra I
•  is built on the expectation on mastery in the areas covered in Gr. 7
•  extends the study to include:
– linear functions & inequalities
– geometric measures & coordinate geometry
– patterns & nonlinear functions
– probability & logic
– polynomials & factoring

Grade 8 – Algebra I:
The Algebra I course, based on the diocesan and state standards, is the foundation for high school mathematics courses. It is the bridge from the concrete to the abstract study of mathematics.

Algebra I:
•  provides tools and ways of thinking that are necessary for problem solving in a wide variety of disciplines
•  assists students in developing skills and processes to be applied using a variety of techniques to successfully solve problems in a variety of settings
•  prepares our students for advanced classes at the high school level

Grade 5
Science covers general science topics including:
•  life science (classifying, heredity, and ecology)
•  physical science (matter, types of energy)
•  earth science (climate, astronomy)
•  the human body  

By touching upon a wide variety of topics in grade 5, students build a solid foundation to delve deeper in grades 6-8.

Grade 6
Earth science is the focus of the science curriculum in 6th grade. Through content reading, observations, predictions, and explorations the students pursue the study of:
•  the earth and its layers
•  earthquakes, volcanoes, minerals, and rocks
•  weather and astronomy

Students work in a myriad of lab situations ranging from excavating minerals and examining the impacts of mining on the earth around it, to building structures able to withstand an earthquake. 

Grades 7 & 8
In grades 7 and 8, the curriculum is rotated each year to study both physical and life sciences.  

In physical science, students will learn about:
•  chemical building blocks
•  the periodic table and force/motion  

In life science, they build upon the study of heredity and DNA. Students continue explorations in the science lab and work in group settings.  

It is an imperative skill for students to be able to work cooperatively and respectfully together, as scientists must be able to communicate ideas and learn from peers to be successful. 

Grade 5-8
Over the course of Middle School, students study:
•  World Geography
•  Ancient civilizations including
   – Africa
   – Western Asia
   – Central and South Asia
   – Southeast Asia and Oceana
   – North and East Asia
   – Europe
   – South America
•  World History
•  American History

In addition to textbooks for each grade level, the curriculum is supplemented with:
•  a variety of projects to showcase learning.
•  online resources
•  teacher-created instructional materials
•  field trips
•  articles
•  primary source material
•  historical fiction,
•  plays and educational videos
•  field trips

Through independent study, guided practice, field trips, primary and secondary sources and educational videos, students will gain a deeper understanding of the development of our world and nation.

Grade 5-8
Students have Spanish class three days a week.  Students learn vocabulary, structures, and have many opportunities to practice their speaking and communication skills.