The curriculum for the Grades 6-8 is designed to be challenging and rigorous: enabling our students to be well prepared for the high school environment. Each student is required to take science, religion, math, history, physical education, and language arts.
Below is additional detail on the middle school curriculum. This information is also available in pamphlet form.
Middle School Areas of Instruction
Core Area
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6th Grade
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7th Grade
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8th Grade
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Religion
The
middle school religion program offers students the opportunity to study and
live the Catholic Faith. The Old and New Testament, the life of Jesus, the
Sacraments, prayer, community service, and church history are all integral
parts of the middle school religion program.
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Opportunity to study and live the
Catholic Faith. Old Testament salvation
history, liturgical seasons, prayer, worship, liturgy planning, and community
service.
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The
New Testament and the life of Jesus, the Sacraments, prayer and community
service, personal responsibility, and Christian relationships.
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The
New Testament and the history of the Christian Church from the Apostles to the
present day. Community service, prayer,
and modern-day religion topics are integrated into the curriculum. |
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Language Arts
The
language arts curriculum is designed to engage our students in speaking,
reading, writing, and listening. The writing process is used to develop
creativity and effective communication using a variety of writing modes.
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Literature: Reading
for enjoyment; comprehension, literary techniques, vocabulary, reading
strategies, and analytical thinking using a variety of genres.
English:
Writing
for different purposes and audiences, spelling, grammar, speech, writing
process. |
Literature: Reading
for enjoyment; comprehension, literary techniques, vocabulary, reading
strategies, and analytical thinking using a variety of genres.
English:
Writing
for different purposes and audiences, spelling, grammar, speech, writing
process. |
Literature: Novel studies, poetry, short stories, plays, and non-fiction works from a
variety of genre. Vocabulary, comprehension, literary elements, and techniques.
Reading for enjoyment.
English: Writing for different purposes
and audiences, spelling, grammar, speech, writing process. |
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Science
The
science curriculum includes one year of each: Earth, Life, and Physical
Science. Projects such as the Regional Science Fair, OutdoorSchool,
and Science Bowl are just a few of the enrichment opportunities available to
Middle School students.
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Earth
Science is the main focus of the 6th grade curriculum. Students study soil,
plants, trees, animals, the solar system and the scientific method. Students
attend Outdoor School in the Spring. |
Life
Science is the focus of the 7th grade curriculum. Students study cell biology,
genetics, classification, and complete the year with comparative anatomy. 7th
graders study the complexity of organisms through research and dissection. They
also participate in the Science Bowl and the Regional Science Fair. |
Physics
and Chemistry are the focus of the 8th grade curriculum. In physics students
study forces, motion, and energy. The Physics course concludes with a Roller
Coaster Physics project, which includes the design and construction of a class
coaster. Chemistry involves the study of the atom, the Periodic Table, chemical
bonding, and chemical reactions. 8th graders are also involved in the Science
Bowl and the Regional Science Fair. |
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Math
The
focus of Cathedral's math program is to provide students with a solid
conceptual understanding of fractions, decimals, and integers, and their
operations. Students participate in hands-on problem solving using a variety of
processes and strategies.
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Problem
solving is the foundation of our program, and students are exposed to algebra
while deepening their conceptual understanding of whole number, decimal, and
fraction operations. Probability
statistics and geometry are integrated into the curriculum. |
Students
continue to develop advanced problem-solving abilities based in beginning
algebra and geometry. Students focus on
pre-algebra concepts, proportional reasoning, percentages, positive and
negative number operations, and a unit focused on geometry. |
Pre-algebra
and algebra are offered to 8th graders.
In the pre-algebra program, students continue to extend and solidify the
concepts learned in the previous years' math experience. This course is
designed to fit the individual needs of each student. Standard high school
algebra I is also offered in the 8th grade.
Admission is by assessment and teacher recommendation. |
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Social Studies
Three
years of diverse study about our world and history makes up the Social Studies
curriculum. The Western Hemisphere, Eastern Hemisphere
and US History are covered.
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Major
events, issues, development, and current situations for the Western
Hemisphere, as well as the challenges of global interdependence. |
Major
events, issues, development, and current situations for the Eastern
Hemisphere, as well as the challenges of global interdependence. |
The
class studies major events of United
States study
events such as: September 11, the 1960’s, the Cold War, World Wars I and II,
and the founding of the republic. Students study current events and have the
opportunity to travel to Washington,
DC. history and how those events shape
our 21st century lives. Students |
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Spanish
The
Cathedral Spanish program is designed to enable students to acquire a basic
mastery of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The main focus of
the class is the comprehension of the language.
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Focuses
on applying the basics learned in previous years. Review of basic vocabulary,
present tense verbs, future tense, how to use common expressions with sertener, discuss likes and dislikes, basic geography of the Spanish-speaking
world.
and |
Focuses
more in depth on the grammar and the application of vocabulary. The students
will review present tense verbs, introduce reflexive and stem changing verbs,
develop the writing process as well as focus on oral projects about how
Hispanic issues relate to Americans. |
Focuses
more on comprehension of the language. The students will continue to focus on
grammar, reviewing the present tense and start to focus on the past tenses, as
well as practical vocabulary. Students will work on a variety of projects
including a country report, skits, and compositions. |
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Computer Education
The
computer is considered a tool that students use to enhance their learning.
Skills are learned in the lab and practiced within the curriculum of core
subject areas.
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Project-based
learning incorporating Microsoft Word 2000, PowerPoint 2000, Publisher 2000,
Web Research, Hyper Studio, and Keyboarding. |
Project-based
learning incorporating Microsoft Word 2000, PowerPoint 2000, Publisher 2000,
Web Research, Hyper Studio, and Keyboarding. |
Project-based
learning incorporating Microsoft Word 2000, PowerPoint 2000, Publisher 2000,
Web Research, Hyper Studio, and Keyboarding. |
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Health/Physical Education
Health
is comprised of three years of progressive study woven around the concepts of
physical, mental/emotional, social, and spiritual health.
Physical
Education is a balance between team and individual sports, fitness, and
cooperative activities.
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Introduction
of the health triangle, body systems, nutrition, physical activity and fitness,
family life, safety, injury, and violence prevention, consumer, community, and
environmental health, disease control and prevention, and alcohol, tobacco, and
drugs. |
Integrating
wellness into the health triangle, body systems, nutrition, physical activity
and fitness, family life, safety, injury, and violence prevention, consumer,
community, and environmental health, disease control and prevention, and
alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. |
Mastery
of the concepts involving the health triangle, body systems, nutrition,
physical activity and fitness, family life, safety, injury, and violence
prevention, consumer, community, and environmental health, disease control and
prevention, and alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. |
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