Grades Six - Eight

Kathy Davis
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
770-394-2880 ext. 420

At St. Jude the Apostle School, student learning is based on Catholic Doctrine and guided by the educational mission of the Church which embraces three interrelated dimensions: message, service, and community. Our students are valued individuals and our commitment to continuous improvement is imperative in enabling students to become confident, self-directed, culturally aware, lifelong learners.

Writing ( Kindergarten- 8th ):
The Collins Education Associates writing program titled Developing Writing and Thinking Skills Across the Curriculum is taught in all grades. This program presents a model for a writing-across-the-curriculum/writing-to-learn by defining five types of writing assignments and the outcomes expected for each.  The Collins’ program employs challenging and demanding techniques that require the student to be the intellectual worker in the room.  Using frequent writing assignments to increase students’ involvement in lessons, check on their understanding of concepts, and promote their thinking about content all help establish writing efficiency. The program helps students grow as thinkers and writers because it states explicitly what students must do to be successful. St. Jude’s ITBS language scores have increased since our implementation of the Collins’ writing program.

Service Projects ( Kindergarten -8th):
Each child participates in a grade related service project that supports St. Jude’s faith journey of helping and supporting others in and around our community. 

Tutorials:
Tutorials are offered to all Middle School students during lunch/recess or by appointment.

Sixth Grade:
In Religion, students learn traditional prayers and the practices of our Catholic faith, attend Mass and Adoration, and learn to pray the Rosary.  The Christ Our Life religion series by Loyola Press focuses on God’s plan of salvation that started with Adam and Eve and was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  Corporal and spiritual works of mercy and how the students are called to be holy is also emphasized. The Benziger Family Life program offers sixth graders sound moral teachings and practical strategies for Christian living.

Language Arts:
Literature is taught using The Language of Literature series by McDougal Littell. Literature study at this level includes age appropriate genre such as short stories, novels, poetry, and plays.  The program includes activities on content analysis, literary terms, written response, the use of electronic resources, understanding propaganda, and critical thinking evaluation.  Vocabulary is expanded in both spoken and written fields while increasing knowledge of correct spelling.

Language Network: Grammar Writing, Communication published by McDougal Littell assists students in gaining a better understanding of the parts of speech. Students acquire and expand knowledge in usage and mechanics of language while using the Collins Writing Process.

Mathematics Applications and Connections, Course 2 published by the Glencoe/McGraw Hill Company, continues to lay the foundation for the Algebra and Geometry courses that will follow. A main focus is on incorporating problem-solving to enrich the following: number concepts and operations, Algebra, measurement, Geometry, computation, statistics, data analysis, and probability.  Vocabulary relevant to the study of Mathematics will also be stressed in this course.

In Science, experimentation and hands-on activities are used to develop an understanding of the text Earth Science published by Holt Reinhart and Winston. Topics studied are plate tectonics, minerals, rocks, climate, weather, and astronomy.  The steps of the scientific method, researching, measurements in SI units, technology, and the social aspects of the scientific enterprise are all areas incorporated in the sixth grade science experience.

Social Studies is taught using World Explorer: Geography Tools and Concepts and World Explorer: Europe and Russia by Prentice Hall. The course will offer students the opportunity to study the earth giving special consideration to location, place, region, movement, and human/environment interaction.  Students become familiar with the tools of Geography and how the above listed geographical themes apply to daily lives.  A study of the unique geographical, political, and cultural elements of Europe and Russia is also experienced.

Seventh Grade:
Religion:
The Blest Are We series focuses on the Life of Jesus Christ, His birth, teachings, and crucifixion. Studying the Beatitudes and Parables and their application to daily life, along with examining the many forms of prayer and meditations, allows students time to open their hearts and listen to our Lord so they understand and grow in their faith lives. Students attend weekly Mass, Adoration, pray the Rosary, and participate in the Stations of the Cross.

Language Arts:  
Literature, Written Expression, Oral Communication
Literature study at this level includes age appropriate genre such as short stories, poetry, novels, non-fiction, and plays.Middle school level Literature incorporates an active reading program that seeks to strengthen students’ ability to read to learn across the curriculum. The seventh grade curriculum introduces, and provides the framework for students to develop analytical and critical thinking skills through the use of the Active Reading Model which is preview, predict, visualize, connect, question, clarify, and evaluate. 

Employing the Collins Writing approach, students use their grammar and spelling skills in their technical and creative writing which is developed through journal writing, application and analysis essays, student-teacher writing conferencing, and portfolio assessment. Emphasis is placed on the development of a well-constructed five-paragraph literary analysis essay and a research paper utilizing proper MLA citation and documentation with a focus on a clear thesis statement adequately supported by specific and relevant facts or details.

Oral communication at this level focuses on a mature proficiency and command of proper English language usage. Students engage in both formal and informal speeches and presentations for a given audience and purpose.

Seventh grade Grammar reviews all parts of speech, sentence structure, and punctuation.  In addition, there will be major emphasis on expanding the student’s vocabulary.

Math:
Mathematics: Applications and Concepts Course 3 published by Glencoe/McGraw Hill makes connections between different areas of mathematics with emphasis on pre-algebra.  The focus will be on real numbers, proportional reasoning, geometry and measurement, probablility and statistics, and linear and non-linear functions. 

Science:
Seventh grade science focuses on microbiology, botany, animals and genetics. The steps of scientific method, research, SI units, technology, and social impact are also examined. Experiments are a weekly component of 7th grade science.

Social Studies:
Seventh grade students study the physical geography, cultural developments, historical traditions, and economic progress of Asia, the Pacific Region, and Africa in Social Studies. Charts, graphs, and tables are implemented to master geography content.

Eighth Grade:
Religion:
The Blest Are We series is used to focus on the marks of the Church from its beginning, the growth of Christendom, the age of faith and beauty, reason, rebellion, and reform, and returning to the roots of Christianity. Participating in weekly Mass, praying the Rosary, and honoring the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament are integral to their religious experience. 

Language Arts:
Literature study at this level includes age appropriate genre such as short stories, poetry, novels, non-fiction, and plays. The middle school level literature incorporates an active reading program that seeks to strengthen students’ ability to read to learn across the curriculum. The eighth grade curriculum extends the seventh grade curriculum, polishing previously introduced skills to the next level.

Employing the Collins Writing approach, students use their grammar and spelling skills in their technical and creative writing which is developed through journal writing, application and analysis essays, student-teacher writing conferencing, and portfolio assessment. Emphasis is placed on the development of a well-constructed five-paragraph literary analysis essay and a research paper utilizing proper MLA citation and documentation with a focus on a clear thesis statement adequately supported by specific and relevant facts or details.

Oral communication at this level focuses on a mature proficiency and command of proper English language usage. Students engage in both formal and informal speeches and presentations for a given audience and purpose.

Math:
Students in eighth grade are placed in Pre-Algebra or Algebra. Placement is determined following the Archdiocesan standards to ensure that students are both challenged and successful.
Pre-Algebra is designed to extend problem solving and reasoning in order to promote analyzing techniques. Content focus is on integers, rational numbers, linear equations, inequalities, geometry, statistics, polynomials and their connection to algebra.
The objective of Algebra is to prepare our students to go straight into Algebra II and Geometry in high school. The class focus will be on expressions and equations, linear function, polynomials and nonlinear functions, radical and rational functions, and data analysis.   

Science:
Eighth grade Science covers Physics stressing topics such as Newton’s laws of motion, forces, and sound.  Students also concentrate on the periodic table, chemical bonds, and chemical reactions.  The scientific method, research, technology, and social impact are discussed and learned.  Laboratory activities/experiments are incorporated weekly.
Social Studies:
Students study the history of Georgia as well as key events of mid-to-late twentieth century America in eighth grade.  Geographical, geological, and historical aspects of the state of Georgia dating back to its discovery are covered.  The students engage in an in-depth study on Georgia’s state government in preparation for a visit to the Capitol in Atlanta.

Grades Kindergarten –Second Grades
Grades Third - Fifth