6th - 8th

In sixth grade, we focus on helping the students to become independent learners and to be ready to handle the rigor of junior high.  We focus on a growth mindset, encouraging a "can do" attitude and helping students to see that there is a direct correlation between effort and quality of work.  We also emphasize study skills and help the students increase the kinds of tools that they can use to be successful in school.  We believe in cross-curricular instruction and projects are worked on jointly in various core classes.
 

• Language Arts
  • Teacher discussions, both planned and spontaneous, will require effective oral communication. Cooperative writing assignments that relate to our studies may be fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Students are provided opportunities for public speaking, lecturing in Mass, or choral reading. Also, they will have the chance to participate in the Academic Fair, PSIA, and Tri-Core competitions.
• Math
  • Focus on problem-solving, becoming independent learners, and looking at various methods that can be used to solve problems in math. The students are also taught ways to learn concepts independently. Some resources the students have are IXL and Brain Pop, but not inclusively. Students can be part of a math team and compete in Academic Fair, PSIA, and Tri-Core math competitions. 
  • At the beginning of the school year, students are all on the same level. At the end of the year, they will have the opportunity to test to be placed in 7th/8th grade honors classes.  
• Religion
  • Spiritual formation through daily prayer, weekly attendance at mass, confession, studying the lives of the saints, reading the Bible, and class discussion.
  • The curriculum focuses on the Old Testament. Students will begin studying the Old Testament and God's covenants with his people. They will also complete the Theology of the Body curriculum that focuses on helping students understand who they are in their relationship with God. 
  • Students will also complete various service projects, such as working with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, making stocking caps for newborns at Parkland, cleaning the church after Palm Sunday, and working at Shoes for Orphan Soles. Religious formation is completed across all subjects. 
• Science
  • The focus is Earth Science. The students must do independent studies of various topics and present their findings to the class.  Students will use PowerPoint, Excel, as well as Word to present their findings to the class. Students will also work in groups to conduct lab experiments, complete STEM projects, and solve problems. Each sixth-grade student will independently complete a science experiment of their choosing and present their findings to the class. These experiments are independently judged, and the top winners will receive awards. 
• Social Studies
  • Students study World History. We delve into Early Civilizations, from Mesopotamia to the Byzantine Empire. You may find the students working in groups for projects and assignments or independently doing research for information. Skills are emphasized to become independent learners and thinkers.  Students can gather information from class books, the library, and the Internet.