Our Lady of the Lakes Middle School
Course Description Catalog

SIXTH GRADE CURRICULUM SUMMARY

S06 – GRADE SIX - SCIENCE

This course will focus on earth science with a study of several main topics throughout the year. They include meteorology, oceanography, geology, and astronomy. Emphasis will be on using process skills as well as problem solving, application, and analysis of information.

LA06 – GRADE SIX - LANGUAGE ARTS

Students will produce a variety of written works including personal narratives, biographies, letters, research reports, persuasive essays, and short stories. Students will also study basic grammar such as nouns, adjectives, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, and sentence types. The writing and grammar units alternate throughout the year.

Note: Spelling and handwriting will be combined with English to create Language Arts.

SS06 – GRADE SIX - SOCIAL STUDIES

This class will focus on regions of the Eastern Hemisphere stressing history, geography, citizenship, and humanities. We will be studying the Earth, the beginnings of civilization, Ancient Europe, the Growth of Europe, Modern Europe and Russia, Africa south of the Sahara, South Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and Australia. The students will have a Renaissance project and festival during the first quarter and a research project during the fourth quarter.

B06 – GRADE SIX – COMPUTER SKILLS

This course will build and extend technology skills taught in the elementary level. Students will master skills in keyboarding to 20 word per minute at 90% accuracy, using a paint/draw/graphics application , and word processing. They will begin skill acquisitions in the areas of multimedia, electronic presentations,

Databases, spreadsheets and desktop publishing. Students will refine skills related to networks, information systems and the Internet. After completing the class, students will be expected to use these skills throughout their middle school years in other areas of the curriculum.

R06 – GRADE SIX - RELIGION

Class will focus on the Old Testament and living the Good News. The students will attend weekly liturgy and part of their religion grade will reflect their attendance, behavior, and growth in understanding of the Mass.

Students will review decimals, fractions, and integers while using the four basic operations. During the second semester we will be introducing geometry concentrating on area, perimeter, and volume of polygons, circles, prisms, as well as basic algebra.

The Physical Education component of this semester long class will focus on improving cardiovascular fitness as well as developing muscular strength and endurance. Students will develop sports skills and knowledge of sports rules through fun games, competitions and sports. Sports included in P.E. include, but are not limited to soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, floor hockey and ‘gym’ football. Fitness activities including jump rope, running, a variety of exercises, and aerobic dance will be included in the program.

The Health component will focus on developing a healthy lifestyle. Topics include social problems, stress and anger, fitness, nutrition, the circulatory system, alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and physical changes at puberty.

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SEVENTH GRADE CURRICULUM SUMMARY

 S07 – Grade 7 - Science

Seventh grade Science concentrates on an introduction to the physical sciences. Topics will include force and motion, heat, chemistry, light sound, electricity, and waves. As this is an introductions to more advanced studies, vocabulary and basic concept development will be emphasized. Lab work will be completed in class to further develop the concepts presented in the chapter.

R07 – Grade 7 - Religion

Seventh grade Religion will focus on Jesus Christ – His life, His teachings, and His continuing presence in the Church. A thorough exploration of the New Testament, a look at the development of Christology and a review of the sacraments are combined with activities and prayers that will help students in their search for a mature faith. Weekly mass attendance and behavior will be a part of the classroom grade.

SS07 - Grade 7 - Social Studies

Seventh grade Social Studies will focus on the physical and cultural geography of the eight major regions of the world. We will be studying the United States and Canada, Latin America, Western Europe, Russia and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Southern and Eastern Asia, and the Pacific. The students will have a Renaissance project and festival during the first quarter and a research project during the fourth quarter.

Students will experience an in depth study of grammar which includes diagramming sentences, usage, and mechanics. They will also explore written and oral communication through the use of various projects. The curriculum is split into two sections alternating at mid-year. One section contains grammar and diagramming with the other emphasizing written and oral communication, usage and mechanics. Students will continue their study of literary genres. They will enjoy a variety of short stories while recognizing the elements of plot, setting, and cause and effect relationships. They will also learn about plays, and novels.

M07 – Grade 7 - Mathematics

Students will be reviewing the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) as they apply to integers, decimals, and fractions. Graphing and interpreting data, perimeter of polygons, estimation and scientific notation will also be covered. During the second semester students will cover algebra, geometry, statistics, and surface area and volume.

M017 – PRE-ALGEBRA 7

This course is designed to prepare students for algebra. They will be introduced to variable operations and inequalities, while strengthening their skills with fractions and mixed numerals. Placement in Pre-Algebra is to be determined by standardized test scores and/or teacher recommendations.

PE07- Grade 7- P.E./Health

The Physical Education component of this semester long course will focus on continued improvement of cardiovascular fitness as well as developing muscular strength and endurance. Students will develop sports skills and knowledge of sports rules through fun games, competitions, and sports.

The Health component will focus on emergency situations. Students will complete the American Red Cross standard First Aid Course (including CPR). A more in depth look will be taken at tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. A study of the reproductive system is included.

A07-Grade 7-Art

This semester long course is an exploration of the different areas of art. Areas include; drawing, painting, colored pencil, and sculpture. Students will learn the basic skills of drawing portraits of people. They will also learn about the relationships between spaces and shapes. Time will also be spent on color, tints, shades, and color relationships.

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EIGHTH GRADE CURRICULUM SUMMARY

E08 - ENGLISH 8

This course explores language emphasizing a four skill approach - reading, writing, speaking and listening. Learning an appreciation for and gaining an understanding of various forms of literature such as the short story, poetry, novel and drama are a major focus. Library research techniques are also introduced.

M08 – MATH 8

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to perfect their computational skills involving decimals, fractions and integers. Students will also learn to solve simple equations and to evaluate expressions involving order of operations. Other topics will include ratio, proportion and percents, measurements, geometry and number theory.

M018 – PRE-ALGEBRA 8

This course is designed to prepare students for algebra. They will be introduced to variable operations and inequalities, while strengthening their skills with fractions and mixed numerals. Placement in Pre-Algebra is to be determined by standardized test scores and/or teacher recommendations.

(Pre-requisite Teacher Recommendation and ‘C’ in pre-algebra)

The main focus of the first semester is the mastery of operations with integers, order of operations and solving of one, two and three step equations and inequalities. In the second semester, polynomials, factoring, and linear graphing are studied. Linear and quadratic functions are explored. Story problems/applications are thoroughly studied.

R08 – RELIGION 8

JESUS AND THE GOSPELS

In an introduction to Catholicism, students will study the key teachings from Scripture and relate them to their own experiences. They will also form a better understanding of the elements of discipleship by exploring and dialoguing on the purpose of basic Christian beliefs while learning how to integrate them meaningfully into their emerging Christian way of life.

First Semester: Introduction to Biology

Topics to be covered include the methods of science as they relate to biology, cell parts and function, chemistry of living things, and the general characteristics of the five kingdoms.

Second Semester: Biological Diversity

Topics to be covered include the history of life classification. Genetics, an in-depth study of the animal, protist, moneran, and fungi kingdoms, and human life – it’s systems and functions.

H08 – AMERICAN HISTORY 8

This introductory American History course is designed to give students a basic understanding of the development of our country. Emphasis is placed upon important events which have influenced the direction of the United States, important people whose ideas have kept the United States successful and prosperous, and political and cultural trends which have either been effects of change or catalysts of change.

BO2 – 8^TH GRADE KEYBOARDING &

WORD PROCESSING

This semester long class gives students an opportunity to learn the correct method of keyboarding (typing). At first they will work on basic typing skills, proper fingering, accuracy, speed, and keyboard command recognition. Then students are introduced to the creation of letters, memos, charts, tables, reports, and other kinds of format by using a business word processor application , and learning the various techniques and formatting commands involved.

F08-EXPLORING SPANISH

This semester long course will introduce the student to the study of Spanish. Students will learn basic vocabulary, present tense verb conjugations, and limited conversational skills. There will also be a study of Spanish culture.

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