St. Dennis School - Middle School

Middle School

Welcome to Middle School at St. Dennis
	Middle School is a very exciting time for everyone: students, parents and teachers. Since a good academic foundation has already been set, topics can now be explored in greater depth. Homework is a key element of the instructional program. Much is happening in the lives of these young people. They report to several teachers in a day and have lots of outside activities. Their Middle School years present a wonderful opportunity for them to learn time management and study skills.

Religion

6th Grade Religion:

We are going through the Old Testament in sixth grade. Students are learning and reading the Bible stories as well as learning about the history of the Catholic Church. Students keep a journal every day in learning a verse and answering questions in our religion unit. There are many times that we will be in small groups as we discuss and ask questions.

7th Grade Religion:

The New Testament is studied in the first semester and the Creed is studied in the second semester.

We have many discussions and do a large amount of reading straight from the Bible. Giving students an understanding of the Bible is essential to their religious education.

The students also answer questions in a daily journal based on a verse or verses they read out of the Bible.

8th Grade Religion:

This year, the focuses in religion are Church History and morals.

The beginnings of our Catholic Church and how it is tied in with the Church today is studied during the first semester.

The second semester is devoted to morals. Dealing with growing up, self-esteem, making choices, and maturity while still keeping God in our lives are some of the issues discussed during this time.

During both semesters, some journal writing and lots of discussion are key to making this a successful class.

Reading

6th Grade Reading:

In reading, we use a text book and novels, while pulling in many other subjects as we read. Students will be reading and evaluating each other's stories, many times working in small group to discuss the story that we are on. There is a lot of cooperative learning going on and individual activities to stretch student's minds.

Once a week we will have a whole period just to sit back and read a book of our choice. Once finished with this book, the students will give a brief report to the teacher as well as show the next book they are starting.

7th and 8th Grade Reading:

The seventh and eighth grade reading program is taught by four teachers, with students rotating amongst them on a quarterly basis. In this way, the students are exposed to a number of different subject "themes" and genre during the year.

English

6th, 7th and 8th Grade English:

Students will be learning grammar, parts of speech, spelling and writing skills in this class.

We will be writing throughout the whole year. During the first half of the year writing labs will consist of 4 weeks; the first week spent teaching the concept and making sure the students understand, while the remaining three weeks will be in writing a short story using the concepts we have just learned. At the end of those weeks the stories will be handed in and graded.

During the second half of the year, we will be learning concepts of research papers. Each student will complete two research papers by the end of the year. Through this whole process grammar, parts of speech, spelling and writing skills will be applied.

$Mathematics Girl$

Middle School Mathematics

Our Middle School mathematics program is based on a student's progress in understanding math concepts, rather than their grade level. Special emphasis will be given to make sure students do not fall behind.

There are four tiers of Middle School mathematics - Standard 6th Grade Mathematics, General Mathematics, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra 1.

This learning structure - having students progress through the different levels at a pace which will maximize their ability to understand and benefit from the concepts presented - has been very successful. Each year, a number of St. Dennis school graduates are able to move directly into Honors Geometry in high school.

Standard 6th Grade Mathematics:	General Mathematics:
Whole numbers Multiplying and dividing whole numbers and decimals Using data and statistics Number theory and fractions Adding and subtracting fractions Multiplying and dividing fractions Measurement Ratios, proportions and probability Understanding and using percents Geometry - perimeter, area, volume Integers and equations	Problem solving Number relationships and fractions and their operations Algebra and integers Ratios and proportions Percents and decimals Data analysis and statistics Geometry in space and plane Algebra equations and functions

Pre Algebra:	Algebra 1:
Patterns Solving algebraic equations Integers Data and graphs Number theory Rational numbers and percents Proportion, percent and probability Real numbers and inequalities Geometry concepts Linear equations	Properties of real numbers Solving and graphing linear equations Solving and graphing linear inequalities Solving and graphing functions Solving and graphing linear systems Exponents and exponential functions Quadratic equations and functions Polynomials and factoring Solving radical equations Connections to geometry

Science

6th Grade Science:

The Earth is studied during the sixth grade year. We begin with the solar system (planets, constellations, etc...) and then move on to with the study of the eras of the earth. We will study the oceans, ecosystems, rocks, minerals and much more.

7th Grade Science:

The study of life is the topic of seventh grade science. We begin with the study of cell structure, both animal and plant, and then move into the various kingdoms of the earth. All plant and animal life is studied during this year. We also include the various body systems at the end of the year.

8th Grade Science:

We begin eighth grade with the study of physics. We will learn all about friction, motion, and other related topics. This will last the first semester. Within this semester, there will be several projects to help "cement" these topics in student's minds.

The last semester focuses on chemistry. We will have many hands-on experiments. This is a great way to end our students' stay at St. Dennis.

Social Studies

6th Grade Social Studies:

This year we will be learning about ancient civilizations. Students will learn about the very first cities in the world:

Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
The Roman Empire
Medieval Times

7th Grade Social Studies:

This year, students will be studying geography. We'll do this by looking closely at the five themes of geography:

Location
Movement
Region
Human Environmental Relationship
Places

8th Grade Social Studies:

This year, the birth of our nation and development of our government are explored. Then, major wars and conflicts are investigated.

St. Dennis Spanish Curriculum

The goal of the Spanish program at St. Dennis is to introduce students to another language and culture. The goal IS NOT to prepare students to move into second year Spanish at the high school level. Some students may feel very comfortable taking first year Spanish at an accelerated rate, though.

At all three grade levels, vocabulary and pronunciation will be stressed. Students will develop the confidence to practice their conversational Spanish skills with their classmates. Since Spanish speaking countries are overwhelmingly Catholic, prayers will be taught in Spanish and our religion will be incorporated as we discuss culture.

6th Grade Spanish:

Pronunciation

Vocabulary

Geography

People and Culture

7th Grade Spanish:

Grammar and Sentence Structure

Conjugating Verbs

Reading

Writing

8th Grade Spanish:

Grammar and Sentence Structure

Reading

Writing

Speaking


Thoughts from our Middle School Teachers

Our Seventh Grade Teacher, Ms. Maxson, as drawn by her student, James

Seventh Grade Teacher Thoughts:

"Students should frequently encounter problem solving situations, enabling them to become independent thinkers. ...The making of wise decisions within a safe classroom environment gives them experiences to draw upon when they are faced with life decisions in the future. ...By solving problems and practicing the skill of good decision making through the various studies of science, the students will be empowered in future endeavors."

Ms. Maxson, Seventh Grade Teacher

Our Eighth Grade Teacher, Mrs. Hesse, as drawn by her student, Katie

Eighth Grade Teacher Thoughts:

"...A teacher's primary job is to make certain that his or her students feel happy, safe, worthy and wanted to the best of his or her ability. ...Teachers are role models. ...our Catholic Christian community invites and nurtures prayer, shared feelings and respect for each other."

Mrs. Hesse, Eighth Grade Teacher

Our Spanish Teacher, Ms. Burrill, as drawn by her student, Cassie

Spanish Teacher Thoughts:

"Learning about a new culture and language should be fun! We do a lot of games and other fun activities to reinforce what we are learning."

Mrs. Burrill, Spanish Teacher