MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

SIXTH GRADE

Mathematics
The sixth-grade standards place continued emphasis on the study of whole numbers, decimals, and rational numbers (fractions), and integers. Students will use ratios to compare data sets; make conversions within a given measurement system; classify three-dimensional figures; collect, analyze, display, and interpret data, using a variety of graphical and statistical methods; begin using integers and percents; find the probability of an event; and investigate numerical and geometric patterns. Students will be introduced to algebraic terms and solving algebraic equations in one variable.

Language Arts
The sixth-grade student will be an active participant in classroom discussions. The student will present personal opinions, understand differing viewpoints, distinguish between fact and opinion, and analyze the effectiveness of group communication. The student will begin the study of word origins and continue vocabulary development. The student will read independently a variety of fiction and nonfiction, including a significant number of classic works for appreciation and comprehension. The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit narratives, descriptions, poems, and explanations, with attention to composition and style as well as sentence formation, usage, and mechanics. The student will also demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. In addition, reading and writing will be used as tools for learning academic concepts, and available technology will be used as appropriate.

Science
The Life Science standards emphasize a more complex understanding of change, cycles, patterns, and relationships in the living world. Students build on basic principles related to these concepts by exploring the cellular organization and the classification of organisms; the dynamic relationships among organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems; and change as a result of the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation. Inquiry skills at this level include organization and mathematical analysis of data, manipulation of variables in experiments, and identification of sources of experimental error.

Social Studies
These standards enable students to explore the historical development of people, places, and patterns of life from ancient times until 500 A.D. in terms of the impact on Western civilization. The study of history rests on knowledge of dates, names, places, events, and ideas. Historical understanding, however, requires students to engage in historical thinking: to raise questions and marshal evidence in support of their answers. Students engaged in historical thinking draw upon chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretation, historical research, and decision making. These skills are developed through the study of significant historical substance from the era or society being studied.

Religion
The Sixth Grade Religion curriculum emphasizes the study of God’s saving love as it is revealed in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament. Students increase their knowledge of salvation history, gain an appreciation of their ties to Jewish people and most importantly deepen their understanding of Jesus.

SEVENTH GRADE

Mathematics
The seventh-grade standards place emphasis on solving problems involving consumer applications, using proportional reasoning, and gaining proficiency in computations with integers. The students will gain an understanding of the properties of real numbers, solve one-step linear equations and inequalities, and use data analysis techniques to make inferences, conjectures, and predictions. Two- and three-dimensional representations, graphing transformations in the coordinate plane, and probability will be extended.

Language Arts
The seventh-grade student will continue to develop oral communication skills and will become more knowledgeable of the effects of verbal and nonverbal behaviors in oral communication. The student will continue to read a wide variety of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry while becoming more independent and analytical. The student will continue to refine written composition skills, with special attention to word choice, organization, style, and grammar. Written explanations will utilize informational writing skills, and persuasive writing will be introduced. The student will continue vocabulary development through a study of figurative language and continuing study of roots and affixes. Knowledge of the impact of media on public opinion will be introduced. The student will increase proficiency in the use of print and electronic information resources and will learn ways to give credit to reference sources. The student will also demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking.

Science
The Physical Science standards continue to build on skills of systematic investigation with a clear focus on variables and repeated trials. Validating conclusions using evidence and data becomes increasingly important at this level. Students will plan and conduct research involving classroom experimentation. Research methods and skills highlight practical problems and questions. Students will share their work, using written reports and other presentations. The Physical Science standards stress an in-depth understanding of the nature and structure of matter and the characteristics of energy. The standards place considerable emphasis on the technological application of physical science principles. Major areas covered by the standards include the organization and use of the periodic table; physical and chemical changes; temperature and heat; sound; light; electricity and magnetism; and work, force, and motion.

Social Studies
These standards enable students to cover history and geography from 500 A.D. to the present, with emphasis on Western Europe. Geographic influences on history continue to be explored, but increasing attention is given to political boundaries that developed with the evolution of nations. Significant attention will be given to the ways in which scientific and technological revolutions created new economic conditions that in turn produced social and political changes. Noteworthy people and events of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries will be emphasized for their strong connections to contemporary issues.

Religion
The Seventh Grade religion curriculum emphasizes the study of the New Testament, including the teachings of Jesus, his death, and his resurrection. Students also study various parables and miracles performed by Jesus, in addition to his choice of apostles.

EIGHTH GRADE

Mathematics
The eighth-grade standards contain both content that reviews or extends concepts and skills learned in previous grades and new content that prepares students for more abstract concepts in algebra and geometry. Students will gain proficiency in computation with rational numbers (positive and negative fractions, positive and negative decimals, whole numbers, and integers) and use proportions to solve a variety of problems. New concepts include solving two-step equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations, visualizing three-dimensional shapes represented in two-dimensional drawings, applying transformations to geometric shapes in the coordinate plane, and using matrices to organize and interpret data. Students will verify and apply the Pythagorean Theorem and represent relations and functions using tables, graphs, and rules.

Language Arts
The student will demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. The student will plan, draft, revise, and edit writing, with emphasis on exposition and persuasion. The student will apply reading and writing skills in all subjects, as well as respond critically to literature. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations and figurative language. The student will become a skillful interpreter of the persuasive strategies used in print and mass media. The student will continue to develop an appreciation for literature through a study of a wide variety of selections. The student will describe themes or inferred main ideas, interpret cause-effect relationships, and draw conclusions from a variety of literary and informational selections.

Science
The Earth Science standards connect the study of the Earth’s composition, structure, processes, and history; its atmosphere, fresh water, and oceans; and its environment in space. The standards emphasize historical contributions in the development of scientific thought about the Earth and space. The standards stress the interpretation of maps, charts, tables, and profiles; the use of technology to collect, analyze, and report data; and the utilization of science skills in systematic investigation. Problem solving and decision making are an integral part of the standards, especially as they relate to the costs and benefits of utilizing the Earth’s resources. Major topics of study include plate tectonics, the rock cycle, Earth history, the oceans, the atmosphere, weather and climate, and the solar system and universe.

Social Studies
The standards for Maryland and United States History include the historical development of American ideas and institutions from the Age of Exploration to the present. While focusing on political and economic history, the standards provide students with a basic knowledge of American culture through a chronological survey of major issues, movements, people, and events in United States and Maryland history. Students should use historical and geographical analysis skills to explore in depth the events, people, and ideas that fostered our national identity and led to our country’s prominence in world affairs. Students also examine fundamental constitutional principles, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, the political culture, the policy-making process at each level of government, and the operation of the United States market economy.

Religion
The Eighth Grade religion curriculum emphasizes the history of the Catholic Church, including the Middle Ages. Students also study the Acts of the Apostles and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in preparation for Confirmation.