Overview:
In the Upper Middle School, we continue our school's philosophy of meeting the unique needs of every student. Our research-based curriculum allows for differentiated teaching, which in turn gives students the opportunity to succeed in their own individual ways. As always, please contact your student's teachers for specifics on assignments or log into Jupiter Ed for secure messaging directly to our staff.
7th grade
Currently, we use textbooks produced by McGraw-Hill (Glencoe Series 2018) for all levels in math in the Upper Middle School which include grade level math, Pre-Algebra, High School Algebra I, and High School Geometry. Teachers incorporate digital material, hands-on learning experiences in the classroom, and also challenge students at their individual levels while moving everyone forward. Our curriculum follows the Common Core Standards and also aligns with the Texas math standards used in Texas public schools.
Math classes also use supplements from a wide range of sources including Singapore math which has been adopted as the main math program for grades K through 5th grade at St. Francis. Additional themes this year include word problem proficiency and strengthening number sense.
Resources
1) New Elementary Math Singapore Math texts for Middle School and Algebra
2) Algebra I (Classic Forester Edition) and Algebra I (Dolciani et al edition)
3) New Syllabus Math Workbooks (Singapore Math)
4) Cooperative Learning Pre-Algebra by Kagan cooperative learning series
Science
Seventh grade earth science will introduce students to the study of Earth and its place in the universe. The course leads students toward a clearer understanding of astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography.
Our units will include information on
The origin of the solar system.
Earth’s interior and plate tectonics.
Landscapes and surface processes.
Geologic history.
The sun-earth-moon system.
Geography, climate and civilization.
Earth’s freshwater and oceans.
By the end of the course, students should be able to
Work collaboratively in teams fulfilling various roles.
Demonstrate an understanding of the universe and solar system.
Discuss the properties and formation of rocks and minerals.
Relate the structure of Earth’s interior to plate movement.
Explain the effects of physical processes on geologic features.
Analyze the evidence that supports the theory that Earth has evolved.
Understand the interactions of Earth’s systems and cycles.
Explain the causes and effects of environmental change, including resource use.
Understand the importance of water to life on earth and why freshwater is a limited resource.
In addition, 7th grade Earth Science includes exploring engineering and technology topics. The Technology we use every day was designed by a team of Engineers all relying on the foundations of Mathematics and Science along with their imaginations to create our cool gadgets, and modern cities. We call that STEM – Science Technology Engineering Mathematics.
Social Studies
During our daily history class 7th graders will pick up where 6th grade left off, with the fall of Rome, and move into the Medieval Period (500 AD - 1500 AD). We will study the change, religions, cultures, and turmoil that engulfed much of the world upon the decline of the great classic civilizations, including the following:
-Europe
-The Middle East
-Africa
-Asia
-The Americas
At some point during the school year, students will also engage in the study of various aspects of Texas history and geography of the state of Texas as well.
Language Arts
7th grade Language Arts is designed for discovery. Using a workshop setting for both reading and writing, students are empowered to make choices on a daily basis. The tools they learn allow them to be independent readers, writers, and thinkers for the rest of their academic careers (and hopefully the rest of their lives).
The beginning of the year is about discovering each student as an individual. This allows for guidance in choosing their reading materials. High expectations are set, requiring a certain number of books in a variety of genres. In class, we read and discuss different types of literature as students are introduced to the elements of fiction: shorts stories, plays, poetry, mythology, and novels. Students also examine a variety of non-fiction texts and learn how to interpret and analyze different styles of writing.
In writing workshop, students are guided in discovering your own voice. By looking at a variety of model texts, they learn to write a number of different styles. They are also taught to find their own personal writing process. Knowing how to approach and improve upon writing allows students independence in future writing projects.
Resources:
Foreign Language
Spanish
Foreign language studies open doors into the global communities. Learning a foreign language is not only to enrich one’s education by studying culture, religion, society, history and geography. It really goes much further when students are reached on a deeper level. It is to gain a new soul.
Our current Spanish programs utilize a fascinating combination of humanistic approach (based on Suggestology-Desuggestive teaching, known as Accelerated Learning Methodology) with the most recent technology in language acquisition.
Spanish IA
The objective of this course is to introduce the student to basic vocabulary and grammatical structures of the Spanish language as well as to Hispanic culture abroad and here in the United States. The course prepares a foundation in each of the four language skills of speaking, writing, reading and listening comprehension. Situational dialogues, paired activities, role play, skits and oral evaluations allow students to develop their communicative skills in Spanish. Students also receive a strong grounding in the grammar of the language and acquire a broad range of vocabulary that enriches their communication and expression.
The foundation of language learning will be based on comprehension (listening and reading skills). The students’ speech will be allowed to emerge in stages and will be corrected only indirectly. Our goal is for the students to enjoy Spanish and to build a strong foundation.
Resources
2008 Holt Rinehart Winston, Book Holt Spanish 1 !Exprésate!., and supplemental readings.
Topics to be covered
Latin
Latin 1A & 1B
Two years of Latin at St. Francis is equivalent to one year of high school Latin. We follow the Cambridge Latin Course which is used by most of the High Schools in the Austin Area, so students will have the same base of knowledge no matter which high school they choose. Students tend to follow two paths. Those who devote themselves to mastering the morphology of Latin go on the complete their HS requirement in Latin. Students who go on to study other languages in high school nonetheless “learn how to learn” a foreign language. By studying Latin, students will, of necessity, learn and practice the nuts-and-bolts of language: parts-of-speech, vocabulary, grammar and syntax. Because Latin is highly “Synthetic” (word endings and infixes are of paramount importance), while English is “analytic”(word order takes priority), former students have found that a previous knowledge of Latin has helped when studying synthetic Languages such as Russian or German or even Sanskrit or Ancient Greek as well as many other Indo-European Languages that use noun case-endings and verbal inflections. Students who later study Japanese have found that the Japanese particle system works similarly to the Latin case endings.
In addition to reading and translation students complete projects such as building a model of a Roman home or an ancient temple. Students also create “re-imaginations” where we read a selection from Homer or Vergil in translation, then each student reimagines the story it whatever medium of art they choose: poetry, drawing, painting, sculpture, making a movie, or writing a song. At the end of Seventh grade we write a speech of praise. Students will choose a real person who is no longer living.
Grading: common 70%, morphology 20%, game 10%. During class we have games such as “Agmen” a vocabulary and morphology contest and “Roman Hold’em” a sentence composition contest. There is a morphology quiz every Wednesday, stage quizzes every two-three weeks, a translation final at the end of every semester.
8th grade
Math
Currently, we use textbooks produced by McGraw-Hill (Glencoe Series 2018) for all levels in math in the Upper Middle School which include grade level math, Pre-Algebra, High School Algebra I, and High School Geometry. Teachers incorporate digital material, hands-on learning experiences in the classroom, and also challenge students at their individual levels while moving everyone forward. Our curriculum follows the Common Core Standards and also aligns with the Texas math standards used in Texas public schools.
Math classes also use supplements from a wide range of sources including Singapore math which has been adopted as the main math program for grades K through 5th grade at St. Francis. Additional themes this year include word problem proficiency and strengthening number sense.
Resources
1) New Elementary Math Singapore Math texts for Middle School and Algebra
2) Algebra I (Classic Forester Edition) and Algebra I (Dolciani et al edition)
3) New Syllabus Math Workbooks (Singapore Math)
4) Cooperative Learning Pre-Algebra by Kagan cooperative learning series
Science
Curiosity makes the best scientists! The 8th grade students will be learning by doing. As they progress through a sequence of laboratory and field activities, they will learn how scientists develop new knowledge. They will build on concepts and skills previously investigated, and be encouraged to wrestle with problems and pursue their intuitions.
We will be investigating four main topics throughout the year: