RELIGION

Sadlier’s Faith and Witness Program draws junior high youth into relationship with Jesus and the New Testament, Liturgy and Worship, Church History and Morality. Each Course invites young people to venture further into the mystery of faith and the challenge of discipleship. Through shared study, reflection, prayer, and action in response to God’s word students experience themselves as a small faith community within the larger community of the parish and the Church itself.

ENGLISH

Grade 7: In this course, traditional grammar and usage will be taught. A significant amount of time will be given to punctuation as it relates to creative writing. A writing lab is created for students to experience the process of writing. Students will keep a writer’s journal and develop portfolios to demonstrate their progress and to participate in their evaluation. The students will write an autobiography.

Grade 8: This course is the culmination of the previous two years of grammar, usage and punctuation study. Students will continue to learn more intricate grammatical constructions and how to apply these to a comprehensive writing style. Process writing will also be taught. Students will work on a variety of writing projects ranging from personal essays to research papers.

MATHEMATICS

Grade 7: This course continues the use of the Holt Mathematics series. In 7th grade the Course 3 textbook is used. In this course introductory concepts of algebra are developed with applications interwoven throughout. Topics include but are not limited to, operations with integers, solving single andmulti-step equations, functions, graphing, exponents and roots, and ratios and proportions.

Algebra Concepts Grade 8: This course continues the use of the Holt Mathematics series. In 8th grade, the HOLT Algebra 1 textbook is used. In this course, the foundations of algebra are developed with applications interwoven throughout. Topics include but are not limited to, operations with real numbers, solving single and multi-step equations, proportions, percents, inequalities, functions, linear functions, systems of equations and inequalities, and polynomials.

Algebra 1 Grade 8:  This course continues the use of the Holt Mathematics series. In 8th grade, the HOLT Algebra 1 textbook is used. This course focuses on algebra skills that MAY allow the student to advance past algebra in grade nine. Students will study the language of algebra, single and multi-step equations and inequalities, graphing, functions, linear functions, systems of equations and inequalities, and polynomials. By successfully completing this Algebra course in 8th grade, students may then be able to progress ahead in their high school math programs at an accelerated rate.

SCIENCE

Grade 7: In seventh grade, the three major areas of science, Life, Earth and Physical will be covered in these ways: Cells and Heredity, From Bacteria to Plants in Life Sciences, Astronomy in Earth Science. In Physical Science, Motion, Forces and Energy. Lab experiments and dissections are also included. The goal for this class is that each student develops an appreciation for and understanding of the basic concepts of Science.

Grade 8: This course covers two major areas of science. In Physical Sciences the focus is on CHEMICAL BUILDING BLOCKS and CHEMICAL INTERACTIONS. In Life Science the focus is on HUMAN BIOLOGY and HEALTH. Lab experiments, projects and dissections are also included. The goal for this class is that each student develops an appreciation for and understanding of the basic concepts of science.

AMERICAN HISTORY

Grade 7/8: Students in this course have two years to explore American History. Grade seven students begin with the Native American cultures and move through the Age of Jackson to the 1830’s. Emphasis is placed on the constitution and its meaning.

In grade eight, the pre-Civil War era is taught including events leading to the present. Emphasis is placed on the study of the causes of The Civil War, both World Wars, Westward Expansion, the Reform Movements and the Indian Wars Period. The course covers events through World War II.

LITERATURE

Grade 7/8: Literature is a course in which comprehension; inference and interpretative skills are developed. Literary terms and references are learned and used in a variety of activities. Genres that are focused upon are novels, mythology, folklore, short stories, poetry, and different types of media plays. Students will also read a grade-appropriate novel as a part of their course of work.

VOCABULARY

Grade 7/8: The study of vocabulary is a tool for guiding a stimulating vocabulary growth while preparing students to take the types of standardized vocabulary tests commonly used to assess grade placement, competency for graduation, and college readiness.

SPANISH

This course will reinforce the basic structures (grammar) and vocabulary found in other introductory courses, and will use them as a foundation for entirely new language work. The student is offered an introduction to conversational Spanish as well as Spanish culture; examples of everyday speech in a visual and realistic way, allowing the student to practice these examples through functional exercises. This course will introduce the student to everyday life and provide a taste of art, music and literature of Spain and Latin America.

ART

Students will be exposed to basic art concepts used in the general study of Art History, including practical application of concepts and techniques.

Each time period in Art History will be presented with an introduction, followed by a presentation and demonstration of the assigned project. Completed projects will be evaluated.

Periodic review of each time period, together with a final test, will reinforce learned information.

COMPUTERS

In this course the students will have the opportunity to learn and apply computer technology skills in the areas of technical writing, keyboarding, and word processing. In addition they will expand their knowledge of spreadsheets, drawing programs and Power Point through a series of project based lessons. The students will design and present a Power Point presentation to the class. The students will have limited access to the Internet during class for electronic research and assignments associated with specific web sites. This class also explores the use of computers in society and expands the student’s knowledge of computer terms.

GYM

Grade 7/8: Personal conditioning is emphasized at the middle school level. Areas covered in personal conditioning are aerobic activity, muscular flexibility, muscular strength and endurance. Students are expected to learn six muscles structures and their usage. The most dominant category stressed is healthy citizenship. This includes showing responsibility, effort, self-control, perseverance, exemplary leadership, compassion, and teamwork while participating in games and sports.