MATH:

                  Grade 7

Text: PRE - ALGEBRA, Prentice Hall California Edition,2001.

  Textbook supplemented with a practice workbook,
problem solving puzzles and games, cooperative learning, and writing to develop communication skills.

                        Assignments - must be completed on time.

                        Absence - Students must discuss missing class and home assignments with the teacher.

                        Homework - Students will be told the number of points to be given for individual homework assignments. Points will be recorded for completion of the work as assigned.

            Course of study:
              Review - Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
                       of decimals, and fractions in preparation for the ITBS test.
             Geometry - elementary concepts of plane geometry                        Pre-Algebra - Basic concepts, equations and variables,
evaluating expressions, solving one-step equations and inequalities, graphing equations and inequalities, rational numbers, using exponents.
            Percents - Basic concepts, practical applications.
            Integers - Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
of positive and negative numbers, graphing on a coordinate plane
             Ratio and Proportion - introduce concepts of ratio, rate, and
proportion, some practical applications.
            Statistics - Introduce statistical terms, various simple graphs
interpreted.

Grade 8

                        Text: ALGEBRA , Prentice Hall California Edition, 2001.

Textbook supplemented with a practice workbook, problem solving activities, puzzles, games, cooperative learning, and writing to develop communication skills.

Assignments - must be completed on time.

Absence - Students must discuss missing class and home assignments with the teacher.
                                                                       
Homework - Students will be told the number of points to be given to individual homework assignments. Points will be recorded for completion of the work as assigned.

                        Course of study:

REVIEW- Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division of decimals and fractions, percent, integers, and rational numbers in preparation for the ITBS test.
                                               
ALGEBRA- The course of study includes the following
topics:

Introduction to Algebra; Integers and Rational Numbers;            Equations; Inequalities; Exponents and Polynomials; Polynomials and Factoring; Graphs and Linear Equations; and Inequalities and Absolute Values.

READING

Grade 7

Text: Prentice Hall Literature,TIMELESS VOICES, TIMELESS THEMES,Bronze Level 7, New Jersey; Pearson Education Inc., 2005

This text supports the California Language Arts Standards and Framework

Subject Matter: The text, TIMELESS VOICES, TIMELESS THEMES, incorporates multiple strategies to engage and motivate our 7th grade readers. The literature selections include a diverse mixture of different genres, classic and contemporary works and informational texts. A variety of activities and resources will be used to evaluate each student’s progress.

The following novels are included in the 7th Grade course of study:

The Door In The Wall -By Marguerite de Angeli (Medieval Unit)

The Midwife’s Apprentice -By Karen Cushman(Medieval Unit)

Three Cups Of Tea (YOUNG ADULT VERSION) –By Greg Mortenson and David Relin

The White Giraffe –Lauren St. John

Number The Stars -By Lois Lowry (World War II Unit)

Homecoming –By Cynthia Voigt

Each student is responsible for providing their own copy of these books

Grade 8:

Novels: The 8th Grade reading program uses young adult quality literature as a catalyst for teaching the skills of listening, speaking, reading, writing, literary analysis and good thinking. By concentrating on a single full-length work of fiction students learn these skill in an integrated way.
                                                           
The following novels are part of the 8th grade course of study:

The Witch of Blackbird Pond- By Elizabeth George Speare

Johnny Tremain- By Esther Forbes

The Slave Dancer- By Paula Fox

Old Yeller -By Fred Gipson (Early American Frontier Unit)

 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry- By Mildred D. Taylor

Let The Circle Be Unbroken- By Mildred D. Taylor

The Diary of Anne Frank- By Anne Frank

Each student is responsible for providing their own copy of these books.

                                                     
SOCIAL STUDIES:
           
         Grade 7

Text: World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times, McDougal-Littell, 200

                                   
   Students will study the following:
           
  The Tools of History
    The Expansion and Fall of Rome
    The Beginnings of Islam & The Rise of Muslim States
     West, Central and Southern Africa
     Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia
      Feudal & Medieval Europe and the Ottoman Empire
      Meso-American Civilizations

                        Some topics will be integrated with the reading, and/or English, and/or math programs in an attempt to provide a unified view of human beings in their intellectual, artistic, social, political, economic, cultural and religious endeavors throughout the ages.
                        Students will also be asked to produce work in a variety of formats. For example, art and group presentations are a large component of the program. Additionally, alternative assessments are incorporated to offer all learners the opportunity to succeed. Students will be asked to show their mastery of material covered through formal assessments as well as paired, oral, artwork, demonstrations, and very frequently by linking the historical content of the materials to contemporary issues in the world.

 Grade 8

Text : Creating America; A History of the United States (Beginnings through W.W.I), McDougal Littell, 2006

                        Students will study the following aspects of American History:

    Beginnings of an American Identity
     The American Revolution
    The Constitution
      The Election process
       The Early Republic and a Changing Nation
         The Civil War & Reconstruction
         Changes in American Life (1860-1914)
     World War I and becoming a World Power

                        Some topics will be integrated with the reading, and/or English, and/or math programs in an attempt to provide a unified view of human beings and their intellectual, artistic, social, political, economic, cultural and religious endeavors throughout the ages.

                        Students will also be asked to produce work in a variety of formats. For example, art and group presentations are a large component of the program. Additionally, alternative assessments are incorporated to offer all learners the opportunity to succeed. Students will be asked to show their mastery of material covered through formal assessments as well as paired, group and individual performances. These assessments may take place in the form of oral, artwork, demonstrations, and very frequently by linking the historical context of the material to contemporary issues in the world.

ENGLISH:

         GRADE 7 AND 8

            Texts: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN ENGLISH, Level 7 and Level 8, Boston :    Houghton Mifflin Company, 1988.

VOCABULARY WORKSHOP, Level B and Level C, Sadlier- Oxford, 2005

                       
Subject matter: Junior High English is a two - year program which works to the benefit of both students and teacher. The 7th and 8th grade programs have a similar framework but different emphasis. Throughout the two years we use a four - pronged approach.

                        A. Vocabulary -
-Approximately 10 new words and an idiom are introduced weekly to be defined, used in context, and studied in preparation for a weekly vocabulary quiz.
                        -7th grade has 330 - 350 new words.
-8th grade has 330 - 350 new words plus the challenge to join an accelerated group handling thirty extra words per two week period.                                                                                                                       
                        B. Grammar -
- Review and build on knowledge of parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, and capitalization.

                        C. Writing -
- Emphasis in 7th grade on development of a paragraph : finding a focus, composing a topic statement, and selecting supporting details, reasons, or opinion.
                        - Letter writing : friendly and business.

- Emphasis in 8th grade on the longer composition and its organization and development.
                        - Use of figurative language : simile, metaphor, personification, etc.

                        D. Poetry -
                        - Exposure to different types of poetry.
                        - Discuss and write brief paragraphs on several poets.
                        - Memorize and recite selected poems.
                        - Create individual poems.

SPELLING:

                        Text : SPELLING ; Scott Foresman; 1995 edition.

                                    Level 7 (Grade 7)
                                    Level 8 (Grade 8)
           
                        Weekly :
                        - Assigned spelling lesson to be completed.
- Test will be given on words from current unit, including bonus and challenge words. Words from previous units may be included at teacher’s discretion.

                        Periodically :
                        - After every five units a review test will be given.
                        - Work done in text will be checked and graded.
                        - Spelling contracts may be assigned.
                       
Final spelling grade will be based on results of weekly unit tests, review tests, grade earned for work in text, and any other appropriate and related assignments.

Religion:

                        Grade 7

                        Text : THIS IS OUR FAITH, Grade 7 ; Silver Burdett Ginn; 1998.

Supplements : The Bible, various prayers, books, magazines, newspapers, articles, pamphlets, and activities that relate to the course of studies.

Subject Matter : The theme of Grade 7 is Jesus. Students study the life, values, and teachings of Jesus and are challenged to live a Christian lifestyle.
                                                                                   
In keeping with the general theme, Jesus Christ, the students should advance their knowledge and understanding of God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, the Seven Sacraments, the Church, morality, the Bible, prayers and precepts, religious vocabulary words, seasons of the Church, and holy day celebrations of the Church.

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The 7th Grade Prayer Program is designed so that the student learnsthe assigned prayers and participates in a variety of prayerful experiences. It is also hoped that both parent and child will share in the experiences and find them meaningful.
The students will be responsible for planning and taking part in the Liturgy for a school Mass.
The students may be asked to participate in various other Church/Parish/School liturgical celebrations.

FAMILY LIFE

                        Grade 7

Text : BENZIGER Family Life Program, Grade 7 ; Glencoe Publishing, 2001.

Subject Matter : The basic theme of the text is the integration and development of the personality. It shows the importance of external influences on the students as he or she grows in body, mind, and emotion.

FAMILY LIFE stresses the need to know as much as possible about the values and principles which govern behavior. It helps the student see his or her personal development in the context of a family.                       
                                                                                   
The students will examine their changing roles in the family unit and see how their relationships with parents, brothers, and sisters are growing.
The students will expand their sense of self - identity by examining their values and choices.
The students will look at some contemporary social dangers to life and learn to make value decisions about them based on Christian principles.

The students will learn about their developing sexual feelings and will learn principles on which to build their relationships with members of the opposite sex.

The students will deepen their awareness of the needs and rights of others in society.

Grade 8

Texts: THIS IS OUR FAITH ; Parsippany, New Jersey ; Silver Burdett Ginn ; 1998
GIVER OF LIFE (Confirmation preparation) ; St. Paul, MN; Sisters of St.             Joseph of Carondelet.

                        Participation in class discussions will count heavily for the grade.

Students will be encouraged to see how their own lives reflect the beliefs and commitment of the Church community by participating in the worshiping life of the Church through personal prayer, Mass, the Sacraments, and living a Christian way of life.

Students will learn that Jesus calls His followers to live lives of compassion, care, and concern for their fellow human beings - particularly those in need.

            CONFIRMATION :

Subject Matter: In preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation, students will discover more about themselves and learn more about the challenges and joys of being a mature Christian.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred in the Spring. In preparation for the reception of the Sacrament, ALL students - and their families - are asked to take an active role in the program, which will include:

- A minimum of 24 hours of volunteer service to be done by each student at a variety of agencies;
                        - Participation in a two - day retreat at McGucken Center;
                       
                                                                                   
                        - Attendance at a Confirmation Pot-Luck Dinner Meeting
                        Meeting for parents, students, and sponsors;
- AN AWARENESS THAT YOU, THE PARENTS, ARE THE PRIMARY TEACHERS AND ROLE MODELS FOR OUR STUDENTS!
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            FAMILY LIFE :

                  Grade 8

                                               
   Text : BENZIGER Family Life Program, Glencoe/McGraw Hill,  2001.

Subject Matter : The study this year will include the following :
Family Values - how they will help students form families of their own ;
                                   
Personal Growth - students review their personal growth, look at how to express and manage their feelings ;
Respect for Life - examine specific problems : violence, abortion,                                     endangering life, care for the environment ;
Christian Sexuality - Catholic principles, dating and deeper relationships, the role of sexuality in Christian marriage ;
Social Living - review their responsibility to contribute to the world in which they live, the Christian mission, responsibility.

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