Central Theme
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Students in 6th grade begin the year with a study of World History with a concentration on Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The year concludes with a study of the beginnings of the government in the United States. The students explore the U.S. Constitution in-depth and hold a Constitutional Convention.
The long term projects include numerous components including oral discussions, short compositions, research papers, and/or projects.
In the second semester each student chooses a country to research, and using the MLA format writes a research paper. An oral presentation is made using multimedia tools and a food presentation is shared with the class.
The reading program goals are to instill a love for reading, the broadening of student experiences, and a nurturing of written and oral communication skills. This is accomplished through daily oral and silent reading of primary source material, related material, historical fiction and class novels. In addition to independent reading at home, there is a silent reading period during class. Use of the Accelerated Reader program offers students an incentive for expanded reading activity and a tool for measuring their effort and achievement in reading skills.
Linguistics
The Classical Vocabulary Study begun in fourth grade continues with the learning of new root families, additional words from previously learned roots and new suffixes and prefixes.
The grammatical skills of sentences, nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections are studied. Much creative writing is required in the practice of grammar skills.
Mathematics
The Middle School math program is developmentally based and seeks to challenge students at every level of ability and development. Students are placed according to their developmental readiness and previous math achievements.
The Sixth Grade Math Class covers the basic sixth grade curriculum in a concrete and hands – on format. The content includes continued practice of basic math facts and problem solving, place value and rounding, whole numbers computation, fractions and mixed numbers, decimals, measurement, time, geometry and graphing. Mental math, abstract problem solving, ratios, proportion, percent, statistics, and probability are also taught in this class.
Honors Sixth Grade Math Class has a more rigorous pace and includes extensive enrichment particularly with problem solving and manipulatives. This group of students demonstrates above average quantitative and spatial ability, logical thought, and mathematical retention skills.
Science
Units are studied using the approach of formulating ideas and testing them in the form of experiments, then using that information to draw conclusions relating to the world in general. Units are based on further extensions of life sciences units plus chemical and earth science units presented in earlier in elementary topics.
Sixth grade students also participate in an in-depth study of biomes, native animal and plan communities, and geology in order to prepare for their week-long trip to Big Bend National Park. Ecology and outdoor skills are also presented, both in the lab before the trip and while out in the field.
Sixth grade students have the option of participating in the St. James science fair.
Outdoor Education
Sixth graders take a one-week Outdoor Education trip to Big Bend. The trip will include wilderness camping, hiking, rafting, orienteering, compass skills, and nature and geological studies.
Spanish
Students gain an understanding of how the language is structured and how they can use this knowledge to express their own needs to talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. In sixth grade, students complete the three year elementary Spanish I curriculum begun in fourth grade.
Sports
Sports skills training in basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, and track and field are emphasized. Rope jumping and other aerobic activities, fitness testing and rock climbing are parts of the sixth grade program.
Students have the opportunity to compete in the Parochial League after school sports program in basketball, volleyball, and track.
Spiritual Formation and Growth
The beginning of the school day is set aside for a daily devotional and prayer time. Students attend a thirty-minute chapel service once a week with special services held to recognize holidays and graduation. A Spiritual Formation class is taught once a week. These lessons help to explore the subjects of “Who am I, and How can I make a difference?” The everyday life of students is linked to scripture references.
Life Skills
Life skills is intended to help students deal with issues that are pertinent to their normal growth and development. Through the class students are encouraged to develop healthy self-esteem, confidence, group interaction skills and decision making skills, school responsibility, fairness, kindness, respect for others; and peer pressure reversal techniques. The study focuses on peer relationships, drug education, leadership development and grade appropriate human sexuality.
Enrichment
During Music, students are introduced to classic choral instrumental works from historical styles and composers. Music activities and programs related to Central Theme are included.
In Art Enrichment students familiarize themselves with various media to paint, make prints, sculpt, and draw through activities in the classroom and in the Art Studio.
The Computer Enrichment class provides time to strengthen skills taught previously in word processing, multi-media presentations, and data manipulation.
Study Skills
Students are taught organization and study skills one period daily for one week and these skills are reinforced throughout the year. A simplified notebook system, assignment keeping, calendar, daily study schedule, home study organization, desk and locker organization are introduced.
Parent Communication
A Middle School Orientation for parents and students at the beginning of school previews special programs and activities as well as the discipline system. One regular parent/child conferences is scheduled each year.
Report cards are sent home four times during the year.
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Central Theme
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Students in 6th grade begin the year with a study of World History with a concentration on Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The year concludes with a study of the beginnings of the government in the United States. The students explore the U.S. Constitution in-depth and hold a Constitutional Convention.
The long term projects include numerous components including oral discussions, short compositions, research papers, and/or projects.
In the second semester each student chooses a country to research, and using the MLA format writes a research paper. An oral presentation is made using multimedia tools and a food presentation is shared with the class.
The reading program goals are to instill a love for reading, the broadening of student experiences, and a nurturing of written and oral communication skills. This is accomplished through daily oral and silent reading of primary source material, related material, historical fiction and class novels. In addition to independent reading at home, there is a silent reading period during class. Use of the Accelerated Reader program offers students an incentive for expanded reading activity and a tool for measuring their effort and achievement in reading skills.
Linguistics
The Classical Vocabulary Study begun in fourth grade continues with the learning of new root families, additional words from previously learned roots and new suffixes and prefixes.
The grammatical skills of sentences, nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections are studied. Much creative writing is required in the practice of grammar skills.
Mathematics
The Middle School math program is developmentally based and seeks to challenge students at every level of ability and development. Students are placed according to their developmental readiness and previous math achievements.
The Sixth Grade Math Class covers the basic sixth grade curriculum in a concrete and hands – on format. The content includes continued practice of basic math facts and problem solving, place value and rounding, whole numbers computation, fractions and mixed numbers, decimals, measurement, time, geometry and graphing. Mental math, abstract problem solving, ratios, proportion, percent, statistics, and probability are also taught in this class.
Honors Sixth Grade Math Class has a more rigorous pace and includes extensive enrichment particularly with problem solving and manipulatives. This group of students demonstrates above average quantitative and spatial ability, logical thought, and mathematical retention skills.
Science
Units are studied using the approach of formulating ideas and testing them in the form of experiments, then using that information to draw conclusions relating to the world in general. Units are based on further extensions of life sciences units plus chemical and earth science units presented in earlier in elementary topics.
Sixth grade students also participate in an in-depth study of biomes, native animal and plan communities, and geology in order to prepare for their week-long trip to Big Bend National Park. Ecology and outdoor skills are also presented, both in the lab before the trip and while out in the field.
Sixth grade students have the option of participating in the St. James science fair.
Outdoor Education
Sixth graders take a one-week Outdoor Education trip to Big Bend. The trip will include wilderness camping, hiking, rafting, orienteering, compass skills, and nature and geological studies.
Spanish
Students gain an understanding of how the language is structured and how they can use this knowledge to express their own needs to talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. In sixth grade, students complete the three year elementary Spanish I curriculum begun in fourth grade.
Sports
Sports skills training in basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, and track and field are emphasized. Rope jumping and other aerobic activities, fitness testing and rock climbing are parts of the sixth grade program.
Students have the opportunity to compete in the Parochial League after school sports program in basketball, volleyball, and track.
Spiritual Formation and Growth
The beginning of the school day is set aside for a daily devotional and prayer time. Students attend a thirty-minute chapel service once a week with special services held to recognize holidays and graduation. A Spiritual Formation class is taught once a week. These lessons help to explore the subjects of “Who am I, and How can I make a difference?” The everyday life of students is linked to scripture references.
Life Skills
Life skills is intended to help students deal with issues that are pertinent to their normal growth and development. Through the class students are encouraged to develop healthy self-esteem, confidence, group interaction skills and decision making skills, school responsibility, fairness, kindness, respect for others; and peer pressure reversal techniques. The study focuses on peer relationships, drug education, leadership development and grade appropriate human sexuality.
Enrichment
During Music, students are introduced to classic choral instrumental works from historical styles and composers. Music activities and programs related to Central Theme are included.
In Art Enrichment students familiarize themselves with various media to paint, make prints, sculpt, and draw through activities in the classroom and in the Art Studio.
The Computer Enrichment class provides time to strengthen skills taught previously in word processing, multi-media presentations, and data manipulation.
Study Skills
Students are taught organization and study skills one period daily for one week and these skills are reinforced throughout the year. A simplified notebook system, assignment keeping, calendar, daily study schedule, home study organization, desk and locker organization are introduced.
Parent Communication
A Middle School Orientation for parents and students at the beginning of school previews special programs and activities as well as the discipline system. One regular parent/child conferences is scheduled each year.
Report cards are sent home four times during the year.
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