Central Theme
In the course of study, students will examine the foundations of the United States and explore its benefits and shortcomings. The American goals of freedom and equality will provide a focus for the course.
The American experiment is examined through a study of both history and literature. The history text is supplemented by shorter works of non-fiction. A variety of poems and short stories are also read. The works are selected for their literary merit as well as their historical relevance.
Students will write about the literature and the history in a variety of ways, both creative and expository. They will answer study questions about their reading both to check their understanding and to encourage them to think independently about the texts. They will be expected to write multi-paragraph literary essays supported by quotations from the text, but they will also write poems, narratives, and editorials about historical issues.
Students will be using a combination of assigned books and the Accelerated Reading Program to satisfy their independent reading requirements.
Linguistics
Students will write various types of composition, including narrative, descriptive, and persuasive essays. In the third nine weeks, students will write a major research paper using Modern Language Association format. They will research, take notes, organize their material, write an outline, provide documentation, and use word processing skills to produce their paper.
The study of vocabulary based on Latin and Greek roots will continue. Students will be responsible for learning the spelling, the meaning, and the part of speech for each new word.
Students will continue to practice identifying parts of speech, parts of a sentence, direct and indirect objects, predicated nouns and adjectives, phrases, and clauses. They will also study correct usage with regard to punctuation, capitalization, case and agreement.
Mathematics
Eighth Grade students are enrolled in a comprehensive, high-school level algebra course that corresponds to their current needs and abilities. All classes provide the opportunity to earn high school Algebra I credit.
The Eighth Grade Math Class prepares students to use basic algebraic skills and concepts in mathematics and in real world situations. Use of the graphing calculator is integrated into the curriculum.
The Algebra Class adds to the basic Algebra curriculum. More advanced problem solving techniques will be emphasized and more sophisticated graphing calculator skills will be introduced.
The Honors Class is designed for the most able and motivated students. This class covers all class material introduced in the other level at a depth and pace that is quite rigorous. This group of students demonstrates above average skills in the areas of quantitative and spatial ability, logical thought, and mathematical retention.
Science
Through a series of sequential, hands-on experiences the students will discover important concepts and develop laboratory and thinking skills.
The students study physics of matter and energy systems, chemistry, compounds mixtures and their interactions. Problems are presented to the students, who then formulate a scientific experiment to research the problem, predict the outcome, make inferences, evaluate the data obtained, and draw conclusions.
Spanish
Spanish IB offers a continuation of the course begun in seventh grade using a secondary Level I curriculum to develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Students will also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. High school credit will be earned for Spanish Level I.
Spanish IIB – This course completes a two-year sequence that prepares students to enter high school Spanish II in ninth grade. The Spanish curriculum objectives are to develop, reinforce, and refine proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Students gain an understanding of how the language is structured and how they can use this knowledge to express their own needs and talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world.
Outdoor Education
The three day Mo Ranch Trip occurs near the beginning of the school year. Students work on individual goal setting and challenges through participating in activities on the High Ropes course. A week-long trip in April to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia will reinforce their studies in American history.
Physical Education
Students receive sports skills training in both team and individual sports, with an emphasis on lifetime sports.
Volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf and track are offered to Seventh Grade students. The teams compete with various Corpus Christi and surrounding area public and private schools.
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 class is taught once a week for twelve weeks. Studies include the Creeds, major stories from the Old Testament, major events in the life of Jesus, prayer and Christian values and lessons in leadership.
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. Study focuses on peer relationships, drug education, leadership development and grade appropriate human sexuality.
Enrichment
Art Enrichment is a progression of more difficult art techniques being introduced and tied to various products. Seventh graders will continue to familiarize themselves with various media to paint, make prints, sculpt, and draw through activities in the classroom and the Art Studio. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Music Enrichment is class in which the students learn the music and culture of the West Africans. Students learn to play many different percussion instruments of this region while learning about the people and the origins of the instruments. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Improv Enrichment teaches the student performance skills, self-confidence, working with a group, and speaking in front of an audience. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Study Skills
This program follows a sequence in fifth grade with introduction of a more sophisticated notebook system along with review and review and reinforcement of the techniques of assignment keeping, daily study schedule and time usage, and organization of the home study area, desk and locker.
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.
Central Theme
In the course of study, students will examine the foundations of the United States and explore its benefits and shortcomings. The American goals of freedom and equality will provide a focus for the course.
The American experiment is examined through a study of both history and literature. The history text is supplemented by shorter works of non-fiction. A variety of poems and short stories are also read. The works are selected for their literary merit as well as their historical relevance.
Students will write about the literature and the history in a variety of ways, both creative and expository. They will answer study questions about their reading both to check their understanding and to encourage them to think independently about the texts. They will be expected to write multi-paragraph literary essays supported by quotations from the text, but they will also write poems, narratives, and editorials about historical issues.
Students will be using a combination of assigned books and the Accelerated Reading Program to satisfy their independent reading requirements.
Linguistics
Students will write various types of composition, including narrative, descriptive, and persuasive essays. In the third nine weeks, students will write a major research paper using Modern Language Association format. They will research, take notes, organize their material, write an outline, provide documentation, and use word processing skills to produce their paper.
The study of vocabulary based on Latin and Greek roots will continue. Students will be responsible for learning the spelling, the meaning, and the part of speech for each new word.
Students will continue to practice identifying parts of speech, parts of a sentence, direct and indirect objects, predicated nouns and adjectives, phrases, and clauses. They will also study correct usage with regard to punctuation, capitalization, case and agreement.
Mathematics
Eighth Grade students are enrolled in a comprehensive, high-school level algebra course that corresponds to their current needs and abilities. All classes provide the opportunity to earn high school Algebra I credit.
The Eighth Grade Math Class prepares students to use basic algebraic skills and concepts in mathematics and in real world situations. Use of the graphing calculator is integrated into the curriculum.
The Algebra Class adds to the basic Algebra curriculum. More advanced problem solving techniques will be emphasized and more sophisticated graphing calculator skills will be introduced.
The Honors Class is designed for the most able and motivated students. This class covers all class material introduced in the other level at a depth and pace that is quite rigorous. This group of students demonstrates above average skills in the areas of quantitative and spatial ability, logical thought, and mathematical retention.
Science
Through a series of sequential, hands-on experiences the students will discover important concepts and develop laboratory and thinking skills.
The students study physics of matter and energy systems, chemistry, compounds mixtures and their interactions. Problems are presented to the students, who then formulate a scientific experiment to research the problem, predict the outcome, make inferences, evaluate the data obtained, and draw conclusions.
Spanish
Spanish IB offers a continuation of the course begun in seventh grade using a secondary Level I curriculum to develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Students will also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. High school credit will be earned for Spanish Level I.
Spanish IIB – This course completes a two-year sequence that prepares students to enter high school Spanish II in ninth grade. The Spanish curriculum objectives are to develop, reinforce, and refine proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Students gain an understanding of how the language is structured and how they can use this knowledge to express their own needs and talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world.
Outdoor Education
The three day Mo Ranch Trip occurs near the beginning of the school year. Students work on individual goal setting and challenges through participating in activities on the High Ropes course. A week-long trip in April to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia will reinforce their studies in American history.
Physical Education
Students receive sports skills training in both team and individual sports, with an emphasis on lifetime sports.
Volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf and track are offered to Seventh Grade students. The teams compete with various Corpus Christi and surrounding area public and private schools.
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 class is taught once a week for twelve weeks. Studies include the Creeds, major stories from the Old Testament, major events in the life of Jesus, prayer and Christian values and lessons in leadership.
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. Study focuses on peer relationships, drug education, leadership development and grade appropriate human sexuality.
Enrichment
Art Enrichment is a progression of more difficult art techniques being introduced and tied to various products. Seventh graders will continue to familiarize themselves with various media to paint, make prints, sculpt, and draw through activities in the classroom and the Art Studio. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Music Enrichment is class in which the students learn the music and culture of the West Africans. Students learn to play many different percussion instruments of this region while learning about the people and the origins of the instruments. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Improv Enrichment teaches the student performance skills, self-confidence, working with a group, and speaking in front of an audience. This is a twelve week course taught three days a week.
Study Skills
This program follows a sequence in fifth grade with introduction of a more sophisticated notebook system along with review and review and reinforcement of the techniques of assignment keeping, daily study schedule and time usage, and organization of the home study area, desk and locker.
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.