Middle School
Prepared for High School
St. Augustine School provides every student with the foundation they need to be successful in high school, whether that be in a Catholic, private, or public school setting. Many graduates will continue their Catholic education at schools such as Central Catholic High School, Austin Preparatory School, St. John's Preparatory School, and Lowell Catholic High School. Other graduates will attend private schools such as Phillips Academy Andover, Brooks School, Groton School, and St. Mark's and Pingree School.
With that preparation as our focus, our middle school curriculum involves . . .
Mrs. St. Germain's Homework Website
At this level, students begin expanding their cognitive skills of evaluation and analysis by looking closely at language and how writers use descriptive words and sentence construction to convey specific meaning. Through exploration of a variety of authors’ voices, students start developing their own sense of voice as they write paragraphs, short essays, stories, and poetry that develops their writing skills. Deep reading and analysis of multiple genres enhances their reading and writing skills and builds their vocabularies.
Throughout the course, students extend their exploration of the role of personal voice in writing. They look at persuasive techniques, appeals, language, and images in print and non-print texts to inform their analyses and inferences for audience, purpose, and point of view. Through consistent practice and learning strategies, students continue to hone their reading and writing skills. Oral presentations and collaborative work give them opportunities to improve interpersonal communication skills as well as more formal presentation skills.
Students focus on analysis of archetypes and characters and character traits, while also reading and evaluating elements of both fiction and nonfiction texts. Students continue to hone their writing skills through projects such as writing essays to define a concept, persuade an audience, and present a point of view. Students will be introduced to the research process and write a culminating research paper. Students’ speaking, listening, and performing skills are enhanced with opportunities for both formal and informal presentations.
Mrs. Grasso's Homework Website
Grade 6:
We currently use Savvas enVision Common Core Grade 6.
Topics covered include: Operations with Fractions and Decimals; Understanding Integers and Absolute Value; Numeric and Algebraic Expressions; Equations and Inequalities; Ratio, Rate and Percent; Geometry; Data and Statistics
We use the enVision textbook and online resources, Scholastic Math, IXL, and various digital activities.
Grade 7
We currently use Savvas enVision Common Core Grade 7.
Topics covered include: Rational Number Operations; Proportional Relationships; Percent Problems; Expressions, Equations and Inequalities; Statistics and Probability; Geometry
We use the enVision textbook and online resources, Scholastic Math, IXL, and various digital activities.
Grade 8
We currently use Savvas enVision Common Core Grade 8.
Topics covered include: Radicals and Integer Exponents, Analyzing and Solving Linear Equations; Using Functions; Data Investigation; Systems of Equations; Geometry
We use the enVision textbook and online resources, Scholastic Math, IXL, Desmos, and various digital activities.
Algebra
We currently use Savvas enVision Algebra 1.
Topics covered include: Geometry, Solving Equations & Inequalities, Linear Functions, Systems of Equations & Inequalities, Exponents & Exponential Functions; Polynomials
We use the enVision textbook and online resources, Scholastic Math, IXL, Desmos, and various digital activities.
Grade 6:
Students study Ancient World History as they go back in time to learn about the earliest humans. Students will delve into the history of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Kush, India, China, Greece, and so much more.
Curriculum:
Savvas Realize online Interactive E-Text: World History: My World Interactive Middle Grades
Grade 7:
Students study World Geography and take a look at various people and cultures, societies, trade & economics, government, citizenship, climates, etc. in our diverse world. An array of topics & places are studied like the United States & Canada, Europe through Time, Northern Eurasia, Asia, Australia & the Pacific, and more. Students especially enjoy immersing and engaging in our very European Cafe.
Curriculum:
Savvas Realize online Interactive E-Text: World Geography: My World Interactive Middle Grades
Grade 8:
Students study American History exploring topics from post Revolutionary times through the World Wars. Civics, with a concentration on the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the terms and roles of the U.S. presidents is a big part of our year. Favorite Student Projects have included our Premable Scramble and Inventions through Time.
Curriculum:
Savvas Realize online Interactive E-Text: American History: My World Interactive Middle Grades
In addition: All 3 Grades:
- A set of hard copy texts for each grade level are stored in the classroom and can be an option for students who prefer using the book ober the online text.
- Both Historical and Current Events are explored weekly in our Worldly Wednesday lessons: Scholastic Magazine is used as a supplement.
- A variety of field trips are taken in Middle School. Some examples are the Lowell Mills, Peabody Essex Museum, Edward Kennedy Institute, JFK Library, Strawberry Banke,The American Heritage Museum, Boston exploration, and more.
Mrs. Poussard's Homework Website
Grade 6 science covers both earth science and space science. We use an online textbook through CK12.org. The class focuses on physical changes on and beneath Earth’s surface as well as the effects of the Sun and Moon on Earth, characteristics of the solar system and beyond. Hands-on lab experiments are an important part of this class to help students build problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Grade 7 covers physical science which includes concepts in chemistry and physics. We use an online textbook through CK12.org. The class focuses on the transfer of energy and interactions at the atomic and molecular level as well as the motion and forces of larger objects. Students complete a science fair project which they work on throughout the year and present at our school science fair. Hands-on lab experiments are an important part of this class to help students continue to build problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Grade 8 covers life science. We use an online textbook through CK12.org. The class focuses on the chemistry of cells, characteristics of cells, DNA and genetics and how those cells come together to make organisms as well as evolution and ecology. Students complete a science fair project which they work on throughout the year and present at our school science fair. Hands-on experiments are an important part of this class to help students continue to build problem solving and critical thinking skills and prepare for high school science courses.
The Grade 6 Exploratory World Language program aims to introduce students to language learning, build awareness and appreciation of other cultures, develop an appreciation for the value of learning another language, and increase motivation for future language study. Students will spend half of the year studying Spanish while the study of Latin will begin in mid-January. The course is constructed around thematic units in which students will learn key vocabulary and phrases for the purpose of written and oral communication. Another key feature of the program is the exposure to the culture and history of the Spanish-speaking world as well as the world of the Ancient Romans. One of the purposes of the program is to develop an interest in each of the languages so that by the end of sixth grade, students will select their preferred language of study to begin in grade 7 and to continue through grade 8.
Grade 7 Latin:
This course introduces students to Latin and focuses on the development of skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking in the target language. Following the stories written in the text, Ecce Romani, students learn about the daily life and adventures of the Cornelii, a typical Roman family in the years A.D. 80‐81, and the readings familiarize students with Roman culture at the same time that they build rapid facility with the Latin language. The course offers study of the Latin language, incorporating listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, word building, English derivatives, Roman culture, and classical mythology.
Grade 7 Spanish:
Students will focus on the development of the communicative skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing in the target language. Units of instruction will help in developing language proficiency so that students can effectively communicate ideas and information with peers using academic language and content-related vocabulary. Another topic of importance is the study of cultural topics so that students gain an appreciation and understanding of the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.
Grade 8 Latin:
Students in grade 8 continue with the same focus points of developing their skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking in Latin. The language becomes more complex and continues to expose students to the rich culture of the Ancient Romans as it relates to history and culture as well as making comparisons as to how the Ancient Romans influenced our culture. Additionally, grade 8 Latin students will take the National Latin Exam given annually to Latin students throughout the world. The exam assesses the students’ ability to comprehend and respond to reading passages as well as their cultural and linguistic knowledge of Latin.
Grade 8 Spanish:
Students in grade 8 continue with the same focus points of developing student communicative skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking in Spanish. The language becomes more complex and continues to expose students to the rich culture of the Spanish-speaking world. Students read a variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction, which will help to build on their language proficiency as well as increase their cultural awareness of the Spanish-speaking world.
High School Placement Test
Click here for more information regarding the High School Placement Test.