Middle School
Curriculum Overview
The Middle School curriculum extends on the knowledge and skills gained in Lower School and prepares students for high school. Seventh and eighth grade students select from a variety of electives to complete their schedules. All students must take one trimester of religion, the speech elective and the environmental science elective.
- Literature
- Writing
- Math 5
- Science
- Social Studies
- Language Arts
- Foreign Languages
- P.E.
- Art
- Music
- Literature
- Writing
- Math 6
- Science
- Social Studies
- French, German or Spanish
- P.E.
- Art
- Music
- Health
- English
- Pre-Algebra
- Science
- Social Studies
- French, German or Spanish
- Writing
- P.E.
- Two electives per trimester
- English
- Algebra I or Intro to Algebra
- Science
- U.S. History to 1877
- French, German or Spanish
- Writing
- P.E.
- Two electives per trimester
Middle School Core Curriculm
English/Language Arts
The English/Language Arts program is designed to refine and extend the student’s proficiency in reading, writing, listening, grammar and speaking. In reading/literature, students learn to recognize and differentiate between various literary styles, forms and techniques. Teachers emphasize these skills through regular writing assignments related to the literature students are studying. Students read novels related to their social studies/history content, as well as non-fiction, short stories, poems and plays. Research writing follows a specific format that teaches students notetaking, outlining and bibliography (documentation) skills. Students learn to proofread, edit and rewrite their own works and to analyze and evaluate the works of others. Grammar, vocabulary and spelling are also emphasized in the writing curriculum.
Writing
During their seventh and eighth grade years, students take writing to reinforce their language arts skills through application. In these classes, students become familiar with successful strategies for writing to a prompt. Teachers assess work based on rubrics typically used to evaluate student writing on standardized assessments such as the SAT and other admission instruments.
Mathematics
The goal of the Middle School mathematics program is to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of numbers, computation, estimation, measurement, geometry, statistics, probability, patterns and functions, problem solving, and the fundamental concepts of algebra. These topics are taught as an integrated whole to give students an adequate background for high school mathematics. The curriculum also emphasizes the application of mathematics to real-situation problems and teaches the skills necessary to analyze, solve and communicate mathematically about problems.
Physical Education
P.E. classes, involving a wide range of skill development and conditioning, are required for all students. Middle School students are also encouraged to participate on the JIAA, IAA and TAPS athletic teams.
Science
The science curriculum emphasizes the importance of learning through experience by providing a significant portion of the program as laboratory science. The program addresses physical, life and earth science and concentrates on disciplines to prepare students for potential honor science courses in high school. A three-day, two-night trip to the Houston/Galveston area extends classroom learning through field experience for seventh graders. Seventh and eighth grade students are required to participate in the annual Middle School Science Fair. St. John’s students also participate in the annual SAES Science Fair.
Social Studies
Fifth graders study U.S. history at an introductory level. Sixth grade students study medieval civilizations and the western expansion through the eras of imperialism, nationalism and the development of democracy. As part of the integrated reading curriculum, all students in Middle School read novels related to the periods of history being studied. Seventh grade history is a survey of world cultures and geography. And eighth graders study U.S. history through the period of Reconstruction. A thorough examination of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights and the three branches of our national government is central to the course. A five-day trip to colonial and Civil War sites in Virginia and to Washington, D. C. extends classroom learning for eighth graders.
Technology across the Curriculum
Many Middle School teachers incorporate technology into their curriculum. Writing teachers have student computers available in their classrooms, and all teachers have access to the Computer Lab. In 2008, we introduced a digital literacy program in sixth grade. This year, the program will extend to seventh grade and next year, to eighth. As part of the digital literacy program, students learn to solve problems, work independently/interdependently, work with new technologies, hone communication skills and produce quality presentations. In sixth grade, the program emphasizes presentation skills using PowerPoint, Movie Maker, Photo Story, Flip video cameras and digital cameras. In seventh grade, students learn to work with Web 2.0 tools including blogs, wiki’s, forums, podcasts, RSS feeds and Scratch programming.
Fifth and Sixth Grade Enrichment
In addition to core curricular courses, fifth and sixth graders take enrichment courses.
Art
Reinforcement of the art program begun in Lower School includes the elements of line, color, shape and texture. More advanced elements of value, form, space, pattern, and balance are added at the Middle School level.
Health
The human reproductive system is introduced in fifth grade in an appropriate manner. Parents receive notification prior to the unit’s introduction and may choose to have their child opt out of the program. In sixth grade, the course covers the basic concepts of health, including nutrition, first aid, dental health, exercise and disease, as well as the topics of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
Music
Students are taught to read music, create their own compositions and recognize musical styles of various periods in history. In addition, they learn about composers and their contributions to the world of music. Students attend presentations of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and as part of a unit on opera, they attend a performance of the Dallas Civic Opera.
Foreign Language
In fifth grade, students study French, German and Spanish, each for a trimester. In the spring of the fifth grade year, they select one of those languages to pursue in grades six through eight. The foreign language curriculum is equal to that of a first-year high school course. Students who apply themselves and master the concepts may qualify for advanced placement at the high school level.
Seventh and Eighth Grade Electives
Students select from a variety of elective courses in their seventh and eighth grade years. View the elective choices.
