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The Middle School Program at Saint John's Prep is unique in many ways. Our classes are multi-age setting (7th and 8th grade mixed together) and is taught in a interdisciplinary approach. Meaning, learning is driven by the region of the world being studied.
The Middle School curriculum is geographically based and rotates on a two-year cycle.
Academic Year: 2010-2011 Cycle B focuses on: Europe, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific (Oceania); Life Science; Old Testament; Social Justice; Monasticism and Morality.
Academic Year: 2011-2012 Cycle A focuses on: North America, Latin America, Africa; Introductory Physical Science; New Testament; Sacraments; Beliefs and Human Sexuality.
Mathematics
Students will take a math placement test to help determine the appropriate math level.
Pre-Algebra: The student studies many Algebraic basics. The topics covered are: equations and inequalities, graphing, integers, exponents and scientific notation, rational and real numbers, data collecting, geometry, perimeter and area, 3-D geometry, proportions, similarity and scale models, percents, and probability.
Algebra I: This course is the foundation of Algebra and other subsequent mathematics courses. Students will study logic and procedures as they study the following topics: algebraic patterns and operations, solving equations, proportions and statistics, linear functions, inequalities and absolute value, systems of equations and inequalities, exponential functions, and polynomials. PREREQUISITE: A Pre-Algebra course or equivalent.
Algebra II: The student rigorously studies second year algebra and a substantial amount of trigonometry. The topics are: review of elementary algebraic concepts; variations & graphs; linear relations; matrices; systems; parabolas & quadratic equations; functions; powers & roots; exponents & logarithms; trigonometry; polynomials; quadratic relations; series, combinations & statistics; and dimensions & space. Students must have successfully completed (received a grade of C or better) an Algebra I course or receive an instructor's approval.
Science
The focus of middle schools science for the 2010-11 school year is environmental and life science. We will be exploring the interrelationships between organisms and their environment. We will be studying the cell, tissues, organs and organ systems. The passing of physical traits from parent to offspring will be studied, as well as the evolution of life on earth.
English
Our area of study in English during Cycle B is Europe, Asia, and Australia and the South Pacific. Each of these major units take approximately 1/3 of the year (about 12 weeks). We read authors from the regions of the world we are studying. Each unit will include many opportunities in reading, writing, oral presentation and discussion, research, individual work and group activities. Among some of the titles we will read as an entire middle school are: Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths by Bernard Evslin, Night by Elie Wiesel, The Good Earth by Pearl Buck, Hiroshima by John Jersey, Mutuant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan, and Walkabout by James Vance Marshall.
Social Studies
Social Studies class is taught on a two year cycle. Cycle A (2011-2012 school year) consists of coursework focusing on the culture, history and geography of North America, Latin America and Africa. Cycle B (2010-2011 school year) consists of coursework focusing on the culture, history and geography of Europe, Asia, Australia and South Pacific (Oceania). Each continental unit is taught for approximately one third of the school year.
Each continental unit is divided into regional units for efficiency and ease of understanding. Each regional unit begins with a map project concentrating on the political and physical geography of the area. This is followed by collaborative projects, collegial activities and individual assignments concentrating on the natural history, human history, music, religions, food, cultures and current events of the region. Each continental unit contains one long-term individual project which allows students a chance to delve more deeply into a subject of individual interest related to that particular part of the world. These individual projects are presented in a variety of ways including speeches, musical performances, and presentations using visual aids, two and three dimensional displays, and research papers.
Theology
The focus of the middle school Theology curriculum is three-fold: provide students the opportunity to learn about the Catholic faith tradition, Benedictine values, and discover their own spirituality; provide students the opportunity to learn about religions practiced in the various regions of the world they are studying in Social Studies and English; provide students the necessary knowledge base needed to succeed in upper school theology courses.
Topics include Mass; Benedictine values; martyrs and saints; Bible and the Old Testament; church history; monasticism; Eastern religion traditions; Morality; Aboriginal beliefs/dreamtime.
Phy Ed
This class is intended to improve personal fitness as well as individual skills in a variety of areas. Most activities will tie in with the world units that the rest of the middle school curriculum focuses on. Students will also participate in the Presidential Physical Fitness program.
Music
Choir, band and strings ensemble are offered. Private lessons are also available.
Middle School Choir: Middle school choir performs music from a variety of time periods and genres. Students will study basic music theory as well as learn sofege sight singing. Students will work to improve singing technique and pitch accuracy.
Middle School Band: This class is designed to develop the potential of the beginning/intermediate instrument player in proper performance and rehearsal techniques and to nurture their potential through rehearsal and performance of quality band literature appropriate to the level of their development. It is also designed to prepare the musician for performance at a high level of quality. Musical, historical and theoretical concepts are discussed and applied appropriately to every piece of music. There will be at least three annual performance opportunities. In addition to the large group rehearsal, all students will improve upon their individual instrumental performance skills through independent or small group lessons. These lessons will be scheduled during each grading period and will take place during the school day. All band students will be required to purchase their own lesson book according to ability level.
This class is open to students of all ability levels, including those who have never played a band instrument. Beginning band lesson instruction will be given after the student has selected an instrument to play. This musical instrument selection process can take place at school as directed by the music instructor.
Middle School Strings: This class is designed to develop the potential of the beginning/intermediate string player in proper performance and rehearsal techniques and to nurture their potential through the rehearsal and performance of quality string orchestra literature appropriate to the level of their development. It is also designed to prepare the musician for performance at a high level of quality. Musical, historical and theoretical concepts are discussed and applied appropriately to every piece of music. There will be at least three annual performance opportunities. In addition to the large group rehearsal, all students will improve upon their individual instrumental performance skills through independent or small group lessons. These lessons will be scheduled during each grading period and will take place during the school day. All String students will be required to purchase their own lesson book according to ability level.
This class is open to students of all ability levels, including those who have never played a string instrument. Beginning string lesson instruction will be given after the student has selected an instrument to play. This musical instrument selection process can take place at school as directed by teh music instructor.
Art
The Middle School Art classes follow the other courses around the world. Students look at art from different cultures for its history, sense of beauty and cultural significance. Students will also work in many mediums and develop art skills through projects based on the culture we are studying.
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