Middle School Course Information

To: Current and Prospective SACS Middle School Students,

Fr: SACS Middle School

Dear Parents,

Welcome! We hope that you will take some time to look at our fabulous Middle School here at SACS. Our Middle School teachers work very hard to provide an incredible experience for all of our students through developing relationships with students and families, meeting students’ academic and social needs at their appropriate levels, focusing on leadership and positive character development, and challenging students to step outside their comfort zones while they grow and change at this very important stage in their lives.

Our Middle School homerooms are mixed-age homerooms (6^th-8^th grade) and students retain the same homeroom teacher for all three Middle School grades. We expect our older students to help ease the 6^th graders transition to Middle School by being positive role models and welcoming, caring SACS students. We have found that this added emphasis on becoming one Middle School, rather than three separate grade levels, has given SACS graduates a leg-up in their abilities in working effectively with others and our success has been incredible. Our graduates leave SACS ready and able to take on roles as the leaders in their high schools.

We welcome you to take a look at this brief SACS Middle School course listing for an overview of what you can expect your student to experience in the classrooms. Know that this is only a brief synopsis of the many incredible things happening here at SACS. You may also find detailed curriculum by logging on to the SACS’ website (www.sacsschools.org) and clicking the Curriculum link. The most important information you will get while discovering SACS Middle School will come from actually seeing it in action and talking with other Middle School students and families. We encourage you to do so.

You may also download the following information in pdf format HERE (application/pdf, 89.4 kB, info)

God bless!

The Middle School Faculty
Shakopee Area Catholic School – Middle School Course Offerings

*6^th Grade Classes 2009-2010*	*Brief Descriptions/Introductions*
Reading	6^th grade reading students will have an opportunity to develop an appreciation for literature through a wide variety of class, teacher and self-chosen materials. They will read one novel per quarter as a class. They will use the library once a week to check out books that they will read independently that will help them attain their AR goals. They will participate in Word Master Analogy which helps develop vocabulary and word relationships. Students will read nonfiction weekly using Time For Kids magazine.
English/Composition I	Students will continue to work on becoming effective communicators, with a focus on writing. Engaging in the writing process and using models of the traits that will guide them in becoming skilled writers, students will write in many different forms, paying attention to proper grammar, spelling, and usage skills.
Computer Applications	This class focuses mainly on students becoming more proficient using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher. Using the Internet wisely and safely is another component of our studies. Work from other sixth grade classes is integrated into sixth grade computer and the class is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
General Music	Students will continue to learn musical concepts and create music by singing, speaking, moving, and playing instruments. *Band and Choir electives are offered for all 6^th grade students*.
Physical Education	Students will enhance their physical fitness and understanding of personal wellness through participation in team and individual sports, guided strength training and stretching, monitored endurance challenges, and skill activities. Examples of activities and topics include archery, self-defense, one-mile run, and a variety of health and nutrition learning opportunities.
Math	Saxon math uses a distributed approach to learning and integrates concepts across the year. Continual review and cumulative assessment lead to greater understanding and long term retention.
Natural and Applied Sciences	Using Foss Kits, this science course leads to greater scientific understanding with units in: Environments, Models and Design, Mixtures and Solutions and Landforms. To enhance understanding of the scientific method, these students also participate in the annual Shakopee Area Catholic School Science Fair.
Introduction to the Old Testament	This class focuses primarily on the Old Testament. Our theme is God’s Covenant with His People. Specifically, students will be learning about the forming of the Covenant, and building the Covenant nation of Israel.
Art I	This class is designed to help students experience a wide variety of visual art techniques and mediums while being introduced the history of art from cave paintings through the Italian & Northern Renaissance periods. The sixth grade students experiment with many 3 dimensional activities, such as mosaics, pottery, and paper folding. They also practice observational drawing in a variety of formats and develop painting skills.
History of Western Civilization Minnesota History	Students will study the history of ancient Mesopotamia, Israel, Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, and the Vikings. (5/8 of the year) Students will study the history of our state during their MN History units from the time of the glaciers until today, students will look at Minnesota and its history. (3/8 of year)
Beginner Spanish	Special emphasis is made in MS to develop reading and writing skills. A beginning grammar course focuses on most common Spanish verbs, nouns and adjectives. Spanish conversation is also introduced at a pace manageable by beginning Spanish students.

Shakopee Area Catholic School – Middle School Course Offerings

*7^th Grade Classes 2009-2010*	*Brief Descriptions/Introductions*
Literature I	Students analyze works of modern fiction, paying close attention to the literary techniques of foreshadowing, irony, suspense, and symbolism among others. A variety of genres are studied including prose, poetry, scripted text, and non-fiction to build vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills. The use of the Accelerated Reading program furthers independent reading ability.
English/Composition II	Students continue refining their writing skills. Along with ongoing grammar and mechanics instruction, students learn to analyze and criticize writing to improve in the areas of organization, sentence fluency, voice, word choice, and focusing ideas. A variety of writing forms – narrative, persuasive, informatory, etc. – provide the medium for instruction.
Intermediate Spanish I	Special emphasis is made to develop reading, writing skills and grammar comparisons to English grammar. This course includes a balance of Spanish verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, cognates, suffixes and the relationship between languages. Speed of Spanish conversation: Medium.
General Music and American Music History	Students will continue to learn musical concepts and create music by singing, speaking, moving, and playing instruments. They will also learn the history of American music, starting from the Revolutionary War. *Band, Choir, and Theatre electives are offered for all 7^th grade students*
Physical Education	Students will continue to enhance their physical fitness and understanding of personal wellness through participation in team and individual sports, guided strength training and stretching, monitored endurance challenges, and skill activities. Added emphasis is placed on health elements of personal wellness, drug and alcohol awareness and conflict resolution. *Students in grade 7 may also choose an added “Fitness and Aerobic Training” elective for one quarter in semester 1.*
Pre-Algebra	Problem solving, proportions, and algebraic patterns, along with equations, functions, and graphing are embedded throughout the Pre-Algebra course. Algebra and Geometry concepts are introduced in increments and are integrated with the continued practice of numbers, operations, measurement, and data analysis.
Life Science	SACS’ Life Science students study animal diversity, life structures and functions, human body systems and functions, bacteria, fungi, plants and plant processes. Their learning is enhanced through a wide variety of experiences in and outside of the classroom.
New Testament Study; Jesus the Way, the Truth, the Life	Our goal is to come to know Jesus Christ in a more personal way and to build a relationship with Him. By knowing Christ better, we will come to know, discover and understand ourselves better. We do this by studying the New Testament, using Top 20 Teens curriculum, doing a weekly Life Book entry, and doing service hours in our neighborhoods, churches, schools and community.
Art II	In seventh grade art we will continue to experience a variety of mediums and techniques. We emphasize the elements of art. The students will practice still life drawing skills, pottery skills, Intaglio printmaking, resist fabric dying, and mask making.
World Geography	Students will study and explore the land, government, and culture of people in the modern world. This exploration will lead to a broader understanding of our students’ place in the world as well as a historical perspective on the development of cultures through modern times.

Shakopee Area Catholic School – Middle School Course Offerings

*8^th Grade Classes 2009-2010*	*Brief Descriptions/Introductions*
Literature II	Students further analyze works of modern fiction, paying close attention to the literary techniques of foreshadowing, irony, suspense, and symbolism among others. A variety of genres are studied including prose, poetry, scripted text, and non-fiction to build vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills. The use of the Accelerated Reading program furthers independent reading ability.
English/Composition III	Students demonstrate skills in establishing proper grammar and spelling techniques, focusing on 6+1 Traits of writing to communicate effectively. This course also encourages expanding their vocabulary using WordMasters, and uses various forms of communication to use in the community and future careers. Teams with the Literature II course and Religion course with some writing topics.
Intermediate Spanish II	Comprehensible language input for new vocabulary and grammar. This course features a culturally based reading, performance-based speaking or writing tasks. Speed of Spanish conversation: Medium-high.
General Music and Western Music History	Students will continue to learn musical concepts and create music by singing, speaking, moving, and playing instruments. They will also learn the history of western music, starting from the Middle Ages. *Band, Choir, and Theatre electives are offered for all 8^th grade students.*
Physical Education	Students will continue to enhance their physical fitness and understanding of personal wellness through participation in team and individual sports, guided strength training and stretching, monitored endurance challenges, and skill activities. Archery, outdoor/wilderness survival, character development and leadership training are a focus of this grade. *Students in grade 8 may also choose an added “Fitness and Aerobic Training” elective for one quarter in semester 2.*
Algebra 1 (Saxon Math Program)	Algebra 1 gives students the algebraic foundation necessary to solve increasingly complex problems. This course focuses on algebraic thinking and multiple representations of information (verbal, numeric, symbolic, and graphical). Saxon math uses a distributed approach to learning and integrates concepts across the year. Continual review and cumulative assessment lead to greater understanding and long term retention.
Earth Science	Through direct instruction, observation, hands-on activities and experiments, 8^th grade Earth Science students will learn about and experience aspects of the following topics: Minerals, rocks, energy sources, earth processes, atmosphere and climate, processes, weather patterns, and ocean and freshwater resources.
Christ Our Life, the Church Then and Now	Students will strive to read, interpret and apply Scripture to their lives, learn to assume a role as an active member of the faith community, and have an understanding of the basic history, make-up, meaning, and liturgical life of the Catholic Church. They will continue on their journey of becoming Christians making choices based on faith, and what is right and good.
Art III	This class continues where 6^th and 7^th grade left off. We refine our drawing skills with figure drawing in many different techniques and mediums. We create additive and subtractive sculptures and try two different printmaking methods. The students practice pottery techniques and get to experience the potter’s wheel. As we work we are introduced to different cultures, artists, and periods to learn the influence they have had in the art world.
American History	Eighth grade American History covers United States History from the creation of the Republic’s government in the 1770’s to the 1960’s. There is an additional focus on current events.