Middle School

Literature & Language Arts Program

Our middle school students enjoy exploring the literary arts in a challenging inquiry, analysis, and experimentation. Our program is a systematic approach to learning literature and the English language. Along with practicing high-complexity literary analysis, we study formal grammar, vocabulary, and elocution styles and strategies to understand better the books’ structure and art, short stories, poems, films, and other texts we study together.

Middle School Math

St. Monica Catholic School uses Walk to Math, where every student takes math simultaneously to allow for movement to a level, they are ready for and challenged. We use Saxon Math, a superior and proven math curriculum that helps students build a solid foundation for future classes in Algebra and other mathematics courses, including Geometry. Our students gain the skills required to solve equations, evaluate, and simplify expressions. Students will learn how Algebra connects to other mathematics areas, such as statistics, probability, and geometry. They will complete problems and practice exercises to develop logical and mathematical reasoning; explore concepts and ideas, then practice them along with procedural skills; and learn how to apply math to solve real-world applications.

Science

6th Ancient Natural Philosophy

We begin the month of November by practicing forming our good habits of observation. We will briefly cover an introduction to inductive and deductive reasoning (the basic kinds of reasoning for scientific thought). This month marks the end of our short introduction to the foundations of natural science—and with it, a beginning of an introduction to honing the tools of observation. We will work on our first official lab as well!

7th Life Science

In Seventh Grade Life Science, students took the midterm exam on October 5th. We then turned our attention to the topic of botany. Having both read and completed an essay about Goethe's "The Metamorphosis of Plants," we are now engaged in growing our own herbs for our first-in-class lab. The hope is that students will be able to see the entire process of plant growth from beginning to end, keeping in mind Goethe's arguments about contraction and expansion and the significant role of leaves. Looking ahead, we plan to conduct several more nature journals and discuss the role that plants play in the wider environment (using Craig Holdredge's "Rooted in the World" as our guiding text). Students will also be asked to memorize the parts of a plant in November.

8th Modern Science

We have already begun our first foray into the specific study of Biology. As we dive deeper than we did in our Sixth-Grade introduction, we must keep vigilant not to dissect life into its parts. As Biology is the formal study of life, we ought to remember that we are continually wondering about the very nature of what makes a thing living. We ought to also acknowledge and respect the sanctity of life as given to us.

As we investigate the wonderful world of Biology, we begin first with the anatomy of our senses. We move then to the heart and blood, the material mover of life. Next, we will study the immaterial mover of life, the soul. Next month we will explore a bit of Zoology and Botany as we zoom in further and further into the smaller constituents of life. We must continue to remember that these parts are only understood in the context of the whole living being.

History

Middle School History uses primary resources with the Catholic worldview textbooks in the following areas, Ancient Civilizations, World Geography, and US History.

As part of our spiral curriculum, the 6^th grade’s timeline builds upon Kindergarten through Third Grade content at a much deeper level. For example, agents start middle school at the beginning of human history with the Dawn of Agriculture and Mesopotamia. Students had a blast investigating topics such as the Caves of Lascaux, Otzi the Iceman, the first city-states along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and so much more in this unit! By the end of the year, students will have studied over 3,500 years of history in the following units: Dawn of Agriculture, Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Israel, Ancient Persia, Ancient Greece, Ancient China, Ancient Rome, and the greatest love story ever told (Christ’s death and resurrection). Students are also studying Latin (the language of Ancient Rome) and early creation myths in literature to complement our study of ancient history.

Religion

Middle School Religion curriculum covers the Old Testament, New Testament, Missionary Discipleship, Church History, and Morality.

Sacred scripture came from the heart of God and was written by Him. And thus, it holds a place of importance in the Catholic Church. We look to scripture, the Word of God, to help us understand God’s will and our part in His divine plan of salvation. It is part of Divine Revelation, consisting of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. When combined with Magisterium’s teaching authority and applying the analogy of faith, we can truly embrace all that is true, good, and beautiful in our Catholic faith. We become active participants in this heavenly relationship instituted with love. The Old Testament lays the foundation of dignity, priesthood, prophecy, kingship, law, liturgy, prayer, covenant, etc., fully realized and fulfilled in the 2^nd person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Course:

There are several aims for this course. First and foremost is forming intentional disciples with an appreciation for Sacred Scripture. You will learn about our faith and wonder at your Creator’s intense “otherness.” You will understand that he loves you and develop different strategies for taking notes, working with others, reading, and studying. We will use a variety of document-based questions, decision-making scenarios, seminars, and classroom debates.

Option 1: Rosary-making with Mr. Baker 

This is a hands-on workshop in which we will be making wire rosaries and/or chaplets with glass beads. If you like to work (and pray!) with your hands, then this is the class for you. The rosary dates back at least to the ninth century as a method of keeping track of reciting the psalter and is nowadays usually used to pray the “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” and “Glory be…” prayers. A rosary also makes a great gift. A small supply fee will be charged; all tools and supplies will be provided. 

Option 2: World Religions with Mr. Lewis 

This course will introduce students to the world’s religious traditions and the Christian approach to these traditions. Each trimester will cover a different set of religions, and students may choose to take however many trimesters they wish. The courses will be as follows: 

• Trimester 1: The Abrahamic Religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) 
• Trimester 2: East Asian Religions 
• Trimester 3: Modern Religious Traditions 

The purpose of the course is to familiarize the student with non-Christian beliefs and practices so that we may all be better witnesses of Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn. 14:6). There will be no homework, and the instructor hopes to offer small field trips as well. 

Option 3: How to Read an Icon (the Art of Iconography) with Ms. Wegener  

Like art and interested in experiencing Christian art more deeply? Come discover the tradition of sacred iconography! Catholic and Orthodox Christians have used icons in worship, in private and in public, for almost two thousand years. This course will explain how iconography uses different symbols and visual patterns, explore what Christians believe about these sacred images, and show students how to pray with icons. Students will draw their own version of an icon to complete the course (no artistic skills required!). 

Option 4: Studio Art with Mr. Usalla  

This course is for students with high motivation in further developing individual interest and skills in various forms of artistic expression. Students will investigate contextual perspectives of visual communication and visual culture while developing their own aesthetic and artistic voice. 

Option 5: Handbell Choir with Ms. Oh  

The Handbell Choir elective will teach students to play handbells and/or improve upon their handbell ringing skills in a choir setting. Emphasis will be placed upon learning proper handbell ringing techniques, as well as developing skills in key musical elements such as rhythm, tempo, key signature, time signature, and dynamics. The students in this course will form St. Monica's Handbell Choir that will perform at Mass and for school-wide concerts! 

Option 6: Intro to Spanish Language and Culture with Mrs. Pérez 

This course is for students who want to further their Spanish skills and discover more about culture in Spanish-speaking countries. We’ll do songs, games, stories, dialogs, and other fun language learning activities.  

Rotating Non-Option Option: SLC with Ms. Takemori 

Are you a role model in virtue? Do you have a solid work ethic? Are you just itching to let those creative juices flow through the mediums of drama, speech, and/or art? If so, wonderful! If not, you’ll have a change to grow in these ways with Ms. Takemori as a member of the Student Leadership Crew (SLC)!  

You’ll perform saintly skits, decorate posters, run family meetings (and fundraisers!), and so much more. In the immortal words of Stan Lee, with great power comes great responsibility. SLC members need to step up and lead by example in the middle school. Just like in history class, expect a lot of work but plenty of fun. ^_^  

Be the leader St. Monica middle school needs and join SLC!