Transfiguration Middle School
6th-8th Grade
Science
We believe that all students can and should be able to use scientific principles that connect to a body of scientific and engineering knowledge acquired through active participation, and hands on laboratory experiences, rooted in scientific inquiry and engineering design with a focus toward scientific literacy.
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In 6th grade science we focus on introductory physics and chemistry. We do many labs, including some larger projects like building Newton’s Scooters and Rube Goldberg Machines. We also work on students learning the value of keeping good science notebooks.
Topical Course Overview:
Engineering
Matter
Solids, liquids, and gases
Changes of State
Motion
Forces
Work and machines
Energy
Sound and Light
Electricity and Magnetism -
In 7th grade science we focus on an introduction to biology. We do labs regularly including several dissections. While students continue to develop their skills in keeping scientific notebooks, they also work on their scientific drawing skills. All 7th grade students participate in designing and conducting an independent science fair project.
Topical Course Overview:
Cells
Cell Processes and Energy
Genetics
Heredity
Bacteria and Viruses
Science Fair Project
Human Body Systems
Populations and Communities
Ecosystems and Biomes -
In 8th grade science we study the Earth and its place in space. We do labs regularly as well as using several different electronic simulations to help us better understand some concepts that are too large to test in a classroom setting. Students continue to develop their skills in keeping scientific notebooks, and scientific drawing. All 8th grade students participate in designing and conducting an independent science fair project.
Course Overview:
Minerals
Rocks
Plate Tectonics
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Science Fair Project
Ocean motions
Weather
Atmosphere
Astronomy
Math
We believe that mathematics is a life skill. Through perseverance we learn to apply problem solving skills to everyday situations. Our program emphasizes logic, exploration, critical thinking, cooperation, and reasoning. The classes are tiered by ability and learning style in the middle school (covering most of the same curriculum at each grade level, just at a different pace). Basic pre-algebra is taught in 6th grade, pre-algebra in 7th grade, and Algebra I in 8th grade.
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Text: Holt McDougal Mathematics Course 2, 2010
Main Units of Study:
Algebraic Reasoning
Integers & Rational Numbers
Applying Rational Numbers
Proportional Relationships
Graphs and Functions
Percents
Geometric Figures
Measurement: 2D Figures
Measurement: 3D Figures
Probability -
Text: Holt McDougal Mathematics Course 3, 2010
Main Units of Study:
Principles of Algebra
Rational Numbers
Graphs and Functions
Exponents and Roots
Ratios, Proportions, & Similarity
Percents
Foundations of Geometry
Perimeter, Area, & Volume
Data and Statistics
Probability
Multi-Step Equations/Inequalities
Linear Equations -
Text: Holt McDougal Algebra I, 2010
Main Units of Study:
Foundations for Algebra
Equations
Inequalities
Functions
Linear Functions
Systems of Equations
Exponents & Polynomials
Factoring Polynomials
Rational Functions & Equations
Exponential & Radical Functions
Quadratic Functions & Equations
Humanities
We believe that a Humanities curriculum should support and guide the development of our students understanding of the world in which we live through the study of citizenship, geography, economics, and history.
Language Arts
Language Arts focuses on the development of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Through their study of Language Arts, students understand the value and importance of language as they analyze, discuss, and create. They gain a greater understanding of humanity and their own thoughts and are challenged to communicate those ideas in clear, reasonable ways. Great works of literature are aligned with our Humanities Curriculum. Minnesota State Standards and National Standards are followed.
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In sixth grade we do a lot of journal writing and creative writing. The creative writing works with genres discussed in literature from historical fiction to fantasy to realistic fiction. Non-fiction is also brought in with writing a five-paragraph essay that requires them to research and learn bibliography requirements.
Text books used in Language arts are Houghton Mifflin English and Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary. Students are also equipped with their Folders of Fun, created by Mary Hernandez, that include guidelines for all the writing and lessons learned throughout their three years in middle school at Transfiguration.
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This same non-fiction writing is carried over into seventh and eighth grade where they write science fair papers, research papers, and more five-paragraph essays.
Text books used in Language arts are Houghton Mifflin English and Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary. Students are also equipped with their Folders of Fun, created by Mary Hernandez, that include guidelines for all the writing and lessons learned throughout their three years in middle school at Transfiguration.
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Eighth grade continues their writing experience with their autobiographies that are written throughout the year.
Text books used in Language arts are Houghton Mifflin English and Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary. Students are also equipped with their Folders of Fun, created by Mary Hernandez, that include guidelines for all the writing and lessons learned throughout their three years in middle school at Transfiguration.
Reading/ Communications
Reading: Students read a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction literature to improve comprehension while responding to text in a variety of ways. They learn to analyze text for themes, plot, characterization, conflict, structure, claims, and bias.
Writing: Extensive grammar lessons include sentence structure, parts of speech and decoding vocabulary with context clues. Writing begins with basic sentence and paragraph structure, pre- and post-reading strategies, and summarizing skills. Writing progresses with increasing difficulty, including outlining, summaries, critiques, creative writing, and research essays including bibliography requirements and citations.
Speaking & Listening: Students engage in opportunities to practice both listening and speaking in different ways to be thoughtful, responsible contributors to society. Students improve communication skills through listening and speaking in front of the large group in Socratic Seminars and self-created skits. They speak in small group discussions, read-alouds, and presentations. Seventh and Eighth graders also compete in our traditional Declamation Project where they memorize and present a famous speech from history.
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Students will:
Comprehend a variety of grade level text (fiction and non-fiction) through a variety of pre-reading, during reading, and post-reading strategies
Understand basic literary and story elements (genre, plot sequence, conflict, etc.)
Analyze, interpret, and respond to text through a variety of learning styles
Communicate ideas/questions clearly and effectively in responses and oral presentations
Listen for and understand information from presenters, classmates, teachers
Analyze, interpret, and respond to a variety of media (texts, books, passages, articles, plays, etc.)
Textbook: Reading: Great Expectations. Scott Foresman. 2000.
Other texts: Novels, SCOPE Scholastic magazine, short stories, informational text
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Students will:
Comprehend a variety of grade level (and beyond) text (fiction and non-fiction)
Understand more advanced literary elements (theme, symbolism, characterization, etc.)
Analyze, interpret, and respond to text through a variety of learning styles
Communicate ideas/questions clearly and effectively in responses and oral presentations
Write and present a variety of speech types; including Declamation performance
Listen to and understand information from presenters, classmates, teachers
Analyze, interpret, and respond to a variety of media (texts, books, passages, articles, plays, etc.)
Textbook: Adventures for Readers: Book One. Holt, Rinehart, Winston. 1996.
Other texts: Novels, SCOPE Scholastic magazine, short stories, informational text
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Students will:
Comprehend a variety of grade level (and beyond) text (fiction and non-fiction)
Read a variety of literature (classic, modern, multi-cultural)
Understand advanced literary elements (theme, irony, allusion, satire, etc.)
Analyze, interpret, and respond to text, through a variety of learning styles, on their own
Communicate ideas/questions clearly and effectively in responses and oral presentations
Memorize and perform a Declamation piece
Listen for and understand information from presenters, classmates, teachers
Analyze, interpret, and respond to a variety of media (texts, books, passages, articles, plays, etc.)
Textbook: Adventures for Readers: Book Two. Holt, Rinehard, Winston. 1996.
Other texts: Novels, SCOPE Scholastic magazine, short stories, informational text
Religion
Elementary and Middle School students have a comprehensive and integrated Religion series. The series is called “Faith and Life.” The Faith and Life series emphasizes the scriptural basis of our Faith. Each chapter opens with a Scripture passage, beautiful images, vocabulary words and important verses supplement the text where relevant. It closes with questions and answers based on Church teaching, as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Other supplemental books and activities are used to fulfill the knowledge of understanding of the subject and the celebration of the liturgical season.
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“Following Christ” which includes the study of the Ten Commandments and the Holy Mass.
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“The life of Grace” which includes God reveals Himself, God becomes Man, and God Shares His life. Seventh grade also includes “what is Prayer?”
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“Our Life in the Church” which includes the Church, The Christian in the World, and the means to fulfill our call to Holiness. The 8th Grade also has the text titled, “Confirmation” ~ by Sadler. This book will assist in guiding them through Confirmation. The celebration of Confirmation takes place in the spring of their 8th grade year.
The middle school students are also involved in:
Weekly Rosary
Planning and participation in our weekly Masses
Service activities during the liturgical season
8th grade service project requirements for Confirmation
Retreats that are based upon the Church’s liturgical season.
