HCS Middle School

Language Arts

Students are introduced to a variety of reading genres, from classic to contemporary, to inspire and spark learning.  Analysis of reading selections is enhanced through purposeful reading and re-reading of texts and text passages.  Guided classroom discussions allow students to share their thoughts and ideas about what they have read, and to explore the writer’s craft. 

Developing word power in vocabulary is a daily part of the Language Arts classroom schedule.  Students use a literature-based program called Vocabu-Lit to improve vocabulary.  Each lesson begins with an excerpt from authentic literature, including selections from classic and contemporary fiction, nonfiction, speeches, and primary sources.  A variety of exercises help students access understanding of word meanings and build skills to use when encountering new words.  The class enhances word power through interactive small-group games, activities, and digital resources.

For English, students in Sixth through Eighth Grades develop and strengthen foundational knowledge and skills in grammar and sentence structure.  A sentence of the week models the learning task and offers a model from which students can aspire.  Mastery of basic skills is achieved through whole group, small group, and partner exercises, as well as digital resources.  Students are given opportunities to apply their understanding during authentic writing tasks. 

Students write for a variety of different reasons, and in a range of genres.  Students write narratives in which they are encouraged to flex their creativity by using vivid vocabulary, figurative language, and other literary elements that have been identified in reading.  Every reading assignment includes some form of a written response, such as short essay responses, to questions; brief summaries, as well as longer, formal summaries; compare contrast essays, or a character analysis.  Expectations regarding form, content, and organization are established and modeled before every writing task begins.  While engaged in the writing process, every student receives one-on-one feedback from the draft stage and through the revision process.  In this way, instruction is highly detailed and individualized.

Math

Holy Cross Elementary School splits math classes in the middle school.  The smaller class sizes make it easier to work with individual students, address problems they encounter, and have them progress at their own speed.  All students are provided a progressive mathematics curriculum that builds fundamental number sense and computational competence while also introducing more advanced concepts at either an on-level or above-level pace. Concepts are taught through a combination of theory, practical application, and hands-on demonstrations.

Developing fundamental computational expertise is the foundation of the curriculum. It is understood that students will continue to advance in math as they progress through Holy Cross and beyond into high school and college. The goal is to teach the concepts so they can not only learn them, but apply them in future applications. This is done through daily warm-up activities that build concrete connections between previously taught concepts and new material, problem solving exercises that involve real-world applications of mathematics, engaging lessons taught using a variety of mediums and interactive whiteboards, and continual informal and formal assessments that provide valuable feedback to enable the teachers to modify and enrich instruction.

Holy Cross mathematics focuses on creating a strong foundation in number sense, algebraic functions, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability.  Teachers work closely together to ensure that the instruction builds across grades, demonstrating how the concepts support more advanced mathematics. This not only helps current comprehension, but also supports future comprehension as students understand the progression of mathematics concepts.   

The above-level curriculum is designed for those students who are developmentally ready to take on more advanced mathematics. Using the same foundational and building approaches, above level students are lead through advanced classes starting in Sixth Grade, culminating in Algebra I in Eighth Grade. Since every student develops at their own pace, the school provides opportunities for students to enter the above-level courses every year as well as options to return to on-level mathematics for students who need to strengthen their mathematics foundation before working at an accelerated pace.

Science

In Sixth Grade science, students start the year in space and explore our closest natural satellite in depth; discussing not only how our Moon affects Earth, but also what concepts were involved to explore the moon.  They explore our solar system and beyond.  Students then focus efforts back on our home planet, and look at Earth from deep in the core to the outermost edges of our atmosphere.  The class ends the year by examining the diversity of life on our planet and learning how scientists classify organisms.

In Seventh Grade, students begin with all things Newton - force and motion.  Next, the class adds energy to the equation and discusses renewable, nonrenewable, wave, sound and light energy.  Moving into the spring, students focus on climate, weather and climate change.

For Eighth Grade, the year starts in the Chemistry Lab and includes properties of matter, chemical changes, balancing reactions, solutions and solubility and other topics of interest.  Students end the year with human physiology and genetics.

Social Studies

Students in Sixth Grade focus on World History by examining the history of our world, especially concentrating on eastern hemisphere history.  They also concentrate on the geography and culture of the areas we discover.  Lastly, Sixth Grade incorporates studying and test taking skills.

Seventh Grade students continue to examine World History by taking a more in-depth look at the western hemisphere, the geography of the United States, and also beginning to explore U.S. History prior to the end of the year.  Students also continue to learn studying and test taking skills.

Eighth Grade focuses on American History, with an emphasis on the Civil War and Reconstruction.  Students also examine the emergence of the United States as a world power in the early 20th century.  Eighth Grade places a special emphasis on study and test taking skills, as well as researching and developing critical thinking skills.

Religion

In Middle School, students explore the life of Jesus and His impact on our lives today.  In Seventh Grade, students begin Confirmation preparation.

Eighth Grade concentrates on Church History, the Mystery of the Church and the 10 Commandments.  Much of the students' study will focus on how we treat others and ourselves.  Principle prayers will be reviewed as well.

Catholic students will also celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation in the spring. 

Enrichment classes: P.E., Art, Music, Technology, and Spanish