DuBois Central Catholic Middle School

COURSE LISTINGS

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Grade 6	Grade 7	Grade 8
English, Literature, Reading, Spelling, Grammar, Usage(2 Pds./Day) Theology Social Studies Math(2 pds/day) Science Technology Phys Ed Art	English, Literature, Reading, Spelling, Mechanics, Grammar, Usage(2 Pds./Day) Theology Social Studies Phys. Ed Math 7 (or) Pre-Algebra  Problem Solving Science Spanish Life Skills Art Music Technology	English, Literature, Reading, Spelling, Mechanics, Grammar, Usage(2 Pds./Day) Theology Social Studies Pre-Algebra (or) Algebra I H(for high school credit) Science Spanish Technology Problem Solving Phys Ed Electives: DECA, , STREAM, Art

 

SIXTH GRADE

 

Theology 6

 

The sixth grader will study the roots of our faith found in the Old Testament.  God is presented as the one who creates out of love and who cares deeply about the world.  Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, Moses and the prophets. Morality and the Commandments are also interwoven into the curriculum.  As part of the theology experience during sixth grade, the Passion Play is performed for the school and community.

 

English 6

 

This course uses the Houghton Mifflin English book and is divided into two parts.  The first part focuses on grammar, usage and mechanics. The second part focuses on writing, listening and speaking skills.

 

Reading 6

 

The major goal of reading is to develop independent, confident readers. The objectives are broken into five major areas: comprehension / literary skills, decoding / phonics skills, language skills, study skills and writing skills. Since reading and writing are vital to the communications process, writing is also emphasized to improve the students’ writing skills based on their own language abilities and experiences.

 

Spelling 6

 

The Houghton-Mifflin text gives a systematic, developmentally appropriate instruction; carefully developed word lists; insights into spelling and meaning connections; strategies to extend word knowledge; and a variety of opportunities for word play. Weekly vocabulary tests are given that center around given skills and a specific theme.

 

Social Studies 6

 

This course is designed to expose students to the many cultures and native peoples of North and South America, with an emphasis on Canada and Latin America. By having a greater understanding of their neighbors to the North and South, students are better equipped to understand the history of the United States.  The curriculum also covers basic geographical studies, including map reading skills and following directions.

 

Mathematics 6

 

The McDougal-Littell textbook encompasses addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimals and fractions. Students also study measurement involving area, perimeter, circumference, volume, surface area, and customary and metric length and weight. Ratio, percent, introduction to integers and some pre-algebra and geometry concepts are presented with a real world application.  Besides basic math, an accelerated math class is offered to those who qualify.

 

Science 6

 

Sixth Grade Science is an inquiry-based, hands-on course that provides learning experiences that relate to the everyday world of the students. The new textbook series, McDougal-Littell, provides a program based on the National Science Standards.  Concrete and relevant applications are used to promote scientific literacy, as well as an understanding and appreciation for the natural environment.  Current and new technology is infused throughout the program to enhance the learning experiences. Topics to be included are waves, sound & light; motion and forces and gravity (students build cars to test the laws of gravity), electricity/magnets, matter and energy, and chemical interactions

 

Technology 6

 

Students in this class are introduced to the basics of a computer desktop and icons.  Learning how to open and navigate through different software is encouraged and stressed. Primary focus remains on learning how to type correctly with proper hand placement and ergonomics.  Emphasis is placed on accuracy and formats with increasing speed as a secondary goal. Instruction is given through books and interactive typing software as well as with intuitive, exciting and educational typing games.

 

SEVENTH GRADE

 

Theology 7

 

This theology course uses the Erie Diocese recommended book, Jesus in the New Testament from Resources for Christian Living. This class explores the life and message of Jesus as passed on to us by the New Testament writers. In Unit One, students will come to know the four Evangelists and their accounts of the Gospel. Unit Two will introduce students to the letters in the New Testament and to the Book of Revelation.

 

English 7

 

This course emphasizes writing as a process with grammar, parts of speech, spelling, vocabulary and mechanics as tools to become effective writers.  It also offers a concentration in reading and discussion of classic and contemporary literature serving as a springboard to creative thinking and writing. A sampling of literature studied includes The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; Tex, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Julie of the Wolves; The Greek Gods and The Hobbit, along with a variety of poetry.  Spelling and vocabulary follow the developmental stages of word knowledge.  It presents spelling and meaning strategies that unlock the meaning of words and also introduces new words for today’s growing computer and technological terms.

 

Social Studies 7

 

This course covers the five geography themes: location, region, place, human-environment interaction and movement.  Students will gain an understanding of global interdependence as they study landforms, climates, customs and cultures of the world. They will learn map skills and have an appreciation for the diversity of land features, society, history and peoples that make up our world.  Topics include Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Middle Ages, Industrial Revolution, Ancient Egypt and the Middle East.

 

Problem Solving 7

 

The class is designed to reinforce basic skills, review geometry concepts, and explore statistics, probability and other topics through hands-on manipulatives, activities, games and technology.

 

Mathematics Skills 7

 

The McDougal Littell series develops and strengthens algebraic thinking, decimals, fractions, statistics, ratios and percents.  It also prepares the student in solving equations, performing operations with integers and introduces them to concepts in geometry.  Besides basic skills, emphasis is also placed on note taking, problem solving, vocabulary, reading, technology and test taking strategy and practice.

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Pre-Algebra

 

This is an intensive course where all math concepts are taught from an algebraic standpoint.  Students begin with one step equations and inequalities with the use of variables progressing from integers to geometry concepts of volume, area and polynomials.  This serves as preparation for Algebra I.

 

Technology 7

 

Students will learn Web 2.0 application to enhance presentations, such as Prezi, Google Docs and Movie Makers. Other tools that will engage 21^st Century learning include Word6, Smilebox, Blabberize, Microsoft Publisher, Voki and Pod casts.

 

Science 7

 

This hands-on course focuses primarily on life science: the structure and functions of living organisms, heredity, and classification. Emphasis is placed on the application of the scientific method and the use of skills such as observing, metric measurement, predicting and experimenting. Students complete science fair projects.

 

General Music 7

 

This course centers on the elements of music, particularly dynamics, tone, color, tempo, duration, rhythm, pitch, texture, form and style. These elements are approached through five basic activities: class lecture and discussion, listening, singing, movement and playing instruments.

EIGHTH GRADE

Theology 8

This theology course uses the Erie Diocese recommended book Morality: Life in Christ from Resources for Christian Living.  This class is an exploration of the principles of Catholic morality.  Students will learn more about their call to holiness as a person created in God’s own image.  They will learn how the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments provide foundations for successful moral living. Above all, students will learn more about the model for the moral life, Jesus Christ, and what it means to live in Christ.

English 8

This course emphasizes writing as a process with a focus on pre-writing and revision.  A concentration on literary interpretation and discussion provides the nucleus for writing assignments. Grammar, spelling and vocabulary will be taught in the process as skills to aid students in becoming better communicators.  The Giver, The Outsiders, Romeo and Juliet, A Night to Remember, and Adventures of Ulysses are just a sampling of the literary studies.  Mythology is also covered.  Cross-curricular units are incorporated through the course. Spelling and vocabulary follow the developmental stages of word knowledge.

Journalism 8

The students will learn about the components of journalism, writing articles and captions and taking pictures. They will create a monthly newspaper, “The Junior Cardinal” which will allow them the opportunity to choose topics for articles, take pictures, and be editor for a month.  They will also create the middle school yearbook, allowing them the opportunities to work with the Jostens program.

Problem Solving 8

The class is designed to apply math skills in the study of consumer mathematics, real world application of math and reinforce knowledge of geometry concepts through activities and technology.

Mathematics Skills 8

Using the McDougal-Littell middle school book series, students will be refining mathematical skills such as fractions, decimals, percent, computations with rational numbers, number theory and equations in preparation for Pre-Algebra & Algebra I
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Pre-Algebra

This is an intensive course where all math concepts are taught from an algebraic standpoint. Students begin with one-step equations and inequalities with the use of variables, progressing from integers to geometry concepts of volume, area and polynomials. This serves as a good preparation for Algebra I
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Honors Algebra I

Students will master a number of techniques and apply these to statement problems as well as forming their own statement problems. Techniques include applying the four basic operations to polynomials, exponents, graphing and solving linear equations.(This course is awarded high school credit.)

Language 8

This course introduces the student to language study through the introduction to Spanish. Time is spent on grammatical terms, culture, vocabulary, sentence construction, pronunciation, listening and speaking skills.

Social Studies 8

This course will be divided into three primary sections: (1) Students will be learning about Pennsylvania history. Classes will center on geography, early peoples (Native American Tribes), William Penn and the Quakers, Revolutionary Pennsylvania and the Transportation Revolution.  (2) The second section will focus on Pennsylvania’s contributions to the Civil War and its lasting effects on the state and the nation as a whole.  Students will then move through the Industrial Revolution and conclude with a look into Federal and Pennsylvania’s State Government. This will lay the groundwork for a broader and more in-depth study of the Civil War and Industrial Revolution in high school. (3) The final section will focus on local history. Students will learn about DuBois’s earliest beginnings up through current events and local government.

Science 8: Earth Science

This exploratory science course allows students to study ideas from earth science.  It is designed to allow students to have hands-on activities and to develop and use critical thinking skills. Topics include rocks and minerals, weathering and soil, force, plate tectonics, and space science. Students complete a science project and present it using Power Point.  Participation in PJAS is encouraged.

 

Technology 8

This course gives students an introduction into Microsoft Word, which is the primary word processing program used in the many middle schools, high schools and colleges in the U.S. Students will learn to identify parts of the Word Screen, understand and be able to use toolbars, basic text editing, ways to select text, basic character formatting, clipart, and autoshapes, as well as work with a variety of font types and sizes.  Emphasis is placed on preparing students to properly format papers to meet cross-curricular requirements.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Tutoring Program

Foreign Languages

Drama

Physical Education

Art

Testing

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Sports

Girls Basketball
Boys Basketball
Football
Soccer
Cross Country
Wrestling
7th & 8th Grade Girls Volleyball & Softball

Clubs