Middle School

Religion 

The Word of Life religion series focuses on Jesus and connecting Him to the Old Testament.   Topics covered are:
Divine Revelation                         Morality and Virtue                 God’s Mercy in Action                  The Liturgical Year
Sacred Scripture                          The Blessed Trinity                  The Incarnation                               The Baptism of Jesus
God’s Covenant Promises

English Language Arts

Following the DRVC Curriculum map and the Priority Standards, students in Grade 6 ELA utilize the myPerspectives program to develop their reading and writing skills further. The program employs many approaches to reading including whole, small, and individual learning activities. As the students work through the program, they develop many essential reading skills such as the author's craft and style, developing ideas, central idea, theme, and characterization. The program integrates many forms of reading passages including novel excerpts, poetry, dramas, short stories, and news articles. Each unit also includes writing performance-based tasks. During vocabulary instruction, students use Sadlier’s Vocabulary Workshop to learn new words and strategies through comprehension passages, synonyms and antonyms work, and context activities. To round out the 6th ELA curriculum, the Voyages in English program teaches students grammar skills such as parts of speech, diagramming sentences, and sentence structures. 


Math
Grade 6 Mathematics follows the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards and Mathematical Practices using a variety of tools for instruction and discovery such as HMH Into Math, interactive notebooks, digital resources, and hands-on centers. Students will have opportunities to apply the skills they have learned and use them in real life situations such as shopping, baking, data collecting and organizing, and building. Individualized instruction is given through small groups using data collected from classroom assessments and i-Ready diagnostics and weekly lessons. 


Students are accessed throughout the school year using benchmark assessments, chapter quizzes and assessments, and formative assessments (exit tickets, small group meetings, math reflections) 

Social Studies

The 6th Grade Social Studies curriculum encompasses the exploration of World History from Ancient Civilizations to the Middle Ages. Through this course, students will gain insights into the key elements that contribute to a successful civilization and how these societies adapted to their environments. By examining Ancient Greece and Rome, students will draw connections between the philosophies of Ancient Greece and their relevance to contemporary government and society.

Math
Students examine and analyze proportional relationships and apply them to real world problems and situations.  We study the number system, and develop an understanding of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers using both positive and negative numbers. We use properties to generate equivalent expressions by using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations. Students draw, construct, and describe geometric figures and their relationships in an abstract way. Through applications, students look to solve real world situations involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume.  Random samplings allow students to draw inferences about a population, and draw conclusions about two or more populations through informal comparative inferences.  Students develop, use, and evaluate probability using models and real world situations.  Buying and financing a car, analyzing the stock market, room makeover, and buying and budgeting are included in the curriculum in order for students to apply their math skills and make real life associations.

Social Studies

Seventh Grade Social Studies marks the beginning of a two year journey into the History of the United States. Students examine the origin of the United States and New York in a chronological framework that incorporates Catholic Identity and Social Teaching throughout. Students explore the variety of Native American tribes that inhabited North America prior to European contact. Subsequently, they explore the first colonial settlements that eventually led to the establishment of the original Thirteen Colonies. Students analyze the development of each colonial region, how each of these colonies interacted with each other, and with the mother country, Great Britain.  Students examine the roots of  the American Revolution and the creation of the Constitution of the United States. Students also  explore how the new government was implemented, focusing on the early days of this great nation including westward expansion and reform movements.  This course culminates with the study of the Civil War.  Current Events are woven into the curriculum and class discussions to encourage students to make present day connections, and to develop an understanding and appreciation of the responsibilities of each American citizen.

Religon 

Students in the 8th grade spend the school year preparing for their Confirmation, the final Sacrament of Initiation. They follow the requirements set forth by the St. William the Abbot Office of Faith Formation and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.  As a part of their preparation, they participate in a number of Apostolic Service Hours both in and outside of school. They also perform a close study and profile of the Saint whose name and life they choose to emulate by receiving this Sacrament. This is woven into the larger Word of Life Curriculum, as it focuses on the lives of Saints and the ways in which following their examples can help deepen understanding of the Catholic tradition. In addition, topics of Catholic morality and social teachings are a main focus of study. An important part of the curriculum is the adoption of a spiritual baby who is prayed for daily to understand the importance of all life from conception to natural death. Students study the full development of their spiritual baby, culminating in a Baby Shower that benefits local families. 

Math 8 teaches the basic foundations to prepare students for Algebra. Math 8 focus includes exploring and working with radicals and integer exponents. Students will use their knowledge of proportional relationships from 7th grade to connect it to lines and linear equations in addition to analyzing and solving linear equations and pairs of simultaneous linear equations. Students will explore functions and learn how to evaluate and compare them as they demonstrate relationships between quantities. The Math 8 curriculum also focuses on geometry, which includes the study of geometric figures and their congruence and similarity through the use of  physical models, transparencies and technology. Students will also learn different angle relationships of shapes including triangles and quadrilaterals as well as angle measures formed from parallel lines and transversals. A study of Pythagoras and his theorem along with applying that theorem in real world situations and problem-solving. Students investigate patterns and the association of patterns in bivariate data.

Algebra 

Social Studies

Eighth Grade Social Studies is a continuation of a two-year journey into the History of the United States that began in Seventh Grade.  Students examine the development and expansion of the United States and New York in a chronological framework that incorporates Catholic Identity and Social Teaching throughout. This curriculum begins by examining the rapidly changing landscape of a post-Civil War United States as a result of increased immigration, urbanization, industrialization, and westward movement. Students examine the impact of changing foreign policies through the early Twentieth Century that ultimately allowed the United States to rise to the ranks of World Power. They also explore the domestic challenges that accompany this increased responsibility. From the Roaring Twenties to the end of the Cold War, students can recognize the struggles that ensued to guarantee the freedom that they enjoy today. This course culminates with the study of present-day history and the path towards the future. Current Events are woven into the curriculum and class discussions to encourage students to further present-day connections and to develop an understanding and appreciation of the responsibilities of each American citizen.