Middle School

Middle School

The Middle School academic program at St. Francis is a pathway with multiple aims: strengthening English language proficiency to communicate efficiently; developing problem solving skills and critical thinking; exploring a variety of topics in a global context; and building confidence, independence, collaboration and respect in a diverse cultural experience. This important transitional moment in a student’s development is championed by a caring staff team that challenges, supports growth, empowers and helps to prepare each individual with the tools needed to face high school expectations, anywhere in the world that may be.

Approach to Learning

Students build on their elementary experience as they prepare for high school. Classes become more specialized, and emphasis is placed on organization, study skills, and research techniques. The curriculum prepares children for British and American high schools.  In addition, students can prepare for the Italian state programme, leading to completion of Scuola Primaria exams in Grade 5 and Scuola Secondaria di I grado in Grade 8, which allows them to access the Italian Licei.

The educational program offered is “whole child” centered, so that, as well as high academic expectations, emphasis is also placed on the arts and knowledge of self and others.

Curriculum

Grade 5

  • In the fifth grade, students expand and deepen the concepts, skills, and strategies learned in earlier grades
  • Students are able to read and comprehend texts from a variety of genres and subject areas
  • They begin to study subjects in a more formal way, and show evidence of making more connections as they encounter new ideas
  • Students write every day for a variety of purposes and audiences, and in order to maximise and formalise their writing skills
  • Students communicate their personal voices by expressing ideas in their writing
  • They are able to understand and articulate how authors use a variety of techniques and show evidence of the author’s craft in their own writing
  • Students continue to increase their vocabulary knowledge through reading, word study, discussion, and content area study
  • In verbal interactions, students communicate effectively with different audiences about a variety of texts and concepts
  • Students work cooperatively in a variety of situations, assuming productive roles within each group
  • Students also complete more complex assignments using sources to inform their oral and written discussions
  • Students are able to understand a problem or conflict as stated in oral, visual, or written texts, and they can determine an appropriate solution
  • In this process, students utilise previous knowledge and experience, draw conclusions and/or make valid generalisations, and apply logic to develop possible solutions
  • Students support solutions with a variety of evidence and reasons

Number sense and numeration

By the end of grade 5, students will:

  • Represent, compare, and order whole numbers and decimal numbers from 0.01 to1 000 000 000
  • Read and print in words whole numbers to one billion
  • Round decimal numbers to the nearest tenth, in problems
  • Represent, compare, and order fractional amounts with like denominators, including proper and improper fractions and mixed numbers
  • Demonstrate and explain the concept of equivalent fractions
  • Read and write money amounts to $1 000 000
  • Solve problems with whole numbers up to 1 000 000
  • Count forward by hundredths from any decimal number expressed to two decimal places
  • Solve problems involving the addition, subtraction, and multiplication of whole numbers, using a variety of mental strategies
  • Add and subtract decimal numbers to thousandths, including money amounts
  • Multiply three-digit whole numbers by three-digit whole numbers
  • Divide three-digit whole numbers by two digit whole numbers
  • Multiply decimal numbers by 10, 100, 1000 and divide by 10,100, and 1000, using mental strategies
  • Use estimation when solving problems to help judge the reasonableness of a solution
  • Determine and explain, through investigation using concrete materials, drawings, and calculators, the relationship between fractions and their equivalent decimal forms

Measurement

By the end of grade 5, students will:

  • Estimate, measure and represent time intervals and elapsed time to the nearest second
  • Measure and record temperatures
  • Estimate and measure the perimeter and area of regular and irregular polygons, using a variety of tools and strategies
  • Select and justify the most appropriate standard unit to measure length, height, width, and distance, and to measure the perimeter of various polygons
  • Solve problems requiring conversion from metres to centimetres and from kilometres to metres
  • Solve problems involving the relationship between a 12 hr. Clock and a 24 hour clock
  • Solve problems requiring the estimation and calculation of perimeters and areas of rectangles
  • Determine, through investigation, the relationship between capacity and volume
  • Select and justify the most appropriate standard unit to measure mass

Geometry and spatial sense

By the end of grade 5, students will:

  • Distinguish among polygons, regular polygons, and other two-dimensional shapes
  • Distinguish among prisms, pyramids, and other three-dimensional figures
  • Identify and classify acute, right, obtuse and straight angles
  • Measure and construct angles up to 180 degrees, using a protractor
  • Identify triangles and classify them according to angle and side properties
  • Use and compare grid systems commonly used on maps
  • Create and analyse designs by translating and/or reflecting a shape, or shapes

Patterning and algebra

By the end of grade 5, students will:

  • Make a table of values for a pattern that is generated by adding or subtracting a number to get the next term, or by multiplying or dividing by a constant to get the next term, given either the sequence, or the pattern rule in words
  • Demonstrate, through investigation, an understanding of variables as unknown quantities represented by a letter or other symbol

Data management and probability

By the end of grade 5, students will:

  • Collect and organise discrete or continuous primary data and secondary data and display the data in charts, tables, and graphs that have appropriate titles, labels, and scales that suit the range and distribution of the data
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ‘sample groups’ to represent sets of data
  • Read, interpret, and draw conclusions from primary data and from secondary data,presented in charts, tables, and graphs
  • Compare similarities and differences between two sets of data, using a variety of strategies ( i.e., mean, median, and mode, by describing the shape of a data set across its range of values)
  • Pose and solve simple probability problems, and solve them by conducting probability experiments and selecting appropriate methods of recording the results.

The objective of the grade 5 science course is to promote independent study skills through the completion of daily responsibilities in the class and out. Students will learn to familiarize with the scientific method; learn to take class notes; learn to keep neat, complete, and accurate records of lessons; develop detailed scientific illustrations and observations as a means to experimental data collection. Written assignments will be central to the investigative part of the course. Testing will evaluate their assimilation of course concepts.

Topics:

  • Laboratory safety and course requirements
  • Water on Earth: water cycle, oceans, fresh water sources; cloud formations.
  • Weather Patterns: air pressure vs. altitude; atmosphere’s layers; convection currents; air masses; severe weather; forecasts; weather and climate.
  • Protecting Earth’s Resources: renewable and non-renewable resources; different forms of renewable and non-renewable energy.
  • Classifying Organisms: what classification is; from Kingdom to species; vertebrates and invertebrates; classes of vertebrates; arthropods.
  • Insects: characteristics of the group; body parts; life cycle; adaptations (camouflage and defense strategies).
  • Energy, Sound and Electricity: forms of energy (such as sound waves, electromagnetic, thermal, potential, kinetic); conductors and insulators; flow of energy in a system; how energy is transformed.

Social Studies in the Middle School exposes students to a range of enquiry-based topics that seek to further their understanding of the relationship between people and their planet. We cast a critical eye on the history of the world to allow us to appreciate the modern workings of communities as they face the challenges of the future. The course fosters curiosity among the students to ask questions and develop independent methods of learning.

Grade 6

In Grade 6, pupils will begin to develop the skills that they need to improve their performance in English and enable them to achieve their full potential at this level and beyond.

Pupils will experience a wide variety of writing in English, both fiction ( such as narratives, descriptions, poetry, drama texts) and non-fiction (such as explanations, recounts, informative texts and reports). They will investigate and explore how texts are written and then be encour- aged to produce writing of their own, developing important language and writing skills. They will also continue to develop and expand their knowledge of grammatical structures, vocabu- lary and spelling in English.

In Grade 6 students will:

  • plan and structure stories and narratives
  • experiment with different styles of writing and use a range of sentences for variety
  • explore narrative devices, e.g. creating suspense and foreshadowing
  • investigate how to describe characters in different ways, using examples from literature
  • explore how setting creates mood/atmosphere
  • choose interesting vocabulary and appropriate detail in description
  • structure sentences, paragraphs and punctuate sentences effectively
  • identify and use different grammatical forms
  • use a thesaurus to select adjectives, synonyms and antonyms.
  • understand how information can be organized and how to present information clearly, coherantly and accurately.
  • understand how to match writing to the needs of audience and purpose e.g. to inform, to persuade, to report
  • analyze and write poetry using poetic devices: figurative language, imagery, alliteration, form etc
  • organize a written response to a poem: outline of main idea, themes, poetic techniques and their effects

In addition, pupils will be given ample opportunity to speak in a variety of situations, both for- mal and informal, using language that is suitable for their audience and purpose.

English literature is rich and influential, reflecting the experiences of people from many different countries and ages. In Grades 6 to 8, pupils are encouraged to develop the skills to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poems and drama, as well as non-fiction and media texts. They gain a sense of English literary heritage (spanning a millennium) and engage with many important texts from it. They also learn to appreciate and interpret the choices made by writers and speakers, and are thereby equipped to make creative and appropriate choices about how to communicate successfully themselves.

In Grade 6, pupils begin to develop important skills which will enable them to engage with and explore a variety of ideas and texts, understanding and responding to the main issues.

In Grade 6 students will:

  • understand plot, setting, character and theme
  • explore different forms of fiction (biographies, short stories, poetry etc)
  • explore literary devices (imagery, figurative language, symbolism, irony, metaphor)
  • learn to respond critically to literature
  • understand how character affects plot and understand characters’ motives and conflicts
  • make predictions and inferences about what they read
  • recognise and evaluate evidence from texts
  • compare and contrast stories
  • understand and evaluate vocabulary choices in literature: multiple meanings, synonyms and antonyms, connotations, context clues etc.

The objective of the grade 6 math course is to consolidate basic computational skills learned in elementary school, focusing on the development of problem solving strategies. Learning to understand questions formulated in English and being able to plan strategies for solving exercises will be a fundamental skill required during the course. Throughout the year students will be introduced to algebraic concepts in preparation for the upcoming pre-algebra course.

Topics:

  • Whole numbers and decimals: place value; comparing and ordering; estimation by rounding and compatible numbers; expressions; problem solving; operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
  • Data and graphs: frequency tables, line plots; uses of tables for problem solving; mean, median, mode, range, outlier; spreadsheets, bar and line graphs; misleading graphs.
  • Patterns and variables: evaluating variable expressions; writing algebraic expressions; one step equations; distributive property.
  • Number Theory and Fractions: divisibility rules; expressions with exponents; factoring and prime factorization; GCF; equivalent fractions; estimating fractions; fractions in simplest form; mixed numbers and improper fractions; LCM; comparing and ordering fractions; writing fractions as decimals.
  • Fraction Operations: estimating sums and differences with mixed numbers and fractions; addition and subtraction (all kinds of fractions); multiplication and division (all kinds of fractions); solving fraction equations.
  • Ratio, Proportions and Percents: define; compare in real world situations; unit rates; proportions; scale drawings; circle graphs; estimating with percents.
  • Geometry concepts: points, lines, rays, angles, angle measures, constructing angles and congruent angles; triangles, identifying triangles; polygons, classifying quadrilaterals; problem solving using logical reasoning; congruent and similar figures; line symmetry; transformations;  tessellations, units of measurement; perimeters and areas; the circle; 3-D figures; surface areas, volume.

The objective of the grade 6 science course is to advance independent study skills through the completion of daily responsibilities in the class and out. Students will learn more detailed steps of the scientific method; neat, complete and well organized class notes will be a requirement; students will be encouraged to develop detailed scientific illustrations and observations as a means to experimental data collection. Written assignments will be central to the investigative part of the course. Testing will evaluate their assimilation of course concepts.

Topics:

  • Laboratory safety and course requirements
  • Introduction to the scientific method: making a detailed observation

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

  • Classifying matter: matter and the elements
  • Changes in matter: Physicals changes; mixtures; solutions; chemical changes
  • Changes of state: solids, liquids, gases

EARTH SCIENCE

  • Water: the water cycle; water as a resource.
  • Water and conservation: properties of water; water saving tips
  • Atmosphere: definition, layers; composition; ozone layer; altitude, pressure, density
  • Climate change: rising temperatures and rising CO 2 levels; how to reduce your
    carbon footprint.

LIFE SCIENCE

  • Characteristics of Living Things: Kingdoms, Linnaeus and the binomial System of
    Classification.
  • Classifying Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Protists
  • Plant classification: making a scientific herbarium (from collection to classification)
  • Use of a microscope: components; how to handle; scientific illustration of a cell
    structure

The Middle School art history program gives students a deepening understanding of art and culture, it cultivates a broader mind and an ability to look at both art and the world in more than one way.

The Grade 6 Art History program will cover the following periods:

  • Palaeolithic
  • Neolithic
  • Egyptian
  • Greek
  • Roman
  • Byzantine

Social Studies in the Middle School exposes students to a range of enquiry-based topics that seek to further their understanding of the relationship between people and their planet. We cast a critical eye on the history of the world to allow us to appreciate the modern workings of communities as they face the challenges of the future. The course fosters curiosity among the students to ask questions and develop independent methods of learning.

Grade 7

In Grade 7, pupils will continue to develop important English skills of increasing complexity. They will increase their understanding of how language affects their world, and how they can use language to affect others.

Pupils will explore an increasing variety of different writing texts, both fiction and non-fiction, and explore the literary devices which make them particularly effective for readers and audi- ences. Pupils will continue to gain a deeper understanding of grammatical structures, improve their vocabulary and expand their knowledge of spelling strategies.

In Grade 7 students will:

  • read and structure their own narratives in a variety of lengths and way, choosing interesting vocabulary for effect
  • analyze and understand character and narrative viewpoint
  • analyze and write vivid descriptions of places using language that suits the purpose
  • compare descriptions for fact and opinion
  • understand meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases from context clues.
  • analyze how nonfiction articles use language to influence and persuade
  • plan and structure their opinions in writing and compare and contrast two opposing sides of an argument
  • use advanced punctuation (commas, semicolons, colons etc.)
  • write a response to literature and explain reasons for opinions
  • organize ideas to produce a cohesive text
  • write poetry using a variety of poetic devices
  • compare two poems by comparing/contrasting themes, language, forms etc.
  • provide evidence from texts to support ideas (quotations).
  • organize ideas to produce cohesive texts and use effective linking words
  • analyze how information can be organized and presented to readers
  • understand how information can be biased and influence the reader e.g. to persuade and create sympathy

In addition, pupils will be encouraged to speak in a variety of situations, gaining a deeper un- derstanding of the importance of levels of formality and appropriate word choices.

English literature is rich and influential, reflecting the experiences of people from many different countries and ages. In Grades 6 to 8, pupils are encouraged to develop the skills to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poems and drama, as well as non-fiction and media texts. They gain a sense of English literary heritage (spanning a millennium) and engage with many important texts from it. They also learn to appreciate and interpret the choices made by writers and speakers, and are thereby equipped to make creative and appropriate choices about how to communicate successfully themselves.

In Grade 7 pupils consolidate and further develop important critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the features of a wide variety of text types. They will gain experience of different genres of fiction and a selection of non-fiction texts.

In Grade 7 students will:

  • understand features of a variety of genres e.g. horror, science fiction, myths
  • analyze structure of story plots and themes and retell events effectively
  • understand suspense and how atmosphere is created
  • understand unfamiliar vocabulary through context clues
  • understand and analyze themes and recurring themes in stories and poems (from ancient to modern)
  • explore cause and effect in narratives
  • understand the effects of poetic devices, mood and suspense in narratives
  • analyze the writer’s purpose and trace an argument
  • distinguish fact from opinion
  • explore Shakespeare’s theatre and language
  • analyze selected narratives in poetry and prose (pre 1914 and post 1914)
  • adapt texts to different media and compare different media (narrative, playscript, film)
  • explore features and purpose of myths, folk tales and traditional stories and their importance in English literary heritage
  • understand how texts reflect cultures and how themes are described in different cultures
  • understand how bias may be used to influence the reader
  • develop their own personal responses to the writer’s argument

The objective of the grade 7 math course is to introduce algebra concepts in preparation for the Algebra 1 course in grade 8. Students will be required to have a very solid foundation of basic computational skills. Knowledge of basic operations and fractions concepts are a requirement to the course, as are an understanding of the order of operations, simple numerical and variable expressions and equations. Graphing skills will be developed, although students should already be familiar with them and the precision requirements needed to work neatly with a pencil and straight edge. Accuracy and good organizational skills are needed to successfully complete the course.

Topics:

  • Integers and Variable Expressions: absolute value; compare and order integers; variable expressions; order of operations; add, subtract, multiply and divide integers; algebraic equations
  • Rational and Irrational Numbers: identify prime and composite numbers; GCF; rational numbers in simplest form; fractions as decimals; repeating decimals as fractions; LCM; compare and order rational numbers; add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers; formulas; powers and exponents; scientific notation.
  • Real numbers and the Coordinate Plane: exploring square roots and irrational numbers; the Pythagorean Theorem and its applications; graphing in the coordinate plane; equations, tables and graphs; translations; reflections and symmetry.
  • Applications of Proportions: ratios and unit rates; converting units; proportions; similar figures and proportions; similarity transformations; scale models and maps; similarity and indirect measurement.
  • Application of Percents: fractions, decimals, percents; estimating with percents; percents and proportions; percents and equations; percent of change; mark-up and discount; simple interest; ratios and probability.
  • Equations and Inequalities: solving 2-step equations; simplify variable expressions; combining like-terms and then simplifying; solve equations by subtraction; solve equations by addition; solve equations by multiplication and division; solve two-step equations; solve equations with variable on both sides; write and graph inequalities; solve inequalities by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
  • Statistical data: interpretation and construction of bar graphs, stacked bar graphs, sliding bar graphs, line graphs and multiple line graphs; recognizing misleading graph; selecting appropriate scale; frequency and histograms; measures of central tendency; stem and leaf plots; range; scatter plots; choosing an appropriate graph within a survey.

The objective of the grade 7 science course is to advance independent study skills through the completion of daily responsibilities in the class and out.

Students will learn to implement the steps of the scientific method through term laboratory re- ports and a yearly experimental science fair presentation; planning experiments and learning to collect data appropriately will be central to the investigative part of the course. Math skills will be integrated in the processing of experimental data. Neat, complete and well organized class notes will be a requirement.

Students will be encouraged to develop scientific curiosity and independent critical thinking as they analyze information and do research. Written assignments will be central to the investiga- tive part of the course; in particular, extensive research finalized to developing original discus- sion components will be required. Testing will evaluate their assimilation of course concepts.

Topics:

  • Laboratory safety and course requirements
  • Introduction to the scientific method: observations and inferences

EARTH SCIENCE

  • Structure of the Earth: Earth’s layers; Earth’s interior; independent observations.
  • Time and Change: origin of geological time.
  • Plate Tectonics: Continental drift; Theory of Tectonic Plates; Convection
  • Earthquakes: crustal stresses; faults; locating an epicenter; earthquake safety
  • Volcanoes: structures; types; formation; monitoring; Italy and its geological
    formations

LIFE SCIENCE – THE HUMAN BODY

  • Body organization and cells
  • Bones, muscles, skin
  • Nutrition: food pyramid; nutrients; understanding labels, calories, and portion sizes.
  • Digestive System
  • Respiratory System, Smoking and your health
  • Genetics: Mendel; genes, alleles, chromosomes; Punnett squares; Pedigrees.

The Middle School art history program gives students a deepening understanding of art and culture, it cultivates a broader mind and an ability to look at both art and the world in more than one way.

The Grade 7 Art History program will cover the following periods:

  • Romanesque Architecture
  • Gothic Architecture
  • Renaissance
  • Baroque
  • Rococò

Social Studies in the Middle School exposes students to a range of enquiry-based topics that seek to further their understanding of the relationship between people and their planet. We cast a critical eye on the history of the world to allow us to appreciate the modern workings of communities as they face the challenges of the future. The course fosters curiosity among the students to ask questions and develop independent methods of learning.

Grade 8

In Grade 8, pupils will continue to build on and consolidate their English skills in preparation for the demands of high school English. They will consolidate their understanding of the subtle techniques of language and how it affects others. They will continue to explore a wide variety of texts (both pre- and post-1914), literary devices, grammatical and narrative structures and vocabulary and write their own.

The Grade 8 English program is particularly geared towards 20th century and modern texts.

In Grade 8 students will:

  • Create variety to their narrative writing with a variety of sentence structures
  • Draft and edit their own work
  • Create, combine and vary sentences for effect (describe, inform, persuade etc.)
  • Learn to avoid non-sentences, misplaced modifiers and common usage problems
  • Effectively consolidate uses of punctuation, paragraphing and writing conventions 
  • Define a personal response to literature by summarizing important features and gathering details about a piece of work
  • Shape a clearly organized response essay
  • Form nouns from adjectives and verbs, and vice versa
  • Make vocabulary choices based on the emotive impact of words on the reader
  • Structure and present information clearly for a written report and oral PowerPoint presentation
  • Combine and organize information from a range of sources
  • Revise drafts for coherence, progression and supporting detail
  • Shape persuasive writing by developing a thesis statement and organized structure
  • Use a variety of rhetorical devices for effect in both writing and spoken English.

English literature is rich and influential, reflecting the experiences of people from many different countries and ages. In Grades 6 to 8, pupils are encouraged to develop the skills to become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poems and drama, as well as non-fiction and media texts. They gain a sense of English literary heritage (spanning a millennium) and engage with many important texts from it. They also learn to appreciate and interpret the choices made by writers and speakers, and are thereby equipped to make creative and appropriate choices about how to communicate successfully themselves.

In Grade 8 pupils further develop and practice critical thinking and reading skills. They are able to infer and deduce meaning, recognise and discuss different interpretations of texts, justifying their views with evidence, in preparation for high school literature courses.

In Grade 8 students will:

  • understand more complex plots, conflict, sub-plot and story motifs
  • understand the development of the English language from 1100 to the present day (Old English to Modern English) and the diffusion of English worldwide
  • explore selected texts and important writers and poets from 19th and 20th century
  • explore the form and style of Shakespeare’s sonnets
  • understand the development of English language and literature during the Renaissance
  • analyze how the writer creates a sense of mystery, tension or humour in the text
  • continue to explore contemporary themes in fiction and nonfiction texts
  • understand and use poetic terminology and understand vocabulary in context
  • understand the main idea in nonfiction report writing
  • use emotive vocabulary or imagery to create strong impression on the reader
  • analyze literary devices and style in prose and nonfiction
  • consider how writers use irony, allusion and symbolism, and how humour is created
  • understand bias in texts and in the narrator’s point of view
  • analyse language, vocabulary, rhetorical devices, imagery/ images, layout and choice of information given in speeches, news articles, biased recounts and advertising texts.

The objective of the grade 8 Algebra 1 course is to consolidate concepts introduced in the grade 7 pre-algebra course and to prepare the students for the challenging requirements that many high schools expect in grade 9. Students will learn to think critically and analytically as they master the algebraic techniques needed in many standardized tests they will encounter in the future. They will learn to apply skills to real world situations and will gain a greater understanding of algebraic concepts needed for their future high school math work.

Topics:

  • Variables, Function Patterns, and Graphs: model relationships with variable and equations; simplify and evaluate expressions and formulas following the order of operations; classify and compare numbers; function rule; quantities in a function; scatter plots; mean, median, mode, range; stem and leaf plot.
  • Rational Numbers: add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers; simplify algebraic expressions and use the distributive property; use deductive reasoning.
  • Solving equations: two-step equations; distributive property when combining like-terms and solving equations; equations with variables on both sides; ratio and rates; proportions; missing measures of similar figures; variables in terms of another variable; model distance- rate-time problems; square roots; problems using the Pythagorean Theorem.
  • Solving inequalities: solutions of inequalities; graph and write inequalities; inequalities using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division; multi-step inequalities; absolute value equa- tions and inequalities.
  • Graphs and Functions: relate graphs to events; evaluate functions; function rules, tables and graphs; write a function rule; equations for direct and inverse variation; direct and in- verse variation; deductive reasoning to describe number patterns.
  • Linear equations and their graphs: rates of change from tables and graphs; slope of a linear equation; linear equations in slope-intercept form, standard form, point-slope form; linear graphs; parallel and perpendicular lines.
  • Systems of Equations and Inequalities: graphing, substitution, elimination.
  • Exponents and Exponential Functions: expressions with zero and negative exponents; Scientific Notation; multiplication properties of exponents; division properties of exponents; exponential functions.
  • Polynomials and factoring: polynomials; add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials; fac- tor a monomial from a polynomial; factor trinomials; factor perfect square trinomials; factor the difference of two squares; factor trinomials by grouping.

The objective of the grade 8 science course is to consolidate independent study skills through the completion of daily responsibilities in the class and out. Students will continue to use the steps of the scientific method through term laboratory reports and a yearly experimental science fair presentation; planning experiments and learning to collect data appropriately will be central to the investigative part of the course. Math skills will be integrated in the processing of experimental data. Neat, complete and well organized class notes will be a requirement. Students will be encouraged to develop scientific curiosity and independent critical thinking as they analyze information and do attentive research. Focus on reliability of resources and paraphrasing will be fundamental to acceptable research material in order to develop original discussion material that has been carefully thought through. Testing will evaluate their assimilation of course concepts.

Topics:

  • Laboratory safety and course requirements.
  • Introduction to the scientific method: qualitative and quantitative observations; faulty
    reasoning; cause and effect; analyze information; reliable resources; application of
    scientific method vocabulary.

CHEMISTRY

  • Introduction to matter: describing matter; measuring matter; changes in matter;
    matter and energy.
  • Elements of the Periodic Table: Introduction to the atom; organizing the elements;
    metals; non-metals; metalloids; elements from stardust.
  • Chemical interactions: atoms and bonding; ionic, covalent, metallic bonds.

PHYSICS

  • Motion: define; units; speed; velocity; slow motion; graphing motion
  • Forces: balanced and unbalanced; Newton’s 3 laws of motion; law of universal
    gravitation; momentum; law of conservation of momentum

ASTRONOMY

  • Introduction to the universe: its formation; ancient civilizations; units; how our
    understanding of the universe has evolved over time (Aristotle, Ptolemy,
    Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Newton)
  • Earth-Moon system: Seasons; Time-zones; Moon phases; eclipses
  • The Solar System: Sun, Planets, Asteroids, Meteoroids, Comets
  • Space Exploration: history and future discoveries

The Middle School art history program gives students a deepening understanding of art and culture, it cultivates a broader mind and an ability to look at both art and the world in more than one way.

The Grade 8 Art History program will cover the following periods:

  • Neoclassical
  • Romantic
  • Realism
  • Impressionism
  • Post-Impressionism
  • ModernArt:
    • Dada
    • Expressionism
    • Surrealism
    • Abstraction
    • Pop
    • Abstract Expressionism
    • Modern Sculpture
    • Post- Modern period
Social Studies in the Middle School exposes students to a range of enquiry-based topics that seek to further their understanding of the relationship between people and their planet. We cast a critical eye on the history of the world to allow us to appreciate the modern workings of communities as they face the challenges of the future. The course fosters curiosity among the students to ask questions and develop independent methods of learning.

Meet the teachers

Projects & Activities

A selection of the most remarkable Art Projects produced by our Grade 5 to Grade 8 students during the 2021-2022 school year.

Testimonials

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