Middle School - 6th - 8th Grades

THEOLOGY
The primary focus of CtR middle school theology is to help guide students to have an encounter with Jesus and to continue to cultivate a lifelong loving relationship with our Savior. This is under the direction of the Archdiocesan Guidelines for Religious Education. The resources used are the Catholic Bible, Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the RCL Benzinger’s My Disciple text book.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Students in grades 6-8 explore various short stories, novels, essays and articles in order to enhance and deepen their understanding and application of reading, writing and communication skills taught in earlier grades. Students in middle school will use a variety of fiction and nonfiction reading as models for different writing styles written during the year. Students also learn literary criticism and text analysis of characters’ actions and intentions, comparing stories’ themes, writing with figurative and expressive language, and conducting research while differentiating between primary and secondary sources. As in the lower grades, middle school students grow their vocabulary and grammar skills through reading and writing as well as the use of Sadlier’s Vocabulary Workshop and Grammar for Writing.

MATH
Middle school students receive general math instruction in 6th grade, and more specific instruction in grades 7 and 8.

Our 6th grade students utilize a Prentice Hall Pearson book titled Course 2 Mathematics, which is a general math book covering all major domains.

Our 7th grade students are prepared for 8th grade Algebra using a Prentice Hall Pearson Pre-Algebra book and given whole group and small group instruction, so that each student’s needs can be met. Additional resources and online programs such as Mathletics are used for independent skill practice, homework, and stations in the classroom while students meet with the teacher for more individualized, differentiated instruction.

In 8th grade, students receive Algebra-specific instruction and utilize Prentice Hall Pearson’s Algebra course, in addition to online resources.

SCIENCE
Students in middle school study science in a single subject focused manner, while continuously reviewing more general science topics. In 6th grade, students study earth science. In 7th grade, students focus on Life Science, and in 8th grade students focus on physical science.  

SOCIAL STUDIES
All middle school students meet their learning objectives through Teach TCI’s Social Studies Alive! Online program. Students work in partners and small groups to conduct research, hands on activities, watch videos, and explore the world around them. Our 6th grade students focus on the Ancient World, 7th grade students focus on Geography and Texas History, and 8th grade students focus on American History.