Theology 6
OBJECTIVE: To become familiar with the People of God and His Word.
ACTIVITIES: Experiencing the faith of our Catholic Christian community, Discover the meaning of God’s activity in our lives, Understanding the basic principles of the Bible, Become familiar with the traditions of the Catholic Church, Explore ways of growth as people of prayer, action and study, Life of St. John Baptist De La Salle.
Theology 7
OBJECTIVE: To develop a better understanding of the concepts of faith.
ACTIVITIES: Awareness of relationships with God, self and others, The importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in these relationships, Develop an awareness of Jesus Christ as a real person and as a model, Look at the Gospels as sources of value principles, Lives of the Saints.
Theology 8
OBJECTIVE: To develop an understanding of the basic concepts of the Church.
ACTIVITIES: Look at “freedom” as the possibility of being unique, Formulate an understanding of responsibility, Understand the Church as: Community, People of God, Pilgrim, Institution, and Prophet, Look at the role of the Sacraments in the life of the community, Develop verbal/non-verbal communication skills and evaluation skills in the group, Study the role of individuals and their place in the following groups: family, church, local communities and the world, Life of Jesus.
Reading 6
Our goal is to develop a life-long love of reading. A basal reader and trade books are used in grade six. Folk tales, plays, realistic fiction, autobiography, poetry, and essay are then genres encountered in our reading program. The focus is on comprehension, characterization, analogies, cause/effect, vocabulary, generalizations, comparisons, sequences and story mapping.
English 6
This course places an emphasis on providing a sound foundation in grammar, spelling, and vocabulary skills. The use of short stories and novels, such as The Giver, are utilized to develop reading comprehension and a love of reading.
English 7
This course begins with the basic skills of grammar, sentence structure, and spelling rules. Then the student progresses to usage and mechanics. Vocabulary is coordinated as much as possible with the literature being studied. The writing section consists of student journals, literature essays, and compositions throughout each semester. Reading comprehension is practiced through novels, short stories and poems. Students read several novels and short stories. Poems are also read throughout the year with an intensive study during the month of April, which is Poetry Month.
English 8
This course begins with the rules of usage and mechanics being applied to solid sentence structure. The student’s writing progress is closely monitored through essays, compositions, and one research paper. Spelling and vocabulary lessons are done weekly. Reading comprehension is reinforced through novels, short stories, poems, and full length plays. At the eighth grade level we will read several required novels. Some of the novels will be read as class work and some will be through an independent study. Students continue their study of literature through a series of short stories read throughout the year. Poems are studied extensively as we celebrate Poetry Month during April.
History 6
The sixth grade course in World History is designed to provide a look at the advances in world civilization from 5000 BC to the present. The study is generally confined to the Eastern Hemisphere. Areas of focus are the Neolithic Period, Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, India, China, Rome, Africa, Medieval Europe, and the Emerging Renaissance. Geography, multiculturalism, cultural diffusion, religion, and global interdependence rank as key themes for this course.
History 7
This course covers the history of the United States from pre-Revolutionary times to 1860. Topics covered include the geography of the Americas, American Indians, European and English Colonization, The American Revolution, the Republic, the Jeffersonian Era, Growth and Expansion of the American Nation, the Jacksonian Era, the North and the South and the Reform Age. Woven into this chronological presentation will be the study of the history and role of communication, transportation, lighting, clothing and art.
History 8
This course is designed to give the students a view of the history of the United States from 1860 to the present. Topics covered will include the Civil War, Industrialization, Imperialism, World War I, the Depression, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Woven through this chronological presentation will be the study of the history and role of communication, transportation, lighting, clothing and art.
Math 6
This course covers the foundational topics of geometry, measurements, algebra, scale and graph readings.
Math 7
This course is a complete review of arithmetic concepts as well as a good foundation in algebraic and geometric concepts. Students at the end of this class will be either placed in Mathematics 8 or Integrated Algebra.
Math 8
This course is designed for the Eighth Grade student who needs a stronger foundation in math before he begins Integrated Algebra. His arithmetic background is strongly reinforced and he is at the same time introduced to several algebraic and geometric concepts that he will again encounter in future mathematics courses.
Integrated Algebra (Math 8 Honors)
This course is a one-year Regents Level Course that follows the standards set forth by the New York State Education Department. While the curriculum has a focus on algebra, other topics such as geometric shapes, functions, probability, trigonometry and real number systems are all featured as part of the course. Integrated Algebra satisfies year one of the three year Mathematics requirement for a Regents Diploma.
Prerequisite: Eighth grade students may take Integrated Algebra if they have at least a 90 average in Math 7.
Science 6
General Science for sixth grade develops the concepts of work, energy and machines. A variety of living organisms are studied, from one-celled organisms to the human body. The concept of energy usage and its sources is woven throughout the units studied. Some topics in astronomy and aerospace science are explored. Fieldwork enhances the life science unit. Technology is incorporated throughout the year. Several projects are required.
Life Science 7
Life Science surveys the different kinds of living systems. The characteristics, the adaptations, and the classifications are studied. The interrelationships of living things are stressed through genetics, food chains and environmental stresses. Fieldwork, projects and the Internet are used to enrich the student’s understanding of the concepts
Physical Science 8
Physical Science involves the study of the composition, properties and changes matter can undergo. Types of energy, including mechanical, sound, electromagnetic, nuclear and heat, are studied. Other units are motion, matter and energy, force, heat, electricity and magnetism and waves.
Earth Science – Honors Science 8
This is a lab course with a series of activities and graphing exercises which must be written up by the student. The introductory material involves the basics of measurement and principles of change. The topics covered fulfill the requirements for the core Regents curriculum. In addition, students will complete units on glaciers, astronomy and the computation of earthquake epicenters. As part of this course, the students must complete 1200 minutes of laboratory work and must have a complete file of their satisfactory written reports for each lab by the first Friday in June.
Art 6
This course is designed to help the students build confidence in the basic art concepts while learning to master basic art skills. Students will learn how various artists used these concepts in their work. Projects for this course include : Primary Color Designs (with a emphasis on composition in Art), Secondary Color Cut-Out /Overlapping Designs, Texture Landscapes (texture rubbings), working in the Style of Henri Rousseau creating a Fantasy Landscape, working with patterns in nature designing and sculpting Stuffed Fantasy Fish.
Art 7
This course is designed to help students look at the everyday world around them realistically and abstractly. They will learn the emotional influence of the elements on works of art and recreate these emotions in their own work. Projects for this course include: Continuous Line Contour Drawings of a Still Life (using warm and cool colors), Positive/Negative Space Designs (using every day objects from the kitchen drawer and tool box), 3 D Silhouettes (watercolor and paper cut-out designs working with a theme and focusing in on a subject of choice), Postage Stamp Design, Changing the Emotion of a Famous Painting with Color to Create a New Emotion, Designing a Space City of the Future.
Art 8
This course places emphasis on architectural forms, including 20th century artists and design. Projects will allow the students to express their individuality in their work. Projects for this course include: Continuous Line Contour Drawing of an Interesting House (using crayon and watercolors), Geometric Deigns, Crayon Batik Still Life ( looking Batik fabric design), Pop Art Labels (as well as the history of Pop Art), and Fantasy Castles (evolution of castle design).
Music 6
Sixth grade students explore music and art through singing, composing and listening. They explore the music of different cultures and explore music through the visual arts as well.
Music 7
Music in the seventh grade focuses on the traditional roots of Western music. Students learn about the orchestra and other playing ensembles. They learn basic rhythm and notation, and they also study major composers in music history.
Music 8
In the eighth grade, students focus on music as it pertains to the theater. They study the evolution of musical theater from Vaudeville to Broadway and even movie soundtracks.
Language 6
Students begin an introductory course in Spanish with an emphasis on Spanish culture, geography, and the development of speaking skills.
Spanish 7
This course begins the New York State recommended plan for second language study. Emphasis is placed on structure and form with development of listening and speaking skills. Cultural understanding is developed with readings, reports and various cultural activities.
Spanish 8
This course will complete the first year sequence in Spanish with more emphasis on speaking and listening skills.
Health & Physical Education Department
Health 6
A student in this health class will be able to describe healthful behaviors, risk behaviors and risk situations and use the responsible decision making model and refusal skills. Students learn how self-concept, personality and philosophy of life influence health and learn to express emotions in healthful ways. Students study the unique characteristics of the life cycle from infancy through adolescence, as well as the physical, mental and social characteristics of the adult years. Other topics include nutrition, the dangers of substance abuse and personal safety.
Health 7
Students study the effects of heredity, environment, culture, feelings and the needs of their personality and self-concept. They learn ways to have good mental health by reducing stress. They investigate the importance of being healthy and the need to have a plan for one’s health involving the continued study of nutrition, substance abuse and personal safety
Health 8
Students learn how self-knowledge and self-concept are related to their ability to mature, set goals and reach those goals. They learn ways to reduce the effects of stress and thus prevent mental illness. Students study the structures and functions of the various systems of the body, as well as their healthful maintenance and the causes and treatment of their dysfunction.
PE 6
The Christian Brothers Academy Physical Education Program is designed to assist the student in developing his full potential. Each student is encouraged to develop a bridge between recreation and healthful living habits which will be a lifetime foundation for self-fulfillment and achievement; for caring and gaining a responsible place in society. Students are taught to value personal qualities of self-control, discipline, good sportsmanship, rules and regulations, and respect for others in life situations. Our goal is that each student possesses a personal sense of self-confidence, social graces, pride toward life and self and the desire to pursue excellence in his endeavors.
PE 7
The Christian Brothers Academy Physical Education Program is designed to assist the student in developing his full potential. Each student is encouraged to develop a bridge between recreation and healthful living habits which will be a lifetime foundation for self-fulfillment and achievement; for caring and gaining a responsible place in society. Students are taught to value personal qualities of self-control, discipline, good sportsmanship, rules and regulations, and respect for others in life situations. Our goal is that each student possesses a personal sense of self-confidence, social graces, pride toward life and self and the desire to pursue excellence in his endeavors.
PE 8
The Christian Brothers Academy Physical Education Program is designed to assist the student in developing his full potential. Each student is encouraged to develop a bridge between recreation and healthful living habits which will be a lifetime foundation for self-fulfillment and achievement; for caring and gaining a responsible place in society. Students are taught to value personal qualities of self-control, discipline, good sportsmanship, rules and regulations, and respect for others in life situations. Our goal is that each student possesses a personal sense of self-confidence, social graces, pride toward life and self and the desire to pursue excellence in his endeavors.
