Junior High (6-8)
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Junior High (6-8)
The Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade classes at St. Cyril challenge the students and encourage exploration of self and society. The Junior High approaches learning with an intensive science, technology, and literary focus to prepare our Junior High students for success in High School and beyond. In addition, the Junior High students build confidence and leadership skills while interacting with the rest of the school community and venturing out on class trips or outdoor school.
Click the subject to read more about Jr. High coursework!
Math
Our Jr. High math program begins in 6th grade where students master the four arithmetic operations with whole numbers, positive fractions, positive decimals, and positive and negative integers; they accurately compute and solve problems. They apply their knowledge to statistics and probability and analyze data. They work with ratios and proportions, percentages and formulas. They are introduced to variables and expressions and linear equations. In 7th grade they build on the skills from 6th grade and spend a full year working with Pre-Algebra. The course helps students develop multiple strategies to solve problems and recognize connections between concepts. There is a big focus on academic vocabulary throughout all of our courses, but especially in Pre-Algebra to prepare the students for Algebra the following year. Students work with whole numbers, integers, rational and irrational numbers. Students in Pre-Algebra use linear equations and systems of equations and learn to graph using coordinates, direct variation, and slope. They continue working on the skills from 6th grade, problem solving and continuing to develop their critical thinking skills. In 8th Grade, the students complete a complete course of Algebra 1. Topics taught provide the foundation our students need to be successful in high school mathematics. Our course helps our students develop an understanding of functions including quadratic and exponential relationships. It deepens their understanding of linear relationships and equations and graphing. There is a focus on solving and graphing linear equations, systems of equations and inequalities. Academic vocabulary is a strong focus of our Algebra 1 course.
History
History in Jr. High is very hands-on and project based. We have a class set of VR headsets and take virtual field trips all throughout Jr. High. There is nothing like being immersed in history and visiting places that we can’t take a school bus to see. In addition to our virtual field trip expeditions, we have a gaming computer and an HTC Vive and an Oculus Quest that allow our students to travel all over the world, into space and deep into the depths of the sea.
6th grade history begins literally from the beginning. We learn about Early Human societies; we do cave paintings, learn about Cuneiform writing and write on clay tablets, we make mummies during our Ancient Egyptian unit, we use MinecraftEDU to compare and contrast the Ancient Kush pyramids and the Ancient Egyptian ones and when we do our unit on the Ancient Hebrews we partner with the Synagogue across the street from our school and we are lucky to see the Torah up close. We end our 6th grade curriculum with Ancient Greece and begin 7th grade with the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. We learn about the rise of Christianity and our history class parallels with the students learning in their Religion class. We learn about ancient Byzantium and then move onto Islam in the Middle Ages where the students work again with MinecraftEdu and work collaboratively to create Islamic Mosques, Palaces and Tombs. We then travel through time to learn about Europe in the Middle Ages and the students always love our field trip to Medieval Times! The class works to create their own Medieval Town in MinecraftEdu and then we end our year learning about the Renaissance. While 8th grade’s history focus is on American History, we begin our year learning about the Protestant Reformation and then jump into the Early Colonists and their settlements. Our focus throughout 8th grade is learning how our Nation was created and making connections between what happened then and what is going on in our current world. The parallels sometimes are uncanny. We spend time in 8th grade debating topics and watching historical testimony.
All 3 grades in Jr. High have weekly current events activities because at St. Cyril, we believe that the more educated our students are on what is going on in the world, the more connections they can make between their world today and the historical events and periods we study in 6th, 7th and 8th grade.
Language Arts
St. Cyril’s English Language Arts (ELA) is a three-year program that combines fundamental reading and writing instruction with thematic explorations of literature and real life. For 6th grade, our theme for the year is “Only Connect!” — a phrase from the English novelist E.M. Forster. During this year, we examine the ways that writing serves as a connector for the human race, as we delve into the origins of writing in ancient times, the ongoing influence of mythology, the ways that stories develop empathy and understanding of others, and more. For 7th grade, our theme is “Both Sides Now” (named after the famous Joni Mitchell song), as we hone our critical thinking skills by looking at topics from multiple perspectives. Among our subjects this year are heroes and villains, truth vs. fiction, and the meanings that we apply to objects. Finally, in 8th grade, we turn to “The Gift of Intelligence,” which borrows its name from a phrase by the late film critic and essayist Roger Ebert. This year, we examine the concept of human intelligence, with units on childhood, street smarts, our relationship with nature, and more.
At each grade level, students read three novels along with a number of short stories, articles, poems, and more. Essays are written in a workshop format that allows students to spend multiple weeks revising their work to ensure the highest grade possible. In addition, we answer reading-comprehension questions on HyperDocs, learn vocabulary through the Sadlier Connect book series, and engage our creative skills by doing literary-themed group projects throughout the year.
Science
Junior high science is broken down into 3 areas of focus, one for each trimester. In the first trimester, students will learn about life science. The 6th grade focuses on the cell and what makes up life, with an emphasis in Biology. We build cells out of candy, or paper and use our microscopes to see inside the plants and some animal cells that we have studied. The 7th grade develops an understanding of how that life works together to sustain our planet. Starting with Genetics, then moving into Ecology. In the 8th grade, students learn the functional concepts about how our bodies work, in Anatomy. We have an app that guides us through a mouse dissection to see the structures in “real life”. Students will build diagrams of their vital organs and the systems that support them.
In the second trimester, students will focus on Earth Science. While the 7th graders tackle the science fair, 6th grade builds a strong foundation in the scientific method, to prepare them for next year. 6th graders then shift focus to our solar system and the science of astronomy. The 8th grade starts learning about plate tectonics, and natural disasters such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and erosion. These topics lend themselves well to many experiments and practical applications. After the science fair, 7th grade students will learn about the Earth’s water systems. Starting with oceans, and the atmosphere before moving into weather patterns and climate change. Trimester three focuses on Physical Science. Students at all three junior high levels will conduct experiments to explore the phenomena of physics and chemical reactions. Projects like the egg drop experiment, making ice cream, and a paper airplane contest let students apply what they are learning in class and have a great time doing it.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem School is committed to providing a nurturing environment to families of ALL faiths. We are a community of learners who are effective, contributing members who appreciate differences and welcome all.