Seventh and Eighth
Grade Core Curriculum

St. Francis seventh and eighth grade offers a strong and varied academic curriculum.

Religion: Our seventh grade program has two components. The first is Morality, Life in Christ, using the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments. The second component is Mystery of God where students study the life of Jesus Christ. Our eighth grade program focuses on both the message of Jesus and the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Math: Our seventh grade math program is a general math class designed to prepare students for the eighth grade emphasis on algebra. Our eighth grade math program is divided into Algebra A which is an accelerated class requiring a high degree of effort and Algebra B, which covers many of the same topics as Algebra A with added support as needed. A student’s performance, effort, standardized test scores and the results of the end-of-the-year placement exam determine place for eighth grade.

English: Our seventh grade English program covers many different language mechanics as well as the essential components of writing, speaking and listening skills. Our eighth grade program focuses on both grammar and writing, reviewing parts of speech, mastering sentence structure, and improving speaking skills. Both programs use Houghton Mifflin's English.

Literature: Seventh grade literature focuses on literary appreciation for genres, styles and authors, as well as vocabulary and the role it plays in speech and written work. Throughout the year, eighth grade explores the following genres: short stories, nonfiction, drama, poetry, myths, tales, ballads, and legends. Students are expected to learn new vocabulary words.

Vocabulary: The seventh- and eighth-grade classes use the Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop, levels A, B, and C. Each book focuses on definitions, context, synonyms, and antonyms. The online component of this program includes an audio program and interactive games and puzzles.

Social Studies: Seventh-grade students cover the history of the United States from its beginning to the time of Reconstruction. Eighth-grade social studies is a continuation of the study of United States history from the end of the Civil War up to the present.

Science: Middle-school science utilizes a fifteen-book series, entitled Science Voyages, by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. Seventh grade studies bacteria to plants, life’s structure and function, motion, forces and energy, and the air around you. Eighth grade studies the changing surface of the earth, the nature of matter, chemistry, and electricity and magnetism.

Spanish: All seventh graders take Spanish. They cover noun gender, adjectives, and how to conjugate verbs. They continue to build vocabulary started in the primary grades and study Hispanic culture. Spanish in eighth grade is part of the core curriculum. They learn how to use verbs, the preterit tense and object pronouns. The goal is to become more fluent by speaking, reading, writing, and listening to Spanish. Upon completion of eighth grade students are ready for Spanish 2 in high school.