Middle School - Frassati Catholic Academy

Frassati Catholic Academy Middle School Highlights

Literature and Language Arts

We believe that Literature and Language Arts require two class periods a day to enhance the in-depth instruction that enables our students to perform at their highest level. Students will be able to critically analyze and interpret text in a variety of formats including fiction, nonfiction, personal essays, written, internet and other sources.

Literature:

Use supporting evidence to make informed arguments about text.
• Critique and formulate a personal response to reading.
• Read 8-10 books a year in and out of class.
• Demonstrate literal, interpretative, inferential, and evaluative comprehension.
• Read a variety of reading materials including fiction, nonfiction, and informational
• Learn the etymology of vocabulary words while building personal vocabulary.
• Demonstrate knowledge of a book through interdisciplinary projects.

Language Arts:

• Express ideas in writing.
• Use the writing process of prewriting, drafting, and revising while maintaining organization, focus, quality of ideas and purpose.
• Apply Standard English conventions in all areas of writing.
• Write informative and persuasive pieces demonstrating knowledge of thesis statements, bibliographies, and works cited.
• Communicate ideas through informal and formal speeches using multimedia.
• Advance and incorporate critical listening skills to synthesize meaning from the spoken word.
• Critically evaluate oral presentations and improve style in personal communications.

Mathematics

6th Grade:

Students begin the transition from concrete thinking to abstract thinking. While using a variety of problem solving techniques students learn to connect math skills to real world problems. Students extend basic operations applying those skills to advanced tasks.
• Practice simplifying and evaluating with decimals, fractions, integers and exponents.
• Apply basic geometric skills including rate of change formulas and extending graphing into all quadrants of the coordinate plane.
• Begin solving simple algebraic equations and simplifying algebraic expressions.

7th Grade:

Seventh grade math is Pre-Algebra. This course is an introduction to the language and applications of Algebra and how it is used in their daily lives.
• Introduce multivariable equations.
• Explore multiple representations of data.
• Extend applications with the real number system.
• Apply algebraic properties to solve and graph inequalities.
• Present properties of exponents and radicals.
• Introduce basic statistics and probability.
• Find the perimeter and area of two-dimensional figures, using these skills to calculate surface area and volume of three-dimensional figures.
• Calculate proportional relationships.

8th Grade:

Eighth grade is Algebra I. The language and applications of Algebra are developed towards
• Learn to manipulate and solve linear equations and linear inequalities.
• Practice multiple methods for solving systems of linear equations and inequalities.
• Multiply, add, subtract, and divide polynomials.
• Factor polynomials.
• Solve and graph quadratic equations.
• Simplify rational and radical expressions.

Religion

6th Grade:

The program helps students increase their understanding of God’s plan of salvation revealed in the Bible. Students deepen their knowledge of how the Old Testament is unveiled in the New Testament, how the New Testament is hidden in the Old Testament, and that Jesus, the Word Incarnate, is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with His people. As they come to see the beauty of God’s plan and their role in it, students are encouraged to respond generously to their call to holiness through authentic worship and moral integrity.

7th Grade:

The program focuses on the central mysteries of our faith – the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Paschal Mystery. Emphasis is put on gaining a deeper understanding of the sacraments and their importance in our spiritual growth. Students are invited to deepen their personal relationship with God through prayer, worship, reading of Sacred Scripture, and participation in the sacraments.

8th Grade:

The program assists students in growing into young adult Catholic Christians, appreciating that they are temples of the Holy Spirit invited to live their lives for Christ. Students have the opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of their connectedness to the Church as the Body of Christ through a study of Church history. They are encouraged to respond to their Baptismal call to holiness through exercising virtue and participating fully in the life of a Christian.

Throughout the year, students in all grades live out the Catholic Social Teachings through collections, fundraisers, and volunteerism.

Science

In Middle School science the students increase their vocabulary and comprehension of scientific text through a variety of methods. These methods include reading, analyzing, and interpreting information. They are given activities that will spark their curiosity about the science behind the occurrence. Students throughout their middle school career will delve into the areas of Earth, Life and Physical science. In each of these areas the students will have the opportunity to experience the engineering process by creating group and individual projects.

Some of the highlights of the program are:
• Lego Robotics
• Trip to Wolfridge
• Heredity and Genetics
• Plate tectonics and Continental drift
• Basic understanding of balancing chemical equations
• The Periodic Table
• Astronomy
• Forces and Energy
• Technology

Social Studies

6th Grade:

Curriculum has as its focus the study of Minnesota. Through note-taking, art, simulations, performance, interpretation, and writing, students gain an understanding of the geographic, economic, and civic roles in the development of Minnesota as part of a larger nation. Specific topics such as Harriet Bishop and education, the fur trade, the building of Fort Snelling, Native American treaties, and Minnesota’s response to global conflicts are part of
the curriculum.

7th Grade:

Curriculum has as its focus the study of the United States from the beginning of the new country to the present. Through note-taking, art, simulations, performance, interpretation, and writing, students gain an understanding of the building of a nation. There is an emphasis on economics and geography and the part they played in the development of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court decisions that made a lasting impact on who we are as a nation in a global world. Through the History Day project, students further hone their skills of research and presentation using primary and secondary sources.

8th Grade:

Curriculum has as its focus the study of geography with an emphasis on contemporary world history. Students study the regions of the world in terms of their beginnings as well as their role in present day global interactions. There is an emphasis on the independence as well as the interdependence of each region. An introduction to government and economics in each region helps students see the diversity that exists throughout the world. Through the History
Day project, students further hone their skills of research and presentation using primary and secondary sources.

Frassati Catholic Academy is supported by St. Pius X and St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Parishes in White Bear Lake, MN. To enroll at Frassati Catholic Academy, schedule a tour, request more information, learn more about STREAM or contact us with questions, call 651-429-7771 today.

Follow us!

Request info