Home Room Classes:
6th Butler
6th Saldana/Joyce
7th Norton
7th Skillman
8th Adams
8th Miner

Middle School Curriculum and Terminology
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• Middle School Literacy Scope & Sequence

• Constructivist Learning Theory

• Essay Writing

• Six Trait plus 1 Writing

• The Scientific Method

• Bloom’s Taxonomy

Following is a list of elective classes available to our seventh and eighth graders. Students will enroll for two elective classes each trimester, and all classes are for one trimester unless otherwise noted.  The listed classes may not be offered each and every trimester.

Elective Selection Forms are distributed two weeks prior to each trimester. Parent signatures are required for placement. Students may add/drop elective classes during the first three days of each trimester with teacher and parental approval.

The main objective of this program is to enable students to attain a measurable degree of communicative competency and proficiency in each of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Conversation will be stressed. Every effort will be made to present the language in an interesting and stimulating context so that the student’s experience in acquiring a second language will be an enjoyable one. Culture of the Hispanic world will be introduced throughout the program.
Taking this course is committing to a two year curriculum.
Students who complete two years of Spanish start with second year Spanish in high school.

(See above)
This is the follow up course to Spanish I.

This class puts together the St. Patrick School yearbook. Students will learn lay out, design, photography, deadlines and other publishing skills and techniques. A publishing representative will assist. One, two or three trimesters.

7th & 8th graders may choose Art as an elective. In this class students experience many media while exploring drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and ceramics. Art History is often incorporated into our curriculum projects along with writing and analysis.

Middle School students work on our 2 potters’ wheels 4 days a week in a rotating schedule with Fridays kept open for trimming and glazing.

This class has viewed films from the 1910’s through the late 1960’s. Each trimester we view different films, so the class is an ongoing view of classic movies. The main focus is the “Golden Age” of Hollywood from the 1930’s to 1940’s. We analyze and discuss plots, directors, stars, and the old “studio system.” We also examine changes in cinematography throughout the years by comparing and contrasting film styles and film and sound quality. This class is at the heart of my history class. We discuss the history of the time period that the film is set in, and that of when the film was actually made. Archaic language and terminology are explained to provide greater understanding and relevance. Most films revolve around topics building up to World War II, during the war, or directly following. Many discussions are implemented about the morals of each story which often are themes surrounding the battling of injustice. This class also has a literature component in that we identify and describe the setting and characters of each film along with the climax and anti-climax.

This advanced class is aimed at enhancing students’ technology and software skills learned in grades K-6. The students also build upon their skills as computer technicians as well as practical knowledge needed to succeed in their future educational and professional careers.

Math lab is a class geared toward 7th and 8th grade Pre-Algebra and Algebra students. Students can get help on their homework and there are special quiz and test sessions to get students ready for assessments. By teacher recommendation.

Students are expected to get physically fit and have the energy and strength to perform daily activities vigorously and alertly without getting rundown and to have energy left for leisure time activities or meet emergency demands. Students will perform calisthenics twice a week for a 15 minute time period. They also are expected to do forty-two sit-ups and forty-two pushups five days a week. Finally, a Youth Fitness Test is given at the end of the trimester; (pushups, sit-ups, 50 yard dash, shuttle run, 600 yard run-walk, standing broad jump, and pull-ups.) This class builds endurance, and develops strength and flexibility. Students are expected to demonstrate sportsmanship, willing participation, positive attitudes, teamwork and show good effort. One trimester of PE & Health is required each school year.

Drama will provide a theatrical experience for both beginning and advanced students of theatre. Class time will be devoted to improvisation, scene and monologue development and challenging creative exercises. Students will have the opportunity to produce short plays for performances at school functions.

Students will learn organizational and study skills that will enhance memory aptitude, test preparation, as well as project and homework completion.

Advanced Band for 7th and 8th graders is an elective class that meets daily for 45 minutes.
Beginning Band for 5th and 6th graders meets on Monday or Tuesday from 1:00-1:40 depending upon homeroom classes and every other Thursday from 1:30-2:10 for all Beginning Band students.

Students may join Beginning Band in the 5th grade. No experience is needed as students start with basic fundamentals, such as note reading and instrument fingerings.

Both bands have two concerts per year and Advanced Band performs at Grandparent’s Day.

Mr. Anderson also directs the Jazz Band at Bellarmine Prep.

Ensemble                               Grades 7-8             

“Ensemble” is a workshop that gives students the opportunity to develop creativity and confidence through the performance of vocal music and theater.

Traditional singing technique, combined with movement, theater games and improvisation are exercised in class as guides to explore and develop the human voice as well as to encourage a student’s creative thinking both in and out of the school environment.

Choral and solo music will be applied daily for rehearsal and for performances throughout the school year.

Study topics include:

• Vocal Technique

• Breathing, posture and vocal range 

• Harmony and solo performance

• Performance Technique

• Freedom of movement and physical form

• Developing a character and individuality

• Performance anxiety and risk taking