List of 14 items.

• Art

  Students will learn the foundations of fine art through hands-on experience in many media, including chiaroscuro drawings, painting, sculpture, and relief printmaking. Students will gain knowledge of fundamental art techniques and concepts including value, color, proportion, perspective, repetition, form, composition, and chiaroscuro shading. Students will learn how projects fit into the context of art history and emphasis will be placed on studying specific artists, both historical and contemporary. Analysis and critique will be introduced as students become familiar with the vocabulary and interpretation of art.

• French

  This class is an introduction to French language and culture. Basic vocabulary and sentence structure will be introduced. Emphasis will be on proper pronunciation and basic communication skills. The students will experience all language skills in French: reading, writing, speaking and listening for understanding. Students are encouraged to embrace all the challenges and to communicate whenever possible in the target language during class activities.  

• Language Arts

  Language Arts - Literature:
  The cyclical nature of this class helps to reinforce our skills as readers, speakers, and writers. Listen, read, think, discuss, write- this is the order in which we approach each new text.
  
  Listen - the students first enter into a text by listening to the words, absorbing and enjoying the new world. The students will be asked to read aloud practicing fluency and appropriate pacing, intonation, and expression.
  Read - We always read each piece a second time, investigating more closely and with more purpose. During this active reading, the students will have opportunities to work alone and in group settings. This is the time when we dissect not only the narrative and the characters, but also any complex grammatical choices the author makes. Our study of grammar is ongoing through each text and through our own writing in response to these texts.
  Think - We think about what we are reading, but we also think about how we have responded to the reading. Are our thoughts clear? Have we supported our thoughts with real evidence from the text? Have we explained how this evidence is proving our point? These are difficult questions, and we practice this understanding through teacher and student examples in a safe workshop environment.
  Discuss - The students will have the opportunity to discuss their thinking through informal and formal discussions. Formal discussions are student-led, and the students are assessed on the way they participate and listen.
  Write - our written response to each piece is best described as thinking on the page. At first we are most concerned with getting our thoughts out and taking them as far as they can go. We then refine our responses, in concern with discourse, syntax, lexicon, and conventions. Through short stories spanning cultures, settings, and rich varied styles, the students learn to honor the author’s perspective and always respond with this perspective in mind.
  
  Language Arts - Writing:
  Writing Workshop focuses on developing the student’s level of discourse, syntax, lexicon, and conventions through the students writing. Students will be working with a variety of literary genres including poetry, short stories, essays, free-verse, and scripts to model their writing. Essentially, the students will be exposed to the various purposes for writing: persuasive, opinion, expository, descriptive, and narrative writing. By exposing the students to these distinct purposes, they can more freely understand and write within and beyond these parameters. We will be gradually increasing the quantity of writing from sentences to cohesive 5-paragraph essays. They will be participating in groups for projects dealing specifically with prewriting strategies, script writing, and peer editing. Wordly Wise and Grammar for Writing will be incorporated as a unit of study within assigned writing projects.

• Mandarin Chinese - Advanced

  This course is designed for non-native speakers of Mandarin Chinese with an emphasis on developing the students’ communicative competence (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and real-life application in Chinese. Students will learn to express ideas orally using appropriate Mandarin Chinese. Students will also learn to use proper grammar and sentence structures verbally and in writing. In addition, students need to continue focusing on building up vocabulary, understand sentence patterns, and demonstrate knowledge of Chinese culture and simple customs. All students are expected to fully participate in the discussion session by using Mandarin Chinese.

• Mandarin Chinese - Introduction

  This is an introductory course designed for Sixth Grade, non-native speakers of Chinese. This course is focused on developing skills of listening, comprehension and speech in Chinese. Students are required to master the Pinyin and the four tones. Basic Chinese grammar and daily vocabulary are also introduced. In addition, students are required to learn about the Chinese cultures and customs.

• Mathematics

  Mathematics:
  The students will incorporate ideas of previous mathematics courses. The investigations, problems, and practice exercises will develop the students’ logical, mathematical and reasoning skills. Students complete guided investigations that explore and develop ideas, then practice them along with procedural skills in subsequent chapters. Each student will read and work all the problems as well as discuss them and reason the involved steps. The course also meets local, state, and national curriculum standards.
  
  Pre-Algebra:
  The Pre-Algebra course of accelerated mathematics instruction is designed to prepare talented sixth grade students for the successful study of high school algebra in the seventh grade. This course of study will further develop and strengthen the students’ understanding of mathematical concepts and skills reviewed in 5th grade while providing a special emphasis and focus on pre-algebra and introductory algebra topics. In addition to the mathematical course content, students will receive training and reinforcement in mathematical study skills, organizational skills, academic and personal responsibility as they prepare to advance in the difficulty of mathematics course work. The special challenges inherent in this program require students to be dedicated to the material, display self-confidence, and demonstrate an excellent work ethic.

• Music

  Music - Vocal/Choral:
  Students will continue to build skills in music literacy, including reading, writing, improvising and describing music. They will explore the history, culture, religion, foreign language, and poetry through a diverse repertoire of multicultural songs, games and movement. Students will develop age-appropriate vocal and choral techniques, including vocal production, part-singing, and balance and blend, in preparation for a variety of performances throughout the year.
  
  Music - Violin:
  Students who elect to participate in the sixth-grade violin class will receive a complete review or introduction to the violin. Skills necessary for sound production, music theory, good practice habits, proper technique and creative concepts such as composition and improvisation are also addressed. Students will play original selections based on the skill-levels of the individuals in the class. Repertoire for this class will represent a variety of styles from classical, bluegrass, jazz, traditional and beyond. Different book materials will be provided to the students.
  
  Music - Woodwinds:
  Students will combine what they have learned about music reading and rhythm with the mechanics of playing a woodwind instrument. This year students will continue to focus on sound production and practice habits as they develop a further appreciation of the dedication required to play a musical instrument. Though personal knowledge and preparation on her own instrument, each student will learn her important role as a member of a music ensemble.

• Physical Education

  Physical education in the Sixth Grade includes continued skill development and mastering of skills with rules and regulations to various team sports which include basketball, volleyball, soccer, football, and swimming. They continue to develop appropriate attitudes concerning winning and losing that will impact favorably to acceptable social and emotional behavior.

• Religion

  In the religion program we explore the history of salvation – from Creation, through the Old Testament, to its fulfillment in Jesus – as we share stories of our ancestors in faith. We recognize the importance of the prophets as witnesses for God and their relevance to our own time. We find our connection to Christian worship from its roots in the Old Testament, and learn the life of God’s people and their relationship as it unfolds through the stories. Important themes throughout the book call us to holiness, to care for the Earth, and to act in the ways of justice.
  
  We will examine and reflect on the meaning of the Sacred Heart Goals as the foundation for  growing as leaders.  Using the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens as the springboard, students will discover their own potential as leaders and explore how St. Madeleine Sofie and St. Rose Philippine’s leadership in carrying out the Sacred Heart mission, is the groundwork we need to empower us to continue the work they pioneered long ago.

• Science/STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

  An inquiry-based learning approach is used to delve into the topics of Chemical Interactions, Earth in Space, and  Weather on Earth. Through small group, teacher-guided explorations, the students critically analyze the subject matter.  Through trial and error, the students learn the process of scientific investigation. In the STEM portion of the program the students will encompass a variety of activities and projects which will allow the students to explore new ideas related to science,  technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Students are encouraged to develop their computer skills through varied media formats and engage in cross-curricular programs using these tools. This interdisciplinary approach gives the students opportunities to discover and explore while actively engaged in real-world problem-solving lessons. The students also work on developing their keyboard speed and accuracy, with an expected 35 WPM by the end of the school year.

• History

  Interdisciplinary units developed through readings, projects and electronic presentations facilitate the study of American History. Students will explore the birth of our nation, from the first Americans to the signing of the Constitution. Throughout the year we will examine important topics such as how geography influences cultures, why conflicts develop, and the formation of governments. Students will develop a global perspective through the discussion of current events and develop effective note-taking methods through active reading within the content of social studies.

• Spanish I

  In this Spanish course, the vocabulary and grammar structures will be reinforced. Students demonstrate an understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own. They show evidence of becoming lifelong learners by using the language for everyday life communication.

• Spanish II

  In this Spanish course, students will enhance their reading comprehension skills, as well as their writing skills, through a series of text chapters and short readers which will provide vocabulary enrichment, fostering lively oral discussions. A variety of grammar exercises provide opportunities to compare and contrast different Spanish verb tenses and grammatical concepts. The students’ awareness and appreciation of the Hispanic culture are achieved through their involvement in class and extracurricular activities.

• Student Development

  The student development curriculum in the Intermediate School encourages the students to learn to make wise choices regarding their personal well-being and to practice healthy behaviors. Topics covered throughout the year are: conflict resolution, empathy, self-esteem, responsibility, building friendships, respect for self and others, effective communication, problem solving skills, community building, peacemaking skills, bullying prevention, personal safety, body image, puberty, and drug and alcohol prevention.