Junior High:  Grades 6th thru 8th

Saint Rita Catholic School's curriculum is designed to educate the whole child. The students take a wide variety of courses and are exposed to many different experiences. Students engage in many cross curricular activities into establish real life connections in the learning process.  Listed below are curriculums based on grade and category.
 

Science - Throughout junior high, students are engaged in project centered learning. Students participate in many experiments. The students work to prepare a Science Project for Saint Rita School's annual Science Fair.  Sixth grade students study a composite of Physical, Life, and Earth Sciences.
 
6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade
  • States of Matter
  • Cellular Structure
  • Mitosis
  • Geology
  • Geography
  • States of Matter
  • Cellular Structure
  • Mitosis
  • Dissection
  • Astronomy
  • Meteorology
  • Oceanography
  • Geology
  • Geography
Language Arts- As part of the junior high curriculum students must demonstrate mastery in writing and composition as follows: 2 book reports per year over summer reading, 7th and 8th will write an additional 2 book reports; persuasive, narrative, expository and comparison/contrast; and research paper(s). The 6th grade research paper has a 750 word minimum, 2 resources, and a bibliography, the 7th grade research paper has a 1,000 word minimum, 3 resources, and a bibliography, and the 8th grade will write 2 research papers with 1,200 word minimums, 5 resources per paper, and a bibliography for each paper

English - English for gr4ades 6th, 7th and 8th use English Houghton-Milffin.  Areas of concentration are: 

  • Parts of Speech
  • Writing and Composition
  • Public Speaking
  • Sentence Structure

Literature - Literature classes are a combination of the study of novels, outside reading, writing, and poetry study. Writing is a major component of the class with many different types of required writing in association with the novel being studied.
 

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade
Classic and Newberry Award winning novels, Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Egypt Game, My Side of the Mountain, and The Twenty-One Balloons will be studied in addition to outside reading assignments. Literature:  Classic and multicultural novels, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Outsiders, A Wrinkle in Time, and Bud, not Buddy will be read in addition to outside reading assignments. Sadlier-Oxford's Composition Workshop will be used throughout the year.
Critically-acclaimed novels, Treasure Island, The Hobbit, The Red Badge of Courage and The Giver will be read in addition to outside reading assignments. Sadlier-Oxford's Composition Workshop will be used throughout the year.

 

Religion- Students of Saint Rita Catholic School incorporate their faith in every aspect of their academic and social experience. The Religion curriculum provides the students an understanding and appreciation of Christianity and their Catholic values. All students study the bible and learn about God's love for humanity. Students study the traditions of the Church and that their Church is rooted in the words of Jesus and the apostles. Charitable giving and community outreach are crucial components of the curriculum.
 
6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

Walking by Faith-Salvation History Brown-Roa

  • Catholic Identity
  • Catholic Values
  • Learning and celebrating the seasons
  • Learning and celebrating the feasts

Living our Faith Series

Hartcourt

  • The sacraments
  • The paschal Mystery
  • Seven sighn of our faith
  • Jesus as the center of our lives
  • The importance of prayer

Living our Faith Series

Hartcourt

  • Old and New Testaments
  • The Paschal Mystery
  • Church History
  • How the church came to America
  • The role of the church in today's society
History - The students of Saint Rita study three courses of history at the junior high level. In the sixth grade students explore World History, the seventh studies Texas History, and the eighth examines American History. They explore the past through literature, primary sources, charts, diagrams, timelines, art, and maps. Students analyze, synthesize and evaluate historical events and their impact on society. History comes alive as students meet the men, women, and children of past times.
 
6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade
A Message of Ancient Days Houghton Mifflin:
The students explore the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Rome, Greece, and the Israelites through:
  • History
  • Geography
  • Economics
  • Ethics
  • Belief Systems

Students learn to use:

  • Maps
  • Atlases
  • Tables
  • Timelines
  • Diagrams
Texas and Texans Glencoe Social Studies:  Students learn the importance of the Lone Star State's diverse cultures, landscapes, industries, and resources by exploring Texas history through:
  • State geography
  • American Indian influences
  • Colonization of the state
  • Men and women of Texas independence
  • Effect of Civil War and Reconstruction
A More Perfect Union Houghton Mifflin:  Students study in depth the history and geography of America from the first appearance of the American Indians through the Reconstruction Era. Students discover the people that built this nation through: .
  • Economics
  • Cultures
  • Ethics
  • Belief Systems
  • The Constitution

Students examine The Constitution in-depth and demonstrate mastery and understanding of this document by written assessment.

 

Mathematics - Four levels of math are offered in Saint Rita's Junior High: 6th grade math, 7th grade math, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra I. Seventh grade students participate in either 7th grade math or Pre-Algebra. Eighth grade students participate in either Pre-Algebra or Algebra I. Student's placement in the advanced math classes is dependent upon: prior math grades, placement test, and teacher recommendations.
 
6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

Progress in Mathematics

by Sadlier-Oxford

  • Basic skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

  • Fractions

  • Decimals

  • Geometry

  • Number sentences

  • Problem solving

Progress in Mathematics

by Sadlier-Oxford

  • Basic skills with whole numbers, integers, fractions, and decimals

  • Solving equations

  • Geometry

  • Number sentences

  • Problem solving

Pre-Algebra (7th Grade Advanced Math)

Merrill's Pre-Algebra: A Transition to Algebra by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

  • Number Patters

  • Enhancing problems solving skills

  • Beginning algebra concepts

  • Solving equations and inequalities

Pre-Algebra (8th Grade Math). 

Merrill's Pre-Algebra: A Transition to Algebra by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

  • Number Patters

  • Enhancing problems solving skills

  • Beginning algebra concepts

  • Solving equations and inequalities

Eighth Grade Algebra I

(Advanced Math). 

 Foerster's Algebra I by Addison Wesley

Traditional Algebra I curriculum including expressions, equations, and applications.

Computers - The computer curriculum provides students the opportunities to advance their technology skills with a variety of activities. Computer ethics is an essential part of the technology curriculum.
 
6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade
  • Keyboarding

  • Proper typing and spacing of letters on academic papers

  • Computer hardware and setup

  • Working in a Windows environment

  • Proper use of the Internet

  • Computer History

MicroSoft Office Suite

  • Word

  • PowerPoint

  • Excel

  • Access

  • Troubleshooting

  • MicroSoft Office Suite

  • Install/Uninstall Programs

 

Spanish
6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade
The sixth grade Spanish course is a transition from primarily audio lingual emphasis, to a course incorporating reading and writing skills. Students use Spanish is Fun Book A text and workbook to reinforce basic vocabulary and grammar structures. Culture through songs, games, and hands on activities is   an integral part of the course.

 

Students in seventh grade continue their study of Spanish language and culture using Spanish is Fun Book 1. A more formal approach to grammatical structure is implemented. Students participate in a field trip to San Antonio to experience the influence of the Hispanic heritage of our state. In addition to being a review and reinforcement of the skills acquired in grades six and seven, the eighth grade Spanish course is a preparation for high school foreign language study. Students use Spanish is Fun Book 1 as a text/workbook. They participate, along with the seventh grade in the two year sequential field trip to the San Antonio and the Alamo.
Physical Education - Physical education is an integral part of the total education process that focuses on the intellectual, social, emotional, and the physical needs of all students. Students will participate in a variety of individual, team, and cooperative experiences. In Physical Education Students:
     
  • Learn the skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities.
  • The student work on being physically fit.
  • Participate regularly in physical activity.
  • Know the implications of the benefits from involvement in physical activities.
  • Value physical activity and its contribution to a healthy lifestyle.

In Health class students learn:

  • How to develop personal health
  • Body systems
  • Nutrition
  • Safety
Music - Students attend music class twice a week. Students are immersed in the pleasures and joys of a versatile music program. The students participate in a variety of lessons and opportunities including:
     
  • Exposure to a varied repertoire of music
  • Learning to perform on instruments alone and in ensemble
  • Participating in weekly liturgical celebrations
  • Exposure to music in relation to history and culture
  • Performance in Spring and Christmas musicals
  • Attending a performance at Bass Hall once a year
  • Community outreach by singing at local nursing homes