Experience the difference.

Our preschool curriculum is based off of the Superior Diocese Standards for Early Childhood. Students are presented with opportunities to learn and discover through play based model of learning. Students are encouraged to try new activities and use self discovery to learn through teacher assistance.

Reading: Curriculum is theme based and involves learning with a strong literature based component. Pre and post reading strategies are used to discover how stories develop. Students are presented with opportunities to verbally express their learning and development of stories. By encouraging students to express their understanding of the stories, we begin to aid in their comprehension abilities which is key to learning to read and loving to read!

Math: It’s a great way for preschoolers to explore learning through colors, patterns, shapes, numbers, and categorization. Each unit is developed as students grow in their understanding of the very basic of math concepts.

Writing: It’s an amazing way to support students in their development of reading skills. Their ability to use different writing tools to develop hand and eye coordination and fine motor skills in a variety of settings is used through our play based model. This further prepares them for the beginning stages of letter formation that follows.

Religion: Lessons in the classroom are created to help tie God to our daily lives. We learn parts of the Bible and develop our understanding of how God loves us. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is our Montessori based religion class that we attend once a week in the school atrium-a specially designed classroom to fit the physical and cognitive development of children.

Social-Emotional Development: It’s important for all beginning learners. The development of preschoolers will help them learn to be active learners in the classroom as well as develop socially with their peers. Through fun and play we grow as a group to continually reach new goals we set for the year.

EXPECTATIONS

• Preschool students must be 3 years old by September 1st.

• Students must be toilet trained to be self sufficient in the bathroom.

• Preschoolers need to be able to try new experiences and discover new learning opportunities.

• Students will learn to interact with their peers and accept new changes.

GOALS FOR PRESCHOOLERS

• Start identifying letters and numbers to 10.

• Create letters in their name.

• Sit for 15 minutes while participating in activities, games and songs.

• Willingly participate in skills associated with art like cutting, gluing, coloring, and painting.

• Identify basic colors and shapes associated with the rainbow.

• Begin to recognize sounds of letters.

• Develop fine motor skills.

• Be able to communicate with their peers through and during play.

• Most importantly, to HAVE FUN!

4K Program: Employs the Creative Curriculum that is required by the HC4K program. Creative Curriculum is organized into 9 areas of development and learning.

• Social-Emotional

• Physical

• Language

• Cognitive

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Science and Technology

• Social Studies

• Fine Arts

Each day revolves around using teaching guides with studies of different subjects, intentional teaching cards with playful and engaging activities, Mighty Minute games which reinforce letters, numbers, patterns, and more. The curriculum uses a specific set of books that complement the themes and studies.

A second curriculum that is utilized is “Second Step.” This program deals specifically with the social and emotional aspects of learning. It helps us to prepare the children with skills to recognize and handle their feelings as they work, play, and learn with others while getting along and building friendships.

Wraparound Program: Provides additional education for full day 4K students. It includes:

• Religion (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, taught in the Atrium)

• Physical Education in the gymnasium with our gym teacher

• Music Education taught by our elementary music teacher.

• Lunch, Recess, and Rest Time

• Spirit Family activities and monthly Mass

• Participation in all school programs and activities

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

• Fall bus trip to a local apple orchard and pumpkin patch to study first hand about plant life.

• During Catholic Schools Week, the 4K students travel to the Giggle Factory to celebrate being members of our great community.

EXPECTATIONS

Each day we expect our 4K students to come to school ready to learn, to participate, and to simply have fun while here! By the end of the year, they are expected to be able to:

• Begin to write their name through daily practice.

• Recognize and identify some upper and lower case letters.

• Recognize, count, and write numbers to 10.

• Develop their fine motor skills and be able to hold and use writing utensils.

• Color in the lines and cut both straight and curved lines.

• Follow two-step directions and sit for short lengths of time.

• Interact well with others and are able to express his/her feelings.

Reading Readiness and Language Arts: Our innovative learning through play and instruction program is designed for skill and strategy development to meet the needs of all of our students. Guided reading in small groups, one-on-one, large group and upper elementary reading buddies create a differentiated classroom environment that enhances learning.

Mathematics: Our hands-on math program offers classification activities to allow students to analyze and observe the world around them and articulate their observations. Lessons are designed to incorporate song and exploration to gain a deeper understanding of each concept. Students explore numerical order, currency, shapes, greater/less than and count and write numbers proficiently up to 20.

Science: Students experience exciting hands-on experiments and learn the mysteries of the world in which we live. Through general inquiry and STEM skills, we discover new ideas and gain knowledge in energy, life science, engineering and more!

Social Studies: Exploration of our world begins in Kindergarten! We focus on learning about the community to which we belong and the larger global community as well. Students build strong content and vocabulary knowledge.

Religion: Our Catholic faith-based programming, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, is Montessori-based and richly rooted in literature, scripture and prayer. Students attend this program in “The Atrium,” a special room designed just for them that is fully furnished with materials that help them draw near to God and prepare for involvement in our larger worship community and beyond.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Our school is located in the heart of Hudson’s historic downtown neighborhoods. This location lends itself perfectly to several walking field trips as well as short bus rides to several fascinating destinations. These excursions include the following:

• Walking field trip to the Hudson Police Station and Hudson Public Library where we meet local heroes and learn about our community.

• Scenic fall train ride on the Osceola Railway where we study means of transportation, engineering and midwest history.

• Winter field trip to The Willow River Tree Farm where we learn about plant life cycles, animals in winter and the life of a lumberjack.

• During Catholic Schools Week, kindergarteners travel to a fun indoor playground in celebration of our school!

• A spring walking field trip to The Phipps Center for the Arts to attend our annual 7th and 8th grade musical.

EXPECTATIONS

Each and every day is an exciting day in kindergarten! Our youngest elementary students come to school eager to learn and we are here to foster that love of learning through the power of play. All of our lessons are taught by:

• Building social and emotional skills to teach students how to cope in our world today.

• Exercising fine-motor skills and expanding vocabulary to develop creative thinkers, writers and communicators.

• Teaching students to self-regulate by allowing students to make choices in their learning to reflect their strengths.

• Inspiring students to think outside of the box.

Reading and Language Arts: Students soar through their reading skills with phonics, comprehension, fluency, expression and more! Their instruction is highly individualized and includes guided reading to focus on each student’s growth. Students also participate in Daily 5 to build their independent work stamina, and discover new authors through author studies.

Mathematics: Students build strong number sense and fact fluency. This is done through online technology, whole group instruction, small groups, math centers, hands-on activities, and more! Students really develop their problem solving skills and a true understanding behind their math.

Science: We take a hands-on approach to learning in science while studying weather, plants, physics, engineering, animals, and more. Students also take charge of their learning through participation in the science fair. Students have many educational opportunities via STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) by working collaboratively and independently.

Social Studies: We learn about our world around us! Students explore the past and present, as well as gain knowledge about jobs, community helpers, communities, government, and the environment. Additionally we seek to understand seasonal and current events.

Religion: Students participate in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which uses Montessori teaching principles to present the most essential realities of the Catholic faith. There are specially designed materials and inspiring presentations to help children explore areas of faith formation. We also explore the lives of Saints, participate in Holy days, pray as a class and work on valuable social skill lessons. We work with Sister Margaret to discover the rosary. First Graders explore the Old Testament and the Sacraments.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Our school is perfectly placed in the heart of Hudson’s historic downtown neighborhoods. This location lends itself perfectly to several walking field trips as well as short bus rides to fascinating destinations. These excursions include the following:

• Como Zoo & the Marjorie McNealy Conservatory: This complements our science units on both plants and animals. We also take a private education class while there.

• The Phipps: We go to support the 7th & 8th graders in their play at the end of the year.

EXPECTATIONS

We have a lot of growth in first grade! Students are expected to:

• Work Hard! First graders continue to build a solid academic foundation.

• Build stamina! Students develop their independent working and learning skills.

• Be compassionate! In first grade, we take care of each other and navigate valuable friendship skills.

Reading Readiness and Language Arts: Second graders work on becoming strong readers and writers! Reading comprehension, fluency, and phonemic awareness are key components practiced daily using large group, small group, and independent reading times. Guided reading, Daily 5, Sitton Spelling lessons, and cursive handwriting become part of their routine. Narrative, informative, and opinion writings begin to include more detail and voice.

Mathematics: Second grade students work on extending their understanding of place value, building fluency with addition and subtraction facts, using standard units of measure, and describing and analyzing shapes.They learn multiple ways to solve a problem. They also study measurement, money, data, geometric shapes, and fractions as equal parts. Higher level problem solving using one and two-step word problems and foundations of multiplication are also taught. Math lessons are taught as a whole group or in small guided math groups.

Science: Changes in Matter, Scientific Method, Engineering, and landforms kick off science exploration. Other topics studied include living things and life cycles. In the spring, students prepare an animal study, and present at the all school Science Fair.

Social Studies: In geography students further develop map skills and learn the continents, seas and hemispheres. History lessons on early settlements, Presidents of the United States, Martin Luther King Junior, and current events. Learning more about other customs from around the world and studying local communities help to broaden their world views.

Religion: Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion constitutes much of the curriculum this year. Students also focus on the parts of the Mass as they continue growing their faith with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program in the Atrium.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Our school is perfectly placed in the heart of Hudson’s historic downtown neighborhoods. This location lends itself perfectly to several walking field trips as well as short bus rides to fascinating destinations. These excursions include the following:

• Monthly visits to the Memory Care unit at Christian Community Home to play bingo and sing songs to the residents.

• A field trip to Crystal Caves in Spring Valley to learn about landforms and fossils.

• In celebration of receiving their First Holy Communion, second graders honor Mary in a special way at May Crowning in May.

• Students host a Readers’ Theatre to show their growth in reading fluency and reading expression.

• Students are able to participate in Drama Club.

EXPECTATIONS

By the end of second grade we expect our students to build their independence both academically and socially.

• They should be able to take ownership of their learning by being able to choose books that are “good fit books.”

• They should be able to solve math problems more than one way.

• They should be able to write in a complete sentence.

• They should be able to complete their homework independently.

• They should begin to recognize the importance of being organized and completing their work on time.

• They should be able to work out problems with classmates in a respectful way.

Reading Readiness and Language Arts: Third grade continues to build on your child’s reading skills from second grade. We use Guided Reading (students read books at their level) as well as reading novels as a class. We study sentences and grammar in Language Arts.

Mathematics: Third grade employs Eureka Math. We cover many topics building on what the children previously learned in second grade. Multiplication and problem solving are the highlights of Third Grade Math!

Science: Our curriculum is based upon the science series Science Fusion. We learn how to follow the Scientific Method, the life and parts of Plants and Animals, changes to the Earth, Moon, Solar System, and the Water Cycle. Students also complete a Planet project for the Science Fair.

Social Studies: Learning becomes more in-depth than in previous years. We study major landforms, Native Americans, the birth of our country, the Revolution, westward expansion, the economy, and national heroes.

Religion: Third grade follows ‘Christ Our Life’ which guides children to know, proclaim, witness, and share the Catholic Faith.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Our school is perfectly placed in the heart of Hudson’s historic downtown neighborhoods. This location lends itself perfectly to several walking field trips as well as short bus rides to fascinating destinations. These excursions include the following:

• Orchestra Hall field trip and Orchestra lessons with the Hudson School District.

• Gibb’s Museum of Pioneer Life visit, which provides enhanced detail to our history curriculum.

• Star Student studies and presentations.

• Provide entertainment at Christian Community Home for their annual March Birthday party.

• Third grade students can also participate in the following extracurricular activities: Children’s Choir, LEGO Club, and Drama Club.

EXPECTATIONS

• Students are expected to complete homework on time by learning to use their student planners. We want them to begin to gain responsibility for personal organization.

• Show consistent reading progress in order to become strong, confident and independent readers.

• Students are expected to exhibit “Shamrock Pride” as part of our school’s PBIS program. Safe and positive behavior is a priority to developing leadership skills and demonstrating responsibility.

Reading Readiness and Language Arts: In fourth grade we use a variety of methods to teach reading including guided reading, literature circles, and self-guided novel study. Emphasis is placed on the writing process through creative and research writing, frequently using one to one Chromebooks to create Google slide presentations, do research, write Young Author stories, and many other projects.

Mathematics: Students develop problem-solving strategies, reinforce their fact recall, are introduced to pre-algebra skills, learn about the relationship between fractions, decimals and percentages, and build an understanding of the benefits of learning skills through real-world problem solving activities. Each week we have a Math Magician activity – a student planned and led math lesson.

Science: We expand upon what we’ve learned about the scientific method and participate in the Science Fair. We also learn about plant structures and their life cycle and identify ecosystems and our natural resources. Students research properties and changes in matter and are introduced to forms of energy and electricity.

Social Studies: We primarily study Wisconsin and its geography, history, economics and culture along with other Midwestern states and their impact on historical events, including the American Revolution and Civil War. Students study in-depth about immigration, culminating in our Immigrant Day event.

Religion: Fourth graders learn to be Jesus’ disciples by studying the Beatitudes, Ten Commandments and the Saints. We start learning how to use the Bible and study the liturgical calendar and church history. During Lent we perform the Stations of the Cross. Students write Befriender letters monthly to Christian Community Home residents and raise money for charity through their Works of Mercy Rummage Sale.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

• Hudson’s Track & Field Day

• Participate in the school’s Geography Bee

• Junior Achievement

• Clubs: Children’s Choir, Comic Book Club, Greenhouse Club, Band, Drama Club, Passport Club

• Field Trips: Interstate Park, Minnesota Historical Museum, St Paul Cathedral, UWRF Dairy Farm and local hobby farms, Octagon House Tour, Willow River Nature Center & Bird Hike

• Educational river class at the St. Croix River with the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Stewards Program

• Tree Trek Program in conjunction with the Hudson Urban Forestry Board, Willow River & Trinity School that will lead to identifying and tagging trees for a Historic Hudson Tree Walk

• Guest Speakers – Octagon House presentations on the establishment of the town of Hudson and the impact of lumbering / Visiting Wizard’s Science presentations

EXPECTATIONS

Key above all else: LEADERSHIP! This is learned through becoming a disciple of Jesus. Very basic and simple – follow Jesus and what he asks of us and we will make the right decisions, treat people kindly and empathetically, and work hard. It is a journey to learn independence, become more spiritual (their prayer journals are conversations with God), and gain confidence that will last a lifetime.

Literature:

• Students read numerous novels during the school year, focusing on comprehension, building vocabulary, and utilizing various literary devices.

• Students develop their writing skills through Reading Responses where they reflect and make connections to the books they have read.

Language Arts:

• Students understand and utilize / demonstrate varied forms and structures of the English language through capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

• Students create writing projects: personal narratives, research, summaries, and essays by planning, revising, editing, and publishing their ideas.

• Students utilize technology to research and publish projects.

Mathematics:

• Fifth graders work on several skills: multiplication, division of larger numbers, decimals, fractions, geometry, and early algebra.

• Students will keep a Math Journal of notes and practice examples to help them complete work.

• Students regularly practice fact fluency.

Science:

• Science is a general science class that covers topics in life, earth, and physical sciences using an interactive textbook that is also available online.

• We will spend time exploring cells, body systems, genetics, the Earth and its makeup, the solar system and universe, matter, light and sound.

• Interactive labs, activities, and projects help provide hands-on and in-depth learning.

Social Studies:

• This year students learn about The United States from birth to growth and expansion.

• Topics of study include Geography, Native Americans, Explorers, Colonies, American Revolution, Government/Constitution, Civil War and Changing/Growing Nation.

• Students will practice and learn the 50 states and capitals by writing their names and finding their locations on a map.

Religion:

• Students learn about the types of prayer, the sacraments, and the parts of the Mass.

• Students learn to “talk” to God through prayer.

• Students will learn about our Saint of the Month and explore why that saint is important in our faith.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

• UWRF Planetarium to reinforce topics we learn in our study of the universe.

• JA Biztown – an interactive day where fifth and sixth grade students apply the skills gained through the Junior Achievement Program (every other year).

• Science Fair – students select a topic to explore in-depth, prepare a presentation board, and present their findings to a team of 3M scientists who give them feedback on their work.

• STREAM Night – an annual event that allows all students to participate and learn about areas related to Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math.

EXPECTATIONS

• Fifth graders follow a middle school schedule, moving from classroom to classroom, and learning from a team of teachers throughout the day.

• An emphasis is placed on organization and personal responsibility for assignments.

• Support is provided as students become more independent, preparing them for the expectations of higher grade levels.

Literature:

• Students will enhance their writing and computer skills through writing about the books they’ve read, examining character traits, making connections to our world and self, and reflecting on lessons conveyed in the novels.

• Students read numerous books during the school year, and focus on comprehension, building vocabulary, and utilizing various literary devices.

Language Arts:

• Students understand and utilize / demonstrate the varied forms and structures of the English language through capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

• Students create writing projects: personal narratives, summaries, and other works by planning, revising, editing, and publishing their ideas.

• Students utilize technology to research and publish projects.

Mathematics:

• Students will work on several skills: multiplication and division of decimals, rates, ratios, percentages, fractions, operations, algebraic expressions and equations, inequalities, geometry, data displays, and probability.

• Students will keep a Math Journal of notes and practice examples to help them complete work.

Science:

• Students focus on physical science – the study of matter, energy, and the changes they undergo. The year is divided into two parts – introductory chemistry followed by introductory physics.

• Students pre-read assignments to become familiar with new ideas and vocabulary and create a foundation for class discussions.

• Students participate in labs, activities, and projects to provide hands-on and in-depth learning.

Social Studies:

• Students discuss and analyze historical events in the ancient world including: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Hebrews, Greece, India, China, and Rome.

• Students identify and use various types of maps.

• Students learn the importance of primary and secondary sources.

• Students explain historical events and how the Catholic Church has been influenced.

• Student projects reflect learning and understanding.

Religion:

• Students learn and explore the roots of our Judeo Christian faith.

• Students progress through the Old Testament from the story of Creation to the Prophets.

• Students develop and practice a variety and forms of prayer.

• Students learn about our Saints and how they have taught, guided, and inspired us through the ages by researching and creating an individual web site for their chosen Saint.

• Students focus more on the Mass and learning the rich traditions of this prayer through monthly Mass reflections.

• Students reflect on and build their relationship with Christ and his church and learn how to live their faith in their daily lives.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

• JA Biztown – an interactive day where fifth and sixth grade students learn to apply skills they learn through the Junior Achievement program (every other year).

• Science Fair – students work in teams to create a Rube Goldberg device that meets the requirements of an annual challenge.

• Egg Drop Challenge – science students create a capsule to protect a raw egg as it is launched from near the ceiling of our school cafeteria.

• Rockets! Science students build and launch a rocket as part of their study of Newton’s Laws.

• STREAM Night – an annual event that allows all students to participate and learn about areas related to Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math.

EXPECTATIONS

• Sixth graders follow a middle school schedule, moving from classroom to classroom, and learning from a team of teachers throughout the day.

• An emphasis is placed on organization and personal responsibility for work and behavior.

• Support is provided as students become more independent, preparing them for the expectations of higher grade levels.

• Respect for themselves, one another, teachers and staff is strongly emphasized.

Literature:

• Seventh grade students read books including Nothing But the Truth by Avi, And There Were None by Agatha Christie, The Pearl by John Steinbeck, and The Giver by Lois Lowry. Students also have independent book studies and small group studies.

• Students focus on comprehending materials, discussing story meaning, and noticing details of the authors’ writing. They experience and explore a variety of genres throughout the year.

• Students will read independently, in small groups, and as a large group. They will have teacher-led discussions, student-led discussions, and write at least one book report.

Language Arts:

• Students understand the varied forms and structures of the English language through a heavy emphasis on capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and cursive writing.

• Students create writing projects: personal narratives, opinion writing, research papers, summaries, and other works by planning, revising, editing, and publishing their ideas.

• Students utilize technology to research and publish projects (chromebooks, Promethean board); additionally, students use traditional reference materials (dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.).

• Students complete a speech/public speaking unit, creating and delivering speeches (impromptu, informative, persuasive, debate); if time permits, a mock trial may be done.

Mathematics:

• Seventh Grade students take Pre-Algebra which includes promoting a growth mindset while learning algebra basics, translating, solving equations and inequalities, solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities, exponents, ratios, percentages, proportions, volume, surface area, probability of multiple events, triangle relations and Pythagorean Theorem.

• Students keep detailed notes and practice examples to help them retain and build their math knowledge. Math class contains lectures, group or partner practice work, as well as some games and projects. Manipulatives are used as often as possible. Students are also introduced to the scientific calculator.

• Students complete a large project in their proportions unit; either a scale drawing or a blueprint. Smaller projects and class activities are done as well.

Science:

• Seventh grade science is concentrated on Life Science. We will spend time learning about cell makeup and functions, how genetics work and how the information is used, classification of organisms, plant anatomy and functions, animal anatomy and their functions, and the human body.

• Students will practice note taking, vocabulary, discussions, interactive labs, activities, and projects to help provide hands-on and in-depth learning.

• Projects include making a 3-D cell, growing and testing plants, dissection, microscope work, and research.

Social Studies:

• Following units on world, physical, and human geography, “World Geography” class allows students to be immersed in a wide array of cultures, including Canada, the U.S., western Europe, eastern Europe/western Russia, South America, Australia/New Zealand, Japan/Koreas, China, India, Central America/Mexico/West Indies, and if time (parts of) Africa. Supplementing the text are class discussions, first-hand artifacts, chromebooks (for research), documentaries, YouTube, and a variety of projects and student presentations.

• Students develop map skills via “free-hand” and “regular” map quizzes and tests.

• Weekly “Current Events” quizzes help maintain a knowledgeable level of awareness of our local, regional, national, and international goings-on.

Religion:

• Students will be learning who Christ truly is and how through His ultimate love and sacrifice He came to save us.

• Students will be developing and practicing a wide variety and forms of prayer.

• Students will be learning about our Saints and how they have taught, guided, and inspirited us through the ages.

• Students will be focusing more on the Mass and learning the rich traditions of this prayer.

• Students will be reflecting on and building their relationship with Christ and sharing His love with the world as well as learning how to live their faith in their daily lives.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

• Food Shelf – monthly food shelf collections

• Environmental Learning field trip

• The Phipps – annual three-day theater performance at The Phipps (in Hudson, WI)

• Service Project – annual making of 50+ tie blankets for “Blankets for a Brighter Day”

• Student Council Events – fundraisers for local/community needs, socials, dances, and leadership

• Sports: Cross County, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Baseball

EXPECTATIONS

• Seventh graders transition to a more rigorous academic level and become increasingly independent by learning to allocate their time, prioritize their workload, and manage long-term assignments and projects.

• Students are supported in the continued learning of note-taking skills, test preparation, and organization.

• An emphasis is placed on being good role models for the younger students as well as beginning to prepare for the demands of high school.

Literature:

• Eighth grade students read books including The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, A Day No Pigs Will Die by Robert Newton Peck, Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley, Monster by Walter Dean Myers, along with many others.

• Students focus on comprehending materials, discussing story meaning, and noticing details of the authors’ writing. They experience and explore a variety of genres throughout the year.

• Students participate in discussions, small and large group reading, and read independently. They will write at least one book report along with multiple smaller papers.

Language Arts:

• Students understand the varied forms and structures of the English language through a heavy emphasis on capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and cursive writing.

• Students create writing projects: personal narratives, opinion writing, research papers, summaries, and other works by planning, revising, editing, and publishing their ideas.

• Students utilize technology to research and publish projects (chromebooks, Promethean board); additionally, students use traditional reference materials (dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.).

• Students complete a speech/public speaking unit, creating and delivering speeches (impromptu, informative, persuasive, debate); if time permits, a mock trial may be done.

• Students prepare for high school writing and research expectations.

Mathematics:

• Students take Algebra 1 which includes promoting a growth mindset mentally while learning algebra basics, translating, solving equations and inequalities, relations and functions, solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations, linear and system application problems, exponents, factoring, radical and rational equations, graphing parabolic functions, and a small taste of Trigonometry.

• Students keep detailed notes and practice examples to help them retain and build their math knowledge. Math class contains lectures, group or partner practice work, as well as some games and projects. Manipulatives are used as often as possible.

• Students also research (and report to their peers) a “famous mathematician” chosen from a list of men and women over the centuries who have significantly contributed to the advancement of mathematics.

• Students use scientific calculators.

• 8th Grade students may also take Geometry or Intro to Geometry, in addition to Algebra 1.

Science:

• Eighth grade science is concentrated in the Earth Sciences. Students will learn about the properties of rocks and minerals and how to identify them, how plate tectonics work, the cause and effects of earthquakes and volcanoes, the study of meteorology, and astrology.

• Students will take notes, participate in discussions, vocabulary, interactive labs, activities, and projects to help provide hands-on and in-depth learning.

• Projects will include building seismographs, earthquake-safe houses, and volcanoes. They will also do research and have the chance to participate in STREAM night.

Social Studies:

• Students begin with an intense unit on the U.S. presidents, learning and practicing not just their names and chronological order, but also a great variety about them and the events that occurred during their presidencies. This unit serves as a strong segue to the “U.S. History” course itself.

• With this course students re-live U.S. history in a backwards fashion; beginning in the present and going backwards in eras/units, they get to experience (first-hand) the current history that they are living in, followed by eras of their parents, grandparents, and beyond. The thrust of this format is to allow students to have an understanding of current history, and then seeing and understanding the “cause and effect” of earlier history.

• Topics covered include the current political and economic conditions, immigration, wars (War on Terrorism, immigration, Persian Gulf War, World War II, World War I, Spanish-American War, Mexican-American War, Civil War, War of 1812, American Revolution, French-Indian War), American foreign policy, The Great Depression, and the Holocaust.

• Additional focus is spent on the U.S. Constitution, Washington, D.C., and civics.

• An optional extension of U.S. History is the annual eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C./Virginia. Mr. DuBois has been running or co-running this trip since 2000; it involves four or five days in D.C., Gettysburg, and northern to southern Virginia. Participants are eighth grade students who have just graduated from Saint Patrick Catholic School, Hudson Middle School, and Trinity Lutheran School.

Religion:

• Students will be learning the rich traditions, rituals, and history of the Catholic Church.

• Students will be learning about our Saints and how they have taught, guided, and inspirited us through the ages.

• Students will be focusing more on the Mass and learning the rich traditions of this prayer.

• Students will be learning and discussing that we are all made in the image of God (Gen 1:27) and how we respect, defend, and show that in our world today.

• Students will be reflecting on and building their relationship with Christ and His church and learning how to live their faith in their daily lives.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

• Food Shelf – monthly food shelf collections

• Guthrie Theater

• Environmental Learning field trip

• The Phipps – annual three-day musical theater performance at The Phipps (in Hudson, WI)

• Student Council Events – fundraisers for local/community needs, socials, dances, and leadership

• STREAM night – Science, Technology, Religion/Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math

• Sports: Cross County, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Baseball

EXPECTATIONS

• Eighth graders transition to a more rigorous academic level and become increasingly independent by learning to allocate their time, prioritize their workload, and manage long-term assignments and projects.

• An emphasis is placed on being good role models for the younger students as well as beginning to prepare for the demands of high school.

• Students are instructed in the basic elements of music (rhythm, melody, harmony, form, etc.)

• Students are exposed to a wide variety of musical genres, world music, music history and the relation of music to the other arts.

• Students perform vocal and instrumental music regularly in the classroom, at concerts and musicals and in weekly mass.

Students are expected to abide by the guidelines of the school wide PBIS program. Additional expectations in the music classroom are to have a positive attitude and be a participant in all activities.