Academics
Trinity Catholic Academy Preschool Graduation 2018
It is always bittersweet at the end of the school year. While we are so proud of all our boys and girls and all they have grown and achieved during the school year, we are sad to see them go. The end of the year brings along with it our field trip to the Ecotarium, a picnic while letting our butterflies go (we have watched them grow since they were baby caterpillars), field day and graduation.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten Program
Full Time Kindergarten students attend school from 8:15 a.m. until 2:40 p.m. with an optional After School Program being offered from 2:40-5:30 p.m. for an additional cost.
Math
Topics of learning include: Numeration, Whole Numbers, Fractions, Algebra, Geometry, Time and Money, Sorting and Classifying, and Measurement. The student will count and write numbers 0-30, learn ordinal numbers to tenth, skip count by 2’, 5’s and 10’s, identify and create patterns of objects, color, shape and size, identify, sort and classifying objects, use position words, identify money and values, identify time of day and telling time to the hour, begin subtraction and addition readiness.
The Kindergarten students enjoy practicing estimating each week through a popular activity called The Math Jar. A large plastic jar is sent home each week with a student and brought back to school filled with small toys or objects. The students will estimate during the week how many items are in the jar, 1-100, and then count the items on Friday. After counting the items, the closest estimator has their picture taken and then the items are taken home by each student.
Reading
Our Reading program offers take-home books that build confidence in reading by starting out with small rebus stories featuring the frequency words and increase in length with decodable words as the year progresses. Their excitement builds weekly as they become capable of reading stories themselves or to other people.
Language Arts
Religion
Additional Subjects
In addition, students enjoy 45 minute classes of Art, Computer, Library, Physical Education and two 30-minute classes of Music per week.
Classroom News
Grade 1
Grade 1 Reading
During whole group read–alouds, children participate in routines such as “turn and talk” – interactions with a partner so they have opportunity to participate in ”book talk”. Through this powerful conversation, children learn they are expected to talk about their thinking in response to reading. Comprehension conversations help in first graders clarify their thinking and understandings about text, and in turn they begin to participate in reading as a social activity.
Grade 1 Phonics
As children work independently, small group direct instruction called Guided Reading also takes place with the classroom teacher. At the beginning of the year children are closely observed in class and systematically assessed for their reading strengths and needs. This information is used to form groups in order to do explicit teaching. In Guided Reading, children are introduced to a new book that is just a little more difficult than she can read independently. With teacher support, children stretch their reading powers. Working in small groups allows children to use everything they know about reading to solve words, follow and understand a text and apply different strategic actions. The process is supported by comprehension conversations with the teacher and other group members.
First graders also participate in an activity called interactive and shared writing. During these lessons, children compose a message or story together and the teacher will scribe it on chart paper. At times, children “share the pen” to help them develop greater ownership of writing and also focus on letters, words, and sounds. When composing pieces, they reflect on books they know about or have read to generate ideas. After completing each item in their writing, they re-read the piece together, and they make comparisons to other writings they have done or to different books they have read. These tasks support the work that children do during Writers Workshop.
A favorite part of the day in first grade, is Writers Workshop. It begins with a mini-lesson from the teacher on some aspect of the writing process, then students work independently to “make books” on self-selected topics. They use conventional spelling for high-frequency words, and invented (phonetic) spelling for the rest of their writing during this time. Children begin to learn how to use conventions to support meaning, by producing sentences with capitalization and punctuation and they develop their writers voice. In writers’ workshop, children express their unique meanings through writing every day.
Grade 1 Religion
First Grade students each are assigned a seventh-grade buddy, and the seventh graders and first graders go to Mass together each week. Additionally, the seventh graders help the first graders prepare, and take part in the Thanksgiving prayer service. They also serve as editors and writing partners for the first graders at the end of the year during Writers Workshop. Firsties participate in many community service projects throughout the school year. These community service projects help them take a hands-on approach to being a follower of Jesus. Projects first graders have participated in include food drives for our parish food pantry, crayon collections for The Crayon Initiative, a candy/stuffed animal drives as a part of Operation Gratitude, and book drives to benefit the Salvation Army and it’s various outreach projects.
Grade 1 Math
In Measurement and Data children measure lengths indirectly and by estimating length units, tell and write time to the hour and half hour both in analog and digital forms, organize, represent, and interpret data with up to three categories, and they work with money by identifying the values of all U.S. coins and working with them through real life problems. Finally, in Geometry, children reason with shapes and their attributes, participating in several engineering activities throughout the year.
Grade 1 Social Studies
Grade 1 Science
Grade 1 Special Days
During each day, first graders build their independence and lead a “literate life” by participating in activities and experiences that build a love of learning through hands on application, play with a purpose, exposure to language in the form of talking, reading, and writing that expands their understanding of the world.
Classroom News
Grade 2
Grade 2 Program
You should see growth in your child’s reading, writing, and mathematical skills. This is also a year of expanding social awareness. Peer approval becomes increasingly important at this time. Second grade brings satisfaction to individual children as they become more independent learners.
Reading
The students continue to transfer their reading skills to writing conventions by using their knowledge of word structure and phonics to spell words. They learn the various types and structures of sentences. The grammar portion includes the study of nouns, verbs, adjectives, abbreviations, and contractions. Proper use of punctuation and capitalization is also addressed. They apply to their writing what they learn about sentence structure, grammar, and mechanics throughout the year. Various writing strategies are explored and applied, including narrative, descriptive, and expository writing. A highlight of the writing program in second grade is the introduction to cursive!
Math
Social Studies
Map and globe skills are strengthened. Past, present and worldwide communities are studied. Basics of our government, our country’s symbols, holidays and natural resource conservation are reviewed. In second grade the students study the human body, animals, insects, plant life, laws of motion, properties of weather and the Solar System.
They watch and study the life cycle of butterflies or ladybugs. During the year in science in health we discuss how students should take care of their bodies, the use of good manners and the importance of personal safety.
The class explores individual units through Social Science Weekly, demonstrations, hands-on activities, discussions, observations and field trips. Some of the field trips that second grade take during the year are visiting an apple orchard, the fire station, police station and movies like (Earth, Oceans).
Religion
Every year in October the second grade leads the Prayer Service for Saint Francis “The Blessing of Animals” and have a special Mass to celebrate their First Communion. During the prayer service they put on a small skit about Saint Francis.
During the year the second grade does several service projects such as collecting toys for a children’s hospital, pennies for Haiti, and cleaning the church for Easter and Christmas.
Homework
To help your child most effectively, be available to answer questions, but don’t correct her work. If you see a mistake, point out what she might want to try again.
Ask questions like, “Can you show me what you did to get this answer?” If she can’t get it on a second try, leave the problem uncorrected so the teacher will know that your child needs help in that area.
Grade 3
Grade 3 Program
Therefore, building stronger relationships with peers allowing them to grow and mature. Along with fostering these relationships students continue to develop their relationship with God. The children learn through scripture stories and lessons the values they will carry with them throughout their lives.
Reading & Writing
Journal work is completed on a weekly basis along with more formal writing assignments such as persuasive, narrative, and descriptive. Throughout the year, third grade students are responsible for completing a variety of book report assignments such as poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and biographies. Third grade is also where students will master cursive writing.
Book Reports
Below is a copy of your next book report. You will receive a clear description of the assignment. If you are unable to obtain specific materials for the projects, feel free to improvise or contact me directly. I tried to be generous on the time given to complete each project. As a result, I have high expectations and hope that you will take this opportunity to teach your child time management. Have fun!
March 12th —–iMystery (mystery)
Math
Social Studies
Grade 4
Grade 4 Program
Students come with a wide variety of interests. They are more attentive to factual material, take pride in their abilities, and appreciate humor. Students seek independence, yet need to feel like part of a team. They need security, understanding, and encouragement in order to succeed.
The fourth grade curriculum offers a variety of disciplines. Students are engaged in many academic areas and have many opportunities to reinforce concepts and skills.
Service Projects
- Food Share for St. Joseph’s Table
- Adopt a family from St. Mary’s at Christmas
- Make welcome cards for the Anointing Mass
Reading
Writing & Grammar
Grammar skills are reinforced throughout the year, including parts of speech and punctuation. Students are taught how to write compound and complex sentences to form three to four well structured paragraphs. Students are also given a variety of book reports assignments to demonstrate these skills throughout the year.
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Religion
Classroom News
Grade 5
Grade 5 Program
Now they are being asked to be more independent and self-reliant by branching out to the classroom of our science teacher in addition to being in their own homeroom for the greater part of the day.
This is done to introduce being responsible to more than one teacher, which serves as preparation for grade 6 when students will be exposed to a departmentalized model.
Grade 5 Science
At Trinity Catholic Academy, Fifth Grade Science class is a brand-new experience. It is the first time that students are changing classes and have another teacher for a major subject area. This entails new expectations, traveling with their books, and answering to someone other than their homeroom teacher. It allows for a taste of the major adjustment next year as a part of the middle school.
Science is introduced as an area where we play and discover, an area where being wrong can lead to new discoveries, and an area where questions begin the scientific process. STEM/STEAM is integrated into the curriculum on a regular basis allowing students to problem solve in different ways.
Every other year we have a science fair where students may work by themselves or with a partner for several months on a project of their choosing. The project is based on the scientific method. The fair gives students an opportunity to work in an area of interest, work on a long term project and share their results with judges in order to gain public speaking skills and self-confidence.
Grade 5 Reading
Grade 5 Math
Grade 5 Social Studies
Grade 5 Religion
Grade 5 Homeroom
Mrs. Ehrhard
Grade 5 Math
Ms. Galvinhill
Grade 5 Science
Ms. Casey
Classroom News
Grade 6
Grade 6 Program
In our middle school, students travel to different classes every forty-five minutes, instead of being in a self-contained classroom. Every care is taken to make sure that this difficult transition is made with each individual child in mind. The middle school team works together, meeting often, to ensure that our expectations regarding homework, study time, organization, and discipline are clearly communicated to all students. The team determines whether any student needs additional reinforcement in a subject area, and a plan is then implemented to meet the student’s needs.
As sixth graders, students are now eligible for membership in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and the Faith in Action Team (FIAT) if they meet the criteria for membership. These are in addition to the many other student organizations available such as Student Council, Paw Press, Choir, Sports Teams, Running Club, etc. Students are encouraged to bring their interests to the school by requesting permission to form new clubs and groups which may reflect the needs of the current student body.
Sixth Grade Team
English | Mrs. Greffin (Homeroom)
Grade 6 English is composed of four major components: Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing, and Poetry. A very strong study of the parts of speech and proper sentence construction is an integral part of fine-tuning a student’s writing skills. To that end, we concentrate heavily on parts of speech and their role in sentence construction and in proper syntax. We apply these grammatical skills when we study proper paragraph and essay construction. A variety of types of writing are practiced in sixth grade which might include the personal narrative, expository writing, writing that compares and contrasts or which cites evidence in order to persuade. We further extend those skills in the writing of a research paper in connection with a school wide Science Fair or Social Studies Fair, each of which is held in alternating years. We have a very strong vocabulary program that serves to enhance both our reading and writing. In the spring of the year, we enjoy a unit on poetry. We take a look at the elements of poetry and focus in on some conventional and some not so conventional forms. The most enjoyable part of this unit for our sixth graders is that they try their hand at writing their own poetry—with remarkable results.
Literature | Mrs. Greffin
Grade 6 is a big transition year for literature! There is a distinct shift from focusing on reading within a reading anthology to reading and analyzing whole novels. Students are challenged to move beyond reading for understanding to reading to critically think and analyze.
We kick off the year with summer reading selections. Students are required to read Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Giff for literature. This story is a touching coming of age novel with a challenging story line that contains flashbacks. This novel is perfect for introducing plot structure and characterization. The second book that is required reading is There’s an Owl in the Shower by Jean Craighead. This book is discussed at length within the 6th grade science curriculum while studying biomes.
Within the 6th grade literature curriculum, students learn about summary, plot, theme, characterization, and symbolism. They explore various types of poetry and the wonderful world of folk tales. Novels are read and dissected in class such as Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Firegirl by Tony Abbott.
In addition, students are encouraged to engage in their own independent reading through a 40 Book Challenge. This is intended to teach students the love of reading by giving students choice, and to encourage students to grow into lifelong readers long after they leave sixth grade.
Math | Ms. Galvinhill
Key concepts introduced during the year will be expressions, equations and integers. There are open ended math projects where students will learn the skill of using their own background knowledge to learn how to problem solve, establish the knowns and unknowns, and to learn the steps required to develop an equation to find the solution.
Assignments and assessments are given for 3 different skill levels; students may move from one level to another at any time during the academic year.
Periodic cumulative review assignments are given to ensure that students don’t lose the skills they have acquired while focusing on new skills.
Problem-solving and test-taking strategies are built into the curriculum, enhancing students’ critical thinking skills and their performance on standardized tests.
Social Studies | Mrs. Ehrhard
Religion | Ms. Casey
In grade 6 religion, students study our ancestors in faith and draw historical and thematic connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Each theme is then examined from a modern perspective, exploring the ways in which a particular value might be lived out in our lives today. Students also gain a deeper understanding of the sacraments and what it means to be a Catholic.
Sixth graders are very curious about how their faith relates to their lives. Questions about Church history, the life of Jesus, the theology of the afterlife, and modern morality are often asked at this stage of spiritual development. These topics are woven into the curriculum where appropriate, and added in where necessary, to allow each individual class the flexibility to explore the concepts of interest to them.
Science | Ms. Casey
Welcome to Science in the Sixth Grade! There are so many wonderful and exciting things going on this year. We start off in the summer with reading There’s an Owl in the Shower by Jean Craighead George. This story leads us into our study of Earth Systems and owl pellet dissection. We discover how cool science really can be.
The highlight of this year is our weeklong excursion to Nature’s Classroom in Wakefield, RI. We quickly come to realize that learning does not just happen in the four walls of a classroom or during the normal hours of a school day but that it happens everywhere and at any time. Students come back with a new sense of self, of others and some really cool stories about their adventures. Nature’s Classroom helps students discover their potential, bond with their classmates and have the experience of a lifetime!
Science is an area where we play and discover, an area where being wrong can lead to new discoveries, and an area where questions begin the scientific process. STEM/STEAM is integrated into the curriculum on a regular basis allowing students to problem solve in different ways.
Every other year we have a science fair where students may work by themselves or with a partner for several months on a project of their choosing. The project is based on the scientific method. The fair gives students an opportunity to work in an area of interest, work on a long term project and share their results with judges in order to gain public speaking skills and self-confidence.
Spanish | Mrs. Feliciano
Grade six, beginning students will learn ABC’s, basic expressions, greetings, numbers, and some vocabulary.
Students in all grades will also be introduced to traditional Spanish celebrations like Dia de los Muertos at the beginning of November, Posadas at Christmas and Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5th.
Student will have the basic knowledge to be able to succeed in Spanish I in high school.
Classroom News
Grade 7
Grade 7 Program
In seventh grade students are beginning to take on a leadership role in the school. Seventh graders pair with first graders as part of our buddy program. The buddies do many things together, including attending weekly and school masses and assisting them when they lead a school- wide food collection for the Food Pantry for the Thanksgiving Prayer Service. Providing opportunities in leadership gives the older students lessons in responsibility, while giving the younger students a sense of belonging. The highlight of the buddy experience is when they collaborate to write and illustrate a book. The creative process culminates with an Authors’ Picnic in June where they share their stories with their families and each other.
In addition to leadership roles, 7th grade students also are involved in fund raising. Each fall and spring they host Breakfast Buddies, and also the bake sale during the school wide talent show. New in 2018 is the school store, Bobcat Bargains, which will be open once a week and entirely student run. Students are responsible for set up, breakdown, and inventory checks. This is also a fund raiser. The money raised from these events goes toward the 8th grade graduation party; an annual tradition and class gift to their graduating classmates, the 7th grade hosts a dinner reception and dance immediately following the graduation ceremony. The funds also help to offset the costs for the end of the year class trip in June.
Students in grade 7 are expected to take more ownership of their academic progress. They are held to a higher standard in preparedness for class and in the development of work habits. To this end they will direct their own parent/ teacher/ student conference. Seventh grade becomes a real pivotal point in their middle school development.
Seventh graders are eligible for membership in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) if they meet the criteria. This is in addition to the many other student organizations available such as Faith in Action Team (FIAT), Student Council, Math Team, Poetry Club, Choir, Basketball, Cheerleading, Golf, and Running Club. Students are encouraged to bring their interests to the school by requesting permission to form new clubs and groups which may reflect the needs of the current student body.
Mathematics | Ms. Galvinhill (Homeroom)
In the geometry unit, students will learn the basics in area, volume, surface area,and coordinate planes geometry. There are open ended math projects where students will learn the skill of using their own background knowledge to learn how to problem solve, establish the knowns and unknowns, and to develop an equation to find the solution to a real life application.
Periodic cumulative review assignments are given to ensure that students don’t lose the skills they have acquired while focusing on new skills. Assignments and assessments are given for 3 different skill levels; students may move from one level to another at any time during the academic year.
Problem-solving and test-taking strategies are built into the curriculum, enhancing students’ critical thinking skills and their performance on standardized tests.
Social Studies | Mrs. Ehrhard
Coming soon!
Language Arts | Mrs. Greffin
Grade 7 English focuses on grammar. Extensive work is done with the eight parts of speech, compound and complex sentences, subject and verb agreement, and punctuation. Students are expected to apply these lessons in their writing. Compositions are assigned every other week.
In addition to grammar lessons, students are assigned a two week long vocabulary unit. The test at the end of each unit is comprised of spelling, definitions, synonyms and antonyms, and words in context.
A research project is required in seventh grade. Students are taught how to research a subject, form a bibliography, and cite sources. Topics are alternated yearly between Science and Social Studies.
While studying autobiographies in Literature class, seventh grade students write their autobiographies. Parents are asked to help provide early memories and with the selection of photographs. While students first balk at this assignment, they soon discover that writing about themselves can be fun!
Religion | Ms. Casey
The 7th and 8th graders work together on Morality. It is a two year course that focuses on all the facets of morality. Many tools are used including class discussion, lecture, movies and student led questions.
As a group, they participate in The Stations of the Cross during Lent. They work together on the Stations Project which has the students recreating the Stations for the whole student body on Holy Thursday.
Prayer and a relationship with God are the goals for the students at the end of the course.
Science | Ms. Casey
Science in the 7th grade is all about what is going on in our bodies. We start off with cells and move onto genetics and heredity. The majority of the year is spent on human biology and how the body works. We also talk about how wonderfully God made our bodies and the best way to take care of His precious gift.
Class time focuses on notes and discussion while the reading of the material is generally left to the students. This is the first time where students have pop quizzes and many announced quizzes to aid in the understanding of the material. Class participation is not only encouraged; it is vital to the students’ grasp of the subject matter.
Science is an area where we play and discover, an area where being wrong can lead to new discoveries, and an area where questions begin the scientific process. STEM/STEAM is integrated into the curriculum on a regular basis allowing students to problem solve in different ways.
Every other year we have a science fair where students may work by themselves or with a partner for several months on a project of their choosing. The project is based on the scientific method. The fair gives students an opportunity to work in an area of interest, work on a long term project and share their results with judges in order to gain public speaking skills and self-confidence.
Spanish | Mrs. Feliciano
Grade seven students will learn basic questions, adjectives, numbers from 1 -100, clothing, places, vocabulary and complete sentences using their newly learned lexicon.
Students in all grades will also be introduced to traditional Spanish celebrations like Dia de los Muertos at the beginning of November, Posadas at Christmas and Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5th.
Student will have the basic knowledge to be able to succeed in Spanish I in high school.
Literature | Mrs. Greffin
Students begin with summer reading selections. In seventh grade two books are required: Gossamer by Lois Lowry and Peak by Roland Smith. These two books are high interest novels that prepare students for the curriculum in seventh grade. Grade 7 literature exposes students to the various genres available to them. Short stories, non-fiction selections, poetry, drama, and novels are read and discussed during the year.
Throughout the school year, students read the entire Giver series by Lois Lowry. These novels allow students to delve deeply into the study of characterization, plot, theme, and critical analysis of texts. In addition, these stories lend themselves to rich classroom discussions based on Catholic identity and morality.
In addition, students are encouraged to engage in their own independent reading through a 40 Book Challenge and sustained silent reading time given in the classroom. This allows students to foster a love for reading that will hopefully translate into continuing a life as a reader long after they leave Trinity.
English | Mrs. Greffin
In grade 7 English, grammar instruction focuses on the eight parts of speech, compound and complex sentences, subject and verb agreement, and punctuation. All of this instruction is learned through examining mentor sentences, in which students learn how to implement their grammar instruction into their own writing.
In addition, seventh grade English focuses heavily on writing through a writer’s workshop approach. Through the writer’s workshop, students learn essential writing skills to apply to the type of writing that is ultimately their choice. Throughout the year, students write within the following genres: narrative, expository, and poetry. Students are evaluated through a portfolio, which follows them to eighth grade.
A research project is required in seventh grade. Students are taught how to research a subject, form a works cited page, and cite sources. Topics are alternated yearly between science and social studies.
Classroom News
Grade 8
Grade 8 Program
Eighth graders are continuing with their leadership role in the school. They are paired with the Kindergarteners as part of our buddy program. The buddies do many things together but mostly the Eighth graders welcome the Kindergarteners and their families into the Trinity Catholic Academy family.
Older students help the younger ones become oriented with the school by giving a tour on the first day, helping them with lunch for the first few weeks and sitting with them at our masses. They participate in community building activities like going apple picking together, helping with the jump rope-a-thon and many more.
Their leadership role extends beyond their buddies to school wide. They are also in charge of the recycling done in the school. They are looked upon as the student leaders and are held to that standard in all areas.
Students in grade 8 are expected to continue ownership of their academic progress. They are held to high standards in preparedness for class and the development of their work habits. They direct their own parent/teacher/student conferences being able to give voice to their strengths and weaknesses.
They are applying to high schools if they are choosing not to go to public in their own town. A high school night is offered at Trinity for students in 6th – 8th grades with their parents to meet with representatives of area high schools. Trinity is proud to have students who are prepared to go onto any high school of their choosing!
Students are encouraged to get involved in school activities that interest them. There are sports, social and academic offerings with a wide range of interests. Students are also encouraged to form new groups if there is interest.
The 8th grade has a theme that runs throughout the year. It is a unique theme chosen for the class and becomes a very special part of their year. The culmination of this year is activities such as an overnight retreat, a class trip and graduation.
Homeroom | Ms. Casey
Science | Ms. Casey
Eighth grade Science is a challenging curriculum that begins with discovering hurricanes and tracking their movements. The science of force and motion are introduced. The reality of hurricanes really makes science come alive for the students in a year where science is mostly microscopic. This year we will also study matter and elements, chemicals and what they do and how they work. All the components of energy are also discovered. Class time focuses on notes and discussion while the reading of the material is generally left to the students. Students have pop quizzes and many announced quizzes to aid in the understanding of the material. Class participation is not only encouraged; it is vital to the students’ grasp of the subject matter.
Science is an area where we play and discover, an area where being wrong can lead to new discoveries, and an area where questions begin the scientific process. STEM/STEAM is integrated into the curriculum on a regular basis allowing students to problem solve in different ways.
Every other year we have a science fair where students may work by themselves or with a partner for several months on a project of their choosing. The project is based on the scientific method. The fair gives students an opportunity to work in an area of interest, work on a long term project and share their results with judges in order to gain public speaking skills and self-confidence.
Religion | Ms. Casey
The 7th and 8th graders work together on Morality. It is a two year course that focuses on all the facets of morality. Many tools are used including class discussion, lecture, movies and student led questions.
As a group, they participate in The Stations of the Cross during Lent. They work together on the Stations Project which has the students recreating the Stations for the whole student body on Holy Thursday.
Prayer and a relationship with God are the goals for the students at the end of the course.
English | Mrs. Greffin
Grade 8 English focuses heavily on writing through a writer’s workshop approach. Through the writer’s workshop, students learn essential writing skills to apply to the type of writing that is ultimately their choice.
Throughout the year, students write with the following genres: narrative, expository, and poetry. Students are evaluated through a portfolio.
A research project is required in eighth grade. Students are taught how to research a subject, formulate a thesis, form a works cited page, and cite sources. Topics are alternated yearly between science and social studies.
In addition, students study grammar extensively and apply that to their own writing.
Literature | Mrs. Greffin
Students begin with summer reading selections. In eighth grade, The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan is required reading. In addition, students have to choose one of the following novels, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaimen and Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. We start off the year discussing these books at length and analyzing their structure.
Grade 8 literature exposes students to the various genres available to them. Short stories, non-fiction selections, fairy tales, poetry, drama, and novels are read and discussed during this year. Videos are shown to introduce authors to students and to compliment a short story or novel. Students are exposed to classical works such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
This encourages students to look at literally critically and engaged in discussions surrounding major themes. To Kill a Mockingbird opens up deep discussions on Catholic Social Teaching, as well as current event issues.
Spanish | Mrs. Feliciano
Grade eight students will continue with vocabulary, questions, jobs, numbers past 100, body parts, and reading and writing complete conversations using their lexicon.
Students in all grades will also be introduced to traditional Spanish celebrations like Dia de los Muertos at the beginning of November, Posadas at Christmas and Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5th.
Student will have the basic knowledge to be able to succeed in Spanish I in high school.
Mathematics | Ms. Galvinhill
Students will be given open ended math projects where students will learn the skill of using their own background knowledge to learn how to problem solve, establish the knowns and unknowns, estimate and confirm by doing, and finally, to develop an equation to find the solution to a real life application. Problem-solving and test-taking strategies are built into the curriculum, enhancing students’ critical thinking skills and their performance on standardized tests.
Grade 8 students may be placed into math groups, determined by their scores on previous assessments. All 8th graders will take Pre-Algebra Part II. Assignments and assessments are given for 3 different skill levels; students may move from one level to another at any time during the academic year.
Grade 8 Pre Algebra is not a complete Algebra I course. Graduates should expect to be placed in Algebra I or Algebra I Honors upon entering High School.
Social Studies | Mrs. Ehrhard
The Grade 8 Social Studies curriculum continues where 7th grade leaves off, beginning with Ancient Rome and continuing through to the Renaissance and Reformation. Students study the growth of civilization and the themes and trends that affect its people.
Art
Art Program
Throughout the school year we also use classroom themes and units of study for project inspiration. Classes meet once a week for forty-five minutes. Our school year begins with practicing introductory skills which affords Trinity’s artists the building blocks to create more complex pieces.
The arts are an important aspect in developing a well-rounded student. Art is not only an essential part of learning but it also connects students to different cultures, develops aesthetic values, as well as uses critical thinking and problem solving skills which are uniquely developed through the arts.
Announcements
Music
Music Program
The music curriculum is based on the methods formulated by international music composer and pedagogue, Zoltan Kodály. Other music methodologies include those of Carl Orff and other contemporary elementary music specialists.
Emphasis is placed on teaching traditional American folk songs, dances and games as well as the rich and varied repertoire of the Catholic Church. TCA owns a small Orff instrumentarium and a set of handchimes that are used regularly in music classes.
Music elements and concepts are introduced by grade level according to the following scheme:
- Kindergarten: Emphasis on recognizing and performing the following skills: fast-slow, loud-soft, timbre, steady beat, and reading basic rhythmic patterns
- First Grade: Continued emphasis on recognizing and performing the skills acquired in Kindergarten plus knowledge of basic melodic patterns
- Second Grade: Emphasis on reading rhythmic patterns containing quarter notes, eighth notes, half notes, and their corresponding rests. Melodic reading focusing on the scale degrees so, mi, la, do, and re and differentiating between songs in simple and compound meters
- Third Grade: Reviewing the concepts learned in earlier grades plus the addition of dotted notes and syncopated rhythms. Experimenting writing music in the tonal centers of F, G, and D major.
- Fourth Grade: Introduction of sixteen note patterns and pentatonic scales based on notes other than do. Introduction of scale degrees fa and ti. Use of baroque recorders in the second semester.
- Fifth Grade: Learning to harmonize simple melodies with I, IV, and V chords. Exploring major and minor scales and tonality. Continued use of baroque recorders, handchimes, and ukuleles
- Junior High Chorus (Grades 6, 7 & 8): All students in these grades participate in a combined SAB choir for one hour each week. Choral music of all styles and periods is sung and performed in regular concerts each semester. Music skills are reviewed and put into practice from previous grades in each session. Students learn to sing in parts and the value of teamwork and cooperation to achieve musical and esthetic goals.
Music & Movement
Music & Movement
The curriculum is based on folk and traditional songs and rhymes. Children in Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade will experience activities that prepare them for the development of accurate rhythmic skills, accurate singing skills, and sensitivity to the expressive qualities in music.
Activities include:
- Echo Songs in which the teacher sings a phrase and the group sings the phrase back enable everyone to sing immediately.
- Fingerplays and Action Songs in which each phrase has a motion that reflects the expressiveness of the melody or spoken rhyme provide a basis for understanding form and expression.
- Movement Exploration encourages children’s creative movement ideas and supports the development of gross motor skills.
- Choreographed Dances include movements that reflect both the form and expressive quality of classical music.
- Circle Games encourage the development of social, cognitive, language, motor, and musical skill through traditional games that have been passed down from one generation to another. Children learn to cooperate as a group, and share the energy and spirit of the game as a community.
Physical Education
Physical Education Program
The Physical Education Department will host Winter Games during Catholic Schools Week. Students and classes will engage in different physical activities and contests with a winter theme.
The Physical Education classes will also team up with the American Heart Association for the Jump Rope for Heart Campaign. Each class will jump rope for 40 minutes as an individual or team to raise money and their heart rate.
In June Field Day is held at Camp Foskett in Charlton. There will be a variety of challenging games and age appropriate activities and relay races, as well as Project Adventure for the older classes.
Physical Education News
The Media Center
The Media Center Program
The younger children use one day to visit the library when they have an opportunity to check out books and take part in activities that have been prepared for them by Mrs. Maureen Carragher, our library aide.
On the other day, they use the computer lab to learn basic skills that range from practicing how to power up the computers to creating Word documents. Often, they will engage in “games” that are actually teaching critical skills such as spelling, reading, thinking, organizing, and problem solving.
Our older students use the computer lab both days to fine tune their computer and word processing skills, to practice using Excel spreadsheets and Power Point, and other components of the Microsoft Office Suite.
By the time our students graduate the 8th grade, they are knowledgeable in the use of the computer and responsible in the use of the internet.
Responsible use of the internet is emphasized with all students regardless of age.