Middle School Art
The St. Pascal's Middle School Art Program is built around the elements and principles of design. The elements of design include color, line, value, texture, shape/form, and space. The principles of design include unity, balance, contrast, rhythm and movement, and dominance or emphasis. The program emphasizes art production skills which include drawing, painting, cutting, tearing, folding and fastening, fibers and designing, modeling and constructing, and printmaking. Students learn to plan and conceptualize what they will create, and they learn to use a variety of tools and techniques to create what they have visualized. As they learn production skills, students are introduced to masterworks created by artists from different backgrounds and cultures. They develop their sensory perception and awareness and learn to recognize different art forms as they become familiar with the work and style of various artists.
Middle School Religion
The Religion curriculum at St. Pascal Baylon Catholic School is based on the Scriptures, teachings, and documents of the Catholic Church. Sixth Grade Religion focuses on the Old Testament, especially the covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel. Major topics include the following: Creation and the Fall of Humankind; the stories of Abraham and the other Patriarchs; Moses and the Exodus, with particular attention paid to the Ten Commandments and their continuing role as God's law for His people; and the Prophets and their role in God's saving plan. Seventh Grade Religion focuses on the person of Jesus and the images of him which are presented in the Gospels. Each of the four Gospels is studied and compared with the other three. The writings of Paul and the other leaders of the early Church are also studied. In eighth grade, the focus is on Church History and the Sacraments. Students will learn about the important people and events in the history of the Catholic Church, with a special focus on the development of the Sacraments through the Church's history.
Sixth Grade Social Studies
The focus of study in the Sixth Grade is on Geography and Culture. We begin the year by studying basic geographic principles, the problems of mapping, geographic terms and the five basic themes of geography: place, region, movement, human-environment interaction, and location. We next look at these themes in action as we study the Ancient Civilizations of the Fertile Crescent, Egypt, India, China, Greece, and Rome. We then look at how the Ancient Civilizations laid the foundations for modern culture, as we study history from the fall of Rome to the present time. We study what we have in common with people around the world, and what sets us apart as different from others. In this way, we hope to enhance the student's appreciation of the variety of cultures around the world.
American History
American History at St. Pascal Baylon Catholic School is a two-year course which is taught in the Seventh and Eighth Grades. In Seventh Grade, the period from pre-colonial times to the American Civil War is covered. Major topics include the influence of explorers from various European countries, especially England; the rise of the English colonies; the American Revolution and its aftermath; the beginnings of American government, especially the writing of the Constitution and Bill of Rights; and the role of slavery and the Southern belief in states' rights in the years immediately leading up to the Civil War. The Eighth Grade course covers the period from 1860 to the present day. Major topics include the Civil War and Reconstruction; the industrial revolution; the rise of the United States as world power; World War I; the Great Depression; World War II and its aftermath; and modern history: the period from the 1960's to the present day.
Middle School Science
Science at St. Pascal Baylon Catholic School strives to develop a knowledge of God's creation and to provide skills leading towards responsible stewardship of the world. The Science Program familiarizes the learner with the concepts, basic facts and scientific processes of life, earth, physical and health sciences; it also helps students incorporate healthy environmental attitudes and values into their daily lives, as well as becoming careful and accurate observers, recorders, experimenters and problem solvers.
The Middle School Science curriculum covers basic physical and biological concepts and chemistry units with the use of textbooks and hands-on experiments. The students are actively engaged in experimentation using lab equipment, analyzing data and drawing conclusions. Students participate in projects which involve the use of Internet for research investigations, for up-to-date information and visuals, and for communication.
The Sixth Grade curriculum covers physical, life and chemistry units with an emphasis on written lab reports including conclusions based on observed data. A special Nutrition Project, using albino rats, provides the students with accurate and pertinent information concerning healthy living and eating habits. Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center gives the students a three-day experience immersed in nature and environmental issues dealing with interdependence of all organisms and their surroundings.
The Seventh Grade curriculum focuses on Life Science. Major topics include the study of organisms, cells, chemistry of biological processes, plant life and animal life. Lab activities involve the use of microscopes and wet mount slides, growing plants from seeds, and dissecting preserved animals.
The Eighth Grade curriculum focuses on Earth Science . Main topics include mapping and topography, minerals and rocks, space and meteorology. Lab activities involve making topographic structures, identifying unknown minerals, measuring mass, volume and area with different lab equipment and devices, collecting weather data and constructing barometers.
All Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth grade students study phenology and keep a journal of outdoor observations throughout the three years of the science program.
Seventh and Eighth Graders elaborate on the scientific method by devising their own science fair projects which are exhibited, presented, and evaluated at the local St. Pascal Science Fair. Some students also compete at the Regional and State Science Fairs.
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