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Middle School

Sixth Grade

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Sixth grade students are challenged to think critically and analytically in the content matter while working collaboratively, learning to be independent and organized, and discovering new and exciting content matter.

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English Language Arts

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English focuses on the basic foundational concepts of grammar, and integrating it into our essay writing using the 6 Step Writing Process which include: nonfiction narrative, fiction narrative, expository, poetry, persuasive, literature response, and research. Students collaborate with one another and improve their writing using CUPS (Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation, and Syntax) giving critical, positive feedback while peer editing. Cross curricular content is a large part of middle school's curriculum. One example, is our nonfiction narrative, My Heritage Essay, is derived from our discussion about why history is important in social studies, and several short stories and poems discussed during Literature are compiled for a final product.


Literature

Students are encourage to think critically, analytically, and reflectively while reading for comprehension. They learn about the elements of the plot, author’s point of view, variety of perspectives, setting (tone, mood, atmosphere). With a wide range of texts, students will engage in variety of thematic units including: Embracing Heritage, Breaking Stereotypes and Perceptions, Tolerance/Acceptance, and Diverse Voices.  One of the favorite aspects of Literature would be the Literature Circles and the many discussions we have while we are reading the texts. Students are able to bring their knowledge into their understanding, and brings the text more alive!


Social Studies

In part of understanding ourselves, we must understand our history. History is what makes us who we are, and is important to understanding the present.  Students learn the important aspects of social studies (geography, archeology, and history), it is all integrated.  As a class, we discover the beginning of time of the Stone Ages, and how societies formed into complex civilizations from Mesopotamia to Ancient Rome.  We explore the content in a variety of ways from textbook, articles, videos, and learning centers. A class favorite would have to be the discovery of how complex board games can uncover the understanding of a civilization, which they will eventually be able to create their own Ancient Civilization Board game to be played during our Saint Brigid Game Night in May!

 

Religion

Being Active Christians who act like Jesus, is a strong part of our curriculum. We learn the gift of faith shown through God’s work.  Understanding the important aspects of the Holy Trinity, deeply rooted into how we can be strong servants of the Catholic faith. The importance of prayer with thoughtful conversations about morality is consistently apparent.  

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Field trips

Field Trips are a way of bringing to life what we have been learning in class to the wonderful resources we have in our community. We try to incorporate at least one a month.  Here are a few exciting Field trips that we go on each year.​

  • Asian Art Museum 

  • Legion of Honor 

  • Trip to Oracle Park for an SF Giants Game

  • Exploratorium

Seventh Grade

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Seventh grade is a year of greater academic challenges and much more independence for these maturing students. Students learn to use their time wisely, spreading big projects out over several days, and still have time for their many athletic and musical activities. Seventh graders have a special class in drama that culminates in the production of a play that is certainly a highlight of their year. Students continue to grow in faith, intelligence, leadership, and physical ability, making seventh grade a year of wondrous changes!

 

Math

Seventh graders take a full year of pre-algebra to prepare for their eighth grade algebra course. This is a year of refining basic skills and applying them to more abstract problem solving. They learn the style of formal algebra, covering topics that include integer operations, equations and inequalities, graphing, geometric formulas, and statistical analysis.

 

Language Arts

Seventh graders have a broad range of language arts classes from simple spelling and handwriting practice to detailed English grammar, the many styles of composition, and literature genres that include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, short stories, novels, and current event articles. A great project for seventh graders is a living wax museum presentation following their study of biographies.

 

Social Studies

The seventh grade studies the medieval period of history: the fall of Rome, the beginning of Islam and its empire, the empires of West Africa, the Congo, and the African eastern trading cities, the rise of the Ottoman Empire, China after the fall of the Han dynasty, feudal Japan, and lastly, medieval Europe and its feudal system. There is an emphasis on:

  • The elements of the history, geography, culture, and the contributions of these highly developed civilizations

  • Class Discussion

  • Note-taking protocol

  • Various quarterly projects that reflect the period and culture being studied

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Religion

Seventh grade religion focuses on the Gospels, several of the Epistles of St. Paul, and how the message learned in class can be applied to everyday life. It is always our hope that students take to heart the lessons learned in religion so that they will choose to live righteous lives of purpose, to care for the poor and needy, and to commit themselves to faithfulness in all they do.

Eighth Grade

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English Language Arts Curriculum

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Literature

Literature in the eighth grade is an exploration of the genres of literature, i.e, the short story, the essay, poetry, and the novel, with a concentration on the following:

  • Discussion focusing on the themes and elements of literature

  • Critical thinking  and writing skills

  • Utilization of close reading and vocabulary study skills

  • Cooperative projects

  • Book reviews of various, appropriate works of adolescent literature.

 

Writing
We emphasize writing throughout the curriculum. In the subject area of English, we use the writing process to practice various modes of writing: research essays with an emphasis on ethical research skills, personal narrative essay, comparison/contrast essay, persuasive essay, and literary response essay.  

 

Grammar
Throughout the school year, we review the eight major parts of speech, sentence structure, and punctuation, emphasizing their mastery and utilization in our everyday writing.

Algebra

Our eighth graders take a full-year high school level algebra course. We cover all the topics presented in algebra from complex equations to the quadratic formula. While the study of algebra topics begins in earlier grades, it culminates this year with the application of abstract math concepts and algebraic organization of procedures to problem solving. We are proud of the success our students have in this challenging course!

 

Social Studies
We study American history throughout the year: Native Americans, colonization, the American revolution, and the Constitution. In addition, there is an emphasis on: discussion, note-taking protocol, research projects that reflect the particular area being studied, and Google presentations and other hands on projects

Religion
We study Church history, doctrine, and practice in the eighth grade. We offer the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring.

 

Some highlights of eighth grade at Saint Brigid School:

  • Visits from the high school admissions directors (Sacred Heart Cathedral, Saint Ignatius, Archbishop Riordan, Schools of the Sacred Heart, University High School, ICA, and many more!)

  • Field trips:

    • The California Academy of Sciences

    • Asian Museum of Art

    • Giants game

  • Science Fair participation

  • Confirmation and Graduation at St. Mary’s Cathedral

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