St. Theresa Junior High seeks to assist the transition from childhood to adolescence for its students by creating an environment of support and encouragement, culminating in the creation of independent critical thinkers. Students participate in a number of independent and collaborative projects ranging from research papers to science labs to history projects.

 

All STS junior high students take the following courses, as well as religion, art, music, and PE.

 

Mathematics

6th Grade

• Division of multi-digit whole numbers
• Solve equations with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Multiplying and dividing decimals by whole numbers and other decimals
• Greatest common factor
• Convert between decimals and fractions
• Write equivalent fractions
• Cconvert between mixed numbers and improper fractions.
• Least common multiples
• Solve equations with fractions.
• Line plots
• Frequency tables
• Histograms.
• Ratios and unit rates
• Graph ordered pairs
• Percents
• Convert customary units and metric units
• Area of rectangles, parallelograms, triangles, trapezoids, and composite figures
• Volume and surface area of prisms
• Compare and order integers
• Geometric transformations
• Graph functions
• Write functions
• Rate of change
• Inequalities

 

7th Grade

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide positive and negative numbers
• Divide fractions and mixed numbers
• Solve proportions
• Use scale factors
• Graph
• Percent problems
• Simple interest
• Area, volume, and surface area
• Probability
• Two-step and multi-step equations
• Two-step and multi-step inequalities

 

8th Grade

• Order of operations
• Integers
• Fractions
• Decimals
• Solve and write algebraic equations
• Proportional relationships
• Graphs and functions
• Percents
• Collect, display, and analyze data
• Geometric figures
• Measurement of figures
• Probability
• Multi-step equations and inequalities

 

Science

6th Grade

• Earth science
• Read maps
• Identify planets
• Solar system
• Tectonic plates
• Energy sources
• Introduction to life sciences

 

7th Grade

• Cell biology
• Reproduction
• Genetics
• Evolution
• Human body systems
• Plant processes
• Life's structure and classification
• Cell reproduction

 

8th Grade

• Physical science
  • Matter
  • Motion
  • Momentum
  • Friction
  • Gravity
  • Newton's Laws
  • Work
  • Power
  • Simple machines
• Chemistry
  • Elements
  • Atomic structure
  • Chemical bonds
  • Chemical reactions

 

 

Literature

All students in 6th through 8th grade focus on figurative language, informal and formal text, as well as study the different types of literature: fiction, including folktales, poems, drama, and novels; and nonfiction.

 

The novels read by each grade varies year-to-year.

 

6th graders read The Watsons Go to Birmingham, Hatchet, and Freak the Mighty.

 

In 7th grade, students read The Pigman, The Giver, and Gathering Blue.

 

8th graders read A Christmas Carol, House Arrest, and Knockout.

 

English

All students in 6th through 8th grade study the parts of speech, with a focus on writing and editing essays, research papers, and poems.

 

Vocabulary

Vocabulary instruction for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades focuses on learning the meanings of various Greek and Latin roots, words containing those roots, using those roots in sentences, and answering questions involving the meaning and usage of those words.

 

Social Studies

 

6th Grade

• History
• Geography
• Economics
• Stone Ages
• Fertile Crescent
• Persian Empire
• Egypt
• India
• China
• Judaism
• Greece
• Rome
• Byzantine empire
• Russia
• Islam
• Ghana, Mali, and Sonhai reigns
• Ottoman empure
• Mughul empire
• Feudal Japan
• Mayan, Aztec, and Incan empires
• Middle ages
• Crusades
• Renaissance
• Protestant Reformation
• Age of Exploration
• Enlightenment
• American Revolution

 

7th Grade

• World geography
• Weather, climate
• Natural environments
• Natural resources
• Culture
• Government
• Global connections
• American geography
• European geography
• African geography
• Asian geography

 

8th Grade

• U.S. History
• Native American cultures
• European exploration into the Americas
• Colonization
• American Revolution
• American idependence
• Constitution
• Bill of Rights
• Founding fathers
• War of 1812
• Western expansion
• American foreign policy
• Jacksonian democracy
• Trail of Tears
• Texas revolution
• Mexican-American war
• Gold Rush
• Slavery
• Civil War
• Reconstruction
• Second Industrial Revolution
• Immigration
• Women's suffrage movement
• World War I
• Roaring 20s
• Great Depression
• World War II
• Cold War
• Vietnam War
• Civil Rights Movement