The Avalon School Middle School: Grades 6-8
Middle School life marks an increase in the opportunities to test their intellectual powers through algebra, expository and creative writing and speaking, as well as deeper forays into Ancient, European and American history. Organized sports and frequent field trips allow boys to retain the adventurous dimension of the early years and provide increased opportunities for the peer friendships so valued by the developing adolescent.
“For a friend with an understanding heart is worth no less than a brother”
--The Odyssey, Homer, Book 8, ln. 585-6
Curriculum
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Religion
We have adopted the Ignatius Press series for our religion program in grades one through eight. Its authentic teaching and beautiful artwork present wonderfully the richness of the Catholic faith. In all things, but especially through our religion program, we hope to form boys into men who will make a more human, more vital society. Texts: Grade 6 Following Christ, Ignatius Press St. John Bosco, F. A. Forbes Augustine Came to Kent, Barbara Willard Grade 7 The Life of Christ, Ignatius Press Cure of Ars, Francis Trochu Fr. Marquette and the Great Rivers, August Derleth Grade 8 Our Life in the Church, Ignatius Press Students are taught the basic prayers, the various articles of the Apostle’s Creed, major stories from the Old and New Testaments, and lives of selected saints. Mathematics
The Avalon School has adopted the Saxon Mathematics series for our math program. The classes consist of short lectures followed by students working on sample problems. The books are rigorous and there is little "fluff." The learning is incremental with continual review. There is frequent cumulative testing. There is also an emphasis on correcting mistakes, a key area where much learning can take place. The classes will be supplemented with math puzzles, mental math, and topics from the history of math. Saxon books are especially suited for students to advance above grade level and we will do our best to accommodate such cases. Texts: Saxon Mathematics 87, Algebra 1/2, Algebra I History
In Avalon's Middle School years, students finish their study of American History shortly after the reconstruction period. In the seventh and eighth grades, students expand their historical scope, focusing on geography and Ancient History. 6th Grade Continued Study of American History A History of US, Oxford University Press, Bks 6 & 7 (Civil War and Reconstruction) 7th Grade Geography, American and World 8th Grade Ancient History (emphasis on Greece and Rome) Physical Education
Daily physical education for students in grades K-8 allows them to test their physical limits and to test each other. The Avalon School exposes boys to the regular passel of sports that are commonly played, helping them to develop the skills necessary to compete capably, and encouraging the boys to use their imagination and innate competitiveness to develop games of their own. |
Science
Science is a hands-on subject. In the Middle School years, Avalon students take Earth, Life, and Physical Science, in preparation for the more demanding science curriculum in the Upper School. Poetry
The reading, memorization and recitation of great poetry is an essential part of the Avalon curriculum and experience and comprises a part of the English literature course offerings. Each grade memorizes and recites a number of poems throughout the year. In addition, the competitive recitation of poetry by House representatives is a staple of festival day celebrations. Poet Laureate Contests are held for the Lower and Middle schools each spring. Literature
Professor John Senior wrote, "Western tradition, taking all that was best of the Greco-Roman world into itself has given us the thousand good books as a preparation for the great ones and for all studies in the arts and sciences, without which such studies are inhumane." Students will build upon their reading and writing skills formed in the Lower School to write and argue more complex ideas and essays. Texts include: 6th grade Gods, Heroes, and Men of Ancient Greece, W. H. D. Rouse The Princess Bride, William Goldman A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson Tales from Shakespeare, Charles and Mary Lamb 7th Grade The Iliad, Homer The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain A Separate Peace, John Knowles Call of the Wild, Jack London MacBeth, William Shakespeare 8th Grade The Odyssey, Homer To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee Killer Angels, Michael Shaara Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare Animal Farm, George Orwell Art
Art is taught one class period per week in grades 3 – 8. Students learn elements of drawing, from basic three-dimensional shapes to more challenging assignments such as the use of perspective, drawing the human person, etc. Projects include learning about and coloringheraldic shields, understanding the color wheel, and color relationships. Students also will seeand study various great works of art. |
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