Middle School Curriculum

A balanced literacy instructional approach continues in Middle School at Trinity through reading and writing units of study. In English/Language Arts, students are intentionally taught to read, write, solve, and think in authentic genres for real purposes and audiences. In reading, students self-select reading material and investigate reading skills and genre conventions through individual and shared reading. In writing, students focus on narrative, informational, and argumentative writing and investigate grammar and mechanics in the context of language in order to be able to communicate effectively in the world.

Features

• Workshop approach with mini-lessons, independent work time, and debrief time
• Grammar, usage, and mechanics instruction and practice
• Focus on accuracy, fluency, comprehension, craft, and conventions used by successful readers and writers
• Instruction in skills & strategies to build and maintain an independent reading & writing life
• Attention to metacognitive thinking skills, speaking and listening skills
• Regular written assignments and grammar, usage, and mechanics assessments

Outcomes

• Increased reading and writing appetite, stamina, fluency and comprehension
• Fluency in writing for varied purposes and audiences
• Competence in language structure/grammar, word choice, spelling, syntax, punctuation and capitalization in writing

6th Grade

• Usage, Grammar and Mechanics instruction throughout the year
• Crafting an Independent Reading Life
• The Reading Notebook
• Novel Studies
• Close Reading
• Creative & Narrative Writing
• Book ClubsLiterary Essay
• Reading Nonfiction 

7th Grade

• Usage, Grammar and Mechanics instruction throughout the year
• Crafting an Independent Reading Life
• Novel Studies
• The Reading Notebook
• A Deep Study of Character
• Argumentative Essay
• Personal Essay
• Research-basedand Nonfiction Reading
• Biography Writing

8th Grade

• Usage, grammar, and mechanics instruction throughout the year
• Writing About Reading: The Reading Notebook
• Novel Studies
• Fake Reading and Comprehension Inquiry
• Social Issues Book Clubs
• Literary Essay
• Podcasting
• Critical Literacy
• Poetry
• Final Reflections

Students are placed in grade level and accelerated courses based on specific performance criteria. Instruction is grounded in a problem-based core curriculum rooted in content and practice standards to foster learning and achievement for all.

Features

• In-depth coverage of topics with concepts that build upon each other and across grade levels
• Substantive work in important strands of mathematics – rational numbers, geometry, measurement, data, and early algebra – and connections among them 
• Ongoing practice and assessment to monitor student growth and understanding
• Problems presented in a real-world context that help children make relevant connections to their own lives
• Emphasis on communication by using discussion strategies that set a tone for rich classroom discourse and written exchange
• Digital tools that supplement the text and support and inform students, teachers and parents
• Online diagnostic program that informs ongoing practice of math skills

Outcomes

• Mathematical thinking and reasoning: students are able to make sense of math as they develop a deep understanding of core mathematical competencies
• Computational fluency
• Ability to use mathematics in a variety of real world settings

6th Grade: Math 6, Math 6/7

7th Grade: Math 7, Math 7/8

8th Grade: Math 8, Math 1, Algebra 1, Math 2, Geometry 

At Trinity the Social Studies course of study is 6th grade Geography, Civics, & Global Issues, 7th grade Modern World History and 8th grade Modern United States History. 

Sixth graders study Geography, Civics, & Global Issues, in which students use geographic tools to understand the world and its complex systems. Through interdisciplinary study, students will gain a better understanding of the world, and a heightened curiosity about it. 

Seventh graders study Modern World History, where the focus is on a thematic examination of  20th century world events. The goal of this course is to widen students’ understanding of important world events through primary source and historical analysis, as well as the study of current events. 

Eighth graders study Modern United States History,  where the focus is on a thematic examination of politically, socially, and culturally impactful American events in the 20th century. This course aims to develop an enthusiasm for  analyzing the country's past and to cultivate in students skills of critical thinking and analysis that helps them understand the impact of historical events on contemporary society. As in 7th grade World History, students explore U.S. history via primary and secondary sources, as well as the study of current events.

Features

• Use of geographical tools to determine where places are located, as well as how and why the world operates the way it does 
• Examine and understand primary sources
• Emphasis on studying and analyzing current events
• Focus on active and collaborative learning including projects, debates, class discussions, etc. 
• Attend to informational literacy and research skills

Outcomes

• Competency and ability to read, write, and communicate about places, world events, people, groups, institutions and global issues 
• Enhanced public speaking and presentation skills from sharing learning with large and small group audiences 
• Enhanced reading, researching, and note-taking skills
• Appreciation for the complex and diverse histories and cultures of the world

6th Grade

• Civic Online Reasoning 
• 5 Themes of Geography 
• Understanding U.S. Geography
• Understanding U.S. Federalism 

7th Grade

• Reading Like a Historian
• Conflict in the 20th Century
• Colonialism, Imperialism, & Decolonization
• Protests of the 20th Century
• Integrated Biographical Monuments Project

8th Grade

• Presidential Studies
• American Decades
• American Arts & Culture
• Technology & Innovation
• Social Justice Movements
• Conflict in 20th Century America

Trinity’s science program creates scientific thinkers who eagerly investigate, research, explore and record information about the world around them. Our hands-on, inquiry-based approach to learning weaves and spirals scientific content in various disciplines and grade levels allowing students to utilize the Scientific Method to experiment, construct, dissect, and create models to prove their hypotheses. Throughout their nine years at Trinity Episcopal School, students are introduced to such sciences as earth science, physical science, life science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, microbiology, genetics, physiology and the study of our urban environment.

Features

• Introduction to the Scientific Method, which requires students to form a hypothesis to prove or disprove
• Reinforcement of the Scientific Method through research, documentation and communication
• Utilization of scientific tools
• Two fully equipped K-8 science labs
• Hands-on learning approach to reinforce scientific principles
• Microscopic investigation to understand organisms in their environment
• Construction of scientific models
• Experience with the outdoor classroom (vegetable garden, hummingbird/butterfly garden, marshland, etc.) to discover the uniqueness in these habitats
• Dissection of preserved species

​​​​​​​Outcomes

• Greater understanding of our environment and the role of science in everyday life
• Measurement and calculation abilities
• Enhanced critical thinking and analytical skills
• Confidence in natural curiosity and ability to investigate and analyze data to prove/disprove hypothesis
• Ability to observe, write, and design as they interact with their environment
• Development of ethics and empathy for others

6th Grade

• Metric System
• Scientific Method
• Weather & Climate
• Microbiology & Parts of a Cell
• DNA & Genetics
• Evolution, Adaptation, and Classification
• Animal and Plant Biology

7th Grade

• Metric System
• Scientific Method
• Atoms, Elements, Molecules, Periodic Table, Bonding
• Geology, Plate Tectonics, & Rocks and Minerals
• Geologic Time
• Solar System 
• Energy & Magnetism

8th Grade

• Scientific Writing 
• Cells, Viruses, and Bacteria
• Human Organ Systems 
• Disease, Nutrition, Growth and Development
• Dissections: Eye, Heart, Lung, Chicken Wing, Brain, Full Fetal Pig 
• Physics:  Forces, Friction, Pressure, Machines 
• Newton's Laws, Motion, Speed, Velocity, Energy
• Year-long Area of Expertise Project

Middle School students choose between Latin and Spanish, completing Level 1, a high school course, by the end of their 8th Grade year.

Middle School Spanish

Spanish students develop reading, listening, writing and speaking skills through the study of grammar and vocabulary units built around themes. Spanish I students journey through the Spanish speaking world as they study different traditions, holidays and celebrations. As they build their vocabulary and grammar, students begin to converse and write in Spanish about a variety of themes such as family, school, sports, food, shopping, parties, household chores and daily routines through the creation of skits and digital presentations.  Students will graduate from Trinity having completed Spanish I, a high school level course, and will be ready for Spanish II should they choose to continue studying the language.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Middle School Latin

Latin students learn that this “dead” language is still very much alive in modern civilization. Students travel back in time to learn Latin in historical context and connect what they learn to their own language(s) and culture. Students explore the Roman world beyond the language, focusing on art, architecture, archaeology, mythology, government, food, engineering, etc. This is accomplished via project-based learning. Students explore modern allusions to the Classical world and identify areas in which modern cultures have been influenced. This program improves reading comprehension skills by teaching students to utilize prior knowledge, illustrations, and English connections to Latin vocabulary to aid them in understanding Latin passages. Students read Latin primary sources to hear from the Romans in their own voices. This course also includes spoken Latin to help students acquire and retain vocabulary and grammar. All Latin students build English vocabulary skills through word derivation activities.

Features

• Exposure to another language and culture and comparison to the student’s own language and culture
• Oral language development with a focus on listening and speaking skills
• Introduction and incorporation of reading and writing skills as extensions of oral language skills
• Communication through basic words, short memorized phrases within a context, and the combination of words and phrases to exchange information about everyday topics

Outcomes

• Oral, written, and aural language acquisition
• Awareness and understanding of cultures outside the student’s own
• Greater understanding of the structure and meaning of student’s native language
• Knowledge of the formal grammar, sentence structure and vocabulary of the target language

Grade 6

• Conversational expressions 
• Common vocabulary and expressions
• Spanish Alphabet
• Latin American Geography
• Formal and informal introductions
• Feelings
• Calendar & Time
• Numbers
• Personal and familial information
• Spanish symbols
• Weather
• Adjectives

Grade 7

• Vocabulary review
• Leisure activities
• Food & Restaurant communication
• Places and events
• Likes and dislikes
• Family
• Numbers
• Culture and traditions

Grade 8

• Vocabulary review
• Common adjectives and expressions
• Clothes and accessories
• Colors
• People, locations and careers
• Basic responsibilities
• The human body and health
• Parts of the house
• Past and future tenses

Grade 6

• Vocabulary Acquisition
• Conversation
• Basic sentence composition 
• Nominative and Accusative cases
• Roman family structure 
• Roman Dress/Clothing
• Ancient Writing Implements
• Numbers
• Ancient Greek Deities and the Nature of Myth
• Body Parts, Animals, and Adjectives
• Heroes 
• Domestic architecture

Grade 7

• Latin in Historical and Geographical Context
• Vocabulary Review 
• From Mythology to Legend
• Present Tense Verbs
• Practice Makes Imperfect
• Noun Case Endings
• From Legend to History
• Archaeology and Historical analysis

Grade 8

• Vocabulary/Storyline Review 
• Practice Makes Perfect
• The Future is Bright
• The Perfect Active Verb System
• Translating into colloquial English vs. formal English
• Case Endings 
• Roman Travel
• Roman Government
• Cultural Assimilation and Romanization
• Roman Engineering
• Roman Entertainment
• Scientific Latin
• Who’s Who in Ancient Rome?