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The College Preparatory Program
Students in grades 6-12 are divided into two divisions,
Middle School and Upper School. The academic programs of
both represent a seven-year college preparatory curriculum.
This academic program provides broad training
in the liberal arts and sciences and stresses independent
thinking, writing, critical reading, discipline and creativity.
Homework and outside preparation are required.
As they progress through the program, students
will have an opportunity to select courses in accord with
their strengths, interests and college plans.
• English
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science
• Foreign Languages
• Physical Education
• Religion
• Enrichments
English
English 6 --
Grade 6: This full-year course builds proficiency in written
communication through literary composition and grammar exercises
and furthers the development of analytical reading skills.
The course utilizes a literature anthology, a grammar text,
and novels for the integration of skills in reading, writing,
language usage and critical thinking.
English 7 --
Grade 7: This is a full-year course that emphasizes language
and literature. The language component includes instruction
and practice in grammar, vocabulary usage, mechanics and
composition. Composition includes narrative, expository
and descriptive writing and a research report that requires
the use of library information skills and print and nonprint
sources. The literature component helps students to further
develop their analytical reading skills as they study selections
from the following genres: short story, poetry, novel, folklore
and nonfiction.
English 8 --
Grade 8: This full-year course has as its primary emphasis
the careful reading and analysis of literature from various
literary genres. Students also gain further experience in
narrative, descriptive and essay writing. They continue
to develop their vocabulary and to refine their understanding
and use of formal English grammar and mechanics.
Mathematics
Mathematics 6
-- Grade 6: This full-year course continues the study of
whole number operations, including number properties and
inverse operations. Decimals, fractions, percent and integers
are manipulated for all operations. Students investigate
geometry concepts, patterns, functions, equations and measurements
and ways to represent data. They also have opportunities
to develop and apply problem-solving strategies, employ
small group activities and reflect upon self-knowledge in
order to advance mathematically.
Algebra Introduction – Grade 7: This
full-year course introduces Pre-Algebra
and
Algebra topics while developing a true understanding of
concepts and processes through proficient use of number
sense, problem solving, and logical thinking.
Topics covered include linear equations and inequalities,
graphing on the coordinate plane, probability, geometry,
area, volume, right triangles,
and square roots.
Pre-Algebra – Grade 7: This full-year course
is designed as a transition from arithmetic to algebra.
The major emphasis is on teaching students
to reason and communicate mathematically and to prepare
them for Algebra Transition. Topics covered include variables
and expressions, integers,
graphing on the coordinate plane, solving multi-step equations,
ratio and proportion, and probability.
Algebra I – Grade 8: This full-year course lays the
foundation for all future work in mathematics, science,
and real world problem solving. The course is designed
to introduce algebra from both a traditional and
graphics-based approach. Topics include solving and graphing
linear and nonlinear equations and inequalities, solving
and graphing systems of
linear equations and inequalities, factoring polynomials,
and simplifying polynomial, rational, and radical expressions.
A graphing calculator is
required. Credit for this course counts toward the 23 units
needed for high school graduation.
Algebra Transition – Grade 8:This full-year course
introduces Pre-Algebra and Algebra topics while developing
a true understanding of concepts and processes through
proficient use of number sense, problem solving and logical
thinking. Topics covered include linear equations and inequalities,
graphing on the coordinate plane, probability, geometry,
area, volume, right triangles, and square roots.
A graphing calculator is required.
Social Studies
American History
-- Grade 6: Students in this course will study America's
history from westward expansion through World War II. An
emphasis is given to the cause-and-effect relationship of
specific events, as well as to the overarching themes connecting
them. To make history come alive, the course presents content
beyond the text, including a focus on the mindset of Americans
during a particular era as expressed through letters, music,
art and literature. During this critical developmental year,
much importance is placed on applying the skills of note
taking, organization, testing strategies, time management
and effective group participation. Instruction includes
traditional lecturing, projects and presentations, cooperative
learning, cross-curricular activities, journal writing,
field trips, documentaries and movies, enrichment activities
and guest speakers.
Louisiana History - Grade 7: This full-year course will
take students on a journey throughout Louisiana exploring
the people, places, geography, and events that make the state
so unique. The study will center around
several questions. How does knowledge of the past help
us understand the present? How is Louisiana a reflection
of the various cultures that make
up our state? How does Louisiana’s location on the Mississippi River
impact the state? Important academic and social skills
will develop as the students expand their research and
technology skills, read for specific
content, work in cooperative learning groups, and practice
personal accountability.
World History
-- Grade 8: This course is the first half of a two-year
course extending through the ninth-grade year. Students
will trek through historical developments of early civilizations,
empires of the ancient world and regional civilizations
of Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. They will develop
such skills as relating cause and effect relationships,
learning from maps, understanding charts and graphs, comparing
viewpoints, problem solving and decision making and sequencing
events. Instruction and activities include traditional lecturing
and note taking, cooperative learning, research and the
use of technology.
Science
Science -- Grade
6: This full-year course provides an introduction to four
areas of study in the field of science. The first area is
environmental science, in which students will study three
primary environmental issues: resource use, population growth
and pollution. The second area is sound and light waves.
In this unit students will learn about the characteristics
of waves, the electromagnetic spectrum and the nature of
both sound and light. The third area is geology, which includes
the study of earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, minerals
and rocks. The final area of the course is astronomy, in
which students will study the solar system and its many
parts.
Life Science
-- Grade 7: This full-year course presents the structure
and function of living organisms, systems, organs and cells.
It explores the relationships among the various types of
living things and their interactions with the environment.
The course utilizes cooperative learning and activity-based
lessons to spark student interest. The following skills
will be developed: communication through expression of opinions
on contemporary topics: demonstration of knowledge expressed
in posters, reports, dissections and models; classifying
through collection and identification of leaves and wildflowers;
logical thinking through sequencing, concept mapping, role-playing
and making and using tables and graphs; and observing through
field experiences and the use of microscopes.
Physical Science
-- Grade 8: This full-year course is an introduction to
chemistry and physics. The major concepts include scientific
method, matter, atomic structure, chemical reactions, motion
and basic rocketry. In addition, environmental issues are
emphasized in the spring semester. The course offers numerous
lab activities. Students utilize technology as they participate
in online learning experiences.
Foreign Languages
French 6 -- Grade
6: This full-year course is available to students new to
French and to those who are continuing the study of French
begun in Lower School. The course focuses on everyday vocabulary
and simple grammatical structures. Activities that strengthen
listening and speaking skills are presented early in the
year, while reading and writing are introduced gradually
as the year progresses. Life in France and francophone countries
provides the basis for communicative activities.
French 7 --
Grade 7: This full-year course is the first half of the
7th/8th grade French I component.
Listening, speaking, reading and writing activities introduce
and expand basic everyday vocabulary in realistic situations.
Activities are communicative and student-centered in nature.
Audiocassettes, videos and computers provide a variety of
stimulating experiences for the learners.
French 8 --
Grade 8: The second half of the Middle School French I component,
this full-year course builds on previously mastered material
and continues the further development of the students' language
skills. More and varied reading texts serve as springboards
for cultural discussions and student critical and creative
writing.
Spanish 6 --
Grade 6: This full-year course is designed to accommodate
both students who are continuing their study of Spanish
and those who are new to the language. Students complete
12 theme-based units that introduce vocabulary and basic
phrases by means of reading, writing, listening and speaking
activities, games and quizzes. Themes include sports and
leisure activities, professions, the city, planning a trip,
travel, banks, restaurants, sightseeing, shopping and the
beach. Students learn about aspects of Hispanic geography
and culture as they relate to these topics.
Spanish 7 --
Grade 7: This full-year course accommodates both students
who are continuing from 6th grade Spanish and
those who are new to the language in 7th or 8th
grade. It is the first part of a Spanish I course that is
completed in 8th grade. The course includes introductory
review material and six units based in three cultural settings:
Mexico, Texas and Puerto Rico. Students learn to communicate
in a variety of situations to further develop their listening,
reading, writing and speaking skills. Tapes and videos supplement
the teacher's presentation. Student progress is assessed
through listening, speaking, reading, writing and culture
activities, quizzes and tests.
Spanish 8 --
Grade 8: This full-year course is a continuation of the
7th grade course and is the second half of Spanish
I. It includes an introductory review and six units based
in three cultural settings: Spain, the United States, and
the South American countries of Peru, Chile and Argentina.
Students improve their communication skills by adding vocabulary,
structures and verb tenses. Students gain writing practice
by using journals and producing short compositions on a
theme. Student progress is assessed through listening, speaking,
reading, writing and culture activities, quizzes and tests.
Latin 6 -- Grade
6: This full-year course is designed for students with little
or no experience in Latin. It introduces very simple aspects
of the Latin language, such as noun and verb ending inflection
and sentence structure. It also stresses vocabulary that
is similar to words found in English and the Romance languages
such as French, Spanish and Italian. The cultural focus
of the course is the Roman town of Pompeii during the year
leading up to the famous eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D.
79. Students study various aspects of Roman culture including
gladiators, theater performances, food, elections, slavery
and life after death. Oral and written drills as well as
group work on translation and comprehension are common activities.
Latin 7 -- Grade
7: This full-year course is a continuation of the 6th
grade course. It introduces more simple grammatical constructions
of the Latin language and continues to stress the similarity
of Latin vocabulary to English words. The cultural focus
of the course is Roman colonization, especially the colonies
of Britain and Egypt and the melding of these cultures with
Roman culture. Students study ancient farming techniques,
the city of Alexandria, glassmaking, Egyptian religion,
medicine and technology. Oral and written drills of all
kinds and group work on translation and comprehension are
common activities. Particular focus is placed on oral activities,
culminating in a pronunciation and performance unit at the
end of the year.
Latin 8 -- Grade
8: This full-year course is intended for students with little
or no experience in Latin. Eighth-graders who have taken
Latin in 6th and/or 7th grade are
appropriate participants because the approach for this course
is entirely different. It is the first of three required
courses for the foreign language sequence in Latin. It focuses
on the mastery of basic Latin grammar and vocabulary. Cultural
focus is on the life and times of the Roman poet Horace
and the first century B.C., but heavy emphasis is placed
on the standard legends of Greek and Roman mythology, including
Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and Vergil's Aeneid.
Oral and written drills of all kinds as well as group work
on translation and comprehension are common activities.
The ability to memorize endings and forms and to organize
and utilize these forms is essential to success in the course.
Physical Education
Physical Education 6
-- Grade 6: This daily full-year course is similar to physical
education courses taught in grades four and five. Activities
emphasize the continuing development of hand/eye coordination,
gross motor movement, and specific sport skills as they
relate to running, throwing, catching and striking. Typical
units include rhythms, newcomb/volleyball, soccer, indoor
short court tennis, jump rope, tumbling, bowling, track
and gymnastics activities. A fitness test is administered,
and student assessment is based on daily responsibility
for dressing out correctly, positive participation and sportsmanship.
Physical Education
7-8 -- Grades 7 and 8: These daily full-year courses
provide students with continuing opportunities to develop
personal physical fitness and skills to enjoy lifelong sports.
Students prepare for and take the Presidential Physical
Fitness Test, and those who qualify earn fitness awards.
Typical units for boys include soccer, gym hockey, horseshoes,
archery, tennis, wrestling, softball, flag football, basketball,
golf, weight training, sex education and first aid. Units
for girls include tennis, tinikling, basketball, archery,
floor exercise, gymnastics, track, volleyball, aerobic dance,
golf, sex education and first aid. Assessment is based on
daily responsibility for dressing out correctly, skills
and written tests for each unit, positive participation
and sportsmanship.
Religion
Religion 6 --
Grade 6: This course will draw heavily from the "Here’s
Looking at You" curriculum, which educates students
about the dangers of gateway drugs and teaches them the
social skills necessary for initiating friendships, maintaining
positive relationships with peers, being assertive, saying
"no" to trouble, and dealing with pressure. A
unit of sex education is included.
Religion 7 --
Grade 7: A study of the life and teachings of Jesus.
Religion 8 --
Grade 8: Examines identity and self-concept, values, and
the moral choices to which they lead.
ENRICHMENT CHOICES
Arts courses
Art 6 -- Grade
6: Students will continue building on skills learned in
grades 4 and 5. Figure drawing, design, pastels, painting,
etching, clay and glazing will be offered.
Art 7/8 -- Grades
7 and 8: Art is a participation-based survey course teaching
an assortment of the various aspects and techniques of the
creative visual arts. Art includes many of the following:
folded paper repetition designs, linoleum block printing,
weaving, still-life drawing and painting, non-objective
marker designs, clay masks, stippling, figure drawing, figure
painting and sketch books.
Choral Music 6
-- Grade 6: A musical course geared for the beginning musician.
Students will receive individual lesson time as well as
the opportunity to sing with other members of the class.
A small, optional recital will be given at the conclusion
of each quarter.
Choral Music 7/8
-- Grades 7 and 8: This performing ensemble will meet the
first quarter of the school year and twice weekly for
flex for the remainder of the year. The course covers
the basics of singing and sight-reading, and grades will
be determined based on class participation and concert
attendance. This course is required for entry into advanced
choral ensembles in the Upper School. Students must audition
to gain eligibility for the course. Eligible students
who are involved in band first quarter will be permitted
to omit the first quarter requirement and join choir
rehearsals during flex at the beginning of second quarter.
Drama 6 -- Grade
6: An introduction and practice of basic principles of acting.
Students will participate in classroom performances throughout
the quarter.
Drama 7 -- Grade
7: A participation and performance based course teaching
the basic elements of drama. The class will include drama
exercises and projects that focus on character development,
body movement, adapting and presenting scripts and performing
scenes from plays.
Drama 8 -- Grade 8: A participation
and performance based course teaching the elements of drama.
The class will include drama exercises and projects that
focus on acting; writing, directing and performing scripts;
and improvisation games.
Beginning Instrumental
Music 6 -- Grade 6: Includes first year beginner
students. This level of instruction includes a curriculum
of basic training for the continuation of Episcopal’s outstanding
instrumental program. Students must also choose Combined
Band.
Intermediate Instrumental
Music 6 -- Grade 6: Previous experience with a band
instrument is required. This level includes a curriculum
of intermediate instruction for the continuing development
of an outstanding instrumental program. Students must
also choose Combined Band.
Band 7/8 --
Grades 7 and 8: To select band, the student should be willing
to choose band for two quarters. Previous experience with
a band instrument is required. This course is not open
to beginners.
Introduction to Ballet
-- Grade 6: Students will learn the basics of ballet
and will be introduced to ballet history through written
material and film. This course is appropriate for both beginners
and experienced dancers.
Ballet 7/8 --
Grades 7 and 8: Students will learn the basics of ballet
at a more intense pace and will be introduced to ballet
history through written material and film. This course is
appropriate for both beginners and experienced dancers.
Introduction to Theater
Dance -- Grade 6: Students will be introduced to
dance used specifically for musical theater as well as the
history of stage musicals from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s
taught through choreography, written material and film.
Students must have at least one quarter of ballet before
taking this course.
Theater Dance 7/8
-- Grades 7 and 8: Students will learn the dance techniques
used specifically for music theater as well as the history
of stage musicals from the 1950s to the present taught through
original choreography, written material and film. Students
must have at least one quarter of ballet before taking this
course.
Computer courses
Rhino -- Grade
6: This course is a CAD (Computer Assisted Drawing) class
that will explore and look into the world of drawing 3-D
objects. The students will be introduced to different methods
of drawing objects using circles, lines, polylines, curves
and arcs. They will use a coordinate system to place these
objects onto a drawing plane that is based on the Cartesian
Coordinate System. As they become more familiar with the
functions of the program, they will be able to explore and
create their own two- and three-dimensional objects.
MicroType Multimedia
-- Grade 6: Students will learn the important skill of keyboarding
through the computer program MicroType Multimedia. The intent
of this enrichment is not to produce a skilled typist, but
rather to help the student become more efficient in using
the computer. It is designed to teach proper keyboarding
techniques and familiarize the student with the location
of various alphabetical characters, numbers and some computer
function keys. Efficient keyboarding is essential for using
word processing, database, desktop publishing, telecommunications,
multi-media and other applications. It is important that
children learn proper manipulation of the keyboard to increase
their proficiency and motivation in daily computer applications.
Keyboarding is a crucial component of using computers as
an integrated tool.
Exploring Video Technology
7/8 -- Grades 7 and 8: This course will introduce
students to the different uses of video technology by using
Adobe Premiere. Students will use a variety of tools such
as video cameras, digital cameras, televisions, scanners,
VCRs and blue screens to create and edit video and audio
productions from their computer. Each student will have
a videotape with scanned pictures, music and transitions
as a final product. Also, students will work in groups
to organize information and gather ideas about a video
in which they will produce, film and edit. This course
may be taken only once.
Other Enrichment courses
Aids to Better Grades
-- Grade 6: This course is designed to help sixth-graders
adjust to Middle School life. The course is offered during
the first quarter and emphasizes effective and efficient
ways for students to be in charge of their own learning.
Special areas of concentration will focus on study skills,
organization, time management, test preparation, goal setting
and the identification of individual learning style.
Math Mastery
-- Grade 6: This remediation course is designed to help
students master those basic skills needed to move forward
in Middle School mathematics. Students will employ small
groups and engage in hands-on activities to reinforce and
maintain solid skill development. Math Mastery is only offered
during the first semester.
Rocketry -- Grade 6: This course
is designed to introduce students to the basic principles
of flight and space. The students will learn about Newton's
Laws of Motion, the four major forces acting on airplanes
and the history of rocketry. They will complete multiple
projects that reinforce the skills taught, including the
final project of building and launching their own rocket.
Math Mastery 7/8 -- Grades 7 and 8: This
remediation course is designed to support students in mastering
skills in pre-algebra and to provide instruction and practice
with some basic algebra concepts in order to facilitate
success in high school mathematics. Students will engage
in small group and hands-on activities to reinforce and
maintain skill development. Math mastery is offered only
during second semester.
Math Counts 7/8
-- Grades 7 and 8: A competitive team approach to advanced
mathematics study, this class requires current math teacher
approval for participation.
Nature by Design 7/8
-- Grades 7 and 8: Students use a variety of materials
to create projects that incorporate nature themes. Projects
include: an animal mosaic, a wood-burning scene, a painting
on glass, the designing and making of rubber stamps,
a painting on stone or brick, and the construction of
a rain stick. Projects are designed to encourage participants
to observe
and appreciate nature. Work is done in collaboration with
classmates, and discussion of theme, design and method
is encouraged. This course may be taken only once.
Lego League 7/8 -- Grades 7 and 8:
This class will comprise Episcopal's entry into the
FIRST Lego League competition. The team will design and
build a Lego MindStorm robot that will accomplish a series
of missions assigned by the FIRST organization. The team
hopes to travel to at least one tournament in November,
and possibly more depending on its level of success.
Class size is limited and entry into this class requires
current science teacher's approval.
Life Skills 7
-- Grade 7: A hands-on experimental class dealing with some
of the life skills necessary for becoming a self-reliant,
responsible adolescent, such as decision making, challenges
and choices, budgeting and money management, friendship
and social skills, and time management.
Speech 8 --
Grade 8: Covers basic principles of public speaking and
provides experience with composition and delivery of various
types of speeches. A required course for all students.
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