Curriculum

Canterbury’s Middle School literature program gives students the opportunity to read and appreciate short stories, poems, novels, drama, and non-fiction essays.  Students read to discover universal truths as well as connections between literature and their own lives.

• Literature 6: Students in sixth grade literature use skills and strategies of the reading process to explore exemplary writings in both fiction and nonfiction.  Literary terms and vocabulary are learned in the context of assigned reading in the literature text and supplemental resources.  Students read selections from a variety of cultures and historical settings.  Independent reading builds comprehension and interest, and class discussion and writing emphasize the use of Standard English. Whenever possible, cross-curricular connections between literature, social studies, and art are explored.

• Literature 7: Seventh grade students investigate a variety of literary genres through teacher-guided and independent reading activities.  Vocabulary is strengthened through contextual analysis and the examination of word derivation.  The study of literary devices as used in short stories, novels, drama, poetry, and non-fiction fosters an appreciation of literature and enhances reading skills.

• Literature 8: Eighth grade literature emphasizes selections in all literary genres.  Students learn vocabulary through words in context and through the use of a supplementary text.  Higher order thinking skills are employed to analyze readings.  The use and conventions of Standard English are strengthened through reading, speaking, and writing for various purposes and audiences.

Canterbury’s math curriculum gives students the skills and opportunities to develop mathematical confidence and become creative problem solvers, cooperative and independent learners, and logical and conceptual thinkers.  Sixth and seventh grade students use the Connected Math Program, which is a research-based curriculum funded by the National Science Foundation. 

• Canterbury’s math curriculum gives students the skills and opportunities to develop mathematical confidence and become creative problem solvers, cooperative and independent learners, and logical and conceptual thinkers.  Sixth and seventh grade students use the Connected Math Program, which is a research-based curriculum funded by the National Science Foundation. 

• Math 6:  Students build on previous skills and develop a deeper understanding of important mathematical concepts in rational number theory, proportional reasoning, geometry, measurement, algebra, probability, and statistics.

• Math 7: Students continue using the Connected Math Program. This second year includes algebra, integers and rational numbers, linear relationships, geometry, probability, and percent.

• Math 7 Accelerated:  Students complete the Connected Math seventh grade program and explore additional topics including linear systems and inequalities, variation, polynomials and factoring, and geometry.  Students successful in this accelerated program will take Algebra II in eighth grade.

• 8th Grade Algebra I: Classes focus on the study of algebraic concepts including operations with real numbers, equations and inequalities, relations and functions, rational and irrational numbers, factoring, and algebraic fractions.

• Algebra II: This course extends the topics studied in Algebra I to include quadratic and higher degree functions, as well as radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions.  Use of the latest technology is a major component of this class.

Canterbury’s Middle School social studies program seeks to create effective citizens who are informed and active in civic affairs on the local, national, and international levels.  Through critical reading, thinking, and discussing, students develop a worldview and a knowledge base of significant historical events throughout the Eastern and Western hemispheres.  

• Social Studies 6: In Social Studies 6, students engage ina broad study of the ancient world, with an emphasis on comparing the beliefs, behaviors, customs, and attitudes of early civilizations to each other and to our own civilization. Whenever possible, cross-curricular connections between literature, social studies, and art will be explored.

• Social Studies 7: Social Studies 7 is a study of world issues and events of the past and present in the Eastern Hemisphere.  Students study the origins and early centuries of Islam, modern history of the Middle East, nationalism and the World Wars in Europe, communism in the former Soviet Union and in the People’s Republic of China, apartheid in South Africa, and current issues throughout the Eastern Hemisphere.  In addition to the class textbook, supplementary resources include memoirs written for young adults, historical fiction and other current news sources.

• Social Studies 8: Social Studies 8 is a study the United States with a focus on government, 20th century history, and current events; there is emphasis on exploring how events from the past inform the present and the future.  The course materials include secondary sources written for young adults, primary sources, news media, literature, and documentary films.

Canterbury’s Middle School Latin program is a three-year sequence designed to introduce students to the Latin language through the reading method.  By building on concepts that gradually increase in complexity, students learn to read and write in Latin at the novice level.  Students also study Greek mythology, Roman culture and history, and the impact of Latin on English and the romance languages.  Successful completion of this program should enable a student to enroll in Latin II in high school.

• Latin 6: Sixth grade Latin emphasizes Greek mythology, Roman culture, and word derivations.  Students build vocabulary and skills in reading and writing through such units as numbers, the family, the house, body parts, and animals.  Through reading and writing as well as poems and songs, students understand the basic concepts of the Latin language.

• Latin 7: Seventh grade Latin focuses on Roman culture and the foundations of Latin grammar.  Students continue to study mythology and Roman culture through the textbook, which follows a family in the Roman city of Pompeii. Students begin to build strong vocabulary skills in Latin 7 as the complexity of their readings increases.  Through the continuing study of Roman culture, students discover the Roman influence on Western Civilization.

• Latin 8: Eighth grade Latin focuses on the study of the Latin language, with the majority of the coursework consisting of textbook readings, which follow a family in Roman Britain and Roman Alexandria.  During this course, students develop a stronger sense of vocabulary and language structure.  In addition, students continue to study mythology and Roman influence in the modern world.

Canterbury’s Middle School Theology program builds on the students’ foundation of spiritual formation and faith begun in grades K-5 and provides a more academic focus.  Students will move from learning the stories of faith to articulating their own faith.  An honest exploration of questions and ideas is encouraged.

• Theology 6: The sixth grade Theology curriculum is an introductory exploration of the beliefs and practices of the five major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Students study the history, geography, and architecture of each of the five major world religions. The course also focuses on the basic teachings of these religions, and explores commonalities and conflicts that exist among them.

• Theology 7:  Seventh grade Theology is an exploration of the life and ministry of Jesus, and the early church. Students study the earliest days of Jesus' ministry, the disciples to whom he gave the "Great Commission," and the followers who spread his message as Christianity evolved from a harmless cult, to a marginalized social and religous movement, to an illegal political threat, and ultimately to the official and established religion of the Roman Empire.  

• Theology 8:  In eighth grade Theology, students explore major concepts and themes of the Christian faith, as they look for ways to connect these concepts with their own lives, and find God in the "everyday." The course culminates in a senior project in which each student articulates some aspect of his or her spiritual life.

Canterbury’s Middle School health program places a strong emphasis on the development of the communication, problem solving, interpersonal, and decision-making skills necessary to develop a healthy lifestyle.  Through a variety of class activities and experiences, students learn to accept responsibility for their own health, recognize the positive and negative determinants of health, understand major individual and public health problems, and become skillful consumers of health-related resources and products. 

• Health 6:  Sixth grade health classes focus on human growth and development, nutrient functions, diet, wellness, and heart disease.

•  Health 7:  Seventh grade students investigate human anatomy and physiology, the harmful effects of drugs, and healthy patterns of interaction.

• Health 8:  In the eighth grade, the health curriculum covers the functions of the human body and the diseases that can affect those functions.  In keeping with the school’s commitment to social responsibility and healthy living, students learn about risky behaviors, healthy choices, health-care products, and health-care services. 

Canterbury’s Middle School music program fosters skill development and engages students in reading, performing, and evaluating.  Middle School students enroll in either chorus or band in grades six and seven, and in chorus, band, or handbells in grade eight. 

• Chorus: Chorus is open to all students in grades five through eight. Students learn to utilize their singing voice through proper vocal techniques, including breath support, body alignment, and the relaxed production of vocal tone. They are exposed to music from different time periods and of varying styles, and they learn how to listen to, evaluate, and describe music and musical performances.

• Band:  Band is offered to all students in grades five through eight.  No prior experience is necessary or expected for beginning band students, and the band director meets with each beginning student individually to help him or her choose an instrument.  If a student desires to start band after the 5th grade beginning level, he or she will be responsible for catching up with their current grade level. Private lessons may be beneficial. The 8th grade band focuses on major scales development, sightreading a variety of musical styles, and performing on a regular basis in chapel services and for the Canterbury community.

• Handbells:  Students who choose Handbells learn to read musical scores, use musical dynamics, and play three different octaves of bells.   Students also learn a variety of techniques, including martellato, swing, echo, pluck, and the use of mallets.  Students perform throughout the semester in chapel and school-wide programs.