Grades 6 – 8
Academic challenges increase as students progress through the Middle School as we prepare students for a successful transition into the Upper School. Embracing a humanities-based approach, we develop our students’ abilities to make connections beyond the traditional curricular boundaries. Drawing upon the skills of our faculty, courses align in learning objectives, common projects, guest speakers, and cultural outings.
The central components of our Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Grade program are:
ENGLISH - Students read from a variety of genres, including novels, short stories, essays, and poetry. Reading activities enforce and expand the ability to grasp both literal and interpretive meaning, while routine vocabulary study covers spelling and usage of terms relevant to students’ reading and writing. In addition, grammar study, guided reading, and writing activities strengthen students’ verbal and written expression. Many compositions go through phases of drafting, self edit, peer edit and teacher edit before they are completed. Often, assignments cross over into the history curriculum and, occasionally, other disciplines as well. Students are constantly reading and talking about related events and similar periods of time.
6th Grade Syllabus, 7th Grade Syllabus, 8th Grade Syllabus
HISTORY – The History program works closely with the English program to provide learning opportunities which develop social studies as well as language arts skills. Units of study in sixth grade cover the beginnings of Western Civilization including focus on the Minoans, the Heroic Age, the Golden Age of Greece, the Anicent Roman Republic, and the onset of the Middle Ages of Europe.
Seventh grade units cover the early history of the United States from Jamestown (1607) through westward expansion and the Cherokee Trail of Tears (1838). Units of study in eighth grade cover the development of the American nation from the Civil War through the Civil Rights Movement.
All units of study include an emphasis on geography skills, grammar, vocabulary, various literary genres, oral, and written expression. Interacting with primary source material allows students to understand history from the perspective of the people living at the time. Working collaboratively with their peers and teachers allows students to demonstrate their higher order cognitive skills.
6th Grade Syllabus, 7th Grade Syllabus, 8th Grade Syllabus
MATHEMATICS – Our math program presents a diverse curriculum of integrated concepts with emphasis on the continuing development and refinement of previous math study. Our curriculum is built on national standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Through activities that include peer partnering, direct-teacher instruction and personal accountability, students develop solid computational skills, curiosity for questioning, and confidence as learners. We focus student effort on developing strategies for problem-solving. As students progress through the curriculum, they begin using graphing calculators to handle more complex conventional algorithms, while building a visual foundation for abstract concepts.
6th Grade (On-Level) Syllabus, 6th Grade (Enriched) Syllabus, 7th Grade (On-Level) Syllabus, 7th Grade (Pre-Algebra) Syllabus 8th Grade (Pre-Algebra) Syllabus, 8th Grade (Integrated Algebra) Syllabus, 8th Grade (Honors Algebra) Syllabus
SCIENCE - The goal of the science program is to build each student’s conceptual understanding of science phenomena in physical, life, earth, and space science. Students learn how to apply the scientific method to design an experiment and test a hypothesis. Problem solving skills are developed. These skills include becoming better observers of their world, understanding and identifying patterns, continuing to question, interpret, predict, and draw conclusions, and working collaboratively. Students use technology to further explore scientific theories. Throughout the year, students will do hands-on activities both in and out of the classroom to apply the concepts being covered.
6th Grade Syllabus, 7th Grade Syllabus, 8th Grade Syllabus
LATIN – Holland Hall’s Latin program introduces students to the language, history, and culture of the Roman Empire and builds a foundation from which students can gain a better understanding of science, medicine, law, philosophy, religion, music, and grammar. As the root of French, Spanish, and Italian, and nearly 60% of English words, Latin helps students gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for their own language and provides students with a firm foundation for further work in world languages. An emphasis on reading comprehension seeks to give students proficiency in Latin as quickly as possible. Supplemental instruction in grammar, composition, and linguistics helps develop critical thinking skills and to appreciate the value of precision and economy of expression. Students have opportunities to explore the long legacy of the Roman Empire and to experience Latin as a living language through a variety of musical, artistic, and cultural events.
Latin IA Syllabus, Latin IB Syllabus, Latin II Syllabus
FRENCH – The French curriculum focuses on communication as the primary goal. Receptive language (listening and reading) and expressive language (speaking and writing) are learned using the immersion approach. Students are exposed to as much of the French language and culture as humanly possible within a classroom setting. This helps them begin to think in French as opposed to translating from English. Class activities/homework assignments are designed to motivate students and require them to engage in a variety of meaningful oral and written tasks. Students role-play situations and learn new vocabulary through dialogue, poetry, song, and movement. Computer programs and various websites are also used for more advanced levels of French learners. Students learn about French culture and history by studying the geography, the customs and cultural celebrations of many francophone countries. Eighth grade Holland Hall French students have the possibility of experiencing French culture by participating in an exchange program with Tulsa’s sister city of Amiens, France. This exchange affords a select group of students an incredibly rich cultural and linguistic experience. Students undergo a ‘total’ immersion experience as they live with French host families and practice their French skills while attending La Providence, a private school, in northern France. Shortly after their arrival back in the United States, these students then have the opportunity to welcome their French correspondents to the Holland Hall community and to the American way of life.
French IA Syllabus, French IB Syllabus, French II Syllabus
SPANISH – Instruction of Spanish at Holland Hall aims to make language learning a fun and meaningful experience while instilling an awareness of and an interest in other cultures. A variety of teaching approaches and materials are used in order to address all learning styles while actively involving students as much as possible. There is a strong emphasis on oral communication. New vocabulary is always introduced without reference to the written word using only Spanish along with movements, pictures, props and role-play. Students discover grammatical patterns and the meanings of new words by matching visual clues with what they hear, see and experience. They work with written Spanish only after they have become comfortable with the spoken word. Culture, geography and history are frequently integrated into lessons as well. For nine weeks each fall, students learn about Mexico firsthand during the Holland Hall Mexico Exchange. A select group of Holland Hall eighth graders lives and studies in San Luis Potosi for two months, while a group of their Mexican counterparts from Instituto Cervantes joins the Holland Hall community.
Spanish IA Syllabus, Spanish IB Syllabus, Spanish II Syllabus
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS: Enrichment programs are integral components of the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade curriculums. Fine Arts programs include Band, Choir, Drama, Media Art, Strings, and Visual Arts. Religious Education and Wellness programs are important elements as well. Academic Bowl, Dutch Buzz, Latin Club, MathCounts, and Student Leadership meet once every week as extra-curriculars. International Film Club meets once a month. Before and after school programs are also available.
SPORTS: Holland Hall’s competitive sports program begins in sixth grade. In lieu of physical education during the school day, all students attend practice every day. There is a non-competitive option offered all three seasons. Practices end at the designated end of the school day (3:25 p.m.). Sports offered include Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track, and Volleyball.
SPECIAL EVENTS: Balloon Launch, Brain Dissection, Dances (7th/8th Grade), French and Mexico Exchange Programs, Holiday Dinner/Dance (8th Grade), Mexico Exchange Program, MS Play/Musical, Ocean Museum, School Out of Doors (SOOD), and cultural field trips including the Oklahoma Aquarium, the Renaissance Faire, Route 66, and to Downtown Tulsa to study architecture.
