Middle School

English Language Arts

In 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, the English Language Arts curriculum focuses on grammar, literature, vocabulary, and writing. A highlight of Bulloch Academy is our literature-based curriculum. Throughout the middle school years, students will read a variety of novels and stories, exposing them to different genres, historical events, and writing styles. Students read, analyze, and discuss different types of literature in a safe environment with open dialogue. From The Watson’s Go to Birmingham, A Christmas Carol, The Outsiders, and many more, students will be introduced to timeless authors and titles that connect multiple subjects and themes. 

Our vocabulary curriculum features the Sadlier workshop books. These are a continuation of the vocabulary program utilized in our lower school and continue into our high school curriculum, creating a seamless transition throughout the various levels. In addition, vocabulary is introduced and taught throughout each literature unit of study throughout the year.

Students continue to build upon the grammar and writing foundation that was established during the lower school years. Students create various writing pieces throughout the year, focusing on strengthening paragraph writing as they move into creating longer essays.

Math

Middle school mathematics provides a challenging curriculum that prepares students for more advanced mathematical courses. 

Students in sixth grade build a foundation for pre-algebra and algebra that includes whole numbers, integer operations, rational numbers, expressions, equations, inequalities, proportional relationships, percents, measurement, geometry, and statistics. 

Seventh-grade students partake in an advanced curriculum that incorporates seventh-grade mathematics concepts with pre-algebra, preparing students for Algebra 1 in eighth grade. These units include algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities, ratios, proportions, percents, functions, linear relationships, systems of equations, geometry, measurement, probability, and statistics. 

Eighth-grade students take Algebra 1, beginning with algebra basics before moving into multi-step equations and inequalities, relations, functions, linear equations, systems of equations and inequalities, polynomials and factoring, quadratic equations, linear, quadratic, and exponential functions, radical expressions, and rational expressions. 

In all middle school courses, students are exposed to higher-order thinking problems that require students to think critically while creating connections between mathematics and its everyday applications. All middle school courses utilize the All Things Algebra curriculum, which is also utilized in 9th grade Geometry and 10th grade Algebra II.

History

The focus of sixth-grade history is on American History from after World War I to the present era. Students focus on the events leading to WWII, the Cold War era, the Civil Rights era, the Vietnam era, and more recent historical events. Students also learn what it means to be a U.S. citizen, and what their rights and duties are as a citizen. 

Seventh-grade World History begins with the study of Early Humans and Civilizations before moving into learning about ancient civilizations, including Israelites, Ancient Greece, Ancient India, Imperial China, and the Roman civilization. Students will also learn about the major world religions, Medieval Europe, and the major Revolutions from 1500 to 1800 A.D. 

Students in eighth grade again focus on a history of the United States, with an emphasis on specific important events in American history. Studies first emphasize the Constitution and the Bill of Rights before moving into the various important periods of U.S. History, which include the Reconstruction Era, Westward Expansion, the Industrial Age, The Progressive Era, World War I, the Jazz Era, The Great Depression, and World War II. 

Science

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, sixth grade students will study Earth Science. With hands-on activities, students study the Earth’s surface, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics and forces that shape the Earth, oceanography, and astronomy. A mixture of demonstrations, experiments, discussion, group work, and independent projects are utilized throughout this course.

Life science is taught in seventh grade. Studies include cells and their functions, genetics, microbiology, and the major body systems. Discussions, visuals, hands-on lab activities, and individual and small-group assignments are utilized to explore the basic tenets of life science.

Students in eighth-grade science will partake in an integrated science course that prepares them for their future high school courses. For the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, students will be taught an accelerated version of Earth Science, before delving into various concepts of life science, physical science, and basic chemistry concepts. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, students will participate in a full year of integrated science concepts.