Genesis Course of Studies

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Philosophy

Xaverian’s Genesis Program is dedicated to providing an engaging and challenging Catholic middle school program for academically talented girls and boys. The program is designed to develop and nurture high-level critical thinking skills and is committed to the development of the middle school student through academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and Christian service to neighbor and community.

Genesis Academic Goals

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Instill Expectations of Academic Excellence

Curricula are designed to introduce our youngest students to the satisfaction of academic achievement, and provide them with the invaluable tools that will support them through the rigors of high school and beyond. By the time Genesis students graduate and move on to high school, they have taken courses that satisfy freshman year credits in Science, Math, Language, and STEM.
Encourage Curiosity and Exploration

Genesis Math classes build on fundamentals learned in elementary school and challenge students to apply those skills to more and more complex problems. Science classes delve deeper into the principles of life and matter and allow students to gain hands-on experience with lab tools and equipment. The 6th grade Computer Science course introduces students to an ever-growing STEM field and gives them a glimpse into the design process.
Nurture Respectful and Confident Young Men and Women

Humanities classes often feature group discussions and collaboration, teaching students to confidently express their own opinions while encouraging them to respect the perspectives of others.
Provide Students with Essential Critical Thinking Skills

All courses prioritize problem solving, creativity, and analysis in general, strengthening students' critical thinking skills and aiding them in discerning the types of young men and women they want to become.
Foster Attention to Faith and Service

From analyzing fundamental Bible texts in 6th and 7th grade to exploring the pertinence of those concepts to social justice issues of our current world in 8th grade, students learn to be active participants in their personal faith and the Catholic community around them. Students also continue in their Faith Formation by receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in 8th grade.
Cultivate Personal Growth with Extracurriculars

By incorporating Music, Art, and Physical Education classes into the curriculum, students benefit from mental breaks during the busy school day and learn to live multifaceted lifestyles. Extracurricular music classes also introduce young students to newfound freedom to dictate their own time outside of school hours.

6th Grade Courses

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Math 6

Sixth-grade mathematics introduces new topics and builds upon the skills learned in elementary school. This course focuses heavily on arithmetic including recognizing and performing computations and developing a strong number sense. Students will also learn to use formulas and analyze and interpret graphs. Sixth-grade mathematics provides a strong foundation for future classes. Mastery is crucial for success in Pre-Algebra and beyond to the high school level. Students will display their understanding of content in both written and oral forms.
Literature 6

The goal of Literature 6 is to teach students how to read for critical analysis. The class will follow a workshop model where students will be exposed to various types of reading skills and strategies. Students will learn how to annotate a text to explore the deeper meaning behind an author’s use of literary devices and elements. After each lesson, students are expected to actively engage in a variety of different activities in a timely work period. These lessons can involve whole group reading, independent reading or writing, critical thinking questions, accountable talk, and much more. This course will also help students write creatively, critically, and analytically in response to literature. Consistent instruction in style and craft reinforces students’ ability to produce competent and structured essays that analyze, argue, synthesize, and compare/contrast.
Social Studies 6 - World History

This course examines some of the important cultures throughout World History. Beginning with prehistoric times and the dawn of civilization, students will explore major social, political, and cultural themes. By examining secondary and primary sources, students will sharpen their critical thinking and writing skills.
Science 6

6th-grade Science is a year-long General Science course that will cover basic middle school scientific concepts with a concentration in Biology and Earth Science.
Religion 6

This course will explore the Scriptures using historical, literary, and theological tools to help students understand God’s relationship with His people. It will also prepare students to better understand the New Testament and the Church.
Computer Science

Introduces students to the fundamentals of technology, computer programming, and digital literacy by engaging in hands-on activities. By exploring concepts like for-loops, if-then statements, and other basic digital logic ideas in interactive programming environments, students develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. This course provides students with a glimpse into STEM fields and provides a great foundation for those who choose to pursue them further in high school.

Note: Students who take this course and enter Xaverian for high school are eligible to skip STEM 9.

7th Grade Courses

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Math 7

This course is designed to enable students to become confident, competent problem solvers. Students will learn to apply mathematics in a variety of contexts, and communicate their understanding of the math content both in written and oral form. The course will help provide a solid foundation for further study in mathematics by strengthening students’ computational, procedural, and problem-solving skills. The four main areas of emphasis in Grade 7 are proportional relationships and applying those relationships to solve problems, operations with rational numbers, expressions, and linear equations, scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and drawing inferences about populations based on samples.
Literature 7

The goal of Literature 7 is to build upon the skills established in Literature 6 while strengthening students’ abilities to analyze ideas, synthesize information, think critically, and communicate effectively. Through summer reading, required course texts, and selected outside sources, students will explore a variety of literary genres, with particular emphasis on dystopian literature and historical themes. Students will examine how literature reflects the social, political, and cultural conditions of different historical periods, while exploring themes of power, oppression, social justice, morality, individual identity, and the relationship between the individual and society. Through the study of dystopian societies, students will consider the consequences of conformity, the abuse of authority, and the struggle for individuality and freedom. Historical literature will provide opportunities to examine the human experience within the context of significant events and societal changes. Students will further develop their reading comprehension and analytical skills through close reading, annotation, discussion, and interpretation of texts spanning multiple genres, formats, and reading levels. Emphasis will also be placed on developing students’ written expression through creative, critical, and analytical responses to literature. Consistent instruction in literary analysis, grammar, vocabulary, style, and composition will reinforce students’ ability to construct well-organized, thoughtful essays that analyze, argue, synthesize, and compare and contrast literary works.
Social Studies 7

Students will explore American history from the colonial era through the Civil War. Through the analysis of primary source materials, including political documents, newspaper articles and cartoons, speeches, and photographs, students will come to better understand the major political, economic, social, and militaristic themes which run through American History. In the course of the year, students will continue to sharpen their analytical, critical thinking and reading skills, and their writing, in order to better prepare for high school.
Science 7

In this course, students will explore the fundamental principles of life and matter. They will investigate the building blocks of the universe, from the structure of atoms to the complex systems within the human body. Their journey will involve hands-on activities, projects, and discussions that will help us gain a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Religion 7

Students will explore the New Testament and develop their understanding of Jesus Christ. Building upon knowledge of the Old Testament from 6th grade, students will learn about the social, historical, and cultural background of Jesus as His apostles knew Him when He walked the earth. Through reading the four Gospels and supplemental material, students will learn Jesus’ teachings and deepen their understanding of his identity as the Son of God. They will research and discuss ways that the messages of the New Testament are relevant to their lives in today’s world.
Italian 7

7th graders take this course OR Spanish 7

This course aims to develop basic skills to understand, speak, read and write the Italian language within the appropriate cultural framework. Students are exposed to the vocabulary and the structure of Italian, and are introduced to specific cultural and literary highlights. Student-centered activities, conversational situations, reading and writing in authentic contexts and audio/visual materials, all facilitate the necessary interaction leading to some measure of language proficiency. At the end of the course students should be able to correctly analyze Italian and English sentences, understand and translate simple texts; they will also have been exposed to an overall cultural view of Italy.
Spanish 7

7th graders take this course OR Italian 7

This course aims to develop the communicative skills of a language: speaking, reading, writing, and listening within a cultural framework. Students are exposed to the vocabulary and the grammatical structure of the Spanish language as well as the awareness and appreciation of the culture of different Spanish-speaking countries. Student-centered activities, conversational situations, reading and writing in authentic contexts, and audio/visual materials all facilitate the necessary interaction leading to basic language proficiency. At the end of the course, students should be able to communicate on a basic level in Spanish and have an understanding of the cultures of the Hispanic-speaking world.

Get Ahead in Genesis

Students who attend Genesis have the potential to jumpstart their high school careers four ways:

Math
At the end of 7th grade, students take a placement test to determine whether they are ready to advance to Algebra I. These students have the opportunity to start with Geometry in 9th grade.

Science
8th graders who excel on the Life Science Regents Exam have the opportunity to advance to Chemistry in Freshman year of high school.

Computer Science
Students who take this course have the opportunity to skip Computer Science when entering Xaverian in 9th grade, allowing them more time to explore Xaverian's pre-professional pathways.

Foreign Language
Students who perform well in their foreign language classes during middle school are able to advance to 10th grade level foreign language courses when they enter Xaverian.

8th Grade Courses

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Math 8

8th graders take this course OR Algebra I

This course is designed to enable students to become confident, competent problem solvers. Students will learn to apply mathematics in a variety of contexts and communicate their understanding of the math content both in written and oral form. The course will help provide a solid foundation for further study in mathematics by strengthening students’ computational, procedural, and problem-solving skills. Students will be encouraged to devise applications in problem-solving contexts as they explore the key concepts of algebra and geometry.
Algebra I

8th graders take this course OR Math 8

This course is designed to enable students to become confident, competent problem solvers. Students will learn to apply mathematics in a variety of contexts, and communicate their understanding of the math content both in written and oral form. The course will provide students with a rigorous study of algebra. Students will be encouraged to devise applications in problem-solving contexts. Topics will include real numbers, equations, inequalities, problem-solving, graphing, systems of equations and their applications, exponents and polynomials, factoring, rational expressions, roots and radicals, quadratic equations, radical expressions, rational expressions and functions, and data analysis.
Literature 8

English 8 focuses on the continued development of reading, writing, and analytical skills in preparation for the academic demands of high school. Building upon the foundational skills established in seventh grade, the course strengthens students’ abilities to analyze ideas, synthesize information, think critically, and communicate effectively. Through summer reading, required course texts, and selected outside sources, students will engage with increasingly complex literary works, including Lord of the Flies, to deepen their understanding of human nature, morality, power, leadership, and the relationship between the individual and society. Particular emphasis will be placed on developing higher-order analytical and critical thinking skills as students examine complex themes, evaluate characters’ motivations, interpret symbolism, and explore the broader implications of literary works. Students will refine their reading comprehension and interpretation skills through close reading, purposeful annotation, thoughtful discussion, and engagement with texts spanning various genres, formats, and levels of complexity. The course will also emphasize creative, critical, and analytical writing in response to literature. Consistent instruction in literary analysis, style and craft, grammar, and vocabulary will reinforce students’ ability to develop well-organized, evidence-based essays that analyze, argue, synthesize, and compare and contrast ideas. Ultimately, English 8 aims to cultivate independent, thoughtful readers and confident writers who are prepared for the increased rigor and expectations of high school English.
Social Studies 8

This course will explore the eras and themes of United States history from 1870 to the present day. It will integrate current events in an effort to draw parallels among historical events and periods and will attempt to build arguments using historical background.
Science 8 - Life Science

Life Science (Biology) introduces students to the study of living organisms and the processes that sustain life. This course explores the fundamental principles of biology, including the structure and function of cells, genetics and heredity, evolution, ecology, and human body systems. Students will investigate how organisms interact with their environment, how life is organized from molecules to ecosystems, and how scientific inquiry helps explain the natural world. Through hands-on labs, experiments, and collaborative projects, students will develop skills in observation, data collection, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Emphasis is placed on making connections between biological concepts and real-world applications in health, the environment, and biotechnology.

At the end of this course, students will sit for the Life Science: Biology Regents Exam and have the opportunity to place out of high school Biology.
Religion 8

Students will explore the social teaching of the Catholic Church and understand how integral living out these lessons is for their Catholic identity. Drawing upon knowledge from 6th and 7th grade, students will connect themes of social justice to foundational concepts from the Old and New Testaments. They will research historical documents and “case studies” on social justice issues of the past and debate and discuss with their classmates those topics as well as current events.
Italian 8

8th graders take this course OR Spanish 8

This course aims to develop basic skills to understand, speak, read and write the Italian language within the appropriate cultural framework. Students are exposed to the vocabulary and the structure of Italian, and are introduced to specific cultural and literary highlights. Student-centered activities, conversational situations, reading and writing in authentic contexts and audio/visual materials, all facilitate the necessary interaction leading to some measure of language proficiency. At the end of the course students should be able to correctly analyze Italian and English sentences, understand and translate simple texts; they will also have been exposed to an overall cultural view of Italy.
Spanish 8

8th graders take this course OR Italian 8

Spanish 8 is designed to develop the four basic communication skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These will enable students to communicate and understand the target language outside of the classroom, as well as assist native speakers. Students at this level are expected to try to communicate regularly in Spanish with the teacher and classmates.

Required Classes For All Grade Levels

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Genesis Advisory

Genesis Advisory class meets throughout a student’s three years in the program. In 6th grade Advisory class meets once every three days. Activities focus on community building, aspects of friendship, anti-bullying, & community service, organizational & time management skills, academic skills such as note taking, study & test taking strategies, and technology skills and safety. In 7th and 8th grade advisory meets once every nine days. As students mature the various skills and topics are revisited in more age appropriate ways and aspects of becoming a leader are integrated into the curriculum. In all three grades, the curriculum is tailored year to year and month to month based on the needs of the student body. Genesis Advisory is taught to all classes by the Dean of Genesis.
Art

The Art curriculum for grades 6-8 encourages students to develop their artistic skills, creativity, and confidence through hands-on exploration of a variety of materials and techniques. Students build an understanding of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design while experimenting with drawing, painting, collage, watercolor, charcoal, and three-dimensional art. They study influential artists throughout history for inspiration as they develop their own artistic styles and approaches throughout their time at Genesis. Through peer critiques and artistic reflection, students strengthen critical and creative thinking and learn to discuss artwork in a meaningful way.
Music

Genesis students are required to participate in Music at Xaverian through all three years of middle school, either in Genesis Band or Genesis Orchestra. More information on these groups is given below, along with information about the extracurricular music groups available only to Genesis students.

While students who excel may be invited to participate in higher level bands or orchestras, they will remain in Genesis Band or Genesis Orchestra as well.
Phys Ed

The 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade Physical Education course develops knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are the key components of lifetime health and fitness. Students learn skills that will enhance their enjoyment of activities geared toward an active, healthy life, including team and individual sports and recreational activities. Our goal is to help the students to develop their minds and body through physical activities (team sports, functional fitness) while also having them appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Activities include soccer, basketball, football, volleyball, a variety of recreational activities, and muscular strength and endurance training.

Genesis Music Groups

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Genesis Band

Students take this course OR Genesis Orchestra.

The group is open to any student who has a desire to learn a band instrument. Students will learn to handle their given instrument, care for the instrument, read basic elements of music such as rhythm, pitch, dynamics, articulation, and tempo. Students who show ability will be moved to more challenging, higher-level performing groups as per the music directors’ recommendation at regular intervals throughout the school year.
Genesis Orchestra

Students take this course OR Genesis Band.

In this group, students will learn to develop an appreciation of music, build skills for efficient practicing and playing of their instrument, follow a conductor, and increase music literacy - including music reading, understanding musical terms, and collaborating with other members of the music ensemble. Emphasis will be placed on exposing each student to a variety of performing experiences and music. Students who advance in skill may be able to join high school orchestras such as Concert Orchestra and Select Orchestra.
Genesis Chorus

This group is an afterschool music ensemble for students interested in singing! All students are welcome and you do not need any prior chorus or singing experience to participate in our chorus. However, this is an after-school commitment so it is expected that students commit to coming to every rehearsal and recognize the additional practice time that is needed for this performing group. We sing a variety of different genres including classical and liturgical as well as pop, musical theater, and Disney songs! The Chorus runs from September until June and will perform in both the Winter and Spring concerts as well as potentially other performance opportunities.
Genesis Harp Ensemble

Students in the Harp Ensemble learn to play the harp through exploration of musical literature, technical studies, and the experience of playing as a team. Harp Ensemble provides an outlet for creativity, personal expression, and artistic drive. It also offers students lessons in discipline, structure, cooperation, leadership, and rehearsal/performance etiquette. A variety of styles of music are covered, including classical and pop, with an emphasis on Celtic folk music.