Middle School 6th, 7th & 8th Grades
Dear Parent/Guardians:
Below is a comprehensive school supply list for the upcoming school year. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your child’s homeroom teacher.
Students who have all their supplies on the first day of school will receive a surprise!
Milk crate (check Staples and Wal-Mart for sales)
5 jumbo-sized book socks
1 small-sized book sock (eighth grade only)
Planner for writing homework
Soft pencil case filled with the following:
Sharpened pencils (2 packs)
Black pens (Frixion erasable pens preferred)
Red pens
Highlighter (1 pack)
Dry erase markers (1 pack)
Ruler
Scissors
Small pack of colored pencils/ coloring supplies (Crayola preferred)
Glue stick
Rosary
1″ or 1.5″ 3- ring binder that has a slip pocket on the front (seventh grade only)
A pack of 20 sheet protectors (seventh grade only)
1 Accordion file folder with at least eight pockets (see picture)
6 college ruled marble copy books
Black – ILA
Red – SS
Yellow – religion
Blue – math
Green – spelling
Smock for art class
Sketchbook for art class
Clear contact paper to cover workbooks. (Please do not send in.)
Box of tissues
Roll of paper towels
Hand sanitizer and/or antibacterial wipes (These are greatly appreciated. Thank you!)
Thank you, and God bless you,
ICA Middle School Team
SIXTH GRADE - Homeroom Teacher, Miss Kimberly Beyer
Sixth grade is an exciting time in a student’s educational career. In keeping with our school motto of love, learning, and leadership, sixth grade is a year of many firsts. Students will switch classes for the first time. Sixth grade also sees advancement in the curriculum and teachers’ expectations of students. Students will have Miss Beyer for English, reading, spelling, vocab, and writing. Mrs. Burkman teaches sixth-grade science and religion, Miss. Le & Mrs. Munter teach sixth-grade math, and Mrs. Harrigan teaches social studies. We set high academic and personal standards for our students.
Middle schoolers are role models for younger students. Sixth grade will have first-grade prayer partners. The students will guide the first-graders in their mass devotion as well as meeting for fun activities throughout the school year.
Sixth grade also has more responsibility than in previous years. Sixth graders participate in voting for ICA’s Board of Student Council. This important group of students determines goals and shapes our school year. Students in sixth grade can also participate in the Student Council by running for classroom representative and mission representative.
Academically, students study a variety of topics. In reading, students will read class novels as well as independent and small group novels. Students will learn how to write descriptive, persuasive, and research essays. Vocabulary and spelling lessons are every other week. In science, students will complete many hands-on labs to help them understand more profound concepts about the world around them. The math program is divided into a regular sixth-grade curriculum and an advanced group to enrich those students who can move at a faster pace. Social studies lessons are full of exciting facts and in-depth projects to help students become more involved in world history.
The middle school years are essential in shaping your child’s future. I’m proud to be a middle school teacher and help your child along their journey!
7TH GRADE
Welcome to 7th Grade.
7th grade holds a world of excitement for our students, marking a period of significant growth academically, spiritually, and in maturity. Our goal as the 7th-grade team at Immaculate Conception Academy is to guide all our students towards the utmost success throughout their year with us.
Curriculum Overview:
In 7th grade, we expect students to embrace more responsibility and actively participate in their academic journey. They embark on preparations for the sacrament of Confirmation, engaging in community service, spiritual enrichment, and steps towards receiving the Holy Spirit. Our students lead the organization of the school-wide charity event “Cookies and Cocoa Because We Care” during Christmas, embodying kindness towards families in need. In their religious studies, students not only prepare for Confirmation but also explore the teachings of the New Testament, shaping themselves to become future leaders within the Academy.
Science Curriculum:
Our science curriculum delves into the intricacies of body systems, chemistry, and physics. Through lively classroom experiences like lab work, dissections, problem-solving tasks, and collaborative projects, students actively participate in an enriching learning environment.
Yearly Highlights:
The 7th-grade year at Immaculate Conception Academy is filled with thrilling opportunities. Our students partake in events such as field day at Berks Catholic High School and take charge of organizing our school-wide field day in the spring. Engaging in charitable endeavors like the “Cookies and Cocoa Because We Care” initiative, attending Career Day at Penn State Berks, and exploring educational destinations such as The Franklin Institute, Adventure Aquarium, Turkey Hill Experience, and Angora Farms through field trips, allow students to bridge classroom knowledge with real-world applications.
8TH GRADE
Welcome to 8th Grade at ICA!
8th grade proves to be an incredibly dynamic year for our students, brimming with academic challenges and social growth. As a community, we entrust our Eighth graders with leadership roles within the school, guiding Student Council Executive Boards and mentoring younger peers in demonstrating respectful behavior and active church participation. Academically, our 8th graders gear up for their transition to high school, preparing for the exciting journey ahead.
Curriculum Highlights:
Within the middle school framework, 8th graders traverse through classrooms to delve into a comprehensive core curriculum. Religious studies delve into the life and history of the Church, culminating in significant events like receiving Confirmation and presenting The Living Stations. Science exploration covers matter, energy, chemical reactions, earth science, and the solar system, with engaging experiments including participation in the ICA Science Fair. Social Studies delves into American History, from settlement to colonization, revolution, and the Civil War. Language Arts encompass spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and writing, integrating research skills and proper documentation essential for the science fair report. Math education is divided into Fundamentals of Algebra and Honors Algebra sections, shaping a solid foundation for mathematical understanding.
Fostering Responsibility:
Incorporating Math and Social Studies learning, our middle school students engage in My Classroom Economy, a program that instills financial responsibility through interactive learning experiences. By simulating a classroom economic system where students earn ‘school dollars’ to rent desks and manage bills, real-life financial scenarios are brought to life. Through activities like depositing, withdrawing money, writing checks, and discerning between needs and wants, students grasp fundamental financial concepts that prepare them for future decision-making.
Personal Growth Opportunities:
Immaculate Conception Academy provides a platform for our 8th Grade students to naturally evolve into leaders within the student body. Hosting events like The Annual Santa Breakfast and The Annual Talent Show, they collaborate as a team to create memorable experiences for younger peers, fostering a sense of community and leadership. At ICA, students can embody their faith across love, learning, and leadership spheres, shaping a holistic educational journey.
