COLM CILLE CLUB
UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM
MEMORY WORK/HISTORY CLASS
Students in the older grades build on their mastery of the history and geography memory work and delve deeper into history. Guided by expert parents, they move through the three-year history cycle and study original source materials. Through weekly reading assignments, students encounter prominent figures in history and hear the greatest stories ever told.
CATECHISM
Co-op day begins with Mass every week. The CCC shared memory work curriculum presents a three year cycle of Catechesis, Scripture, and Latin prayers. Each week students work to memorize one or two questions from the Baltimore Catechism, a quote from Scripture, and part of a Latin prayer. All students in grades 5-8 participate in a weekly Catechism class (Catlab) where they learn from visiting priests and religious and engage in lively discussions about their faith.
A private Confirmation is offered to all 7th-8th graders who have completed at least two years of catechism preparation with the Colm Cille Club. Confirmation is offered every two years through the co-op.
WRITING CLASS
In 5th - 8th grade, writing class continues to be centered around a book list related to the history of the year, as well as works of poetry. Students analyze stories more critically and seek to understand the motivations and choices of central characters.
In fifth and sixth grade writing students are also introduced to persuasive writing. They construct short essays refuting and affirming aspects of a story.
The seventh and eighth grade writing curriculum alternates between a year of persuasive essay writing, using The Lost Tools of Writing curriculum, and a year of literary analysis. Both courses are paired with a challenging book list.
SCIENCE
Science at Colm Cille Club is taught in a three year cycle. In Year One, students explore plant and animal life. Year Two covers earth science and astronomy, and Year Three explores the basics of chemistry and physics. Each week students participate in hands-on lab experiments. Older students learn to keep nature journals, write a lab report, and even complete dissections.
MUSIC
Students in Grades 5-8 continue their study of music and continue their study of harmony and Gregorian chant. Using bells and other instruments, children learn basic chord patterns and accompaniments. Singing partner songs and rounds, they develop their ability to sing in parts. They also develop their music appreciation through a three year cycle of music history which focuses on nine composers.
THEATER
All students in grades 4-8 may participate in an annual Shakespeare production led by professional theater instructors. Performances have included Macbeth, As You Like It, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, among others.
ART
Middle-School Art will explore the evolution of Art from pre-Historic times to the Roman Empire. While focusing on a variety of media, students will have the opportunity to identify great works of art while creating their own. Through historically inspired projects, students will become familiar with and further their understanding of the seven elements of art: line, shape, form, space, value, texture, and color.
The curriculum format aligns with CCC’s study of ancient civilizations through the Greek and Roman Empires. Inspired by the works of master artists the children will gain a better
grasp of the historical and cultural context in which art evolved throughout antiquity.
A focus on the seven principles of art are incorporated with each lesson. Guided by our tutors who place emphasis on beauty meaning and creativity into each project, each child is encouraged to make his/her work a unique composition, connecting with its source.
THE COLM CILLE PLAYERS PRESENT
SHAKESPEARE'S THE TEMPEST
THE CANTERBURY TALES
Beowulf
Sir Gwain and the Green Knight