Middle School Curriculum

ANCIENT HISTORY

This course enables the student to learn about the ancient civilizations and how they have influenced our modern world. From the beginnings of human society to the exploration of Europe, the Americas, and Africa in the nineteenth century, the student will study the geography, life, religion, and governments of our world. The course emphasizes archeology, map skills, and decision making.  Textbook: History of our World The Early Ages. Prentice Hall, publisher.

Length: 1 Year                                          

ART

Art is a class where students will be exposed to visual arts including drawing, painting, sculpture, papier mâché, clay, print making, and others.  Students will explore different styles of art and will study the elements of art, principles of design, and sensory and expressive features of visual arts. They also learn to evaluate and analyze works of art.

Length: 1 Semester

BAND—BEGINNING

Beginning Band teaches proper playing technique for any of the following instruments: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and snare drum/percussion instruments. Students will learn tone production, reading of music notation, basic music theory, and music history. Newly learned instrumental playing skills will be demonstrated in public performance at least twice a year.

Length:   1 Year

BAND

Participating students will have had at least one year of beginning band experience. Students without band experience, but having taken private musical instrument instruction, must demonstrate their level of playing ability before being accepted. Middle School Band will continue the development of playing technique and general musical knowledge learned in Beginning Band and/or private instruction. Supplementary technique books and band music of varied musical styles and periods will be utilized both in rehearsal and public performance. Students will also be encouraged to participate in local school district solo/ensemble contests for additional musical growth and playing experience.

Length: 1 Year                                

BIBLE

The sixth grade Bible course focuses on developing a good character.  Utilizing the book Character Quest, seventeen traits needed for good character are emphasized.  Each character trait is a topic of study during which students engage in a variety of creative experiences.  Included in the study are the importance of each character trait, cautions regarding its negative counterpart, and practical applications.  Students also participate in daily chapel.  Textbook: Character Quest Volume I, Lifeway; publisher. 

Length: 1 Year                                          

CHORAL ARTS

Choral Arts teaches the fundamentals of group singing and how to read music.  Students will study music from a variety of periods and genres, and learn to sing in multiple parts.  Students also move through the process of auditioning, rehearsing, and performance of a musical.   The overall choral experience will be performance oriented.  No experience is necessary for students to become involved.

Length: 1 Semester

COMPUTER

The sixth grade computer course is a one-semester required course. At this level, emphasis is placed on students increasing their proficiency and speed in keyboarding and word processing. Students demonstrate their proficiency through activities such as formatting reports and bibliographies. The course material is Microsoft Windows based. Textbook: Keyboarding and Computer Applications, Prentice Hall; publisher.

Length: 1 Semester 

LANGUAGE ARTS

In sixth grade, students review a number of basic skills including the parts of speech and proper language usage. Students further develop their paragraph writing and incorporate this skill while studying the short story. By the end of the year students write five paragraph essays that include a thesis. Sixth graders analyze figurative language, learn vocabulary, and discuss pertinent issues through short stories and novels.

Length: 1 Year                                     

LIFE SCIENCE

The sixth grade life science curriculum investigates the different aspects of life science on an intermediate level.  Students begin by studying the characteristics of life, cell structure and processes, level of organization, scientific classification and genetics.  Students then explore the five main kingdoms followed by an emphasis on the elements of human biology and health.  This course culminates with a study of the interactions and relationships all living things have with each other and their environment.  Hands-on labs are integrated throughout the curriculum with an emphasis on the scientific method.  Students will complete a science fair project during the fall semester.  Textbook:  Life Science, McDougal Little; publisher.

Length: 1 Year                                          

MATHEMATICS I

Sixth graders will study from Mathematics Course I, Prentice Hall, which meets the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards.  The student will continue to develop skills in number properties and operations using whole numbers, decimals, fractions, ratios and proportions.  Geometry principles, measurement, and basic data analysis using charts and tables will be reviewed.  The student will be introduced to operations with integers, scientific notation, absolute value, transforming and assessing congruence of geometric figures, analyzing and developing a wide variety of data plots and graphs, and solving algebra equations and inequalities. 

Length: 1 Year                                          

NOVELS/ACCELERATED READING

This class is designed to provide reading practice.  Each available book is assigned a reading level and a point value.  An individual reading level and a point goal will be set for each student based on his or her reading ability.  After reading a book, a student will take a multiple-choice test to gauge comprehension.  Reading levels and point goals will be regularly evaluated in order to provide growth for each student.

Length: 1 Semester    

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The Physical Education curriculum teaches the student to demonstrate competent skills in a variety of physical activities and sports.  The program is designed to encourage lifetime fitness activities as well as team sport activities. 

Length: 1 Year                                        

SPANISH

This course integrates students with prior Spanish knowledge with those who have little or no knowledge of the language, culture, history, and geography of the Hispanic world. The students’ communicative proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish is developed in a gradual, logical procession. This is accomplished through the integration of the textbook, accompanying workbook, visuals, video, and oral conversation. Textbook: ¡Hola!, National Textbook Co.

Length: 1 Semester                                  

ART

Art is a class where students will be exposed to visual arts including drawing, painting, sculpture, papier mâché, clay, print making, and others.  Students will explore different styles of art and will study the elements of art, principles of design, and sensory and expressive features of visual arts. They also learn to evaluate and analyze works of art.

Length: 1 Semester  

BAND

Participating students will have had at least one year of beginning band experience. Students without band experience, but having taken private musical instrument instruction, must demonstrate their level of playing ability before being accepted. Middle School Band will continue the development of playing technique and general musical knowledge learned in Beginning Band and/or private instruction. Supplementary technique books and band music of varied musical styles and periods will be utilized both in rehearsal and public performance. Students will also be encouraged to participate in local school district solo/ensemble contests for additional musical growth and playing experience.

Length: 1 Year 

BIBLE

The seventh grade Bible curriculum explores seventeen Christian character traits.  This course investigates various traits such as integrity, patience, and forgiveness from a biblical perspective. Students use a workbook to complement their study of Biblical character traits. Bible memorization and daily chapel are also incorporated into the course. The textbook used is Character Quest, Volume II, Lifeway, publisher.

Length: 1 Year   

CHORAL ARTS

Choral Arts teaches the fundamentals of group singing and how to read music.  Students will study music from a variety of periods and genres, and learn to sing in multiple parts.  Students also move through the process of auditioning, rehearsing, and performance of a musical.  The overall choral experience will be performance oriented.  No experience is necessary for students to become involved.

Length: 1 Semester

COMPUTER

The seventh grade computer course is a one semester required course with emphasis on keyboarding skills. Students will develop an increased proficiency in word processing and graphics. They demonstrate their proficiency by research and creation of reports and using graphic manipulation. The course material is Microsoft Windows based. Textbook: Keyboarding and Computer Application,  Prentice Hall, publisher.

Length:  1 Semester

DRAMA

Introduction to drama will reinforce the students’ ability to express themselves creatively. The students will learn the different aspects of theater; improvisation, pantomime, monologue, and voice and diction. Performance of these aspects will enable the students to practically demonstrate what was learned in class. Students will be introduced to basic theater skills and terms. Students will perform a play and be introduced to the process of auditioning, rehearsing and dramatic performance.

Length: 1 Semester                                  

LANGUAGE ARTS

Seventh grade students focus on rules of punctuation and proper language usage. Students in seventh grade are introduced traits of good writing: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, and conventions. Seventh graders also study Greek mythology along with Greek and Latin roots. Students analyze poetry in depth and demonstrate their mastery by creating an anthology of different types of poems that includes their own poetry. Seventh graders end the year evaluating short stories and performing as storytellers.

Length: 1 Year                                           

EARTH SCIENCE

The seventh grade earth science curriculum is a well-balanced and exciting program of the study of God’s creation.  The textbook study covers geology, meteorology, earth’s natural process, astronomy and oceanography.  Throughout the course of study students participate in laboratory and skills practice activities that build and strengthen their science processing and thinking skills.  Students are taught to view the study of science as the awe-inspiring study of God’s creation.  Students will individually complete a Science Fair project during the fall semester. 

Length: 1 Year                                           

LIFE SKILLS

This course is divided into two units.  In Unit 1, the focus is on prioritizing, scheduling, positive thinking, and communication skills using the text The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey.  Unit 2 provides many activities to strengthen study skills for test taking, note taking, and research. 

Length: 1 Semester      

MATHEMATICS II

Seventh grade students study Mathematics, Course II, Prentice Hall, which meets the current standards               established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  The student will continue to develop important skills in integer operations, rates, ratios, proportions, and displaying data using double bar graphs, double line graphs, stem-and-leaf plots, and box-and-whisker plots.  The student will continue to use models, tables, graphs, and symbolic notation to represent algebraic relationships, as well as two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional figures.  The student will also develop and use formulas to find areas of irregular figures and to find surface area and volume of prisms and cylinders.

Length: 1 Year               

PREALGEBRA

The seventh grade student who is placed in PreAlgebra based on test scores, past grades, and teacher recommendation will study from PreAlgebra, Prentice Hall.  The student will continue to review basic algebra and geometry concepts while solidifying their grasp of arithmetic concepts and procedures.  The student will master operations with integers, decimals, fractions, using algebraic expressions to solve one-step equations and inequalities, and multi-step equations.  The student will also have exploratory experiences in data analysis and probability, and be introduced to nonlinear functions and polynomials.  Upon completion of this course, the student should be ready to progress to Algebra I. 

Length:  1 year

NOVELS/ACCELERATED READING

This class is designed to provide reading practice.  Each available book is labeled with a reading level and a point value.  An individual reading level and a point goal will be set for each student based on his or her reading ability. After reading a book, a student will take a multiple-choice test to gauge comprehension.  Reading levels and point goals will be regularly evaluated in order to provide growth for each student.

Length: 1 Semester                                  

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The Physical Education curriculum teaches the student to demonstrate competent skills in a variety of physical activities and sports.  The Middle School Physical Education Program is designed to encourage lifetime fitness activities as well as team sport activities. 

Length: 1 Year                                         

SPANISH

This course continues to increase the students’ vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as conversational proficiency and cultural knowledge. Students learn to express basic needs and feelings and use questioning techniques in real-life situations. These skills are expanded through use of the textbook, accompanying workbook, visuals, videos, and conversational Spanish. Textbook: ¿Que tal?

Length: 1 Semester                               

WORLD GEOGRAPHY

World Geography studies the countries and continents of today’s world.  Each country is covered including its physical geography, climate, resources, a brief history, culture, and a focus on its economy.  Also included in World Geography is the study of latitude and longitude.  Students learn to read and understand different kinds of maps including population maps, climate maps, and political maps.  The students also learn about different kinds of graphs, diagrams, charts, tables, flow charts, time lines, and time zones.  Textbook:  People, Places, & Change, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, publisher.

Length: 1 Year

AMERICAN HISTORY

This course surveys the early era of American history from early colonization to the Civil War and Reconstruction. The themes examined in this course include: politics, government, science, technology, and economics. There will be an emphasis on reading and comprehension of the text, note taking, and individual and cooperative learning.  Textbook: American History to 1877. Glencoe, publisher.

Length: 1 Year                                                                                       

ART

Art is a class where students will be exposed to visual arts including drawing, painting, sculpture, papier mâché, clay, print making, and others.  Students will explore different styles of art and will study the elements of art, principles of design, and sensory and expressive features of visual arts. They also learn to evaluate and analyze works of art.

Length: 1 Semester     

BAND

Participating students will have had at least one year of beginning band experience. Students without band experience, but having taken private musical instrument instruction, must demonstrate their level of playing ability before being accepted. Middle School Band will continue the development of playing technique and general musical knowledge learned in Beginning Band and/or private instruction. Supplementary technique books and band music of varied musical styles and periods will be utilized both in rehearsal and public performance. Students will also be encouraged to participate in local school district solo/ensemble contests for additional musical growth and playing experience.

Length: 1 Year 

BIBLE

The eighth grade Bible course focuses on teaching students how to face both the challenges of everyday living and overwhelming experiences. Emphasis is extended beyond surviving to thriving in the midst of these circumstances as they learn the true meaning of Romans 8:37, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Students are given an in-depth Scriptural study of the life of an Old or New Testament individual and learn from the context of the individual’s life how to face their own life experiences. Along with the lessons, students participate in projects, activities, and Bible verse memorization. They also participate in daily chapel. The textbook used is Survival Quest, Volume One, Lifeway, publisher.

Length: 1 Year        

CHORAL ARTS

Choral Arts teaches the fundamentals of group singing and how to read music.  Students will study music from a variety of periods and genres, and learn to sing in multiple parts.  Students also move through the process of auditioning, rehearsing, and performance of a musical.  The overall choral experience will be performance oriented.  No experience is necessary for students to become involved.

Length: 1 Semester

COMPUTER

This course is divided into two parts: Keyboarding and Microsoft Office software applications.  In                         Keyboarding, the focus is on increasing the students’ keyboarding speed and accuracy.  The Microsoft software applications covered include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. 

Length: 1 Semester                                  

CRITICAL THINKING

This course develops higher level thinking skills. It also encourages students to think through various situations to identify relevant information, analyze data, work cooperatively, solve problems and develop into productive members of society. A mixture of group and individual activities, projects, memorization of thought prompters, and other methods are utilized to develop higher level thinking skills, cooperative skills, and problem solving skills that can be utilized in all areas of academic study.

Length: 1 Semester                                  

DRAMA

Introduction to drama will reinforce the students’ ability to express themselves creatively. The students will learn the different aspects of theater; improvisation, pantomime, monologue, and voice and diction. Performance of these aspects will enable the students to practically demonstrate what was learned in class. Students will be introduced to basic theater skills and terms. Students will perform a play and be introducedto the process of auditioning, rehearsing and dramatic performance.

Length: 1 Semester                                 

EARTH SCIENCE

The eighth grade earth science curriculum is a well-balanced and exciting program of the study of God’s creation.  The textbook study covers geology, meteorology, earth’s natural process, astronomy and oceanography.  Throughout the course of study students participate in laboratory and skills practice activities that build and strengthen their science processing and thinking skills.  Students are taught to view the study of science as the awe-inspiring study of God’s creation.  Students will individually complete a Science Fair project during the fall semester. 

Length: 1 Year                                           

LANGUAGE ARTS

Eighth graders review the parts of speech and rules for punctuation in conjunction with diagramming sentences. Students begin with simple sentences but progress to complex ones that include prepositional phrases, appositives, and subordinate clauses. Students in eighth grade read classic literature including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Diary of Anne Frank, and To Kill A Mockingbird. By the end of the year, students write formal essays with a thesis statement and supporting quotes using MLA documentation.

Length: 1 Year                                         

 PREALGEBRA*

The eighth grade student will study from PreAlgebra, Prentice Hall.  The student will continue to review basic algebra and geometry concepts while solidifying their grasp of arithmetic concepts and procedures.  The student will master operations with integers, decimals, and multi-step equations.  The student will also have exploratory experiences in data analysis and probability, and be introduced to nonlinear functions and polynomials.  Upon completion of this course, the student should be ready to progress to Algebra I. 

Length: 1 Year        

ALGEBRA I*

The eighth grade student who successfully completes PreAlgebra as a seventh grader will study from Algebra I, Prentice Hall.  The student will study the algebraic areas of expressions, equations, and functions; rational numbers; linear equations; ratios and proportions; graphing; solving liner inequalities and polynomials; factoring polynomials and equations; quadratic and exponential functions; and rational and radical expressions.  In addition, the student will relate and apply the algebraic concepts to geometry, statistics, data analysis, probability, and discrete mathematics. 

Length:  1 Year

*Placement for high school math is determined by an end-of-course test and teacher recommendation      

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The Physical Education curriculum for eighth grade is designed to encourage lifetime fitness activities as well as team sport activities.  These activities include:

1. Strength and Weight Training

2. Fitness Training

3. Endurance Running

4. Ball Skills

5. Team Sports

6. Racquet Sports

7. Sportsmanship Training

8. Anatomy as it relates to Physical Education

Length: 1 Year                                          

SPANISH

This course increases the students’ knowledge of Spanish with practical vocabulary, phrases, and idiomatic experience being stressed. Conversations and writings will be more challenging and will pertain to realistic situations. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the historical, cultural, political, and economic roles of Spanish-speaking countries in the global community. Textbook: Paso a Paso, Scott Foresman, publisher.