Course Descriptions

English

Literature Textbook: Prentice Hall Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes (Copper, Bronze and Silver edition)
Vocabulary Workbook: Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop (levels A, B, and C)
Grammar Workbook: English Writing and Grammar (levels 6,7, and 8)

6th grade English

Students study writing, literature, vocabulary, and grammar. The sixth grade English program strives to heighten the reading comprehension of the students through the study of different literary genres. Grammar is taught through example and instruction to develop the ability to use parts of speech, punctuation, capitalization and correct word usage. The objective of the writing curriculum is to help students develop an understanding of narrative writing, research writing, and journal writing. Vocabulary is taught through systematic units that help students improve and expand their vocabulary skills through learning synonyms, antonyms, parts of speech, and correct word usage in context.

7th Grade English

Students study writing, literature, vocabulary, and grammar. The Seventh grade English program continues with the development of reading comprehension skills through the analysis of different literary genres. Grammar is taught through example and instruction to develop the ability to use punctuation, parts of speech, and correct word usage. The objective of the writing curriculum is to help students develop an understanding of descriptive writing, persuasive writing and journal writing. Vocabulary is taught through systematic units that help students improve and expand their vocabulary skills through learning synonyms, antonyms, parts of speech, and correct word usage in context.

8th Grade English

Students study writing, literature, vocabulary, and grammar. The eighth grade English program emphasizes critical reading skills through synthesis and evaluation of different literary genres. Grammar is taught through example and instruction to develop the ability to use punctuation, parts of speech, and correct word usage. The objective of the writing curriculum is to help students develop an understanding of expository writing, literary analysis, and journal writing. Vocabulary is taught through systematic units that help students improve and expand their vocabulary skills through learning synonyms, antonyms, parts of speech, and correct word usage in context.

Science

Textbook: McDougall/Littell Life Science, McDougall/Littell Physical Science, and McDougall/Littell Earth Science

Windows on Science laser disc series

6th Grade Science

Students study life science in the 6th grade. The life science curriculum covers the cells, heredity, creation vs. evolution, vertebrates, invertebrates, viruses, one-celled organisms, plants, light, and sound. These concepts are presented through a variety of activities that makes life science come alive in the classroom.

7th Grade Science

Students study physical science in the 7th grade. Our 7th grade science curriculum is a wonderful balance of content and activities. There is a large focus on the scientific method. Students will be able to design and conduct their own investigations and participate in many classroom lab experiments. Other topics covered include energy, machines, speed, acceleration, force, pressure, the behavior and properties of gases, atoms, atomic structure, elements on the Periodic Table, chemical reactions, polymers, electricity, and magnetism.

8th Grade Science

Students study earth science in the 8th grade. This curriculum focuses on God's creation and how the design of the earth supports life. This will include the surface of the earth, the atmosphere, space, and water. Students participate in many hands on activities such as labs and projects.

Social Studies

Textbook: Prentice-Hall World Explorer: People, Places, and Culture, Glencoe Human Heritage: A World History, and Glencoe and McGraw-Hill The American Journey

6th Grade Social Studies

The students will understand and apply the five themes of geography, the tools of geography, climate, vegetation and natural resources as they study the 6 continents throughout the year. They will also apply their knowledge of population patterns, landforms, human migration, culture and cultural institutions, and economic and political systems. They will also have a brief overview of the history that affects the countries today. Maps and graph skills will also be studied as students explore present day countries of the world.

7th Grade Social Studies

This course is an overview of history and geography from the pre-historic age through the Industrial Revolution. Emphasis is placed on culture and religion in the civilizations studied. Students will also be exposed to architecture, literature, and plays written during or about the specific periods of time being studied. Through these studies, the students will gain an understanding of the origins of various influences in our world today.

8th Grade Social Studies

The American Journey takes students on a historic journey beginning with the first Americans . Students then learn how their nation was created and shaped through war and reform, change and conflicts throughout American History. 8th grade students travel to Washington, DC to experience part of their curriculum firsthand in October each year.

Enrichment Courses - Students will study one enrichment course per quarter.

Spanish

Starting in the 6th grade and continuing until the 8th grade, students will be exposed to their first years of Spanish. This course is designed to prepare students for high school Spanish and expose them to Hispanic culture. The course will cover simple grammar and verb conjugations along with a heavy emphasis on vocabulary. Topics covered in the course are numbers, weather, time, days of the week, months, seasons, simple greetings, colors, classroom vocabulary, household vocabulary, animals, food, sports, and physical descriptions.

Computer Science

Students use the computers in a variety of different applications between 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. The students improve typing skills as well as learn to use and manipulate Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Access. We create many different projects using the various programs and we prepare for the North Carolina Computer Skills
Test at the end of 8th grade.

Art

In middle school art students are introduced to a variety of art mediums and techniques. As students progress through middle school they are challenged in art to use their creativity and develop artistically. Students should be expected to learn about: elements of art, drawing, cartooning, painting, crafts, graphic design, illustration, and printmaking. In each topic we will learn about art history, discuss techniques and develop skills that will improve art making.

PE

Through our course in Physical Education, we will cover various individual and team sports that focus on the five aspects of physical fitness (muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, and flexibility) as well as the skill related components of physical fitness (coordination, speed, agility, reaction time, balance, and power). Some of the sports we will cover include football, soccer, baseball, volleyball, basketball, jump rope, and aerobics. Students will be tested on their knowledge of the rules of each sport and/or their skill level of each sport.

Math

6th Grade Math

Textbook: Progress in Mathematics, Sadlier-Oxford

Offered in the 6th grade, the content of this course focuses on the four operations of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Throughout the book pre-algebra is applied using equations along with data and statistics, geometry, measurements and percent applications. Fundamentals are reinforced through reasoning and problem solving activities.

7th Grade Fundamentals of Algebra; Sadlier- Oxford

Offered in 7th grade, the content of this course focuses on the proficiency with whole numbers, fractions and particular aspects of geometry and measurement. This course will properly prepare each student for the future Algebra I course. Fundamentals are also reinforced through reasoning and problem solving concepts. Their progress in using problem-solving skills and enrichment skills will also play a valuable role in their mathematical future. This curriculum gives both the teacher and the student helpful websites to be successful in and out of the classroom.

8th Grade Math Foundations of Algebra

Textbook: Sadlier-Oxford: Foundations of Algebra

In eighth grade, students engage in a strong foundation of Algebra concepts. Students begin with properties of real numbers and advance throughout the year into more various concepts such as scientific notation, square roots with irrational numbers, expressions, equations and inequalities, polynomials and factoring, linear functions and inequalities. Once a student has mastered these concepts, they are prepared to advance to high school into geometry or honors geometry.

Bible

8th Grade Bible

SurvivalQuest is designed to help students through those trying and traumatic middle school years. Students will learn to extend themselves beyond merely surviving to thriving in the midst of everyday challenges. Each lesson presents an in-depth Scriptural study of the life of an Old or New Testament character. Using both positive and negative examples
from such lives, students will learn the true meaning of Romans 8:37, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
 
7th Grade Bible

Character Quest focuses on learning the difference between right and wrong. Students will learn what God says about each of the following character traits: love, wisdom,obedience, courage,attentiveness,faith, responsibility, thankfulness,honesty,joyfulness, self-control, loyalty, humility, confidence, diligence and prayer.

6th Grade Bible

Route 66 is a one year survey of the entire Bible, taking students through all 66 books of the Bible. Like a road map, it gives middle school students an overview of God's word and prepares their heart and minds for more detailed concepts which will follow.