Middle School Curriculum

Religion 6^th grade:  Students are introduced to Luther’s Small Catechism.  The catechism focus is on the Ten Commandments and how the commandments point to our need for Jesus, our Savior, as well as how they teach us how to live.  Students also read and discuss several books of the Bible and apply their readings to their daily lives.  Readings in the Gospels remind students of God’s love for them.  Memory assignments are given weekly and cover much of Luther’s Small Catechism as well as Bible verses.

Math: Mathematics education is differentiated in the Middle School; students are placed into grade-level math courses or accelerated math courses. Students who complete the grade-level math courses are well prepared for Algebra 1 as High School freshmen. Students who complete the accelerated math courses are well prepared to enter sophomore level mathematics in High School.

Science: Middle School Science curriculum follows the Next Generation Science Standards. Students learn and practice the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, analyze data, and solve problems.  Students investigate God’s world through the principles and interconnections of the Life, Physical, and Earth/Space sciences.  Instruction encourages students to learn not only the “content,” but also to apply the content to their daily lives, their society, and the world in which they live.

English: In English, Middle School students learn study skills, grammar, punctuation, word usage, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and basic essay form. Students learn to express themselves through descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing.

Literature: Students read a wide variety of short stories, non-fiction, poems, dramas, and novels. Reading comprehension and analysis of story or poetic elements are stressed.  Independent reading for enjoyment and practice is encouraged through the Accelerated Reader Program.

Vocabulary: Grade level vocabulary workbooks are used in a systematic way to improve vocabulary skills in the Middle School. Students are tested after each unit as well as in cumulative tests.

Social Studies: Students in 6^th grade study world geography from prehistoric times through the Renaissance.

Art: Middle School students learn the core concepts of art while completing projects that encourage their creativity and their unique personality. Students will gain a basic understanding of the different elements and principles of art through purposeful projects using various mediums. They will also grow in their appreciation and awareness of how art is used in various settings.

Music: General Music is the study of music performance, theory, history, and technology used to create music.  Students learn musical concepts, instruments of the orchestra, composers, singing, and classical listening skills.  These experiences are intended to equip students with musical skills appropriate for their age, and to instill in them an interest in music.

Physical Education: Students will understand that their body is a gift from God.  They will use physical education knowledge and concepts to enhance life through activity.  Students will perform skills efficiently in a variety of leisure activities, sports, creative movement, and work-related activities.  They will demonstrate control when performing combinations and sequences in locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative motor patterns.  Students will demonstrate sports skills that will enable students to lead a more active lifestyle including team and individual activities.  Students will develop an interest and desire to participate in lifelong fitness.

Middle School Curriculum

Religion 7th grade:  Students work through the One in Christ series and review the Bible along with related truths. Memory assignments are given weekly and cover much of Luther’s Small Catechism as well as other Bible verses. Students also cover the basics of Lutheranism.

Religion 8th grade:  Students complete a discipleship study, discovery of our Spiritual gifts, and a study of world religions.  Memory assignments from the Bible are given weekly and include an explanation of the Law, Gospel and a personal application.

Math: Mathematics education is differentiated in the Middle School; students are placed into grade-level math courses or accelerated math courses. Students who complete the grade-level math courses are well prepared for Algebra 1 as High School freshmen. Students who complete the accelerated math courses are well prepared to enter sophomore level mathematics in High School.

Science: Middle School Science curriculum follows the Next Generation Science Standards. Students learn and practice the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, analyze data, and solve problems.  Students investigate God’s world through the principles and interconnections of the Life, Physical, and Earth/Space sciences.  Instruction encourages students to learn not only the “content,” but also to apply the content to their daily lives, their society, and the world in which they live.

English: In English, Middle School students learn study skills, grammar, punctuation, word usage, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and basic essay form. Students learn to express themselves through descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing.

Literature: Students read a wide variety of short stories, non-fiction, poems, dramas, and novels. Reading comprehension and analysis of story or poetic elements are stressed.  Independent reading for enjoyment and practice is encouraged through the Accelerated Reader Program.

Vocabulary: Grade level vocabulary workbooks are used in a systematic way to improve vocabulary skills in the Middle School. Students are tested after each unit as well as in cumulative tests.

Social Studies: Students in 7^th grade study U.S. History from European exploration to the Civil War.

Art: Middle School students learn the core concepts of art while completing projects that encourage their creativity and their unique personality. Students will gain a basic understanding of the different elements and principles of art through purposeful projects using various mediums. They will also grow in their appreciation and awareness of how art is used in various settings.

Music: General Music is the study of music performance, theory, history, and technology used to create music.  Students learn musical concepts, instruments of the orchestra, composers, singing, and classical listening skills.  These experiences are intended to equip students with musical skills appropriate for their age, and to instill in them an interest in music.

Physical Education: Students will understand that their body is a gift from God.  They will use physical education knowledge and concepts to enhance life through activity.  Students will perform skills efficiently in a variety of leisure activities, sports, creative movement, and work-related activities.  They will demonstrate control when performing combinations and sequences in locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative motor patterns.  Students will demonstrate sports skills that will enable students to lead a more active lifestyle including team and individual activities.  Students will develop an interest and desire to participate in lifelong fitness. 

Middle School Curriculum

Religion 8th grade:  Students complete a discipleship study, discovery of our Spiritual gifts, and a study of world religions.  Memory assignments from the Bible are given weekly and include an explanation of the Law, Gospel and a personal application.

Math: Mathematics education is differentiated in the Middle School; students are placed into grade-level math courses or accelerated math courses. Students who complete the grade-level math courses are well prepared for Algebra 1 as High School freshmen. Students who complete the accelerated math courses are well prepared to enter sophomore level mathematics in High School.

Science: Middle School Science curriculum follows the Next Generation Science Standards. Students learn and practice the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, analyze data, and solve problems.  Students investigate God’s world through the principles and interconnections of the Life, Physical, and Earth/Space sciences.  Instruction encourages students to learn not only the “content,” but also to apply the content to their daily lives, their society, and the world in which they live.

English: In English, Middle School students learn study skills, grammar, punctuation, word usage, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and basic essay form. Students learn to express themselves through descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive writing.

Literature: Students read a wide variety of short stories, non-fiction, poems, dramas, and novels. Reading comprehension and analysis of story or poetic elements are stressed.  Independent reading for enjoyment and practice is encouraged through the Accelerated Reader Program.

Vocabulary: Grade level vocabulary workbooks are used in a systematic way to improve vocabulary skills in the Middle School. Students are tested after each unit as well as in cumulative tests.

Social Studies: Students in 8^th grade continue their study of U.S. History from the Civil War to modern times. Middle School students not only learn the facts of history, but also have the opportunity to evaluate historical situations.

Art: Middle School students learn the core concepts of art while completing projects that encourage their creativity and their unique personality. Students will gain a basic understanding of the different elements and principles of art through purposeful projects using various mediums. They will also grow in their appreciation and awareness of how art is used in various settings.

Music: General Music is the study of music performance, theory, history, and technology used to create music.  Students learn musical concepts, instruments of the orchestra, composers, singing, and classical listening skills.  These experiences are intended to equip students with musical skills appropriate for their age, and to instill in them an interest in music.

Physical Education: Students will understand that their body is a gift from God.  They will use physical education knowledge and concepts to enhance life through activity.  Students will perform skills efficiently in a variety of leisure activities, sports, creative movement, and work-related activities.  They will demonstrate control when performing combinations and sequences in locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative motor patterns.  Students will demonstrate sports skills that will enable students to lead a more active lifestyle including team and individual activities.  Students will develop an interest and desire to participate in lifelong fitness.