2011-12course curriculum guidemiddle school

revised as of 2.3.11

Photography by junior Mari Pillmore.

Middle SchoolThe middle school challenges students to encourage personal, academic, spiritual and social growth. This program actively engages interests and abilities. As students grow in their understanding and practice of excellence, their lifelong learning skills and emerging interpersonal relationships receive balanced emphasis.

grade 6 • Bible • ClassicalEnglishGrammarI • Exploratory:ComputerApplicationsI,French,LatinandSpanish • LanguageArts • Math*(Math6orAdvancedMath6) • PhysicalEducation/Health • Science • SocialStudies • StudySkills • FineArtsElective

grade 7 • Bible • ClassicalEnglishGrammarII • ComputerApplicationsII • ForeignLanguage(French7,Latin7orSpanish7) • LanguageArts • LifeScience • Math*(Math7,Pre-AlgebraorAlgebra) • PhysicalEducation/Health • SocialStudies • Elective

grade 8 • Bible • ClassicalEnglishGrammarIII • EarthScience • ForeignLanguage(French8,Latin8orSpanish8) • Internet/MediaLiteracy • LanguageArts • Math*(Pre-Algebra,AlgebraIorGeometry) • PhysicalEducation/Health • SocialStudies • Elective

*Mathematics placement is based on a composite score that takesinto account math aptitude as well as demonstrated ability and math interest. The following components are considered: ComprehensiveTestingProgrammathandquantitativeabilityscores;MathAssessmentTest score; Orleans-Hanna Algebra Prognosis Test score; prerequisitemathematicsexperienceandacademicperformance;andcurrentMathteacher’s recommendation.

2011-12middleschoolcourserequirementsbygrade

BIBLETheclassisaoneyearstudyoftheentireBible.ItstextbookRoute 66fitstogetherthepiecesofthestoryoftheBible.ItprovidessixthgradersanaerialviewofGod’swordandworkinordertopreparethemtounderstandscriptureandscripturalprinciplesasawhole.Eachofthe66booksisintroducedbytheircontext,especiallyinrelationshiptotheotherbooksintheBible.ThisstudywillhelpstudentsexaminetheirlifeandgrowthinunderstandingChrist.

CLASSICAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR IGodHimselfcreatedlanguage.TheBibletellsusthatHespokeallthingsintoexistence,givingmanthegiftoflanguage.AsasupporttotheLanguageArtscurriculum,ClassicalEnglishGrammarhelpsstudentsunderstandbasicgrammaticalrulesandstructures,andthesignificanceofapplication in ourdaily communication. Studyinggrammarenables us to chooseourownwordswisely, toenjoyandappreciate great literature, to understand the thoughts of others, to give clear and correct expression to own thoughts, and to train our minds to think in an orderly fashion.

EXPLORATORYExploratoryisayear-longcoursebrokenintofourquarterlysessionsfocusingonComputerApplicationsI,French,LatinandSpanish.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS I StudentswillreceiveintensivekeyboardtrainingandthefundamentalsofwordprocessingwillbetaughtusingMicrosoftWord. StudentswillalsolearntousetheInspirationsoftwareprogramtocompletegraphicorganizers.Computerprojectswillintegrate the curriculum in sixth grade core classes giving students the skills to enhance their academic work.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE ForeignLanguageintroducesstudentstotheuniquequalitiesofthreeforeignlanguages:French,LatinandSpanish.Inaddition to vocabulary and basic oral skills, students will experience the cultural and traditional aspects of each language.

LANGUAGE ARTSLanguageArtsemphasizesskillsessentialtocriticalthinking,appreciationofliterature,andeffectivecommunication.Studentsexploreliterarygenreswhileadvancingtheirskillsingrammar,vocabulary,readingcomprehensionandwrittenexpression.StudentscultivateasenseoftheinterdisciplinarynatureofknowledgethroughBiblicalintegration,thereadingofauthenticliteratureandtheanalyzationoflife’sessentialquestions.Studentsingrade6continuetodevelopskillsfordescriptive,narrative,andpersuasivewriting,andbegintolearn strategies to write literary essays and memoirs.

MATHMath6focusesonfourcriticalareas:n connectingratioandratetowholenumbermultiplicationanddivision,andusingconceptsofratioandratetosolveproblems;n mastering an understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, including negativenumbers;n writing,interpreting,andusingexpressionsandequations;n developing an understanding of statistical thinking.

Math 6 also builds on reasoning about relationships among shapes to determine area, surface area, and volume. Areasofrighttriangles,othertriangles,andspecialquadrilateralsarefoundthroughdecomposition,rearrangement,and relatingshapestorectangles.Areasofpolygonsandsurfaceareasofprismsandpyramidsarealsofound.Scaledrawings andgeometricconstructionsinthecoordinateplanecompletethecourse.Creativeproblemsolvingandlogicalreasoningare emphasized.Throughthecourse,wedemonstratethecharacterofGodandHisprinciplesthatordertheuniverse.

middle school - sixth grade

Advanced Math 6 centersinstructiononfourcriticalareas: n developingunderstandingofandapplicationofproportionalrelationships; n developingunderstandingofoperationswithrationalnumbersandworkingwithexpressionsandlinearequations; n solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, working with two- and three-dimensional shapestosolveproblemsinvolvinganglemeasure,area,surfaceareaandvolume,andfindingthecircumferenceandareaof acircle; n drawing inferences about populations based on random sampling, and investigating chance processes and probability models.

StudentsparticipateintheMathematicsOlympiadandMathOlympics,featuringcreativeproblemsolvingandlogical reasoning.Throughoutthecourse,wedemonstratethecharacterofGodandHisprinciplesthatordertheuniverse.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTHPhysicalEducationdevelopsstudents’awarenessof lifetimefitness.Theylearntoappreciatefitnessthroughavarietyofrecreationalactivities,includingteamsports.Focusareaswillteachrulesandskillsaswellasgivingstudentstheopportunitiestoplay.Anemphasiswillbeplacedonimprovingpersonalfitnessthroughcardiovascularexercise,flexibility,andstrengthtraining.Traditionalgamesandsportswillbeusedasameansfordevelopingstudentenjoymentofphysicalactivity.Studentswillalsospendtimediscussingconflictresolution,relationships,self-imageandeffectivecommunication.ThePresidentialPhysicalFitnessTestwillbeadministeredduringtheyear.Thiscourse will teach the value of hard work, fair play and sportsmanship.

SCIENCEGrade6Scienceisageneralsciencecoursethatintroducesscientificinquiry,metricmeasurementandtechnologydesignskills.Studentswilllearn about the earth’s ecosystems and its natural resources, as well as the production of energy and the resulting environmental impact. Physicalsciencetopicsincludemolecules,atoms,electricity,force,andmotion.Criticalthinkingandhandsonactivitiesenhancethecontentoflearning.Biblically-centeredinstructionrecognizesGodasthecreatorofallthings.

SOCIAL STUDIESSocialStudiesreviewsmapandatlasskillsasitexaminestheancientcivilizationsofMesopotamia,Babylon,Egypt,Greece,Rome,IndiaandChina.Studentsvisitandexploreancientsitesandmuseumsthroughthetechnologyofwebpages.BiblicalintegrationemphasizeshistoryasGod’sstory.InstructionisenhancedasstudentsparticipateinactivitiessuchasKids’Voting,theNationalGeographyBee,andMiddleAgesDay.

STUDY SKILLSGrade6StudySkillsisaclassdesignedtohelpstudentsingradesixwithorganization,byprovidingtechniquesforstudentsonhowtobeststudyfordifferentsubjectsaswellashowtotakedifferenttypesoftests.Thecourseallowsforstudentstoputintopracticethesetechniques,whichextendintoperiodsoftimewherestudentsareexpectedtoworkonhomework,reading,reportsandprojectsduringclass.

- sixth grade

BIBLEBibleprovidesstudentswithanoverviewoftheOldTestamentwithanemphasisonkeypeopleandevents,thehistoricalandculturalbackground,themesandliterarygenres.StudentsarechallengedtoconsiderhowGod’sstoryintersectswiththeirown.

CLASSICAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR IIClassicalEnglishGrammarIIisacontinuationofClassicalEnglishGrammarI.AsasupporttotheLanguageArtscurriculum,ClassicalEnglishGrammar helps students understand basic grammatical rules and structures, and the significance of application in our dailycommunication. This second level course has the goal for students to learn basic grammatical structures in different contexts, thereby internalizingthestructuresandusingthemautomatically.Studyinggrammarenablesustochooseourownwordswisely,toenjoyandappreciate great literature, to understand the thoughts of others, to give clear and correct expression to own thoughts, and to train our minds to think in an orderly fashion.

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS II ComputerApplications IIdevelops students’abilities inwordprocessing, spreadsheet techniques,databaseandmultimedia softwareapplications.StudentswilllearnmorecomplexwordprocessingskillsandtheMicrosoftOfficecomponentsExcel/Databasetocreatespreadsheetsandcalculatedatagraphically.StudentswilluseMicrosoftPowerPointandPublisherasmultimediatoolstocreate,viewand print class presentations.

FOREIGN LANGUAGEForeignLanguageallowsstudentstochooseoneyear-longintroductoryclassinFrench,LatinorSpanish.

French 7 focuses on development of listening to and speaking the language and begins integration of reading and writing. Studentsusebasiclanguagetocommunicatewiththeirpeersandteacheraboutfamiliartopics.Grammarstructuresand biblical principles are interwoven with cultural information, language learning tips and realia. As they understand contextual directions, commands, key words and phrases, students are able to make inferences from the materials they hear or read.

Latin 7focusesonthebasicgrammar,vocabularyandstructureofLatin.EmphasisisplacedonLatinandGreekderivativesas a part of building vocabulary and enhancing a student’s language arts strength.

Spanish 7 focuses on development of listening to and speaking the language and begins integration of reading and writing. Studentsusebasiclanguagetocommunicatewiththeirpeersandteacheraboutfamiliartopics.Astheyunderstandcontextual directions, commands, key words and phrases, students are able to make inferences from the materials they hear or read.

LANGUAGE ARTSLanguageArtsemphasizescriticalthinking,appreciationof literature,andeffectivecommunicationthroughintegratedcurricularunits.Studentsexploreliterarygenreswhileadvancingskillsingrammar,vocabulary,readingcomprehension,andwrittenexpression.Studentscultivateasenseof the interdisciplinarynatureofknowledgethroughBiblical integration, thereadingofauthentic literatureandtheanalyzationoflife’sessentialquestions.Studentsingrade7continuetomasterskillsinwritingpersuasiveessaysandmemoirs,poetry,while there is a heightened emphasis on literary and expository essays.

LIFE SCIENCEGrade7LifeScienceistheoverallstudyoflivingorganismsfromthecelltothehumanbody.Thestudyofcellsleadstounitsonthecharacteristicsoflife,classificationoflivingthings,bacteria,protists,fungi,plantsandanimals.Inadditiontoidentifying,observingandcollecting organisms, students perform dissections to study the structure and function of certain animals and organ systems. The course concludeswithastudyofhumanbiologyandgenetics.Criticalthinkingandhandsonactivitiesenhancethecontentoflearning.Biblically-centeredinstructionrecognizesGodastheCreatorofalllivingthings.

middle school - seventh grade

MATH Math 7studentsdemonstratetheuseofintegeroperations,rates,ratios,percentapplicationsandexponents.Studentssolve equations,inequalitiesandgraphinthecoordinateplane.Studentsstudycongruentandsimilarfigures,andtransformations. Theyuseformulastofindareaofirregularfiguresandfindsurfaceareaandvolumeofprismsandcylinders.Theylearn specificstrategiesforproblemsolvingandpracticeandapplythesestrategiestoavarietyofproblems.Throughthiscourse, wedemonstratethecharacterofGodandHisprinciplesthatordertheuniverse.

Pre-Algebrastudentsdemonstratetheuseofintegeroperations,proportions,percents,exponents,scientificnotation,radicals andrationalnumbers.Studentssolveequationsandinequalities.Theyusedimensionalanalysistoconvertunitswithcustomary andmetricsystems.Studentsuseformulastofindsurfaceareaandvolumeofprisms,pyramids,conesandspheres.Congruent andsimilarfiguresarestudiedandtransformationsoccurinthecoordinateplane.Theyusetreediagramsandorganizedlists todevelopprobabilityforcompoundevents.StudentsparticipateinMathCountscompetitionsfeaturingcreativeproblem solvingandlogicalreasoning.Throughthiscourse,wedemonstratethecharacterofGodandHisprinciplesthatorderthe universe.

Algebra I students review pre-algebra concepts and are introduced to properties of algebra to prepare students for skills suchassimplifyingalgebraicexpressions;solvinglinear,quadratic,rational,andradicalequations;graphinglinearequations; solvinginequalities;solvingsystemsoflinearequations;factoringquadraticandpolynomialexpressions;andworkingwith relationsandfunctions.StudentsparticipateinMathCountscompetitionsfeaturingcreativeproblemsolvingandlogical reasoning.Throughthiscourse,wedemonstratethecharacterofGodandHisprinciplesthatordertheuniverse.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTHPhysicalEducation/Healthprovidesstudentswiththeopportunitytolearnthroughadevelopmentallyappropriatecomprehensivephysicaleducationprogram.Studentswillbeassessedandchallengedtoimproveupontheirpersonalfitnessprofileinareasofaerobicfitness,flexibility, andmuscular strength. Additional emphasis will be placed upon self responsibility, positive social interaction, and groupdynamics.Traditionalsportsandgameswillplayaroleinfitnessimprovementandsocialinteraction,aswellasanenjoyableaerobicexercise option. The course will also provide an introduction to nutrition, stress management, and healthy life choices through classroom lecture and discussion.

SOCIAL STUDIESSocialStudiesbeginswithareviewofthefivethemesofgeography,thephysicalgeographyoftheearth,andtheinfluencesoflocale,climateandpopulations.RegionsstudiedincludeNorthandSouthAmerica,Europe,RussiaandtheEurasianRepublics,theMiddleEast,SouthAsia,Africa, EastAsia, SoutheastAsia,Australia,Oceania,andAntarctica. Students learnabout theworld through textbooks,discussionsofcurrentevents,hands-onactivities,individualandgroupreports,guestspeakersandvideos.Thecourseemphasizesmapping,graphing,criticalthinking,studyingandwriting.Studentsarepreparedforparticipationintheschool’sgeographybee.

- seventh grade

BIBLE (LIFE OF CHRIST)GradeeightBible isdesigned togive the studentsand in-depthviewof the life, teachings,andministryof JesusChristasuniquelypresentedthroughtheeyesoftheApostleJohn.Duringthiscourse,studentswillbeexposedtoeachphaseofJesus’lifeonearthaswellasHispre-existenceinTrinitywithGodtheFatherandtheHolySpirit.ThemainemphasiswillbeonHispublicministry,trial,death,burial,andresurrection.Bycompletingthiscourse,studentswillhaveathoroughunderstandingofthe“GoodNews”oftheGospelsandalsowillpossesstheabilitytobeabletoexpressthat“GoodNews”toalostanddyingworld.

CLASSICAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR IIIClassicalEnglishGrammarIIIisacontinuationofClassicalEnglishGrammarII.AsasupporttotheLanguageArtscurriculum,ClassicalEnglishGrammar helps students understand basic grammatical rules and structures, and the significance of application in our dailycommunication.Thisthirdlevelcoursefocusesonaccuracy,fluency,andmeaningfuluseofstructuresincontext.Practiceincludesbothoralandwrittenwork,andisdesignedtoreinforceandperfectstudents’grammarusage.Studyinggrammarenablesustochooseourownwordswisely,toenjoyandappreciategreatliterature,tounderstandthethoughtsofothers,togiveclearandcorrectexpressiontoownthoughts, and to train our minds to think in an orderly fashion.

EARTH SCIENCEGrade 8 Earth Science investigatesGod’s marvelous creation from the heavens to the earth. This class focuses on the compositionoftheearthandthefunctionsof itssystems.Majortopics includethenatureofscienceandinquiry, thesolarsystem,andtheearth’satmosphere,oceansandlandforms.Emphasis isonteachingscientificinquiryinordertofacilitatestudents’transitionfromconcretetoabstract reasoning.

FOREIGN LANGUAGEForeignLanguageallowsstudentstochooseaclassinFrench,LatinorSpanish.

French 8buildsonthelessonsofFrench7.Fromconsistentreinforcementoforalskillsandperformanceofthemostbasic functions of the language, students progress to develop basic reading and writing skills. They increase their knowledge of the Frenchculture,products,perspectives,andpractices,andexpandtheirabilitytocommunicatewithteachersandpeers. RecitationofscriptureinFrenchisthematicallyrelated.

Latin 8buildsonthelessonsofLatin7.ThiscourseintroducesstudentstothelanguageofancientRomewithanemphasison Romanculture,vocabulary,etymologyandbasicLatingrammar.Studentslearnhowtodeclinenounsandconjugateverbs,as wellastranslatesimpleLatinsentences.

Spanish 8buildsonthelessonsofSpanish7.Fromconsistentreinforcementoforalskillsandperformanceofthemostbasic functions of the language, students progress to develop basic reading and writing skills. They increase their knowledge of the Spanishculture,products,perspectives,andpractices,andexpandtheirabilitytocommunicatewithteachersandpeers. MemorizationofscriptureinSpanishisthematicallyrelated. INTERNET/MEDIA LITERACYUsingdigitalmediaandtheInternet,studentswilllearntheirapplicationstoenrichtheiracademicstudies.Internettopicswillincludeeffectivesearchtechniques,propersourcecitations,andonlinesecurity.Studentswillstudymassmedia,comparingnewsstories,advertisingandmarketresearchtechniquesaswellashowtoutilizeallformsofdigitaltechnology.

LANGUAGE ARTSLanguageArtsemphasizesintegrationofgrammaticalprinciples,vocabularyandliteraryanalysisinthewritingprocess.Thestudyofliteratureexpandsskillsofreadingcomprehension,andenhancestheunderstandingofliteraryelementsandcomplexreasoning.Studentscultivate a sense of the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge through biblical integration, the reading of authentic literature and the analyzationoflife’sessentialquestions.Studentsingrade8continuetodevelopskillsinliterary,expository,andpersuasiveessays.

middle school - eighth grade

- eighth grade

MATH Pre-Algebra studentsdemonstratetheuseofintegeroperations,proportions,percents,exponents,scientificnotation,radicals andrationalnumbers.Studentssolveequationsandinequalities.Theyusedimensionalanalysistoconvertunitswithcustomary andmetricsystems.Studentsuseformulastofindsurfaceareaandvolumeofprisms,pyramids,conesandspheres.Congruent andsimilarfiguresarestudiedandtransformationsoccurinthecoordinateplane.Theyusetreediagramsandorganizedlists todevelopprobabilityforcompoundevents.StudentsparticipateinMathCountsandMathOlympicscompetitionsfeaturing creativeproblemsolvingandlogicalreasoning.Throughthiscourse,wedemonstratethecharacterofGodandHisprinciples that order the universe.

Algebra I students review pre-algebra concepts and are introduced to properties of algebra to prepare students for skills suchassimplifyingalgebraicexpressions;solvinglinear,quadratic,rational,andradicalequations;graphinglinearequations; solvinginequalities;solvingsystemsoflinearequations;factoringquadraticandpolynomialexpressions;andworkingwith relationsandfunctions.StudentsparticipateinMathCountsandMathOlympicscompetitionsfeaturingcreativeproblem solvingandlogicalreasoning.Throughthiscourse,wedemonstratethecharacterofGodandHisprinciplesthatorderthe universe.GeometrystudentsareintroducedtothedeductivereasoningprocessintheclassicalEuclideantradition.Thecourse includesastudyoflines,angles,triangles,circles,polygons,solidfigures,andhowtheyarerelated.Conceptsareanalyzed fromtheperspectiveofcoordinategeometry,proofs,congruence,similarity,area,volumeandtransformations.Students participateintheAmericanMathCompetitionfeaturingcreativeproblemsolvingandlogicalreasoning.Throughthiscourse, wedemonstratethecharacterofGodandHisprinciplesthatordertheuniverse.

GeometrystudentsareintroducedtothedeductivereasoningprocessintheclassicalEuclideantradition.Thecourseincludesa studyoflines,angles,triangles,circles,polygons,solidfigures,andhowtheyarerelated.Conceptsareanalyzedfromthe perspectiveofcoordinategeometry,proofs,congruence,similarity,area,volumeandtransformations.Studentsparticipate intheAmericanMathCompetition,MathCountsandMathOlympicscompetitionsfeaturingcreativeproblemsolvingand logicalreasoning.Throughthiscourse,wedemonstratethecharacterofGodandHisprinciplesthatordertheuniverse.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTHPhysicalEducation/Healthbuildsonpreviousphysicaleducationcourseswithagoalofcreatinglifetimehealthandfitnesshabits.Fitnessassessmentswill playa key role indetermining student improvementand success in this course. Regularaerobicexercise, flexibilitytraining,andmuscularstrengthtrainingwillbeintegralpartsofimprovingstudent’spersonalfitnessprofile.Sociologicalconceptssuchasselfresponsibility,positivesocialinteraction,andgroupdynamicswillalsobeemphasized.Traditionalsportsandgameswillbeapartofprovidingstudentswithenjoyableoptionsforaerobicexercise.Thecoursewillincludeclassroomunitsthataddresstobacco,alcohol,and drug use.

SOCIAL STUDIESSocial Studies teaches American history from the earlyNative American days through present-day current events. The focus is onGod’ssovereigntyineventsandcircumstancesofhistory.UnitsofstudyincludeNativeAmericans,EuropeanExploration,theColonialPeriod,RevolutionaryWar,theConstitution,theIndustrialRevolution,TheCivilWar,WestwardExpansion,Immigration,WWI,theGreatDepression,WWII,theColdWarEraandPromotingGlobalDemocracy.Thiscourseemphasizesreadingcomprehension,note-taking,map skills, and interest in current events.

N.C. HISTORY(socialstudiesenrichment)There are many awesome places to visit inourgreatstate.Fromthemountainstothesea,NorthCarolinahasmuchtoofferany traveler. Have you everwonderedwhyNorthCarolinaiscalledtheTarHeelState?Wouldyouliketolearnsomeinfoabout Blackbeard thepirate or explorethemysteriesofTheLostColony?Didyouknow that many battles were fought on N.C. soil during the American Revolutionand TheCivilWar? Take this classandlearn many interesting facts about N.C.’s past and present. You will alsobe surprised to learn that many famous peoplewereborn in theTarHeelState.FromthebreathtakingbeacheswiththeirbeautifullighthousestothemajesticGreatSmoky Mountains, North Carolina is agreat state to explore.

Grades7&8•Semestercourse

STUDY HALLThis course is for students who are self-motivated and have demonstrated the ability to work independently on their homeworkinaquietenvironment.Studentswill be expected to work on school work or read independently for the entire class period.

Grades7&8•Semestercourse,orFullyear course

APOLOGETICSApologetics will provide students the opportunity to dive deeper into their faith than ever before. The goal is to help students in the middle school understand what they believe, why they believe, and how their beliefs can make an impact on thecultureinthenameofChrist.This will be an intense study requiringwritingandresearch,but has the potential to be life changing for all who sign up!

Grades7&8•Semestercourse

BOOK CLUB(languageartsenrichment)BookClubisanelectiveforthosewholoveto get into a good book. Tailor made for middle school students, this class will allow students to have choices on the books to read and discuss in class. This elective is for those students who like to read or need more practice at reading.

Grades7&8•Semestercourse

CSI(scienceenrichment)CSI is a course that requires students tousehisorherGod-givenabilitiestothinklikea scientist– toaskquestionsand tosearch foranswers. The Forensic Sciencetextbook introduces students to the science behind a criminal investigation as well as hands-onlabstopracticetechniquesusedby professional crime scene investigators. Students will be taught skills such astrace evidence identification, fingerprintcollection,DNAanalysisandhandwritingrecognition. Members of the class willgain an appreciation and understanding oftheworkrequiredtocollectandsecureevidence for use in a courtroom trial.

Grades7&8•Semestercourse

FANTASY SPORTS(mathenrichment)Studentswillformaleagueandcompetein football. Students will learn aboutthe strategies, mathematical concepts, technology and cultural phenomena that is fantasy sports!

Grades7&8•Fallsemestercourse

FINANCIAL FITNESSFinancial Fitness utilizes basic economicand math skills to teach fundamentals of personal finance to the middleschool student. Students will gain anunderstanding of consumer decision-making, career opportunities, comparison-shoppingandcashmanagement.Studentswill learn about savings and checking accounts as well as simple and compound interest. The class will spend time discussing the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards.Wewill discuss thebiblicalperspective of money as exemplifiedthrough scripture and discuss charitable givingtoobtainawell-roundedChristianperspective regarding money.

Grades7&8•Semestercourse

LEADERSHIP 101Leadership 101 focuses on the nutsand bolts of solid Christian leadership(prayer, service, communication, conflictmanagement,mentoring,etc)butalsogoesdeepintothesoulofleadership.Studentswillfindoutwhyleadingisn’talwayswhatis they expect and how leaders are not alwayswhooneexpectthemtobe.YouwilldiscoverhowJesus,Davidandothersjourneyedontheleadershippath.

Grade7&8•Semestercourse

AC

AD

EMIC

S

middle school

FIN

E/PE

RFO

RM

ING

ART

SACT 2ACT 2 provides focused andrigorous acting and stage training for theatre students as they prepare drama pieces for presentation in chapels and at outside events including competition at the NorthCarolina Theater Conference(NCTC) in the spring andthe Wingate ShakespeareRecitation Competition.Students serve the school andthe community and must commit to the class and team for the entireschoolyear.Pleasenote

that attendance at outside rehearsals, festivalsandcompetitions isrequiredforstudents enrolled in this course.

Grades6,7&8,byauditiononly•Fullyearcourse GRADE 6 ARTGrade 6 Art introduces the creation ofart through the use of art media and the basic elements of art. Students gainan appreciation of arts, crafts and artists. This course also emphasizesprinciples of visual composition and advances understanding of art history, art appreciation, art materials and methods. Severalprojectsareintegratedwithotherdisciplines to illustrate the relationship of art to other studies.

Grade6•Semestercourse

GRADE 7 ARTGrade7ArtinvolvesknowledgeandskillsgainedinGrade6Artwithanincreasingvariety of art materials and methods. Emphasis is on developing originalsolutions to visual challenges. Studentsgain understanding of the history, purpose and function of the visual arts related to othersubjectsandtoculture. Grade7•Semestercourse

GRADE 8 ARTGrade 8 Art is for students who haveshown a proficiency in their knowledgeand mastery of fundamental visual arts concepts.StudentsmusthavetakeneitherGrade6ArtandorGrade7Art.

Grade8•Fullyearcourse

CONCERT BANDConcertBandisopentoanysixthgradestudent who plays a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument. To receive chair placement, students audition to demonstrateabasicskill level. Studentsperform at concerts and other events throughout the school year. Please notethat concert attendance is required forstudents enrolled in this course.

Grade6•Fullyearcourse SYMPHONIC BANDSymphonic Band is open to seventh andeighth grade students. At least two years of band instrument experience arerecommended;oneyearisrequired.Symphonic band performs in schoolconcerts, chapel services, the district band festivalandotherevents.Pleasenotethatconcertandfestivalattendanceisrequiredfor students enrolled in this course.

Grades7&8•Fullyearcourse

GRADE 6 CHOIRGrade6Choirdevelopsvocaltechniqueand musicianship proficiency. Studentsperform music in a variety of styles at concerts and outside events during the school year. Students will also learnto identify good singing, posture and performance habits; learn correctbreathingtechniques,postureandpalatetechniques; train to detect breathinessand vocal straining that are characteristic of the younger student, and obtain the tools necessary to mature the voice and prepare for the changing voice of the adolescent.Pleasenotethatconcertandfestivalattendanceisrequiredforstudentsenrolled in this course.

Grade6•Fullyearcourse

GRADE 7 & 8 CHOIRGrade 7 & 8 Choir develops vocaltechnique and musicianship proficiency.Students perform music in a variety ofstyles at concerts and outside events during the school year. Additionally students will learn to identify vocal placement, learn advanced breathing techniques,train vibrato, and obtain the vocal tools necessary to increase vocal range both higher and lower to receive appropriate classification (tenor/baritone/alto/soprano). Please note that concert andfestivalattendanceisrequiredforstudentsenrolled in this course.

Grades7&8•Fullyearcourse

INTRO TO GUITAROpen to all middle school studentsinterested in learning to play acoustic guitar. The class will focus on guitar tuning and playing fundamentals, learning to read basic notes and rhythms, and understanding tablature and chords. Studentsinterestedinthiscoursewillneedto do additional practice outside of class as well as have their own acoustic guitar.

Grades6•Semestercourse

INTRO TO SPEECHIntroduction to speech teaches a betterunderstanding of the art of public speaking and improves each student’s skill in that arena. The coursework will include the understanding and delivery of informational speeches as well as speeches of dramatic merit. Debatebasics will be introduced and students will deliverafinalproject.

Grade6•SemesterCourse

INTRO TO THEATREIntro to Theatre provides students withtheatre basics both on the stage and behind the scenes. Open to sixth,seventh and eighth graders, this course provides the opportunity to have hands on experience with fundamental acting, directing, production skills and give students a foundation of theatre history. Somememorizationand inclassperformanceisrequired.

Grade6•Semestercourseelectives

JAZZ BANDJazzBandallowsstudentstoexplorethejazzidiom.Theywilllearntoplaymanystyles of jazz, from swing and blues toLatinandrock.Studentswillfocusontheconceptsofrhythm,tonality,andtechniqueas they prepare for concerts and outside performance venues during the year. Improvisation will be encouraged. Thisclasswillmeetasazerohourcoursebeforeschool and performance/rehearsalsoutside of the regular school day will be required. Students must bemembers ingood standing in Concert or SymphonicBandtoparticipateinJazzBand.

Grades6,7&8byauditiononly•Fullyearcourse

GRADE 6 ORCHESTRAOrchestra is open to students who playviolin, viola, cello, or bass. One yearof experience is recommended, but not required.Astudentaccompanist(piano)position is available based on yearly need and any student interested in playing piano would need to audition. The orchestra performs grade appropriate music for concerts, chapels, festival/competitions, and special events. Pleasenote that concert and festival attendance is required for students enrolled in thiscourse.

Grades6•Fullyearcourse

GRADE 7 & 8 ORCHESTRAOrchestra is open to students who playviolin, viola, cello, or bass. One yearof experience is recommended, but not required.Astudentaccompanist(piano)position is available based on yearly need and any student interested in playing piano would need to audition. The orchestra performs grade appropriate music for concerts, chapels, festival/competitions, and special events. Pleasenote that concert and festival attendance is required for students enrolled in thiscourse.

Grades7&8•Fullyearcourse

PRAISE BANDPraise Band membership is availableby audition to students who sing or to studentswhoplayacoustic/electricguitar,electric bass, keyboard, and drums. The group’s purpose is to serve the school community by leading worship in weekly chapelsandforspecialevents.Studentswill develop musical excellence in their chosen discipline, expand their repertoire and knowledge of contemporary worship songs, and gain an understanding of how to minister with their God-given talent.Students interested in auditioning forguitar and keyboard need to be familiar with and have a prior understanding of chords. Instrumentalandvocalauditionswill be open based on the need for the following year.

Grades6,7&8byauditiononly•Fullyearcourse

middle school electives

CharlotteChristianSchoolisaChrist-centered,collegepreparatoryschool,equippinganddevelopingstudentstoeffectivelyintegrateBiblicaltruthand

learningintotheirdailylivesandtoimpactthecultureforChrist.

7301SardisRoad•Charlotte,NC28270•704-366-5657•www.charlottechristian.com